Patent Application
20240239571
The present disclosure broadly concerns food storage containers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to self-venting food storage containers.
The present invention is directed to improvements in food storage containers. Traditional food storage mechanisms include glass or plastic containers, some of which may self-seal, or covering food with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. However, these mechanisms present a number of shortcomings. For example, plastic containers may not be dishwasher and microwave safe. Additionally, glass containers are fragile and susceptible to breaking. Further, finding the correct lid to match the container presents its own set of problems.
These mechanisms can also fail to properly store food to keep it as fresh as possible. Aluminum foil and plastic wrap do not properly seal the food from surrounding air, which does not keep the food fresh. Conversely, traditional plastic or glass food storage containers can seal the food, but do not allow proper venting of gases that build-up over time (i.e., oxidation).
Lastly, traditional plastic or glass food storage containers do not allow for proper pressure relief during cooking (i.e., microwave), such that the lid must be opened or removed, thereby allowing the dreaded microwave mess. During cooking, excess water vapor way increase pressure in the food storage container if the lid is not removed, leading to a potentially dangerous and at best messy situation.
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a self-venting sealed food storage container that will properly vent food as it is stored and properly vent food as it is cooked. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a food storage container that is semi-rigid and will not break while simultaneously being dishwasher and microwave safe. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a food storage container having a lid and container constructed having a unitary construction.
The present disclosure includes certain embodiments for a self-venting food storage container. In certain embodiments of the present invention, a self-venting food storage container made of silicone includes a lid and a base that forms a receptacle for storing food. The container includes a venting aperture, such as on the lid, which is configured to release pressure (e.g., during storage or cooking) that may build-up in the sealed food storage container. The venting aperture is defined by a barrier configured to stop tearing of the lid in the event the venting aperture tears or rips. Further, the silicone material of the aperture is thinner than the silicone material of the lid, such that unintentional tearing of the slot of the venting aperture is confined to the area within the barrier.
Further objects, features and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from the detailed drawings and descriptions provided herein. Each embodiment described is not intended to address every object described herein, and each embodiment does not include each feature described. Some or all of these features may be present in the corresponding independent or dependent claims, but should not be construed to be a limitation unless expressly recited in a particular claim.
For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. One embodiment of the invention is shown in great detail, although it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that some features that are not relevant to the present invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity.
The present invention relates generally to food storage containers and more particularly self-venting food storage containers. The self-venting food storage containers of the present invention are formed from pliable materials, such as elastomer, and more specifically silicone. These containers can take any shape (e.g., circular, rectangular, etc.) and can come in various sizes (e.g., 8 oz., 10 oz., etc.) having various heights. Other shapes and sizes of self-venting food storage containers are contemplated and desired to be protected. However, for purposes of illustration, the novel self-venting food storage container of the present invention will be described herein with respect to two exemplary embodiments.
Regardless of the shape or size, by being manufactured principally, and in some cases entirely, of pliable material, such as silicone, the self-venting food storage containers enjoy the following desirable characteristics: it is dishwasher safe, microwave safe, oven safe up to 450° F. in some forms and potentially up to temperature exceeding 600° F. in other forms, is flexible/pliable, and under normal circumstances—unbreakable. This material ensures that the food storage containers of the present disclosure can safely travel without fear of breaking or injury.
According to
In one embodiment, the food storage container 10 includes a connecting member 25 which is configured to permanently connect the lid 15 to the receptacle 30. The connecting member 25, in this embodiment, is formed as a continuous piece of silicone extending from the receptacle 30 to the lid 15. In other embodiments, the connecting member 25 may be made from other pliable materials. In some embodiments, connecting member 25 may include one or more folding lines 26. Folding lines 26 are lines across the width of container 10, as depicted, that are made of scores in or a thinner portion of silicone than connecting member 25. The folding lines 26 are configured to facilitate folding of connecting member 25 such that it is easier to place and seal lid 15 on receptacle 30.
In other embodiments, the food storage container 10 and the lid 15 may not be connected to one another, and the connecting member 25 may be omitted. In such embodiments, the lid 15 and receptacle 30 may be separate, while still usable with the lid 15 sealing the receptacle 30. Alternatively, if connectivity is desired, some other manner of connecting the lid 15 and receptacle 30 may be provided.
The receptacle 30 includes a base 31 and at least one sidewall 32 (depending on the shape of the receptacle). The sidewall 32 extends from base 31 and forms the interior cavity of receptacle 30. The distal end of sidewall 32 includes a rim 35. In this embodiment, rim 35 is annular in shape and defines the opening of receptacle 30. Rim 35 is configured to selectively mate with recess 40 of lid 15 by fitting between the inner and outer lips of recess 40. Mating recess 40 of lid 15 with the rim 35 of receptacle 30 closes the container 10 and provides an air-tight seal within the cavity of receptacle 30. It should be appreciated that other sealing mechanisms may be used and are contemplated for use in conjunction with the present invention, including a snap fit, friction fit and selectively closeable clasps.
The interior surface of receptacle 30 (i.e., the inside surface of sidewall 32) may be polished to have a smooth surface finish, similar to the smooth surface finish of the inside surface of lid 15. The polished, smooth surfaces of sidewall 32 and lid 15 allow for easy cleaning and improve pouring of liquid (e.g., soup) into and out of container 10. Although not shown, it shall be appreciated that many different textures and patterns may be applied to the outside surfaces of sidewall 32 and lid 15 (and the remainder of container 10), such as to enhance its gripability, aesthetics, or to include a design element.
The interior surface of sidewall 32 may also include graduated marks 45 indicating the capacity of container 10. For example, graduated marks 45 may indicate the capacity of container 10 in ounces or some other selected unit of measurement. In this embodiment, graduated marks 45 display graduated lines of 4 ounces and 8 ounces within a 10-ounce container 10. Further, container 10 may include graduated marks 45 in both ounces and some other volumetric units. For example, one side of sidewall 32 may includes graduated marks 45 in ounces, and another portion of sidewall 32 (e.g., 90 or 180 degrees from graduated marks 45) may indicate graduated marks (not shown) in another selected measure of volume
Turning to
Container 10 has a rectangular receptacle 30 configured of a base 31 and sidewalls 32. The shape of the sidewalls 32 are the same as base 31 and lid 15 (i.e., rectangular). The distal end of sidewalls 32 form a rim 35 for selectively mating to recess 40.
As shown in
In the embodiment having a thinner silicone portion of venting aperture 20, compared to the thickness of lid 15, the thinner surface better allows the venting aperture 20 to release pressure build-up within container 10 (i.e., it takes less pressure to open slot 60 of venting aperture 20 than if venting aperture 20 was of equal thickness to lid 15). Further, while silicone material is usually difficult to tear or destroy, the thinner silicone material that comprises venting aperture 20 may be more susceptible to tearing than lid 15. Barrier/perimeter 55 provides a ring around this thinner portion to reduce any shearing forces which might ordinarily occur and attempt to isolate this structure. However, in the event of a tear of slot 60 or venting aperture 20, which might be caused intentionally or by unconventional force being applied, barrier/perimeter 55 would prevent the tear from elongating and further tearing lid 15, thereby rendering the container unusable. While tearing of slot 60 or venting aperture 20 could result in a slight decrease in performance of container 10, such as in its ability to perfectly seal, it would still allow for container 10 to store food.
The barrier/perimeter 55 may protrude from the inner surface of lid 15. Although not shown in
The novel self-venting food storage container 10 shown in
Nevertheless, other pliable materials may be utilized without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Furthermore, the self-venting containers 10 may be customized or personalized, such as by the inclusion of a logo on container 10. The unique properties of silicone allow the ability to apply printed or embedded physical logos to the outside surface or any other surface of the container 10. Using appropriate inks and processes, these products can receive a variety of designs.
Additionally, the silicone utilized can be produced in any Pantone color, or without pigment so as to be rendered nearly translucent. It is also possible to add to the raw material an additive that renders the finished container 10 phosphorescent (i.e., glow in the dark).
While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by following claims are desired to be protected. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein.
