Patent Application
20180146808
The present invention relates generally to insulated serving bowl, and, more particularly, relates to an insulated serving bowl that allows for easy transportation and emptying of the insulated serving bowl.
It is often desirable to cool foods prior to consumption or to keep the foods cool while serving them. Commonly, foods are cooled or chilled by refrigerating the container holding the foods. Although electric refrigerators are found in the kitchens of most homes, when entertaining it may be more convenient to have a means of chilling the foods at the location of the guests. Often this location is a recreation room or another room away from the kitchen.
Portable coolers may be filled with ice cubes to chill foods. However, it may be difficult to properly distribute and access the foods when they are to be served. If the foods are left out without being chilled they become inedible because the foods get to warm and bacteria begins to grow. This is important both for the safety of the people consuming the foods but also so that foods are not wasted.
Current serving bowls may have the ability to insulate the food in ice or a cold substance. But once the ice melts it is difficult to remove the water that has filled the bowl, the melted ice may contaminate the food, or if the substance is incorporated into the bowl the entire bowl and its contents have to be put in a refrigerator to rechill the bowl.
Thus, it is desired to have a serving bowl that is insulated with an easy way to remove the melted ice from the bowl, as well as an insulated bowl that may be easily transported.
The present invention provides a food storage device comprising a first bowl comprising, a side wall having an exterior surface a predetermined height and curvature, a base connected to the side wall, and a first protrusion connected to the side wall distal to the base and extending outward from the exterior surface of the side wall, and a second bowl comprising, a side wall having an exterior surface a predetermined height and curvature and an opening, a base having a top surface connected to the side wall, and a second protrusion extending upwards from the top surface of the base a predetermined distance from the connection of the base and the side wall, wherein the first bowl is sized so that the protrusion is able to securely fit underneath the second protrusion to engage the first bowl with the second bowl; and a spout inserted into the opening in the side wall of the second bowl forming a substantially watertight seal.
The present invention provides another embodiments of a food storage device, comprising an interior bowl defining a first cavity and having a first portion of a locking mechanism disposed on the exterior surface opposite the opening of the first cavity, an exterior bowl defining a second cavity comprising, a second portion of a locking mechanism disposed within the second cavity, wherein the exterior bowl is detachably engaged to the interior bowl through the mating of the first and second portions of the locking mechanism and once the interior bowl and the exterior bowl are detachably engaged a substantially liquid tight seal is formed creating a sealed compartment, and an opening disposed distal to the second portion of the locking mechanism but outside the sealed compartment, and a valve inserted into the opening wherein a liquid tight seal is formed between the valve and the opening.
The products of the present invention provide a bowl system. The present system makes use of a detachable interior container that is used to hold food or contents while the exterior container is used to hold the insulation material (typically ice) and has a spout to allow for easy removal of the liquids that are from either the insulation material melting or condensation. The interior container is detachably affixed to the exterior container so that the entire bowl may be picked up and moved with ease.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein may also be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, the preferred methods and materials are now described.
The interior container 200 is designed to receive hold food or items which the user wants to keep cool, but not submerged within a liquid. In the depicted embodiment, the interior container 200 is generally a circular shape much like a bowl. In the depicted embodiment, the interior container 200 has a convex shape. The interior container 200 may have concave curve, may have a rectangular or square shape. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the interior container 200 may be various shapes provided the interior container 200 incorporates the locking mechanism (shown in
The exterior container 300 is designed to receive the interior container 200 and detachably engage with the interior container 200 via a locking mechanism. In the depicted embodiment, the exterior container 300 is generally a circular shape. In the depicted embodiment, the exterior container 300 has a concave shape. In additional embodiments, the exterior container 300 may have a convex shape or a rectangular shape. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the exterior container 300 may be various shapes. The exterior container 300 is sized to fit the interior container 200 with adequate space between the two containers to allow for the insertion of the insulation material(s). Distal to the bottom surface of the exterior bowl 300 is an opening which allows for the insertion of the spout 400. In some embodiments, the exterior container 300 is a unitary design. In additional embodiments, the exterior container 300 is comprised of several elements attached together. In one embodiment, a side wall and a base are attached together to form the exterior container 300.
The spout 400 is designed to allow easy and quick release of any liquids that are pooling or gathering at the bottom of the exterior bowl 300 and are no longer providing insulation to the contents of the interior bowl 200. In some embodiments, the spout 400 is a ball value, has a handle for easy opening and closing or may have a pressure release valve. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the spout 400 may be various types of valves. In some embodiments, the spout 400 may have a valve or locking mechanism to allow the user freedom to remove the waste at their leisure. In some embodiments, the spout 400 is just an opening. In the depicted embodiment, the spout 400 is locked as close as possible to the bottom of the exterior bowl 300 to allow for the easiest removal of the waste.
Some examples of the plastics used to make the bowls and the features of the bowls may be, but not limited to high density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, polytetrafluoroethylene, or the like.
In some embodiments, the lip 302 (or 304) and the protrusion 203 may have a coat that provides minor adhesive properties to further increase the bond between the interior bowl 200 and the exterior bowl 300.
The invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the preferred embodiments of the invention, as set forth above, are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
The invention is inclusive of combinations of the aspects or embodiments described herein. References to “a particular aspect” or “embodiment” and the like refer to features that are present in at least one aspect of the invention. Separate references to “an aspect” or “particular aspects” or “embodiments” or the like do not necessarily refer to the same aspect or aspects; however, such aspects are not mutually exclusive, unless so indicated or as are readily apparent to one of skill in the art. The use of singular or plural in referring to “method” or “methods” and the like is not limiting. The word “or” is used in this disclosure in a non-exclusive sense, unless otherwise explicitly noted.
The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred aspects thereof, but it will be understood that variations, combinations, and modifications may be effected by a person of ordinary skill in the art within the spirit and scope of the invention. Examples of variations, combinations, and modifications that are intended to be within the scope of the claims are those having structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims and those including equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.
While various shapes, configurations, uses, and features have been described above and are shown in the drawings for the various embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that any combination of the above features may be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is recognized by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the above described embodiments of the invention without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover all modifications which are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and/or shown in the attached drawings.
All publications and patents cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication or patent were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and are incorporated herein by reference to disclose and describe the methods and/or materials in connection with which the publications are cited. The citation of any publication is for its disclosure prior to the filing date and should not be construed as an admission that the present invention is not entitled to antedate such publication by virtue of prior invention. Further, the dates of publication provided may be different from the actual publication dates which may need to be independently confirmed.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62428325 | Nov 2016 | US |
