Title: Storage and serving container or the like

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Claims: We claim:

1. In combination a storage and serving container and including a receptacle having a plurality of generally vertically extending side wall members, an integral bottom wall portion, and a top end opening, at least one of said side wall members incorporating integral guide means, an insert positioned within said receptacle and including a tray and rigid, unitary handle projecting therefrom and affixed thereto, said tray being of the approximate size and shape of said bottom wall, said handle being of such extent to protrude from said top end opening when said bottom wall and tray are in juxtaposition and being shaped to cooperate with said guide means to enable the user to readily move the insert with respect to the receptacle while maintaining a relatively uniform parallel relationship between said tray and bottom wall, and a seal closuring said top end opening.

2. A storage and serving container according to claim 1 wherein said integral guide means is comprised of a substantially vertical channel formed in said at least one of said side wall members and inwardly projecting into the interior of said receptacle.

3. A storage and serving container according to claim 2 wherein said handle includes a channel of the same general shape and approximating but slightly larger than the size of the side wall member channel.

4. A storage and serving container according to claim 2 wherein said channel extends along substantially the entirety of the side wall member.

5. A storage and serving container according to claim 1 wherein said seal includes a domed central area adapted to accommodate the protrusion of said handle from the top end opening of the receptacle.

6. A storage and serving container according to claim 5 wherein said central area includes a plurality of integral interconnected sidewalls and a generally planar center wall member.

7. In combination a storage and serving container and including a receptacle having a generally vertically extending side wall, an integral bottom wall portion and a top end opening, said side wall incorporating opposed integral guide means, an insert positioned within said receptacle and including a tray and rigid, unitary handle projecting therefrom and affixed thereto, said tray being of the approximate size and shape of said bottom wall, said handle being of such extent to protrude from said top end opening when said bottom wall and tray are in juxtaposition and being shaped to cooperate with said guide means to enable the user to readily move the insert with respect to the receptacle while maintaining a relatively uniform parallel relationship between said tray and bottom wall, and a seal closuring said top end opening.

8. A storage and serving container according to claim 7 wherein said integral guide means is comprised of a substantially vertical channel formed in said at least one of said side wall members and inwardly projecting into the interior of said receptacle.

9. A storage and serving container according to claim 8 wherein said handle includes a channel of the same general shape and approximating but slightly larger than the size of the side wall member channel.

10. A storage and serving container according to claim 7 wherein said channel extends along substantially the entirety of the side wall member.

11. In combination a storage and serving container and including a receptacle having a plurality of generally vertically extending side wall members, an integral bottom wall portion, and a top end opening, at least one of said side wall members incorporating a substantially vertical channel inwardly projecting into the interior of said receptacle, an insert positioned within said receptacle and including a tray and rigid, unitary handle projecting therefrom and affixed thereto, said tray being of the approximate size and shape of said bottom wall, said handle being of such extent to protrude from said top end opening when said bottom wall and tray are in juxtaposition and including a channel of the same general shape and approximating but slightly larger than the size of the side wall member channel and adapted to cooperate with said channel to enable the user to readily move the insert with respect to the receptacle while maintaining a relatively uniform parallel relationship between said tray and bottom wall, and a seal for closuring said top end opening, which seal includes a domed central area adapted to accommodate the protrusion of said handle from the top end opening of the receptacle and wherein said central area includes a plurality of integral interconnected sidewalls and a generally planar center wall member.

Other info:

Inventors: Bateman, Robert F. (Greenville, RI, US)
Croyle, Jack V. (North Providence, RI, US)

Application Number: 933003
Filing Date: 1978-08-11
Publication_date: 1979-12-18
Assignee: Dart Industries Inc. (Los Angeles, CA)
Primary Class(es): 220/796 206/804, 210/244, 210/523, 220/660, 426/115, D7/682, D7/709
Other Classes:
US Patent Ref:

1152308	Aug, 1915	Evans	220/408.
1846540	Feb, 1932	Brown	220/412.
2081078	May, 1937	Watson	220/22.
2252654	Aug, 1941	Webber	220/93.
2257569	Sep, 1941	McCarthy	220/23.
2334595	Nov, 1943	Bailey	220/93.
2714443	Aug, 1955	Kuvin	220/22.
2743836	May, 1956	Roberts	220/408.
2904205	Sep, 1959	Callery	220/93.
2941660	Jun, 1960	Tupper	229/43.
2983369	May, 1961	Rogouin	206/804.
3004657	Oct, 1961	Hyman	220/410.
3155267	Nov, 1964	Swett	220/408.
3237549	Mar, 1966	Pospischil	220/410.
3249250	May, 1966	McKee	426/115.
3363749	Jan, 1968	Tinapple	206/320.
3380592	Apr, 1968	Arnold	210/244.
3416689	Dec, 1968	Greenfield	215/100.
3458078	Jul, 1969	Skidmore	206/804.
3720346	Mar, 1973	Cypher	220/22.
3759416	Sep, 1973	Constantine	220/70.
3837526	Sep, 1974	Medendorp	220/306.

Other Refs:
Primary Examiner: Shoap, Allan N.
Assistant Examiner:
Attorney: