Collapsible food container

A collapsible food container, comprising a collapsible container and a lid assembly, the collapsible container including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a seating wall, the seating wall coupled to a first end of the upper portion and the lower portion coupled to a second end of the upper portion opposite the first end, the upper portion being collapsible as to transition the collapsible container between an expanded state and a collapsed state, the lid assembly including a rigid collar and a rigid lid, the rigid collar removably coupled to the seating wall of the collapsible container and the rigid lid removably coupling to the rigid collar.

FIELD

This application relates to a collapsible food container, and more specifically to a collapsible food container with a collapsible container and a lid assembly that includes a rigid collar and a rigid lid.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. provisional Application No. 62/969,728, filed Feb. 4, 2020, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Consumer desire a reusable food storage container that helps to prevent the use of single-use containers where possible. There are three main types of food containers available in the market today. The first type are disposable food containers that are typically discarded following the consumption of food contained therein. These containers contribute to the creation of waste. The second type are reusable containers which. While reusable containers help to alleviate the waste created by disposable containers, they also require the consumer to carry a large container following consumption of the food contained therein. Also, reusable containers take up valuable shelf space while being stored within the home. Lastly, the third type are collapsible containers whose components are permanently bonded together during production. These collapsible containers will eventually develop weak points that can easily break. Moreover, since the components are permanently bonded together, they cannot be recycled or disposed of responsibly after use.

What is needed is a reusable food container which is collapsible, allowing for ease of use while on the go and efficient storage within the home, and whose components are separable as to extend the lifetime of the food container and to allow for recycling or responsible disposal after use.

SUMMARY

In an effort to addresses the above-described needs, a collapsible food container is disclosed. In some embodiments, the collapsible food container is comprised of a collapsible container and a lid assembly. The collapsible container including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a seating wall. The seating wall is coupled to a first end of the upper portion and the lower portion coupled to a second end of the upper portion opposite the first end. The upper portion being collapsible as to transition the collapsible container between an expanded state in which the collapsible container defines an inner space and a collapsed state in which the lower portion, the upper portion, and the seating wall are adjacent to one another. The lid assembly including a rigid collar and a rigid lid, the rigid collar removably coupled to the seating wall of the collapsible container and the rigid lid removably coupling to the rigid collar.

In some embodiments, a method for providing a collapsible food container is disclosed. The method for providing a collapsible food container comprising providing a collapsible container and providing a lid assembly. The collapsible container including an upper portion, a lower portion, and a seating wall. The seating wall coupled to a first end of the upper portion and the lower portion coupled to a second end of the upper portion opposite the first end. The upper portion being collapsible as to transition the collapsible container between an expanded state in which the collapsible container defines an inner space and a collapsed state in which the lower portion, the upper portion, and the seating wall are adjacent to one another. The lid assembly including a rigid collar and a rigid lid, the rigid collar removably coupled to the seating wall of the collapsible container and the rigid lid removably coupling to the rigid collar.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As mentioned above, this application relates to a collapsible food container.

FIG.1is a top perspective view of a collapsible food container100in an expanded state according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The embodiment disclosed inFIG.1is of a collapsible food container100with a cylindrical bowl shape. However, the collapsible food container100may have other shapes while remaining with the scope of the present disclosure, including rectangular, square, oval, and triangular shapes.

As shown inFIG.1, the collapsible food container100may include a collapsible container102and a lid assembly104. The collapsible container102may include an upper portion106and a lower portion108. The combination of the upper and lower portions106,108may have a generally tapered shape. The tapered shape allows the upper and lower portions106,108to effectively collapse upward to an area adjacent to the lid assembly104.

The lower portion108may include a flat bottom portion110that allows the collapsible food container100to sit upright on a flat surface.

The collapsible container102may comprise any material known to one of ordinary skill in the art that is flexible, waterproof, and microwave safe, including silicone rubber and synthetic elastomer. Moreover, these materials may be treated to ensure that they are food safe.

The lid assembly104may be removably coupled to the upper portion106of the collapsible container102. The lid assembly104provides access to an inner space112(not shown) defined within the collapsible container102. The lid assembly104may have an identical shape or a similar shape to the collapsible container to effectively couple with the collapsible container102and control access to the inner space112.

FIG.2is a bottom perspective view200of a collapsible food container100in a collapsed state according to an embodiment disclosed herein. While the collapsible container102is in a collapsed state, the upper portion106(not shown) and the lower portion108may each collapse upward towards the lid assembly104. Specifically, the upper portion106may collapse to an area adjacent to the lid assembly104, while the lower portion108may collapse entirely into the upper portion106.

The proportions of the upper and lower portions106,108are such that the lower portion108is fully enveloped within the upper portion106when the collapsible container102is in the collapsed state.

FIG.3is an exploded view300of a collapsible food container100in an expanded state according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The collapsible container102may include a seating wall302extending from the upper portion106.

A lower retaining ridge304may extend outward from an intersection of the upper portion106and a first perimeter edge302A of the seating wall302.

An upper retaining ridge306may extend outward from a second perimeter edge302B of the seating wall302, the second perimeter edge302B positioned opposite the first perimeter edge302A. The second perimeter edge302B defines an opening308that provides access to the inner space112defined within the collapsible container102.

As with the upper and lower portions106,108, the seating wall302, the lower retaining ridge304, and the upper retaining ridge306may each be comprised of any material known to a person of ordinary skill in the art that is flexible, waterproof and microwave safe, these materials including silicone rubber and synthetic elastomer. Moreover, these materials may be treated to make them food safe.

Returning toFIG.3, the lid assembly104may include a rigid collar310and a rigid lid312. In the embodiment shown inFIG.3, the rigid collar310is cylindrically shaped with an inner circumference that is generally equal to an outer circumference of the seating wall302. However, the rigid collar310may have any other shape that generally matches the shape of the seating wall302while remaining within the disclosed embodiment's scope, the other shapes, including rectangular, square, oval, and triangular shapes.

When set in place on the collapsible container102, the rigid collar310is positioned in-between the lower and upper retaining ridges304,306, and rests against the seating wall302. The flexibility of the seating wall302allows for the insertion and removal of the rigid collar310over the lower and upper retaining ridges304,306. The lower and upper retaining ridges304,306, while flexible, have a sufficient thickness to securely support and hold in place the rigid collar310while collapsible container102transitions between the expanded state and the collapsed state.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.3, the rigid lid312is cylindrically shaped with an inner circumference that is generally equal to the circumference of the upper retaining ridge306. However, the rigid lid312may have any other shape that matches the rigid collar310while remaining within the disclosed embodiments' scope, the other shapes, including rectangular, square, oval, and triangular shapes.

A perimeter edge312A of the rigid lid312may rest against the upper retaining ridge306when positioned over the opening308and secured to the collapsible container102. The rigid lid312may be made from any rigid material known to one of ordinary skill in the art that is rigid and microwave safe, this rigid material including polyurethane and plastic.

The rigid lid312may include a pair of latches314positioned adjacent to the perimeter edge312A on opposite sides of the rigid lid312. Specifically, a first latch314A may be rotatably coupled to an outer surface312B of the rigid lid312at a first coupling position312C adjacent to the perimeter edge312A.

A second latch314B may be rotatably coupled to the outer surface312B at a second coupling position312D adjacent to the perimeter edge312A. The second coupling position312D opposite the first coupling position312C on the outer surface312B of the rigid lid312.

While the embodiment shown inFIG.1includes a single pair of latches314, the rigid lid312may include more than one pair of latches314, each of the pairs of latches314positioned at equal distances from one another on the rigid lid312.

Each of the pair of latches314may be L-shaped with a first leg316and a second leg318. The first leg316may be proportioned to extend along the outer surface312B of the rigid lid312from the first and second coupling positions312C,312D to the perimeter edge312A. The second leg318may be proportioned to extend downward towards the collapsible container102from the perimeter edge312A of the rigid lid312to the rigid collar310. The second leg318may removably couple to the rigid collar310and thereby securing the rigid lid312to the collapsible container102.

The lid assembly104may further include compression valves320embedded within the outer surface312B of the rigid lid312and positioned under each of the pair of latches314. Specifically, a first compression valve320A may be embedded within a first through-hole312E in the rigid lid312and positioned underneath the first leg316of the first latch314A. A second compression valve320B may be embedded within a second through-hole312F in the rigid lid312and positioned underneath the first leg316of the second latch314B. The compression valves320may be comprised of any flexible and water-resistant material known to one of ordinary skill in the art capable of expansion and contraction within the first and second through-holes312E,312F, including rubber.

In embodiments in which there are more than one pair of latches314, compression valves320are embedded within the outer surface312B of the rigid lid312and positioned under each of the more than one pair of latches314.

Each of the compression valves320may be pressed down towards a corresponding one of the first and second through-holes312E,312F as a result of rotating each of the pair of latched314downward towards the collapsible container102. Once each of the pair of latches314is coupled to the rigid collar310, an airtight seal at each of the first and second through-holes312E,312F is created. Conversely, once any one of the pair of latches314is de-coupled from the rigid collar310, the airtight seal at a corresponding one of the first and second through-holes312E,312F is broken, and air may flow freely through the compression valve320.

While either of the pair of latches314is de-coupled, the compression valves320allow air to enter and exit the inner space112defined within the collapsible container102. Specifically, each of the compression valves320may include a hole322running through each of the compression valves320. The hole322in each of the compression valves320allows air to enter and exit the inner space112through the compression valves320.

This free airflow provides for the effective compression and expansion of the collapsible container102between the expanded and collapsed states. Moreover, the pair of latches314may be de-coupled to allow the free flow of air through the hole322in each of the compression valves320while using the collapsible food container100in a microwave to heat food within the inner space112of the collapsible container102.

Each of the pair of latches314may be removable from the rigid lid312. Similarly, each of the compression valves320may be removable from the rigid lid312. The removal of the pair of latched314and the compression valves320provides for effective cleaning of the lid assembly104. Once cleaned, the pair of latches314and the compression valves320may be re-attached to the rigid lid312.

FIG.4Ais a cross sectional view400of a rigid collar310along line A inFIG.3according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The rigid collar310may include an outer surface310A and an inner surface310B, the inner surface310B designed to sit against the seating wall302(not shown). The rigid collar310may include an upper ridge310C along an upper perimeter310E of the outer surface310A. The upper ridge310C is defined by an upper wall310G running along the full upper perimeter310E. The rigid collar310may further include a lower channel310D running through a lower perimeter310F of the rigid collar310proximate the inner surface310B.

FIG.4Bis a cross sectional view400of the rigid collar310positioned on a collapsible food container100along line A inFIG.3according to an embodiment disclosed herein. While positioned on the seating wall302, the inner surface310B of the rigid collar310sits against the seating wall302. Also, the upper retaining ridge306of the seating wall302sits within the upper ridge310C, and the lower retaining ridge304sits within the lower channel310D. The upper wall310G of the rigid collar310is embedded within a seating wall channel302C defined between the upper retaining ridge306and the inner surface310B of the seating wall302. The interface between the lower and upper retaining ridges304,306and the rigid collar310helps secure the rigid collar310to the collapsible container102.

Returning toFIG.3, each of the pair of latches314may include a clip324that interfaces with the lower perimeter310F on the rigid collar310to secure the lid assembly104to the collapsible container102. Specifically, the clip324on each of the pair of latches314extend from an inner surface326of each of the latches314. The clip324presses against the lower perimeter310F to pull the lid assembly104down towards the collapsible container102. Once sufficiently pulled down, the clip324on each of the pair of latches314sits against the lower perimeter310F of the rigid collar310to keep the lid assembly104secured to the collapsible container102. By pulling the rigid lid312down towards the collapsible container102and securing the pair of latches314to the rigid collar310, an airtight seal is created between the perimeter edge312A and an outer surface of the upper retaining ridge306.

FIG.4Cis a cross sectional view400of the lid assembly104secured to the collapsible food container100along line A inFIG.3according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The upper retaining ridge306may include an embossed channel402running along the full circumference of the upper retaining ridge306. A raised profile404extends from an inner surface312G of the rigid lid312, the inner surface312G opposite the outer surface312B of the rigid lid312. The lid assembly104is secured to the collapsible container102once the clip324on each of the pair of latches314is pressed against the lower perimeter310F of the rigid collar310. While the lid assembly104is secured to the collapsible container102, the raised profile404fits within the embossed channel402to create a leak-proof seal of the inner space112defined within the collapsible container102.

Each of the plurality of latches314includes a circular protrusion406that extends from its inner surface312G. The circular protrusion406on the inner surface312G of each of the pair of latches314is positioned to align with the hole322in each of the compression valves320once it is closed. The circular protrusion406presses against a corresponding one of the compression valves320to fully cover the hole322and create an airtight seal once the corresponding one of the pair of latches314is secured to the rigid collar310.

FIG.5is a cross sectional view500of a collapsible food container100in an expanded state according to an embodiment disclosed herein. The upper portion106of the collapsible container102may include a plurality of minor stages502positioned in-between an upper articulating wall504and a lower articulating wall506. Each of the plurality of minor stages502may have a generally diamond shape with a thick, inflexible center508and thin flexible longitudinal edges510. Each of the plurality of minor stages502are connected to one another at their respective flexible longitudinal edges510. The thick, inflexible center508provides for greater support while in the expanded state and the thin, flexible longitudinal edges510provide for greater flexibility while transitioning between the expanded and collapsed states.

The flexible longitudinal edges510allow each of the plurality of minor stages502to bend at its respective flexible longitudinal edge510. Accordingly, the flexible longitudinal edges510allow each of the plurality of minor stages502to fold over a neighboring one of the plurality of minor stages502as the collapsible container102transitions between the expanded and collapsed states.

The upper articulating wall504may couple a first end512of the upper portion106to the seating wall302. The upper articulating wall504is flexible in a manner as to bias the upper portion106into a portion of the inner space112defined by the seating wall302when a downward force516, towards the lower portion108, is applied to the lid assembly104.

The lower articulating wall506may couple a second end514of the upper portion106to the lower portion108, the second end514positioned opposite the first end512. The lower articulating wall506is flexible in a manner as to bias the lower portion108into a portion of the inner space112defined by the upper portion106when the downward force516is applied to the lid assembly104.

The upper articulating wall504and the lower articulating wall506are each sufficiently thin compared to the rest of the collapsible container102to ensure that they are the first to collapse when the downward force516is applied to the lid assembly104.

The lower portion108may include a reinforcing element518embedded within a portion of the lower portion108. The reinforcing element518may be rigid or semi-rigid to maintain the shape of the lower portion108while the downward force516is applied to the lid assembly104. The reinforcing element518may be comprised of a thicker gauge of the same material comprising the collapsible container102. The thicker portions of the collapsible container102having less flexibility than the remainder of the collapsible container102.

The flat bottom portion110may include a foot ring520sized to fit within a center portion522on the outer surface312B of the rigid lid312outside of the pair of latches314. The foot ring520facilitates the stacking of multiple collapsible food containers100on top of one another.

FIG.6is a cross sectional view600of a collapsible food container100in a collapsed state according to an embodiment disclosed herein. In the collapsed state, the upper portion106is positioned adjacent to the seating wall302and enveloped within a portion of the inner space112defined by the seating wall302. Moreover, in the collapsed state, the lower portion108is positioned adjacent to the upper portion106and enveloped within a portion of the inner space defined by the seating wall302. In the collapsed state, the second end514of the upper portion106is positioned adjacent to the lid assembly104.

The foregoing description discloses only example embodiments of the invention. Modifications of the above-disclosed apparatus, systems, and methods that fall within the scope of the invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Accordingly, while the present invention has been disclosed in connection with an example embodiment, it should be understood that other embodiments may fall within the scope of the invention.