Abstract:
A cheese server including a flat serving tray with an upwardly domed closure mountable thereover and including an enlarged vent opening generally parallel to and aligned over the tray with the vent opening closed by a removable vent panel having multiple openings therethrough with the openings overlaid by a venting foil of a material which is both waterproof and has a predetermined degree of vapor permeability.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     A primary concern with regard to the storage and serving of food products in the home is maintaining the freshness of the food until consumed. The most common means for food preservation includes refrigeration and/or the use of sealed containers, plastic or foil wrapping, and the like.  
         [0002]     While storage within containers normally involves the use of airtight containers providing a sealed interior atmosphere, in some instances the food products can best be preserved by allowing for a selective venting of the container. In this regard, attention is directed to U.S. Pat. No. 6,367,651 B2 to Laib et al, assigned to the assignee of the present application and to a deep body vegetable storer, and anti-odor cheese cellar containers, distributed by TEFAL S.A., France. Another container similar to the TEFAL® containers noted will be seen in U.S. Design Pat. No. 372,641, assigned to TEFAL S.A., France. It will be noted in the Laib et al patent and with regard to the TEFAL® storers, that they are concerned with the storing of produce or cheese, which continue to respire and otherwise chemically react to produce gases or vapors which if retained within a sealed chamber with the foodstuff will adversely affect the foodstuff or produce undesirable odors. This would be the case whether the foodstuff be produce or the various types of cheese with which the present application is more particularly concerned. Further, while deep body containers such as TEFAL® are normally used and are particularly acceptable for storage purposes, such containers would be impractical or less than desirable from a standpoint of being of suitable structure that enables disassembly for proper cleaning and sanitizing as would improve their acceptability for use as a cheese server. This is particularly significant for a container which is to be used both to store cheese and allow for a full display of the cheese for ready access thereto for slicing and serving.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a container for the preservation of foods with the container being particularly adapted for use as both a cheese server at the dining table and as a storage container with a highly effective controlled venting capability.  
         [0004]     In a typical use cycle, food, such as cheese, is removed from the refrigerator for consumption and the remaining portion is returned to the refrigerator after use. In a tradition a closed container, the cover would be placed on the container trapping ambient air inside. As the container cools down in the refrigerator, water vapor condenses on the interior walls. This moisture is in addition to any vapors and gases that are emitted from the cheese itself.  
         [0005]     Pursuant thereto the server is to be vented with the venting of the server controlled by providing for egress of internal gases and vapors which may develop from the contained food or the ambient air in the container, while also acting as a water barrier against ingress of ambient moisture.  
         [0006]     The server of the invention includes a base in the nature of a flat tray presenting a supporting cutting surface or “board” for the cheese, a high domed cover which sits on the tray and defines an enclosing chamber for the cheese, and a large vent panel removably mounted over a corresponding opening defined in the top or upper portion of the cover.  
         [0007]     The vent panel is provided with a predetermined permeability, preferably by the application, as by fusion bonding to the vent panel, of a thin resin foil, or film, of a predetermined degree of vapor permeability. As an example of such resins, attention is directed to the Pebax® waterproof breathable films, products of Atofina Chemicals, Inc. By the use of such foils or film, the degree of permeability of the vent panel can be formed in accord with the type of food to be stored, ambient conditions, and the like. Basically, several duplicate vent panels can be provided, each with a foil of a different specific permeability to accommodate different conditions.  
         [0008]     The vent panel itself snap-locks into the cover opening and is readily removable or disassembled to allow for cleaning and sanitizing, replacement of damaged venting material or the interchangeability with vent panels of differing permeabilities to accommodate the particular cheeses or related foods within the server.  
         [0009]     It is particularly intended that the vent panel and the permeable foil fixed thereto, provide an effective outward venting of moisture in the container or vapors generated by the cheese, as by a continued fermenting or aging thereof, which might adversely affect the desirability of the cheese, while at the same time protecting the cheese against the absorption of water or moisture from the ambient environment wherein the server resides. As noted above, materials appropriate for this purpose are known.  
         [0010]     The incorporation of the replaceable vent panel into the cover is a particularly attractive feature in that upon a removal of the cover, with the vent panel, the cheese is presented, without any surrounding encumbrances, on the flat serving tray, which forms the base of the container.  
         [0011]     Other features, objects and advantages encompassed by the invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective detail of a rectangular embodiment of the invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the server;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a transverse cross-section view taken substantially on a plane passing along line  3 - 3  in  FIG. 2 , and with the vent panel upwardly removed;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a longitudinal cross-section view taken substantially on a plane passing along line  4 - 4  in  FIG. 2 ;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is an enlarged detail of the area designated as  FIG. 5  in  FIG. 4 ;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a square form of the server; and  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a top plan view of the square server. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0019]     Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the container or cheese server  10  consists of three principal components, a base forming tray  12 , a high domed cover  14  and a vent panel  16 . The tray  12  provides a support platform and, as desired, a flat cutting board surface for the cheese or other food product. The domed cover  14 , removably mounted to and over the tray  12 , provides an enlarged enclosing chamber for the cheese. The vent panel  16 , which is removable, replaceable and interchangeable with other panels of varying permeabilities, provides for the desired protective venting of water vapor from the container chamber.  
         [0020]     While the server  10  can be of any appropriate plan configuration, such as square or circular, in the preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 1-5 , the server has been illustrated as rectangular with slightly arcuate opposed longitudinal ends.  
         [0021]     The tray  12  includes a planar top panel  18  forming the support and serving surface for the cheese. This top panel  18  has a depending base flange  20  peripherally thereabout to rigidify the top panel  18  and provide a support base for the tray. An integral continuous outwardly projecting support ledge  22 , at approximately mid-height on this support flange  20 , forms a tray handle and both receives and supports the cover  14 .  
         [0022]     The cover  14 , which is of a generally dome configuration, has a lower peripheral portion including a continuous laterally outwardly turned lip  24  which sits on the tray ledge  22 , the cover thus enclosing the upper portion of the tray above the tray ledge  22 . This telescopic engaging of the lower portion of the cover  14  about the upper portion of the tray  12  is such whereby while the cover can be easily lifted from the tray, a positive sealing effect is provided therebetween by the seating and intimate engagement of the cover lip  24  on the tray ledge  22 . It will also be noted that the lateral extent of the overlying ledge and lip is such whereby the entire server can be readily carried by manually lifting the bottom tray by the peripheral projecting ledge  22  thereon. As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , selected portions  24 ′ of the cover lip  24  can project slightly outward to form cover handles.  
         [0023]     The upper or top portion of the domed cover  14  is formed with an elongate, preferably oval or elliptical vent opening  26  therein. This opening generally conforms to or is aligned with the rectangular configuration of the server. That is, the longitudinal axis of the opening  26  aligns with the longitudinal axis of the server, while the transverse axis thereof aligns with the transverse axis of the server, the vent opening being centrally aligned over the tray.  
         [0024]     The cover  14 , about substantially the entire extent of the opening periphery, is downwardly offset to provide a peripheral seat  28  for the reception and support of the vent panel  16  as shall be described subsequently. Noting  FIG. 5  in particular, the inner edge of the seat  28 , which forms a rim that defines the opening, is in turn provided with an integral depending flange  30 , the inner face  32  of which is slightly undercut or outwardly and downwardly inclined relative to the opening  26 .  
         [0025]     At one point or small area about the cover opening  26 , the cover  14  has a recess  34  formed therein. The recess is in the nature of a finger hole to accommodate one or more fingers for engagement with and removal of the vent panel  16  as desired. This recess  34  terminates in an upwardly extending inner wall  36 , the inner face of which is inclined to correspond with the inclination of the inner face  32  of the flange  30  and is aligned and forms a continuation thereof. Similarly, the extreme upper edge of the recess wall is of an equal height with and forms a continuation of the rim and the seat  28 . As will be appreciated, the recess  34 , in addition to the inner upwardly extending wall  36 , also has a closed bottom and sides in order to maintain the integrity of the cover and chamber defined thereby.  
         [0026]     The vent panel  16  is a rigid or substantially rigid perforated panel with the multiple openings therein coextensive with substantially the entire area of the panel. The panel  16 , when mounted, will completely overlie the cover opening  26  with the peripheral edge portion  38  of the panel  16  seated on the upper cover seat  28  and upper edge of the recess wall  36 . So positioned, a section of the edge portion  38  will overly the finger recess  34  to facilitate engagement therewith for upward removal of the vent panel  16 . As will be recognized from  FIGS. 1 and 3 , the vent panel  16  will be arced to conform to the arcing of the dome configuration of the cover  14 . In the rectangular container, this will involve a transverse arcing with little or no arcing in the longitudinal direction.  
         [0027]     In order to releasably lock the panel  16  into position, the panel  16  includes a peripheral depending locking ring  40  inwardly spaced from the panel edge portion  38  which engages on the cover seat  28 . This locking ring  40  includes an undercut outer face  42  for intimate locking engagement with the rim of the opening and the inclined outer face  32  of the depending flange  30  surrounding the cover opening. As noted in the detail view of  FIG. 5 , the outer face  42  of the vent panel locking ring  40  will preferably have a beveled lower end  44  to facilitate an effective snap-locking of the panel locking ring  40  into engagement with the cover flange  30  by a downward pressure on the panel  16 . Once engaged, a positive interlock is provided, preventing accidental release of the venting panel and requiring the positive application of manual pressure when removal of the panel is desired. As noted above, the edge portion  38  of the panel, where aligned with the cover recess  34 , is of a width as to extend slightly outward beyond the recess inner wall  36  to provide an overhang, which can be engaged, by one&#39;s finger or fingers from within the recess. This in turn allows for a simple upward movement of the panel edge and a release of the panel from the cover opening. While both the cover and vent panel are substantially rigid, one or both will have sufficient resilient flexibility to allow for the desired engagement and release of the vent panel.  
         [0028]     As previously described, the venting of the interior of the container or server is to be controlled, specifically providing for a venting of water vapor in the container and such internal gases and/or vapors as may develop from the nature of the food product itself, while at the same time, acting as a water barrier preventing the ingress of ambient moisture. The controlled venting is provided by a foil or film  46  bonded or molded to the undersurface of the vent panel  16  for the full extent thereof below the panel openings or perforations  48  and within the locking ring  40 . In the preferred embodiment the vent panel  16  and the film or foil  46  are made of compatible materials that allow the vent panel  16  to be injection molded over the foil. The resulting bond between the vent panel  16  and the foiled  46  is quite strong and durable. Such breathable waterproof films are known, for example the films utilizing Pebax® breathable resins.  
         [0029]     The permeability of such films or foils can be varied, that is they can be produced with different permeabilities in accord with the nature of the product involved, for example the particular type of cheese, and ambient conditions which might be encountered. It is also possible to adjust the permeability of the vent panel  16  by adjusting the surface area of the panel openings  48 , thereby adjusting the surface area of the foil through which the vapor can pass.  
         [0030]     With regard to the use of such a film or foil in the cheese server of the present invention, it is proposed that a series or set of interchangeable vent panels, each with a film or foil of different permeability, be provided for selective use as desired or required. As previously discussed, the interchangeable vent panels  16  could also be provided with a larger or smaller panel opening surface area as necessary.  
         [0031]     As will be appreciated from the drawings, it is contemplated that the vent panel be coextensive with a major portion of the top area of the domed cover, both longitudinally and transversely, to maximize the effective venting.  
         [0032]      FIGS. 6 and 7  are of interest in illustrating a container or cheese server  50 , which is square in plan as opposed to the elongate rectangular configuration of the first embodiment. The container  50  will be provided with a circular vent panel  52  arcing, as desired, to conform to the specific configuration of the domed cover  54 . The structural relationship between the components of the container  50  will be the same as that referred to with regard to the more specifically described first embodiment, the only difference being in size and shape as might be dictated by the particular food product to be contained. It is understood that while the preferred embodiment utilizes cheese as the primary example, other food products such as meats, may benefit from controlling the gases and vapor that develop in the interior of the container in which they are stored and served.  
         [0033]     The foregoing is illustrative of the principles of the invention. While specific embodiments have been illustrated, other embodiments as encompassed within the scope of the appended claims will occur to those skilled in the art and are deemed to fall within the scope of the invention.