Patent Application
20240400258
Many types of containers exist for storing foods. One subset of such containers includes containers that are designed to store previously prepared food for subsequent consumption. For example, individuals may choose to prepare their meals in advance to save time and to restrict themselves to specific amounts and types of food. These containers are typically made of materials that are safe for use in a microwave and/or oven, and typically include a sealing lid.
Additionally, many individuals consume separate foods for a single meal. To facilitate this separation, some containers may have dividers for separating different food items within the container. While this allows the food items to be separated, a drawback exists where an individual has different types of foods that need to be prepared in different ways. For example, an individual may wish to store a cold food item in one compartment and a food item that needs to be reheated prior to consumption in another compartment. The individual must remove the cold food item from the container before reheating the hot food item. As another example, some food items that need to be reheated will take different lengths of time to reach the ideal temperature, depending on the type of food, size of the portion, and starting temperature. While heating one food item, another may be overcooked, which is undesirable.
In order to address these concerns, the present invention includes a modular food storage container having a removable compartment that may be easily separated from the primary container, microwaved or otherwise prepared on its own, and then reattached to the primary container so that all of the stored food is easily accessible and preparable as needed.
In light of the food storage containers disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing food storage containers.
In this regard the present invention substantially fulfills these needs by providing a modular food storage container with a separable compartment that allows stored food items to be prepared independently prior to consumption.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of food storage containers now present in the prior art, the present invention provides a modular food storage container wherein the same can be utilitzed for providing convenience for the user when utilizing a modular food storage container.
The invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying figures.
A modular food storage container, comprising a receptacle having a base, a plurality of perimeter walls, an upper lip, a pair of compartments separated by a dividing wall, and a recessed upper sidewall portion to fit a plurality of different types of lids and a lid disposed over the receptacle.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular food storage container that includes a detachable entrée section that allows for both hot and cold foods in a single container.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular food storage container that combines containers to reduce overall storage and refrigerator clutter.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a modular food storage container that includes less containers, less time, less cooking, less prepping, and less cleaning each week.
Although the characteristics features of this invention will be particularly pointed out in the claims, the invention itself and manner in which it may be made and used may be better understood after a review of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numeral annotations are provided throughout.
Reference is made herein to the attached drawings. Like reference numerals are used throughout the drawings to depict like or similar elements of the modular food storage container. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
Referring now to
The modular food storage container 100 may include a receptacle 110.
The receptacle 110 may include a base 112, a plurality of perimeter walls 114, an upper lip 116, and a pair of compartments 117 separated by a dividing wall 118. The receptacle 110 may include a recessed upper sidewall portion 111 to fit a plurality of different types of lids 120. A portion of the upper lip 116 may extend outwardly from one side of the receptacle 110, defining an open frame portion 116A. The open frame's perimeter edge 116B may include a lower projection 116C that helps to grasp a removable entrée container 119. The removable entrée container 119 may include a base 119A, a perimeter wall 119B, and an upper perimeter flange 119C. The upper perimeter flange 119C of the removable entrée container 119 may be configured to removably secure to the open frame portion 116A via a snap-fit connection 119D with the upper lip of the receptacle 110.
In the shown embodiment, the perimeter edge 116B of the open portion of the receptacle 110 may include a cut-out or a slot 116C that receives a corresponding tab 119A on the edge of the entrée container 119, to provide an improved and secure connection between the entrée container 119 and the open frame portion 116A of the receptacle 110. Other embodiments may include different or additional securement tabs or fasteners (not shown) to removably secure the entrée container 119 within the open frame portion 116A of the receptacle 110. The receptacle 110 and the entrée container 119 may be made from plastic, aluminum, silicon, glass, or any other food safe material.
Referring now to
The modular food storage container 100 may include a lid 120.
The lid 120 may be disposed over the receptacle 110.
In this embodiment, a flexible locking tab 122 may be disposed on one end of the open frame portion 116, which engages the corresponding tab 119A of the entrée container 119 for removable securement. When the entrée container 119 may be secured in the receptacle 110, the upper edges of the entrée container 119 may be continuous with the upper edges of the receptacle 110, to maintain the appearance of a modular food storage container 100.
As shown in
In other embodiments, there may be one of the lids 120 for the entrée container 119 and the receptacle 110 if desired. In the shown embodiment, each of the lids 120 includes slots that receive the modular food storage container 100. This allows one of the lids 120 to seal off the individual compartments to prevent leaks and to prevent one food item in one compartment from entering the compartment that is holding another food item. While the shown embodiment includes one of the lids 120 that removably secures via friction, other types of one of the lids 120 or fasteners may be utilized for additional securement.
Referring now to
In use, the entrée container 119 may be easily separated from the receptacle 110. Either the modular food storage container 100 may then be microwaved or otherwise prepared on its own. After all food items are prepared as needed, the entrée container 119 may be reattached to the receptacle 110 so that all of the stored food is easily accessible. In this way, the same modular food storage container 100 may be used to store foods that are meant to be heated and foods that are meant to remain unheated. The modular food storage container 100 may also provide a convenient means for supporting the food for consumption, as the food is already separated and does not have to be placed on another surface for serving.
Referring now to
The pop-up lid 126 may be disposed over the entrée container 119. The pop-up lid 126 may be depressed to release and open upwards and may make a clicking sound when released. The pop-up lid 126 may be separate from the lid 120.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in various embodiments. It is recognized, however, that departures may be made within the scope of the invention and that obvious modifications will occur to a person skilled in the art. With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.
Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
This is a U.S. Non-Provisional patent application that claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/469,875 filed May 31, 2023. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63469875 | May 2023 | US |
