The present disclosure generally relates to a countertop appliance, and more specifically, to a storage lid for a countertop appliance.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a countertop appliance includes a base. A housing is operably coupled to the base and defines an adapter aperture. The housing includes an adapter disposed within the adapter aperture. A storage lid is operably coupled to the housing. The storage lid includes a body that has a raised peripheral wall that defines a recessed portion and a lip proximate to the raised peripheral wall. The storage lid further includes an elongated handle that is operably coupled to the recessed portion of the body, a locking tab that extends outwardly from the raised peripheral wall, and a sealing member that is coupled to the lip of the body. A lid is selectively coupled to the storage lid and is operably coupled to the housing. The lid includes a locking feature that is selectively coupled to the locking tab of the storage lid.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a countertop appliance includes a housing that defines a cavity and has a bottom portion that defines an adapter aperture. A first lid is operably coupled to the housing. The first lid includes a body that has a first surface and a second surface, an elongated handle that extends outwardly from the first surface of the body and defines a recessed channel along the second surface of the body, and a locking tab that is operably coupled to the body. A second lid is operably coupled to the housing and is selectively coupled to the first lid.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a storage lid for a countertop appliance includes a body that has a first surface and a second surface and includes a raised peripheral wall that is disposed around the first surface and a lid that is disposed around the second surface. An elongated handle extends outwardly from the first surface and defines a recessed channel along the second surface of the body. A tab is operably coupled to the raised peripheral wall of the body. A sealing member is disposed proximate to the lip of the body.
These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present disclosure will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings.
In the drawings:
The components in the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon illustrating the principles described herein.
The present illustrated embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to a countertop appliance. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented, where appropriate, by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. Further, like numerals in the description and drawings represent like elements.
For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the disclosure as oriented in
The terms “including,” “comprises,” “comprising,” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by “comprises a . . . ” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises the element.
Referring to
Referring now to
As set forth herein, the housing 14 includes the adapter 18 which extends through the adapter aperture 16 defined by a bottom portion 60 of the housing 14. It is generally contemplated that the adapter aperture 16 provides access into the housing 14 via the bottom portion 60 when the adapter 18 is removed from the housing 14. The housing 14 also includes an upper edge 62 and a flange 64 outwardly extending from the upper edge 62. The flange 64 may function as a spout to direct the contents from the housing 14. The flange 64 also provides an attachment point for the lid 36 to securely couple to the housing 14 via the locking feature 38. The locking feature 38 is illustrated as having a ring-shaped configuration and is configured to be disposed around the flange 64 during operation of the countertop appliance 10. As will be described in more detail below, the locking feature 38 can also be operably coupled to the locking tab 32 of the storage lid 20. The housing 14 also defines a cavity 66 in which the adapter 18 is disposed, as described in more detail below. The cavity 66 can be at least partially exposed via the adapter aperture 16 when the adapter 18 is removed from the housing 14. The user can deposit food items into the cavity 66 via the lid 36, described below.
With further reference to
With further reference to
It is generally contemplated that the lid 36 is operably coupled to the housing 14 via the outwardly extending flange 64 of the housing 14 by operably coupling the locking feature 38 to the flange 64 of the housing 14, as mentioned above, to define the closed position 98. It is also contemplated that the coupling feature 92 of the lid 36 may be rotatably coupled to the handle 68 within the attachment aperture 78. The coupling feature 92 of the lid 36 may rotate within the attachment aperture 78 to translate the lid 36 from the closed position 98 into an open position 100. The open position 100 of the lid 36 provides access to the cavity 66 of the housing 14. In the open position 100, the user may adjust, remove, or otherwise articulate the adapter 18 within the cavity 66 of the housing 14. By way of example, and not limitation, the user may exchange or otherwise change the attachment 80 coupled to the shaft 82 of the adapter 18, while the lid 36 is in the open position 100.
With reference now to
It is generally contemplated that the storage position 110, while a separate position, may be defined by the closed position 98 mentioned above. The storage lid 20 includes a retention feature 112 that is operably coupled to the handle 68 at the attachment aperture 78. As mentioned above, the storage lid 20 includes the body 22, which defines the raised peripheral wall 24 and the recessed portion 26. The elongated handle 30 is disposed along the recessed portion 26 of the body 22 and is generally surrounded by the raised peripheral wall 24. Stated differently, the elongated handle 30 outwardly extends from the recessed portion 26 of the body 22, which is defined, at least in part, by the raised peripheral wall 24. The elongated handle 30 can extend above the raised peripheral wall 24, which advantageously accommodates the adapter 18, as described below. It is generally contemplated that the elongated handle 30 includes a length L and extends along a portion of a diameter D of the body 22 of the storage lid 20.
The storage lid 20 also includes the locking tab 32, which outwardly extends from the raised peripheral wall 24 and is generally disposed above the outwardly extending flange 64 of the housing 14. On an opposing side of the storage lid 20, the retention feature 112 of the storage lid 20 is operably coupled to the attachment aperture 78 defined by the handle 68. The retention feature 112 includes a crossbar 114 that extends over the attachment aperture 78. It is generally contemplated that the crossbar 114 of the retention feature 112 may engage the handle 68 to retain the storage lid 20 in the open position 100 (
With further reference to
Referring now to
The sealing member 34 is disposed between the lower wall 124 and the upper edge 62 to define the seal, which closes off the space 128 between the lower wall 124 and the upper edge 62. As mentioned above, the lip 28 extends across the space 128 to further close off the space 128 between the lower wall 124 and the upper edge 62 in addition to the sealing member 34. The lip 28 and the sealing member 34 are operably coupled to the upper edge 62 of the housing 14 in the storage position 110. The sealing member 34 circumferentially engages the upper edge 62 of the housing 14 to define the seal between the storage lid 20 and the housing 14, which may retain the overall freshness of the food items disposed within the housing 14. It is generally contemplated that the sealing member 34 may be comprised of a rubber seal, silicone, and/or other materials generally known in the art to form a seal.
As generally mentioned above, the storage lid 20 also includes the locking tab 32, which outwardly extends from the raised peripheral wall 24. The locking tab 32 is configured to be coupled with the locking feature 38 of the lid 36 in the storage position 110, as mentioned above. The locking feature 38 is illustrated with a ring-like configuration, as mentioned above, through which the locking tab 32 may extend in the storage position 110. The locking tab 32 and the locking feature 38 operably couple the lid 36 to the storage lid 20, which maximizes the storage abilities of the countertop appliance 10. The countertop appliance 10 can be stored with both the storage lid 20 and the lid 36 coupled to the housing 14 to maximize storage space of the countertop appliance 10.
With further reference to
The elongated member 30 defines a recessed channel 134 along the second surface 132 of the recessed portion 26. The recessed channel 134 is defined along the second surface 132, such that the recessed channel 134 and the elongated handle 30 can be integrally formed from the second surface 132. It is generally contemplated that the recessed channel 134 of the elongated handle 30 is configured to receive the adapter 18 disposed within the cavity 66 of the housing 14. The recessed channel 134 advantageously provides a receiving space 136 for the adapter 18, such that the adapter 18 may remain within the housing 14 in the storage position 110. Specifically, the adapter 18 includes a first end 138 disposed within the adapter aperture 16 of the housing 14 and a second end 140 selectively received within the receiving space 136 of the recessed channel 134. In such a configuration, the user may directly store the housing 14 and the storage lid 20, without removing the adapter 18. The user may thus maintain the contents relatively undisturbed within the housing 14 in the storage position 110.
With further reference to
The user can neatly store all the features of the countertop appliance 10 in one space as the adapter 18 can remain within the housing 14 with any of the attachments 80. The storage lid 20 accommodates the height of the adapter 18. In addition, the storage lid 20 provides an attachment point for the lid 36 via coupling the locking feature 38 to the locking tab 32. Thus, the user can store all of the components of the countertop appliance 10, including both the lid 36 and the storage lid 20, in order to maximize the user's storage space.
The invention disclosed herein is further summarized in the following paragraphs and is further characterized by combinations of any and all of the various aspects described therein.
According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a countertop appliance includes a base. A housing is operably coupled to the base and defines an adapter aperture. The housing includes an adapter disposed within the adapter aperture. A storage lid is operably coupled to the housing. The storage lid includes a body that has a raised peripheral wall that defines a recessed portion and a lip proximate to the raised peripheral wall. The storage lid further includes an elongated handle that is operably coupled to the recessed portion of the body, a locking tab that extends outwardly from the raised peripheral wall, and a sealing member that is coupled to the lip of the body. A lid is selectively coupled to the storage lid and is operably coupled to the housing. The lid includes a locking feature that is selectively coupled to the locking tab of the storage lid.
According to another aspect, a housing further includes a handle that defines an attachment aperture. A storage lid further includes a retention feature that is operably coupled to the handle via the attachment aperture.
According to another aspect, a sealing member of a storage lid is operably coupled to an upper edge of a housing.
According to another aspect, an elongated handle defines a recessed channel.
According to another aspect, an adapter has a first end and a second end. The first end is disposed within an adapter aperture and the second end is selectively disposed within a recessed channel of an elongated channel.
According to another aspect, a locking feature of a lid is operably coupled to a locking tab of a storage lid in a storage position of each of the storage lid, the lid and a housing.
According to another aspect, an adapter is disposed within a housing in a storage position.
According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a countertop appliance includes a housing that defines a cavity and has a bottom portion that defines an adapter aperture. A first lid is operably coupled to the housing. The first lid includes a body that has a first surface and a second surface, an elongated handle that extends outwardly from the first surface of the body and defines a recessed channel along the second surface of the body, and a locking tab that is operably coupled to the body. A second lid is operably coupled to the housing and is selectively coupled to the first lid.
According to another aspect, a body of a first lid further includes a raised peripheral wall and a lip. A first surface is a recessed surface that is defined by the raised peripheral wall.
According to another aspect, a first lid further includes a sealing member that is proximate to a lip of a body. A sealing member is operably and selectively coupled to a housing.
According to another aspect, a first lid includes a lower wall that extends into a cavity of a housing. A sealing member is disposed on the lower wall.
According to another aspect, a second lid includes a locking feature that is operably coupled to a locking tab in a storage position of both a first lid and the second lid.
According to another aspect, an adapter is disposed within a cavity of a housing. The adapter is selectively disposed within a recessed channel of an elongated handle in a storage position of a first lid.
According to another aspect, a recessed channel defines a receiving space. An adapter is selectively disposed within the receiving space of the recessed channel.
According to yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a storage lid for a countertop appliance includes a body that has a first surface and a second surface and includes a raised peripheral wall that is disposed around the first surface and a lid that is disposed around the second surface. An elongated handle extends outwardly from the first surface and defines a recessed channel along the second surface of the body. A tab is operably coupled to the raised peripheral wall of the body. A sealing member is disposed proximate to the lip of the body.
According to another aspect, a first surface of a body comprises a recessed portion that is defined by a raised peripheral wall. The recessed portion includes a first surface and a second surface.
According to another aspect, an elongated handle extends above a raised peripheral wall of a body.
According to another aspect, an elongated handle is integrally formed with a first surface of a body.
According to another aspect, a storage lid further includes a retention feature that extends from a raised peripheral wall and a lip of a body.
According to another aspect, a storage lid further includes a lower wall that extends from a lip. A sealing member is operably coupled to the lower wall.
It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described disclosure and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the disclosure disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein.
For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) 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 components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated.
It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the disclosure as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations.
It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present disclosure. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/CN2021/071692 | 1/14/2021 | WO |