WO2013143706A1

WO2013143706A1 - Container for food products immersed in liquid

Info

Publication number: WO2013143706A1
Application number: PCT/EP2013/000954
Authority: WO
Inventors: Maciej Dziuba
Original assignee: Maciej Dziuba
Priority date: 2012-03-30
Filing date: 2013-03-28
Publication date: 2013-10-03
Also published as: ITTV20120049A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container for food products immersed in liquid. The container is constituted by a first outer container and by a second inner container, telescopically associated with each other in a rotatable manner. The first and the second container have a sloped bottom; the second container is also perforated to allow the flow of liquid.

Description

DESCRIPTION

CONTAINER FOR FOOD PRODUCTS IMMERSED IN LIQUID The present invention relates to a container for food products immersed in liquid, such as, for example, the fruit, vegetables, legumes, mushrooms, dairy products, or, in general, products in oil or vinegar .

Nowadays it is known vehicular of food products through their insertion within appropriate containers, such as cans of glass or metal or trays made of plastic, but in any case the product needs to be immersed in an appropriate liquid preserves / liquid retains the whose function is to increase the useful life of the product and then to allow the subsequent consumption over time by the user.

For example, today you can buy the product, if it consists of fresh fruit packed in a protective atmosphere, the length can be 5 days, if it is freshly cut fruit with liquid, the duration can be 12 days, and if using pasteurized or canned fruit (with liquid) can be extended to 6/12 months.

The use of such known containers presents many drawbacks: first of all the products contained therein to be consumed must usually be drained beforehand and then separated from the liquid.

Some products also have a liquid that must be thrown away, while others have a liquid in a container that can be consumed regardless of the consumption of the product (fruits or vegetables) .

In any case the use of the known containers does not allow a sufficient spilling of the product before its consumption.

To allow the use of all these products requires the use of a colander / strainer (which is never provided in the box) , but that necessarily is located in the kitchens, whether at home or a restaurant .

Alternatively it is possible to use a fork, that catches the product within the liquid (for example the brine one of liquid most used) , after which each individual piece must be drained before being eaten.

This known technique does not allow for a quiet consumption in the condition of takeaway (Take Away) , given that the container does not allow to consume the product walking because there is a risk of getting dirty or of dirtying.

It is also noted that the management of a container made of glass or metal turns out to be expensive, also the metal container to be opened requires a special opener or requires the realization of a lid tear-off which increases costs even further.

In the event that the fill area is localized separately from the production, transport and storage of containers involves high management costs.

In the case of the use of plastic containers, the same are usually closed at the top by the affixing of a film heat sealed in correspondence of the peripheral edge; an inconvenience, found in such known types of containers, consists essentially in the fact that when the user must eat the product is forced to pull out every time, piece by piece, from the brining liquid with consequent continuous drip of the product which can also stain clothing of the user.

The liquid, also, can be at times even opaque, obscuring this user to the presence of the product and thus forcing the user to feel continuously inside the container to search for any product remaining .

If you use a fork to pick up the product, it has been found that fork is sometimes positioned outside the container in a special envelope, with a further increase in costs: this fork is therefore subject to possible accidental removal (and hence loss thereof) or perforation of the envelope, with consequent contamination of same .

Finally the containers of known type have costs of storage and transport to the production sites (filling with the product and the liquid) high in front of the volumes occupied by the same. The European patent application EP 2255615 Al shows a device for the preparation of white cheese, comprising a receptacle inside which is arranged a strainer enabled to rotate and move vertically in translationwise . Such a strainer is formed by a side wall of truncated cone shape and a bottom in which is formed a series of openings. The upper edge of the container is shaped so as to form at least one ramp, adapted to cooperate with some elevations protruding from the side wall of the strainer. The ramp and raises are structured in such a way that the rotation of the strainer inside the container causes the vertical displacement of the strainer with respect to the container, between a raised position of drain and a lowered rest position.

The main task for the subject matter of the present invention is therefore to solve the described technical problems, eliminating the drawbacks of the cited prior art and thus providing a container for food products immersed in a liquid enabling the user to consume such products without first having to remove the liquid .

Within the above aim, an important object of the invention is to provide a container that allows the user the consumption of the solid part contained in it in a quick, simple and clean, thus avoiding dripping of the product during its consumption.

Another object of the invention is to make available to the consumer even a tool, an outlet for the product, that is not subject to accidental removal and at the same time maintains the characteristic of hygiene until the moment of consumption of the product .

Still another object is to provide a container that can be inserted in vending machines, bar trolleys in aircraft, trains, in the refrigerator showcase.

Another object is to provide a container that present cost of storage and transport, for example to the place of filling, very low.

This aim, these objects, and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a container for food products immersed in liquid, that is characterized by the fact of being constituted by a first outer container and by a second inner container, between their telescopically associated, in a rotatable manner, said first and second container having an inclined bottom of which that of said second container is also perforated.

Advantageously between said first and second container is defined a cavity which defines a further seat for the liquid which constitutes a means of lubrication for the sliding of said first and second container. Suitably said second inner container has, at its upper end, a first and a second seat constituting a gripping means for the user's fingers .

Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will become better from the detailed description of a particular but not exclusive, embodiment, illustrated only by way of non- limitative example in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 illustrates, in an exploded view, the container;

Figure 2 illustrates the container in a partially sectioned view in the condition in which the second inner container is completely inserted in the first outer container;

Figure 3 illustrates the condition in which the second inner container is partially extracted from the first outer container; Figure 4 illustrates, in a partially sectioned view, the second inner container;

Figure 5 illustrates, in a view similar to the preceding, the first outer container;

Figure 6 shows the container in a view from above;

Figure 7 illustrates the container with the film partially raised; Figure 8 illustrates, in a diametrical section, the container.

In the exemplary embodiments that will be illustrated, individual characteristics, given in relation to specific examples, may actually be interchanged with other different characteristics that exist in other examples of embodiment.

Moreover, it is noted that anything that during the procedure of obtaining the patent is found to be already known is understood not to be claimed and subject of a disclaimer (disclaimer) by the claims .

With reference to the above figures, it is indicated with the number (1) a container for food products (2), such as, for example, the fruit, vegetables, legumes, mushrooms, dairy products, or, in general, products in oil or vinegar.

These food products (2) are immersed in a liquid like brine(3) . The container (1) is constituted by a first outer container (4) and by a second inner container (5) .

These first outer container (4) and second inner container (5) have a body whose outer lateral surface (6a, 6b) is cylindrical or truncated cone as adapted to allow their stacking in the phases of storage and / or transport .

The conical shape enables the stacking of the outer container of the outer container and the inner container of the inner container for transport and storage, significantly reducing the volumes and consequently logistics costs, such as the transport and storage of containers (1) empty from production to the laboratory before filling with the product.

The first outer container (4) has therefore a first upper edge (7), advantageously arcuate and projecting outwards from the outer lateral surface (6a), and a lower edge (8) .

The first upper edge (7) has an internal diameter greater than that of the adjacent inner lateral surface (9) of the first outer container (4); it is obtained a wall (10) having inverted S-shaped configuration whose wings (11) and (12) are connected, substantially perpendicularly, to the first upper edge (7) and the inner lateral surface (9) .

The second inner container (5) has in turn a second upper edge (13) constituted by an annular ridge projecting substantially perpendicularly to the outer side surface (6b); said second upper edge (13) is positioned in correspondence of the wing (11) of the wall (10) of the first upper edge (7) of the first outer container (5) .

In correspondence of the lower edge (8) is possibly associated, in a removable manner, a suitable cap (14) .

Said first and second outer container and inner (4.5) each respectively having an inclined bottom (15a, 15b); the degree of inclination can be varied according to the specific demands due, for example, the type of product stored inside the first upper edge (7) second container and / or the type of liquid used government.

The inclination of the inclined bottoms (15a, 15b) is substantially the same .

The inclined bottom (15a) of the first outer container (4) is arranged at a predetermined and desired distance from the bottom edge (8), to define a compartment (16) possibly closable by the cover (14) . The bottom (15b) of the second inner container (5) is advantageously present a double inclination to define a first portion (17a), also inclined at an inclined bottom (15a), followed by a second portion (17b) having an inclination less.

The bottom (15b) of the second inner container (5) is also perforated, being present one or more openings (18) affecting both the first section (17a) that the second section (17b) .

The openings (18) can also be positioned, as an alternative or in addition, in correspondence of the side surface (6b) of the inner container (5) .

The height of the second inner container (5) is such that, once inserted within the first outer container (4), the inclined bottom (15b) goes to position itself close to and substantially parallel to the underlying inclined bottom (15a) while in the second upper edge (13) abuts in correspondence of the wing (11) present behind the first upper edge (7) of the first outer container (4), as shown in Figure 2.

Said first and second outer and inner container (4.5) are telescopically associated with each other in a rotatable manner: as shown in the figures two and three, to the inner container (5) is possible when the extraction that its rotation with respect to the outer container (4), rotation that brings the second section (17b) of the bottom (15b) to be disposed in correspondence of the upper end of the bottom (15a) .

In this position we have that a prepared hook (24), protrudes below the bottom (15b) advantageously in correspondence of the peripheral edge of the second section (17b) and in a zone below the septum (19a), goes to position itself within an adapted and complementarily shaped first seat (25) formed at the bottom (15a) in an area of the same having the greatest distance from the lower edge (8) of the first outer container (4) .

In so doing the second upper edge (13) of the second inner container (5) have raised with respect to the first upper edge (7) of the first outer container (4), and at the same time the liquid (3) can flow through the openings (18), in correspondence of the underlying bottom (15a) thereby obtaining spilling of the product. Of course the inclination of the bottoms (15a, 15b) may be the most appropriate according to the quantity of liquid storable inside the second inner container (5) .

Thus also the location and number of openings (10) can be varied as a function of the liquid used and the product contained.

It should be noted that there is a tolerance between the internal dimensions of the outer container (4) and the outer dimensions of the inner container (5) : it is to define an interspace which allows the presence of a film of liquid (3), which thus constitutes a means of lubrication and makes possible the rotation / extraction of the first from the second container.

The tolerance is minimal in order not to leave the liquid contained within the inner container (5) or the outer container (4) .

The second inner container (5) has, in correspondence of the second upper edge (13), a pair of septums (19a, 19b), in plan substantially semicircular, advantageously affecting the entire distance between said second upper edge (13) and the underlying bottom (15b) .

This pair of septums (19a, 19b) defines a first and a second area

(20a, 20b) of housing and grip for the user's fingers in imposing the rotation and lifting of the second inner container (5) .

Advantageously at least one of said baffles (19a, 19b) is perimetrically closed to define a second seat (20a) for the temporary housing of a tool (21) , such as a fork or toothpick.

Such a tool (21) advantageously has a base (22) flat and countershaped to the terminal end of the septum (19a) for its positioning at the same level with the second upper edge (13) . Such a base (22) is also axially perforated to facilitate the grip of the user.

There is also a film (23) that goes to interest the first upper edge (7) and simultaneously the base (22) of the tool (21) .

The operation of the invention is as follows: initially, the user must remove the film and, placing the fingers at the base (22) and the second seat (20b), may impose a rotation and a second extraction of the inner container. By doing so inclined bottoms will arrange themselves in such a way as to present a their respective ends suitably spaced so as to create a cavity seat, for the liquid (3) so that can flow from the second inner container in the first outer container.

Then you will get a drained product that can be consumed quickly and easily by the consumer.

The wings (11) and (12) of the wall (10) having a shape inverted to S in addition to giving greater consistency to the first upper edge (7) define a reservoir adapted to collect / retrieve the film of liquid (3) present on the outside of the inner container, that flow out during the extraction.

In practice it has been observed that the invention has achieved the intended aim and objects mentioned above having obtained a container (1) which allows to separate just the solid part (product to be consumed) by the liquid and to block / store the latter in a part of the container.

Will then no longer necessary to proceed to the separation of the product from the liquid in the moment of consumption.

The container (1) is supplied with a tool (21), consisting of fork, spoon or other depending on the necessity, positioned inside it, in such a way that the solid part can be consumed in an easy and clean way.

The container (1) is configured so as a complete system for the consumption of a product which by its nature must be kept in a liquid, allowing the separation of the solid part from the liquid and providing directly inside the tool (fork, spoon or other) necessary for the consumption of the product itself.

This container (1), for its characteristics, allows to be inserted in vending machines, bar trolleys in aircraft, trains, in the refrigerator showcase, etc.

The liquid (3), if edible, can be then consumed at a later time because it contains natural products and / or refreshing products. After extraction of the inner container 5.

The container (1) allows the user to consume the products contained therein without first having to remove the liquid and allows the consumption of the solid part contained in it in a quick, simple and clean, thus avoiding dripping of the product during its consumption. The tool for gripping for the product, is not subject to accidental removal and at the same time maintains integrates over time the characteristic of hygiene until the moment of consumption of the product.

The container (1) also presents costs of storage and transport, for example at the place of filling, very content, being able to stack the containers one another the various external and internal .

Naturally the materials used and the dimensions that constitute the individual components of the invention may be more pertinent according to specific requirements. The various means for performing certain different functions need not certainly coexist only in the illustrated embodiment, but may be present in many embodiments, also not illustrated. The characteristics indicated as advantageous, convenient or the like may also be omitted or be replaced with equivalents.

Claims

1. A container (1) for food products (2) which are immersed in a preserving liquid (3), consisting of a first, outer container (4) and a second, inner container (5) which are rotatably telescopically associated with each other, said first, outer container (4) comprising a base (15a), said second, inner container (5) comprising a pierced base (15b), characterised in that the bases (15a, 15b) are angled.

2. The container according to claim 1, characterised in that between said first, outer container and second, inner container (4, 5) there is a hollow space which is a seat for said preserving liquid (3) which constitutes a lubricant for the sliding of said first, outer container and second, inner container (4, 5) .

3. The container according to claims 1 and 2, characterised in that said first, outer container (4) and second, inner container (5) comprise a body whose outer lateral surface (6a, 6b) is cylindrical or frustoconical, in the latter case designed to allow the stacking of the outer container on outer containers and of the inner container on inner containers for transportation and storage.

4. The container according to claims 1 and 3, characterised in that said first, outer container (4) comprises a first upper edge (7), arched and projecting outwards relative to the outer lateral surface (6a), and a lower edge (8), said first upper edge

(7) having an internal diameter which is greater than that of the adjacent inner lateral surface (9) of said first, outer container (4), forming a wall (10) having the shape of an inverted S whose wings (11) and (12) are connected, substantially perpendicularly, to said first upper edge (7) and to said inner lateral surface (9), a cover (14) being removably associable at said lower edge

(8) .

5. The container according to claims 1 and 4, characterised in that said second, inner container (5) comprises a second upper edge (13) consisting of an annular lip projecting substantially perpendicularly to said outer lateral surface (6b), said second upper edge (13) being positionable in contact at said wing (11) of said wall (10) .

6. The container according to claims 1 and 5, characterised in that said first, outer container and second, inner container (4, 5) each respectively comprises an angled base (15a, 15b) set at substantially the same angle, said angled base (15a) of said first, outer container (4) being located at a predetermined and desired distance from said lower edge (8), said base (15b) of said second, inner container (5) comprising a double angle, thereby forming a first stretch (17a), set at the same angle as said angled base (15a), followed by a second stretch (17b) set at a smaller angle, said base (15b) and/or said outer lateral surface (6b) of said second, inner container (5) being pierced with the presence of one or more openings (18) which are in both said first (17a) and said second stretch (17b) .

7. The container according to claims 1 and 6, characterised in that the height of said second, inner container (5) is such that, once inserted in said first, outer container (4), the angled base (15b) is positioned behind and substantially parallel with the angled base (15a) below, whilst said second upper edge

(13) makes contact at said wing (11) present behind the first upper edge (7) of said first, outer container (4) .

8. The container according to claims 1 and 7, characterised in that said first, outer container and second, inner container (4, 5) are rotatably telescopically associated with each other, said inner container (5) being both extractable and rotatable, by the desired degree, relative to said outer container (4), rotation bringing said second stretch (17b) of said base (15b) to a position in which it is raised resting at the higher end of said base (15a) and therefore forcing said second upper edge (13) of said second, inner container (5) to a position in which it is raised relative to said first upper edge (7) of said first, outer container (4), said preserving liquid (3) at the same time being able to flow out, through the openings (18) in the base (15a) below, thereby draining the product.

9. The container according to claims 1 and 8, characterised in that there is a tolerance between the internal dimensions of said first, outer container (4) and the external dimensions of said second, inner container (5) for forming a hollow space which allows the presence of a film of said preserving liquid (3), said liquid film forming a lubricant for the rotation/extraction of said first, outer container and second, inner container (4, 5) .

10. The container according to claims 1 and 9, characterised in that said second, inner container (5) comprises, at said second upper edge (13), a pair of partitions (19a, 19b), substantially semi-circular in plan view, which advantageously cover the entire distance between said second upper edge (13) and said base (15b) below, said pair of partitions (19a, 19b) forming a first and a second seat (20a, 20b) for accommodating and being gripped by the fingers of the user while imparting the rotation and lifting to said second, inner container (5) , at least one of said partitions (19a, 19b) being closed at the perimeter to form a second seat (20a) for temporarily housing a tool (21), such as a fork or a toothpick, said tool (21) comprising a flat base (22) shaped to match the end of the partition (19a) so that it can be placed flush with said second upper edge (13), said flat base (22) being axially pierced so that it. is easy for the user to grip.

11. The container according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a tooth (24), projecting below said base (15b) advantageously at saidperimetric edge of said second stretch (17b) and in a zone below said partition (19a), said tooth (24) having the function of being positioned in a first seat (25) shaped to match it and made at said base (15a) in a zone of it which is furthest from said lower edge (8) of said first, outer container (4) .