This invention relates generally to containers for holding kitchen tools such as spoons, whisks, and the like.
A container such as a crock is commonly used to hold a variety of kitchen implements such as spoons, whisks, or other tools. Depending on the number and type of tools in the container, it can be difficult to retrieve a desired tool, and likewise can be difficult to find the tool the user is looking for. It may be easier to see the contents of the container by tipping it, but tipping the container forward may cause it to tip over entirely, spilling the contents or breaking the container. The present invention provides an improved ability to locate and retrieve tools stored in such a container.
In accordance with a preferred version of the invention, the tilting tool crock includes a main container body supported by a base. The container is pivotally secured to the base such that it can rotate forward in order to view and retrieve an item stored in the crock, then rotate back again. The arrangement of the base and the rotating connection ensures that the container does not fall over despite being tipped forward.
Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following drawings:
The preferred version of the invention includes a container 10 supported by a base 20. The container is secured to the base in a fashion that allows the container to tilt in a pivoting or sliding fashion within the base, thereby adjusting the orientation of the opening at the rim of the container from a vertical position to one that is angled downward toward the horizontal.
The container generally includes peripheral upwardly extending sidewalls terminating in a rim 13 and forming an interior cavity. As best seen in the sectional view of
In the preferred version, the container includes an inner portion 18 and an external sleeve 16. The sleeve may be formed from stainless steel and provides additional strength and aesthetic attributes. In alternate embodiments, the entire container may be formed from a single material such as plastic.
The container 10 is mounted to the base 20 in a fashion that allows the container to rotate and tilt with respect to the base without tipping. In addition, the connection allows the container to readily return to its original position. Thus, the bottom of the container includes a stem 19 that is threaded in order to mate with threads on the upwardly-extending mount 51 of a lower base plate 50.
An upper base plate 40 is trapped between the rim 22 of the base and the lower base plate on one side and the lower side of the container on the other. In the version as shown, the upper base plate is free-floating between the container and the base, but trapped between them by the connection between the container and the base. A compression spring 30 imparts a force against the base plate 40, pushing it against the base 20. In each case, the upper and lower base plates are formed in a bowl or concave shape, thereby defining an arc of curvature along which the container may slide as it tilts.
A rearward portion 24 of the base has a height that is greater than a forward portion 25 of the base. The base 20 includes a central opening defined by a rim. In general, the central opening is a cutaway portion of the base that defines a path of travel of the stem within the base. In one version, the central opening may be in the form of a slot extending from about the center of the base to a position toward the rear of the base. In other versions, the central opening may be more oval or circular in shape to allow for some lateral travel in addition to a sliding movement in a direction from the front to the rear of the base.
The forward portion 22 of the rim of the central opening extends farther toward the center of the base than the rearward portion 23 of the rim. The forward portion of the rim 22, and the central portion of the base 20 generally, is captured between the upper and lower base plates, and is formed with a concave shape that generally matches that of the upper and lower base plates. As such, the tilting of the container is accomplished by a sliding path defined by the shape of the plates, in which the upper and lower base plates slide away from the forward portion 22 of the rim and back again toward it as it returns to its original position.
The edge of the forward portion 22 of the rim serves as a stop as it engages a shoulder 52 defined at the transition of the base plate where the lower portion of the base plate transitions vertically to the upwardly extending mount 51 in order to limit the sliding movement of the container. As the container slides in a direction in which the rim of the container tips toward the rear of the base (direction C as indicated in the arrow of
The rearward portion 23 of the rim is more distant from the center of the base and does not extend fully (or, alternatively, even partially) into the space defined between the upper and lower base plates. Thus, the container can slide along the base in a direction toward the rear of the base (direction D in
A compression spring 30 is provided between the lower surface of the container and the upper base plate 40. The upper base plate is formed with a concave shape while the lower surface of the container includes a cavity extending upward and into the container. Together with the stem at the bottom of the container, the container cavity is essentially of an annular or donut shape, though not perfectly so and not necessarily with rounded corners. The perimeter of the annular concavity includes shoulders or other abutments which receive a vertical flange formed on the upper base plate to retain the upper base plate substantially in a fixed position with respect to a central axis extending through the container and stem at the bottom of the container.
The compression spring 30 surrounds the stem and includes an upper end that presses against the bottom of the container and a lower end that presses against the upper side of the upper base plate. Thus, the compression spring urges the upper base plate downward and against the rim 22 of the base, thereby increasing the frictional force between the upper base plate and the rim. By selecting the spring size and strength, a desired frictional force can be obtained. In turn, the size of the compression spring determines the ease with which the container may be tilted downward and returned again to its original position. Most preferably, the spring provides a frictional force sufficient to prevent the container from readily tipping under its own weight or that of a kitchen tool resting against the lip of the container. Accordingly, the container will only tip forward when a user grasps the container and pushes or pulls it forward.
In alternate embodiments, different structures may be used to accomplish the frictional force or other resistance to the tilting of the container, either with or without the spring. For example, the length of the stem and base plate mount can be used to create a frictional force between the bottom of the container and the rim of the base.
The base may also include one or more resilient non-skid feet 60 secured to the bottom of the base.
While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, as noted above, many changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not limited by the disclosure of the preferred embodiment. Instead, the invention should be determined entirely by reference to the claims that follow.
This application claims the benefit of prior U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/297,220 filed Jan. 21, 2010, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61297220 | Jan 2010 | US |