Patent Application
20250058957
The invention relates generally to an apparatus configured to receive and store a viscous material while keeping the viscous material insulated, the apparatus further configured to facilitate pouring of the viscous material.
Currently there are a number of solutions for spreading butter on various foods. One of these solutions attempts to utilize a butter knife, but this solution fails to meet the needs of the market because the butter is generally hard which makes the butter difficult to spread. Another solution attempts to use a simple bowl to melt the butter, but this solution is similarly unable to meet the needs of the market because the butter becomes too hard to pour/spread. These methods can also become messy and unsanitary.
There exists a need for an improved apparatus that enables a user to easily apply melted butter or other food products onto various foods/dishes. Furthermore, it would also be advantageous to have an apparatus that allows the food product to stay warm for longer. Still further, it would be advantageous to have an apparatus that can be easily cleaned. The apparatus of the present disclosure can fulfill an unmet need by providing an apparatus that helps the user to easily store insulated food product and to easily apply the warm food product onto various foods/dishes.
In one aspect, the present disclosure is related to an insulated apparatus, comprising a bottle portion having a first end and a second end. An opening can be formed at the first end of the bottle portion. A cavity can be formed within the bottle portion having an interior volume and capable of holding desired contents. A container can further include a cap portion that can have a coupling means removably couple to the cap portion of the first end of the reservoir portion. The cap portion can further include a nozzle portion that can extend from the top end of the cap with an aperture formed therethrough to allow a liquid to flow from the cavity to an external environment. A first nozzle cover portion configured to be removably coupled to the nozzle portion of the cap portion. A sleeve portion can further be removably coupled around the exterior sidewall of the bottle portion and extend from the bottom end of the bottle portion to the top end of the bottle portion.
In another aspect, the present disclosure is related to an insulated bottle and sleeve of the present disclosure can include a microwave safe squeeze bottle and an insulated sleeve. The sleeve portion is configured to keep the viscous fluid at a constant temperature for a determined period of time.
The apparatus can have at least two different spreading caps and a closed cap. In some embodiments, the apparatus can have only one open spout and one closed cap. The apparatus can be used for butter or other food products which coagulates as they cool down, such as gravy, sauces, and syrups.
In another aspect, the present disclosure is related to a method of heating and maintaining the temperature of a food item within a container for continued use utilizing an apparatus as described herein.
In another aspect, the present disclosure is related to an insulated container for a viscous fluid that can include multiple layers, wherein in a first layer can be a bottle portion configured to store the contents of the container and is microwavable to allow for easy heating of the internal contents. The first layer can be comprised of a microwavable material formed in a cylinder shape. A second layer removably coupled around the outer surface of the first layer to form an insulative sleeve. A third layer can be positioned onto at least a portion of the first layer or second layer and made of a material for enhancing grip of the container. The bottle portion can further include a cap with an opening for delivering the viscous contents from within the bottle.
The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.
Following are more detailed descriptions of various concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes.
The following detailed description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which forms a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, which are also referred to herein as “examples,” are described in enough detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. The embodiments may be combined, other embodiments may be utilized, or structural, and logical changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.
Before the present invention of this disclosure is described in such detail, however, it is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular variations set forth and may, of course, vary. Various changes may be made to the invention described and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation, material, composition of matter, process, process act(s) or step(s), to the objective(s), spirit, or scope of the present invention. All such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the disclosure made herein.
Unless otherwise indicated, the words and phrases presented in this document have their ordinary meanings to one of skill in the art. Such ordinary meanings can be obtained by reference to their use in the art and by reference to general and scientific dictionaries.
References in the specification to “one embodiment” indicate that the embodiment described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every embodiment may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other embodiments whether or not explicitly described.
The following explanations of certain terms are meant to be illustrative rather than exhaustive. These terms have their ordinary meanings given by usage in the art and in addition include the following explanations.
As used herein, the term “and/or” refers to any one of the items, any combination of the items, or all of the items with which this term is associated.
As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
As used herein, the terms “include,” “for example,” “such as,” and the like are used illustratively and are not intended to limit the present invention.
As used herein, the terms “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of the invention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances. However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same or other circumstances.
Furthermore, the recitation of one or more preferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are not useful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scope of the invention.
As used herein, the terms “front,” “back,” “rear,” “upper,” “lower,” “right,” and “left” in this description are merely used to identify the various elements as they are oriented in the FIGS, with “front,” “back,” and “rear” being relative to the apparatus. These terms are not meant to limit the elements that they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various applications.
As used herein, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two members, or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature. Similarly, coupled can refer to a two member or elements being communicatively coupled, wherein the two elements may be electronically, through various means, such as a metallic wire, wireless network, optical fiber, or other medium and methods.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first element could be termed a second element, and, similarly, a second element could be termed a first element without departing from the teachings of the disclosure.
Referring now to
A surface of the bottle 10 can include an etching or printing of volumetric metering 13 to provide a user a visual indication of the amount of fluid within the interior cavity of the bottle 10 as shown in
In some exemplary embodiments, a bottle portion 10 can generally comprise a multi-layered sidewalls structure for optimizing melting butter in the microwave, keeping the melted butter warm within the bottle cavity, and easily pouring the melted butter from the opening 201. The bottle 10 can be comprised of a microwavable safe material that allows for user to safely place and utilize a microwave to heat any contents within the bottle. Additionally, a bottle portion 10 may have a cylindrical shape and may be made of a flexible material to facilitate the bottle portion 10 to be compressed or squeezed by a user. In some exemplary embodiments, the bottle portion 10 can be comprised of a transparent material to allow a user to easily view the contents within the bottle.
The apparatus 100 of the present disclosure may further comprise a sleeve portion 300 configured to wrap around a middle portion 3 of the bottle. The middle portion 3 can extend a height between the ends 1 and 2. In some embodiments, the material of the sleeve 300 can be made of a material that can insulated the interior contents of the bottle portion 100. The material can be any suitable material that has energy conservation properties, including but not limited to foam, woven fabric, mineral wool, polyurethan foam, cellulose, fiberglass, and or polystyrene. The sleeve portion 300 can reduce and limit the loss of temperature from the bottle contents, to keep the bottle contents at a substantially constant temperature for a determined period of time. In some exemplary embodiments, the sleeve portion 300 can be comprised of a singular material. In other exemplary embodiments, the sleeve portion 300 can be comprised of a plurality of materials.
In one exemplary embodiment, the interior surface of the sleeve portion 300 can be comprised of material to provide better insulation while also providing grip against the bottle portion 100 to maintain contact and position on the bottle portion 10. Similarly, in some embodiments, the exterior surface 301 of the sleeve portion 300 can have a texture or pattern to provide a coefficient of friction to allow for a better grip to a user. The material of the sleeve 300 may be selected to increase friction so the user has a better grip of the bottle. The material of the sleeve 300 may be also flexible to allow for the user to compress or squeeze the bottle 10 while the sleeve 300 is wrapped around the middle portion 3. In some exemplary embodiments, the sleeve portion 300 can generally extend from the top 1 of the bottle portion 10 to the bottom 2 of the bottle portion and cover the sidewall 8 of the bottle. The sleeve portion 300 can additionally be printed or woven in a variety of designs and colors as a user desires. The sleeve portion 300 can be comprised of machine washable material to allow for ease cleaning after use. The sleeve portion 300 can additionally prevent a user from burning their fingers from the hot contents that may be stored within the bottle portion. This provides added safety and easier use compared to currently available goods.
The opening 201 can be configured to deliver the bottle contents neatly. The opening 201 may have a pointed shape or may have a tubular spout shape so that the soft or liquid butter or liquid can exit the bottle 10 when the bottle is turned upside down or squeezed by the user. The opening 201 generally configured to neatly distribute or allow the bottle contents to exit through the opening 201 in a singular stream. The opening 201 can take other suitable configurations as well. The opening 201 can generally be formed at the end of a nozzle 202. The nozzle portion 202 can have a first end 205 formed near the top of the cap 200 and a second end 205. A cap 200 may be configured to fit over the bottle opening 4 to prevent the contents from leaking out.
A first nozzle cover 208 may be attached to the cap 200 with retaining means 212a such as a strap portion, tie or rubber line that can be connected to the bottle 10 or portion of the cap 200, so the first nozzle cover 208 will not separate from the bottle or cap, but can be easily placed on and off the opening 201 of the nozzle 202. A retaining means 212a that can be coupled to the nozzle portion 208 on the first end and the cap portion 200 or bottle 10 on the second end. The first nozzle cover 208 can be removably coupled to the nozzle portion 200 using any suitable means. The first nozzle cover can have a first end 209 and a second end 211.
In one exemplary embodiment, the nozzle 200 may include a raised portion 206 that extends around the perimeter near the first end of the nozzle 200. The raised portion 206 can catch or couple to a corresponding indention on the interior of the nozzle cover or interface with a ridge from along the interior edge at the bottom of the nozzle 208. In some exemplary embodiments, the first nozzle cover 208 can be a stopper configured to prevent an internal contents from being able to pass through the opening 201 of the nozzle 202. The first nozzle cover 208 can be generally closed at the second end to prevent liquid from escaping the opening 201 of the nozzle 202.
In some exemplary embodiments, the apparatus 100 can further include a second nozzle cover 210. The second nozzle cover 210 can have one or more apertures 214 located at the end 215 of the second nozzle cover 210 as shown in
In some embodiments, the bottle 10 may be inserted within a cover 400. The cover 400 generally having a cylindrical shape, a closed bottom end 402 and a top opening 401. The cover 400 generally made of a flexible material, such as rubber, silicone or any other suitable material. In this way, the cover 400 may further improve the traction of the bottle and may improve retaining a constant temperature of the contents within the bottle. In some exemplary embodiments, the bottle portion 100 and sleeve portion 300 can be inserted within the opening of the cover 400. The cover sidewall 404 can extend up the sidewall of bottle portion 10 or sleeve portion 300 a predetermined distance.
In some exemplary embodiments, the cover portion 400 can have a higher coefficient friction against a surface than the bottom surface of a bottle 10 or the sleeve portion 300. This can prevent the apparatus 100 from sliding across a table or counter and maintain it in a more upright position. Similarly, the cover 400 could be weighted to further prevent the apparatus 100 from accidentally tipping over. In some exemplary embodiments, the bottom 406 and/or the sidewalls 404 can have weights to maintain a lower center of gravity of the apparatus and inhibit the apparatus from easily tipping over. The cover 400 can additionally include insulation properties to maintain the temperature of the contents within the bottle 10. In some exemplary embodiments, the cover 400 can be incorporated directly as part of the sleeve 300 or removable to allow for the bottle to contact a heating plate or warm surface to maintain the contents' at a substantially constant temperature when not in use. In some other exemplary embodiments, the cover 400 can further include a heating element to maintain a predetermined temperature of the contents within in the bottle.
In other alternative embodiments, a heating element could be further incorporated into the sleeve portion and/or the cover to aid in providing additional heat to maintain the temperature of the contents within the bottle portion.
The apparatus of the present disclosure can allow a user can provide a liquid or solid material into the interior of the bottle 10. The bottle portion 10 can be removed from a sleeve if applicable and placed into a microwave to heat the internal contents 600 of the bottle portion 10. The sleeve portion 300 and cap portion 200 can then be coupled to the bottle portion 10 and utilized by a user 700 to spread the contents 600 onto a food product 800. The contents can be maintained within a desired temperature range for a long duration to allow a user ease of providing the contents onto the food product for a longer duration of time as shown in
Various related embodiments of the invention are also described in the aforementioned provisional application and Appendix A, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.
This U.S. Patent Application Patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 63/519,284 filed Aug. 14, 2023, the disclosure of which is considered part of the disclosure of this application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63519284 | Aug 2023 | US |
