Abstract:
The present patent of invention relates to a food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ), particularly for perishable breakfast foods such as ham, cheese, whipped cream, jelly, fruit, and foods in bulk, among others. Preferably, said food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) has been designed to be stored in refrigerators (not depicted) and used as a tray for serving foods in a lovely and practical way. Said food storage container and organizing container system comprises a base ( 2 ) with a single body to accommodate containers ( 3 ) in which food portions are stored, said base ( 2 ) being closed by a lid ( 4 ). Said lid ( 4 ) is attached to the base ( 2 ) to separate foods stored inside the respective containers ( 3 ). Additionally, particularly, lid ( 4 ) may be attached to the bottom of base ( 2 ) to keep an organized environment as well as to provide proper support and avoid unintentional movements when using the food storage container and organizing container system to serve foods.

Description:
[0001]    The present patent of invention relates to a food storage container and organizing container system for storing foods, particularly for perishable breakfast foods such as ham, cheese, whipped cream, jelly, fruit, and foods in bulk, among others. Preferably, said food storage container and organizing container system has been designed to be stored in refrigerators and used as a tray for serving foods in a lovely and practical way. Said food storage container and organizing container system comprises a base to accommodate containers into which food portions are stored, said base being closed by a single lid, said lid being attached to the bottom of base to be used as a tray. 
       PRINCIPLES OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    A growing number of families are seeking alternatives to facilitate the way they eat, whether due to their busy routine or even due to the slowness when preparing the food. For practical purposes, these people sometimes resort to ready-to-eat foods which are not always healthy, so as to speed up time and enjoy family moments during meals. 
         [0003]    It has been noticed, though, that preparing food beforehand coupled with the proper storage and serving thereof facilitates the day to day life of people and, in dealing with perishable foods most of the times, an organized refrigerator is essential to avoid waste. Additionally, product packages contain contaminating agents caused by handling and transport that can contaminate the food inside the package as well as other foods inside the refrigerator; a hygienic and sterilized package is thus the most appropriate way of storing food. 
         [0004]    For this purpose, there is a demand to provide food storage containers and organizing container systems to meet the above mentioned needs as well as to keep food properties intact. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Food storage containers, typically made of thermoplastic or glass material, among others, to store, organize and keep foods separate and safe from possible external contaminations are currently known. 
         [0006]    Said containers, in their majority single units, are typically difficult to be stored inside refrigerators in an organized manner, thus making it also difficult to identify foods inside each container due to their different sizes, sizes which are not designed and configured according to the space available in refrigerator shelves and drawers. 
         [0007]    Also the fact that containers of different sizes comprise lids of varied sizes makes it difficult to find the correct lid for a selected container. 
         [0008]    Besides these disadvantages, some containers are often out of range of vision from users due to the difficulty of identification and organization of varied sized containers, which can lead foods to spoil as they are forgotten in their containers inside refrigerators. 
         [0009]    Further, the fact that containers are typically stacked in a disorderly way and do not present a favorable geometry makes it difficult to handle, serve and store containers again within a refrigerator, as well as affecting air circulation in the refrigerator, thus compromising refrigeration of foods. The time the refrigerator door is kept open to handle containers also raises the temperature therein, thus significantly increasing consumption of energy that is wasted while serving and restoring all containers. 
         [0010]    Several products are now provided with special packages that allow them to be directly stored within the refrigerator. Those packages are not provided with a favorable geometry as they are not designed according to the space available on the shelves and drawers, nor to be stacked one on the other due to their varied geometries. These packages do not help organizing the refrigerator and also contain contaminating agents due to handling and transport which may contaminate the food inside or other foods within the refrigerator. 
         [0011]    Additionally, it is common knowledge that most perishable foods require proper practices for storage and, as such, it is necessary to keep foods separate according to their nature and preparation method. Moreover, foods should be kept lidded, protected, and sealed to isolate them from the contact with the air circulating inside the refrigerator, thus avoiding cross contamination. 
         [0012]    Aiming to solve the foregoing drawbacks, the present invention proposes a food storage container and organizing container system that allows a plurality of containers to be accommodated into a base, and into which food portions are stored in an organized and practical way, said base being closed by a single lid to keep all containers locked. 
         [0013]    Advantageously, the present invention allows the food storage container and organizing container system to be placed in the refrigerator thus making it easier to organize and manage space and a proper place for suitable refrigeration, besides providing power efficiency as refrigerator door needs to be opened just once to get all foods inside the food storage container and organizing container system. Additionally, food storage container and organizing container system possesses a favorable aesthetics and construction to serve foods in a practical way, just like a tray. 
         [0014]    It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a food storage container and organizing container system with variable sizes and proper geometry to be stored in different sized refrigerators. 
         [0015]    It is another object of the present invention to provide a food storage container and organizing container system fitted with a lid that can be attached to the base to facilitate handling thereof and serving of foods. 
         [0016]    It is a further object of the present invention to provide a food storage container and organizing container system fitted with a lid having anatomic handles and opening markings to make it easier to open the food storage container and organizing container system. 
         [0017]    An even further object of the present invention is to provide a storage container system fitted with a base having framed partitions to allow placement of containers spaced apart so as to refrigerate foods in a quick and efficient manner. 
         [0018]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a food storage container and organizing container system fitted with anatomic handles to make it easier to handle thereof. 
         [0019]    Still another object of the present invention is to provide a food storage container and organizing container system that prevents contamination of foods placed inside refrigerators as contaminated packages are disposed of and only the product itself is stored inside the containers. 
         [0020]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a food storage container and organizing container system that facilitates individual supplying and sanitizing of its components. 
         [0021]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a food storage container and organizing container system that can be manufactured in translucent material which, advantageously, allows viewing of foods stored inside containers thus avoiding losses due to spoilt food. 
         [0022]    Even still another object of the present invention is to provide a food storage container and organizing container system that allows the storage of a plurality of containers with varied geometries, sizes and configurations, which advantageously helps planning purchasing of food to be stored in organized manner. 
         [0023]    Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a food storage container and organizing container system that holds containers in food capsule form, which can be directly marketed by food companies, thus further enhancing practicality of food storage container and organizing container system. 
         [0024]    Still yet another object of the present invention is to provide a food storage container and organizing container system having markings that indicate the volume on the containers to help users buy and replace foods therein. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0025]    In short, the present invention describes a food storage container and organizing container system comprising a base with a single body that holds containers, said base being closed by a lid. Said lid can be attached to the base to separate foods stored inside respective containers. 
         [0026]    Further, particularly, lid can be attached to the bottom of base to keep an organized environment besides providing proper support and prevent unintentional movements during its use as a tray for serving foods. 
         [0027]    Schematic figures of a particular embodiment are shown below, in which the dimensions and proportions are not necessarily the actual values since the sole purpose of the figures is to present in a didactic manner the various aspects of the system, the extent of protection of which is determined exclusively by the scope of the annexed claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view of a food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) with a base ( 2 ), containers ( 3 ) and a lid ( 4 ) in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is an upper perspective view of a mounted food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) with the lid ( 4 ) positioned on its top portion in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is a lower perspective view of a food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) highlighting the containers ( 3 ) placed in the base ( 2 ) in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is an upper perspective view of the base ( 2 ), in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0032]      FIG. 4A  is an expanded partial view of the detail (A) of  FIG. 4 , in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 5  is a lower perspective view of the base ( 2 ), in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 6  is an upper perspective view of the lid ( 4 ), in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6A  is an expanded partial view of the detail (B) of  FIG. 6 , in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a perspective lower view of the lid ( 4 ), in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0037]      FIG. 7A  is an expanded partial view of the detail (C) of  FIG. 7 , in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 8  is a cross sectional view of a mounted food storage container system ( 1 ), and with the lid ( 4 ) positioned on its top portion, in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0039]      FIG. 8A  is an expanded partial cross sectional view of the detail (D) of  FIG. 8 , in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0040]      FIG. 9  is an expanded perspective view of a food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) with the lid ( 4 ) located on the bottom of base ( 2 ), in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0041]      FIG. 10  is an upper perspective view of a mounted food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ), with the lid ( 4 ) located on the bottom of base ( 2 ), in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0042]      FIG. 11  is a lower perspective view of a mounted food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ), with the lid ( 4 ) located on the bottom of base ( 2 ), in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0043]      FIG. 12  is a cross sectional view of a mounted food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ), with the lid ( 4 ) located on its bottom, in a particular embodiment of the invention; 
           [0044]      FIG. 12A  is an expanded partial cross sectional view of the detail (E) of  FIG. 12 , in a particular embodiment of the invention. 
           [0045]      FIG. 13  is an upper perspective view of a mounted food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ), with the lid ( 4 ) located on the bottom of base ( 2 ), in another embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0046]      FIG. 14  is a perspective view of the containers ( 3 ) stacked to one another. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0047]    As illustrated by the accompanying figures, the food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) comprises components, fitted together, and preferably manufactured by injection molding process using thermoplastic material, proper for the direct contact with foods, said material being free of heavy metals in compliance with the European directive RoHS (Restriction of Certain Hazardous Substances). 
         [0048]    The food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) can also be manufactured in translucent material that, advantageously, allows viewing of foods stored inside containers ( 3 ), thus avoiding losses due to spoilt food. 
         [0049]    It will be understood that the food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) may comprise different sizes and have proper geometry and configuration, preferably to be used in different sized refrigerators (not depicted) without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. 
         [0050]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) comprises a base ( 2 ) with a single body to hold containers ( 3 ), which are closed by a lid ( 4 ) that can be attached to the base ( 2 ) to separate respective containers ( 3 ) in which food portions are stored. 
         [0051]    Base ( 2 ), as illustrated in  FIGS. 4, 4A and 5 , is made up by a structural body provided with an external wall ( 24 ) associated with a plurality of partitions ( 22 ) conveniently arranged so as to form a plurality of compartments ( 25 ) to hold the containers ( 3 ). Said base ( 2 ) further comprises a peripheral rim ( 26 ) extending, preferably, along the entire periphery of base ( 2 ). The peripheral rim ( 26 ) and the partitions ( 22 ) are delimited by enlarged borders so as to form upper bearing surfaces ( 20 ). 
         [0052]    Preferably, base ( 2 ) comprises a ledge ( 21 ) extending along its entire periphery having, preferably, a geometry which is rounded and substantially perpendicular to the external wall ( 24 ) so as to define an anatomic handle area. 
         [0053]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 1, 3 and 13 , containers ( 3 ) may comprise varied geometries and sizes depending on the arrangement of partitions ( 22 ) and the sizes of the food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ), said containers ( 3 ) may be manufactured in varied materials convenient to be used in high temperature environments such as microwave ovens without losing their mechanical properties. 
         [0054]    Optionally, containers ( 3 ) may be of the food capsule form, which allows food manufacturers themselves to design packages with a proper geometry to be fitted into the compartments ( 25 ) of the food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ), thus further enhancing its practicality. 
         [0055]    According to  FIGS. 8, 8A, 12 and 12A , containers ( 3 ) are provided with a rim ( 30 ) on their upper portion that rests on the upper bearing surfaces ( 20 ) when containers ( 3 ) are placed inside the compartments ( 25 ). Said containers ( 3 ) further comprise, preferably, rounded corners ( 31 ) on their lower inner side for easy cleaning. 
         [0056]    Optionally, food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) may comprise sealing means (not depicted), such as a thermoplastic or silicone elastomer film, among other similar materials, applied to the container ( 3 ) rims ( 30 ) to efficiently insulate the foods inside the containers ( 3 ) when the lid ( 4 ) is closed. 
         [0057]    Alternatively, sealing means (not depicted) may be directly applied to the upper bearing surfaces ( 20 ) of base ( 2 ) between the containers ( 3 ) so as to compensate thickness of the container ( 3 ) rims ( 30 ) thus enabling contact with lid ( 4 ) to provide efficient insulation. 
         [0058]    It will be understood that other known means may be used to insulate foods, for instance, the components of the food container and organizing container system may be manufactured in specific thermoplastic material with a lower hardness that, when fitted together, enable surfaces to be isolated under pressure with greater efficiency. 
         [0059]    Configuration of said containers ( 3 ), as illustrated in  FIG. 14 , makes it easier to store and organize them inside kitchen cabinets, as well as favorable aesthetics in such a way that the geometry of the larger container (G) equals two medium-sized containers (M) and, at the same time, the geometry of two medium-sized containers (M) or one large container (G) equals four small-sized containers (P). 
         [0060]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 4, 4A, 8 and 8A , the upper bearing surfaces ( 20 ) with enlarged borders define a space between the containers ( 3 ) to form heat exchange areas ( 27 ) whereby the air flow in low temperatures helps refrigerate foods, thus significantly increasing refrigeration efficiency of the foods stored inside the containers ( 3 ). 
         [0061]    Preferably, base ( 2 ) is hollow on its bottom side so as to allow entrance and circulation of refrigerated air between the containers ( 3 ) when said base ( 2 ) is stored within a refrigerator using wire shelving. 
         [0062]    Preferably, base ( 2 ) comprises at least one longitudinal opening ( 28 ) arranged on the external wall ( 24 ) to allow air flow when food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) is placed on a refrigerator shelf (not depicted) with a fully closed surface such as a flat plate glass. 
         [0063]    It will be understood that the base ( 2 ) may be partially closed on its bottom side and provided with evenly distributed openings so as to allow entrance of refrigerated air into the food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) thus refrigerating the foods stored inside the containers ( 3 ) without departing from the scope of protection of the present invention. 
         [0064]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 6, 6A, 7, and 7A , lid ( 4 ) is provided with a substantially flat overall geometry and comprises a peripheral rim ( 41 ) provided with an inner bearing surface ( 41   a ) followed by a projection ( 44 ). Preferably, lid ( 4 ) comprises a ledge ( 42 ) extending along its entire periphery. 
         [0065]    Lid ( 4 ) may comprise at least one anatomic handle area ( 43 ) along its periphery. Preferably, anatomic handle areas ( 43 ) are arranged on opposite sides of lid ( 4 ) to help open the food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ). 
         [0066]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 7, 7A, 8 and 8A , inner bearing surface ( 41   a ) is provided with concordant geometry and sizes which are minimally larger than the external geometry of peripheral rim ( 26 ) of base ( 2 ) to enable lid ( 4 ) to be properly attached and close food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ). 
         [0067]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 4, 4A, 7 and 7A , peripheral rim ( 26 ) of base ( 2 ) comprises at least one groove ( 201 ) while lid ( 4 ) projection ( 44 ) comprises at least one protrusion ( 401 ). Said groove ( 201 ) on the peripheral rim ( 26 ) is concordant with the protrusion ( 401 ) on the projection ( 44 ) so as to define mechanical interference locking means between the lid ( 4 ) and the base ( 2 ). 
         [0068]    Optionally, lid ( 4 ) may comprise reduced thickness areas especially on the areas where mechanical interference locking means between the lid ( 4 ) and the base ( 2 ) takes place, thus facilitating the bending of the material and easily and lightly locking and unlocking lid ( 4 ). 
         [0069]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 , lid ( 4 ) may be attached to the bottom of base ( 2 ) to create a support structure for the base ( 2 ) thus making it easier to handle the food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) and preventing its unintentional movement. 
         [0070]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 12 and 12A  in a particular embodiment of the invention, said projection ( 44 ) is also provided with a convenient and minimally smaller external geometry to be connected to the bottom of base ( 2 ) through the external wall ( 24 ) with minimally larger internal dimensions. Advantageously, lid ( 4 ) remains associated with the food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) so as to keep an organized environment as well as to provide proper support and avoid unintentional movements when using the storage container and organizing container system to serve foods. 
         [0071]    As illustrated in  FIG. 6 , lid ( 4 ), preferably, may be provided with at least one extra gripping element on its upper surface ( 45 ) to promote friction with the contact surface when using the food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) thus preventing unintentional movements therein. Said extra gripping element may be conveniently fixed or injected to the lid ( 4 ). 
         [0072]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 6 and 6A , lid ( 4 ), in a preferred embodiment of the invention, may comprise at least one groove ( 45   a ) located on the lid ( 4 ) upper surface ( 45 ), which is provided with an extra gripping element ( 46 ) inserted by mechanical interference. 
         [0073]    Preferably, as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 3 , food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) may comprise markings ( 10 ) on its lid ( 4 ) to indicate the proper place to open the food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ). Additionally, containers ( 3 ) may comprise markings ( 11 ) on their underside to identify the volume thus helping users to buy and replace foods in the containers ( 3 ). 
         [0074]      FIG. 13  illustrates, as an example, another embodiment of the invention whereby the food storage container and organizing container system ( 1 ) is provided with a differentiated arrangement for the compartments ( 25 ) in the base ( 2 ) which allows proper positioning of a plurality of containers ( 3 ). 
         [0075]    A person skilled in the art will promptly infer, from the description and the drawings depicted, various ways of carrying out the invention without departing from the scope of the accompanying claims.