Refrigeration – Cooled enclosure – Portable receptacle
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-26
2001-06-12
Buiz, Michael Powell (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Cooled enclosure
Portable receptacle
C062S372000, C062S459000, C220S023400
Reexamination Certificate
active
06244065
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to devices for refrigerating, heating, and storing substances for subsequent usage and a method of refrigerating, heating, and storing using the concepts of the present invention. More specifically, the present invention is primarily intended as a container for storing a substance in a controlled self-sustaining environment within another container and for removing the container and the substance from the other container for subsequent usage or consumption of the substance.
2. Description of the Related Art
The preservation of substances, such as food items, form a significant advancement in modern civilization. For example, modern development in refrigeration, heating, and storage techniques have provided various devices for the preservation and subsequent consumption of food. Among the food items requiring refrigeration, heating, and storage is butter, margarine, and other “spreads”. Whether for cooking or for serving, the preservation of butter and the like present unique problems, not applicable to other condiments, such as ketchup, salt, sugar and so forth. For example, when using butter and the other “spreads” in cooking, the butter and spreads are often required to be melted or soften prior to their addition to the recipe. However, when served directly at the meal, butter and “spreads” are usually required to be chilled and maintained in a solid state. In an effort to provide for these requirements, many devices have been developed for refrigeration for use with butter and spreads.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,005,586, which issued to Lyons, discloses a Refrigerated Butter Dish, known as Butter Bell Crock™. The dish dispenser comprises a receptacle for containing crushed ice and an invertable cover unit which has on one side thereof a handle for lifting the cover and on the other an outwardly extending tapered skirt defining interiorly thereof a butter receiving chamber. When the dispenser is not being used, the cover is positioned so that the skirt portion depends inwardly of the receptacle, keeping the butter contained therein in close proximity with the crushed ice. When it is desired to remove the butter from the dispenser, the cover is inverted so that the skirt portion extends upwardly, making the butter chamber readily accessible to the user. However, as the '586 dispenser requires that the skirt be inverted 180 degrees for removing the butter and returned to an upside-down position for storing the butter against the ice, the '586 dispenser is susceptible to mixing of the butter with any melted ice and is impractical for refrigerating melted or softened butter, that may fall out of the skirt when turned upside-down.
Moreover, U.S. Pat. No. 5,372,274, which issued to Freedland, discloses a Container for the Storage and Serving of Food Products comprising an outer bowl, and an inner bowl receivable within the outer bowl such that a space is defined between the outer and inner bowls for containing ice or hot packs for cooling or heating the walls of the inner bowl. The '274 device also comprises a drain assembly for selectively draining excess salad dressing or water out of the inner bowl and the drain assembly is formed in part from a bottom wall portion of the inner bowl and a drain cover plate that is slidably mounted over the wall portion. Both the bottom wall portion of the inner bowl and the drain cover plate include mutually registrable patterns of drain ports which may be slidably moved into alignment when drainage of the inner bowl is desired. However, the usage of a drain system in the bottom of the inner bowl can allow for melted or softened food products, like butter and spread, to spill or drain unnecessarily or unwantingly from the '274 device.
It is therefore important and necessary that a container be developed that can refrigerate, heat, and store substances, such as butter and “spreads” for use in cooking, serving, and the like. Moreover, the container would provide a controlled self-sustaining environment minimizing unnecessary spillage while maximizing refrigeration and heating of the substance. The container can also be portable, efficient, and separable for storing and serving the substance contained therein.
Other objects of my invention, as well as particular features, elements, and advantages thereof, will be elucidated in, or apparent from, the following description and the accompanying drawing figures.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a container and a method for refrigerating, heating, or storing a substance, such as butter or “spread”. According to the present invention a container is provided and comprises a first piece configured for retaining liquids and having an elliptically contoured outer surface and an interior. A second piece is provided and is also configured for retaining liquids. The second piece has two oppositely positioned handles for contacting and for laterally extending beyond the first piece and the second piece is capable of suspended placement within the interior of the first piece. A third piece is provided for placement on the first piece for encapsulating the first piece and the second piece.
The present invention also provides a device for containing comprising at least two containers, each having a continuously formed rounded surface running from a bottom plane to a medial perimeter. The continuously formed rounded surface of one container laterally extends over and laterally beyond the medial perimeter of the two containers and at opposite ends of the two containers in a parallel relationship for suspending the one container within one of the other containers. A notched cap is also provided and is sized for placement over and for substantially encapsulating the two containers. The continuously formed rounded surface of the one container laterally extends through and laterally notched beyond the cap.
In another embodiment, the present invention provides a device for containing comprising a first container that has a continuous bowl-shaped surface and opposing ends. A second container having a continuous bowl-shaped surface is also provided and may be securely suspended within the first container the second container including mounting ridges for imparting secure contact with the opposing ends of the first container while contacting the opposing ends of the first container. A third container may be notched and inverted for placement on the first container for housing the second container and for sealing the first and second containers.
In a further embodiment of the present invention a temperature control and stacked storage system is provided and comprises: a plurality of open-top containers that have substantially similar shapes and continuous tapered surfaces. At least one of the containers is sized for suspended secure placement within another of the containers. The suspended secure placement defines a cavity therebetween for heating or cooling mediums. A notched cover container may be inverted for placement upon the plurality of open-top containers. The notched cover container can cover all but a handle portion of the container that is sized for suspended secure the handle portion extending through the notched cover container placement. The cover container may seal the heating and cooling mediums located within the plurality of open-top containers.
Finally, the present invention provides a method of refrigerating, heating, and storing comprising the acts of: first, providing a first container having a continuous bowl-shaped interior and an upper rim and then filling the first piece with a heating or cooling medium, such as hot water or ice. The next act is providing a second container having a continuous bowl-shaped exterior a mounting ridge located along the continuous bowl-shaped exterior, and a plurality of handles and then filling the second container with a substance, such as food. Next is placing the second container and substance into the first container, resting the plurality of handles
Buiz Michael Powell
Jiang Chen-Wen
Meroni Charles F.
Meroni & Meroni, P.
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