Patent ID: 12258184

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Selected embodiments will now be explained with reference to the drawings. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that the following descriptions of the embodiments are provided for illustration only and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.

FIGS.1-17illustrate a first example embodiment of a food container10in accordance with the present disclosure. In the illustrated embodiment, the food container10includes a body12and a lid assembly14. The lid assembly14is removeable from the body12. The lid assembly14is configured to provide an airtight seal which can be easily sealed and unsealed by a rotational force provided by a user. In an embodiment, the food container10is approximately 8″ (length)×6.5″ (width)×8.5″ (height).

In the illustrated embodiment, the body12includes a bottom wall15and at least one side wall16which form an interior space18. The top of the body12is open (seeFIG.7) and configured to receive the lid assembly14. As seen inFIGS.3and4, the side wall(s)16form a symmetrical shape on opposite sides from the top and bottom views. Both the body12and the lid assembly14have a football-like shape from the top and bottom views, with the horizontal length from the top and bottom views being longer than the vertical length. The construction of the lid assembly14as described herein enables this shape or other types of irregular shaped containers to be sealed by a rotational force provided by a user.

As seen inFIG.5, the illustrated lid assembly14protrudes past the top of the side wall(s)16when the lid assembly14is attached to the body12. The body12can be at least partially transparent so that the food located within the interior space18is visible from the outside. The body12can also be tinted to reduce light exposure on food located within the interior space18. The body12can also be opaque. The body12can be formed from plastic, for example, from acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) material. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, the body12can also be formed in another suitable shape or from another suitable material.

In the illustrated embodiment, the lid assembly14includes a base part20, a rotating part22, a first slide part24, a second slide part26, and a sealing part28. The base part20and rotating part22have a center axis about which the rotating part22rotates with respect to the base part20. In use, the rotating part22rotates around its center axis with respect to the base part20to seal or unseal the interior space18of the body12. The rotation of the rotating part22causes the first slide part24and the second slide part26to translate radially in opposite directions away from the center axis. The first slide part24and the second slide part26translate linearly with respect to the base part20, the rotating part22, and the sealing part28. During translation in the outward radial direction (away from the central axis), the first slide part24and the second slide part26press the sealing part28into the side wall(s)16of the body12, thus sealing the interior space18with an airtight seal. During translation in the inward radial direction (toward the central axis), the first slide part24and the second slide part26release the pressure pressing the sealing part28into the side wall(s)16of the body12, thus unsealing the airtight seal provided to interior space18by the lid assembly14.

As seen for example inFIGS.7-10, the base part20includes a top surface30, a bottom surface32, and a side surface33. The base part20includes a cavity34in the top surface30. The cavity34receives the rotating part22such that the rotating part22is at least partially rotatable within the cavity34. The base part20can be formed from plastic, for example, from ABS material. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, the base part20can also be formed from any other suitable material.

In the illustrated embodiment, and as shown inFIG.10, the base part20includes a first protrusion36. The first protrusion36extends upward from the center of the cavity34and is aligned with the center axis of the rotating part22. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotating part22attaches to the first protrusion36to attach the rotating part22to the base part20such that the rotating part22rotates with respect to the base part20. The rotating part22can attach to the first protrusion36, for example, via a snap fit, press fit, or another attachment mechanism. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that there are various ways to rotationally attach the rotating part22to the base part20.

In the illustrated embodiment, and as shown inFIGS.14-16, the base part20includes at least one second protrusion38. The second protrusions38extend downward from the bottom surface32. In the illustrated embodiment, the second protrusions38extend downward from a portion of the bottom surface32that is radially outward from the cavity34. As explained in more detail below, each second protrusion38interacts with the first slide part24or the second slide part26to restrict the first slide part24or the second slide part26to linear translation with respect to the base part20. More specifically, each second protrusion38interacts with the first slide part24or the second slide part26to restrict the first slide part24or the second slide part26to linear translation in the radially outward and radial inward directions with respect to the center axis of the base part20.

In the illustrated embodiment, and as shown inFIG.16, the base part20includes at least one aperture39. In the illustrated embodiment, the base part20includes four apertures39which are curved around the perimeter of the cavity34. Here, the apertures39are positioned through the top surface30and bottom surface32at a position radially outward from the cavity34. As explained in more detail below, each aperture39receives a second protrusion48of the rotating part22to allow the second protrusion48to interact with a slide part24,26during rotation of the rotating part22. As seen inFIG.16, the second protrusions48are longer than the depths of their respective apertures39so as to extend beyond their respective apertures39and contact the first slide part24or second slide part26.

As seen for example inFIGS.7-10, the rotating part22includes a top surface40, a bottom surface42, and a side surface43. The rotating part22includes one or more rotation assisting device which can be used by a user to rotate the rotating part22with respect to the base part20. Here, the rotation assisting device includes one or more finger indentations44in the top surface40. In the illustrated embodiment, the rotating part22includes four finger indentations44. More or less finger indentations44can be used. In the illustrated embodiment, a user places his or her fingers in the finger indentations44to rotate the rotating part22with respect to the base part20. As seen inFIG.10, the finger indentations44extend into the cavity34when the rotating part22is attached to the base part20. Alternatively, for example, the rotation assisting device can include one or more protrusion which extends upward from the top surface40which a user grabs to cause rotation of the rotating part22. The rotating part22can be formed from plastic, for example, from ABS material. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, the rotating part22can also be formed in another suitable shape or from another suitable material. In an embodiment, the diameter of the rotating part is about 5 inches.

In the illustrated embodiment, and as seen inFIG.10, the rotating part22includes a first protrusion46extending downward from the bottom surface42. In the illustrated embodiment, the first protrusion46attaches to the first protrusion36of the base part20to rotatably attach the rotating part22to the base part20. Here, the first protrusion46is located between the finger indentations44. As seen inFIG.10, the first protrusion46can extend into a center aperture in the first protrusion36. The first protrusion46can attach to the first protrusion36, for example, via a snap fit, press fit or another attachment mechanism. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that there are various ways to rotationally attach the rotating part22to the base part20.

In the illustrated embodiment, and as seen inFIGS.14-16, the rotating part22includes at least one second protrusion48. As explained in more detail below, each second protrusion48interacts with the first slide part24or the second slide part26so that rotation of the rotating part22causes the first slide part24or the second slide part26to translate with respect to the base part20. More specifically, each second protrusion48interacts with the first slide part24or the second slide part26to cause the first slide part24or the second slide part26to translate radially outward and radially inward with respect to the base part20.

As seen inFIGS.14and15, the slide parts24,26can be similarly or even identically formed. Each slide part24,26includes a top surface50, a bottom surface52, and a side surface53. Each slide part24,26includes at least one first aperture54which interacts with the at least one second protrusion38of the base part20. In the illustrated embodiment, each slide part24,26includes three first apertures54. As illustrated, the first apertures54are straight apertures which are elongated in the radial direction that the slide part24,26translates. Each slide part24,26also includes at least one second aperture56which interacts with at least one second protrusion48of the rotating part22. In the illustrated embodiment, each slide part24,26includes two second apertures56. As illustrated, the second apertures56are curved with respect to the rotational center axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the second apertures56are located radially outward from the cavity34when the lid assembly14is assembled. In the illustrated embodiment, the first apertures54and the second apertures56extend all the way through the respective slide part24,26between the top surface50and the bottom surface52. Alternatively, the first apertures54and/or the second apertures56can be formed as indentations in the top surface50but not extend through the slide part24,26to the bottom surface52. The slide parts24,26can be formed from plastic, for example, from ABS material. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, the slide parts24,26can also be formed in other suitable shapes or from another suitable material.

In the illustrated embodiment, and as seen inFIGS.12and13, each slide part24,26includes an outer side surface58. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer side surface58has a contour that corresponds to that of the outer edge of the sealing part28. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer side surface58also has a contour that corresponds to the contour of the side wall(s)16of the body12. As seen inFIG.17, the outer side surface58can be curved in the axial direction of the center axis (vertical inFIG.17) such that a portion of the outer side surface58(here, the center in the vertical direction) applies increased pressure against the sealing surface28when the lid assembly14seals the interior space18. As also illustrated inFIG.17, the side surface58can be longer in the axial direction of the center axis (vertical inFIG.17) than other portions of the slide part24(here, shown by the T-shape). In the illustrated embodiment, the side surface58is longer in the axial direction than the portions of the slide part24,26including the first apertures54and/or the second apertures56.

The sealing part28includes a top surface60, a bottom surface62, and a side surface64. As seen for example inFIG.7, the top surface60forms a cavity66with an aperture68in the center thereof. The aperture68receives the base part20with the slide parts24,26located around the perimeter thereof. As seen for example inFIG.17, the sealing surface can be attached to the base part20at or near the outer perimeter of the base part20, In the illustrated embodiment shown inFIG.17, the edge of the sealing part is received into an indentation in the base part. As also see inFIG.17, when the sealing part is attached, the sealing part encloses the first slide part24and/or the second slide part26with the side surface64located between the outer side surface58of the slide part24,26and the side wall(s)16of the body12. When the slide part24,26translates to seal the interior space (translates leftward in the detailed view ofFIG.17), the outer side surface58of the slide part24,26presses the side surface64of the sealing part28into the side wall(s)16of the body12.

The sealing part28is formed from a flexible material, for example silicon. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, the sealing part28can also be formed from another suitable material.

In the illustrated embodiment, the food container10further includes a base70. The base70fits around the body12at the bottom wall15. More specifically, the base70fits around the edges of the body12where the side walls16meet the bottom wall15. As seen in FIG.7, in the illustrated embodiment, the base70is open in the center to leave a portion of the bottom wall15exposed. In an alternative embodiment, for example as seen inFIG.18, the base70can cover the entire bottom wall16of the body12. The base70can be formed from a material such as rubber, for example, EPDM60durometer rubber. As should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, the base70can also be formed from any other suitable material.

As seen inFIGS.14to16, the second protrusions38of the base part20extend into the first apertures54of a slide part24,26. Here, the second protrusions38each include an edge with an outwardly extending lip which causes a snap fit to attach the slide part24,26to the base part20. When configured as shown, the interaction between the second protrusions38and the first apertures54permits back and forth translation of the slide part24,26with respect to the base part20in a linear direction. More specifically, the interaction between the second protrusions38and the first apertures54permits radially inward and radially outward translation with respect to the rotational center axis. In the illustrated embodiment, the interaction between the second protrusions38and the first apertures54restricts translation of the slide part24,26to only the linear direction with respect to the base part20.

As also seen inFIGS.14to16, the second protrusions48of the rotating part22extend through the apertures39of the base part20and into the second apertures56of a slide part24,26. As seen inFIGS.14and15, each second aperture56extends from a first end72to a second end74. In the illustrated embodiment, the first end72is closer to the center axis of the lid assembly14than the second end74. This way, rotation of the rotating part22in a first direction (e.g., counterclockwise toward the first end72in the perspective ofFIGS.14and15) pushes the slide parts24,26radially outwardly with respect to the center axis, while rotation of the rotating part22in an opposite second direction (e.g., clockwise toward the second end74in the perspective ofFIGS.14and15) pushes the slide parts24,26radially inwardly with respect to the center axis.

FIG.14illustrates the lid assembly in the unsealed configuration, whileFIG.15illustrates the lid assembly in the sealed configuration. As seen inFIG.14, when the second protrusions48are located at the second ends74, the slide parts24,26are at their innermost configuration. This is the unsealed configuration. As seen inFIG.15, when the second protrusions48are located at the first ends72, the slide parts24,26are at their outermost configuration. This is the sealed configuration. In the sealed configuration, the slide parts24,26apply pressure against the sealing part28at one or more pressure points76, as seen for example inFIG.9. More specifically, the side surface58of the slide parts24,26apply pressure against the sealing part28. This pressure presses the side surface64of the sealing part28into the side wall(s)16of the body12to seal the interior space18. The first ends72and/or second ends74can include indentations or protrusions which receive the second protrusions48to maintain the sealed or unsealed configuration until rotational pressure is applied by a user.

Thus, in use, when the rotating part22is rotated with respect to the base part20, the second protrusions48push the slide parts24,26outwardly or inwardly with respect to the other the parts of the lid assembly14. This causes the sealing part28to press against the side surface(s)16of the body12. The interaction between the second protrusions38of the base part20and the first apertures54of the slide parts24,26ensure that the slide parts24,26translate linearly while being pushed by the second protrusions48.

In the illustrated embodiment, the amount of rotation by the rotating part22needed to seal and unseal the interior space18corresponds to the length of the second apertures56. Thus, the illustrated embodiment requires less than a quarter turn of the rotating part22to seal and unseal the interior space18. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize from this disclosure that various embodiments may use more or less rotation to seal and unseal the interior space18.

Various materials can be used to form the parts discussed herein. These materials include, for example, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) styrene-acrylonitrile (SAN) resin, thermoplastic rubber (TPR), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high impact styrene (HIS), styrene acrylonitrile (SAN), copolyester (PPC), acrylic such as polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polycarbonate blends such as styrene maleic anhydride (SMA), clarified polypropylene, polystyrene, and/or silicon. The materials should also be food safe if the container is intended for food.

FIGS.18to20illustrate a second example embodiment of a food container10′ in accordance with the present disclosure. The food container10′ shown inFIGS.18to20operates generally the same as the food container10shown inFIGS.1to17with minor changes to various parts as shown. It should be understood to those of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure that parts of the food container10′ can be added to the food container10, and vice versa.

As illustrated inFIG.18, the food container10′ includes a body12′ and a lid assembly14′. The lid assembly14′ is removeable from the body12′. The lid assembly14′ is configured to provide an airtight seal which can be easily sealed and unsealed by a rotational force provided by a user. The food container10′ also includes a base70′ that covers the entire bottom wall of the body12′ in this embodiment.

Like with the first embodiment, the lid assembly14′ includes a base part20′, a rotating part22′, a first slide part24′, a second slide part26′, and a sealing part28′. The base part20′ and rotating part22′ have a center axis about which the rotating part22′ rotates with respect to the base part20′. In use, the rotating part22′ rotates around its center axis with respect to the base part20′ to seal or unseal the interior space18′ of the body12′. As with the first embodiment, the rotation of the rotating part22′ causes the first slide part24′ and the second slide part26′ to translate radially in opposite directions with respect to the center axis. The first slide part24′ and the second slide part26′ translate with respect to the base part20′, the rotating part22′, and the sealing part28′. During translation in the outward radial direction (away from the central axis), the first slide part24′ and the second slide part26′ press the sealing part28′ into the side wall16′ of the body12′, thus sealing the interior space18′ of the body12′ with an airtight seal. During translation in the inward radial direction (toward the central axis), the first slide part24′ and the second slide part26′ release the pressure pressing the sealing part28′ into the side wall16of the body12′, thus unsealing the airtight seal provided to interior space18′ by the lid assembly14′.

Also like with the first embodiment, the base part20′ includes at least one protrusion (not shown) that interacts with a first apertures54′ of the first slide part24′ or the second slide part26′ to restrict the first slide part24′ or the second slide part26′ to linear radial translation with respect to the center axis. Also, the rotating part22′ includes at least one protrusion (not shown) that interacts with a second aperture56′ of the first slide part24′ or the second slide part26′ so that rotation of the rotating part22′ causes the first slide part24′ or the second slide part26′ to translate radially with respect to the base part20′. When the slide part24′,26′ translates to seal the interior space (translates leftward in the detailed view ofFIG.19), the outer side surface58′ of the slide part24′,26′ presses the side surface64′ of the sealing part28′ into the side walls)16′ of the body12′.

FIGS.18-20illustrate how the shapes of certain parts can differ in different embodiments. As illustrated, the base part20′, slide part24′,26′ and sealing part28′ are shaped differently than the corresponding parts of the first embodiment of the food container10. For example, as seen inFIG.19, the outer side surface58′ of the slide part24′,26′ is narrower than the outer side surface58illustrated inFIG.17. As another example difference seen inFIG.18, the sealing part28′ has an aperture that does not go all the way through the sealing part28′, compared to the aperture68through the top and bottom surfaces of the sealing part28as illustrated inFIG.17.FIGS.18-20thus show that variations of the structure shown inFIGS.1-17are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure.

FIG.20Aillustrates unsealing of the lid assembly14′ when the rotating part22′ is rotated counter-clockwise with respect to the base part20′. This motion forces the slide parts24′,26′ radially inward toward the center axis and away from the sealing part28′ to release the sealing part28′ from the side wall(s)16′ of the body12′ and thus unseal the interior space18′.FIG.20Billustrates sealing of the lid assembly14′ when the rotating part22′ is rotated clockwise with respect to the base part20′. This motion forces the slide parts24′,26′ radially outward away from the center axis and toward the sealing part28′ to press the sealing part28′ into the side wall(s)16′ of the body12′ and thus seal the interior space18′.

The embodiments described herein provide improved food containers that are durable, provide a reliable seal, and easy to seal and unseal. It should be understood that various changes and modifications to the food containers and corresponding components described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art and can be made without diminishing the intended advantages.

General Interpretation of Terms

in understanding the scope of the present invention, the term “comprising” and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements, components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms, “including”, “having” and their derivatives. Also, the terms “section” or “portion” when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a plurality of parts.

The term “configured” as used herein to describe a component, section or part of a device that is constructed to carry out the desired function.

While only selected embodiments have been chosen to illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, the size, shape, location or orientation of the various components can be changed as needed and/or desired. Components that are shown directly connected or contacting each other can have intermediate structures disposed between them. The functions of one element can be performed by two, and vice versa. The structures and functions of one embodiment can be adopted in another embodiment. It is not necessary for all advantages to be present in a particular embodiment at the same time. Every feature which is unique from the prior art, alone or in combination with other features, also should be considered a separate description of further inventions by the applicant, including the structural and/or functional concepts embodied by such feature(s). Thus, the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended claims and their equivalents.