Food containers and food container storage system

Abstract

The invention relates to a food container (1) with a base (13), side walls (11a, 11b, 11c), and a removable lid (3) which has at least one locking hinge with a tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) which is assigned to one of the side walls (11a, 11b, 11c) and can thus be brought into engagement with the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c) to close the food container. When the food container (1) is closed by the lid (3), an edge of the tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) directed away from the lid (3) is spaced from the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c) in such a way that a free space (35b, 35d) is formed between the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c) and the edge of the tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) directed away from the lid (3).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a food container and a storage system for food containers. Typically, food is stored in storage containers in a household. These containers are stored in refrigerators and freezers, in food preparation appliances, and in storage cabinets. Storage space in kitchens is becoming increasingly extensive, and several different food items are generally stored in various locations.

[0002] Food containers for storing food are well known, for example from the documents US 2009 / 0218360 A1 and DE 20 2023 000 102 U1.

[0003] Sometimes, however, these stored foods are forgotten. Currently, this can only be controlled / prevented in a rudimentary way with app support, as, among other things, maintaining data via an app is time-consuming or even undesirable for less tech-savvy users. The most common solution at present is to store food in containers. Transparent containers can make it possible to identify stored foods. However, frozen foods in particular can change their appearance, making visual recognition difficult. In most cases, a clear identification of the contents is only possible with additional labeling of the container.

[0004] Conventional labeling options using self-adhesive and writable stickers are not a good solution, as they lose their adhesion and are lost in certain storage situations, e.g., during freezing, when the adhesive loses its properties due to the low temperatures. Furthermore, it is often impossible to remove such stickers without leaving residue. Often, residues of the adhesive and / or the sticker remain on the food container. Furthermore, the stickers are usually made of paper and adhesive compounds that are difficult to recycle. A well-known alternative is to label the food containers directly, but this can lead to problems when applying the label or removing the label after use.

[0005] Another problem with conventional storage systems is that their size and shape are not adapted to the interior of a refrigerator or freezer. This means that these appliances cannot be fully utilized, resulting in unused empty space and, consequently, increased energy requirements for cooling this empty space.

[0006] Labels are available, and they can also be colored. One example is Fackelmann, which offers such labels in various shapes and colors. IKEA also offers storage containers with adhesive labels.

[0007] The problem here is that adhesive labels can become detached, especially during storage in refrigerators or freezers. This can be caused by moisture (condensation), which makes the adhesive label difficult to apply, or by the adhesive losing its adhesion at low temperatures. This makes it difficult or even impossible to clearly identify the contents of such an inadequately labeled food container. Furthermore, prolonged storage, especially in freezers, can lead to weathering of the label, making it simply illegible.

[0008] Another problem is that removing the adhesive labels may be difficult because adhesive residue may remain on the lid or residue from the label may remain in a dishwasher.

[0009] Zwilling Fresh & Save is a collection of containers (plastic boxes) featuring a lid with a QR code. An app offered by Zwilling allows the food stored in each plastic box to be managed. Since this product is available online, no printed documentation of this state-of-the-art technology is provided.

[0010] The use of such an optical interface offers many advantages. For example, stored food can be clearly recorded and managed. Accordingly, it is possible to create a shopping list based on linked recipe data. However, managing food using an app requires more time than simply labeling, which is typically avoided by less tech-savvy users. Therefore, it can be assumed that such users will resort to the less suitable adhesive labels or write directly on the container.

[0011] Furthermore, it's difficult to store conventional containers in a space-saving manner on predefined shelves and holders in refrigerators and freezers, as the designated storage spaces for such containers are usually not designed for the container size. This can lead to the food container becoming tilted, wasting storage space, and thus resulting in unnecessary energy consumption.

[0012] Therefore, there is a need for a food container that is easy to label repeatedly and can be stored in a space-saving manner.

[0013] According to the invention, this problem is solved by a food container having the features of patent claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention emerge from the following subclaims.

[0014] A food container according to the invention comprises a base, side walls, and a removable lid. The removable lid has at least one locking hinge with a tab, which is associated with one of the side walls and can be engaged with the side wall to close the food container. When the food container is closed by the lid, an edge of the tab directed away from the lid is spaced from the side wall such that a free space is formed between the side wall and the edge of the tab directed away from the lid.

[0015] The clearance allows a wall of a storage compartment to be positioned beneath the flap, making the flap itself visible to a user looking at the storage compartment. This allows all information attached to the flap to be accessible at any time without having to remove the container from the storage compartment.

[0016] Advantageously, the tab can extend from the lid for a predetermined length parallel to its associated side wall in order to then remove it from the side wall.

[0017] According to this design, a secure closure of the food container is ensured, while the free space is still formed.

[0018] Advantageously, the tab can have a projection directed towards the side wall on its edge directed away from the lid.

[0019] Such a projection is good for grasping the tab with your hand and thus removing the lid from the food container.

[0020] Advantageously, the projection can be spaced from the side wall.

[0021] This design ensures that the free space is not restricted by the projection.

[0022] According to the invention, the food container has a clamp which, arranged on the tab, comprehensively encompasses the edge of the tab directed away from the lid.

[0023] Such a clip can be any color or even transparent. By assigning a specific color to certain properties of the food stored in the food container, the user can immediately identify what type of food is in the food container.

[0024] Advantageously, the clamp can be designed to be removable and / or displaceable along the edge directed away from the lid.

[0025] This means that the contents of the food container can be identified not only by the color of the clip, but also by its position. Furthermore, several clips can be attached next to each other on the flap, increasing the number of coding options. It is also possible to have several clips next to each other and then remove one or a few of them. The additional empty space(s) increases the number of possible combinations. Furthermore, with clips made of a transparent material, it is possible to remove them and place a piece of paper with writing on it between the clip and the flap so that the writing can be read through the transparent clip.

[0026] Advantageously, the clamp can be positively engaged with a projection formed on the edge directed away from the lid.

[0027] This design prevents the clip from accidentally coming loose or falling off, so that the coding can be reliably maintained.

[0028] Advantageously, an optical interface, preferably in the form of a QR code, can be formed on the tab.

[0029] By providing a QR code on the tab, a user can use an app to manage the contents of the food container as an alternative or in addition to the coding described above.

[0030] A storage system for food containers according to the invention comprises a storage compartment. The storage compartment can be inserted into a wall, a cabinet, or a cabinet door, preferably a refrigerator door. The storage compartment has at least a base and a front wall. At least one food container such as the one described above can be inserted into the storage compartment. An edge portion of the front wall of the storage compartment is received in the space between the side wall of the food container and the edge of the tab facing away from the lid.

[0031] Thus, the tab overlaps the wall of the storage compartment, allowing the clip attached to the edge of the tab, any label attached underneath and / or a QR code on the tab to be reliably detected without the need to remove the food container from the storage compartment.

[0032] A cabinet, in particular a refrigerator, freezer, or fridge-freezer according to the invention, has a receptacle for installing such a storage system. Advantageously, the receptacle can be provided in a door of the cabinet.

[0033] Further advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of a currently preferred embodiment. The figures show: Fig. 1 is a front view of a food container according to the invention; Fig. Figure 2 is a side view of a food container according to the invention; Fig. 3 is a front view of another embodiment of a food container according to the invention; Fig. 4 is a side view of another embodiment of a food container according to the invention; Fig. 5 is a front view of another embodiment of a food container according to the invention; Fig. Figure 6 is a schematic view of a door with a storage system for food containers according to the invention; Fig. 7 a side view of a storage container according to the invention; and Fig. 8 a side view of a food container according to the invention in a storage system.

[0034] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described with reference to Fig. 1 to 8 described.

[0035] The Fig. 1 is a longitudinal side view of a food container 1. The food container 1 has four side walls 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d forming a base 13. The food container 1 is essentially a cuboid open at the top. A lid 3 serves to close the food container 1. The lid 3 is essentially rectangular and is intended to be placed on the upper edges of the side walls 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d of the food container 1. Tabs 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d are provided on the sides of the lid 3 and are attached to the lid 3 by means of a hinge. To close the food container 1, the tabs 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d are folded onto the side walls 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d. The tabs 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d engage positively with counterparts provided on the side walls 11a, 11b, 11c and 11d by means of appropriate means.This prevents the tabs 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d from accidentally opening again into an open position after closing.

[0036] Thus, the food container one is reliably closed by folding over the tabs 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d.

[0037] A QR code 53b, 53c is attached to each of the tabs 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d. This makes it possible to capture and trigger at least one QR code, regardless of its position in a storage compartment.

[0038] The tabs 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d extend from the lid parallel to their associated side wall 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, in order to bend away from the edge of the food container 1 after reaching a predetermined length. This is particularly evident from the Fig. 7, where the predetermined length h just described o After reaching this predetermined length h DWhen viewed from the side, the tab 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d bends to move further and further away from the associated side wall 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d of the food container 1. This creates a free space between the tab and the associated side wall of the container. The height of the free space is from the bottom of the food container 1, see h F , as also from the Fig. 7. In the Fig. 7, the free space 35d between the tab 31d and the side wall 11d is shown in the form of a grey field.

[0039] It should also be noted that the locking mechanism for closing the food container 1 by folding the tabs 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d is not visible from the schematic figures.

[0040] In addition, a bead-like projection 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d is formed on each inner side facing the respective side wall 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d of the tab 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d. This bead-like projection 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d serves to easily grip the tab 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d in order to open it. This is shown schematically in the Fig. 7 can be seen.

[0041] As from the Fig. 8, this bead-like projection 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d also serves to hold a clamp 55b, 57b, 57c encompassing the edge of the tab 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d by means of a positive fit in such a way that slipping of the clamp 33b from the edge of the tab 31b is prevented (in the Fig. 8, the bracket 33b on the tab 31b is shown in a side view).

[0042] As can be seen from the Fig. As can be seen from Figures 3 to 5, these clips 55b, 57b, 57c can be designed in different widths and colors. Thus, the clip 55b extends almost over the entire length of the tab 31b in the Fig. 3, while bracket 57c in the Fig. 4 only covers a short section. As can be seen from the Fig. 4, the clamp 57c can be moved along the tab 31c as desired. This is indicated by the double arrow in the Fig. 4 indicated.

[0043] The Fig. The bracket shown in Figure 5 has an appearance similar to that shown in Fig. 4. However, unlike the brackets 55b and 57c, which are made of a transparent material, the bracket 57c is not transparent, but rather is made of an opaque material. Therefore, this bracket 57c can be of any color.

[0044] Transparent clips are suitable for attaching a piece of paper with labels underneath, which can be removed without leaving any sticky residue when the clip is removed. Opaque clips can be used to color-code the contents of the food container.

[0045] The Fig. Figure 6 schematically shows a door, in particular a refrigerator door 101, with a storage system according to the invention. The storage system has shelves 111, which have at least a base 111b and a front wall 111a. The height of the front wall is h w . As can be seen from the Fig. 8, the height h w the front wall 111a is dimensioned so that it is smaller than the upper edge of the free space measured from the bottom of the food container 1 or from the bottom 111b of the storage surface 111 (length) h FSince the thickness of the front wall 111a is also less than a distance d between the projection 33b and its associated side wall 11b (see Fig. 7) The food container 1 can be inserted into the storage compartment 111 such that the tab 31b of the lid 3 of the food container 1 overlaps the front wall 111a. Thus, access to the information on the tab 31b is possible at any time without having to remove the food container 1 from the storage compartment.

[0046] According to the preferred embodiment, the storage compartment also has a rear wall 111c, and the distance between the front and rear walls is dimensioned such that the food container is inserted into the compartment such that its front flap 31b overlaps the front wall 111a, while the opposite flap 31d is almost in contact with the rear wall 111c. This design optimally utilizes the available storage space, eliminating unnecessary empty spaces that consume unnecessary space or, in the case of a refrigerator, require cooling. QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] US 2009 / 0218360 A1

[0002] DE 20 2023 000 102 U1

[0002]

Claims

[1] Food container (1) with a base (13) and side walls (11a, 11b, 11c) and a removable lid (3), wherein the removable lid (3) has at least one locking hinge with a tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) which is associated with one of the side walls (11a, 11b, 11c) and can thus be brought into engagement with the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c) to close the food container, wherein, in a state of the food container (1) closed by the lid (3), an edge of the tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) directed away from the lid (3) is spaced from the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c), so that a free space (35b, 35dd) is formed between the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c) and the edge of the tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) directed away from the lid (3), characterized by , that the food container (1) has a clamp (55b, 57b, 57c) which, arranged on the tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d), comprehensively encompasses the edge of the tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) directed away from the lid (3). [2] Food container (1) according to claim 1, wherein the tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) extends from the lid (3) for a predetermined length (h D ) runs parallel to its associated side wall (11a, 11b, 11c) and then moves away from the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c). [3] Food container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) has, on its edge directed away from the lid (3), a projection (33a, 33b, 33c) directed towards the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c). [4] Food container (1) according to claim 3, wherein the projection (33a, 33b, 33c) is spaced from the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c). [5] Food container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp (55b, 57b, 57c) is designed to be removable and / or displaceable along the edge directed away from the lid (3). [6] Food container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp (55b, 57b, 57c) is in positive engagement with a projection (33a, 33b, 33c) formed on the edge directed away from the lid (3). [7] Food container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, an optical interface, preferably in the form of a QR code (53b, 53c), is formed on the tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d). [8] Storage system for food containers (1), with a storage compartment (111) which can be inserted into a wall, a cupboard or a cupboard door, preferably into a door (101) of a refrigerator, said storage compartment having a base (111b) and a front wall (111a), and at least one food container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, which can be inserted into the storage compartment, wherein an edge portion of the front wall (111a) is received in the free space (35b) between the side wall (11b) of the food container (1) and the edge of the tab (31b) directed away from the lid (3). [9] Cabinet, in particular a refrigerator, freezer or refrigerator-freezer with a receptacle for inserting a storage system according to the preceding claim.

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