Dough storage container system

Abstract

A stackable dough storage containment system uses nesting stackable interlocking pan bodies having a locking system for connecting the bodies, such that a pan body in a stack can be locked to pan bodies stacked above and below it. The locking system includes locking members positioned on the outside of each pan body near its base, forming locking connections with locking interfaces located on the outside of each pan body near its top. In the preferred embodiments, the locking members are radial pins and the locking member interfaces are bayonet joints. This allows each pan body to be dropped into position in the open top of the pan body below and rotated slightly to form a secure connection. Vents in each pan body release gases generated during the rising process.

1 . A dough storage container system, comprising: 
 a plurality of stackable pan bodies, each of such pan bodies having an open interior defined by contiguous side walls and a base, said base defining a bottom of each such pan body with an open top opposite therefrom;    each pan body further comprising a locking system for connecting said pan bodies, comprising at least one lock element on an outside surface of the side walls adjacent the base, and at least one interlocking element on the side walls in the open interior, adjacent the open top;    such that a pan body can be connected to another pan body stacked above it and can be connected to another pan body stacked below it by interlocking the lock elements on one pan with the interlocking elements of another pan.    
   
   
       2 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 1 , wherein a base portion of each such pan body is nestable in the open top of a pan body stacked below.  
   
   
       3 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 2 , wherein the a pan body provides a lid for the open top of a pan body stacked below when nested in the open top of said pan body stacked below.  
   
   
       4 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 1 , further comprising a lid, said lid connecting via said locking system to the top of a pan body and covering the open top of said pan body.  
   
   
       5 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 4 , in which the lid comprises a portion nestable in the open top of the pan body it covers.  
   
   
       6 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 1 , wherein said lock elements comprise radial pins and said interlocking elements comprise bayonet joints.  
   
   
       7 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 1 , wherein each such pan body has at least one vent proximate its top for releasing gases generated in its interior.  
   
   
       8 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 7 , wherein said at least one vent will be adjacent a base portion of an upper pan body, when said upper pan body is nested in the open top of the pan body where the vent is located.  
   
   
       9 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 1 , wherein said pan bodies are round, and said locking system allows a pan body above to be connected to a pan body below by placing a base portion of said pan body above in the open top of the pan body stacked below and rotating at least one of said pan body above and said pan body below.  
   
   
       10 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 10 , wherein a pan body has a knurled rim around its open top for gripping and rotating the pan body.  
   
   
       11 . A dough storage container system, comprising: 
 a plurality of stackable pan bodies, each of such pan bodies having an open interior defined by contiguous side walls and a base, said base defining a bottom of each such pan body with an open top opposite therefrom;    a locking system for connecting said pan bodies such that a pan body can be connected to another pan body stacked above it and can be connected to another pan body stacked below it; and    wherein said pan bodies are round, and said locking system allows a pan body above to be connected to a pan body below by placing a base portion of said pan body above in the open top of the pan body stacked below and rotating at least one of said pan body above and said pan body below.    
   
   
       12 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 11 , wherein the base portion of each such pan body is nestable in the open top of a pan body stacked below.  
   
   
       13 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 12 , wherein a pan body provides a lid for the open top of a pan body stacked below when nested in the open top of said pan body stacked below.  
   
   
       14 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 11 , further comprising a round lid with an insertion portion nestable in the open top of a pan body it covers, said lid connecting via said locking system to the top of a pan body and covering the open top of said pan body.  
   
   
       15 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 11 , wherein said locking system includes interfacing locking elements positioned proximate the base and top of each pan body.  
   
   
       16 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 11 , wherein said interfacing locking elements include radial pins located proximate the base of each pan body and bayonet joints located proximate the top of each pan body.  
   
   
       17 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 11 , wherein each such pan body has at least one vent proximate its top for releasing gases generated in its interior.  
   
   
       18 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 17 , wherein said at least one vent will be adjacent a base portion of an upper pan body, when said upper pan body is nested in the open top of the pan body where the vent is located.  
   
   
       19 . A dough storage container system as described in  claim 12 , wherein a pan body has a knurled rim around its open top for gripping and rotating the pan body.