TEMPERATURE-CONSERVING CONTAINERS

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to kitchen serving instruments, and particularly to insulated kitchen serving instruments.

BACKGROUND

Maintenance of food at a desired temperature for a desired amount of time can be an important task, in situations including in households, restaurants, and the hospitality industry. It may be important for appeal, taste, or health reasons to maintain food or drink near a given temperature until consumption. Further, applications in industries including, inter alia, the sciences to healthcare, can require various gases, liquids, and items to be maintained at or near a given temperature for a desired duration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described herein below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In non-limiting examples disclosed herein, a lid may be configured for a temperature-conserving container having an opening defining an inner surface of the opening and a top rim. The lid may include a bottom wall, a side wall formed around a perimeter of the bottom wall, a top wall connected to the side wall, and an insulative cavity between the top wall and the bottom wall. The insulative cavity may be configured to reduce heat transfer through the lid. A lip may be formed around at least a portion of an outer surface of the side wall or the top wall. The lid may be configured to be slidably received in the opening of the temperature-conserving container such that at least a portion of the lip engages the top rim and forming a seal between the outer surface of the side wall and the inner surface of the opening, thereby sealing the temperature-conserving container.

In non-limiting examples disclosed herein, a temperature-conserving bowl system may include a bowl comprising an opening defining an inner surface of the opening and a top rim and a lid configured to be removably received within the opening of the bowl. The lid may include a bottom wall, a side wall formed around a perimeter of the bottom wall, a top wall connected to the side wall, and an insulative cavity between the top wall and the bottom wall. The insulative cavity may be configured to reduce heat transfer through the lid. A lip may be formed around at least a portion of an outer surface of the side wall or the top wall. The lid may be configured to be slidably received in the opening of the bowl such that at least a portion of the lip engages the top rim, and an outer surface of the side wall forms a seal against the inner surface of the opening of the bowl.

In non-limiting examples disclosed herein, a temperature-conserving bowl system may include a bowl comprising an opening and a lid configured to be removably received within the opening of the bowl. The lid may include a unitary bottom portion comprising a bottom wall, a top portion comprising a top wall spaced vertically apart from the bottom wall, and a side wall formed around a perimeter of the top wall and a perimeter of the bottom wall and extending between the top wall and bottom wall. At least a portion of the side wall may be part of the unitary bottom portion. An insulative cavity may be between the top wall and the bottom wall, and the insulative cavity may be configured to reduce heat transfer through the lid. An outer surface of the side wall may form a seal against an inner surface of the opening of the bowl.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present description will be understood more fully when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of various examples of temperature-conserving containers. The description is not meant to limit the temperature-conserving containers to the specific examples. Rather, the specific examples depicted and described are provided for explanation and understanding of temperature-conserving containers. Throughout the description the drawings may be referred to as drawings, figures, and/or FIGS.

FIG. 1 illustrates a temperature-conserving container embodied as a pitcher, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the pitcher, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 3 illustrates a slider of a lid of the pitcher, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 illustrates a further temperature-conserving container embodied as a bowl, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bowl, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 6 illustrates a detail view of a gasketed joint of the bowl, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method of making a temperature-conserving container, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8A illustrates a lid, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8B illustrates a cutaway view of a lid, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8C illustrates a cross-section view of a lid, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 8D illustrates a cross-section detail view of an edge of a lid, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a lid, according to an embodiment.

FIG. 9B is a cross-section view of the lid of FIG. 9A.

FIG. 9C is an exploded view of the lid of FIG. 9B.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a bowl with the lid of FIG. 9C.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of the bowl and lid of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Temperature-conserving containers as disclosed herein will become better understood through a review of the following detailed description in conjunction with the figures. The detailed description and figures provide merely examples of the various embodiments of temperature-conserving containers. Many variations are contemplated for different applications and design considerations; however, for the sake of brevity and clarity, all the contemplated variations may not be individually described in the following detailed description. Those skilled in the art will understand how the disclosed examples may be varied, modified, and altered and not depart in substance from the scope of the examples described herein.

Conventional containers may include vacuum-insulated vessels configured to hold a fluid or other item and reduce heat loss to the environment. Examples may include powder-coated double-walled stainless steel drink containers. Such containers may provide for insulation of their contents to reduce convective and conductive heat losses.

During research and development in the field of kitchen serving instruments, the present inventor has determined that conventional vacuum-insulated drink vessels may be of limited capacity both in quantity and type and further may do little to minimize radiative heat loss via radiation. Among others, radiative heat loss presents issues for larger containers such as bowls having a large opening area, which is not vacuum-insulated. Further, the lids of large-opening containers such as bowls present difficulties in providing for a double-walled vacuum lid, as attempting to evacuate large volumes (e.g., the space between the walls of a double-walled bowl lid) may deform the product (e.g., a double-walled vacuum lid). For example, the lid walls enclosing a large volume may bend as they are sucked inward under the vacuum pressure as the lid is removed from the bowl. Such deformities may further induce sealing problems-the lid’s shape may deform and not fit the sides of the bowl sufficiently. These and other issues may cause food, drink, or other contents to be not kept at or near their desired temperature for the desired period of time.

Implementations of temperature-conserving containers may address some or all of the problems described above. Temperature-conserving containers may include vessels for food transportation and serving, which may include a reservoir and a lid. The reservoir may include a sidewall, a bottom wall, and an opening. The lid may be configured to be insertably disposed at least partially within the opening. The lid may include a reflector and a gasket channel, the gasket channel having a gasket disposed at least partially therein. The reflector may include copper or another material having a significant ability to reflect heat radiation (e.g., silver).

Embodiments of temperature-conserving containers may optimize aspects of conduction, convection, and radiation to keep food closer to its intended temperature and for ease of transport. Further, such embodiments may provide for a reduction in radiative heat losses for both large- and small-opening containers by implementing a reflector to reflect heat radiating from the substance for which temperature control is sought.

FIG. 1 illustrates a temperature-conserving container system embodied as a pitcher 100, according to an embodiment. The pitcher 100 may be configured to maintain, for example, a liquid or food item near a desired temperature, which is hotter or colder than a temperature of the surrounding environment.

The pitcher 100 may include a reservoir 101 and a lid 102. The reservoir may have a form of a cylindrical container having a bottom wall 106 and a handle 107. The handle 107 may be used for carrying the pitcher 100 or maneuvering it to pour contents.

The reservoir 101 may have an opening 108 near a top of the reservoir configured such that the lid 102 may be disposed therein. The lid 102 may be configured to fit into the top opening of the pitcher 100. The lid 102 may be configured with an opening 111. This opening 111 may selectively blocked by a slider 104. In this way, the slider 104 may prevent substance within the pitcher 100 from exiting the pitcher 100 when in a “closed” position (i.e., blocking the flow of a substance from the opening of the lid).

The reservoir 101, the lid 102, and/or the slider 104 may be constructed of a metal (e.g., stainless steel) or a plastic (e.g., ABS, polylactic acid (PLA), polycarbonate (PG), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETT, PETG, PETE), nylon, high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), or polystyrene, or other suitable plastics). The plastic may be considered a BPA-free plastic (e.g., TRITAN™).

The reservoir 101 and/or the lid 102 may be of a double-walled construction, that is, having an insulative cavity. Such cavities may be evacuated of air sufficient to reduce heat loss through conduction via the walls to the environment. (i.e., the walls may be vacuum-insulated).

FIG. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the pitcher 100, according to an embodiment. The exploded view of the pitcher 100 may provide detail as to the fit of the lid 102 into the top opening 108 of the reservoir 101. The exploded view of the pitcher 100 may provide detail as to the fit of the slider 104 to the lid 102.

The slider 104 may be configured to be disposed within a channel 110 formed in a cap 103 of the lid 102. By sliding the slider 104 within the channel 110, the slider 104 may selectively block an opening 111 of the cap 103, thereby permitting or restricting flow of a substance into or out of the pitcher 100.

The lid 102 may be configured to fit into an opening 108 of a reservoir 101 to compose the pitcher 100. The opening 108 of the reservoir 101 defines an inner surface 112 of the opening 108 and may be of a similar profile to a portion of the lid 102. For example, the profile of the opening 108 may be slightly larger than the profile of the portion of the lid 102 so as to permit insertion of the portion of the lid 102 into the opening 108.

The lid 102 may have a bottom side 109. The bottom side 109 may be the face of the lid 102, which when the pitcher 100 is assembled and in use, faces a substance contained within the pitcher 100. The bottom side 109 may have a reflector disposed thereon. The reflector may include a reflective material, for example copper or silver. Some embodiments, however, may omit the reflector.

The reflective material may have properties conducive to reflecting heat back toward the contents of the temperature-conserving container. The reflective material may have a high reflectance and low emissivity at temperatures near or below 100° C. Having a reflector that includes the reflective material disposed on or within the lid 102 may improve the ability of the pitcher 100 to contain heat, thus keeping the contents of the pitcher 100 closer to their desired temperature. In some embodiments, copper or silver may be used as a reflective material. Copper or silver, each having a high reflectance, provide for efficient reflecting of infrared radiation emitted from the contents of the pitcher 100, back to the contents of the pitcher 100.

The reflector may include a sheet of the reflective material, may be another material having the reflective material disposed thereon, or the reflective material may be disposed directly on the bottom side 109 (e.g., using deposition or electrolysis). In embodiments where the reflective material is not disposed directly on the bottom side 109, the reflector may be fitted or adhered to the bottom side 109 of the lid 102, or another portion of the lid 102. Further, in some embodiments, the reflector may be disposed within the cap 103 of the lid 102. In some embodiments, the reflector may be an oxidized metal to reduce reactivity.

The lid 102 may have a gasket disposed thereon, which may be configured to form a seal. The gasket may be, for example, silicone, rubber, EPDM, nitrile, or another suitable gasketing and/or food-grade material. The gasket may be, for example, a ring gasket.

FIG. 3 illustrates the slider 104 of the lid 102 of the pitcher 100, according to an embodiment. The slider 104 may provide an ability to open and close a spout of the pitcher for example, for pouring out of a liquid contained therein.

The slider 104 may have a gasket 105 disposed thereon to assist in forming a seal with the cap 103 of the lid 102. The gasket 105 may be, for example, silicone, rubber, EPDM, nitrile, or another suitable gasketing and/or food-grade material.

FIG. 4 illustrates a further temperature-conserving container embodied as a bowl 200, according to an embodiment. The bowl 200 may be configured to maintain, for example, a liquid or food item near a desired temperature hotter or colder than that of the surrounding environment.

In various embodiments, the bowl 200 may be used to store food items including, inter alia, salads, cakes, casseroles, soups, ice cream, cold desserts, and other hot or cold foods. Due to the food item’s geometry or the way in which it must be accessed, such food items may be optimally stored and accessed from within a bowl-like container such as bowl 200, even though they are not optimally stored within a traditional double-walled vacuum-insulated drink vessel.

The bowl 200 may include a reservoir 201 and a lid 202. The reservoir 201 may have a form of a bowl, such as a large serving bowl. The reservoir 201 may have an opening 208 near a top of the reservoir configured such that the lid 202 may be disposed therein. The lid 202 may be configured to fit into the top opening 208 of the bowl 200. The lid 202 may be configured to prevent substance within the bowl 200 from exiting the bowl 200 when in a “closed” position (i.e., blocking the flow of or access to a substance from the opening of the lid).

The reservoir 201 and/or the lid 202 may be constructed of a metal (e.g., stainless steel) or a plastic (e.g., ABS, polylactic acid (PLA), polycarbonate (PG), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETT, PETG, PETE), nylon, high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), or polystyrene, or other suitable plastics). The plastic may be considered a BPA-free plastic (e.g., TRITAN™).

The reservoir 201 and/or the lid 202 may be of a double-walled construction, that is, having an insulative cavity. Such cavities may be evacuated of air sufficient to reduce heat loss through conduction via the walls to the environment (i.e., the walls may be vacuum-insulated).

FIG. 5 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the bowl 200, according to an embodiment. The cross-sectional view of the bowl 200 may provide detail as to the fit of the lid 202 into the top opening 208 of the reservoir 201. The lid 202 may be configured to fit into an opening of a reservoir 201 to compose the bowl 200. The opening 208 of the reservoir 201 may be of a similar profile to a portion of the lid 202. For example, the profile of the opening 208 may be slightly larger than the profile of the lid 202 so as to permit insertion of the portion of the lid 202 into the opening 208. The lid 202 may have a bottom side 204. The bottom side 204 may be the face of the lid 202, which when the bowl 200 is assembled and in use, faces a substance contained within the bowl 200. The bottom side 204 may have a reflector disposed thereon. The reflector may include a reflective material, for example copper or silver.

The reflective material may have properties conducive to reflecting heat back toward the contents of the temperature-conserving container. The reflective material may have a high reflectance and low emissivity at temperatures near or below 100° C. Having a reflector that includes the reflective material disposed on or within the lid 202 may improve the ability of the bowl 200 to contain heat, this keeping the contents of the bowl 200 closer to their desired temperature. In some embodiments, copper or silver may be used as a reflective material. Copper or silver, each having a high reflectance, provide for efficient reflecting of infrared radiation emitted from the contents of the bowl 200, back to the contents of the bowl 200.

The reflector may include a sheet of the reflective material, may be another material having the reflective material disposed thereon, or the reflective material may be disposed directly on the bottom side 204 (e.g., using deposition or electrolysis). In embodiments where the reflective material is not disposed directly on the bottom side 204, the reflector may be fitted or adhered to the bottom side of the lid 202, or another portion of the lid 202. Further, in some embodiments, the reflector may be disposed within the lid 202. In some embodiments, the reflector may be an oxidized metal to reduce reactivity.

FIG. 6 illustrates a detail view of a gasketed joint of the bowl 200, according to an embodiment. The gasketed joint may provide for a seal to prevent the escape of, for example, steam from the bowl 200 or entrance of air from the environment into the bowl 200.

The lid 202 may have a gasket 203 disposed thereon, which may be configured to form a seal between the lid 202 and the reservoir 201. The gasket 203 may be, for example, silicone, rubber, EPDM, nitrile, or another suitable gasketing and/or food-grade material. The gasket 203 may be, for example, a ring gasket.

FIG. 7 illustrates a method 300 of making a temperature-conserving container, according to an embodiment. The method 300 may provide for making a temperature-conserving container configured to maintain, for example, a liquid near a desired temperature hotter or colder than that of the surrounding environment.

At 302, a reservoir and a lid may be provided. The reservoir may include a sidewall, a bottom wall, and an opening. The lid may be configured to be insertably disposed at least partially within the opening. At 304, a reflector may be disposed on the lid. The lid may include a reflector and a gasket channel, the gasket channel having a gasket disposed at least partially therein. The reflector may include copper or another material having a significant ability to reflect heat radiation (e.g., silver).

FIGS. 8A-8D illustrates a lid 400 for a temperature-conserving container, according to an embodiment. The lid 400 may be used to contain (e.g., enclose, seal, cover) contents within a temperature-conserving container and may further assist in keeping the contents at a desired temperature. The lid 400 may have a lift tab 401, which may enable a user to open or remove the lid 400 from the temperature-conserving container to access the contents or vent the temperature-conserving container.

FIG. 8B illustrates a cutaway view of the lid 400, according to an embodiment. The lid 400 may have a top portion 402 including a top wall 410 and a bottom portion 403 including a bottom wall 412. At least one of the top portion 402 and the bottom portion 403 may have one or more ribs 404, 405. The ribs 404, 405 may provide for enforcing separation between the top portion 402 and the bottom portion 403. For example, the ribs 404, 405 may increase the rigidity of the top wall 410 and/or the bottom wall 412 to prevent the top and/or bottom wall(s) 410, 412 from deforming during the manufacturing process. A side wall 414 (see FIG. 8D) and the ribs 404, 405 may at least partially define an insulative cavity 416 between the top portion 402 and the bottom portion 403. The insulative cavity 416 may be a vacuum gap (e.g., a partial vacuum gap) or an air gap, and in this way the insulative cavity 416 may provide for an insulative cavity to reduce heat escape via the lid 400. In embodiments where the insulative cavity is configured as a vacuum gap, the ribs 404, 405 prevent the top portion 402 and/or the bottom portion 403 from deflecting toward each other as the air is evacuated from the insulative cavity 416.

FIG. 8C illustrates a cross-section view of the lid 400, according to an embodiment. The ribs 404, 405 of the top portion 402 and the bottom portion 403, respectively, may be, for example, substantially concentric as illustrated in FIG. 8C. ribs 404. Such example concentric ribs 404 and 405 may provide for the structural integrity of the lid 400, thereby preventing the lid 400 from deforming during the manufacturing process and enforcing separation between the top portion 402 and the bottom portion 403. In the illustrated embodiments, the ribs 404, 405 only extend a portion of the way between the top wall 410 and the bottom wall 412 so that there is space between the top or bottom surface of the ribs 404, 405 and the top and bottom walls 410, 412. This may be useful, for example, to prevent the lid 400 from deforming while providing an insulative gap 416 between the opposing walls 410, 412. Some embodiments, however, may include at least one rib that extends between the top wall 410 and the bottom wall 412.

FIG. 8D illustrates a cross-section detail view of an edge of the lid 400, according to an embodiment. The edge may provide for a sealing fit of the lid 400 into an opening of a temperature-conserving container. The edge of the lid 400 may include a side wall 414 that extends downward from an upper lip 406 around the perimeter of the lid 400. The upper lip 408 may be configured to engage a rim of the opening of the temperature-conserving container to prevent over insertion of the lid 400. The side wall 414 includes a channel 407 and a lower lip 408 forming a lower edge of the channel 407. The channel 407 is configured to receive a gasket that forms a seal between an outer surface 422 of the side wall 414 and a side of the temperature-conserving container proximate the opening thereof.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the side wall 414 may be integrally formed with the top wall 410 and/or at least a portion of the side wall 414 may be integrally formed with the bottom wall 412. For example, the top portion 402 may be a unitary top portion and/or the bottom portion 403 may be a unitary bottom portion. The top portion 402 and the bottom portion 403 are coupled together and a joint 418. The joint may be at various locations in or on the side wall 414. In the example shown in FIG. 8D, the joint 418 is located in the side wall 414. The side wall 414 includes an upper portion 424 that is integrally formed with and extending downward from the top wall 410 and a lower portion 426 that is integrally formed with and extending downward from the bottom wall 412. The joint 418 is located in the side wall 414 between the upper surface 428 of the bottom wall 412 and a lower edge of the upper portion 424 of the side wall 414. Other embodiments, however, may have a differently configured joint between the top portion 402 and the bottom portion 403.

In some embodiments, the lid 400 may include a reflector. The reflector may include a sheet of the reflective material, may be another material having the reflective material disposed thereon, or the reflective material may be disposed directly on the lid (e.g., using deposition or electrolysis). In embodiments where the reflective material is not disposed directly on the lid, the reflector may be fitted or adhered to the lid. Further, in some embodiments, the reflector may be disposed within the lid. In some embodiments, the method 300 may further comprise oxidizing the reflector to reduce reactivity.

FIGS. 9A-9C illustrate another embodiment of a lid 500 for a temperature-conserving container 600, for example a bowl (see FIGS. 10-11). The lid 500 may be configured to contain (e.g., enclose, seal, cover) contents within the temperature-conserving container and may further assist in keeping the contents at a desired temperature. The lid 500 may include a top wall 502, a bottom wall 504, and a side wall 506 which extends vertically between the top wall 502 and the bottom wall 504. The side wall 506 may extend around the perimeters of the top wall 502 and the bottom wall and encloses an insulative cavity 508 between the top wall 502 and the bottom wall 504, which is configured to reduce heat transfer through the lid 500. The lid 500 is configured to be slidably received in an opening 602 of the temperature-conserving container 600 and forms a seal between the outer surface 326 of the side wall 506 and the inner surface 604 of the opening 602, thereby sealing the temperature-conserving container 600.

Referring to FIGS. 9B and 9C, the top wall 502 is generally planar and includes an upper surface 510 and an opposite lower surface 512. At least one rib 514 may be formed on the lower surface 512 of the top wall 502. This may be useful, for example, in order to increase the rigidity of the top wall 502 to prevent the top wall 502 from flexing due to temperature related pressure changes in the insulative cavity 508, and/or to space the top wall 502 apart from the bottom wall 504. The bottom wall 504 is generally planar an includes an upper surface 516 and an opposite lower surface 518. The side wall 506 is formed around the perimeter of the bottom wall 504 and extends upwards from the upper surface 516 of the bottom wall 504 to the lower surface 512 of the top wall 502, defining the sealed insulative cavity 508 therebetween. To form a seal between the side wall 506 and the temperature-conserving container 600, the side wall 506 may include a gasket 522. In the illustrated examples, the side wall 506 includes a gasket 522 received in a channel 524 formed in and around the outer surface 526 of the side wall 506. Some embodiments, however, may be configured with a lid that seals against the temperature-conserving container without a gasket, or the gasket may be located elsewhere such as to provide a seal between the lip 528 and the top rim of the bowl opening 602 as described below.

In some embodiments, a lip 528 may be formed around at least a portion of an outer surface 526 of the side wall 506 or the top wall 502 and may be configured to prevent the lid 500 from moving entirely into the opening 602 of the temperature-conserving container 600. In the illustrated embodiments, for example, the lid 500 includes a lip 528 configured as an annular lip that is formed around the outer surface 526 of the side wall 506 and the top wall 502. The lip 528 is configured to engage a top rim 606 of the opening 602 to prevent over insertion of the lid 500 into the temperature-conserving container 600. Additionally or alternatively, the lid may include a lift tab 530 configured to be grasped by a user to remove the lid 500 from the temperature-conserving container 600. The illustrated lift tab 530 projects outward from the side wall 506 and is an integrally formed part of the unitary bottom portion 552. This may be useful, for example, so that the lid 500 may be lifted from the temperature-conserving container 600 without separating the top wall 502 from the bottom wall 504 due to temperature related pressure changes in the insulative cavity 508.

In the illustrated embodiments, the upper surface of the lid 500 is generally flat and planar. The lift tab 530 has an upper surface 532 that is generally flush (i.e., coplanar) with the upper surface 510 of the top wall 502 and an upper surface 534 of the lip 528. This may be useful, for example, in order to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance of the lid 500 and the temperature-conserving container 600. Some embodiments, however, may include at least one feature which extends upwards from the lid. Additionally or alternatively, a lid may be configured with a lip, lift tab, and/or top wall having an upper surface that is not flush with each other.

In some embodiments, the lid 500 may include a unitary top portion 550 and a unitary bottom portion 552 that are coupled together at a joint 554 to form the lid 500 and seal the insulative cavity 508. For example, at least one of the top portion 550 and the bottom portion 552 may be configured as a unitary component that is formed as one continuous piece, such as a single molded piece. Some embodiments, however, may include a unitary top portion and/or a unitary top portion that includes multiple pieces which are rigidly coupled to each other, such as a single part formed from multiple pieces that are welded together. In the illustrated embodiments, the lid 500 is formed by a unitary top portion 550 including the top wall 502 and a unitary bottom portion 552 including the bottom wall 504 and at least a portion of the side wall 506, which is integrally formed with the bottom wall 504.

The unitary bottom portion 552 may include at least a portion of the lip 528 and/or at least a portion of the lift tab 530. The inventor has recognized that providing a unitary bottom portion 552 comprising at least part of the lift tab 530 provides strength and integrity to withstand pressure changes that occur within the sealed cavity 508 of the temperature conserving container. Where the cavity 508 is large and a decrease in temperature has occurred, for example, a vacuum may develop where the pressure inside the cavity 508 is lower and a significant force may be imparted on the lid 500 to pull it off. The unitary construction described herein provides an improved lid that does not break or separate when such forces are exerted on it, and the inventor has recognized that it is particularly important for bowls having a substantially size cavity, such as the bowls described herein that are 10 inches in diameter or larger. Additionally or alternatively, at least a portion of the lip 528 and/or at least a portion of the lift tab 530 may be part of the unitary top portion 550. Further still, some embodiments may include a lip 528 and/or a lift tab 530 that is separate from the unitary top portion 550 and the unitary bottom portion 552.

As illustrated in FIG. 9B, the joint 554 between the unitary top portion 550 and the unitary bottom portion 552 is located between the top wall 502 and the side wall 506. The joint 554 may include a recessed lip 556 formed in the unitary bottom portion 552 proximate the top of the side wall 506 and configured to receive the top portion 550. In the illustrated embodiments, the recessed lip 556 is formed on a top rim 507 of the side wall 506 and extends around the insulative cavity 508. An outer wall 558 of the recessed lip 556 may be formed by the lip 528 and/or the lift tab 530.

To form a seal between the unitary top portion 550 and the unitary bottom portion 552, the unitary top portion 550 (i.e., the top wall 502) is seated on the recessed lip 556. A gasket 562 may be positioned between the recessed lip 556 and the unitary top portion 550 and is configured to form a seal therebetween, thereby sealing the insulative cavity 508. For example, the unitary top portion 550 may include a groove 560 formed around the perimeter of the top wall 502. A gasket 562 is received in the groove 560 and is configured to form a seal between the top wall 502 and the outer wall 558 of the recessed lip 556. In the illustrated embodiments, the unitary top portion 550 is coupled to the unitary bottom portion 552 by a press-fit (i.e., friction fit) connection utilizing the gasket 562. Other embodiments, however, may use a different type of connection between the unitary top portion 550 and the unitary bottom portion 552, such as via other mechanical fastening processes, welding (e.g., ultrasonic welding), or utilizing adhesives.

Some embodiments may include positioning features configured to position the top wall 502 relative to the bottom wall 504 and/or side wall 506 when coupling the unitary top portion 550 relative to the unitary bottom portion 552. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 9C, the unitary top portion 550 includes top positioning members 570 formed on the lower surface 512 of the top wall 502 and the unitary bottom portion 552 includes corresponding bottom positioning members 572 formed on the upper surface 516 of the bottom wall 504. The top positioning members 570 are configured to engage with the bottom positioning features 572 to require that the unitary top portion 550 connect to the unitary bottom portion 552 in a desired orientation. In the illustrated embodiments, the top positioning members 570 are each configured to be received in a slot 574 formed between the semi-circular bottom positioning features 572, thereby locking the orientation of the top wall relative to the bottom wall 504 and the side wall 506. However, some embodiments may include a unitary top portion and/or a unitary bottom portion with at least one positioning member or feature that is different than those of the illustrated embodiments.

Referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, an embodiment of a temperature-conserving bowl system 650 may include a lid, such as the lid 500 of FIGS. 9A-9C, and a bowl 600 including an opening 602 that defines an inner surface 604 and a top rim 606 of the opening 602. In the illustrated embodiments, the bowl 600 is an insulated double-walled bowl with an inner wall 610, an outer wall 612, and an insulative gap 614 between the inner and outer walls 610, 612. Some embodiments, however, may include a different type of bowl or a different type of temperature-conserving container.

The lid 500 is configured to be slidably received in the opening 602 of the bowl 600 such that at least a portion of the lip 528 engages the top rim 606 of the bowl 600 and an outer surface 526 of the side wall 506 forms a seal against the inner surface 604 of the opening 602 of the bowl 600. The shape and size of the outer profile of the portion of the lid 500 received in the opening 602 corresponds to the shape and size of inner surface 604 of the opening 602 such that an airtight seal is formed between the outer surface 526 of the side wall 506 and the inner surface 604 of the opening 602.

For example, an embodiment of the bowl 600 may have an outer diameter 652 of about 10 inches and a depth 656 of about 4 inches, and the opening 602 of the bowl 600 may have a diameter 654 of about 9.6 inches, depending on the thickness of the double-walled bowl. In such an embodiment, the lid 500 configured for use with the bowl 600 may have an overall diameter 668 of about 10 inches, and the diameter 658 of the insertable portion of the lid 500 (i.e., the diameter of the side wall 506) of about 9.5 inches to provide clearance for the seal-forming gasket 522 between the side wall 506 and the inner surface 604 of the opening 602. The lid 500 for the bowl that is 10 inches may have a thickness 662 of about 0.6 inches, with an insertable portion having a thickness 664 of about 0.5 inches. The lift tab 530 may extend a distance 660 of about 1 inch past the lip 528 so that it may be grasped by a user. The lid 500 may be scaled accordingly to fit a smaller or lager bowl depending on the diameter of the opening 602.

Other embodiments, however, may have a lid 500 and/or a bowl with at least one different dimension. For example, a bowl may have an outer diameter 652 that is between about 6 inches and about 16 inches and/or a depth 656 between about 1 inch and about 6 inches. The size of the opening 602 may vary based on the size of the bowl 600 and may have a diameter 654 that is between about 7.6 inches and about 15.6 inches. The lid 500 may have an overall diameter 668 between about 8 inches and about 16 inches, and the diameter 658 of the insertable portion of the lid 500 (i.e., the diameter of the side wall 506) may be between about 7.5 inches and about 15.5 inches. The lid 500 may have a thickness 662 that is between about 0.25 inches and about 1.5 inches, with an insertable portion having a thickness 664 of about 0.125 inches to about 1.375 inches. Additionally or alternatively, the lift tab 530 may extend a distance 660 of about 0.5 inches to about 2 inches past the lip 528. Further still, some embodiments may have at least one dimension that is different than those of the illustrated embodiments.

The temperature-conserving container 600 and/or the lid 500 may include at least one part that is formed of a metal (e.g., stainless steel) or a plastic (e.g., ABS, polylactic acid (PLA), polycarbonate (PG), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, PETT, PETG, PETE), nylon, high density polyethylene (HDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), and/or polystyrene, or other suitable plastics). The plastic may be considered a BPA-free plastic (e.g., TRITAN™). For example, the bowl 600 may be at least partially formed of metal and at least one of the top wall 502, the bottom wall 504, the side walls 506, the lip 528, and the lift tab 530 may be formed of a hard plastic (e.g., TRITAN™). Some embodiments, however, may include a lid and/or a bowl that is at least partially formed from a different material.

A feature illustrated in one of the figures may be the same as or similar to a feature illustrated in another of the figures. Similarly, a feature described in connection with one of the figures may be the same as or similar to a feature described in connection with another of the figures. The same or similar features may be noted by the same or similar reference characters unless expressly described otherwise. Additionally, the description of a particular figure may refer to a feature not shown in the particular figure. The feature may be illustrated in and/or further described in connection with another figure.

Elements of processes (i.e., methods) described herein may be executed in one or more ways such as by a human, by a processing device, by mechanisms operating automatically or under human control, and so forth. Additionally, although various elements of a process may be depicted in the figures in a particular order, the elements of the process may be performed in one or more different orders without departing from the substance and spirit of the disclosure herein.

The foregoing description sets forth numerous specific details such as examples of specific systems, components, methods and so forth, in order to provide a good understanding of several implementations. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, however, that at least some implementations may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known components or methods are not described in detail or are presented in simple block diagram format in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the present implementations. Thus, the specific details set forth above are merely exemplary. Particular implementations may vary from these exemplary details and still be contemplated to be within the scope of the present implementations.

Related elements in the examples and/or embodiments described herein may be identical, similar, or dissimilar in different examples. For the sake of brevity and clarity, related elements may not be redundantly explained. Instead, the use of a same, similar, and/or related element names and/or reference characters may cue the reader that an element with a given name and/or associated reference character may be similar to another related element with the same, similar, and/or related element name and/or reference character in an example explained elsewhere herein. Elements specific to a given example may be described regarding that particular example. A person having ordinary skill in the art will understand that a given element need not be the same and/or similar to the specific portrayal of a related element in any given figure or example in order to share features of the related element.

It is to be understood that the foregoing description is intended to be illustrative and not restrictive. Many other implementations will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading and understanding the above description. The scope of the present implementations should, therefore, be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The foregoing disclosure encompasses multiple distinct examples with independent utility. While these examples have been disclosed in a particular form, the specific examples disclosed and illustrated above are not to be considered in a limiting sense as numerous variations are possible. The subject matter disclosed herein includes novel and non-obvious combinations and sub-combinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed above both explicitly and inherently. Where the disclosure or subsequently filed claims recite “a” element, “a first” element, or any such equivalent term, the disclosure or claims is to be understood to incorporate one or more such elements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more of such elements.

As used herein “same” means sharing all features and “similar” means sharing a substantial number of features or sharing materially important features even if a substantial number of features are not shared. As used herein “may” should be interpreted in a permissive sense and should not be interpreted in an indefinite sense. Additionally, use of “is” regarding examples, elements, and/or features should be interpreted to be definite only regarding a specific example and should not be interpreted as definite regarding every example. Furthermore, references to “the disclosure” and/or “this disclosure” refer to the entirety of the writings of this document and the entirety of the accompanying illustrations, which extends to all the writings of each subsection of this document, including the Title, Background, Brief description of the Drawings, Detailed Description, Claims, Abstract, and any other document and/or resource incorporated herein by reference.

As used herein regarding a list, “and” forms a group inclusive of all the listed elements. For example, an example described as including A, B, C, and D is an example that includes A, includes B, includes C, and also includes D. As used herein regarding a list, “or” forms a list of elements, any of which may be included. For example, an example described as including A, B, C, or D is an example that includes any of the elements A, B, C, and D. Unless otherwise stated, an example including a list of alternatively-inclusive elements does not preclude other examples that include various combinations of some or all of the alternatively-inclusive elements. An example described using a list of alternatively-inclusive elements includes at least one element of the listed elements. However, an example described using a list of alternatively-inclusive elements does not preclude another example that includes all of the listed elements. And, an example described using a list of alternatively-inclusive elements does not preclude another example that includes a combination of some of the listed elements. As used herein regarding a list, “and/or” forms a list of elements inclusive alone or in any combination. For example, an example described as including A, B, C, and/or D is an example that may include: A alone; A and B; A, B and C; A, B, C, and D; and so forth. The bounds of an “and/or” list are defined by the complete set of combinations and permutations for the list.

Where multiples of a particular element are shown in a FIG., and where it is clear that the element is duplicated throughout the FIG., only one label may be provided for the element, despite multiple instances of the element being present in the FIG. Accordingly, other instances in the FIG. of the element having identical or similar structure and/or function may not have been redundantly labeled. A person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize based on the disclosure herein redundant and/or duplicated elements of the same FIG. Despite this, redundant labeling may be included where helpful in clarifying the structure of the depicted examples.

The Applicant(s) reserves the right to submit claims directed to combinations and sub-combinations of the disclosed examples that are believed to be novel and non-obvious. Examples embodied in other combinations and sub-combinations of features, functions, elements and/or properties may be claimed through amendment of those claims or presentation of new claims in the present application or in a related application. Such amended or new claims, whether they are directed to the same example or a different example and whether they are different, broader, narrower or equal in scope to the original claims, are to be considered within the subject matter of the examples described herein.

TEMPERATURE-CONSERVING CONTAINERS

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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Provisional Applications (1)