Food storage system

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims priority to: U.S. Design Pat. No. 29/209,746, filed Jul. 21, 2004; U.S. Design Pat. No. 29/210,422, filed Jul. 30, 2004; U.S. Design Pat. No. 29/210, 681, filed Aug. 4, 2004; U.S. Design Pat. No. 29/210,423, filed Jul. 30, 2004; U.S. Design Pat. No. 29/210,287, filed Jul. 29, 2004; U.S. Design Pat. No. 29/211,946, filed Aug. 24, 2004; U.S. Design Pat. No. 29/215,245, filed Oct. 15, 2004; and U.S. Design Pat. No. 29/215,246, filed Oct. 15, 2004; each of the above-identified applications is hereby incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forth in its entirety.

[0002] The present invention is generally directed to food storage systems and, more specifically, is directed to food storage systems that include thermal energy storing material for heating and/or cooling associated food.

[0003] While some food service items use multiple compartments to store or present food, such food service items fail to maintain the associate food at suitable temperatures when that food must be maintained in a heated and/or chilled state. This results in food spoilage and/or in food characteristics changing in an unpalatable fashion.

[0004] It would be advantageous to provide a food storage system that could separately store multiple foods; that can maintain food in a heated and/or cooled condition; that preferably can be used for serving food; and that is preferably easy to transport or store for later consumption.

[0005] Briefly speaking, one embodiment of the present invention is directed to a food storage system that includes a main bowl that defines a first food receiving cavity. A main lid is detachably engaged able with the main bowl. A secondary bowl is positioned at least partially on and/or in the main lid. The secondary bowl includes a sidewall containing thermal energy storage material therein. The sidewall defines a second food receiving cavity. The food storage system can separately hold food items in the first or second food receiving cavities. The secondary bowl is configured so that the thermal energy storage material can heat and/or cool food contained in the second food receiving cavity.

[0006] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a food storage system that includes a main bowl that defines a first food receiving cavity. A secondary bowl is positioned in the first food receiving cavity and defines a second food receiving cavity. The secondary bowl includes a sidewall containing a thermal energy storage material therein. The food storage system can separately hold food items in the first or second food receiving cavities. The secondary bowl is configured so that the thermal energy storage material can heat and/or cool food contained in the second food receiving cavity. The secondary bowl is securable in a fixed position within the first food receiving cavity when the main and secondary bowls are covered.

[0007] In another aspect, the present invention is directed to a food storage lid configured for use with a main bowl that defines a first food receiving cavity. The food storage lid includes a main lid adapted to be detachably engageable with the main bowl. A secondary bowl is positioned at least partially on and/or in the main lid. The secondary bowl includes a sidewall containing a thermal energy storage material therein. The sidewall defines a second food receiving cavity. The food storage lid can hold food in the second food receiving cavity. The secondary bowl is configured so that the thermal energy storage material can heat and/or cool food contained in the second food receiving cavity.

[0032] Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenience only and is not limiting. The words “right,” “left,” “top,” and “bottom” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made. The words “inwardly” and “outwardly” refer to directions toward and away from, respectively, the geometric center of the food storage system and designated parts thereof. The term “food” or “food item”, as used in the claims and in the corresponding portions of the specification, is defined as including “one or both of liquid food (such as milk, water, Gatorade, soda or the like) and solid food (such as cookies, cereal, sandwiches, egg salad, or the like). The words “a” and “one” are defined as including one or more of the referenced item unless specifically stated otherwise. This terminology includes the words above specifically mentioned, derivatives thereof, and words of similar import.

[0033] Referring to FIGS. 1-17, wherein like numerals indicate like elements throughout, nine preferred embodiments of a food storage system are shown and designated 30:1-30:9 respectively. Briefly stated, the first through third embodiments of the food storage system 30:1-30:3 are directed to a main lid 32 that is adapted to detachably engage a main bowl 34. A secondary bowl 36 is positioned at least partially on and/or in the main lid 32. The secondary bowl 36 includes thermal energy storage material 38 therein. The fourth through eighth embodiments of the food storage 30:4-30:8 include a main bowl 34 having a secondary bowl 36 positioned therein with thermal energy storage material 38 located in the secondary bowl 36.

[0034] The main lid 32, the main bowl 34, and the secondary bowl 36, are preferably made of a polymeric material, such as polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyphthalate carbonate (PPC), or any other suitable material.

[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, the first through third embodiments of the food storage system 30:1-30:3 preferably, but not necessarily, include a main bowl 34 defining a first food receiving cavity 40. It is preferable that the main bowl 34 is generally translucent. While the bowls shown in the drawings are generally circular or rectangular in shape, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that either the main or secondary bowls 34, 36 can be of any shape. For example, either of the main or secondary bowls 34, 36 can be irregularly shaped, shaped like a clam shell, shaped like a chili pepper, or have any other shape without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0036] The main lid 32 is detachably engageable with the main bowl 34. The main lid 32 preferably has either a generally circular shape or a generally rectilinear shape. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that the main lid 32 can have any shape without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the main lid 32 can be triangular, irregularly shaped or polygonally shaped, or the like without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is preferable, but not necessary that the main lid is generally translucent. Alternatively, the main lid can be opaque or can have various designs printed thereon.

[0037] A secondary bowl 36 is positioned at least partially on and/or in the main lid 32. Referring to FIGS. 2A-2C, the secondary bowl 36 may be detachable from the main lid 32. For example, the secondary bowl 36 may be engaged with the main lid 32 via an interference fit. Alternatively, the secondary bowl 36 can be secured to the main lid 32 via a snap fit connection.

[0038] Referring specifically to FIG. 2A, when the secondary bowl 36 is snap fit 43 to the main lid 32, a lip 43A extends generally around at least a portion of the secondary bowl 36. The outer diameter of the lip 43A is slightly larger than the corresponding inner diameter of the hole in the main lid 32. This causes the secondary bowl 36 to be detachably engaged with the main lid 32 when the secondary bowl 36 is pressed downwardly through the hole to form a snap fit connection 43.

[0039] Referring to FIG. 2B, when the secondary bowl 36 is threadably connected to the main lid 32, the secondary bowl includes at least one thread 45A at least partially therearound. The at least one thread 45A is engageable with another thread 45B on a downwardly depending lid member. As the secondary bowl 36 is screwed into the main lid 32, a threaded connection 45 is formed.

[0040] Referring to FIG. 2C, when the secondary bowl 36 is connected to the main lid 32 via a twist lock 47, a pin 47A is slid through a slot 47B and then turned into a recess 47C. This allows for quick engagement of the secondary bowl 36 and the main lid 32.

[0041] Referring again to FIGS. 1-6, the secondary bowl 36 includes a sidewall 42 containing a thermal energy storage material 38 therein. The thermal energy storage material 38 is preferably any suitable freezable and/or reheatable material, such as a refreezable gel or the like. It is preferred that the gel can undergo repeated cycles of freezing and thawing in order to provide cooling. Heat storing materials may also be utilized such that the thermal energy storage material 38 can be placed in a microwave oven to allow the thermal energy storage material 38 to provide warmth to food.

[0042] The sidewall 42 defines a second food receiving cavity 44. It is preferred, but not necessary that a portion of the main lid 32 form a portion of the sidewall 42 of the secondary bowl 36.

[0043] The main lid 32 may have a major surface 46 facing in a first direction generally away from the main bowl 34, when the main lid 32 is attached to thereto. The portion 48 of the main lid 32 preferably extends outwardly therefrom in a direction generally opposite to the first direction. The portion 48 of the main lid defines an outer wall 50 of the sidewall 42 of the secondary bowl 36.

[0044] It is also preferred that a panel 52 is shaped to be generally coextensive with the portion 48 of the main lid 32 forming the outer wall 50 and is attached to the main lid 32 to form an inner wall 54 of the secondary bowl 36. The inner wall 52 defines a food receiving surface for the second food receiving cavity 44 and is generally spaced from the outer wall 50 to define a chamber 56 therebetween.

[0045] It is preferable that the thermal energy storage material 38 is located within the chamber 56. It is also preferable that the thermal energy storage material 38 is a gel. The gel may be colored or translucent depending on the particular esthetic look desired. It is preferred that the inner wall 54 is welded to the main lid 32. Alternatively, the inner wall 54 may be secured to the main lid via an adhesive, or by any other known method of securing two components of a food storage system.

[0046] The food storage system 30:1-30:3 can separately hold food items in the first or second food receiving cavities 40, 44. The secondary bowl 36 is configured so that the thermal energy storage material 38 can heat/or cool food contained in the second food receiving cavity 44. It is preferred that the secondary bowl 36 is generally translucent so that the secondary bowl 36 has a color of the thermal energy storage material 38 therein.

[0047] When both the main bowl 34 and the secondary bowl 36 are generally translucent, the entire food storage system 30:1-30:3 takes on the general color of the thermal energy storage material 38. This allows for attractive decorative options. It is preferred that the secondary bowl 36 is generally centered in the main bowl 34.

[0048] The food storage system 30:1-30:3 may include a secondary lid 58 that is detachably engageable with the secondary bowl 36. It is preferable that the secondary bowl 36 include an upper rim 60 for engaging the secondary lid 58. The secondary bowl 36 is preferably located so that the upper rim 60 is substantially adjacent to the major surface 46 of the main lid 32. The major surface 46 preferably faces generally away from the main bowl 34 when the main lid 32 is attached thereto.

[0049] Referring to FIGS. 7-16, the fourth through eighth embodiments of the food storage system 30:4-30:8 of the present invention are shown. The food storage system 30:4-30:8 includes the main bowl 34 which defines the first food receiving cavity 40.

[0050] The food storage system 30:4-30:8 includes the secondary bowl 36 positioned in the first food receiving cavity 40. It is preferable, but not necessary, that the secondary bowl 36 is generally centrally positioned within the main bowl 34. The secondary bowl 36 includes a sidewall 42 containing thermal energy storage material 38 therein.

[0051] It is preferred that the sidewall 42 is formed by inner and outer panels 62, 64. The inner panel 62 defines the second food receiving cavity 44. The outer panel 64 is preferably integrally formed with the main bowl 34. It is preferred that the inner panel 62 defines the upper rim 60 for engaging the secondary lid 58. The inner panel 62 is generally co-extensive with and spaced from the outer panel 64.

[0052] It is preferred that the main bowl 34 is generally translucent. It is also preferred that the secondary bowl 36 is generally translucent so that the main and secondary bowls 34, 36 have the general color of the thermal energy storage material 38. Alternatively, the secondary bowl 36 can be the only bowl that is generally translucent so that the secondary bowl 36 has the color of the thermal energy storage material 38, but the main bowl 34 does not.

[0053] The food storage system 30:4-30:8 can separately hold food items in the first or second food receiving food receiving cavities 40,44. The secondary bowl 36 is configured so that the thermal energy storage material 38 can heat and/or cool food contained in the food receiving cavity 44. The secondary bowl 36 is securable in a fixed position within the first food receiving cavity 40 when the main and secondary bowls are covered.

[0054] It is preferred, but not necessary, that the main and secondary bowls 34, 36 are fixedly attached to each other. Referring to FIG. 8, the secondary bowl 36 includes a secondary bowl base 66 having a base perimeter 68. The main bowl 34 preferably includes a lip 70 extending from the first food receiving cavity 40 and configured to define an enclosed area for receiving the base 66 of the secondary bowl 36 therein. The secondary bowl 36 may be detachable from the main bowl 34 for heating and cooling the thermal energy storage material 38 therein. This allows the secondary bowl to be heated or chilled while the main bowl 34 is in use.

[0055] Referring to FIGS. 8A-8C, when the secondary bowl 36 is detachably engaged with the main bowl 34, it is preferred that the secondary bowl 36 is secured to the main bowl via a twist lock connection. Alternatively, the secondary bowl 36 may be connected to the main bowl 34 via a snap fit connection or a threaded connection. Furthermore, the secondary bowl 36 may be detachably secured to the main bowl 34 using any known means, such as hook and loop material or the like without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0056] Referring specifically to FIG. 8A, when the secondary bowl 36 is snap fit 43 to the main bowl 34, a lip 43A extends generally around at least a portion of the secondary bowl 36. The outer diameter of the lip 43A is slightly larger than the corresponding inner diameter of a constricting member 43B located on the main bowl 34. This causes the secondary bowl 36 to be detachably engaged with the main bowl 34 when the secondary bowl 36 is pressed downwardly through the constricting member 43B to form a snap fit connection 43.

[0057] Referring to FIG. 8B, when the secondary bowl 36 is threadably connected to the main bowl 34, the secondary bowl includes at least one thread 45A at least partially therearound. The at least one thread 45A is engageable with another thread 45B on a upwardly depending main bowl member 45B. As the secondary bowl 36 is screwed into the main bowl 34, a threaded connection 45 is formed.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 8C, when the secondary bowl 36 is connected to the main bowl 34 via a twist lock 47, a pin 47A is slid through a slot 47B and then turned into a recess 47C. This allows for quick engagement of the secondary bowl 36 and the main bowl 34.

[0059] Referring to FIG. 17, it is preferred, but not necessary, that the main and secondary bowls 34, 36 are sealed using a single lid 32. When a single lid 32 is used, the single lid 32 includes downwardly projecting grooves 32A that form a seal with the upper rim 60 of the secondary bowl 36. Alternatively, the food storage system 30:4-30:8 can include main and secondary lids 32, 58. The secondary lid 58 may be detachably engageable with the secondary bowl 36. The main lid 32 is preferably detachably engageable with the main bowl 34. The food storage system 30:4-30:8 is preferably configured so that, when the secondary lid 58 is engaged with the secondary bowl 36 and the main lid 32 is engaged with the main bowl 34, that the main lid 32 braces the secondary lid 58 in position. It is preferred that the secondary lid 58 is decoratively shaped with a perimeter representing an animal face.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, one embodiment of the present invention operates as follows. A food storage system 30:1-30:3 can be used to store chips and salsa for transportation. The chips are placed in the main bowl 34 in the first food receiving cavity 40. Then, the main lid 32 is attached to the main bowl 34 to secure the chips therein. The main lid 32 is preferably refrigerated or frozen prior to attachment so that the thermal energy storage material 38 in the secondary bowl 36 provides cooling to any food in the second food receiving cavity 44. The salsa dip is placed in the second food receiving cavity 44 and sealed with the secondary lid 58. Thus packaged, the chips and salsa are ready for transport and later consumption thereof.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 7-16, the fourth through eighth embodiments of the food storage system 30:4-30:8 of the present invention operate as follows. Cookies are positioned the first food receiving cavity 40 but outside of the secondary bowl 36. Then, milk is poured into the secondary bowl 36. The secondary bowl is preferably refrigerated or frozen prior to use so that the thermal energy storing material 38 keeps the milk in a chilled state. Than at least one cover is placed over the secondary bowl or over both the secondary bowl 36 and the main bowl 34. Then the food storage system 30:4-30:8 is ready for transportation and later consumption of the milk and cookies.

[0062] While various shapes, configurations, uses, and features have been described above and are shown in the drawings for the various embodiments of the present invention, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate from this disclosure that any combination of the above features can be used without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, it is recognized by those skilled in the art that changes may be made to the above described embodiments of the invention without departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. It is understood, therefore, that this invention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but it is intended to cover all modifications which are within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and/or shown in the attached drawings.