US3610461A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Convertible food container
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1970-03-16
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Granted: 1971-10-05
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Expires: 1990-03-16
Abstract
Abstract The essence of the invention resides in a food container package which is usable as a cooking utensil before or after the container has been opened. A can composed of any well-known metallic composition capable of being used in the packaging of food stuffs is provided with a handle integrally connected to the rim on the upper edge of the can and is extensible therefrom to be held by the user thereof as a normal pot handle. The cover of the can is removable from the food container and is adapted to be used as a pot lid. The food container is provided with an upwardly extending ridge therearound and may be further provided with a plurality of inwardly extending protrusions so that the lid when removed from the can is provided with a means for maintaining the position of the lid when the same is being used as a cover.
Inventors
- 👤 George Allyn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:52
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65D; B65D25/00; B65D25/34; B65D17/00; B65D17/28; B65D17/404; B65D25/28; B65D25/2802; B65D25/282; B65D2525/00; B65D2525/28; B65D2525/281; B65D2525/285; B65D2525/286; B65D2525/288
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
127 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil comprising a can having a diameter greater than its height, said can being provided with a rim around its upper edge, said rim being relatively high, handle means connected to said rim and extending radially inwardly, said handle means adapted to be moved to extend radially outwardly of said can to act as a cooking utensil handle, said can having a cover which is removable from one end of said can, Said cover being provided with a tab, said cover being useable as a lid for said cooking utensil when said cover is removed, and a label slidably engageable over said can and easily removable therefrom when said food container is converted to a cooking utensil.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
127 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil comprising a can having a diameter greater than its height, said can being provided with a rim around its upper edge, said rim being relatively high, handle means connected to said rim and extending radially inwardly, said handle means adapted to be moved to extend radially outwardly of said can to act as a cooking utensil handle, said can having a cover which is removable from one end of said can, Said cover being provided with a tab, said cover being useable as a lid for said cooking utensil when said cover is removed, and a label slidably engageable over said can and easily removable therefrom when said food container is converted to a cooking utensil.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil according to claim 1 wherein a protrusion is formed interiorally of said can to provide a seat for said lid preventing the lid from falling into said can.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil according to claim 2 wherein said protrusion is comprised of a plurality of protuberances.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
42 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil according to claim 3 wherein the top of said can is scored and when said tab is pulled said cover is removed from the top of said can along said scoring.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
32 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil according to claim 4 wherein said tab is used as a lid holder when said cover is used as a lid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
39 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil according to claim 5 wherein said handle means is attached to the upper edge of said rim and is bendable over said rim to a radially outward position.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
39 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil according to claim 6 wherein each of said handle means has a generally U-shaped cross section for structural rigidity when used as a handle for the cooking utensil.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil according to claim 7 wherein each of said handle means is provided with a free end being bent slightly upwardly, a hole disposed in said slightly upwardly bent portion providing a grip for the lifting of said handle from said cover.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil according to claim 8 wherein a coating is provided on said handle to prevent the heat of said cooking utensil from reaching the outer surface of said handle.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil according to claim 9 wherein said label is adapted to fit around the outside of the can and is tacked in position thereon, said label being scored.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil according to claim 10 wherein said label is provided with a tab on its lower end adjacent said score, said tab is pulled to provide a tearing force along said score to separate the label from the can.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
50 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil according to claim 11 wherein said label is provided with a tab which is adapted to seat over the upper end of the can to maintain the cover in a sanitary condition before being converted to a cooking utensil.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
92 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil according to claim 6 wherein said handle means is provided with a connecting end and a free end, said connecting end being removably connected to said rim, said free end being provided with an upwardly extending member, a slot disposed in said rim adapted to receive said upwardly extending member, said free end being provided with a downwardly extending support member adapted to engage the outer surface of said can when said upwardly extending member is matingly engaged in said slot.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
A food container to be converted to a cooking utensil according to claim 13 wherein said handle with its free end matingly engaged in said slot is adapted to extend radially outwardly from said can, thereby providing a handle to be gripped by the user.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
91 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil according to claim 6 wherein said can is provided with a latch connected to the outer surface of said can, said handle having a free end and a connecting end, said handle being removably connected to the upper edge of said rim, said free end of said handle having an upwardly extending member and a downwardly extending member, said upwardly and downwardly extending members adapted to be engAged in said latch to be held in a radially outwardly extending position.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil in accordance with claim 15 wherein said upwardly extending member acts to prevent the rotative movement of said can out of the supporting position when said upwardly extending member is engaged in said latch.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
129 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil in accordance with claim 6 wherein said handle has a free end and a connecting end, said connecting end being removably connected to the upper edge of said rim, said free end having an upwardly extending member, a downwardly extending member disposed in spaced relation to said upwardly extending member, a slot disposed in said rim and adapted to receive the free end of said handle, the entire surface of said upwardly extending member adapted to abut the entire surface of said rim and the outer surface of said downwardly extending member adapted to abut the outer surface of said can thereby forming a balanced lever arrangement to maintain the handle in a secure radially outwardly extending position.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
119 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil in accordance with claim 1 wherein said cover of said can is comprised of a peripheral border area and a removable lid section disposed within said border area, a strip disposed over the junction of said peripheral border area and said lid adapted to seal said joint, said strip having a tab extending upwardly therefrom which is adapted to be pulled to open the cover of said food container, said strip being simultaneously removable from said peripheral border area and said lid, said peripheral border area having an inwardly directed section which is adapted to support said lid when the food container is used as a cooking utensil.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
45 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil in accordance with claim 18 wherein one end of said strip is connected to said lid so that said strip may act as a lid holder when said strip is removed from said joint.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
51 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil in accordance with claim 19 wherein said handle on said food container is bendable radially outwardly over the rim of said can providing a handle to be held by the user when the can is used as a cooking utensil.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
149 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil comprising a can having a diameter greater than its height, said can being provided with a rim around its upper edge, said rim being relatively high, a pair of handle means connected to the outer surface of said can and adapted to be partially wrapped about the outer surface thereof, each of said handle means being tacked in position on said outer surface and adapted to be pulled together to form a handle which extends radially outwardly of said can, said can having a cover which is removable from one end thereof, said cover being provided with a tab, said cover being useable as a lid for said cooking utensil when said cover is removed and a protrusion formed interiorally of said can to provide a seat in said lid preventing the lid from falling into said can.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
149 words
A food container adapted to be converted to a cooking utensil comprising a can having a diameter greater than its height, said can being provided with a rim around its upper edge, said rim being relatively high, a pair of handle means connected to the outer surface of said can and adapted to be partially wrapped about the outer surface thereof, each of said handle means being tacked in position on said outer surface and adapted to be pulled together to form a handle which extends radially outwardly of said can, said can having a cover which is removable from one end thereof, said cover being provided with a tab, said cover being useable as a lid for said cooking utensil when said cover is removed and a protrusion formed interiorally of said can to provide a seat in said lid preventing the lid from falling into said can.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-10-04 | 1975-04-05 | 1975-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-10-04 | 1979-04-05 | 1979-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-10-04 | 1983-04-05 | 1983-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |