WO2010031199A2 - Container for keeping food cool - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container for keeping food such as dairy, meat or fish products or cakes cool. The container has a lid (1) and a bottom part (2, 3) on which the lid (1) can be placed. The bottom part (2, 3) comprises an upper bottom element (2) which is open toward the bottom and a lower bottom element (3) which is downwardly contiguous to the upper bottom element, the upper and the lower bottom element delimiting a lateral insertion compartment (4) for accommodating an insertable cooling element (5). The upper bottom element (2) and the lower bottom element (3) can be telescoped into each other along the direction of insertion.

Description

 CONTAINER

Container for keeping food cool

TECHNICAL AREA

The present invention relates to a container for keeping food cool. The container has a lid and a bottom part. The bottom part is suitable for receiving a cooling element. Such containers are particularly suitable for the short-term storage of ready-to-eat foods which require a cooler compared to the ambient temperature, as is the case with butter and cheese or other foods such as dairy, meat and fish products or cakes.

STATE OF THE ART

On the one hand cool boxes or bags have long been known from the prior art, in which cooled in a refrigerator or freezer cooling elements, which have a large heat capacity, can be inserted to keep transported or stored food over a certain period of time cool. Such coolers or bags are not suitable because of their size and design, a ready to eat, to be cooled foods such as milk, meat and fish products or cakes and especially butter on the dining table in an appealing way to present.

On the other hand, a variety of containers is known, for example, not only to store butter, but also to present them ready for consumption on the dining table. Such containers usually comprise a lid and a bottom part. The problem with these containers is that the butter outside of the refrigerator, that is, at room temperature, quickly decays and becomes rancid. These containers take in their interior so quickly the Ambient temperature, which has an adverse effect on the food to be stored.

In document DE 31 11 940 a container is specified, on the one hand has a compartment for storing a food and on the other hand, an underlying compartment into which a cooling element can be inserted. The food in the storage compartment is thus kept cool by the cold of the cooling element. A disadvantage of this embodiment is that the cooling element, after it has been cooled in the refrigerator or freezer compartment, often has frozen water on its outside, which drops off at room temperature. The removal of this drained water from the compartment into which the cooling element is inserted, as well as the cleaning of this compartment is only possible for the user in a laborious way, since the inner surfaces of the compartment are difficult to access.

Another container for keeping food items cool is disclosed in DE 27 26 026. There, an insert tray is placed from above into a main container that remains between the main container and insert tray space for a commercial cooling element. The access to the area in which the cooling element is stored, this is well possible for cleaning purposes, for example. However, in this embodiment, the cooling element can not be replaced with a new, without first the lid and then the tray and the food contained therein are removed from the main container.

Further, similar embodiments as those mentioned above are described in DE 29 25 499, whereby here either the area where the cooling element is mounted, is only poorly accessible for cleaning purposes, or the cooling element only after removing the food to be cooled from the container can be replaced.

PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container in which these problems are avoided, in which therefore all parts are readily accessible for cleaning purposes and in which a cooling element replaced in a simple manner can be.

This object is achieved by a container having the features of claim 1.

Further embodiments are given in the dependent claims.

Thus, the present invention provides a container for keeping food cool with the following features: a lid having a top wall and a downwardly extending, preferably circumferential side wall; and a bottom part, on which the lid is placed, with an upper, downwardly open bottom element and a lower bottom element, which is the upper

Bottom element adjoins the bottom, wherein the upper and the lower floor element together a side insertion compartment for receiving one along a

Insertion direction insertable cooling element limit, wherein the upper floor element and the lower floor element along the insertion direction are formed telescopically.

The bottom part thus comprises an upper and a lower floor element, which are releasably connectable to each other, wherein the upper floor element downwards, ie towards the lower floor element, is open and the lower floor element is advantageously open at the top. The advantage of this embodiment is that thereby the inner surfaces of the insertion compartment are more accessible, for example for cleaning purposes and in particular for removing a drained from a cooling element liquid, such as defrosted water.

Preferably, the upper floor element is designed such that all inner surfaces which define the insertion compartment are easily accessible to the user, for example for cleaning purposes. In particular, the upper floor element preferably has side walls with ends free at the bottom. If the upper floor element is not connected to the lower floor element, then the cooling element can be inserted directly from the side as well as from below into the upper floor element or can be removed therefrom. Advantageously, even with the lower floor element, all inner surfaces which bound the insertion compartment are designed such that they are easily accessible to the user, for example for cleaning purposes. In addition, the lower floor element particularly preferably has side walls with ends open at the top. If the lower floor element is not connected to the upper floor element, the cooling element can therefore be inserted directly from the side as well as from above into the lower floor element or can be removed therefrom.

The side insertion compartment allows easy insertion, removal or replacement of a cooling element, without the need to dismantle or open the container in any way or that it is necessary to remove the food to be cooled from this.

Preferably, the upper and the lower bottom element form a positive connection in the telescoped state.

The upper floor element preferably has at least one first rail-like structure and the lower floor element has at least one complementary second rail-like structure, wherein the first and second rail-like structures can be pushed into one another along the insertion direction in order to connect the upper floor element and the lower floor element. The rail-like structures are preferably formed on lateral walls of the lower floor element or the upper floor element, wherein the first rail-like structure and the second rail-like structure facing each other. They preferably each extend only over part of the lateral length of the bottom part. Preferably, each of the rail-like structures on a stop, which prevents further insertion of the respective opposite.

Due to the detachable connection by means of the rail-like structures of the lower floor element and the upper floor element, it is even possible to remove water drained from a cooling element and to clean the lower floor element when a food is in the container, without this to the out of the Container would have to be removed. Also, a tilting of the container, which in particular a Slipping of the food and thus contamination of the container would result is not necessary.

In an advantageous embodiment, the lower floor element has an upwardly facing support surface, which has recesses which are suitable for collecting a liquid dripping from a cooling element, specifically defrosted water.

Preferably, the container further comprises a cooling element which can be inserted into the insertion compartment along the direction of insertion. This can have a handle, which is arranged on an opposite to the insertion direction facing outside of the cooling element.

The handle preferably protrudes at completely partially inserted into the insertion compartment cooling element out of the insertion compartment, thereby facilitating the gripping of the cooling element.

In an advantageous embodiment, the upper floor element and the lower floor element each have lateral, substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction facing outer sides on which structures are formed, which prevent sliding of the user's fingers when pulling the two floor elements. These structures can also be formed on the outside of a jacket, preferably a rubber jacket, which covers the two bottom elements.

The top wall of the lid preferably has on its upper side a recess for receiving a tool. The tool may, for example, be a knife, in particular a butter knife.

Advantageously, the lid has a much greater height than the bottom part. The stored food in the container are then mostly surrounded by the lid and, when the lid is removed from the bottom part, can be removed in a simple manner, not only from above but also from the sides, the container. Preferably, the height of the lid is more than twice as large as the height of the bottom part. In a preferred embodiment, the lid, the upper floor element and the lower bottom element each formed in one piece. The container is thus particularly inexpensive to manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention will be described below with reference to the drawings, which are given by way of illustration only and are not to be construed as limiting. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to a first

Embodiment with partially exploded bottom part and completely pushed in cooling element obliquely from above;

2 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 with completely zusammengeschobenem bottom part and partially pulled-out cooling element obliquely from above ..;

3 shows a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 with the bottom part completely pushed together and the cooling element completely pushed in from obliquely above;

4 is a perspective view of an upper floor element obliquely from below;

5 shows a perspective view of a lower floor element obliquely from above; and FIG. 6 shows a section through a bottom part of a container according to a second

Ausführungsforrn.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A preferred exemplary embodiment of a container according to the invention is shown in different illustrations in FIGS. 1 to 3.

The container comprises a lid 1 and a bottom part 2, 3, on which the cover 1 is placed, and which comprises an upper bottom element 2 and a lower bottom element 3 which can be connected thereto. The upper floor element 2 and the lower floor element 3 together limit a lateral insertion compartment 4, in which a cooling element 5 along an insertion direction can be inserted.

The cover 1 has an upper, rectangular cover wall 11 and a peripheral side wall 12 which extends downwards from the cover wall 11 and which jointly delimit an interior space of the cover. The lid 1 is open at the bottom and has rounded edges. The lid is preferably made of transparent or semitransparent plastic, in particular of polymethylmethacrylate. But it can also be made of a different material such as metal or glass. The side wall 12 of the lid has a height which is substantially greater than the height of the bottom part 2, 3. The height of the side wall 12 allows in particular to accommodate, for example, a commercially sold portion of butter or cheese in the interior of the lid.

In the upward-facing outer side of the top wall 11, a recess 13 is formed. This recess 13 extends along the longer extent of the top wall 11 over the entire surface and is centered with respect to the direction of the shorter extension of the top wall 11. The recess 13 is adapted to receive a knife, not shown in the drawings, in particular a butter knife. The recess 13 therefore has an outer shape in plan view from above, which corresponds to the outer contours of a knife. In addition, however, the depression 13 expands in the region of the imaginary knife handle on both sides. By virtue of this expansion of the recess 13, a part of the knife handle can be gripped from the sides, the user is made easier to pick up a knife inserted into the recess 13. With respect to the depth of the recess 13 is formed so that the upwardly facing surface of a knife inserted therein is just about to lie on the height of the outer surface of the remaining top wall 11. The depression 13 is therefore somewhat deeper in the region of the imaginary knife handle than in the region of the imaginary knife blade.

The upper floor element 2, shown individually in FIG. 4, has a rectangular support surface whose outer contour has roughly the same dimensions as the lower edge of the peripheral side wall 12 of the cover 1. This bearing surface of the upper bottom element 2 serves to store a food, especially butter. The support surface has corresponding to the size of the food to be stored suitable dimensions.

The support surface of the upper floor element 2 is surrounded by a circumferential, outwardly projecting edge region 22. This edge region 22 is formed over the entire circumference and is slightly inclined with respect to the support surface upwards. By this inclination towards the top prevents the edge portion 22 on the one hand slipping of the patch lid 1 from the upper floor element 2, when the container is tilted slightly. On the other hand, it also prevents leakage of liquid food ingredients, such as melted butter, beyond the rim area 22.

Downwardly extends from the outer contour of the support surface of the upper bottom element 2 ago a partially circumferential jacket 23, which is interrupted along one of the shorter sides, there to form a lateral opening of a slot 4. The jacket 23 thus describes a U-shape viewed from below. To his

Inside the jacket 23, together with the underside of the support surface, defines a part of the insertion compartment 4. Along its two longitudinal sides, the jacket 23 extends at both ends of the U-shape over a certain area, which is many times shorter than the extension in the longitudinal direction, less far down than the rest of the coat. Furthermore, the jacket 23 along its longitudinal sides on the

Inner side connecting rails 21, which adjoin the less far downwardly extending region of the shell 23 and each extending over a majority of the longitudinal sides. The connecting rails 21 comprise in profile, in each case at its lower edge, a flange pointing in the direction of the insertion compartment 4, which flange delimits a respective groove lying above it.

The upper floor element 2 is thus formed open at the bottom, whereby all inner surfaces of the upper floor element, which limit the insertion compartment 4 are easily accessible to the user, for example, for cleaning purposes.

Preferably, the upper bottom element 2 is made in one piece of a plastic in Injection molding process. An advantage for the production of the bearing surface of the upper floor element 2 is in particular the use of a material which is good heat-conducting.

The lower floor element 3, which is shown individually in FIG. 5, has a rectangular bearing surface 33, which is bordered on three sides by an upwardly extending edge 34. On one of the two shorter sides of the bearing surface 33, such an edge is not formed in order to obtain an opening for a cooling element 5 which can be pushed into the insertion compartment 4. The edge 34 extends in the region of the shorter side of the support surface 32 on the opposite side of the opening of the insertion compartment 4 slightly less far up than in the remaining area. The lower floor element 3 is thus formed open at the top. For the user are characterized the insertion compartment 4 limiting inner surfaces of the lower floor element 3, for example, easily accessible for cleaning purposes. When the lower floor element 3 is pushed together with the upper floor element 2, it adjoins this downwards.

Along the two longitudinal sides of the support surface 33, a connecting rail 31 is formed at the edge 34 on the outside thereof. The connecting rail 31 comprises in cross section in each case an outwardly projecting flange which defines a groove arranged thereunder. The connecting rail 31 is thus formed complementary to the connecting rail 21 of the upper floor element 2. By telescoping the connecting rail 21 of the upper floor element 2 in the connecting rail 31 of the lower floor element 3, the upper floor element 2 and the lower floor element 3 are positively and detachably connectable to each other. In this case, each connecting rail 21, 31 respectively at its end facing away from the opening of the insertion compartment 4 end a stop, which prevents further nesting of the lower bottom element 3 and the upper bottom element 2. In the telescoped state, when the upper floor element 2 is connected to the lower floor element 3, the upper floor element 2 and the lower floor element 3 jointly define the insertion compartment 4, which is then accessible only via an opening which extends along one of the two shorter sides of the base surfaces the two bottom elements 2, 3 is formed. The slot 4 is then so from the Support surface 33 and the inside of the edge 34 of the lower bottom element 3 and of the inside of the shell 23 and the bottom of the support surface of the upper bottom element 2 limited. For cleaning purposes, the connection of the connecting rails 21, 23 between the upper floor element 2 and the lower floor element 3 can be achieved, whereby these inner surfaces of the insertion compartment 4 are more accessible.

The support surface 33 of the lower bottom element 3 has on its upper side a plurality of longitudinal ribs on which the cooling element 5 is mounted in the inserted state. These longitudinal ribs are arranged at regular intervals and extend parallel to one another in the longitudinal direction of the rectangular support surface 33. Holes 32 extend between the longitudinal ribs. The area of the depressions 32 is several times larger than the surface of the longitudinal ribs. The depressions 32 serve to collect a liquid dripping from the cooling element, such as thawed water. The longitudinal ribs are connected to each other in the region of the opening of the insertion compartment 4 via a continuous transverse rib, whereby leakage of the collected liquid through the opening of the insertion compartment 4 is prevented to the outside. The recesses 32 on the other hand are connected to each other on the side opposite to the opening of the insertion compartment 4 via a continuous transverse recess. As a result, the liquid drained from the cooling element 5 can be distributed in the depressions 32.

On the lateral outer surfaces of the upper and lower bottom element 2, 3 nubs are formed, which facilitate handling and which in particular prevent slippage of the user's fingers when moving apart or telescoping the upper floor element 2 and the lower floor element 3.

Preferably, the lower bottom element 3 is integrally formed and made of a plastic by injection molding. In particular, the use of a material which has insulating properties in relation to the heat conduction is advantageous.

The cooling element 5 is essentially a flat, cuboid body having a top and a bottom and two shorter and two longer side surfaces. The Cooling element further has a handle 51 and has at least in its interior a material with the highest possible heat capacity. The cooling element 5 is thus suitable to be cooled in a freezer or in a refrigerator and then keep a stored food in the container in a warmer environment for as long as possible to cool. With regard to its dimensions, the cooling element 5 is designed to be slightly smaller than the insertion compartment 4, so that it can be inserted into it. The handle 51 is mounted along one of the shorter side surfaces so that it protrudes from the parallelepiped body opposite to the insertion direction. The handle 51 is in particular designed such that it protrudes at completely in the bottom part 2, 3 inserted cooling element 5 at least partially from the bottom part 2, 3, so that it is easy to grasp for the user.

However, it is also conceivable, instead of a cooling element 5, to use a radiator of similar design with respect to its design in order to keep a foodstuff to be stored in the container warm.

If the upper floor element 2 is connected to the lower floor element 3, the cooling element 5 can be inserted from the side into the insertion compartment 4 in a simple manner. By gripping the handle 51, the cooling element 5 can be pulled out in just as simple manner again from the insertion compartment 4 of the bottom part 3, 4, without the container must be taken apart or changed its position.

Another embodiment of a container according to the invention is shown in FIG. The upper floor element 2 and the lower floor element 3 are each covered here by a rubber jacket 6, on the outside of which studs are formed in order to prevent the user's fingers slipping off, in particular when the floor part 2, 3 is pushed into and out of one another. The rubber jacket can also serve better heat insulation. The upper floor element 3 further has an upwardly projecting border 24, which does not necessarily have to be circumferential and which prevents slippage of the lid 1 placed on the upper floor element 2. Preferably, the rubber jacket is made of a thermoplastic elastomer (TPR), while the upper and lower bottom member 2, 3 are preferably made of polypropylene (PP). Of course, the invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and a variety of modifications are possible. Thus, for example, the rail-like connecting structures may be formed in a modified manner and, for example, face each other frontally. The knobs on the outer sides of the lower floor element 3 and the upper floor element 2 can be replaced, for example, by grooves, roughened surfaces or similar structures. Furthermore, the recess 13 may be formed differently and, for example, be adapted to receive a spoon or other tools. A variety of other modifications is possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 cover 3 lower floor element

11 top wall 31 connecting rail

12 side wall 32 wells

13 recess 33 bearing surface

2 Upper floor element 34 edge

21 Connecting rail 4 insertion compartment

22 edge area 5 cooling element

23 sheath 51 handle

24 edging 6 rubber coat

Claims

A container for keeping food cool, comprising a lid (1) having a top wall (11) and a side wall (12) extending downwardly therefrom, a bottom part (2, 3) on which the lid (1) can be placed , and which has a lateral insertion compartment (4) for receiving a cooling element (5) which can be inserted along an insertion direction, characterized in that the base part (2, 3) has an upper, downwardly open base element (2) and a lower base element (3 ), which adjoins the upper floor element downwards, wherein the upper floor element (2) and the lower floor element (3) together limit the lateral insertion compartment (4) and are formed telescopically along the insertion direction. A container according to claim 1, wherein the upper floor member (2) has a first rail-like structure (21) and the lower floor member (3) has a complementary second rail-like structure (31), and wherein the first and second rail-like structures (21). 21, 31) are telescopically slidable along the insertion direction to connect the upper floor element (2) and the lower floor element (3) with each other. 3. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lower bottom element (3) has an upwardly facing support surface having recesses (32) which are adapted to collect a liquid dripping from the cooling element (5). 4. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises a cooling element (5) which can be inserted along the insertion direction into the insertion compartment (4) and which has a handle (51) which is mounted on an outer side of the cooling element (5) pointing counter to the insertion direction. is arranged. 5. Container according to claim 4, wherein the handle (51) protrudes completely into the insertion compartment (4) inserted cooling element (5) at least partially from the insertion compartment (4), thereby facilitating the gripping of the cooling element (5). 6. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the upper bottom element (2) and the lower bottom element (3) each have lateral, substantially perpendicular to the insertion direction outside, on which structures are formed, which slide the fingers of the user when pulling apart prevent the two floor elements (2, 3). 7. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the top wall (11) of the lid (1) has on its upper side a recess (13) for receiving a tool. 8. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (1) has a substantially greater height than the bottom part (2,3). 9. Container according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid (1), the upper bottom element (2) and the lower bottom element (3) are each formed in one piece.