Vacuum insulated metal food storage container and lid

Abstract

A double-wall vacuum-insulated food container with complementary lid is disclosed. The body of the container has a base and an upwardly-extending side wall terminating in an upper free edge. The container also has an inner portion and a complementary outer portion with a gap between. The interior of the container defines a plurality of independently sealed compartments. The lid sealingly fits onto the upper free edge of the container. The lid includes a central member and a surrounding frame with a sealing ring. The sealing ring serves as an interface between a lower peripheral edge of the frame and the upper free edge of the container. The frame has fastening members which complementary features disposed about the upper free edge of the container.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]Various embodiments relate generally to food storage systems and devices and, more specifically, relate to vacuum-insulated food storage containers with complementary lids.[0002]This section is intended to provide a background or context. The description may include concepts that may be pursued, but have not necessarily been previously conceived or pursued. Unless indicated otherwise, what is described in this section is not deemed prior art to the description and claims and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this section.[0003]Maintaining the proper temperature for foods after preparation but before consumption can be difficult. This can be due to small portion size, having a relatively large surface area for radiating or absorbing heat and having a relatively small mass that is insufficient to retain heat or the lack thereof. Further, prior art food storage containers often suffer from inadequate thermal insulative properties. Hot food...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent describes a food container with an insulated lid. The container has independent sealed compartments and a thermally-insulating gap between the inner and outer portions of the side walls. The lid has a similar structure with a substantially planar member and a frame, which surrounds it. A sealing member is also included to create an air-tight seal between the frame and the lid. The technical effect of this invention is that it provides improved insulation for food containers, which helps to maintain the temperature of the food and reduces the time it takes to cool down.

Problems solved by technology

Maintaining the proper temperature for foods after preparation but before consumption can be difficult.

This can be due to small portion size, having a relatively large surface area for radiating or absorbing heat and having a relatively small mass that is insufficient to retain heat or the lack thereof.

Further, prior art food storage containers often suffer from inadequate thermal insulative properties.

Air may be exchanged across a container-lid boundary leading to degradation of the food quality or, worse, contamination.

A user's enjoyment of the stored foods is thus inhibited, and the desired freshness may be diminished.

Additionally, there is a lack of stainless steel and rectangular / square shaped containers that also have a double wall air insulated container body with an insulated lid.

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