US3987941A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Preserving container for liquid food substances
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1975-08-29
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Granted: 1976-10-26
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Expires: 1995-08-29
Abstract
Abstract A container for cooked liquid food substances in which there is provided a follower lid or upper cover capable of following the level of the liquid as the food substance is removed from the container. The invention includes a particular construction of lid and seal that allows for free upward and downward movement of the lid in contact with the liquid as the liquid level changes. In this manner, the liquid is not in contact with air which would cause its contamination and loss of flavor.
Inventors
- 👤 Alfred V. Blessing
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 09:28
CPC Classifications
A; A47; A47J; A47J31/00; A47J31/44; A47J31/4403; A47J31/4407
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
195 words
A container for the preparation and preservation of a heated liquid, comprising: a cylindrical type container in which the liquid is heated; means for removing portions of the liquid from the container as it is being used; a follower lid operable to remain at the upper layer of the liquid as it is being removed from the container, said lid having a weight mounted in it proximate its central portion for maintaining it partially submerged relative to the upper layer of said liquid; and a deflectible seal mounted around the periphery of the lid, said seal having a tapered outer skirt portion with its free end extending upwardly and positioned between the periphery of the lid and the inner surface of the container, said tapered portion, further viewed in cross section, having a first arcuately shaped inner curved portion, said first curved portion having a center of rotation positioned on a line connecting the terminal edges of said tapered portion, and a second arcuately shaped outer curved portion of said tapered portion, said second curved portion being substantially radially larger than the first and further having its center of rotation likewise mounted on said line.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
195 words
A container for the preparation and preservation of a heated liquid, comprising: a cylindrical type container in which the liquid is heated; means for removing portions of the liquid from the container as it is being used; a follower lid operable to remain at the upper layer of the liquid as it is being removed from the container, said lid having a weight mounted in it proximate its central portion for maintaining it partially submerged relative to the upper layer of said liquid; and a deflectible seal mounted around the periphery of the lid, said seal having a tapered outer skirt portion with its free end extending upwardly and positioned between the periphery of the lid and the inner surface of the container, said tapered portion, further viewed in cross section, having a first arcuately shaped inner curved portion, said first curved portion having a center of rotation positioned on a line connecting the terminal edges of said tapered portion, and a second arcuately shaped outer curved portion of said tapered portion, said second curved portion being substantially radially larger than the first and further having its center of rotation likewise mounted on said line.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said deflectible seal further includes an inner bead portion, said bead portion held in gripped holding relationship in an opposed mating portion formed in the periphery of said lid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein said lid is formed from united upper and lower parts and said deflectible seal further includes an inner extension, said extension held in gripped relationship between the upper and lower parts of said follower lid.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
39 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the radial distance between said inner curved portion and its center of rotation is approximately one-half the radial distance between said outer curved portion and its respective center of rotation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the submerged surface of said lid in contact with the liquid is of a downwardly extending convex shape to prevent air entrapment beneath the lid.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination as set forth in claim 1 wherein the weight to volume ratio of said lid is of a magnitude to maintain the upper surface level of the liquid intermediate the upper and lower ends of said lower curved portion of said seal tapered portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
197 words
A container for the preparation and preservation of a heated liquid, comprising: a cylindrical type container in which the liquid is heated; means for removing portions of the liquid from the container as it is being used; a follower lid operable to remain in contact with the upper layer of the liquid as it is being removed from the container, said lid having a weight mounted in it proximate its central portion for maintaining it partially and continuously submerged relative to the upper layer of the liquid as the liquid is removed and its level is lowered in the container; and a shroud mounted about the lower surface of the lid, said shroud terminating in a freely deflectible seal, said seal having a tapered outer skirt portion including a free edge extending upwardly between the periphery of said lid and the opposed inner surface of said container, said tapered portion, viewed in cross section, having inner and outer arcuate surfaces each formed about its respective center, each center mounted on a line connecting the (terminal) free edge(s) of said seal, said inner arcuate surface having a radius substantially less than the radius of said outer arcuate surface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
197 words
A container for the preparation and preservation of a heated liquid, comprising: a cylindrical type container in which the liquid is heated; means for removing portions of the liquid from the container as it is being used; a follower lid operable to remain in contact with the upper layer of the liquid as it is being removed from the container, said lid having a weight mounted in it proximate its central portion for maintaining it partially and continuously submerged relative to the upper layer of the liquid as the liquid is removed and its level is lowered in the container; and a shroud mounted about the lower surface of the lid, said shroud terminating in a freely deflectible seal, said seal having a tapered outer skirt portion including a free edge extending upwardly between the periphery of said lid and the opposed inner surface of said container, said tapered portion, viewed in cross section, having inner and outer arcuate surfaces each formed about its respective center, each center mounted on a line connecting the (terminal) free edge(s) of said seal, said inner arcuate surface having a radius substantially less than the radius of said outer arcuate surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
33 words
The combination as set forth in claim 7 wherein there is provided a substantially central enlarged rib in said tapered portion intermediate the lid periphery and the (terminal) free edge of said seal.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
175 words
A container for the preparation and preservation of a heated liquid, comprising: a cylindrical type container in which the liquid is heated; an outlet for removing portions of the liquid from the lower end of the container as it is used; a weighted follower lid operable to remain at the upper layer of the liquid as it is being removed from the container; and a deflectible seal mounted about the edge of the lid, said seal having a tapered outer portion including an upwardly extending free edge and positioned between the edge of the lid and the inner surface of the container, said tapered portion having an upper surface of a generally arcuate shape and a lower surface of a like shape, the area of the upper surface being substantially smaller than that of the lower surface of the tapered portion, the spacing between the lid edge and container inner surface having a size effective to deflect the tapered portion upwardly to maintain said lower surface in close sealing relationship with the container inner surface.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
175 words
A container for the preparation and preservation of a heated liquid, comprising: a cylindrical type container in which the liquid is heated; an outlet for removing portions of the liquid from the lower end of the container as it is used; a weighted follower lid operable to remain at the upper layer of the liquid as it is being removed from the container; and a deflectible seal mounted about the edge of the lid, said seal having a tapered outer portion including an upwardly extending free edge and positioned between the edge of the lid and the inner surface of the container, said tapered portion having an upper surface of a generally arcuate shape and a lower surface of a like shape, the area of the upper surface being substantially smaller than that of the lower surface of the tapered portion, the spacing between the lid edge and container inner surface having a size effective to deflect the tapered portion upwardly to maintain said lower surface in close sealing relationship with the container inner surface.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-10-26 | 1980-04-26 | 1980-10-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-10-26 | 1984-04-26 | 1984-10-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-10-26 | 1988-04-26 | 1988-10-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |