Patent Application
20240375850
The present disclosure is directed to storage systems for perishable items and, in particular, to storage systems for receiving and storing food items.
Currently, storage containers for perishable items have a number of shortcomings. For example, while flexible storage bags for perishable items are convenient, their flexible structures can make it difficult to place perishable items inside. On the other hand, solid plastic containers can be easier to fill, but they take up more room than storage bags in use and prior to use. Therefore, one looking to store perishable items must decide between flimsy flexible bags that can be difficult to use or solid plastic containers that take up unnecessary space.
Furthermore, certain perishable food items, such as slices of pizza, can quickly become sodden, dry, and thus inedible, which only progresses faster if they are not stored into a proper medium that can limit the amount of air they are subjected to. Moreover, irregular shaped food items are often left in their original packaging, such as an original pizza storage box, because of the difficulty in handling a conventional elastic storage bag and because food storage containers may not be accommodating to the shape of the food item, such as the triangle shape of a slice of pizza.
Therefore, there is a need for a food storage system with improved handling while limiting the area the food storage system takes up, both in use and in storage.
The present disclosure provides for a storage system for perishable items that includes a container that has a support member secured to the container by adhesive.
Certain disclosed embodiments concern a storage system for perishable items comprising a container having a first side wall, a second side wall opposing the first side wall, a first end, a second end, and a sealing member at the first end, the container having a first length that extends along a longitudinal axis of the storage system from the first end to the second end and a first width that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and a support member. A secured region is provided where the second side wall of the container is secured to the support member (such as by an adhesive) and can have a second length along the longitudinal axis, and an unsecured region where the support member is not secured to the second side wall can extend along the longitudinal axis from the secured region to the first end of the container and have a third length along the longitudinal axis. The unsecured region can extend the entire first width of the container along the third length.
In some embodiments, a ratio of the second length to the first length can be from 10:1 to 4:1, and a ratio of the third length to the first length can be 1:10 to 1:4. The container can be moveable between a closed configuration in which the sealing member is closed and a second configuration in which the sealing member is open. The first end of the container can define an orifice between the first side wall and the second side wall.
In some embodiments, the adhesive can be an adhesive layer having a forward end and a rear end, the forward end being closer to the sealing member, and wherein the adhesive layer has a forward width at the rear end and a rear width at the rear end, and the rear width is greater than the forward width. In other embodiments, the support member can include a support member comprising an insert and a sleeve configured to receive the insert, wherein the second side wall of the container is secured to an upper surface of the sleeve. In other particular disclosed embodiments, the storage systems for perishable items may further comprise a first gusset at a first area between the first side wall and second side wall of the container extending longitudinally, and a second gusset at a second area between the first side wall and the second side wall of the container extending longitudinally, and the first area and the second area being on opposing sides of the container.
A dispensing system also is disclosed. The dispensing system can comprise a plurality of storage systems for perishable item disclosed herein, a receptacle having an internal chamber, and the receptacle further comprising an opening at a bottom portion of the receptacle, the opening being sized to allow one of the plurality of storage containers to be removed from the receptacle.
The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying figures.
For purposes of this description, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the embodiments of this disclosure are described herein. The disclosed systems and methods should not be construed as being limiting in any way. Instead, the present disclosure is directed toward all novel and nonobvious features and aspects of the various disclosed embodiments, alone and in various combinations and sub-combinations with one another. The systems and methods are not limited to any specific aspect or feature or combination thereof, nor do the disclosed embodiments require that any one or more specific advantages be present or problems be solved.
Although the operations of some of the disclosed embodiments are described in a particular, sequential order for convenient presentation, it should be understood that this manner of description encompasses rearrangement, unless a particular ordering is required by specific language set forth below. For example, operations described sequentially may in some cases be rearranged or performed concurrently. Moreover, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may not show the various ways in which the disclosed methods can be used in conjunction with other methods. Additionally, the description sometimes uses terms like “provide” or “achieve” to describe the disclosed methods. These terms are high-level abstractions of the actual operations that are performed. The actual operations that correspond to these terms may vary depending on the particular implementation and are readily discernible by one of ordinary skill in the art.
All features described herein are independent of one another and, except where structurally impossible, can be used in combination with any other feature described herein.
As used in this application and in the claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural forms unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Additionally, the term “includes” means “comprises.” Further, the term “coupled” generally means physically, mechanically, chemically, magnetically, and/or electrically coupled or linked and does not exclude the presence of intermediate elements between the coupled or associated items absent specific contrary language.
In the description, certain terms may be used such as “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” and the like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide some clarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. However, these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper” surface can become a “lower” surface simply by turning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same object.
Similar components in different embodiments are described in the specification and illustrated in the figures with similar reference numbers for improved understanding and readability. However, it should be understood that this numbering convention is merely for convenience and is not intended to limit and/or exclude any claim scope.
The present disclosure provides for an improvement in storing perishable items, such as left-over food from a meal or pre-prepared food.
As depicted by
In some embodiments, the storage system 100 can have a first length L1 that extends along a longitudinal axis LA of the storage system from the first end 102 to second end 104 ranging from 8 inches to 20 inches, such as from 9 inches to 19 inches, from 10 inches to 18 inches, from 11 inches to 17 inches, from 12 inches to 16 inches, from 13 inches to 15 inches, or from 14 inches to 15 inches. In particular disclosed embodiments, the secured region can have a second length L2 ranging from 7 inches to 15 inches, such as from 8 inches to 14 inches, 9 inches to 13 inches, from 10 inches to 12 inches, from 10 to 11 inches. In some embodiments, the unsecured region can have a third length L3 ranging from greater than 0 inch to 5 inches, such as from 1 inch to 4 inches, or from 2 inches to 3 inches. In particular disclosed embodiments, the unsecured region extends the entire first width W1 of the container along the third length. The first width W1 can have similar sizes to the first length. For example, the first width W1 can range from 8 inches to 20 inches, such as from 9 inches to 19 inches, from 10 inches to 18 inches, from 11 inches to 17 inches, from 12 inches to 16 inches, from 13 inches to 15 inches, or from 14 inches to 15 inches.
In some embodiments, the system can have a length ratio of the length of the secured region (L2) to the first length (L1) ranging from 10:1 to 4:1. In particular disclosed embodiments, the container can have a length ratio of the length of the unsecured region (L3) to the first length (L1) ranging from 1:10 to 1:4.
In particular disclosed embodiments, the storage system the length of the secured region (L2) can be 75% to 90% of the first length (L1). In particular disclosed embodiments, the length of the unsecured region (L3) can be 10% to 25% of the first length (L1).
Exemplary lengths of different embodiments of the food storage systems described herein are provided below in Table 1, which lists exemplary first lengths, second lengths, and third lengths.
An unsecured region 114, where the second side wall 120 is not secured to the support member 108, extends along the longitudinal axis LA from an end of the secured region 112 to the first end 102 of the container 116, and has a third length L3 along the longitudinal axis LA. As shown in
In some embodiments, the container is a flexible container to facilitate the handling of the container when the sealing member is open. Moreover, the container is less rigid than the support member. In some embodiments, the container comprises a polymeric material made from a polymer and/or polymers to provide for a flexible container. For example, the flexible container can be polyethylene, polypropylene, polyesters, and their laminates, high density polyethylene, PVC, nylon, and the like. In an exemplary embodiment, the container comprises a low-density polyethylene (LDPE). In another exemplary embodiment, the container comprises a high-density polyethylene (HDPE).
In other particular disclosed embodiments, the container is made of a biodegradable and/or compostable material. For example, the container can be made of cellulose obtained from wood pulp or cotton.
In order to extend the shelf life and quality of the food, the polymeric material can be a breathable polymeric material. For example, micro perforations can be made on the polymeric container. The micro perforations control the amount of oxygen entering the bag and the expulsion of carbon dioxide out of the container, and thus extend the shelf life and freshness of the food.
In some embodiments, the container of the system for perishable items can be a food storage container. For example, the food storage container may comprise a bag-type container having a first side wall, a second side wall opposing the first side wall, a first end, a second end, and a sealing member at the first end. The bag-type container can have a first length that extends along a longitudinal axis of the storage system from the first end to the second end and a first width that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. A rigid support member can be secured to the second side wall of the container with an adhesive at a secured region having a second length along the longitudinal axis. An unsecured region can be provided where the container is not secured to the rigid support member, such that the unsecured region extends along the longitudinal axis from the secured region to the first end of the container and has a third length along the longitudinal axis. Furthermore, the unsecured region can extend the entire first width of the bag-type container along the third length. The bag-type container can be moveable between a closed configuration in which the sealing member is closed and a second configuration in which the sealing member is open and the first end of the container defines an orifice between the first side wall and the second side wall.
As used herein, the term “adhesive” means any device, material, or object attaching and/or holding two or more objects together. For example, the adhesive securing the support member to the container can be an adhesive layer that is capable of holding the two structures together in a functional manner by a surface attachment that resists separation.
As used herein, the term “rigid” means a level of stiffness commonly associated with materials used to support food items without significant bending and/or failure. In some embodiments, a rigid material can have a modulus of elasticity greater than 0.5 GPa (gigapascal), greater than 1.25 GPa, or greater than 2.0 GPa. In some embodiments, the rigid material can also have a modulus of elasticity that is less than 12 Gpa, less than 8 GPa, or less than 6 GPa (e.g., between 0.5-12 GPa, between 1.25-8 GPa, between 2.0-6 GPa, etc.).
Examples of rigid material can include, low-density paperboard which can have a modulus of elasticity that ranges from 0.5 GPa to 2.5 GPa, cardboard which can have a modulus of elasticity that ranges from 2 GPa to 12 GPa, and ceramic materials (e.g., alumina, silicon carbide, zirconia, boron carbide, titanium diboride) which can have a modulus of elasticity that ranges from 350 GPa to 600 GPa.
In particular disclosed embodiments, the adhesive and/or adhesive layer can be non-continuous such that the adhesive layer is formed by a plurality of discontinuous and/or spaced-apart adhesive portions in the secured region. For example, a portion of the adhesive layer can have a forward end and a rear portion placed discontinuously onto the support member to form a discontinuous adhesive layer.
In some embodiments, the adhesive layer can be continuous such that it continuously extends from a forward end to a rear end of the support member.
In particular disclosed embodiments, the adhesive may comprise a continuous adhesive layer forming a rectangular shape.
As discussed above, in some embodiments, the layer can have a rear width W2 that is greater than the forward width W3. For example, as shown in
In particular disclosed embodiments, the adhesive can be an adhesive layer comprising any suitable hot melt, water, or solvent borne adhesive that can be applied to the surface of the member support. Accordingly, the adhesive can be a holt melt adhesive, pressure-sensitive adhesive, reactive adhesives, and/or the like. The adhesive layer may comprise for example, but are not limited to polylactic (PLA), 3-hydroxy butyric acid and 3-hydroxy pentanoic acid (3-hydroxy valeric acid) (PHBV), polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), biobased ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyurethane (PU), vinyl acetate polymers (PVA) polyethylene oxide (PEO), polyhydroxylakanoate (PHA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polyethylene material, e.g. as a low-density polyethylene (LDPE), a bio coating, a printed lacquer, a varnish lacquer, water-based varnish, 1,4 succinic acid, fumaric acid, malic acid, 2,5 furan dicarboxylic acid, 3 hydroxy propionic acid, aspartic acid, glucaric acid, glutamic acid, itaconic acid, levulinic acid, 3-hydroxybutyrolactone, glycerol, sorbitol, xylitol/arabinitol or tricarboxylic acid.
In some embodiments, the adhesive may comprise ultrasonic bonding, heat sealing, thermal bonding, stitching, double sided tape, staples, and the like. Alternatively, the adhesive holds the container to the support member such that the container is removable. For example, the adhesive can be a hook and loop fastener (e.g., Velcro®), one or more magnets, pins, and the like.
In some embodiments, the support member comprises a flat surface (i.e., a height of the support member varies by less than 5%). For example, the support member may comprise a rectangular shape as shown by
In particular disclosed embodiments, the support member can be a rigid support member. In some embodiments, the rigid support member can be made of ceramic, glass, wood, or metal. For example, the ceramic material can be bone China, porcelain, earthenware, stoneware, and the like. Alternatively, the rigid support member can be made of paperboard, a rigid polymeric material, combinations thereof. For example, the rigid support member can be made of carboard, PLA, cornstarch, bagasse, wood, fiber, bamboo fiber, palm leave, and the like.
In some embodiments, the storage system for perishable items may further comprise an insert and a sleeve configured to receive the insert. For example, as illustrated by
In some embodiments, it may be desirable to further expand the container to receive additional items inside the container. If desired, the container of the system may comprise one or more gussets as shown in
Also disclosed herein is a dispensing system comprising a receptacle for transporting and storing a plurality of storage containers disclosed herein.
In view of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed invention may be applied, it should be recognized that the illustrated embodiments are only preferred examples of the invention and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims. We therefore claim as our invention all that comes within the scope and spirit of these claims.
