Abstract:
A container system useful for holding prepared foodstuffs in a refrigerator in an organized and convenient manner, having a frame, a plurality of containers with removable lids, and a retention means for holding the containers in fixed position relative to the frame when placed therein.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application further claims priority to a provisional application, U.S. Ser. No. 61/900,608, filed Nov. 6, 2013, entitled The Home Salad Bar, by Trask, Ellen, which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Technical Field 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to container systems and more specifically relates to a container system for holding foodstuffs in a refrigerator for use as a home salad bar. 
         [0004]    The present invention, though having many practical uses, is designed primarily to function as a “home salad bar”, a sleek and simple food storage unit made of a frame system with removable containers. This device may be used to store prepared vegetables and salad bar items within a refrigerator. The system of the present invention enables the user to pull out the entire unit and its containers for quick and easy preparation of a salad. 
         [0005]    2. Description of Problem 
         [0006]    Preparing healthy meals in today&#39;s busy lifestyle has always been a struggle for families. People are busy working all day, attending late day meetings and appointments, as well as attending their children&#39;s after school sports games and activities. These late days often prevent people from getting home early enough to prepare healthy meals. Lessons, games, and meetings run into suppertime, and when family members arrive home they are hungry and want to eat right away. Meals have to be prepared quickly to prevent pre-meal snacking and eating of fast food items. It is obvious that preparing healthy meals at the end of a busy work/school day is a struggle for many families. It is easier to make a quick trip through the drive through at a fast food chain than to get home and have an army of hungry children whining, “When is supper going to be ready?” When dining at a sit down restaurant family members can be placated with a trip to the salad bar while waiting for the main course. Not only does this curb their hunger, but also is a healthy way for them to fill up on the fresh vegetables they love. 
         [0007]    Research shows us that more than one-third (34.9% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese. Approximately 17% (or 12.7 million) of U.S. children and adolescents aged 2-19 years suffer from obesity and one in three children are considered overweight. There are many reasons for the rise in obesity. They include the high cost of pre-sliced fresh fruit and vegetables, inexpensive food sources such as fast foods, increased availability of vending machines with energy-dense items, and more mothers in the workforce with less time at home to cook. 
         [0008]    It is therefore shown that there is a need for a better way to offer fresh vegetables and fruits for consumption either on their own or as a part of a freshly made salad. 
         [0009]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container system that can be used to prepare and store food items in a refrigerated environment for future use. 
         [0010]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a container system that helps to reduce the time it takes for daily preparation of healthy salads. 
         [0011]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container system that reduces the amount of money spent on fresh vegetables that go to waste. 
         [0012]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container system that allows the user to prepare vegetables once a week instead of every time a salad is desired. 
         [0013]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container system that prevents vegetables from becoming cluttered and lost in the bottom of the refrigerator by allowing the user to store vegetables in an organized manner for easy access. 
         [0014]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container system that encourages children to prepare a healthy meal by themselves when parents are not home to cook. 
         [0015]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container system that allows each family member to create his or her own salad with preferred fixings to ensure that each family member is happy and content. 
         [0016]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container system that helps busy parents feed their children healthy snacks or pre-meal before the main course is served. 
         [0017]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container system that prevents snacking on high calorie and non-nutritious fast foods. 
         [0018]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container system that provides a fast way to feed a family nutritious food with little daily preparation. 
         [0019]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container system that is dishwasher safe. 
         [0020]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container system that is inexpensive to manufacture. 
         [0021]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a container system that can be used to store non-food items in a non-refrigerated environment. 
         [0022]    Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become obvious to the reader and it is intended that these objects and advantages are within the scope of the present invention. To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of this disclosure. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0023]    The present invention is a container system comprising a frame suitably configured to retain a plurality of containers. It can be used as a convenient storage unit designed to store fresh vegetables. It is different from other multi-compartment containers in that each container is independent from the other containers and the frame keeps them all together. This design allows the user to remove and insert the containers independently from each other while being able to move the entire device as one unit. Each container has a removable, sealable lid to enclose whatever items are placed therein. This is particularly important when those items are fresh food items, like lettuce, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, broccoli, cheese, olives, onions, and peppers. Once placed into the frame, the containers can easily be moved from place to place, for example, from the kitchen counter to the refrigerator to the dining room table. The containers may be all of the same size and shape or may be of different sizes and shapes. Each container is dishwasher safe and can be easily removed from the frame for cleaning. 
         [0024]    The user can fill the device on Sunday evening in preparation for the week&#39;s meals. The user buys vegetables and slices them up, puts them into the individual containers, and then places the containers in the frame of the unit. The system is then placed in the refrigerator. Throughout the week, as needed, family members can remove the whole unit from the refrigerator, uncap the containers and select the items they want for their own individual salads. When done, the container lids are snapped back in place, and the whole unit is placed back in the refrigerator until another member of the family needs a quick healthy snack or meal. 
         [0025]    The frame of the container system may be configured in any number of ways. In one class of embodiments the frame actively retains the containers, either by being configured so that the containers are friction fit into the frame, or by having engagement members which engage with corresponding members found on the containers. In this class of embodiments, the containers themselves form the support for the system once they are placed into the frame. 
         [0026]    In another class of embodiments the frame passively retains the containers. That is, the containers are loosely placed into the frame and hang therefrom, being retained in the frame mainly through gravity. In these embodiments an additional means of support is required. One such means of support comprises a plurality of legs which extend downward from the frame. The legs support the frame above a surface. Another means of support are rails positioned laterally on the frame, which are configured to mate with receiving members located within a refrigerator, such as the drawer runners used for cheese or meat drawers or vegetable crispers. In the preferred embodiments both the legs and the rails are used, so that the container system can be placed into a refrigerator in a dedicated, easy to use location, and then can be self-supporting when taken out of the refrigerator, all while providing easy access to the containers within the frame. 
         [0027]    Alternate embodiments of the container system comprise a bottom tray. The bottom tray is sized substantially the same as the frame and is located below the frame, attached to the support legs. The bottom tray conveniently holds useful tools for the preparation of salads, such as a cutting board or cutlery. It also serves to retain crumbs and other stray pieces that might fall outside of the containers when they are being filled or when food is being taken out of the containers. This helps keep the work place and the refrigerator clean. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  depicts a perspective view of the embodiment of the present invention shown in  FIG. 1 , with the cutting board extracted for use in chopping foodstuffs, and with a container partially filled with foodstuffs. 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  depicts a perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0031]      FIG. 4A  depicts a plan side view of one embodiment of the retention means of the present invention, both prior to placing a container into the frame and after placing the container into the frame. 
           [0032]      FIG. 4B  depicts a plan side view of another embodiment of the retention means of the present invention, both prior to placing a container into the frame and after placing the container into the frame. 
           [0033]      FIG. 4C  depicts a plan side view of yet another embodiment of the retention means of the present invention, both prior to placing a container into the frame and after placing the container into the frame. 
           [0034]      FIG. 4D  depicts a plan side view of yet another embodiment of the retention means of the present invention, both prior to placing a container into the frame and after placing the container into the frame. 
           [0035]      FIG. 4E  depicts a plan side view of yet another embodiment of the retention means of the present invention, both prior to placing a container into the frame and after placing the container into the frame. 
           [0036]      FIG. 4F  depicts a plan side view of yet another embodiment of the retention means of the present invention, both prior to placing a container into the frame and after placing the container into the frame. 
           [0037]      FIG. 5A  depicts a plan top view of one embodiment of the present invention using rails for placement of the container system into a refrigerator. Hidden elements are shown in ghost line. 
           [0038]      FIG. 5B  depicts a plan side view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 5A  along A-A. 
           [0039]      FIG. 6A  depicts a plan top view of another embodiment of the present invention using rails for placement of the container system into a refrigerator. Hidden elements are shown in ghost line. 
           [0040]      FIG. 6B  depicts a plan side view of the embodiment of the present invention depicted in  FIG. 6A  along A-A. 
           [0041]      FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of one embodiment of the present invention being placed onto a refrigerator shelf. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0042]    The container system  1  of the present invention comprises a plurality of containers  100 , a frame  200 , and a retention means  300 . The containers  100  are suitable for holding any item  10 , but more particularly food items  10  such as one would use to make a salad. The frame  200  is appropriately configured to hold the containers  100 . The retention means  300  is adapted to maintain the positional relationship of each container  100  to the frame  200 . 
         [0043]    Each container  100  has an opening  102  and an interior volume. The opening  102  is oriented at the top end of the container. Each container  100  has associated with it a removable lid  110  that is capable of completely covering the opening  102  of the container. The lid  110  may be secured to the container  100  by threads, or it may simply be snapped onto the container  100  or secured by frictional forces. The containers  100  may all be of a uniform height, or they may be of different heights. The containers  100  may all be dimensioned the same, or they may be differently dimensioned. For example, some containers  100  may have a substantially square cross-section, while others may have a rectangular cross-section. See  FIG. 1 . Containers  100  having the same shape may be sized differently. Other shapes of the containers  100  are also contemplated, such as substantially cylindrical containers  100 , see  FIG. 3 , containers  100  with tapered sides, containers  100  with an upper circumferential projection  310 , e.g., a lip, and the like. The containers  100  and their lids  110  may be substantially transparent, or translucent, or opaque. They may be colored or colorless. They may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic or glass. In the preferred embodiments the containers  100  and their lids  110  are dishwasher safe. 
         [0044]    The frame  200  is a substantially rigid structure defining a plurality of apertures  202 . Each aperture  202  is configured to receive within it at least one of the plurality of containers  100 , such that all of the plurality of containers  100  may be placed into the apertures  202  of the frame  200 , one container  100  per aperture  202 . So, for example, if the container system  1  comprises nine containers  100 , with three being large square shaped, two being large rectangular shaped, and four being small rectangular shaped, then the frame  200  will comprise nine apertures  202 , with three of the apertures  202  being large square shaped, two being large rectangular shaped, and four being small rectangular shaped. Each of the three large square shaped containers  100  may be placed into any of the three large square shaped apertures  202 , each of the two large rectangular shaped containers  100  may be placed into either of the two large rectangular shaped apertures  202 , and each of the four small rectangular shaped containers  100  may be placed into any of the four small rectangular shaped apertures  202 . Alternatively, the shapes of the containers  100  need not be the same as the shapes of the apertures  202 , providing that the containers  100  are still able to fit into the apertures  202 . For example, a cylindrical container  100  may fit into a square shaped aperture  202 . See  FIG. 5A . 
         [0045]    The frame  200  may be oriented substantially horizontally. It has a top surface  204  and a bottom surface  206 . When a container  100  is placed into an aperture  202  of the frame  200 , an upper portion  104  of the container  100  is located above the top surface  204  of the frame  200  and a lower portion  106  of the container  100  is located below the bottom surface  206  of the frame  200 . See  FIGS. 4A-4F  and  6 B. 
         [0046]    In some embodiments the frame  200  is constructed of a substantially planar member  220 , having a thickness, with the plurality of apertures  202  of the frame  200  formed into the planar member  220  through the thickness of the planar member  220 . See  FIGS. 3 and 5A . The planar member  220  may be made of plastic or glass or any other suitable material. In the preferred embodiments the planar member  220  is dishwasher safe. 
         [0047]    In the preferred embodiments the frame  200  is constructed of a plurality of elongate, substantially rigid rods  210 , with each of the rods  210  in connection with at least two other rods  210 , thereby forming a grid. The rods  210  may be connected to each other by any appropriate means. The spaces between the rods  210  define the plurality of apertures  202  of the frame  200 . See  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  6 A. The rods  210  may be made of plastic or, preferably, of metal, such as stainless steel. In the preferred embodiments the frame  200  is dishwasher safe. 
         [0048]    The retention means  300  of the container system  1  is any suitably adapted means that maintains the positional relationship of a container  100  to the frame  200  when the container  100  is placed into an aperture  202  of the frame  200 . That is, if the frame  200  containing the containers  100  is moved from one location to another, the containers  100  remain within the frame  200  in the same positional relation to the frame  200 . Thus, for example, a container  100  that has approximately 50% of its height located above the frame  200  and approximately 50% of its height located below the frame  200  (not taking into account the thickness of the frame  200 ) will maintain that relative positioning within the frame  200  by the retention means  300 . 
         [0049]    In one embodiment, the retention means  300  of the container system  1  requires each of the containers  100  to be appropriately dimensioned to one or more of the apertures  202  of the frame  200  so that each container  100  snugly fits into a corresponding aperture  202 . See  FIG. 4D . Thus, when the container  100  is placed into the aperture  202 , frictional forces hold the container  100  within the aperture  202 . For example, a container  100  with an outside diameter of six inches will be placed into an aperture  202  with an inside diameter of six inches. The tight fit of the container  100  within the aperture  202  results in the container  100  being maintained in fixed positional relationship to the frame  200 . 
         [0050]    In another embodiment, the retention means  300  requires that each of the containers  100  has a circumferential projection  310 , and that each of the apertures  202  of the frame  200  has an interior circumferential channel  320 . The circumferential projections  310  of the containers  100  are suitably configured to engage with the interior circumferential channels  320  of the apertures  202 . See  FIG. 4A . The engagement of the circumferential projection  310  of the container  100  with the interior circumferential channel  320  of the aperture  202  holds the container  100  within the aperture  202 , resulting in the container  100  being maintained in fixed positional relationship to the frame  200 . The circumferential projection  310  of the container  100  may be integrally formed into the side of the container, or it may be added after the fact (for example, a rubber gasket placed onto the container). The circumferential projection  310  of the container  100  may be continuous or discontinuous; if the latter, it may be comprised of a plurality of similar projections or projections which are dissimilar to each other or both. 
         [0051]    In yet another embodiment, the retention means  300  requires that each of the containers  100  has a circumferential channel  312 , and that each of the apertures  202  of the frame  200  has an interior circumferential projection  322 . The circumferential channels  312  of the containers  100  are suitably configured to engage with the interior circumferential projections  322  of the apertures  202 . See  FIG. 4B . The engagement of the circumferential channel  312  of the container  100  with the interior circumferential projection  322  of the aperture  202  holds the container  100  within the aperture  202 , resulting in the container  100  being maintained in fixed positional relationship to the frame  200 . The circumferential projection  322  of the aperture  202  may be integrally formed into the edge of the aperture  202 , or it may be added after the fact. The circumferential projection  322  of the aperture  202  may be continuous or discontinuous; if the latter, it may be comprised of a plurality of similar projections or projections which are dissimilar to each other or both. 
         [0052]    In yet another embodiment, the retention means  300  requires that each of the containers  100  has a circumferential channel  312 , as described above, to be used with a frame  200  comprised of a plurality of rods  210 , as described above. The circumferential channels  312  of the containers  100  are suitably configured to engage with the rods  210  defining the apertures  202  of the frame  200 . See  FIG. 4C . The engagement of the circumferential channel  312  of the container  100  with the rods  210  of the frame  200  holds the container  100  within the aperture  202 , resulting in the container  100  being maintained in fixed positional relationship to the frame  200 . 
         [0053]    In each of the foregoing embodiments of the retention means  300 , the containers  100  themselves form the support for the system once they are placed into the frame  200 . That is, when the container system  1  is placed onto a surface, the bottoms of the containers  100  rest on that surface. However, in alternate embodiments, the container system  1  may further comprise three or more support structures  340 . The support structures  340  extend downward from the bottom surface  206  of the frame  200  in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the frame  200 . Each of the support structures  340  has a length that exceeds the length of the bottom portion of the containers  100  such that when the container system  1  is placed onto a surface the support structures  340  maintain the containers  100  above and off the surface and maintain the frame  200  in a substantially horizontal orientation to the surface. In one variant there are four support structures  340 , one located at each corner of the frame  200 . In other variants there are many more support structures  340 . See  FIGS. 1-3  and  7 . The support structures  340  may be constructed of any suitable material. Typically, the support structures  340  will be elongate metal legs. 
         [0054]    In embodiments using the support structures  340 , the container system  1  may further comprise a bottom tray  400 . The bottom tray  400  has a floor and sides, with an open top. The sides are substantially perpendicular to the floor, and may or may not be contiguous. The bottom tray  400  is dimensioned substantially the same as the frame  200 , and the support structures  340  are placed into the bottom tray  400  and secured thereto. See  FIGS. 1 ,  2 , and  7 . The bottom tray  400  provides structural rigidity to the container system  1 . It may be constructed of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal. In the preferred embodiments the bottom tray  400  is dishwasher safe. 
         [0055]    In embodiments using the bottom tray  400 , the container system  1  may further comprise a cutting board  500 . The cutting board  500  is suitably configured to be removably retained within the bottom tray  400 . In one such embodiment, the bottom tray  400  has a slot  410  in one of its sides, and the cutting board  500  is inserted into the bottom tray  400  through the slot  410 . See  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The cutting board  500  can be made out of plastic, or wood, or any other suitable material. In the preferred embodiments the cutting board  500  is dishwasher safe. By storing the cutting board  500  within the bottom tray  400 , the user will always have it handy when preparing food items  10 . See  FIG. 2 . Other implements can also be stored in the bottom tray  400 , such as paring and chopping knives. 
         [0056]    In yet another embodiment of the retention means  300 , the retention means  300  requires that each of the containers  100  has a circumferential projection  310  located on the upper portion  104  of the container. The circumferential projection  310  may be a lip. See  FIG. 4E . The circumferential projection  310  of the container  100  engages with the top surface  204  of the frame  200  when the container  100  is placed into an aperture  202  of the frame  200 . See  FIG. 4E . The circumferential projection  310  of the container  100  is dimensioned greater than the aperture  202  such that the circumferential projection  310  of the container  100  cannot pass through the aperture  202 , resulting in the container  100  hanging from the frame  200  within the aperture  202  in fixed positional relationship to the frame  200 . This configuration further results in the containers  100  being only “loosely” placed in the apertures  202  of the frame  200 , allowing for easy insertion and removal. In this embodiment the container system  1  further comprises three or more support structures  340 , as described above, to hold the frame  200  off a surface, since the loosely held containers  100  cannot themselves support the frame  200 . This embodiment may further comprise a bottom tray  400 , as described above, with or without the removable cutting board  500 . 
         [0057]    In yet another embodiment of the retention means  300 , the retention means  300  requires that each of the container&#39;s associated lids  110  has an outer perimeter  112  dimensioned greater than the aperture  202  of the frame  200  into which said container  100  is placed. The outer perimeter  112  of the lid  110  engages with the top surface  204  of the frame  200  when the container  100  is placed into an aperture  202  of the frame  200 . See  FIGS. 5A and 5B . Because the outer perimeter  112  of the lid  110  is dimensioned greater than the aperture  202 , the outer perimeter  112  of the lid  110  cannot pass through the aperture  202 , resulting in the container  100  hanging from the frame  200  within the aperture  202  in fixed positional relationship to the frame  200 . This configuration further results in the containers  100  being only “loosely” placed in the apertures  202  of the frame  200 , allowing for easy insertion and removal. In this embodiment the container system  1  further comprises three or more support structures  340 , as described above, to hold the frame  200  off a surface, since the loosely held containers  100  cannot themselves support the frame  200 . This embodiment may further comprise a bottom tray  400 , as described above, with or without the removable cutting board  500 . 
         [0058]    In yet another embodiment of the retention means  300 , the retention means  300  requires that each of the containers  100  has a tapered side profile wherein the upper portion  104  of the container  100  is dimensioned larger than the aperture  202  of the frame  200  into which the container  100  is placed, and the lower portion  106  is dimensioned smaller than the aperture  202 . See  FIG. 4F . The lower portion  106  of the container  100  passes through the aperture  202  but the upper portion  104  of said container  100  does not pass through the aperture  202 . The upper portion  104  of the container  100  engages with the top surface  204  of the frame  200  when the container  100  is placed into an aperture  202  of the frame  200 . See  FIG. 4F . This results in the container  100  hanging from the frame  200  within the aperture  202  in fixed positional relationship to the frame  200 . This configuration also results in the containers  100  being only “loosely” placed in the apertures  202  of the frame  200 , allowing for easy insertion and removal. In this embodiment the container system  1  further comprises three or more support structures  340 , as described above, to hold the frame  200  off a surface, since the loosely held containers  100  cannot themselves support the frame  200 . This embodiment may further comprise a bottom tray  400 , as described above, with or without the removable cutting board  500 . 
         [0059]    In a variant of each of the foregoing “loosely held container” embodiments, the container system  1  may also comprise a pair of rails  330 . The rails  330  extend laterally from the frame  200  in a substantially parallel orientation to the frame  200 . Each of the rails  330  is suitably configured to be slidably engaged with receivers  600  located within a refrigerator. The rails  330  may be substantially planar, engaging with channeled receivers  600 . See  FIGS. 5A and 5B . Alternatively, the rails  330  may be channeled, engaging with substantially planar receivers  600 . See  FIGS. 6A and 6B . Other configurations of rails  330  and receivers  600  are also contemplated, such as those found in existing refrigerator vegetable drawers. When rails  330  are used, the support structures  340  may be eliminated, as the rails  330  maintain the frame  200  and containers  100  in relative location to each other. However, the support structures  340  may be used together with the rails  330 , so that the container system  1  can be self supporting when removed from the refrigerator. 
         [0060]    In the most preferred embodiment of the container system  1 , configured for use as a home salad bar, the container system  1  comprises a plurality of rectangular containers  100 , with each container  100  having associated with it a removable lid  110  that snaps onto the top of the container  100  and has an extended outer perimeter  112 . The frame  200  is constructed of a plurality of metal rods  210 , forming a grid, with the spaces between the rods  210  defining a plurality of apertures  202  into which the containers  100  may be placed. The retention means  300  comprises the outer perimeter  112  of the lids  110  of the containers  100  in engaged relation with the top surface  204  of the frame  200 , together with the support structures  340 . The container system  1  also comprises a bottom tray  400  secured to the support structures  340  and a removable cutting board  500  stored within the bottom tray  400 . So comprised, the container system  1  is configured to be placed onto a refrigerator shelf. See  FIG. 7 . 
         [0061]    Accessories for the container system  1  are also contemplated. These may include a carrying case, handles integrated into the bottom tray  400  for easier lifting, a cover for the bottom tray  400  to better protect the items placed therein, and the like. 
         [0062]    The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.