CH617335A5 - Set of serving dishes - Google Patents

Abstract

Two similar dishes (12, 14) are separated by a closing dish (16) which has the shape of a soup plate provided with a peripheral flange (38), from which extend a lower rim (34) and an upper rim (36). By virtue of the shape of the peripheral flange (38) and the choice of material (low density polyethylene), the two dishes (12, 14), which are made of high density polypropylene or polyethylene, are closed in a liquid-tight manner. According to another mode of use, that is to say after removing the closing dish (16), the two similar dishes (12, 14) can be used for containing foodstuffs. <IMAGE>

Description

617,335

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CLAIM

Set of serving dishes, characterized in that it comprises a first dish (12) having a bottom wall (18) and erect peripheral walls (22) ending in an upper edge (26), a sealing dish (16) having an upper wall (30 and peripheral walls (32) integral extending downward and ending in a lower edge, a flange (38) being integral with this lower edge and extending towards the exterior from the latter, a first rim wall (34) being integral with this flange (38) and extending downwards from the latter, and a second rim wall (36) being integral with this flange (38) and extending upwards from the latter, the upper edge (26) of the first plate (12) being engaged for a liquid-tight closure against the internal face (40) of said first flange wall (34), said first plate (12) and said sealing plate (16) being separable from each other, and a second pl at (14) having a bottom wall (20) and erect peripheral walls (24) ending in a second upper edge (28) which fits tightly against the internal face (41) of the second edge wall (36 ).

Containers are known in which container and closure elements have been incorporated constructed so as to allow their use as dishes. However, it has not been envisaged, in such designs and embodiments, the use of a common closure element which can be used to simultaneously seal separate containers. Therefore,

they do not provide suitable means for storing different foodstuffs in the container and closure elements.

The present invention proposes to overcome this disadvantage. The set of dishes which is the subject of this invention is defined by the claim.

The accompanying drawing illustrates, by way of example, an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a set of dishes to be served according to the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view from the top of the embodiment of the invention of FIG. 1, but in the assembled position.

Fig. 3 is a top plan view of this embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of the assembly of serving dishes assembled, with a part in cross section along line 4-4 of FIG. 3.

Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the part surrounded by a circle 5 of FIG. 4.

Fig. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of an area similar to the part surrounded by a circle 5 of FIG. 4, but with the common closure element removed.

The set of dishes to be served according to the invention, generally indicated in FIG. 1 by reference 10, comprises a first container or dish 12, a second container or dish 14 and a common closure member 16, which, in the assembled position (fig. 2), form a divided container having two sections of storage compartments distinct and separate. Although each of these elements 12, 14 and 16 is illustrated as having a semi-oval shape, it should be understood that they can have any other suitable shape depending on the end use intended for the device.

The base dishes or containers 12 and 14 each have a similar structural arrangement and include bottom walls 18 and 20 respectively and erect peripheral side walls 22 and 24 which terminate in first and second upper edges 26 and 28.

The shutter member 16 is formed by a central wall in the form of a hollow plate 30, 32 and comprises a flange extending peripherally 38, which is integral therewith and from which a rim extending downward 34 and a another erect peripheral edge 36. As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5, these edges 34 and 36 are slightly offset with respect to each other, and such a mutual arrangement has very advantageous consequences which will be described in more detail below. Similarly, it should be noted that the flanges 34 and 36 have internal faces 40 and 42 which are slightly inclined and are intended to firmly engage the external surfaces of the upper edges 26 and 28 in a sealed manner for a liquid.

The serving dishes 12 and 14 respectively also have slightly different respective depths and the upper edge 28 of the dish 14 is arranged outwardly flared so that its outermost end has a greater peripheral extent than that of the serving dish 12. This has several advantageous consequences, especially for the closure of each of the containers by the sealing member 16. In particular, it should be noted (fig. 5) that the serving dishes are,

each closed along the outer surfaces of their upper edges 26 and 28. Consequently, since the peripheral areas of these upper edges 26 and 28 are different, the latter are slightly offset. So, when the shutter member 16 is in the assembled position, the shutter pressure applied by each of these edges 26 and 28 respectively is transformed by this shutter member in a bending moment, in order to produce a better action. shutter on each of the respective external surfaces.

The forces of this bending moment obviously take advantage of the magnitude of the lever arm provided by the flange 38. Therefore, the pressure exerted between the edge 26 and the flange 34 tends to produce an upward displacement of the flange 38, by pivoting around the point A. This, for its part, tends to move the rim 36 inwardly in the direction of a better shutter engagement with the outer surface of the upper edge 28. Similarly, the pressure shutter acting between the upper edge 28 and the rim 36 tends to cause a similar action which deflects the rim 34 towards a better shutter engagement with the upper edge 26 of the serving dish 12.

Preferably, the dishes or containers 12 and 14 are made of rigid synthetic materials such as high density polyethylene or polypropylene, while the closure and separation member 16 is preferably made of low density polyethylene. These special combinations of materials, as can be seen, improve the sealing action obtained between the respective elements and, in addition, ensure that a liquid-tight closure is maintained between them.

In addition, it will be observed that the design and production of the present set of serving dishes (FIG. 6) allows the user to selectively use the dishes 12 and 14 only, for storing food. This is further achieved by using the difference between the peripheral expanses of the upper edges 26 and 28. Therefore, the upper edge 28 can be slid over the upper edge 26, so that the two serving dishes are securely engaged. 'with each other to make a closure. Therefore, if one does not wish to use the sealing member 16, one can use these two dishes alone to effectively enclose suitable food products. Similarly, it should be noted that, depending on the quantity of food to be enclosed, either of the dishes 12 and 14 can be used as the main container in this mutual arrangement.

The structure described provides the user with a multi-function device thus minimizing his needs for a variety of plates, containers and serving and storage dishes.

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different. Likewise, either container can be used alone with the closure member until additional storage capacity is required. This use of a single container obviously minimizes the space required

3,617,335

for such storage or preservation of food. Likewise, the containers of the assembly can be used without the common closure element to obtain a container of increased capacity.

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1 sheet of drawings