Abstract:
A corn holder storage unit for retaining one or more corn holders in a safe, sanitary, and convenient manner is disclosed. One or more members defining a cavity and having at least one opening is adapted to accept and retain one or more corn holders, and preferably each member is adapted to retain a pair of corn holders along the member axis. Where the corn holder storage unit is configured to retain a pair of corn holders, the distance between opposing ends of the member should be at least two times the length of the corn holder operative end. Preferably a peripheral structure encloses the one or more members, and cooperation between the member and the peripheral structure prevents the holder from passing through the cavity and from being dislodged from the corn holder storage unit by providing an abutment rim and a variety of retaining fits. In an embodiment, a corn holder storage system is provided, wherein a plurality of tubes is enclosed by a peripheral structure, each of the tubes having two opposing open ends for retaining a plurality of corn holders and concealing the corn holder operative ends.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates to a corn holder storage system. Specifically, the present disclosure relates to a corn holder storage unit which retains the operative ends of corn holders to prevent accidental contact with or premature wear of the prongs and provides a system for keeping corn holders together when stored in utensil drawers, dishwashers, and other locations in which corn holders may be customarily placed and misplaced. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Corn holders are common kitchen utensils to aid the user in grasping and manipulating foodstuffs with ease and in a sanitary manner. Corn holders are frequently stored loose in utensil drawers, risking both the seeker&#39;s safety and patience. In particular, corn holders are designed with sharp ends of sufficient length to spear and maintain the hold of a corncob. Such ends pose a significant risk to the fingers of unsuspecting persons seeking either the corn holder or an unrelated utensil in a utensil drawer or dishwasher basket. Given the generally diminutive nature of corn holders, unpaired corn holders can take minutes of digging through an otherwise crowded utensil drawer until an appropriate pair can be found. Even further, the points of corn holders can become worn and dull from repeated contact with other utensils. 
         [0003]    Existing corn holder management units include corn holders capable of receiving the pins of an opposing holder. Such holder designs are, however, unsanitary as small bits of food can become trapped within the pin receiving bores, and are nearly impossible to dislodge. Additionally, self-storage corn holder designs do not accommodate various designs of holder prongs. For example, in the existing self-storing corn holders, the opposing corn holder must have prongs spaced and sized precisely to fit into the prong bores of the opposing holder. Additionally, existing corn holder storage systems cannot accommodate updated corn holder designs, such as those having a pin and helical screw for better connection with the cob. 
         [0004]    Accordingly, a manner for retaining the sharp ends of a variety of designs of corn holders such that the corn holders are stored in pairs to prevent injury in a manner easy to use, manufacture, and maintain in a sanitary condition, is necessary. 
         [0005]    The present invention is intended to address these and other possible problems associated with existing corn holder storage units. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    There is disclosed herein an improved corn holder storage unit which avoids the disadvantages of prior units while affording additional structural and operating advantages. An embodiment of the present invention includes a corn holder storage unit including at least one tube having a first end configured to receive an operative end of a corn holder. The first end further retainably engages a grasping end of the first corn holder. The at least one tube may further include a second end for receiving an operative end of a second corn holder and to retainably engage a grasping portion of the second corn holder. In an embodiment, the corn holder storage unit is constructed such that the distance between the first end and second end is sufficient to prevent the operative end of the first corn holder from interfering with the operative end of the second corn holder when the first and second corn holder are retainably engaged in the corn holder storage unit. 
         [0007]    Even further, a plurality of tubes may be provided and arranged in parallel for receiving a plurality of the corn holders. The tubes may be releasably coupled to each other, and in an embodiment the axes of the tubes are substantially parallel to each other when the tubes are coupled to each other. An additional aspect of an embodiment may include a peripheral structure enclosing the tubes, and an abutment structure may be provided within the peripheral structure to abut the operative end of the corn holder to maintain the corn holder&#39;s position with respect to the first end and the peripheral structure. In an embodiment, the abutment structure is an abutment rim of the wall. Additionally, in an embodiment, the at least one tube is adapted to retain a pair of corn holders along an axis of the at least one tube. 
         [0008]    A further embodiment provides for a corn holder storage unit consists of a plurality of tubes, each of the tubes including a wall, a first end, a second end, and an axis, the first end being open to retain an operative end of the corn holder. When coupled to each other, the axes of the tubes are substantially parallel to each other. It is an aspect of at least one embodiment of the presently disclosed unit that both the first end and the second end are open such that the tube may retain a pair of holders along the axis. Another aspect of an embodiment includes a peripheral structure to enclose one or more tubes. An embodiment of the unit includes an abutment structure disposed within the peripheral structure to abut an operative end of the corn holder. 
         [0009]    An alternate embodiment discloses a corn holder storage system in which one or more member defines a cavity for retaining the operative end of a holder in an open end of the member. In an embodiment, the operative ends of two opposing holders are retained by the member along a shared axis. An aspect of an embodiment of this system adapts the member to abut the operative end of the corn holder to prevent the corn holder from passing through the cavity. Yet another embodiment disclosed is a combination corn holder and corn holder storage unit consisting of a plurality of corn holders and a unit comprising a plurality of members, each member having two open ends adapted to conceal the operative end of a pair of corn holders. According to additional aspects of these embodiments, the members may be adapted to retain the holders by various member/holder retention constructions, including a snap fit, friction fit, magnetic retention, and threaded fit, by example. Additionally, aspects of these embodiments further include a central cross-member extending from the inner surface of at least one tube or member between the first and second end. The central cross-member may be constructed with opposing cylindrical walls extending toward each of the first and second end of the tube for receiving the operative ends of first and second corn holders. These and other aspects of the invention may be understood more readily from the following description and the appended drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of the subject matter sought to be protected, there are illustrated in the accompanying drawings embodiments thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with the following description, the subject matter sought to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be readily understood and appreciated. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a top view of one embodiment of the presently disclosed corn holder storage unit; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the corn holder storage unit shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a cross section along the line X-X of the embodiment of the corn holder storage unit shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the presently disclosed corn holder storage system; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the corn holder storage system shown in  FIG. 4  having the corn holders disengaged from the corn holder storage unit and depicting a snap fit construction for retaining the corn holders; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged partial cross section of the corn holder storage system of  FIG. 5  depicting the snap fit construction; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the corn holder storage system depicting a friction fit construction for retaining the corn holders; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged partial cross section of the alternative embodiment of the corn holder storage system of  FIG. 7  depicting the friction fit construction for retaining the corn holders; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the corn holder storage system depicting a threaded fit construction for retaining the corn holders; 
           [0020]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged partial cross section of another alternative embodiment of the corn holder storage system of  FIG. 9  depicting the threaded fit construction for retaining the corn holders; 
           [0021]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the corn holder storage system depicting a magnetic fit construction for retaining the corn holders; 
           [0022]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged partial cross section of another alternative embodiment of the corn holder storage system of  FIG. 11  depicting the magnetic fit construction for retaining the corn holders; 
           [0023]      FIG. 13  is a side view of yet another alternative embodiment of the corn holder storage unit, depicting a construction in which multiple members may be coupled to other members; 
           [0024]      FIG. 14  is a perspective partial cross section of an additional alternative embodiment of the corn holder storage system incorporating a central stabilizer. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail a preferred embodiment of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to embodiments illustrated. 
         [0026]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-14 , there are illustrated several views and embodiments of a corn holder storage unit  30 . Generally, the corn holder storage unit  30  comprises one or more members  32  having a wall  34  defining a cavity  36 . A person having ordinary skill in the art would understand that, while the members  32  may be tubes as illustrated in the figures, the members  32  may be of any shape able to accommodate a correspondingly shaped corn holder. For example, the member  32  defining a cavity  36  could be in the shape of a triangular prism to accommodate a corn holder having a triangular base (not shown), a rectangular prism to accommodate a corn holder having a square base (not shown), or any other shape capable of accepting and retaining one or more corn holders, as will be described. For purposes of simplicity, the terms “members” and “tubes” are to be understood as describing the element corresponding to reference number  32 , but the members, as described, need not be tubes. 
         [0027]    As best illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3 , the wall  34  of the member  32  terminates at a first end  38  and an opposing second end  40 , either or both of which may be open to permit access to the cavity  36 . While the terms “first end” and “second end” may be described in various examples as being open, it is to be understood that the terms need not relate to the member in any particular orientation. In a preferred embodiment, both the first end  38  and the second end  40  are open to simultaneously accept and retain an opposing pair  13  of corn holders, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . That a member  32  may accept and retain a corn holder pair  13  is one of the many advantages of the present corn holder storage unit  30  over existing devices. Where the corn holder storage unit  30  is configured to retain a pair  13  of corn holders, individually corresponding to reference number  10 , the member  32  may be of sufficient distance D to prevent the operative end  18 , and particularly the pin  20  and screw structure  22 , of the first corn holder  10  from interfering with the operative end  18  of the second corn holder  10 , as best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 6 . In some instances, the distance D must be at least two times the length L of the operative end  18 , as noted in  FIG. 12 . 
         [0028]    One having ordinary skill in the art would understand, however, that the distance D may be significantly greater than two times the length L of the operative end  18 . Additionally, where the corn holder storage unit  30  is configured to accept only one corn holder  10  with respect to each member  32 , the distance D may be at least the length L of the operative end  18 , though the distance D could be even shorter than the length L where contact with the points of the pin  20  or screw structure  22  is not of concern. The corn holder storage unit&#39;s  30  ability to maintain as many corn holders  10  together as there are open ends multiplied by members  32  decreases the frequency of a user digging though a crowded utensil drawer or dishwasher basket to obtain a pair or several pairs of corn holders. 
         [0029]    The member  32  further comprises an axis C, as best illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 9 . When the corn holder storage unit  30  comprises a plurality of members  32 , each member&#39;s axis C is preferably parallel to each other member&#39;s axis C, so to facilitate a compact design for the corn holder storage unit  30  while accommodating several corn holder pairs  13 . Accordingly, a corn holder storage unit  30  having, for example, four members  32  may be constructed such that each of the four members  32  is adjacent and coupled to other members  32 , each axis C of the members  32  being parallel to each other axis C, and each of the first ends  38  and second ends  40  being open. In such a construction, the corn holder storage unit  30  is thereby configured to accept and retain up to eight individual corn holders  10 , such as the unit illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, the corn holder storage unit  30  may be configured such that either the first end  38  or the second end  40  is open, thereby receiving corn holders  10  only on the open end, or the members  32  may alternate in terms of the first end  38  or second end  40  being open. Additionally, while multiple members  32  are illustrated, it is to be understood that the corn holder storage unit  30  may consist of an individual member  32  to retain one corn holder pair  13  or an individual corn holder  10 . Because the corn holder storage unit  30  can be manufactured to accommodate a variety of corn holder designs and sizes, the unit  30  may be sold to consumers independent of the corn holders  10 . Alternately, the corn holder storage unit  30  may be sold as a system or combination with the corn holders  10 , as described below. 
         [0030]    In an embodiment there is disclosed a corn holder storage system, most clearly illustrated  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In this embodiment the members  32 , either individually or as coupled to constitute the corn holder storage unit  30 , are configured to accept, retain, and conceal an operative end  18  of one or more corn holders  10 . Specifically with regard to the corn holder  10 , as seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , an individual corn holder  10  may consist of a holder body  14  having a grasping end  16  and an operative end  18 . More particularly, the corn holder  10  may comprise a base  24  from which a bulbous grasping end  16  extends in a first direction opposing an operative  18  from which a traditional pin  20  extends. In an embodiment, the operative end  18  additionally includes a screw structure  22 , particularly a helical screw  22 , for maintaining a more secure connection between the corn holder  10  and a corn cob (not shown). It is this non-traditional corn holder design  10  that highlights the ability of the presently disclosed corn holder storage unit  30  to accommodate a variety of designs for operative ends  18  of corn holders  10 . While the corn holder storage unit  30  can accommodate such non-traditional designs  30 , it can similarly accommodate the more traditional parallel pin corn holders. Further, while the corn holder storage unit  30  could be constructed to accept the grasping end  16 , it is preferable that the member  32  conceal the operative end  18  within the cavity  36  to avoid injury to the user and damage to the pins  20  of the operative end  18  which could otherwise result from being stored loose in a utensil drawer. 
         [0031]    In use, the combination of the one or more corn holders  10  with the corn holder storage unit  30  allows the user to keep multiple holders  10  together in a single unit without requiring a cumbersome device. Particularly, and as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the corn holders  10  are retained individually or in pairs  13  through the interaction between a peripheral structure  42  and the individual members  32 , the peripheral structure  42  adapted to enclose the members  32 . The peripheral structure  42  may extend the distance D of the members  32 , or the peripheral structure  42  may extend beyond the distance D of the members, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . In one embodiment, an abutment structure  44  may be disposed within the peripheral structure  42  to abut an operative end  18  of the corn holder  10  to maintain the position of the corn holder with respect to the member  32  and the peripheral structure  42 . In the illustrated embodiment, the abutment structure  44  is specifically an abutment rim  44  of the tube.  32 . The abutment rim  44  may be on either or both the first end  38  and the second end  40 . 
         [0032]    In coordination with the peripheral structure  42 , the open end of the member  32  may be adapted to accept the operative end  18  a holder  10  where the pin  20  and screw structure  22  is received within the cavity  36  and concealed by the wall  34 , but the grasping end  16  is prevented from passing through the cavity  36  through contact between the abutment rim  44  and the corn holder base  24 . More generally, the abutment structure may be a separate structure from the member  32 , such as an annular ring, protrusion, or other structure known to persons having ordinary skill to be capable of preventing the corn holder  10  from passing through the cavity  36  when disposed within the peripheral structure  42 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0033]    The corn holder  10  is prevented from becoming dislodged from the member through a variety of constructions. In an embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2-6  and  14 , there is a plurality of retaining protrusions  46  formed within the peripheral structure  42  to facilitate a snap fit with the corn holder base  24 . The retaining protrusions  46  may be formed integrally with the peripheral structure  42  or may be affixed to the peripheral structure  42  through mechanical or adhesive means. Alternatively, as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the member  32  may be adapted to frictionally retain the corn holder  10 . A friction fit of the corn holder  10  by the member  32  may be facilitated by constructing the system such that there is very little clearance between the member  32  and the corn holder operative end  18  or between the peripheral structure  42  and the corn holder base  24 . The friction fit may additionally be accomplished through application of a substance such as flexible thermoplastic rubber to the inner surface of the peripheral structure  42 . Other manners of providing friction fits are considered, including constructing the peripheral structure  42  of a semi-rigid material such that the material may slightly flare when the base  24  is inserted into the corn holder storage unit  30 . Other friction fit mechanisms can be understood by those having ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0034]    Even further, the corn holder storage system may include a unit  30  that magnetically retains the corn holders  10  as illustrated in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . This retention may be facilitated by providing a retaining magnet  48  in at least a portion of the peripheral structure  42 , the member  32 , or the corn holder  10 . Similarly, a magnetic material  26  or opposing magnet may be embedded in or affixed to a portion of the peripheral structure  42 , the member  32 , or the corn holder  10 . Even further, the retaining magnet  48  embedded in the peripheral structure  42  or the member  32  may be attracted to the pin  20  or screw structure  22  of the corn holder operative end  18 . Alternately, the corn holder storage unit  30  may threadably retain the corn holder. As illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , the peripheral structure  42  comprises a threaded receiving portion  50  and the corn holder base  24  is constructed with an accommodating threaded structure  27 , as is understood by persons having ordinary skill in the art. Other mechanisms for retaining the corn holders  10  with respect to the peripheral structure  42  and/or the member  32  are obvious to persons having ordinary skill. 
         [0035]    Alternate embodiments of the corn holder storage unit  30  are encompassed in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the members  32  may be releasably coupled to each other by means known to persons having ordinary skill. One such construction, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 , could include a protuberance  52  formed on the surface on one member and a corresponding recess  54  on an adjacent member, the protuberance  52  and recess  54  thereby releasably coupling adjacent members. 
         [0036]    Additionally, to further maintain the integrity of the unit  30  and the corn holder  10 , and prevent contact by a user with the pin  20 , the unit  30  may further comprise a central cross-member or central stabilizing structure  64 , as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . The central cross-member  64  may extend the inner surface  58  of the member  32 , the central cross-member  64  being disposed on the wall  34  in the member cavity  36  between the first end  38  and the second end  40 . One such construction disposes the cross-member  64  with respect to the member  32  at a length L from the first end  38  and the second end  40 , to receive the operative end  18  of respective corn holders  10 . The cross-member  64  may approximately bisect the member  32 , but may additionally be placed at other points with respect to the member  32 , as dictated by whether the member  32  is to accommodate one or two corn holders  10 , whether the corn holders  10  are identical in shape and pin configuration, and other design considerations. Further, the cross-member  64  may comprise first and second cylindrical walls  60  extending from the cross-member towards the first end  38  and the second end  40 , respectively. Each of the first and second cylindrical walls  60  may be adapted to receive the operative ends  18 , and specifically the pins  20 , of the corn holders  10 . The first and/or second cylindrical walls  60  may include internally beveled ends to guide and stabilize a corn holder pin  20 . The cross-member  64  may constitute a substantially planar rib stabilizing the first and second cylindrical walls  60 . In combination, the first and second cylindrical walls  60  and the cross-member  64  contribute to retention of the corn holders  10 , may accept a corn holder pair  13  along axis C, and decrease the likelihood of warping of the member  32  or bending of the corn holder operative end  18 . 
         [0037]    Another possible embodiment includes a corn holder storage unit  30  having holes formed therein (not shown) to facilitate easy cleaning of the unit  30 . In this embodiment, the holes allow water to pass through the members  32  of the unit  30  to remove food particles so that the user can place the unit  30  in the dishwasher without having to remove the corn holders. This design further prevents injury to the user, retains all holders together, and maintains the quality of the pins. 
         [0038]    The corn holder storage unit  30  may be formed of a variety of materials, including thermoplastic. The corn holder storage unit  30  is preferably injection molded, but may be formed through other methods known to those having ordinary skill in the art. Similarly, the members  32  and/or peripheral structure  42  may be rigid or semi-rigid, or may even be collapsible, as dictated by manufacturing and marketing constraints. The various components of the corn holder storage unit  30  may be formed integrally with each other, or may be formed as individual members and mechanically or otherwise assembled. 
         [0039]    The matter set forth in the foregoing description and accompanying drawings is offered by way of illustration only and not as a limitation. While particular embodiments have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made without departing from the broader aspects of applicant&#39;s contribution. The actual scope of the protection sought is intended to be defined in the following claims when viewed in their proper perspective based on the prior art.