Container

Abstract

A container includes an outer container that has an outer container base and outer container walls extending from the outer container base. The outer container walls have a rim forming a closed geometric shape. A ledge is formed on an inside surface of the outer container walls below the rim. An inner container has an inner container base and inner container walls. The inner container walls extend from the inner container base. The inner container has at least one aperture for conducting fluid from within the inner container to outside the inner container, preferably in the inner container base. The inner container walls have a lip. The inner container fits within the outer container and the lip engages with the ledge, holding the inner container base distal from the outer container base and forming a gap between the inner container base and the outer container base for collection of fluids.

Description

FIELD

This invention relates to the field of storage containers and more particularly to an improved storage container suitable for storing moisture containing objects.

BACKGROUND

Storage containers are known, typically having a bowl or a base that defines a storage space and a separate lid that seal contents within the space of the container to keep the contents from spilling or drying out while also limiting exposure to biological organisms such as spores and bacteria. In many existing storage containers, the lid secures to an upper or top edge of the base and creates an air tight seal of the storage space, often used for storing food.

An example is a typical plastic storage container sized to completely contain a sandwich. Once a sandwich is placed within this type of storage container, the lid is fitted over the opening, forming an air-tight seal so that the sandwich remains moist and has limited contact with spores, bacteria, etc.

The above described containers function very well for many types of contents, including sandwiches, leftovers, meats, vegetables, etc., but when certain types of food are stored in such containers, excess moisture from these types of food percolates to the bottom of these containers, resulting in the food becoming partially submerged within a liquid. For example, when melon pieces are stored in an existing storage container, melon juices (e.g. watermelon) excrete from the melon piece and percolate down to the bottom of the existing storage container, resulting in the melon pieces at the lowest elevation of the storage container being in contact with the melon juices. This often leads to the melon pieces at the lowest elevation of the storage container becoming soggy.

What is needed is a container that will segregate certain content items from any liquid that typically drains from such content items.

SUMMARY

In one embodiment, a container is disclosed including an outer container that has an outer container base and outer container walls extending from the outer container base. The outer container walls have a rim forming a closed geometric shape. A ledge is formed on an inside surface of the outer container walls below the rim. An inner container has an inner container base and inner container walls. The inner container walls extend from the inner container base. The inner container has at least one aperture for conducting fluid from within the inner container to outside the inner container. The inner container walls have a lip. The inner container fits within the outer container and the lip engages with the ledge, holding the inner container base distal from the outer container base and forming a gap between the inner container base and the outer container base.

In another embodiment, a method of preventing cut fruit from getting soggy is disclosed including providing the container previously described, placing the cut fruit in the inner container, then placing the inner container into the outer container, thereby engaging the lip to the ledge, such that the inner container base rests distal from the outer container base. Now, the lid with the rim is engaged and the container is stored upright such that the outer container base is closer to a center of gravity than the rim. As liquids emanating from the cut fruit, the liquids percolate through at least one aperture in the inner container and the liquids pool in the gap between the inner container base and the outer container base.

In another embodiment, a container is disclosed including an outer container that has a substantially rectangular outer container base and substantially rectangular outer container walls. Each of the outer container walls extends from a different side of the outer container base. The outer container walls have a rim, also forming a closed, substantially rectangular shape. A ledge is formed on an inside surface of the outer container walls below the rim. An inner container has a substantially rectangular inner container base and substantially rectangular inner container walls. Each of the inner container walls extending from a different side of the inner container base. The inner container base has at least one aperture for conducting fluid from within the inner container to outside the inner container and the inner container walls have a lip. The inner container fits within the outer container and the lip engages with the ledge, holding the inner container base distal from the outer container base forming a gap between the inner container base and the outer container base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a cut-away view of a container of the prior art.

FIG. 2 illustrates a cut-away view of the improved container.

FIG. 3 illustrates a top plan view of the inner container of the improved container.

FIG. 4 illustrates a top plan view of a base and rim of the improved container.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of the improved container and lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

Although the improved container is described with respect to certain content items that are particularly suited for use with the improved container, any type of content item, food or non-food, is anticipated.

Although the improved container is shown in the following examples as being of basically hexahedron in shape, there is no limitation on the size or shape of the improved container as for example, cube shape or cylindrical shape, etc.

Referring to FIG. 1, a cut-away view of a container 10 of the prior art is shown. Typical storage containers 10 of the prior art include side walls 12, a bottom 13 and a removable lid 14 which seals to a rim of the walls 12 by, as shown, a snap edge 11. When a typical storage containers 10 of the prior art is used to store high-moisture content food 16 such as melons, berries, strawberries, grapes, and the like, excess moisture or juice 18 is emitted from the high-moisture content food 16 and percolates to the bottom of the typical storage containers 10 of the prior art. Any high-moisture content food 16 resting in the excess moisture or juice 18 absorbs some or all of the excess moisture or juice 18, potentially becoming soggy, especially when left standing in the excess moisture or juice 18 for extended periods of time.

Referring to FIG. 2, a cut-away view of the improved container 20 is shown. The improved storage containers 20 includes side walls 22, a bottom 13 and a removable lid 14 which has edges 11 that engage with an upper rim of the walls 22 by any way known in the art. It is preferred, though not required, that the edges 11 of the lid 14 engage with the upper rim of the walls 22 in an airtight manner and that the upper rim of the walls 22 (and the walls 22) form a closed geometric shape such as a rectangle in the examples shown, a square, a triangle, a circle, etc.

The side walls 22 include a ledge 26 for supporting a sub-container 28. In some embodiments, the ledge 26 runs the entire perimeter of the side walls 22, while in other embodiments, the ledge 26 is intermittent, made of several unconnected ledges 26 at multiple locations on the side walls 22. In such, it is preferred that there are sufficient numbers of unconnected ledges 26 to support the sub-container in a stabile manner. It is also preferred that the ledge 26 or unconnected ledges 26 are equidistant from a top edge of the side walls 22.

An inner container 28 has walls 33 that fit within the walls 22 of the outer container. The inner container 28 has a lip 30 that rests upon the ledge 26 on the side walls 22. In this way, the inner container 28 rests on the ledge 26 when the inner container 28 is installed in the container 20. The height of the side walls 33 of the inner container 28 is less than the height of the outer container walls 22 so that the inner container 28 fits within the outer container 20 and the lid 14 is not impeded from closing when the inner container 28 is within the container 20 and is held by the ledge 26. In this way, the inner container base 32 is suspended above and away from the outer container base 13, providing a gap between the two (holding the inner container base 32 distal from the outer container base 13). There are apertures or holes 34 (or any type of opening or openings) in the inner container base 32 and/or inner container walls 33, such that fluids or liquids 18 that seep from the contents 16 (e.g. fruit, melon, watermelon, etc.) will percolated through the opening(s) 34 and pool at the bottom of the container 20 when the container 20 is held in a horizontal position. Since the liquids 18 pool at the bottom of the container 20, between the base of the inner container 32 and the outer container base 13, the liquids 18 are kept segregated from the contents 16. This helps to keep the contents 16 (e.g. fruit, melon, watermelon, etc.) from soaking in the liquid 18 and potentially becoming soggy over time.

Referring to FIG. 3, a top plan view of inner container 28 of the improved container 20 is shown. In this example, a top surface of the inner container lip 30 and the inner container base 32 is visible. Also in this example, several apertures 34 are formed/cut in the base 32. Although shown as a certain quantity and shape of apertures 34, any quantity and shape of apertures 34 is anticipated including one aperture. In some embodiments, the base 32 includes a mesh for providing the apertures 34 such as in a sieve, etc.

Referring to FIG. 4, a top plan view of a base 13 and rim of the improved container 20 is shown. The base 13 is continuous to properly hold any anticipated contents within the improved container 20. In this example, the ledge 26 is a closed shape that is similar to the shape formed by the walls 22, though in other embodiments, it is anticipated that the ledge 26 be discontinuous segments such as one segment of a ledge 26 on each side 22, one segment of a ledge 26 in each corner of the sides 22, etc.

Referring to FIG. 5, an exploded view of the improved container 20 and lid 14 is shown. This example shows how the inner container 28 fits within the outer container walls 22 and the lip 30 rests upon the ledge 26. Since the sides 33 of the inner container 28 are shorter than the sides 22 of the improved container 20, the base 32 of the inner container 28 does not contact the base 13, thereby providing a gap between the base 32 of the inner container 28 and the base 13 where liquids from contents held within the inner container 28 flow and collect during storage. The lid 14 covers and seals the improved container 20 while the lip of the inner container 28 rests on the ledge 26. In some embodiments, when the lid 14 engages with the rim of the container 20, the lid 14 forms an air tight seal, preventing air from entering the container 20 under typical atmospheric conditions where people generally live.

Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

an outer container having an outer container base and outer container walls extending from the outer container base, the outer container walls having a rim, the rim forming a closed geometric shape, a ledge formed on an inside surface of the outer container walls, the ledge below the rim, the ledge being closer to the rim than to the outer container base;

an inner container having an inner container base and inner container walls, the inner container walls extending from the inner container base, the inner container having at least one aperture for conducting fluid from within the inner container to outside the inner container, and the inner container walls having a lip;

whereas the inner container fits within the outer container and the lip engages with the ledge, holding the inner container base distal from the outer container base forming a gap between the inner container base and the outer container base.

2. The container of claim 1, further comprising a lid, the lid engaging with the rim.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein, when the lid is engaged with the rim, the container is sealed from air.

4. The container of claim 2, wherein the lid engages with the rim while the inner container is positioned within the outer container.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the ledge is formed continuously around the inside surface of the outer container walls.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the ledge is formed intermittently around the inside surface of the outer container walls.

7. A method of preventing cut fruit from getting soggy, the method comprising:

providing the container of claim 1;

placing the cut fruit in the inner container;

placing the inner container into the outer container, thereby engaging the lip to the ledge, such that the inner container base rests distal from the outer container base;

engaging the lid with the rim; and

storing the container upright such that the outer container base is closer to a center of gravity than the rim;

whereas liquids emanating from the cut fruit percolate through the at least one aperture in the inner container base and the liquids pool in the gap between the inner container base and the outer container base.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein when the lid is engaged with the rim, the container is sealed from air.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the ledge is formed continuously around the inside surface of the outer container walls.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the ledge is formed intermittently around the inside surface of the outer container walls.

11. A container comprising:

an outer container having a substantially rectangular outer container base and substantially rectangular outer container walls, each of the outer container walls extends from a different side of the outer container base, the outer container walls having a rim, the rim forming a closed, substantially rectangular shape, a ledge formed on an inside surface of the outer container walls, the ledge below the rim and the ledge is closer to the rim than to the outer container base; and

an inner container having a substantially rectangular inner container base and substantially rectangular inner container walls, each of the inner container walls extends from a different side of the inner container base, the inner container base having at least one aperture for conducting fluid from within the inner container to outside the inner container, and the inner container walls have a lip;

whereas the inner container fits within the outer container and the lip engages with the ledge, holding the inner container base distal from the outer container base forming a gap between the inner container base and the outer container base.

12. The container of claim 11, further comprising a substantially rectangular lid, the lid engaging with the rim.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein, when the lid is engaged with the rim, the container is sealed from air.

14. The container of claim 12, wherein the lid engages with the rim while the inner container is positioned within the outer container.

15. The container of claim 11, wherein the ledge is formed continuously around the inside surface of the outer container walls.

16. The container of claim 11, wherein the ledge is formed intermittently around the inside surface of the outer container walls.