US20110303667A1

US20110303667A1 - Uni Lid

Info

Publication number: US20110303667A1
Application number: US13/134,362
Authority: US
Inventors: Nelis E. Batista; Eduardo Alvarez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-06-04
Filing date: 2011-06-06
Publication date: 2011-12-15

Abstract

The Uni Lid is a line of specially designed reusable plastic food storage lids that are stretched to accommodate virtually any container. In this manner, consumers do not need to store and manage a bevy of different lids for their plastic food containers. Offered in three simple sizes, small, medium, and large, the Uni Lid line is fabricated of a durable, expandable rubber material. As such, these lids accommodate a range of sizes from extra small containers ideal for storing dressings and sauces, to small and medium size containers used for storing side dishes or single serving meals, to large and extra large containers for use in storing entire entrees and similar fare. The Uni Lid is produced in a variety of shapes including rectangular, square and circular, to name a few options.

Description

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This patent application claims priority under 35 USC 119 (e) (1) from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/396,904 filed Jun. 4, 2010, of common inventorship herewith entitled, “Uni Lid.”

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to the field of food storage devices, and more specifically to the field of food storage lid devices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The prior art has put forth several designs for food storage lid devices. Among these are:
U.S. Pat. No. 4,198,040 to Julius R. Colasent describes an adjustable lid for a pan including a central circular member and an annulus, annular ribbing and securing means between the central member and annulus including undercut slots on one and ears on the other.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,558 to Ky Vargas describes a multiple size disposable plastic cup lid comprising a flat circular disk of plastic with a premolded lip on the outer circumference that engages to the top edge of a drinking cup during use and wherein a plurality of radial creases or hinges from the center of the circular disk to the outer circumference allows the lid to be folded about various pairs of creases thus forming various cone shaped configurations that fit a series of smaller discrete container sizes.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,105,811 to Greg Alfred describes an ergonomic cooking pan cover designed for fitting on and covering the top of various sizes of pots, pans and skillets for venting steam and preventing boil-over.
None of these prior art references describe the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a stretchable plastic food storage lid device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational angled perspective view of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational angled perspective view of another embodiment of the device of the present invention mounted on a base container.

FIG. 3 is an elevational angled perspective view of yet another embodiment of the device of the present invention mounted on a base container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

For the vast majority of adults, basic food preparation is a part of daily life. Whether one is a chef in a four-star restaurant, a busy mom preparing dinner for her family or simply a college student warming up leftovers in the microwave, the need to eat is essential and the desire for hot food is innate. Learning the value of saving money is of key importance to anyone who wishes to lead a successful and comfortable life. Whether a small child carefully saving pennies and nickels in a brightly colored piggy bank, a teenager socking away a weekly allowance in order to buy a new outfit or compact disc, or an adult putting aside loose change in a coffee can, regularly saving even a small amount of money is a prudent way in which people “earn” the cash necessary for those little extras in life.
A popular way in which people save money is by cutting back on unnecessary waste, particularly in the kitchen. Making sure to scrape the last few dollops of peanut butter from a jar before tossing it in the recycling container and storing ketchup bottles, dressings and sauces upside down in order to utilize every last drop are but two of the many steps consumers take to get the most of their food dollar. An extremely practical way in which consumers save money in the kitchen is by carefully storing foods in heavy-duty plastic storage containers. Produced in a range of sizes and shapes, these lidded containers can help keep foods fresher, longer, thus eliminating unnecessary waste and saving money. Perhaps the only drawback associated with utilizing food storage containers has to do with storing the empty containers between uses. In particular, keeping track of the lids of food storage containers between uses can be extremely problematic, especially if consumers store the containers by stacking them without the lids attached. Not surprisingly, many consumers realize only after filling a plastic container with leftovers that the lid to the container is nowhere to be found, forcing them to wrap the container with cellophane wrap or aluminum foil, as opposed to applying the airtight lid. As such, the integrity of the container is compromised, thus defeating the whole purpose of utilizing a plastic container in the first place.
The present invention, hereinafter referred as the Uni Lid, is a line of specially designed reusable plastic food storage lids that are stretched to accommodate virtually any container. In this manner, consumers do not need to store and manage a bevy of different lids for their plastic food containers. Offered in three simple sizes, small, medium, and large, the Uni Lid line is fabricated of a durable, expandable rubber material. As such, these lids accommodate a range of sizes from extra small containers ideal for storing dressings and sauces, to small and medium size containers used for storing side dishes or single serving meals, to large and extra large containers for use in storing entire entrees and similar fare. The circular lids can be produced to accommodate a range of sizes from extra small, 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, to small, 3 to 5 inches in diameter, and medium size, 6 to 9 inches diameter, to large, 10 to 12 inches diameter and extra large 14 inches diameter and larger. The Uni Lid is produced in a variety of shapes including rectangular, square and circular, to name a few options.
The Uni Lid is a unique product line which provides consumers a number of significant benefits and advantages. Foremost, the Uni Lid provides consumers durable food storage container toppers which enable them to keep the lid and container easily stored together when not in use. The Uni Lid effectively prevents the frustrating scenario of loading a container with leftover foods, only to find that the lid is nowhere to be found. Ensuring that lids and containers are kept together at all times, the Uni Lid is a practical product invention, which greatly facilitates the task of putting away groceries, storing leftovers and other food storage activities. Fully functioning food storage lids, the Uni Lid provides consumers a simple and efficient means of keeping their foods fresher, longer. Consumers appreciate that the expandable plastic shell of the Uni Lid, as well as the airtight seal provided by the attached lid, provides an impenetrable, airtight barrier between foods stored within the Uni Lid and external elements. Extending the shelf life of breads, cereals, nuts and fruits, use of the Uni Lid also serves to keep cheese, poultry and deli meats fresh for extended periods. Preventing unnecessary food waste, use of the Uni Lid saves consumers money. Ideal for general household use, professionals in the food service industry also appreciate the many benefits this useful product line affords. Able to accommodate containers of a range of shapes and sizes, there is a Uni Lid to suit virtually any food storage need. Durably constructed of quality materials, the Uni Lid containers withstands years of repeated use.
Offering consumers a simple means of extending the shelf life of a wide variety of foods, the Uni Lid is a practical product invention which saves consumers money. Eliminating unnecessary food waste, these handy storage accessories prove an invaluable commodity in any household.
Although this invention has been described with respect to specific embodiments, it is not intended to be limited thereto and various modifications which will become apparent to the person of ordinary skill in the art are intended to fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as described herein taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and the appended claims.

Claims

1. A stretchable plastic food storage lid device, comprising reusable plastic food storage lids that are stretched to accommodate virtually any container, comprising circular stretchable lids in three simple sizes, small, medium, and large, wherein the device is fabricated of a durable, expandable rubber material.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the lid is produced in a multiplicity of shapes including rectangular, square and circular.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the circular lids are produced to accommodate a range of sizes from extra small, 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter, to small, 3 to 5 inches in diameter, and medium size, 6 to 9 inches diameter, to large, 10 to 12 inches diameter and extra large 14 inches diameter and larger.