US 12,262,843 B2
Device and system for a divider insert for a food-heating appliance
Emilie Wren, Deland, FL (US)
Assigned to Happier, LLC, Deland, FL (US)
Filed by Happiier, LLC, Deland, FL (US)
Filed on Jan. 12, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/574,502.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/271,370, filed on Oct. 25, 2021.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/136,944, filed on Jan. 13, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0218147 A1, Jul. 14, 2022
Int. Cl. A47G 27/00 (2006.01); A47J 36/16 (2006.01); A47J 27/082 (2006.01)
CPC A47J 36/16 (2013.01) [A47J 27/082 (2013.01)] 9 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A device and system for a divider insert for a food-heating appliance, comprising:
a plurality of containers of varying sizes and shapes having a given volume, height and thickness, each of the plurality of containers comprising:
a curvilinear side wall configured to match the curvilinear interior surface of the food-heating appliance;
at least one side wall that is straight and flat connected to the curvilinear side wall at each end, or two side walls that are straight and flat connected at one end to each other at a 90-degree angle and at the other ends to the curvilinear side wall; and
an open top and a bottom of a given thickness, wherein the bottom perimeter edges are connected to the curvilinear side wall and the one or two side walls to form the container suitable for holding food;
wherein the plurality of containers are configured to create multiple compartments within the food-heating appliance;
wherein the plurality of containers are reusable and washable;
wherein at least one container has a shape selected from the group consisting of ovals, half-ovals, quarter-ovals, circles, half-circles, quarter circles, and pie-shaped sections; and
wherein the curvilinear wall and the side walls are made of is a flexible molded material;
wherein each of the plurality of containers fits entirely within the food-heating appliance without protruding above the interior space of the food-heating appliance, and the top of each container is free from encumbrances, such as a lip or an edge, that could interfere with the food-heating appliance lid closing and sealing;
wherein two or more of the plurality of containers are selected and positioned together such that:
the curvilinear side wall of each container forms a continuous perimeter matching the interior perimeter of the food-heating appliance, with no gaps between the curvilinear side walls and the interior surface of the food-heating appliance;
the surface area of each curvilinear side wall is in contact with the interior side wall surface of the food-heating appliance; and
the side walls of adjoining containers abut each other without gaps;
wherein the absence of gaps between the curvilinear side walls and the interior surface of the food-heating appliance, and between the side walls of adjoining containers:
maximizes the volume within the food-heating appliance for food storage;
prevents slippage of the containers within the food-heating appliance; and
maximizes rigidity of the side walls when there is food product in the containers.