MODULAR DEVICE COMPRISING CONTAINER TRAYS FOR THE STORAGE OF FOOD PRODUCTS

Abstract: Modular device comprised of container trays for the storage of food products, consisting of a plurality of container trays (3) and a flexible and hinged support (2) for the trays, said container trays having a rectangular configuration with a proportional hollow interior, each support having at least two containers (3) separated between each other and which project on both sides from the tray support (2), the device being intended to the keeping and storage of food products, mainly of the sausage type, the containers (3) being topped at their upper part with a tight and transparent closure lid (3'), emerging from one of the main branches of the support (2) a semi-spherical or similar configuration, which branches are inserted into a similar opening (17) through a channel (8) made in a trapezoidal element originating from the bodies (4) joined between each other by a flexible element (5) which provides for the rotation of the container trays. As a substitute for the support (2), it is possible to use a support (2') carrying the containers (3) with their transparent and tight lids (3'').

Description: The present specification refers to a modular device in container-trays for preserving food, the purpose of which is to solve the scattered storage that, container by container, is carried out by users for preserving sausages or left-overs of food, since this invention is a modular and unitary assembly formed by several transparent and hermetic containers placed on trays which are capable of being tilted, solving the existing problem experienced by users to know the contents of same, which, in the case of this invention, can be perfectly preserved for a long time, making clearly easy to store and arrange sausages and other foodstuffs, and allowing them to be chosen in a direct and simplified way. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention applies to the field of the industry devoted to the manufacture of accessories for household equipment. RELATED ART The applicant knows nothing about the existence of any container assembly having these characteristics with this new application and utility, since what is known until now refers always to unitary and independent containers, which are not capable of solving the problem solved by this invention, and having no possibility of attaining this new application and utility, allowing also other sizes and tray to be used, according to a user's wishes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The modular device in container trays for preserving food, as proposed by the invention, constitutes per se a clear novelty in the field to which it is incorporated. In a more definite way, the modular device in container trays for preserving food of this invention is constituted starting from a tray, on which an indeterminate number of containers are incorporated, each of these containers being provided with a hermetic cover, allowing consequently the food contained in it to be conveniently preserved. One of the sides of the tray carrying the containers is fitted with an extension of same, in an appropiate size, this extension being ended with a projection having a circular configuration, so allowing the tray to be inserted into a holding support constituted as a female element. The female element, acting as a supporting area, is bonded or fixed to other elements having similar characteristics, by means of a flexible system, in order to allow it to be properly folded. and later to receive different container trays by using the above-mentioned support. This arrangement allows different types of food, mainly pork products in general, to be placed within container trays, so that a user can select the food he/she prefers to eat in a more simple and easy way, due to the fact that the hermetic cover of the container is made of a transparent material through which the contained product can be easily seen. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS In order to complement this description and aid to a better understanding of the features of the invention, the accompanying - drawings which are a part of this specification, show in an illustrative but non limitative sense, the following: Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the object of the invention related to a modular device in container trays for preserving food. Figure 2 shows a side elevational view of a container tray incorporated into the assembly, this Figure showing also a side view of a coupling element between two trays. Figure 3 shows a side elevation view of the object illustrated in Fig. 1, and showing also one of trays displaced. Figure 4 shows again a view similar to that illustrated in Fig. 3 of the object shown in Fig. 1, with a tray tilted and a tray pivoting. Figure 5 shows a front elevational view of the container tray represented in Fig. 2, in a unitary way, with its hermetic and - transparent cover. Figure 6 is a front elevational view of the object illustrated in Figs. 2 and 5, with its cover opened. Figure 7 is a plan view of the object shown in Figs. 2, 5 and 6. Figure 8 is a side elevational view of the object shown in Fig. 1. Figure 9 is a plan view of the container trays bonded to a rib perimetrically surrounding same in order to join the own elements, as well as the pivots located on the back of the trays, in a second embodiment. Figure 10 is a side view of pivots located on the trays, being peg shaped, to be inserted into the receiving geometric part shown in Fig. 11. Figure 11 is, lastly, a side elevationnal view of an assembly - composed of several trays with containers, joined and assembled by the above-mentioned parts shown in Fig. 10. Figure 1 and 2 show the manner in which the modular device in container trays for preserving food (1) is constituted starting from a plurality of supporting elements (2), having a rectangular or quadrangular plan configuration, on which containers forming a monoblock assembly (3) are located, and fitted with a transparent and hermetic cover (3'), and an oval-shaped stud (6) emerging from one of their larger branches, the function of which is to be fixed to many other receiving bodies (4), which, joined each other by a flexible body or element, allow them to be moved and dropped, achieving that each of these bodies (4) will receive the stub (6) via a groove (8), in order to incorporate the stub within an oval receptacle (7), to be fitted in it and be locked inside, so allowing to form an assembly of bodies or elements (2), joined one other by parts (4), and allowing to be moved in an upward vertical sense until reaching at least 180º, so that an user can check the products held in the containers (3) through the transparent, hermetic covers (3'), and carry out an appropiate choice of same. Figure 3 shows again how the supporting bodies (2), holding the containers (3) with their transparent, hermetic cover (3'), have a projection located at one of the larger branches, configured as an oval-shaped blunt body (6), vertically located, which enters openings (7) through a groove (8), emerging from a trapezoidal shoulder arising from bodies (4), joined one other by means of a flexible joining element (5) allowing the containers (3) with their covers (3'), containing the food to be chosen by a consumer, to be dropped up to at least 180º. Figure 4 shows again an assembly operation. In Figure 7, it can be seen a plan view of the supporting - elements (2) of containers (3), carrying transparent, hermetic covers (3'). Figure 8 illustrates a side view of an assembly according to the invention. In Figures 9-11, it is represented a second embodiment of the invention, which is constituted starting from a carrying body (2'), on which containers fitted with covers (3'') are incorporated, being also of a transparent and hermetic nature, having a shape which is similar to covers (3'), as shown in the preceding figures. In order to obtain a union of these supporting elements (2') between similar bodies, projections (10) fitted with openings (13) are incorporated to same, the function of them being to receive stubs (14) emerging from a part (12), and, consequently to avoid their motion, one of the stubs acting as an embedding link in the lower parte (2'), while the upper stub fits in the projection (10) of the upper part, the stubs (14), carried by the part (12), being fixed in openings (13) by a movement of a supplementary part (11) having grooves or openings (15) at its ends, this part (11) forming a retaining and actuating element for parts (2'), and acting as an adequate bonding element. Lastly, it is to be noted that Figure 9 shows splits (16) located at the edge area (2'), on which the hermetic trays are located, these splits being designed to expedite the embedding and bonding operation of same in the retaining areas (13). It is not considered necessary to extend more this description for an expert in the art to understand the invention and its advantages on the use, utility and new application for preserving and arranging foodstuffs.

Claims: A modular device in container trays for preserving food, characterized in that it is constituted starting from a plurality of container trays (3) and a support for same (2), flexible and hinged, the container trays having a rectangular plan shape, and having an internal proportional hollow thickness, each support having at least two containers (3) separated from one other, - emerging from both faces of the supporting tray (2), designed to maintain and preserve food, mainly sausages, the containers (3) being ended at their upper part in a hermetic cover (3') and of a transparent material, a semispherical or similar shape emerging from one of the larger branches of support (2), which are embedded in a similar opening (7), through a groove (8) situated at a trapezoidal projection emerging from bodies (4) united each other by a flexible element (5), which allows them to tilt. A modular device in container trays for preserving food, according to claim 1, characterized in that instead of the support (2), a support (2'), carrying containers (3) with transparant and hermetic covers (3'') can be used, the support (2) having projections on one of its larger face, which are constituted by protuberances (10) fitted with harmonic recesses (13), designed to receive stubs (14) transversally emerging from rectangular shape parts (12), which are embedded in an upper opening (13) of the support (2'), located at the lower part, while the upper stub (14) is embedded in the recess (13), located at the lower part of the support (2'), located at the next upper part, the parts (12) with the protuberances (10) being fixed, through their recesses (13) by means of an auxiliary part (11) having tow recesses on the smaller branches (15), which act as retainers for two supports (2') of trays (3) with transparent and hermetic covers (3''). A modular device in container-trays for preserving food, according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that on one of the larger branches of the edge (2'), two transversal recesses harmonically arranged (16) are located.

Inventors: DE JAEN TOLBANOS RAFAEL, DE JAEN TOLBANOS, RAFAEL
Applicants: JAEN TOLBANOS RAFAEL DE, DE JAEN TOLBANOS, RAFAEL
Application year: 1995
Main classification: A47J47
IPC codes: A47J47, B65D85, B65D19, A47B31, A47F5