Venting Device for a Disposable Food Container

Abstract

A venting device and method for the retention of food temperature and texture is disclosed. The venting device of the present invention is inserted through the top, outside surface of a food container sufficiently to allow the device to puncture the surface of the container and allow venting of the steam and moisture created from the hot food within the takeout food container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

This invention relates generally to containers for transporting heated food and more specifically, to a venting device for releasing steam from the container created by the heated food thereby preserving the temperature and texture of the food contained therein.

2. Description of Related Art

In our fast-paced society, fast food and takeout food has become the norm. In the U.S., restaurateurs have recognized the value in offering a takeout option for those families on the go and who want to enjoy their favorite restaurant food from the comfort of their home.

To provide this takeout option to their customers, restaurants use a variety of takeout containers specifically designed to contain the hot food. Typically, these containers are constructed of Styrofoam®, molded plastic, or cardboard. While these containers do a good job of retaining the heat of the food held within, inevitably, steam and moisture from the food condenses on the top surface of the interior of the container creating droplets of water and moisture that affect the texture of the food. The end result is unappetizing, soggy food by the time the customer reaches their home or destination. Thus, foods that are intended to be enjoyed crispy, such as French fries, pizza, chips, fried foods, and the like, are very susceptible to absorbing the excess moisture and not ideal for transportation via a disposable takeout container.

Therefore, there exists a need for a venting device and method that reduces the amount of moisture in a hot food container preserving the temperature, crispness and texture of the food therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Disclosed herein is a venting device to allow for the release of steam and moisture. The venting device comprises a flat surface and at least four blades extending from the flat surface. The at least four blades include a straight portion and an angled portion such that the angled portion forms a point. The flat surface allows for the stacking of containers without inhibiting the release of steam and moisture. In an alternative embodiment, the venting device does not comprise a solid flat surface.

Also contemplated by the present disclosure is a method for venting steam and moisture from food containers. The method contemplated by this disclosure includes the steps of inserting the venting device disclosed herein to a point determined by the location of a protrusion located along the periphery of the blades. Food containers are stacked on the flat surface of the venting device thereby not inhibiting the release of steam and moisture from the food container below.

In an alternative embodiment, disclosed is a reusable hand push tool crafted easily to puncture and leave a hole in cardboard, paper, Styrofoam, plastics, and the like without leaving any loose debris behind from the food container as illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 4. The design of this embodiment is such that a person can use the free hand to support one side of the container and push the tool through with the other. This embodiment may be crafted from assorted plastic and polypropylene or steel or metal. This embodiment is intended to be reusable and therefore washable and dishwasher safe.

The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a venting device;

FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the alternative embodiment of a venting device as illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 illustrates an isometric view of the alternative embodiment of a venting device as illustrated in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the alternative embodiment of a venting device as illustrated in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention and their advantages may be understood by referring to FIGS. 1-4, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. Although the present invention is described and illustrated in the context of hot food containers, it is to be understood that the disclosure of the present invention is not limited to this embodiment but is equally applicable to containers in general wherein venting is advantageous.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention contemplates a venting device that facilitates the creation of venting apertures in the surface of a food container as illustrated in FIGS. 1-4. In this embodiment 200, the venting device includes an ergonomic handle 210 and at least four conical protrusions 220 as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 to allow the venting device 200 to easily puncture the surface of a food container. The at least four conical protrusions 220 are preferably of varying length and widths to allow for the creation of variously sized apertures in the surface of the food container. The four apertures created in the food container by the venting device allow venting of steam and moisture. Advantageously, the venting device 200 easily penetrates a variety of materials making up food containers common in the industry including, but not limited to, thermoplastics, corrugated cardboard and paperboard. The venting device 200 of the alternative embodiment may be constructed as a unitary device from any type of thermoplastics including but not limited to nylon, acrylic, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. The alternative embodiment may also be constructed of wood or steel.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, is an alternative embodiment 205 including an ergonomic handle 210 and a flat surface 230 with at least four conical blades 240 extending from the flat surface. The at least four conical blades 240 provide for the creation of a multiple slit-like apertures to facilitate the release of steam while maintaining the internal temperature of the food container.

The venting device may be used with any variety of hot food containers. The venting device may be constructed as a unitary device from any type of plastic that has heat resistant properties such as thermoplastics including but not limited to nylon, acrylic, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. The present invention may also be constructed of wood or steel. The pointed tip of the venting device is inserted through the top, outside surface of a food container sufficiently to allow the conical blades or conical protrusions to puncture the surface of the container to allow venting of steam and moisture. In an embodiment, in order to properly vent steam and moisture, the present invention includes at least four conical blades or conical protrusions. Preferably, the present invention includes at least six conical blades.

The flat surface 230 may also be of any shape. In a preferred embodiment, the flat surface 230 is circular but in alternative embodiments, the flat surface 230 may be, by way of non-limiting examples, rectangular or square. The shape of the flat surface 230, however, will not affect the conical shape of the blades 240. The advantageous conical shape and taper of the blades 240 provides a venting device 200 easily inserted through more structurally sound food containers such as corrugated cardboard and paperboard.

Advantageously, the venting device 200 and 205 is lightweight, inexpensive device capable of mass production to fit a variety of takeout food containers.

Because the venting device 200 and 205 produces apertures through the outside, top surface of a takeout food container, the steam and moisture are vented to the outside thereby minimizing the condensation on the interior of the container. Accordingly, the hot food contained in the food container retains its temperature, crispness and texture.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Moreover, the described features, structures, or characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of the invention.

The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims.

Claims

1. A venting device to allow for the release of steam and moisture from a food container comprising: an ergonomic handle; andat least four conical protrusions extending from a top surface of the ergonomic handle; wherein one of the at least four conical protrusions is centrally located and at least twice the size of three of the at least four conical protrusions.

2. The venting device of claim 1, wherein the device is constructed of materials selected from the group consisting of nylon, acrylic, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride, corrugated cardboard, and paperboard.

3. The venting device of claim 1, wherein the length of the ergonomic handle is at least 3 inches.

4. A venting device to allow for the release of steam and moisture from a food container comprising: an ergonomic handle; andat least four blades extending from a top surface of the ergonomic handle; wherein the at least four blades include a straight portion and an angled portion such that the angled portion forms a point for insertion into a top surface of a food container.

5. The venting device of claim 4, wherein the device is constructed of materials selected from the group consisting of nylon, acrylic, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride, corrugated cardboard, and paperboard.

6. The venting device of claim 4, wherein the length of the ergonomic handle is at least 3 inches.

7. A method for venting steam and moisture from food containers, comprising the step of: inserting a venting device into a top surface of a food container, the venting device comprising an ergonomic handle and at least four conical protrusions extending from a top surface of the ergonomic handle, wherein one of the at least four conical protrusions is centrally located and at least twice the size of three of the at least four conical protrusions.