Food containers and storage system for food containers

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) that is associated with one of the side walls (11a, 11b, 11c) and can thus be engaged with the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c) to close the food container. In a state where the food container (1) is closed by the lid (3), an edge of the tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) facing away from the lid (3) is spaced away from the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c) such 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) facing away from the lid (3).

Description

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

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

[0003] Sometimes, however, these stored food items are forgotten. Currently, this can only be controlled / prevented to a rudimentary extent with app support, as maintaining the data via an app is time-consuming or simply undesirable for less tech-savvy users. The most common solution at present is to store food in containers. While the transparency of the containers can allow for identification of the stored food, frozen foods in particular undergo visual changes, making visual identification difficult. In most cases, a clear identification of the contents is only possible with additional labeling of the container.

[0004] Traditional labeling methods using self-adhesive and writable stickers are not a good solution, as these can lose their adhesion and be lost under certain storage conditions, such as 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, traces of adhesive and / or the sticker itself remain on the food container. In addition, 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 or removing the labels after use.

[0005] Another problem with existing storage systems is that the food containers in these systems are not designed to fit the interior of a refrigerator or freezer in terms of size and shape. This means that these appliances cannot be used to their full capacity, resulting in unused space and therefore increased energy consumption for cooling this space.

[0006] Labeling stickers are readily available, and these can also be colored. For example, Fackelmann 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 detach, especially when stored in refrigerators or freezers. This can be caused by moisture (condensation), making it difficult to apply the label, or by the adhesive losing its stickiness at low temperatures. Consequently, clearly identifying the contents of such inadequately labeled food containers becomes difficult or even impossible. Furthermore, prolonged storage, particularly in freezers, can lead to weathering of the labeling, rendering it illegible.

[0008] Furthermore, a problem arises in that removing the adhesive labels may be difficult, as adhesive residue may remain on the lid, or label remnants may remain in a dishwasher.

[0009] Under the name Zwilling Fresh & Save, containers (plastic boxes) are known that have a lid with a QR code. The food stored in the individual plastic boxes can be managed via an app offered by Zwilling. Since this is a product offering accessible via the internet, a printed explanation of this state of the art is omitted.

[0010] Using such an optical interface offers many advantages. For example, stored food items can be clearly identified and managed. Accordingly, it's possible to create a shopping list based on linked recipe data. However, managing food via an app, compared to simply labeling items, requires more time, which is typically avoided by less tech-savvy users. Therefore, it's likely that these users will revert to less suitable adhesive labels or write directly on the container.

[0011] Furthermore, it is difficult to store standard containers in a space-saving manner on designated shelves and holders in refrigerators and freezers, as the spaces provided for such containers are usually not designed for their size. This can lead to food containers being tilted, wasted storage space, and consequently, unnecessary energy consumption.

[0012] Therefore, there is a need for a food container that is easy to mark 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 claim 1. Advantageous embodiments and further developments of the invention are set forth in the following dependent claims.

[0014] A food container according to the invention has 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 facing away from the lid is spaced away from the side wall such that a gap is formed between the side wall and the edge of the tab facing away from the lid.

[0015] Due to the available space, a wall of a storage compartment can be positioned below the flap, making the flap itself visible to a user looking at the compartment. This ensures that all information attached to the flap is accessible at all times without having to remove the container from the compartment.

[0016] Advantageously, the tab can extend from the lid parallel to its associated side wall for a predetermined length, and then be removed from the side wall.

[0017] This design ensures a secure closure of the food container while still providing sufficient space.

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

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

[0020] It can be advantageous for the projection to be spaced away 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 is arranged on the flap and encompasses the edge of the flap facing away from the lid.

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

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

[0025] Thus, not only the color of the clip but also its position allows for identification of the contents of the food container. Furthermore, multiple clips can be attached side-by-side to the flap, increasing the number of possible coding options. It is also possible to arrange several clips side-by-side and then remove one or a few. The resulting gap(s) further increase the number of possible combinations. Additionally, if the clips are made of a transparent material, they can be removed, and a labeled piece of paper can be inserted between the clip and the flap so that the label is legible through the transparent clip.

[0026] Advantageously, the clamp can engage with a projection via a positive locking mechanism, which is formed on the edge facing away from the lid.

[0027] This design prevents the clamp from unintentionally coming loose or falling off, ensuring that the coding remains reliably intact.

[0028] It is advantageous to have an optical interface on the flap, preferably in the form of a QR code.

[0029] By providing a QR code on the flap, a user can alternatively or additionally use an app to manage the contents of the food container, 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 installed in 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 placed in the storage compartment. An edge section 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 flap facing away from the lid.

[0031] Thus, the flap overlaps the wall of the storage compartment, allowing the clip attached to the edge of the flap, any label underneath it and / or a QR code on the flap to be reliably detected without having 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 a front view of a food container according to the invention; Fig. 2 a side view of a food container according to the invention; Fig. 3 a front view of another embodiment of a food container according to the invention; Fig. 4 a side view of another embodiment of a food container according to the invention; Fig. 5 a front view according to a further embodiment of a food container according to the invention; Fig. 6 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 the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. 8 described.

[0035] The Fig. Figure 1 is a longitudinal side view of a food container 1. The food container 1 has four side walls 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d adjoining a base 13. Essentially, the food container 1 is a cuboid open at the top. A lid 3 serves to close the food container 1. The lid 3 is essentially rectangular and is designed 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 hinges. To close the food container 1, the tabs 31a, 31b, 31c, and 31d are folded against the side walls 11a, 11b, 11c, and 11d. The tabs 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d engage in a form-fitting manner with corresponding 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 unintentionally opening again after closing.

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

[0037] Each of the tabs 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d has a QR code 53b, 53c attached. This makes it possible to scan and activate 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 walls 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 shows where the predetermined length h just described D This is evident. After reaching this predetermined length h DViewed from the side, the tab 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d bends away from the associated side wall 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d of the food container 1, creating a gap between the tab and the associated side wall of the container. The height of this gap, measured from the bottom of the food container 1, is [value missing]. F , as also from the Fig. 7 is evident. In the Fig. 7 is the free space 35d between the tab 31d and the side wall 11d represented 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 over the tabs 31a, 31b, 31c and 31d is not apparent from the schematic figures.

[0040] Furthermore, on the inner side of each of the respective side walls 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d facing the tab 31a, 31b, 31c, 31d, a bead-like projection 33a, 33b, 33c, 33d is formed. 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 is visible.

[0041] As from the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 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 firmly by means of a positive locking mechanism, so that the clamp 33b is prevented from slipping off the edge of the tab 31b (in the Fig. 8 shows the bracket 33b on the tab 31b in a side view).

[0042] As from the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. As can be seen in Figure 5, these brackets 55b, 57b, 57c can be of different widths and colors. For example, bracket 55b extends almost the entire length of tab 31b in the Fig. 3, while bracket 57c in the Fig. 4 only extends over a short section. As can be seen from the Fig. As can be seen in Figure 4, the bracket 57c can be moved arbitrarily along the tab 31c. This is indicated by the double arrow in the Fig. 4 indicated.

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

[0044] Transparent clips are suitable for attaching a labeled piece of paper underneath, which can be removed without leaving any adhesive residue when the clip is taken off. Opaque clips can be used to color-code items to identify the contents of a 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 storage surfaces 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. As can be seen in section 8, the height h w the front wall 111a is dimensioned such 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 Fis. Since 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 in such a way that the tab 31b of the lid 3 of the food container 1 overlaps the front wall 111a. This allows access to the information on the tab 31b 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 wall and the rear wall is dimensioned such that the food container is inserted into the compartment in such a way that its front flap 31b overlaps the front wall 111a, while the opposite flap 31d is almost flush against the rear wall 111c. This design optimally utilizes the available storage space and eliminates unnecessary empty spaces that consume valuable space or, in the case of a refrigeration unit, require cooling.

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, 11d) and can thus be engaged with the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) to close the food container, wherein, in a state of the food container (1) being closed by the lid (3), an edge of the tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) facing away from the lid (3) is spaced apart from the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) such that a space (35b, 35dd) is formed between the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d) and the edge of the tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) facing away from the lid (3), characterized by , that the food container (1) has a clamp (55b, 57b, 57c) which is arranged on the tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) and encompasses the edge of the tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) that is 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, 11d) and then moves away from the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d). [3] Food container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d) has a projection (33a, 33b, 33c, 33d) on its edge directed away from the lid (3) towards the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d). [4] Food container (1) according to claim 3, wherein the projection (33a, 33b, 33c, 33d) is spaced apart from the side wall (11a, 11b, 11c, 11d). [5] Food container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp (55b, 57b, 57c) is removable and / or slidable 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) engages with a projection (33a, 33b, 33c, 33d) formed on the edge directed away from the lid (3) by means of a positive locking mechanism. [7] Food container (1) according to one of the preceding claims has an optical interface, preferably in the form of a QR code (53b, 53c), on the tab (31a, 31b, 31c, 31d). [8] Storage system for food containers (1), with a storage compartment (111) that can be inserted into a wall, a cupboard or a cupboard door, preferably into a door (101) of a refrigerator, which has 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 a marginal section of the front wall (111a) is accommodated in the free space (35b) between the side wall (11b) of the food container (1) and the edge of the flap (31b) facing away from the lid (3). [9] Cabinet, in particular refrigerator, freezer or fridge-freezer with a storage system according to claim 8.

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