SPLASH GUARD CONTAINER LID

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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SEQUENCE LISTING, TABLE, OR COMPUTER PROGRAMING APPENDIX LISTED IN ELECTRONIC FORM

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

• • a. The present invention relates to splash guards, and, more specifically, to guards that cover containers, with an opening at the top to allow the receipt of objects into the container below.

Description of the Related Art

• • i. Currently, containers are used in the food service industry to hold flatware, and other food service utensils, submerged in liquid or liquid like substances, before being washed for use again. When the food service workers deposit the flatware, and other utensils, into the contained, often, from the action of depositing the items into the container, the liquid or liquid-like substance contained in the container escapes the container and expels onto the food service workers, creating unsanitary work conditions, potentially affecting both the customer and food service staff. In addition, the liquid that is expelled from the container can cause hazardous and unpleasant working conditions, due to the escaping liquid, or liquid like substance, landing on workers and work surfaces. In most food service dishwashing areas, the use of a bus bin container is used to collect and disinfect flatware, in a pool of disinfecting liquid contained in the bus bin, before the dishwasher runs the flatware and other utilizes through the dishwasher. When waitstaff deposit the items into these containers, due to the size of the opening of these containers, many times the liquid inside splash onto the depositor and the dishwasher. Therefore, a cover that allows the receipt of the flatware of other items, while restricting the size of the opening, will prevent any liquid or liquid-like substance from escaping the container below.
  • ii. Splash guards that prevent liquid, or liquid-like substances, from splashing out of bowls or basins, are shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,722,103, issued to Kliebert on Feb. 2, 1988 (a splash shield with an overhang folding backward over the bowl or basin); U.S. Pat No. US 2006/0027575 A1, issued to Lombardo and Casiero on Feb. 9, 2006 a splatter guard shield used directly on the lip of cookware, with an open top, and portion of the side, for access to the cookware basin below).
  • iii. Other containers with cover are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,463,345, issued to MS Industries Inc. on Aug. 26, 1969 (a lidded tote box with nesting and stacking capabilities).
  • iv. None of the above intentions and patents, taken singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention, as claimed. Thus, a splash guard cover, solving the aforementioned problems, is desired.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A splash guard, comprising a plurality of walls, on a lid, that retrofits atop an existing container, allowing the receipt of items to be deposited into the existing container below, from either the top or sides of the guard, and prevents the escape of water, or waterlike substances, from the container below, while allowing the receipt of deposited items, into the container below, thereby preventing unsightly and unsanitary liquids from escaping the existing container and contaminating nearby persons or surfaces, preventing unfavorable outcomes, as further detailed, above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the splash guard.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of the splash guard.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 1 embodiment of the splash guard.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the splash guard.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the FIG. 4 embodiment of the splash guard.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the FIG. 4 embodiment of the splash guard.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of one embodiment of the locking system for the splash guard.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the splash guard.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As shown in FIG. 1, the preferred embodiment comprises the plurality of walls 2, on a lid 4 that forms to the top of the existing container 3, which slope up from the base of the lid 4, then down 5, allowing the receipt of the items into the existing container below 3, via an opening at the top 1.

As shown in FIG. 4, another embodiment comprises the plurality of walls 2, on a lid 4, which are convex from the base of the lid 4, allowing the receipt of the items into the existing container below 3, via an opening at the top 1.

As shown in FIG. 8, another embodiment comprises the plurality of walls 2, on a lid 4, allowing the receipt of the items into the existing container below 3, via an opening at the side 1.

As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4 and FIG. 8, one embodiment comprises the plurality of walls 2, on a lid 4 that forms to the top of the existing container 3, securing the lid 4 to the existing container.

As shown in FIG. 7, another embodiment comprises the plurality of walls, on a lid 4 that locks to the top of the existing container 3, securing the lid to the existing container.