Eating Or Kitchen Type Patents (Class 206/553)
  • Patent number: 11834242
    Abstract: An electronics cable retail packaging, having a base assembly, which has a first end section having a first elongated hole and a second end section having a second elongated hole. The base assembly and the first and second end sections are a single piece to secure a cable. The base assembly is rectangular in shape. The first end section bends toward the base upper face defining a predetermined angle with respect to the base assembly, and the second end section bends toward the base upper face defining a predetermined angle with respect to the base assembly. The first and second elongated holes are oval in shape. The cable is positioned longitudinally onto the base upper face. The first elongated hole receives a first section of the cable, and the second elongated hole receives a second section of the cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Inventor: Hamid McHatet
  • Patent number: 11414224
    Abstract: A utensil cover system includes a frame; and a first utensil cover. The first utensil cover has a first receptacle for receiving an end portion of a utensil; and a first tab extending from the first receptacle. The first tab and the first receptacle are separated by a line of weakness, and the utensil cover is temporarily attached to the frame via a connection member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: David George Barlow
  • Patent number: 11412872
    Abstract: The reinforced structure of the composite chopsticks of the present invention is fixed in a gripping portion and a clamping portion, and mainly comprises a first tubular member, a filling portion and a second tubular member. The first tubular member is positioned in the clamping portion and has at least one first open slot; the filling portion fills in the interior of the clamping portion and the first open slot to fix the first tubular member; and the second tubular member is fixed in the interior of the gripping portion and is formed by extending one end of the first tubular member. In this way, the reinforced structure can be effectively positioned during the molding process, and the bonding force between the heterogeneous materials can be increased to enhance the strength of the clamping portion, so as to improve the product quality and to prolong the service life.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Inventor: Yin-Chu Lai
  • Patent number: 11007945
    Abstract: A vehicle seating assembly includes a seatback. The seatback includes a rear portion and a substantially horizontal strap including first and second ends fixed to the rear portion. The substantially horizontal strap further includes an intermediate attachment area fixed to the rear portion between the first and second ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Patrick Vanderpool, Dustin Shedlarski, Victoria Leigh Schein, Timothy Owen Hamlin
  • Patent number: 10959556
    Abstract: Tray utensils of identical dimensions are stacked into an assembly and wrapped within a transparent package displaying a visual image of a tray utensil holding within a tray receptacle a standard beverage can upright generally vertically while the tray is oriented generally horizontally and used to hold selected hors d'oeuvres.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Inventor: Gregory C Manos
  • Patent number: 10631665
    Abstract: Cutlery dispensing assemblies and methods for making and using same. In some examples, the cutlery dispensing assembly can include a chassis comprising a backbone, an upper support frame located at an upper end of the backbone, and a base located at a lower end of the backbone. A skewer mechanism can be at least partially disposed within the chassis and configured to contain a stack of the cutlery. The stack of the cutlery can include a bottom piece of cutlery and at least one other piece of cutlery. Each piece of cutlery can have an opening through which the skewer mechanism is configured to pass. The skewer mechanism can include an elongated body that is configured to pass through the opening of each piece of cutlery, and a lever extending from elongated the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: GPCP IP Holdings LLC
    Inventor: Kyle Loucks
  • Patent number: 10325515
    Abstract: An incrementally-sized Standard-Sized eating-ware system and process comprise a plurality of formulas to establish and assign Standard Sizes to eating-ware. The Standard Sizes are based on a series of incrementally-sized flat surfaces, and the flat surfaces establish the basis for total volumetric capacity equivalents. The total volumetric capacity equivalents comprise volume inside the eating-ware and directly above the eating-ware. The Standard Sizes are used as a guide to control amount and rate of food consumed. The incrementally-sized Standard-sized eating-ware system and process provide a plurality of incrementally-sized Standard-Sized eating-ware components having successively decreasing Standard Sizes appointed to be utilized in a graduated manner over a period of time and deployed during intervals to provide gradual and unnoticeable food adjustment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Foqus, Inc.
    Inventors: Danuta Highet, Roberta Cahn
  • Patent number: 10251500
    Abstract: A retaining block for a cutlery-storage system for one or more items of cutlery includes an elongated base body, wherein the base body has a handle-region receiving portion for accommodating a handle region of at least one first item of cutlery and a tool-region receiving portion for accommodating a tool region of at least one other item of cutlery, and the handle-region receiving portion and the tool-region receiving portion are arranged so as to overlap at least partially. The handle-region receiving portion has a comb-like structure for accommodating a plurality of items of cutlery arranged one after the other along the longitudinal extension, in particular with the items of cutlery arranged in a single layer, wherein items of cutlery placed in the handle-region receiving portion can be accommodated in a lateral orientation with respect to their tool region such that broad sides of the tool regions follow one after the other in the longitudinal extension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: FRIEDRICH UG (HAFTUNGSBESCHRÄNKT)
    Inventor: Klaus Marcu
  • Patent number: 9561898
    Abstract: A marine side curtain stowage apparatus for stowing pliant marine side curtains in sheet form includes a pliant base layer having an outer weather surface and an inner surface, a pliant top layer formed from a nonabrasive material for abutting contact with the entire transparent portion of a side curtain, a first fastening element operatively associated with the base layer and the top layer for releasably joining the first side edge of the base layer with the first side edge of the top layer; and a second fastening element associated with the base layer and the top layer for releasably joining the second side edge of the base layer with the second side edge of the top layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Inventors: David Love, Martin Love
  • Patent number: 9156580
    Abstract: A closure apparatus that has a base having an interior surface, a lid having an interior surface, and a plurality of compartments within the apparatus. The lid is rotatably connected to the base, and a first compartment of the plurality of compartments has a wall secured to the interior surface of the lid and a wall of a second component is secured to the face such that, upon rotation of the lid, at least some of the compartments rise open from a relatively compressed state. The compartments removably straw an eating utensil which are easily displayed in and removed from their respective compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Inventor: Donald J. Ladanyi
  • Patent number: 9016449
    Abstract: The briefcase and backpack luggage includes a housing that may carry a plurality of items. The housing comprises a case portion of the housing that may store the items. A folder portion of the housing is coupled to the case portion of the housing. The folder portion of the housing may store items. A handle is coupled to the housing. The handle may be gripped. A strap is coupled to the housing. The strap may be positionable on the user so the housing is retained on the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Inventor: Oluwakemi S. Soboyejo
  • Patent number: 8960441
    Abstract: A room temperature butter dish has a cover and a base. The base has two end walls and two side walls that a stick of butter resides between. The cover sits over the end walls and side wall and rests on the base. The end walls have raised shoulders and a horizontal knife scraper between the shoulders. The knife scraper is above the height of a conventional stick of butter. Butter can be scrapped off of a knife and rest on top of a stick of butter below. The shoulders of the end walls keep the bottom edge of the cover from hitting any butter as the cover is put on or removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: Clever Conceptz LLC
    Inventors: Linda A. Marquis, James Alphonse Marquis, Jeffrey William Londona, Mark Henry Mendez
  • Publication number: 20140353182
    Abstract: Containers having a fitment have been used to store food product. Oftentimes the product contained within the container is easier for a user to consume if a utensil such as a spoon is used. The present disclosure is directed towards an assembly for mounting to a container. The assembly includes a fitment with a passage. The spoon is at least partially disposed within the passage of the fitment. The spoon may be attached to the fitment, and covered by a protective cover. The protective cover may include a first half and a second half The protective cover can be secured with a safety seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: POUCH PAC INNOVATIONS, LLC
    Inventor: R. Charles Murray
  • Publication number: 20140339127
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an easy open and close, multifunctional tableware kit for babies, which includes an upper cover, a middle layer board and a lower cover which are mechanically coupled to a transverse axis such that each of them can be turned around the axis. The middle layer, fittingly placed between the upper and the lower covers, is a single piece of uneven board wherein the upper side facing to the upper cover has a continuous concaved space fittingly for a baby fork and a baby spoon being snapped-in, and wherein the middle layer's lower side facing to the lower cover has a continuous concaved space fittingly for a pair of baby scissors being snapped-in.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventors: TINA DAO, Kent VanHo
  • Publication number: 20140332439
    Abstract: A personal utensil and container for transporting the utensil in a relatively sanitary fashion includes a first container portion and a second container portion pivotably mounted to the first container portion. The first container portion is pivotable between a closed position defining a storage cavity and an open position exposing a first inner surface of the first container portion and a second inner surface of the second container portion. The utensil is mountable within the storage cavity. A hinge is secured to the first and second container portions and defines a pivot axis. The first and second container portions are pivotable about the pivot axis. A lock mechanism is mounted to the first container portion. The lock mechanism engages the second container portion in the closed position to releasably secure the first container portion to the second container portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 11, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: KINDLE HILL, LLC
    Inventor: Saly A. Glassman
  • Publication number: 20140284246
    Abstract: A protective sheath device includes a housing member having a chamber formed by an erected side panel, an upper panel, a bottom panel, and a tilted side panel having a bottom portion extended toward the bottom panel for forming a slot between the tilted side panel and the bottom panel, a blade member engaged into the chamber of the housing member and having a handle, the housing member includes a rearwardly extended knob located above the handle and having a relatively thinner front portion and a relatively thicker rear portion, and having a planer surface formed in the knob for being engaged with and pushed by a thumb of the user to separate the housing member from the blade member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Publication date: September 25, 2014
    Applicant: K. H. Zingers Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Jui Cheng HUANG
  • Publication number: 20140262921
    Abstract: A hanging utensil storage rack is presented. The utensil rack comprises a base unit coupled to utensil holders which can be hooks or magnets. The rack is suspended and rotates about a swivel. Utensils hang from the hooks or are attached to magnets and are easily accessible due to the rotation capability. The rack is self-balancing such that when utensils are removed, it does not tilt appreciably and is still able to rotate. In one design of the hanging utensil rack, the base unit and the utensil hooks are made from a single piece of sheet metal. The base and utensil holders are suspended from ropes, chains, wires or rods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventor: KEITH SCHREIBER MULLER
  • Publication number: 20140224702
    Abstract: A utensil cover is provided and includes a cover body, wherein the cover body includes a cover top having a cover top width and a cover top length, a cover front having a cover front length and a cover front height, a cover rear having a cover rear length and a cover rear height, and a plurality of cover sides, each of the plurality of cover sides includes a cover side length and a cover side height, wherein the cover front, cover rear and plurality of cover sides extend downward from the cover top to form a cover cavity and wherein the cover front height is larger than the cover rear height such that the cover top slopes downward from the cover front to the cover rear
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Inventor: David Eck
  • Publication number: 20140202917
    Abstract: This disclosure relates generally to holders for scoops, spoons, ladles, or other bulk good moving tools (generally, “scoops”). In particular, this disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for retaining a scoop in the lid of a container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2014
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicant: LiMBi, LLC
    Inventors: Shaun Thomas Erlebach, Harry Thomas Erlebach
  • Patent number: 8727142
    Abstract: A drawer organizer is provided that includes a platform. The platform has a width, a first side, a second opposing side, a top surface, and a bottom surface. Grooves extend into the platform from the top surface. The grooves are adapted to receive a handle of a handled implement and allow the implement head to extend beyond the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Inventor: Jennifer Shapiro
  • Patent number: 8721403
    Abstract: A knife storage and sharpening apparatus including a knife block having a plurality of elongate recesses each for receipt of a different knife and having a recess for receipt of a knife sharpening steel. The apparatus further includes another form of knife sharpening means specifically adapted for receipt in the recess for receipt of the steel. The knife sharpening means can be used to sharpen a knife while it is mounted in the sharpening steel recess. If the knife user prefers to use a sharpening steel, the knife sharpening means may be removed from the knife block to provide storage for the sharpening steel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Robert Welch Designs Limited
    Inventor: Alan Rupert Welch
  • Patent number: 8703270
    Abstract: A napkin having a basic quadratic shape. Two or three slits are provided that are disposed parallel to one another. The slits are spaced from at least one outer edge of the napkin, and each slit has a length configured to receive at least a portion of a piece of cutlery or an eating utensil therethrough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mank GmbH
    Inventor: Lothar Hümmerich
  • Patent number: 8689979
    Abstract: A cutlery tray assembly having a first tray and a cover. The first tray has a plurality of partitions defining a plurality of compartments for holding cutlery. The cover has a first cover section hingedly attached to one end of the first tray, and a second cover section attached to the first cover section by a living or piano hinge. At least one side tab is positioned on the first cover section and is adapted to releasably attach to a respective point on the tray to hold the first cover section in a closed position. At least one other tab is positioned on the second cover section and is adapted to releasably attach to a respective point on the tray to keep the second cover section in a closed position independent of the at least one side tab. Furthermore, a second tray may be hingedly attached to the bottom of the first tray for holding household items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Grant M. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20140091508
    Abstract: A kitchen apparatus including a combined utensil retainer member and drying rack member, encapsulated within a rotatably attached cutting board mechanism. The cutting board mechanism includes a containment apparatus on the underside such that food, liquids, debris and the like are deflected from entering the internal portion of the cutlery holding area. The overall apparatus combines an upper and lower portion, both of which utilize numerous embodiments interchangeably in order to retain utensils and provide cutlery ability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 2, 2012
    Publication date: April 3, 2014
    Inventor: Paul R. Chalifoux
  • Patent number: 8684183
    Abstract: Described is a portable carrying case for storing and transporting culinary essentials such as cooking equipment, instruments and accessories such as cutlery, spices, cookbooks, scales and other assortment of kitchen necessities. A knife compartment within said portable carrying case may be detached to serve as a standalone knife retaining compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Inventor: Vaughn D. Trannon
  • Patent number: 8651275
    Abstract: A flatware napkin holder combining three elements, a rectangularly folded dinner napkin, a triangular-shaped napkin enfolding a place setting of flatware and a customizable pouch having a closed bottom, closed sides and an open top, the dinner napkin, luncheon napkin and flatware sitting inside the pouch, extending through the open top. The pouch is customizable to complement a motif for any festive occasion with an additional ornamentation. The flatware napkin holder can be used as a place card holder for a table having assigned seats. The dinner napkin, the luncheon napkin, the pouch and the pouch ornamentation can be the same color or complementary colors, using two or more colors, resulting in an exceedingly large number of possible combinations to match any color theme of the decorating motif.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Inventor: Marlene D'Aloisio
  • Patent number: 8627981
    Abstract: A container (210) for holding granular or powdered material and formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall (216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second side wall (222). A rotatably removable lid (D) is interiorly mounted with a scoop (32) and is pivotally hinged to a collar (300) that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D) cooperates with the gasket 300 to prevent the contents from spilling. The container (210) incorporates additional sealing features wherein the gasket (330) projects inwardly from the collar (300) into an interior space (H, I) of the container (210) to be biased against the sealing flange (284). The sealing wall includes modifications that funnel powder into the interior space (H,I) of the receptacle (280).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Abbott Laboratories
    Inventors: James P. Perry, David E. Compeau, Charles R. Schotthoefer, Jeremy J. McBroom, Melissa J. Gamel, Marc A. Pedmo, John G. Barca
  • Patent number: 8590732
    Abstract: A package for a food product sampled using a metering device, including a receptacle (2) having a wide top opening (24) and defined by a rim (25), a closure system (3) including a cover (31) that can be moved between an open position and a closed position, and a first levelling element (41) having a top face (41b) and a free edge (41a) situated in the space of the opening. The package also includes a second levelling element (42) spaced apart from the first and also having a top face (42b) and a free edge (42a), wherein the top faces (41b, 42b) of the first and second levelling elements (41, 42) each have a configuration and are mutually arranged in order to form two spaced-apart bearing zones substantially parallel to the plane of the opening for supporting the metering device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Compagnie Gervais Danone
    Inventors: Patrick Vandamme, Frederic Bourdin, Francis Lovell
  • Publication number: 20130270982
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided with a silverware basket. The silverware basket has features for creating an offset between a door of the appliance or a wall of the appliance and the silverware basket. The offset can permit debris and/or washing fluid to flow between the silverware basket and the door or the wall of the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 12, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: William Nathan Garnett, Anjuli B. Calvert
  • Publication number: 20130264920
    Abstract: A dishwasher appliance is provided with a silverware basket. The silverware basket is configured for mounting to a rack assembly of the dishwasher appliance. With the silverware basket mounted to the rack assembly, a handle of the silverware basket permits a user to selectively remove the rack assembly from a wash chamber of the dishwasher appliance or selectively dismount the silverware basket from the rack assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2012
    Publication date: October 10, 2013
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: William Nathan Garnett, Daniel J. Hart
  • Publication number: 20130126387
    Abstract: A cutlery tray assembly having a first tray and a cover. The first tray has a plurality of partitions defining a plurality of compartments for holding cutlery. The cover has a first cover section hingedly attached to one end of the first tray, and a second cover section attached to the first cover section by a living or piano hinge. At least one side tab is positioned on the first cover section and is adapted to releasably attach to a respective point on the tray to hold the first cover section in a closed position. At least one other tab is positioned on the second cover section and is adapted to releasably attach to a respective point on the tray to keep the second cover section in a closed position independent of the at least one side tab. Furthermore, a second tray may be hingedly attached to the bottom of the first tray for holding household items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventor: Grant M. Rowe
  • Publication number: 20130089636
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dispenser for providing eating utensils (10) which are designed as single-piece gripping elements for picking up food, in particular finger food, and have a three-dimensionally shaped sheet structure having an outside to face the food to be picked up and a finger contact side opposite said outside and comprising at least three gripping sections (12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4) which can be accessed from the finger contact side, are shaped as finger protection depressions for accommodating fingers of a users hand, and extend sharply tapering toward the inside, the gripping sections being delimited by in particular triangular wall sections (111, 222) having interposed fold lines (18), the gripping sections being able to be moved in an articulated manner toward and away from each other by means of at least some of the fold lines so as to perform gripping movements, the dispenser comprising at least one stack (20) formed of the eating utensils, in which the outsides of the eating utensils (10)
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 9, 2011
    Publication date: April 11, 2013
    Inventors: Yulian Patzelt, Julian Propstmeier, Felix Heussinger
  • Patent number: 8371447
    Abstract: A portable caddy, comprising: a base portion; a handle portion removably secured to an upper surface of the base portion, the handle portion having a pair of support members and an elongated member extending therebetween, the handle portion being configured to rotatably support a roll of paper towels above the upper surface of the base portion; a plurality of recessed areas disposed in the upper surface; and an opening in a side wall of the base portion, the opening providing access to a receiving area disposed between the upper surface and a bottom surface of the base portion, wherein the receiving area is configured to store a plurality of plates therein and wherein the opening allows removal of the plates from the receiving area and a rotatable base portion securable to a lower surface of the base portion, wherein the rotatable base portion allows the portable caddy to be rotated with respect to the rotatable base portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Inventors: Mark Dewolf, Michael Tomaszewski
  • Patent number: 8322531
    Abstract: A knife package includes a card having a front side and a back side. The knife package further comprises a utility knife having a body and a plurality of blade holders movable within the body, and a plurality of slides on the body. Each slide is operatively connected with one of the blade holders, and the slides are arranged to move associated blade holders in the body. The knife package further comprises a securement structure that secures the utility knife to the card, wherein said utility knife is secured on the front side of said card by the securement structure such that the plurality of slides of the utility knife are visible when viewing the front side of the card from an angle normal to the front side of the card.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.
    Inventors: Jonathan Miller, Gary Wainwright
  • Patent number: 8322529
    Abstract: A hanger assembly for supporting an item suspended from a support structure includes a hanger and a sleeve. The hanger includes a display section, which defines a bottom edge and including a hanging feature configured to receive a portion of the support structure, and a drop section extending downwardly from the display section. The drop section includes a primary shaft and an arm. The primary shaft extends the length of the drop section and defines a front surface configured to be placed adjacent the item. The arm extends upwardly from a lower portion of the drop section to define a lower slot between the primary shaft and the arm. The sleeve extends entirely around the primary shaft through the lower slot. The sleeve is initially loose around the primary shaft and is configured to shrink to tightly fit around and secure the item to the primary shaft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: Target Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Laszlo Titkos, Alex Tetiyevsky, Michael Norman, Keith C. Cedro
  • Publication number: 20120273382
    Abstract: The present invention relates to spoons used in administering particularly medical products and foodstuffs to subjects in the need thereof, and more particularly to a protective member insulating the bowl of such spoons against external affects.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 1, 2012
    Inventor: M. Berat Beran
  • Publication number: 20120222975
    Abstract: A method for sticking, a container, a pocket tape, a method for the production of a pocket tape, a device for the production of a pocket tape, a method for the production of an adhesive tape, an adhesive tape and a device .for the production of an adhesive tape, regarding sticking a pocket into a container to receive an article, through use of adhesive in adhesive zones that are spaced from one another by non-adhesive zones.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 6, 2012
    Inventors: Hans-Peter WILD, Eberhard KRAFT, Klaus HÄGLE, Berthold WILLI
  • Publication number: 20120139400
    Abstract: The invention relates to a silverware container (1, 40), especially a silverware basket and/or a silverware tray, for arrangement on a crockery basket (2) of a dishwasher, wherein the silverware container (1) comprises two opposing ends (16A, 14A; 16B 14B) that are adapted for arrangement on the upper ends of two opposing side walls (3,4) of the crockery basket (2) or the silverware container (40) is adapted for arrangement on the bottom (21) of the crockery basket (2), characterized in that the silverware container (1, 40) comprises a bottom wall (18; 46A, 46B) for supporting the silverware that comprises at least two essentially horizontal segments (18A, 18B; 46A, 46B) that are arranged telescopably relative to each other. Furthermore, the invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a crockery basket (2) comprising a silverware container (1, 40), a silverware tray (1) and/or a silverware basket (40) according to the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS CORPORATION N.V.
    Inventors: Claudia Hofpeter, Oliver Kleinert, Anna Hnatow, Winfried Steiner
  • Patent number: 8181785
    Abstract: A first bowl and a second bowl are provided. Each bowl has end walls, side walls and a bottom wall. In this manner a chamber is formed within the bowl. A plurality of sets of reception slots is provided. Each set includes inner and outer slots on the side walls. A plurality of divider panels is selectively positioned in the sets of slots. The panels have angled side edges. The divider panels when inserted into the sets of slots divide the chamber into equal sized segments. First and second lids are adapted to selectively cover and uncover the containers. A retainer ring has end walls, side walls and a bottom wall. In this manner a space is formed within the retainer ring. The length, the width and the depth are of a size to accept the first and the second bowls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Inventors: Dezbah Zeven, Tiffany Jessee-Wylie
  • Publication number: 20120097575
    Abstract: A corn holder storage unit for retaining one or more corn holders in a safe, sanitary, and convenient manner is disclosed. One or more members defining a cavity and having at least one opening is adapted to accept and retain one or more corn holders, and preferably each member is adapted to retain a pair of corn holders along the member axis. Where the corn holder storage unit is configured to retain a pair of corn holders, the distance between opposing ends of the member should be at least two times the length of the corn holder operative end. Preferably a peripheral structure encloses the one or more members, and cooperation between the member and the peripheral structure prevents the holder from passing through the cavity and from being dislodged from the corn holder storage unit by providing an abutment rim and a variety of retaining fits.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2010
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventors: Evan Abel, Anthony Di Bitonto, Hideaki Matsui, Nicholas Oxley
  • Publication number: 20120047744
    Abstract: An elongated apparatus for releasably retaining a plurality of utensils in a grouping includes an elongated base and at least one protrusion. The apparatus includes an elongated base having a longitudinal axis and at least one protrusion extending from the elongated base. The at least one protrusion is configured to be removably coupled to a handle end of a utensil such that coupling of the handle end occurs via movement of the handle end along an axis transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongated base. Upon coupling of the handle end of the utensil to the at least one protrusion, the utensil is restricted from rotating about the longitudinal axis so long as the handle end of the utensil is coupled to the at least one protrusion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: DIXIE CONSUMER PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventor: Richard S. Walters
  • Publication number: 20120037533
    Abstract: A suspended utensil storage system includes a utensil tray including a plurality of utensil compartments having a mesh material therein; and a debris collector tray underlying the utensil tray and receiving the utensil tray. The mesh material of the utensil compartments of the utensil tray supports utensils and includes holes sized to allow debris to fall there through into the debris collector tray for collecting the debris.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2011
    Publication date: February 16, 2012
    Inventor: Michael P. Murphy
  • Patent number: 8047373
    Abstract: A suspended utensil storage system includes a utensil tray including a plurality of utensil compartments having a mesh material therein; and a debris collector tray underlying the utensil tray and receiving the utensil tray. The mesh material of the utensil compartments of the utensil tray supports utensils and includes holes sized to allow debris to fall there through into the debris collector tray for collecting the debris.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2011
    Inventor: Michael P. Murphy
  • Patent number: 7975857
    Abstract: A cooking utensil support apparatus for catching and containing runoff from supported cooking utensils has a support body with an integral depressed catch well or basin. The support body further has a pair of spaced-apart and mutually parallel walls, each terminating upwardly in a top edge. The top edge of each wall has a plurality of slots for resting cooking utensils therein. The slots extend downwardly from the top edges in mutually aligned pairs between the walls. A tray is positioned below where the working ends of utensils are positioned when resting in the slots so that runoff drips into the tray for easy disposal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2011
    Inventors: Paula Restis, Thomas T. Restis
  • Patent number: 7947928
    Abstract: A slow cooker for heating food stuffs includes a housing defining a heating cavity and a housing rim. A heating element is disposed within the housing to heat the heating cavity. A container has a generally hollow interior and a container rim and is shaped and sized to fit within the heating cavity for heating thereof by the heating element. A lid is sized and shaped to at least partially cover an opening of the container and includes a gasket around an outer edge thereof for sealing engagement with the container rim. The slow cooker further includes at least one clip for selectively retaining the lid in sealing engagement with the container rim to inhibit leakage of the food stuffs. The at least one clip is an over-the-center clip and includes a hook and a catch to selectively retain the lid in sealing engagement with the container rim.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2011
    Assignee: Hamilton Beach Brands, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Tynes, John D. Barnes, Guoyao Ye
  • Publication number: 20110114533
    Abstract: One embodiment of the table utensil rest 1 has a top surface 2, base 3, front surface 4, rear surface 5, groove 8 and slit 11 in the middle of groove 8. Top surface 2, base 3, front surface 4 and rear surface 5 can be one continuous surface or a combination of surfaces that create a plane to provide support to the structure of the table utensil rest 1. Table utensil rest 1 can have various combinations of grooves 8 and slits 11. Other embodiments are described and shown.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 14, 2010
    Publication date: May 19, 2011
    Inventor: Uyen D. Le
  • Patent number: 7878330
    Abstract: A portable caddy, comprising: a base portion; a handle portion removably secured to an upper surface of the base portion, the handle portion having a pair of support members and an elongated member extending therebetween, the handle portion being configured to rotatably support a roll of paper towels above the upper surface of the base portion; a plurality of recessed areas disposed in the upper surface; and an opening in a side wall of the base portion, the opening providing access to a receiving area disposed between the upper surface and a bottom surface of the base portion, wherein the receiving area is configured to store a plurality of plates therein and wherein the opening allows removal of the plates from the receiving area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2011
    Inventors: Mark Dewolf, Michael Tomaszewski
  • Patent number: 7861883
    Abstract: Article baskets are adapted to support articles within a dishwashing machine. The article baskets can include an article support wall with a plurality of openings defined by an edge extending along a path circumscribing substantially the entire opening. If provided, the edge of each of the openings can be concave in a direction facing the opening along substantially the entire path. In addition, or alternatively, the article basket can further include a divider. The divider can include a portion configured to be selectively inserted into a elongated slot of a sidewall to divide the interior area into a first interior area portion and a second interior area portion. In addition, or alternatively, the divider can include a plurality of article receiving openings with at least one protrusion extending partially across the article receiving opening to divide a plurality of articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Balaji Purushothaman
  • Publication number: 20100307955
    Abstract: A combination sanitary, contaminant-impervious, protective, layered composite pad on which eating utensils are placed is provided. The composite pad includes at least one upper absorbent layer affixed to and in registry with the top surface of a lower, contaminant-impervious, non-absorbent layer. The pad is sized to accommodate a complement of eating utensils placed thereon which are thereby isolated from and protected from bacteria and other contaminants which may be present on the food support surface. A plurality of the composite pads may be stored in a dispenser prior to use, either in a folded configuration or in a flat configuration. Additionally, a packet suitable for carrying in a purse or pocket in which a plurality of the composite pads is stored prior to use is provided. Still further, a hermetically sealed single packet in which a single composite pad is stored prior to a single use by an individual, diner is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2010
    Publication date: December 9, 2010
    Inventor: Patricia D. McMillan
  • Publication number: 20100044271
    Abstract: A combination sanitary, contaminant-impervious, protective, layered composite pad on which eating utensils are placed is provided. The composite pad includes at least one upper absorbent layer affixed to and in registry with the top surface of a lower, contaminant-impervious, non-absorbent layer. The pad is sized to accommodate a complement of eating utensils placed thereon which are thereby isolated from and protected from bacteria and other contaminants which may be present on the food support surface. A plurality of the composite pads may be stored in a dispenser prior to use, either in a folded configuration or in a flat configuration. Additionally, a packet suitable for carrying in a purse or pocket in which a plurality of the composite pads is stored prior to use is provided. Still further, a hermetically sealed single packet in which a single composite pad is stored prior to a single use by an individual diner is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Inventor: Patricia D. McMillan