KITCHEN CONTAINER

Abstract

Provided is a container, comprising: a body with a cavity, the body having an opening on top; and two lids pivotally attached to opposite sides of the body, to close the opening of the container, the two lids contacting each other at least on one side and sealing the container by forming an airtight seal together. The two lids can form a connection with a tongue and groove mechanism. One lid can have a groove and one lid has a tongue, the groove and tongue configured to seal the container by placing the tongue inside of groove, wherein the tongue and the groove are places on a long side of the lids, where the lids make contact with each other.

Description

BACKGROUND SECTION OF THE INVENTION

Food containers for use in the kitchen are well known. A problem with these containers is that it is difficult and inconvenient to locate the correct lid for the matching container. There is a need in the art for a food container that addresses these issues.

SUMMARY SECTION OF THE INVENTION

Provided is a container, comprising: a body with a cavity, the body having an opening on a top; and two lids pivotally attached to opposite sides of the body, to close the opening of the container, the two lids contacting each other at least on one side and sealing the container by forming an airtight seal together. The two lids can form a connection with a tongue and groove mechanism. One lid can have a groove and one lid has a tongue, the groove and tongue configured to seal the container by placing the tongue inside of groove, wherein the tongue and the groove are places on a long side of the lids, where the lids make contact with each other. The lids remain attached to the container body in an open position. The lids can snap into the container body on a side of the body in an open position. The container can have a receiver on a side of the body for receiving the lid in an open position. The container can have a pivoting member attached to the side of lid, the pivoting member configured to rotate around a fixed support attached to the body of the container. The container can be configured for placement of food. The body can be made from a transparent, translucent, or opaque material. The container is stackable with the lids in an open position. The sides of the body of the container can have an angle to allow for stickability.

A food container, comprising: a body with four sides and an open top; two fixed members attached two to opposite sides of the body; two lids, each lid having four sides, with each lid having attached thereto a member configured to rotate around the one fixed member; where each lid pivots from an open position to a closed position; and one of the two lids having a male member and one of the two lids having a complementary female member, the male and the female member located at one side each lid respectively, the male and the female member making contact to seal the top of the container. The lids remain attached to the container body in an open position. The container body has a height of about 2 inches to 16 inches (or 2 to 8 inches) when measured from its center. The container is stackable with the lids in an open position. The sides of the body can have an outwardly angle from bottom to top of the body.

The only portion of the strip configured for movement can be the central portion of the strip running parallel along the long side of the strip. The rest of the hinge can be rigid. Each lid can have two side walls on opposite sides, extending downwardly from the sides to be positioned outside of the body in a closed configuration. The lids can stay attached to the body in an open configuration/position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the container, with the lids in a closed position.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the container, with the lids in an open position.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the container in an open position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the container in an open position.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the container.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the container in an open position.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the container in a closed position.

FIG. 8 illustrates a side perspective view of the container in a closed position.

FIG. 9 illustrates a side perspective view of the container in a closed position, according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of the container in a closed position, according to a second embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of the container, with the lids 2 in a closed position/configuration. Closed position/configuration rfers to the configuration in FIG. 1, and an

Provided is a food container with two lids 2 (2a, 2b) that are configured to attach to each other and the container body 1, in a closed configuration, to seal the container body 1. Each lid 2 can be pivotally attached to the container body 1 on opposite sides. The container body is typically a cuboid and/or a cube. The sides of the container 1 can be curved. The container 1 body can have six sides, with the top side configured to be closed with a non-removable, permanently attached (to the sides), lids 2.

The container body 1 can be made from a transparent or translucent body, such as dishwasher safe plastic or glass. The lids 2 can be made from the same material as the container body 1.

Container body 1 can have a handle/joint on each side. Fixed joint member 8 can function as a pivoting support. Fixed joint member 8 can be a circular bar that is permanently attached to container body 1. Moving joint member 7 of lids 2a, 2b can be cylindrical and have a circular opening inside that is configured to fit over the (circular) fixed joint member 8, and snap in and out by force for assembly as needed. Fixed joint member 8 can be attached to an end of lid 2, on the long side of lid 2, and allowing the lids 2 to an open and a closed position. The moving member 7 can function as a handle.

Each lid 2 can have a handle 4a, 4b on top for allowing to open the lid. The handles 4a, 4b can extend vertically upwards and can be positioned on opposite side of the pivoting joints. The top of the handle 4 can be thicker in width or have a different shape than the bottom of the handle 4. The top of handle 4 can snap into receiver 5, which securely holds the lid 2 in place. Receiver 5 can also act as a handle. The part of the handle 4 that is thicker can snap into the receiver 5 and be securely held in place.

The lids 4 can also have a handle on the side, handle 3. The handle 3 can come out of the side of a lid as a substantially horizontal protrusion.

Each lid 2 can have an optional groove 10 for placement of an optional gasket, typically a rubber and/or silicone. The gasket functions to seal the container and keep air out of the container 1. Each lid 2 can have a rectangular shaped gasket in form of a band that goes around the inside of the lid 2 in groove 10. The gasket also can have no particular shape. The gasket can be elastic and non-rigid, allowing a user to fit the gasket into the groove 10. The optional gasket can make contact with the body 1 of the container to seal the container.

The lids 2 are configured to attach to each other and seal the container together, as illustrated in FIG. 8. Each lid 2 can have four sides, with three sides configured to attach to the top of the container body 1, and one side configured to attach to the one side (longer side of the rectangular lid) of the second lid 2. The lids 2 when closed create a water and airtight seal down the middle using locking/sealing mechanism. A tongue 11 and groove 12 mechanism is illustrated. In this mechanism, one lid has a tongue 11 (male member) and another lid has a complementary groove 12 (female member). The tongue 11 and groove 12 can run through all along the edge. The two lids 2 can snap together to from a tight assembly.

When in the open position, lids 2 can be removably or permanently attached to the side wall of container body 2. FIG. 6 illustrates handle 4 of lid 2 attached to receiver 5. The side wall has a receiver 5 that attaches to the lid 2 and secures the lid 2 when the container body 1 is in an open position.

The Container body 1 can be designed to be stackable by the bottom width and length being slightly smaller than the opening (top) width and length. The walls of container body 2 can have a slight outwardly angle, such as about zero to 10 degrees, or one to ten degree, or two to 8 degrees. The permanent attachment of the lids 2 allows for stacking the containers in an open position without losing any lids 2.

The container body 1 and/or lid 2 can be made from ocean reclaimed plastic. The food container body 1 can be coated/made with a substance that repels water, so it dries better in the dishwasher. Different container sizes can have different color seals. The container body 1 can have decorative element, such as an image of a sea animal on each side. Container body 1 can be manufactured from plastic material that can withstand freezing and boiling temperatures. The lids 2 can be manufactured with the same materials. The container body 1 in an open position can have a height of about 2 inches to 8 inches, or 2 inches to 12 inches, and a length of 4 inches to 16 inches (or 4 inches to 12 inches).

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the container, with the lids in an open position. In this view, the lids are in an open position on the sides, and held in place with handle 4. Moving member 7 is a hollow cylinder that rotates around fixed circular member 8, which can be a circular bar.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of the container in an open position. Groove 10 on bottom of lid 2 is visible in this view. The groove goes all around the body in the body. A sealer is placed inside groove 10, to make the connection tight between the lid and the body of the container. Groove 10 and the gasket are optional.

FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the container in an open position. A cut-off view of the line is shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 5 illustrates a bottom perspective view of the container with the lids 2 in a closed position.

FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of the container in an open position. Lid 2 is attached with handle 4 to receiver 5. Illustrated in this view are tongue 11 and groove 12.

FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of the container in a closed position.

FIG. 8 illustrates a cut-off view of FIG. 7. Illustrated in this view are tongue 11, groove 12, fixed joint member 8, and moving joint member 7. The tongue 11 (male part) extends down and fits into circular groove 12 to seal the container body 1. The tongue 11 and groove 12 are placed all along the edge of lids 2 in a configuration to contact each other in a closed position.

FIG. 9 illustrates a second embodiment of the container where a gasket is not used. Lids 2 seal the container with tongue 11 and groove 12. Tongue 11 can have a cut-off position 20 that is complementary to the top 24 of the body 1. Sidewalls 21 extend down on the sides of top 24 to create a seal. Hinge mechanism 23 allows the lids 2 to pivot. The hinge mechanism 23 can be made entirely of plastic (including transparent and translucent plastic) or similar synthetic/organic material. Hinge 23 can be made by pivotally placing a first and a second rigid strip that are parallel to each other next to a central canal or thinner portion that allows for movement. The hinge 23 can be made a single strip with the center of the strip having a thickness that is minimal and less than the rest of the strip to allow the strip to pivot. Alternatively, the hinge 23 is made form two strips that are joined together. One side/side of the strip is attached to the long side of the rectangular lid 2 and another edge/edge of the strip is attached to the top 24 of body 1.

FIG. 10 is an open configuration of the container according to a second embodiment. Visible in this view are lids 2, hinge 23 (with a central portion having less thickness and/or round in shape). The thickness of the central portion of the hinge 23 can be less than 5 mm.

Claims

1. A container, comprising: a) a body with a cavity, the body having an opening on a top; andb) two lids pivotally attached to opposite sides of the body, to close the opening of the body on the top, the two lids contacting each other at least on one side and sealing the container by forming an airtight seal together on the top of the body.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the two lids form a connection with a tongue and groove mechanism.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein one lid has a groove, and one lid has a tongue, the groove and tongue configured to seal the container by placing the tongue inside of groove, wherein the tongue and the groove are placed on a long side of each lid respectively, the long side of the lids where the lids make contact with each other.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the lids remain attached to the body in an open position.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the lids snap into the container body on a side of the body to secure the lids in a fixed position.

6. The container of claim 5, further comprising a receiver on a side of the body for receiving the lid in an open position.

7. The container of claim 1, further comprising a pivoting member attached to the side of lids, the pivoting member configured to rotate around a fixed support attached to the body of the container.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is configured for placement of food.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the body has a height of about 2 inches to 16 inches when measured from its center in an open position.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is stackable with the lids in an open position.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein the sides of the body have an outwardly angle from bottom to top.

12. The container of claim 1, further comprising a strip hinge configured for pivoting movement, the strip attached at one side to the lid and to one side of the body.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein only portion of the strip configured for movement is central portion of the strip running parallel along long sides of the strip attached to the body and the lid.

14. The container of claim 1, wherein each lid has two side walls on opposite sides, extending downwardly from the sides to be positioned outside of the body in a closed position.

15. The container of claim 1, wherein the lids stay attached to the body in an open position.

16. A food container, comprising: a) a body with four sides and an open top;b) two fixed members attached two to opposite sides of the body;c) two lids, each lid having four sides, with each lid having attached thereto a member configured to allow the lid to pivot from an open position to a closed position; andd) one of the two lids having a male member and one of the two lids having a complementary female member, the male and the female member located at one side each lid respectively, the male and the female member making contact to seal the top of the container.

17. The container of claim 16, wherein the lids remain attached to the container body in an open position.

18. The container of claim 16, wherein the container body has a height of about 2 inches to 12 inches when measured from its center.

19. The container of claim 16, wherein the container is stackable with the lids in an open position.

20. The container of claim 16, wherein the sides of the body has an outwardly angle from bottom to top of the body.