Patent Publication Number: US-9895023-B2

Title: Food storage system

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/220,137, filed Aug. 29, 2011, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/118,110, filed May 9, 2008 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,006,513 on Aug. 30, 2011, which is continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/022,705, filed Dec. 27, 2004 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,380,412 on Jun. 3, 2008, which is a continuation-in-part of each of the following patent applications: U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/209,746, filed Jul. 21, 2004 and issued as U.S. Design Pat. No. D511,435 on Nov. 15, 2005; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/210,422, filed Jul. 30, 2004 and issued as U.S. Design Pat. No. D536,923 on Feb. 20, 2007; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/210,681, filed Aug. 4, 2004 and issued as U.S. Design Pat. No. D536,922 on Feb. 20, 2007; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/210,423, filed Jul. 30, 2004 and issued as U.S. Design Pat. No. D527,224 on Aug. 29, 2006; U.S Design patent application Ser. No. 29/210,287, filed Jul. 29, 2004 and issued as U.S. Design Pat. No. D527,954 on Sep. 12, 2006; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/211,946, filed Aug. 24, 2004 and issued as U.S. Design Pat. No. D527,951 on Sep. 12, 2006; U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/215,245, filed Oct. 15, 2004 and issued as U.S. Design Pat. No. D527,952 on Sep. 12, 2006; and U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/215,246, filed Oct. 15, 2004 and issued as U.S. Design Pat. No. D526,161 on Aug. 8, 2006. Each of the above-identified applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present invention is generally directed to food storage systems and, more specifically, is directed to food storage systems that include thermal energy storing material for heating and/or cooling associated food. 
     While some food service items use multiple compartments to store or present food, such food service items fail to maintain the associate food at suitable temperatures when that food must be maintained in a heated and/or chilled state. This results in food spoilage and/or in food characteristics changing in an unpalatable fashion. 
     It would be advantageous to provide a food storage system that could separately store multiple foods; that can maintain food in a heated and/or cooled condition; that preferably can be used for serving food; and that is preferably easy to transport or store for later consumption. 
     SUMMARY 
     Briefly speaking, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a food storage system that includes a main bowl that defines a first food receiving cavity. A main lid is detachably engaged able with the main bowl. A secondary bowl is positioned at least partially on and/or in the main lid. The secondary bowl includes a sidewall containing thermal energy storage material therein. The sidewall defines a second food receiving cavity. The food storage system can separately hold food items in the first or second food receiving cavities. The secondary bowl is configured so that the thermal energy storage material can heat and/or cool food contained in the second food receiving cavity. 
     In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a food storage system that includes a main bowl that defines a first food receiving cavity. A secondary bowl is positioned in the first food receiving cavity and defines a second food receiving cavity. The secondary bowl includes a sidewall containing a thermal energy storage material therein. The food storage system can separately hold food items in the first or second food receiving cavities. The secondary bowl is configured so that the thermal energy storage material can heat and/or cool food contained in the second food receiving cavity. The secondary bowl is securable in a fixed position within the first food receiving cavity when the main and secondary bowls are covered. 
     In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a food storage lid configured for use with a main bowl that defines a first food receiving cavity. The food storage lid includes a main lid adapted to be detachably engageable with the main bowl. A secondary bowl is positioned at least partially on and/or in the main lid. The secondary bowl includes a sidewall containing a thermal energy storage material therein. The sidewall defines a second food receiving cavity. The food storage lid can hold food in the second food receiving cavity. The secondary bowl is configured so that the thermal energy storage material can heat and/or cool food contained in the second food receiving cavity. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It is understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the two part container of the present invention; the food storage system is formed by a main lid having a secondary bowl positioned therein; the secondary bowl includes a sidewall having thermal energy storage material therein; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevational view of the food storage system of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a partial cross-sectional view of the food storage system of  FIG. 2  and illustrates the secondary bowl being snap fit to the main lid; a lip extends around the secondary bowl that is pressed through a hole in the main lid to allow the secondary bowl to be detachably engageable with the main lid; a secondary lid is engaged with the secondary bowl; 
         FIG. 2B  is a partial cross-sectional view of the food storage system of  FIG. 2  and illustrates the secondary bowl being threaded to the main lid; at least one thread extends around the secondary bowl that is detachably engageable with at least one thread that is positioned along an inner surface of a downwardly depending lid member; a secondary lid is engaged with the secondary bowl; 
         FIG. 2C  is a partial cross-sectional view of the food storage system of  FIG. 2  and illustrates the secondary bowl being twist locked to the main lid; a lip extends around the secondary bowl that is slid through a slot and then rotated to detachably secure the secondary bowl to the main lid; a secondary lid is engaged with the secondary bowl; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the food storage system of the present invention; the food storage system includes a main lid having a secondary bowl therein that includes thermal energy storage material in the second bowl sidewalls; the main lid is circularly shaped and the secondary bowl is generally rectilinearly shaped; 
         FIG. 4  is an elevational view of the food storage system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the food storage system of the present invention; the food storage system includes a main lid having a secondary bowl placed at least partially therein; the secondary bowl includes thermal energy storage material in the second bowl sidewall; the main lid and the secondary bowl are preferably generally rectilinearly shaped; 
         FIG. 6  is an elevational view of the food storage system of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the food storage system of the present invention; the food storage system includes a main bowl with a secondary bowl located therein; the secondary bowl includes thermal energy storage material in the second bowl sidewall; the secondary bowl has a base perimeter that is received by a main bowl lip that defines an enclosed area for receiving the base of the secondary bowl therein; the main and secondary bowls generally have a circular shape; 
         FIG. 8  is an elevational view of the food storage system of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 8A  is a partial cross-sectional view of the food storage system of  FIG. 8  and illustrates the secondary bowl being snap fit to the main bowl; a lip extends around the secondary bowl that is pressed past a constricting member on the main bowl to allow the secondary bowl to be detachably engageable with the main bowl; 
         FIG. 8B  is a partial cross-sectional view of the food storage system of  FIG. 8  and illustrates the secondary bowl being threaded to the main bowl; at least one thread extends around the secondary bowl that is detachably engageable with at least one thread that is positioned along an upwardly depending main bowl member; 
         FIG. 8C  is a partial cross-sectional view of the food storage system of  FIG. 8  and illustrates the secondary bowl being twist locked to the main bowl; a lip extends around the secondary bowl that is slid through a slot and then rotated to detachably secure the secondary bowl to the main bowl; 
         FIG. 9  is perspective view the fifth preferred embodiment of the food storage system of the present invention; the food storage system includes a main bowl and a secondary bowl containing thermal energy storage material therein; the secondary bowl sidewall is formed by inner and outer panels with the inner panel defining the second food receiving cavity; the outer panel is integrally formed with the main bowl; the main and secondary bowls have a generally circular shape; 
         FIG. 10  is an elevational view of the food storage system of  FIG. 9 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a sixth preferred embodiment of the food storage system of the present invention; the food storage system includes main and secondary bowls each having a generally rectilinear shape; the secondary bowl includes thermal energy storage material therein; the secondary bowl has a base perimeter and the main bowl includes a lip extending from the first receiving cavity and configured to define an enclosed area for receiving the base of the secondary bowl therein; 
         FIG. 12  is an elevational view of the food storage system of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a seventh preferred embodiment of the food storage system of the present invention; the food storage system includes main and secondary bowls having a generally rectilinear shape with the outer panel of the secondary bowl being integrally formed with the main bowl; the secondary bowl includes thermal energy storage material therein; 
         FIG. 14  is an elevational view of the food storage system of  FIG. 13 . 
         FIG. 15  is an eighth perspective view of an eighth preferred embodiment of the food storage system of the present invention; the food storage system included a main bowl having a generally rectilinear shape and a secondary bowl having a generally circular shape; the secondary bowl has thermal energy storage material in a sidewall thereof; the outer panel of the sidewall of the secondary wall is integrally formed with the main bowl; 
         FIG. 16  is a elevational view of the food storage system of  FIG. 15 ; and 
         FIG. 17  is a cross-sectional view of a ninth preferred embodiment of the food storage system of the present invention, illustrating a single lid capable of simultaneously sealing the main and secondary bowls; annular projections extend downwardly toward the secondary bowl to create a seal between the main lid and the upper rim of the secondary bowl. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “top,” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the food storage system and designated parts thereof. The term “food” or “food item”, as used in the claims and in the corresponding portions of the specification, is defined as including “one or both of liquid food (such as milk, water, Gatorade, soda or the like) and solid food (such as cookies, cereal, sandwiches, egg salad, or the like). The words “a” and “one” are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. This terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-17 , wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, nine preferred embodiments of a food storage system are shown and designated  30 : 1 - 30 : 9  respectively. Briefly stated, the first through third embodiments of the food storage system  30 : 1 - 30 : 3  are directed to a main lid  32  that is adapted to detachably engage a main bowl  34 . A secondary bowl  36  is positioned at least partially on and/or in the main lid  32 . The secondary bowl  36  includes thermal energy storage material  38  therein. The fourth through eighth embodiments of the food storage  30 : 4 - 30 : 8  include a main bowl  34  having a secondary bowl  36  positioned therein with thermal energy storage material  38  located in the secondary bowl  36 . 
     The main lid  32 , the main bowl  34 , and the secondary bowl  36 , are preferably made of a polymeric material, such as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyphthalate carbonate (PPC), or any other suitable material. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , the first through third embodiments of the food storage system  30 : 1 - 30 : 3  preferably, but not necessarily, include a main bowl  34  defining a first food receiving cavity  40 . It is preferable that the main bowl  34  is generally translucent. While the bowls shown in the drawings are generally circular or rectangular in shape, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that either the main or secondary bowls  34 , 36  can be of any shape. For example, either of the main or secondary bowls  34 ,  36  can be irregularly shaped, shaped like a clam shell, shaped like a chili pepper, or have any other shape without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     The main lid  32  is detachably engageable with the main bowl  34 . The main lid  32  preferably has either a generally circular shape or a generally rectilinear shape. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that the main lid  32  can have any shape without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the main lid  32  can be triangular, irregularly shaped or polygonally shaped, or the like without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is preferable, but not necessary that the main lid is generally translucent. Alternatively, the main lid can be opaque or can have various designs printed thereon. 
     A secondary bowl  36  is positioned at least partially on and/or in the main lid  32 . Referring to  FIGS. 2A-2C , the secondary bowl  36  may be detachable from the main lid  32 . For example, the secondary bowl  36  may be engaged with the main lid  32  via an interference fit. Alternatively, the secondary bowl  36  can be secured to the main lid  32  via a snap fit connection. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 2A , when the secondary bowl  36  is snap fit  43  to the main lid  32 , a lip  43 A extends generally around at least a portion of the secondary bowl  36 . The outer diameter of the lip  43 A is slightly larger than the corresponding inner diameter of the hole in the main lid  32 . This causes the secondary bowl  36  to be detachably engaged with the main lid  32  when the secondary bowl  36  is pressed downwardly through the hole to form a snap fit connection  43 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2B , when the secondary bowl  36  is threadably connected to the main lid  32 , the secondary bowl includes at least one thread  45 A at least partially therearound. The at least one thread  45 A is engageable with another thread  45 B on a downwardly depending lid member. As the secondary bowl  36  is screwed into the main lid  32 , a threaded connection  45  is formed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 2C , when the secondary bowl  36  is connected to the main lid  32  via a twist lock  47 , a pin  47 A is slid through a slot  47 B and then turned into a recess  47 C. This allows for quick engagement of the secondary bowl  36  and the main lid  32 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-6 , the secondary bowl  36  includes a sidewall  42  containing a thermal energy storage material  38  therein. The thermal energy storage material  38  is preferably any suitable freezable and/or reheatable material, such as a refreezable gel or the like. It is preferred that the gel can undergo repeated cycles of freezing and thawing in order to provide cooling. Heat storing materials may also be utilized such that the thermal energy storage material  38  can be placed in a microwave oven to allow the thermal energy storage material  38  to provide warmth to food. 
     The sidewall  42  defines a second food receiving cavity  44 . It is preferred, but not necessary that a portion of the main lid  32  form a portion of the sidewall  42  of the secondary bowl  36 . 
     The main lid  32  may have a major surface  46  facing in a first direction generally away from the main bowl  34 , when the main lid  32  is attached to thereto. The portion  48  of the main lid  32  preferably extends outwardly therefrom in a direction generally opposite to the first direction. The portion  48  of the main lid defines an outer wall  50  of the sidewall  42  of the secondary bowl  36 . 
     It is also preferred that a panel  52  is shaped to be generally coextensive with the portion  48  of the main lid  32  forming the outer wall  50  and is attached to the main lid  32  to form an inner wall  54  of the secondary bowl  36 . The inner wall  52  defines a food receiving surface for the second food receiving cavity  44  and is generally spaced from the outer wall  50  to define a chamber  56  therebetween. 
     It is preferable that the thermal energy storage material  38  is located within the chamber  56 . It is also preferable that the thermal energy storage material  38  is a gel. The gel may be colored or translucent depending on the particular esthetic look desired. It is preferred that the inner wall  54  is welded to the main lid  32 . Alternatively, the inner wall  54  may be secured to the main lid via an adhesive, or by any other known method of securing two components of a food storage system. 
     The food storage system  30 : 1 - 30 : 3  can separately hold food items in the first or second food receiving cavities  40 ,  44 . The secondary bowl  36  is configured so that the thermal energy storage material  38  can heat/or cool food contained in the second food receiving cavity  44 . It is preferred that the secondary bowl  36  is generally translucent so that the secondary bowl  36  has a color of the thermal energy storage material  38  therein. 
     When both the main bowl  34  and the secondary bowl  36  are generally translucent, the entire food storage system  30 : 1 - 30 : 3  takes on the general color of the thermal energy storage material  38 . This allows for attractive decorative options. It is preferred that the secondary bowl  36  is generally centered in the main bowl  34 . 
     The food storage system  30 : 1 - 30 : 3  may include a secondary lid  58  that is detachably engageable with the secondary bowl  36 . It is preferable that the secondary bowl  36  include an upper rim  60  for engaging the secondary lid  58 . The secondary bowl  36  is preferably located so that the upper rim  60  is substantially adjacent to the major surface  46  of the main lid  32 . The major surface  46  preferably faces generally away from the main bowl  34  when the main lid  32  is attached thereto. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-16 , the fourth through eighth embodiments of the food storage system  30 : 4 - 30 : 8  of the present invention are shown. The food storage system  30 : 4 - 30 : 8  includes the main bowl  34  which defines the first food receiving cavity  40 . 
     The food storage system  30 : 4 - 30 : 8  includes the secondary bowl  36  positioned in the first food receiving cavity  40 . It is preferable, but not necessary, that the secondary bowl  36  is generally centrally positioned within the main bowl  34 . The secondary bowl  36  includes a sidewall  42  containing thermal energy storage material  38  therein. 
     It is preferred that the sidewall  42  is formed by inner and outer panels  62 ,  64 . The inner panel  62  defines the second food receiving cavity  44 . The outer panel  64  is preferably integrally formed with the main bowl  34 . It is preferred that the inner panel  62  defines the upper rim  60  for engaging the secondary lid  58 . The inner panel  62  is generally co-extensive with and spaced from the outer panel  64 . 
     It is preferred that the main bowl  34  is generally translucent. It is also preferred that the secondary bowl  36  is generally translucent so that the main and secondary bowls  34 ,  36  have the general color of the thermal energy storage material  38 . Alternatively, the secondary bowl  36  can be the only bowl that is generally translucent so that the secondary bowl  36  has the color of the thermal energy storage material  38 , but the main bowl  34  does not. 
     The food storage system  30 : 4 - 30 : 8  can separately hold food items in the first or second food receiving food receiving cavities  40 , 44 . The secondary bowl  36  is configured so that the thermal energy storage material  38  can heat and/or cool food contained in the food receiving cavity  44 . The secondary bowl  36  is securable in a fixed position within the first food receiving cavity  40  when the main and secondary bowls are covered. 
     It is preferred, but not necessary, that the main and secondary bowls  34 ,  36  are fixedly attached to each other. Referring to  FIG. 8 , the secondary bowl  36  includes a secondary bowl base  66  having a base perimeter  68 . The main bowl  34  preferably includes a lip  70  extending from the first food receiving cavity  40  and configured to define an enclosed area for receiving the base  66  of the secondary bowl  36  therein. The secondary bowl  36  may be detachable from the main bowl  34  for heating and cooling the thermal energy storage material  38  therein. This allows the secondary bowl to be heated or chilled while the main bowl  34  is in use. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 8A-8C , when the secondary bowl  36  is detachably engaged with the main bowl  34 , it is preferred that the secondary bowl  36  is secured to the main bowl via a twist lock connection. Alternatively, the secondary bowl  36  may be connected to the main bowl  34  via a snap fit connection or a threaded connection. Furthermore, the secondary bowl  36  may be detachably secured to the main bowl  34  using any known means, such as hook and loop material or the like without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
     Referring specifically to  FIG. 8A , when the secondary bowl  36  is snap fit  43  to the main bowl  34 , a lip  43 A extends generally around at least a portion of the secondary bowl  36 . The outer diameter of the lip  43 A is slightly larger than the corresponding inner diameter of a constricting member  43 B located on the main bowl  34 . This causes the secondary bowl  36  to be detachably engaged with the main bowl  34  when the secondary bowl  36  is pressed downwardly through the constricting member  43 B to form a snap fit connection  43 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 8B , when the secondary bowl  36  is threadably connected to the main bowl  34 , the secondary bowl includes at least one thread  45 A at least partially therearound. The at least one thread  45 A is engageable with another thread  45 B on a upwardly depending main bowl member  45 B. As the secondary bowl  36  is screwed into the main bowl  34 , a threaded connection  45  is formed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8C , when the secondary bowl  36  is connected to the main bowl  34  via a twist lock  47 , a pin  47 A is slid through a slot  47 B and then turned into a recess  47 C. This allows for quick engagement of the secondary bowl  36  and the main bowl  34 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 17 , it is preferred, but not necessary, that the main and secondary bowls  34 ,  36  are sealed using a single lid  32 . When a single lid  32  is used, the single lid  32  includes downwardly projecting grooves  32 A that form a seal with the upper rim  60  of the secondary bowl  36 . Alternatively, the food storage system  30 : 4 - 30 : 8  can include main and secondary lids  32 ,  58 . The secondary lid  58  may be detachably engageable with the secondary bowl  36 . The main lid  32  is preferably detachably engageable with the main bowl  34 . The food storage system  30 : 4 - 30 : 8  is preferably configured so that, when the secondary lid  58  is engaged with the secondary bowl  36  and the main lid  32  is engaged with the main bowl  34 , that the main lid  32  braces the secondary lid  58  in position. It is preferred that the secondary lid  58  is decoratively shaped with a perimeter representing an animal face. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-6 , one embodiment of the present invention operates as follows. A food storage system  301 - 30 : 3  can be used to store chips and salsa for transportation. The chips are placed in the main bowl  34  in the first food receiving cavity  40 . Then, the main lid  32  is attached to the main bowl  34  to secure the chips therein. The main lid  32  is preferably refrigerated or frozen prior to attachment so that the thermal energy storage material  38  in the secondary bowl  36  provides cooling to any food in the second food receiving cavity  44 . The salsa dip is placed in the second food receiving cavity  44  and sealed with the secondary lid  58 . Thus packaged, the chips and salsa are ready for transport and later consumption thereof. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-16 , the fourth through eighth embodiments of the food storage system  30 : 4 - 30 : 8  of the present invention operate as follows. Cookies are positioned the first food receiving cavity  40  but outside of the secondary bowl  36 . Then, milk is poured into the secondary bowl  36 . The secondary bowl is preferably refrigerated or frozen prior to use so that the thermal energy storing material  38  keeps the milk in a chilled state. Than at least one cover is placed over the secondary bowl or over both the secondary bowl  36  and the main bowl  34 . Then the food storage system  30 : 4 - 30 : 8  is ready for transportation and later consumption of the milk and cookies. 
     While various shapes, configurations, uses, and features have been described above and are shown in the drawings for the various embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that any combination of the above features can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is recognized by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the above described embodiments of the invention without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover all modifications which are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and/or shown in the attached drawings.