Patent Application
20240067397
The present invention relates to a stackable storage container. More particularly, the present invention provides a stackable storage container that includes multiple quick connect fittings for flushing the container atmosphere and maintaining a vacuum within the closed container, as well as pressure, temperature, and relative humidity sensors and displays for monitoring the interior volume of the container.
Many items including foodstuffs, plant matter, and other biodegradable substances must be carefully stored to be properly preserved over time. Containers exist that are specifically designed for this task. Such containers may include an airtight lid and may further include valves for flushing the atmosphere of the container with nitrogen or other gases, or for removing air entirely via a vacuum pump, thus preserving the container's contents. However, these containers lack features that would benefit individuals seeking to store such materials. For example, most containers in the known art are not structurally stable under a vacuum to the point where they may be easily stacked for efficient storage. Further, many containers do not include any monitoring capabilities. An individual is unable to determine whether the interior of the container is maintaining a proper vacuum seal, or whether the temperature, humidity, or other environmental factors within the container are within a desired range. Without this capability, the items within the container are more likely to suffer damage or improper storage conditions.
In light of the devices disclosed in the known art, it is submitted that the present invention substantially diverges in functional and design elements from the known art and consequently it is clear that there is a need in the art for an improvement to existing stackable storage containers. In this regard the present invention substantially fulfills these needs.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the types of stackable storage containers and similar devices now present in the known art, the present invention provides a stackable storage container that may achieve a vacuum seal, whereby an individual may monitor the pressure, temperature, relative humidity, and other qualities of the interior of the container.
The present system comprises a stackable storage container that includes a base, a pair of sidewalls, a pair of end walls, and an upper opening defining an interior volume. The lower exterior side of the base includes a honeycomb structure that provides structural support to the container, particularly when a vacuum is applied to the interior volume. The exteriors of the sidewalls include vertical ridges that serve a similar purpose. A lid is removably securable over the open upper end, wherein the lid is configured to maintain an airtight seal. The upper side of the lid includes projections that define an area upon which another container may easily and securely stack. The end walls include quick connecting fittings that allow for different types of air hose connections for flushing the interior atmosphere and for achieving a vacuum within the sealed container.
The interior-facing ends of the quick connect fittings include filters to prevent particles from the air hoses from entering the interior volume. One end wall includes a pressure gauge that is configured to monitor and display the current atmospheric pressure within the container. The interior volume includes a compartment that is configured to removably receive a sensor display. The sensor display may be configured to measure and display the current relative humidity and temperature within the interior volume. The container is transparent to allow an individual to view the container contents and the sensor display while it is secured within the container. In this way, the individual may easily monitor the container conditions and ensure that they remain correct for the type of stored material.
The sensor display includes a plurality of Bluetooth monitoring sensors. More specifically, the Bluetooth monitoring sensors include a plurality of Bluetooth hydrometer/temperature sensors.
One object of the present invention is to provide a stackable storage container that includes specific materials and construction such that it is deemed a food grade storage container.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a stackable storage container that includes multiple structural features that allow the container to remain stable and maintain its shape when a vacuum is applied to its interior volume.
Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures.
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. Figures that include or show specific dimensions or other measurements do so for example purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
Reference is made herein to the attached figures. For the purposes of presenting a brief and clear description of the present invention, the preferred embodiment will be discussed as used for providing a stackable storage container with vacuum sealing capabilities and various monitoring capabilities. The figures are intended for representative purposes only and should not be considered to be limiting in any respect.
The stackable storage container 100 may include a base 110, a pair of sidewalls 120, a pair of end walls 130, an upper opening 140, an interior volume 150, and a lid 160.
The lid 160 may be removably securable over the upper opening 140 of the stackable storage container 100, wherein the lid 160 may be configured to maintain an airtight seal. The lid 160 may include a snap fit connection 162 or a friction fit connection 164 and may include a silicone gasket 166 or the like to enhance the seal between the lid 160 and an upper perimeter edge 169 of the stackable storage container 100.
The lid 160 may include an upper side 160A of the lid 160 that may include a plurality of projections 168 that define an area 168A upon which another stackable storage container 100 may easily stack. In the shown embodiment, the projections 168 may be a plurality of L-shaped corner guides 168B, but other projections or retaining wall shapes may be utilized to help stabilize the stackable storage container 100.
The base 110 may have a generally rectangular shape 110A, but other shapes and sizes may be utilized.
The cylinder-shaped base 110B may include a first end 200, a tubular body 210 and a second end 220
The first end 200 and the second end 220 may each have a first plurality of threading 110C to receive a cap (
The cap 110D may also include a second plurality of threading 110E and a centered aperture 110F disposed inside of the cap 110D.
The base 110 may include a honeycomb structure 112 that provides structural support to the stackable storage container 100. The honeycomb structure 112, most clearly visible in
The pair of sidewalls 120 may extend perpendicularly from each side of the base 110. The pair of sidewalls 120 may include a first plurality of exterior, vertical, fins or ridges 122 that serve a similar purpose to the honeycomb structure 112.
The pair of end walls 130 may extend perpendicularly from each end of the base 110. The pair of end walls 130 may include a second plurality of exterior, vertical, fins or ridges 132 that serve a similar purpose to the honeycomb structure 112. Further, a plurality of upper edges 132A of the exterior, vertical, fins or ridges 132 may provide additional lateral rigidity.
The upper opening 140 may be formed from the pair of sidewalls 120 and the pair of end walls 130 extending from the base 110.
The interior volume 150 may define the upper opening 140.
When another stackable storage container 100 is placed on the lid 160, the exterior perimeter of the honeycomb structure 112 loosely contacts the interior surfaces of the projections 168. This may help maintain the stackable storage container 100 in a stacked configuration and prevents an upper stackable storage container 100 in the stack from accidentally sliding off of its lower supporting stackable storage container lid 160.
Further, as shown in
In the shown embodiment, the interior volume 150 of the stackable storage container 100 includes a plurality of vertically oriented support posts 152. The shown embodiment in
Visible in
As shown in
In one embodiment, as most clearly shown in
As shown in
The interior volume 150 may include a compartment 154 that is configured to removably receive a sensor display 156, which may be most clearly seen in
The sensor display 156 may include a plurality of Bluetooth monitoring sensors 156A. More specifically the Bluetooth monitoring sensors 156A may be a plurality of Bluetooth hydrometer/temperature sensors 156AA which may eliminate the need for the stackable storage container 100 to be transparent and could be any color. The stackable storage container 100 may be controlled via the Bluetooth monitoring sensors 156A or the like as an additional embodiment.
The sensor display 156 may include a plurality of electronic timers 176 and a plurality of solenoid valves 178 that are able to open and close approximately 100 or more stackable storage containers 100 at once remotely, as an alternate embodiment.
Preferably, the components of the stackable storage containers 100 may be composed of materials that are “food grade” or “food safe”. For example, the metallic components such as the fine mesh filter 136 may be made of stainless steel, or a non-corroding food grade material. The pair of sidewalls 120, the pair of end walls 130, the base 110, and the lid 160 may also be made of transparent food grade materials. However, other embodiments may include different types of materials.
It is therefore submitted that the instant invention has been shown and described in what is considered to be the most practical and preferred 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 application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/400,517, filed on Aug. 24, 2022. The above identified patent application is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety to provide continuity of disclosure.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63400517 | Aug 2022 | US |
