Cheese Box

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001]The present invention relates generally to culinary preparation and food storage. More specifically, the present invention is a storage container and dispenser of individually wrapped cheese slices.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002]When it comes to culinary preparation, it is important to make sure that all food is stored safely and clearly. With effective storage and preparation, cooking can be healthier, more efficient, and can save lots of time and money. Good organization prevents food from being misplaced or forgotten. One example of a food that is easily lost are individual cheese slices. They can be easily lost, especially if they are not part of a larger package, or if you have many different types of cheese slices. With a good, portable design, a product to hold and transport cheese slices could be used in homes, restaurants, or outside during picnics and barbecues for easy and quick access to individually wrapped cheese slices.

[0003]An objective of the present invention is to provide a simple and effective means of storing, organizing, and dispensing individually wrapped cheese slices. The present invention is timesaving, energy-saving, cost-saving, convenient, easy to use, practical, durable, effective, and has an eye-catching appearance with lots of aesthetic appeal. The device is designed to save users a considerable amount of time and energy while preparing a sandwich, grilled cheese, cheeseburger, and other meals with sliced cheese. Further, the device is designed to prevent loss of cheese slices in the refrigerators, preventing wastage of materials and money.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004]The present invention is a plastic container that holds individually wrapped, single cheese slices. The slices are pushed upwards by spring pressure, allowing for easy storage and dispensing. The present invention is designed to keep the cheese slices organized after opening the original packaging. Preferably, the overall device is 4-5 inches high, 4 inches long, and 4 inches wide, but can be produced in various colors, sizes, and different materials.

[0005]The device is also portable and can be used outdoors and is simple enough to be used by children. This device can also be used in restaurants. The device can also be molded into the doors of newly manufactured refrigerators, making the device very appealing to buyers with children.

[0006]The device comprises a housing, a movable floorplate, and a compression spring. The housing can be configured in multiple ways depending on user preference. In one embodiment, the housing comprises a fully enclosed structure with a front opening for dispensing, and a top panel with an opening for loading cheese slices. In another embodiment, the housing comprises an open top with a lid attachment that is removable for loading cheese slices.

[0007]Whichever embodiment is selected, the remaining components and their arrangement are largely the same. In particular, each cheese slice is loaded from the top and placed onto the spring-loaded floorplate. The upward pressure of the compression spring pushes the cheese slice towards the top where it becomes accessible from the front side for dispensing. When ready to use, the user simply pulls a cheese slice out through the front opening. Each time a cheese slice is dispensed, the next available cheese slice is pushed upward and ready for dispensing.

[0008]The potential exists for varying the production of the device to make the device more appealing to a wider range of users, such as producing it in various colors and sizes. The device can be produced using conventional and readily available materials and manufacturing processes. However, the materials used can also vary. One embodiment of the present invention can be produced from plastic such as polystyrene. Polystyrene is readily available in various colors, is reasonably priced, and is easily accessible.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009]FIG. 1 is a top-front perspective view of the present invention.

[0010]FIG. 2 is a top-front perspective cutaway view of the present invention, showing the internal components.

[0011]FIG. 3 is a left-side elevational cutaway view of the present invention, showing the internal components.

[0012]FIG. 4 is a top-front perspective view of another embodiment of the present invention.

[0013]FIG. 5 is an illustration view showing the stack of cheese being inserted into an open top.

[0014]FIG. 6 is an illustration view showing the lid being inserted into the lid holder.

[0015]FIG. 7 is an illustration view showing the lid being fully attached.

[0016]FIG. 8 is a top-front perspective cutaway view of the lidded system of the present invention, showing the internal components.

[0017]FIG. 9 is a top-front perspective view of the lid system of the present invention, shown with the lid and cheese slices removed for clarity.

[0018]FIG. 10 is a top-rear perspective view of the lid system of the present invention, shown with the lid and cheese slices removed for clarity.

DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION

[0019]All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.

[0020]In reference to FIGS. 1 through 10, the present invention is a cheese box 1 designed to hold and dispense individually wrapped cheese slices C. The cheese holder 1 can be fixedly attached to any structure such as a fridge crisper or fridge door. Alternatively, the cheese holder 1 can be portable for outdoor gatherings such as a family barbeque. Each cheese slice C is loaded through a top opening of the housing 2 and placed onto a spring-loaded floorplate 3. The upward pressure of the compression spring 4 pushes the cheese slice towards the top where it becomes accessible for dispensing. When ready to use, the user can pull a cheese slice C out through the front opening. Each time a cheese slice C is dispensed, the next available cheese slice is pushed upward and ready for dispensing.

[0021]As can be seen in FIGS. 1-3, the present invention comprises a housing 2, a movable floorplate 3, and a compression spring 4. The housing 2 functions as the primary structural component of the present invention, as the remaining components of the present invention are configured upon the housing 2. The housing 2 comprises a base 20, a plurality of sidewalls 21, and a top panel 22. Each of the plurality of sidewalls 21 extends upward from the base 20 to the top panel 22, thereby enclosing the housing 2 on all sides. The housing 2 is preferably made from plastic, such as polystyrene. However, it is understood the material selection of the housing is not limited and can be made from any suitable material based on design, user, and or manufacturing requirements.

[0022]The plurality of sidewalls 21 comprises a front sidewall 25, a rear sidewall 26, a left sidewall 27, and a right sidewall 28. As best seen in FIG. 1, a front opening 25a is integrated into the upper portion of the front sidewall 25, which allows for dispensing and/or loading of at least one cheese slice C. Preferably, the front opening 25a is configured only for dispensing, while a top opening 23 is configured for loading. More specifically, the top opening 23 is integrated into the top panel 22 and traverses into the front opening 25a, such that the top opening 23 is in communication with the front opening 25a. This arrangement allows the top opening 23 to be used as a means for loading the cheese slices onto the movable floorplate, and also as a means for grasping the top cheese slice during dispensing (i.e., finger placement). Similarly, the front opening 25a is preferably notched along the center to be used as a finger placement for grasping the top cheese slice C.

[0023]As seen in the cutaway views of FIGS. 2-3, the movable floorplate 3 is spring-loaded and positioned within the housing 2. The movable floorplate 3 slidably engages with the plurality of sidewalls 21, leaving minimal gaps all around. The compression spring 4 is positioned in between the movable floorplate 3 and the base 20. Specifically, a first end 41 of the compression spring 4 is connected to the bottom side of the movable floorplate 3. A second end 42 of the compression spring 4 is connected to the upper surface of the base 20. In this arrangement, the movable floorplate 3 is configured to hold at least one cheese slice C within the housing 2.

[0024]Preferably, a plurality of cheese slices (hereinafter, “stack of cheese SC”) is loaded onto the movable floorplate 3, wherein the compression spring 4 is configured to push the stack of cheese SC upward against the top panel 22 for easy dispensing through the front opening 25a. The upward pressure provided by the compression spring 4 helps hold the stack of cheese SC together tightly and uniformly, which prevents the cheese slices from sliding around. Oftentimes, individually wrapped cheese slices are loosely stored in fridge doors. When opening the fridge door, the smooth surface of the cheese wrapper tends to cause the cheese slices to slide off the door shelf and fall onto the floor. With the present invention however, a fully loaded cheese box 1 can be mounted to the inside of the fridge door while keeping all cheese slices safely secured inside the housing 2 until ready to dispense.

[0025]To ensure smooth operation of the movable floorplate 3, the present invention further comprises a floorplate guide system 5. The floorplate guide system 5 comprises at least one guide post 51 and at least one guide recess 52. The at least one guide post 51 is laterally integrated into at least one sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls 21. The at least one guide recess 52 is perimetrically integrated into the movable floorplate 3. Each guide post 51 is operably connected to a corresponding guide recess 52. In the preferred embodiment, as seen in FIG. 3, two guide posts 51 are integrated and offset from each other on both the left sidewall 27 and the right sidewall 28. Similarly, two guide recesses 52 are integrated and offset from each other on corresponding sides of the movable floorplate 3. This arrangement keeps the movable floorplate 3 properly oriented during motion, thereby eliminating the risk of jamming.

[0026]In reference to a second embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 4-10, the present invention can be configured with a lidded top in lieu of the fixed top panel described previously. In this embodiment, the present invention further comprises a lid system 6. The lid system is integrated into an open top 24 of the housing 2. In this arrangement, the lid system 6 is configured for covering and securing the open top 24 closed when fully deployed.

[0027]As best seen in FIG. 4, the lid system 6 comprises a lid 61 and a lid holder 62. The lid 61 is preferably square-shaped and configured to slide into the lid holder 62 as illustrated in FIG. 6. The lid holder 62 extends laterally inward from the front opening 25a towards the rear sidewall 26. The front opening 25a provides easy access to install the lid 61 to the lid holder 62. Depending on user preference, the lid holder 62 can either extend up to the rear sidewall 26 or offset from the rear sidewall 26. For optimal support, the lid holder 62 preferably extends up to the rear sidewall 26 as seen in FIG. 8.

[0028]As seen in FIGS. 9-10, the lid holder 6 comprises a plurality of channels 63 distributed along the open top 24. Each channel is preferably U-shaped. This allows the square-shaped lid 61 to slidably engage with the plurality of channels 63 through the front opening 25a. The plurality of channels comprises a first channel 64, a second channel 65, and a third channel 66. The first channel 64 is terminally connected to the left sidewall 27, the second channel 65 is terminally connected to the right sidewall 28, and the third channel 66 is terminally connected to the rear sidewall 26. Regarding orientation, the first channel 64 is opposingly aligned with the second channel 65, and the third channel 66 is aligned with the first and second channels 64,65. Stated another way, the third channel 66 connects the first channel 64 to the second channel 65, such that all three channels are in communication with each other.

[0029]Preferably, a notched opening 61a is integrated into the front edge of the lid 61, such that the notched opening 61a is in communication with the front opening 25a. This arrangement allows the notched opening 61a to be used as a means for grasping the top cheese slice during dispensing (i.e., finger placement).

[0030]Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.