CONTAINER HAVING BASE AND LID WITH IMPROVED FRICTION SEAL

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to an improved resealable food or beverage container and, more particularly, to a food or beverage container with a lid having an improved friction seal that facilitates reducing friction in specific locations between sealing members of a lid and a base of the container to enable easier opening and/or closing the container.

BACKGROUND

Containers for storing material (e.g., food or a beverage) that include a base and a detachable lid are known. In some known containers, the base includes a peripheral lip and the lid includes a skirt extending along the periphery of the lid. The skirt of the lid extends over the base lip when the base and the lid are coupled to close the container. The skirt includes an inwardly projecting sealing ring that sealingly engages the lip of the base such that the container remains in a closed configuration when the container is transported. The lid may also include a tab projecting outwardly from the skirt that enables the lid to be detached from the base by a pulling or a pushing force to allow access to an interior of the container when desired.

Conventionally, however, the friction between the sealing ring of the lid and the lip of the base is such that applying force to (e.g., pulling or pushing) the tab of the lid is not sufficient to detach the lid without causing a pinching reaction in certain locations between the lid and the base. In particular, when the force is applied to the tab (e.g., the tab is pulled upward) in an effort to detach the lid, the friction between the sealing ring and the lip of the base concentrates along areas of the sealing ring proximate the tab (referred to as “pinching points”). The concentrated friction at these pinching points makes it difficult for a user to detach the lid by applying force to the tab alone. To overcome the concentrated friction at these pinching points, the user must awkwardly apply force to other areas of the lid and/or the base in order to detach the lid from the base. As such, users attempting to access the interior of the container by detaching the lid from the base frequently damage the lid (which may be formed from a plastic material), cause undesirable movement of the material within the container which may spill out when detaching the lid from the base, and/or become frustrated by the awkward force that is required to detach the lid.

There exists a need for a container that enables a base and a detachable lid to be readily sealed together to close the container, facilitates the base and the lid remaining sealed together while the closed container is transported, and facilitates easy and user-friendly unsealing of the container and detaching the lid from the base.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In one aspect, a container includes a lid and a base. The lid includes a lid rim and a skirt extending downwardly from the lid rim. The base includes a base rim and a base flange extending outwardly from the base rim. The skirt overlaps the base flange when the container is in a closed configuration, and the skirt includes a sealing ring that engages the base flange to seal the lid to the base in the closed configuration. A plurality of cut-outs are formed in the sealing ring that alleviate concentration of friction between the sealing ring and the base flange when a force is applied to separate the lid from the base.

In another aspect, a lid for a container includes a lid rim, a skirt, a lid flange, and a tab. The lid rim is sized and shaped to complement a base rim of a base the container. The skirt extends downwardly from the lid rim to each of the lid flange and the tab. Each of the lid flange and the tab extend outwardly from the skirt. A first portion of the skirt extends downwardly between the lid rim and a contact region of the skirt. The contact region forms a location along the skirt that engages a base flange of the base. A second portion of the skirt extends downwardly from the contact region to the lid flange and the tab. The second portion defines an inwardly-extending sealing ring. A plurality of cut-outs are formed in the inwardly-extending sealing ring.

Advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description of the preferred embodiments which have been shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the present embodiments may be capable of other and different embodiments, and their details are capable of modification in various respects. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Figures described below depict various aspects of the apparatus disclosed therein. It should be understood that each Figure depicts an embodiment of a particular aspect of the disclosed apparatus, and that each of the Figures is intended to accord with a possible embodiment thereof. Further, wherever possible, the following description refers to the reference numerals included in the following Figures, in which features depicted in multiple Figures are designated with consistent reference numerals.

There are shown in the drawings arrangements which are presently discussed, it being understood, however, that the present embodiments are not limited to the precise arrangements and are instrumentalities shown, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example container, shown in a closed configuration with a lid of the container coupled to a base of the container;

FIG. 2 is a left side perspective view of the example container of FIG. 1, shown in the closed configuration;

FIG. 3 is a right side perspective view of the example container of FIG. 1, shown in the closed configuration;

FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the example container of FIG. 1, shown in an open configuration with the lid detached from the base;

FIG. 5 is an isolated elevation view of the base of the example container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an isolated front perspective view of the lid of the example container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an isolated left side view of the lid of the example container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is an isolated right side view of the lid of the example container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is an isolated left side perspective view of the lid of the example container of FIG. 1 showing details of an interior of the lid;

FIG. 10 is an isolated right side perspective view of the lid of the example container of FIG. 1 showing details of the interior of the lid;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the lid and the base of the example container of FIG. 1 in the open configuration, showing details of sealing features of the lid and the base;

FIG. 12 is a right side cross-section of the example container of FIG. 1 in the closed configuration;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of Section Circle C₁of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of Section Circle C₂of FIG. 12;

FIGS. 15A-15C show the mechanics of the details of FIG. 14 during a sequence of the lid being detached from the base to open the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of another example container, shown in a closed configuration with a lid of the container coupled to a base of the container;

FIG. 17 is a front right side perspective view of the lid of the container of FIG. 16;

FIG. 18 is a top plan view of the lid of the container of FIG. 16;

FIG. 19 is a bottom plan view of the lid of the container of FIG. 16;

FIG. 20 is a front right side elevation of the lid of the container of FIG. 16;

FIG. 21 is a rear elevation of the lid of the container of FIG. 16;

FIG. 22 is a front left side elevation of the lid of the container of FIG. 16;

FIG. 23A is a partial section view of the container of FIG. 16 in the closed configuration;

FIG. 23B is an enlarged view of Section Circle C₃of FIG. 23A;

FIG. 24 is a front perspective view of another example container, shown in a closed configuration with a lid of the container coupled to a base of the container;

FIG. 25 is a front right side perspective view of the lid of the container of FIG. 24;

FIG. 26 is a top plan view of the lid of the container of FIG. 24;

FIG. 27 is a bottom plan view of the lid of the container of FIG. 24;

FIG. 28 is a front right side elevation of the lid of the container of FIG. 24;

FIG. 29 is a rear elevation of the lid of the container of FIG. 24;

FIG. 30 is a front left side elevation of the lid of the container of FIG. 24;

FIG. 31A is a partial section view of the container of FIG. 24 in the closed configuration;

FIG. 31B is an enlarged view of Section Circle C₄of FIG. 31A;

FIG. 32 is a front perspective view of another example container, shown in a closed configuration with a lid of the container coupled to a base of the container;

FIG. 33 is a front right side perspective view of the lid of the container of FIG. 32;

FIG. 34 is a top plan view of the lid of the container of FIG. 32;

FIG. 35 is a bottom plan view of the lid of the container of FIG. 32;

FIG. 36 is a front right side elevation of the lid of the container of FIG. 32;

FIG. 37 is a rear elevation of the lid of the container of FIG. 32;

FIG. 38 is a front left side elevation of the lid of the container of FIG. 32;

FIG. 39A is a partial section view of the container of FIG. 32 in the closed configuration;

FIG. 39B is an enlarged view of Section Circle C₅of FIG. 39A;

FIG. 40 is a front perspective view of another example container, shown in a closed configuration with a lid of the container coupled to a base of the container;

FIG. 41 is a front perspective view of the container of FIG. 40, shown with a domed tab in lieu of a flat tab in FIG. 40;

FIG. 42 is a front perspective view of another example container, shown in a closed configuration with a lid of the container coupled to a base of the container; and

FIG. 43 is a front perspective view of the container of FIG. 42, shown with a domed tab in lieu of a flat tab in FIG. 42.

Corresponding reference numerals used throughout the Figures indicate corresponding parts. The Figures depict preferred embodiments for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the apparatus illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-4 show an example container 100 for storing material (e.g., a beverage or a food product). The container 100 includes a base 200 and a lid 300. The base 200 and/or lid 300 may be formed of a molded fiber material (e.g., recycled newspaper or cardboard, bio-based resins or plant fibers such as wood pulp, bamboo, bagasse, rice hull, wheat straw, and/or PLA or PHA fibers). Additionally or alternatively, the base 200 and/or lid 300 may be formed of one or more resins or plastic materials such as, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or polyethylene terephthalate (PETE). In some embodiments, the base 200 and the lid 300 may each be formed of a molded fiber material. In some embodiments, the base 200 and the lid 300 may each be formed of one or more resins or plastic materials such as, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or polyethylene terephthalate (PETE). The base 200 and/or the lid 300 formed from a resin or plastic material may be thermoformed, blow molded, or injection molded. The container 100 may be of any suitable shape and size, depending on the particular application of the container 100 (e.g., the type and/or amount of material desired to be stored in the container 100). The container 100 may, for example, be sized and shaped to accommodate takeout food items, beverages, condiments, etc. and may be sized and shaped to contain a single serving or multiple servings.

The lid 300 is coupled to (e.g., is fit onto) the base 200 when the container 100 is in a closed configuration (shown in FIGS. 1-3). The lid 300 is detached and separated from the base 200 when the container 100 is in an open configuration (shown in FIG. 4). The base 200 includes a floor 202 that, when the container 100 is in use, defines a bottom of the container 100 that rests upon a surface (e.g., a table top) that may be considered horizontal in reference to a user of the container 100. As the description proceeds, to provide a frame of reference for the container 100, features of the container may be described as extending “horizontally,” or as extending “vertically.” Horizontal and vertical extension of features are relative to an axis A₁defined by the container 100 in the closed configuration that extends through a center of the base 200 and the lid 300. It should be understood that these phrases are descriptive and used solely for ease and clarity in describing the embodiments as illustrated. Similarly, the terms “outer,” “peripheral,” “outwardly,” “upper,” “inner,” “inwardly,” “upwardly,” “downwardly,” and the like are used solely for descriptive purposes. These terms should not be construed as limiting in any sense with regard to a particular orientation of the container 100 and the features described herein.

The base 200 includes the floor 202 and a base sidewall 204 extending upwardly from the floor 202. The base sidewall 204 and the floor 202 define an interior space 206 of the base 200 that is sized and shaped to receive material stored in the container 100. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the base sidewall 204 extends upwardly from the floor 202 to a base rim 208 that projects outwardly from the base sidewall 204. The base rim 208 circumscribes the sidewall 204 and complements a shape of the interior space 206 defined by the sidewall 204. In the exemplary embodiment, the base rim 208 has a substantially circular shape. In other embodiments, the base rim 208 may have any shape that complements the desired shape of the interior space 206 of the base 200 (e.g., square, rectangular, oblong, or other shapes). A rim wall 210 extends downwardly from the base rim 208 and terminates at a base flange 212. The rim wall 210 extends a length L₁(shown in FIG. 11) between the base rim 208 and the base flange 212. The base flange 212 projects outwardly from the rim wall 210 beyond the base rim 208. As described in further detail herein, the base flange 212 engages the lid 300 and enables the lid 300 to be releasably sealed to the base 200.

The lid 300 includes a top 302 and a lid sidewall 304 that extends downwardly from the top 302. The lid sidewall 304 and the top 302 define an interior space 306 of the lid 300. The top 302 defines a ceiling of the interior of the container 100 and the interior space 306 of the lid 300 increases the volume of the interior of the container 100 in the closed configuration when the base 200 and the lid 300 are sealed together (FIGS. 1-3). The lid sidewall 304 extends between the top 302 and lid rim 308 that projects outwardly from the lid sidewall 304. The length that the lid sidewall 304 extends between the top 302 and the lid rim 308 determines the size (volume) of the interior space 306 of the lid 300. In some embodiments, the lid sidewall 304 may be shorter than what is shown in the illustrated embodiment, or may not be present at all on the lid 300, depending on the application. For example, in some containers, the lid 300 may not increase the volume of the container when in the closed configuration (e.g., the interior space 206 of the base 200 substantially defines the interior volume of the container 100 in the closed configuration). The lid rim 308 circumscribes the lid sidewall 304 and complements a shape of the base rim 208 which, in this embodiment, is a circular shape (but may be another shape such as a square, rectangular, oblong, or other shape that complements the shape of the base rim 208).

As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, when the container 100 is in the closed configuration, mating surfaces of the lid rim 308 and the base rim 208 are in face-to-face contact. A skirt 310 extends downwardly from the lid rim 308 and terminates at a lid flange 312. The skirt 310 extends a length L₂(shown in FIG. 11) between the lid rim 308 and the lid flange 312. The lid flange 312 projects outwardly from the downwardly extending skirt 310 beyond the lid rim 308. The lid 300 also includes an outwardly extending tab 314 formed along a portion of the lid flange 312 that projects outwardly beyond the remaining portion of the lid flange 312. The tab 314 enables a user to grasp a portion of the lid 300 to enable the lid 300 to be removed from the base 200 an open the container 100.

The skirt 310 extends the length L₂that is greater than the length L₁of the base rim wall 210. When the container 100 is in the closed configuration, and the mating surfaces of the base rim 208 and the lid rim 308 are in face-to-face contact (shown in FIGS. 13 and 14), the skirt 310 extends downwardly farther than the base rim wall 210 because the length L₁is greater than L₂. As such, the skirt 310 overlaps the outwardly projecting base flange 212.

The skirt 310 has a geometrical shape, shown in FIG. 13 and described in more detail below, that facilitates a sealing engagement between the skirt 310 and the base flange 212 overlapped by the skirt 310 when the container 100 is in the closed configuration. The geometry of the skirt 310 thereby enables the base 200 and the lid 300 to remain sealed together until an externally applied force urges the lid 300 away from the base 200 (e.g., by a user pulling or pushing on the tab 314). In particular, the skirt 310 has an “S-shape” profile in extending between the lid rim 308 and the lid flange 312 and a portion of the skirt 310 proximate to the lid flange 312 forms an inwardly-extending sealing ring 316. The sealing ring 316 extends circumferentially along the skirt 310 proximate to the lid flange 312. The sealing ring 316 facilitates maintaining engagement between the skirt 310 and the base flange 212 in response to an external force that urges the lid 300 upwardly to maintain the seal the base 200 and the lid 300. The friction between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212 is such that the lid 300 and the base 200 cannot be easily separated unless an external, suitably purposeful, force of sufficient magnitude is applied to detach the lid 300 from the base 200.

In the example embodiment, the sealing ring 316 is formed by folding or bending a circumferentially-extending portion of the skirt 310 proximate to the lid flange 312 inwardly. Additionally, a series of notches 318 may be formed in the sealing ring 316. Each notch 318 may be formed by “punching” a portion of the sealing ring 316 outwardly and interrupts the sealing ring 316 as the sealing ring 316 extends circumferentially along the skirt 310. At each notch 318, a void space is defined between the skirt 310 and the base flange 212 when the container 100 is in the closed configuration. Alternatively stated, the sealing ring 316 is rendered discontinuous by the series of notches 318 and the sealing ring 316 is defined by connecting segments 319 that each extend between a pair of adjacent notches 318. The series of notches 318 may be equally spaced along the circumferential extent of the sealing ring 316, that is, each connecting segment 319 extends the same length between the respective pair of adjacent notches 318. In alternative embodiments, the sealing ring 316 may be formed by the series of notches 318, where each notch 318 is formed by punching a portion of the skirt 310 proximate to the lid flange 312 inwardly, such that the series of notches 318 forms a circumferentially-extending series of inwardly-extending projections that each facilitates maintaining engagement between the skirt 310 and the base flange 212 in response to an external force that urges the lid 300 upwardly to maintain the seal the base 200 and the lid 300. In other words, instead of the sealing ring 316 being defined by the connecting segments 319 extending between pairs of adjacent outwardly-punched notches 318, inwardly punched notches 318 in the skirt 310 may define the sealing ring 316 and the connecting segments 319 extending between pairs of adjacent notches 318 may define void spaces between the skirt 310 and the base flange 212 when the container 100 is in the closed configuration. The sealing ring 316 may be formed by various alternative means that enable the lid 300 to function as described herein.

When a user desires to open the container 100 (e.g., convert the container 100 from the closed configuration shown in FIGS. 1-3 to the open configuration shown in FIG. 4) to access material stored within the container 100, the user may apply a force (e.g., a pulling or pushing force) to the lid 300, such as to the tab 314 extending outwardly from the lid skirt 310, to detach the lid 300 from the base 200. The material forming the lid 300 (e.g., thermoplastic material, such as PETE) enables a portion of the skirt 310 proximate to the lid rim 308 to deform when the force is applied to the tab 314, and thereby enabling the applied force to overcome the friction between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212 and the lid 300 to be released from the base 200.

In response to the force applied to the tab 314 to detach the lid 300 from the base 200, the friction between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212 may concentrate along areas (“pinching points”) of the skirt 310 proximate to the tab 314. The concentrated friction at these pinching points may make it difficult for a user to detach the lid 300 from the base 200 by application of force to the tab 314 alone, which may result in damage caused to the container 100 by a user attempting to pry the lid 300 from the base 200 or applying force to other areas of the container 100 (e.g., to the base 200), or may undesirably cause movement of food inside and/or out of the container 100 when a user is attempting to open the container 100. The notches 318, which in the example embodiment define void spaces between the skirt 310 and the base flange 212 when the container 100 is in the closed configuration, may be sized and positioned to reduce an overall friction between sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212, while enabling the integrity of the seal between the lid 300 and the base 200 (e.g., the sealing engagement between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212) to be maintained. Even with the notches 318 formed in the sealing ring 316, the pinching points along the skirt 310 are still formed when attempting to detach the lid 300 from the base 200.

In view of these disadvantages, the example container 100 includes features that enable the lid 300 to be more easily detached from the base 200, by relieving the pinching points along the skirt 310, while maintaining the integrity of the seal between the skirt 310 and the base flange 212 when the container 100 is in the closed configuration. In particular, elongate cut-outs 320 (or “reliefs”) are formed in the sealing ring 316 that alleviate concentration of friction between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212 when a force is applied to detach the lid 300 from the base 200. The elongate cut-outs 320 in this example embodiment are arcuate in extent along the circular sealing ring 316, and may also be referred to as arcuate cut-outs 320. The cut-outs 320 are not limited to an arcuate shape, and the shape of the cut-outs 320 may vary depending on the shape of the lid 300 and the base 200.

The arcuate cut-outs 320 are formed in areas along the sealing ring 316 where concentration of friction is likely to occur when the sealing ring 316 engages the base flange 212 in response to a force (e.g., a pulling or pushing force) being applied to the tab 314. The size (e.g., the arc measure) of the arcuate cut-outs 320, the location on the sealing ring 316 at which the arcuate cut-outs 320 are formed, and the number of arcuate cut-outs 320 formed may vary depending on various factors, such as, for example, the size and shape of the container 100, the number of tabs 314 formed along the lid flange 312, and the amount of friction created between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212. The location and the number of arcuate cut-outs 320 suitable to enable the container 100 to function as described herein is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. Multiple variations of the number, the location, and the arc measure of the arcuate cut-outs 320 may exist, and the embodiment shown and described represents one such suitable variation and is intended to convey to persons skilled in the art the advantages of the subject matter described herein. The number, the location, and the arc measure of the arcuate cut-outs 320 may also be influenced and determined by the selection of the material utilized for the lid 300 and mechanical properties of the selected material, e.g., its rigidity and elasticity.

The arcuate cut-outs 320 are elongate recessed areas formed in the sealing ring 316, or elongate regions along the skirt 310 where the sealing ring 316 is not formed, that reduce or eliminate engagement between the skirt 310 and the base flange 212 when the lid 300 is being detached from the base 200. In the example embodiment, the arcuate cut-outs 320 are formed by punching an arcuate portion of the sealing ring 316 outwardly. The arcuate cut-outs 320 may be formed in addition to the outwardly-punched notches 318, or the arcuate cut-outs 320 may be formed in the sealing ring 316 and the outwardly-punched notches 318 are not formed. It will be appreciated that the arcuate cut-outs 320 may be formed in a similar fashion as the outwardly-punched notches 318, with the proviso that the arcuate cut-outs 320 extend a greater length along the skirt 310 than each notch 318. For example, a single arcuate cut-out 320 may extend a length along the skirt 310 equal or greater to a length traversed by a pair of adjacent notches 318 and a connecting segment 319 extending between the pair of adjacent notches 318, or a single arcuate cut-out 320 may extend a length equal to or greater than a length traversed by multiple pairs of adjacent notches 318 and the connecting segment 319 extending between each pair of adjacent notches 318. For example, an arcuate cut-out 320 may extend a length along the skirt 310 equal to or greater than a length traversed by two pairs of adjacent notches 318 and the two connecting segments 319 that each extend between one of the two pairs of adjacent notches 318.

In alternative embodiments, where the sealing ring 316 is formed by a series of inwardly-punched notches 318 in the skirt 310, each of the arcuate cut-outs 320 may be an elongate region along the skirt 310 where notches 318 are not formed which interrupts the continuity of the series of notches 318 and, thus, the sealing ring 316. Alternatively stated, the arcuate cut-outs 320 extend a length between a pair of adjacent inwardly-punched notches that is greater than a length traversed by connecting segments 319 extending between other pairs of adjacent inwardly-punched notches 318. To form the arcuate cut-outs 320 in these embodiments, when forming the sealing ring 316 by the series of inwardly-punched notches 318 along the skirt 310, the punching may be paused along elongate regions of the skirt 310 of suitable length corresponding to the desired length of the arcuate cut-outs 320. For example, an arcuate cut-out 320 may be formed by pausing the punching for one or multiple locations where an inwardly-punched notch 318 would otherwise be formed. For example, an arcuate cut-out 320 may be formed by pausing the punching for two adjacent locations, three adjacent locations, four adjacent locations, five adjacent locations, six adjacent locations, seven adjacent locations, or eight adjacent locations where inwardly-punched notches 318 would otherwise be formed. Additionally or alternatively, the arcuate cut-outs 320 may also be formed after forming the sealing ring 316 from a continuous series of inwardly-punched notches 318 by punching one or multiple inwardly-punched notches 318 outwardly to remove a desired number of notches 318 from the skirt 310, thereby creating the elongate region along the skirt 310 where inwardly-punched notches 318 are not formed.

In the example embodiment, three arcuate cut-outs 320 are formed in the sealing ring 316 (i.e., three elongate regions are formed along the skirt 310 which each reduce or eliminate engagement between the skirt 310 and the base flange 212 when the lid 300 is being detached from the base). Each arcuate cut-out 320 formed may have the same size (i.e., the same arc measure) or may be differently sized. Suitably, the arcuate cut-outs 320 have an arc measure that enables the arcuate cut-outs 320 to alleviate concentrated friction between sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212 at the locations where the arcuate cut-outs 320 are formed. The arcuate cut-outs 320 also have an arc measure that is not too great such that the presence of the arcuate cut-outs 320 does not otherwise deteriorate the integrity of the sealing engagement between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212. That is, the arcuate cut-outs 320 facilitate alleviating the concentration of friction between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212 when an external force (e.g., a pulling or pushing force on the tab 314) is applied, and suitable engagement between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212 is maintained such that an external force is still required to detach the lid 300 from the base 200 when the container 100 is in the closed configuration. Suitably, the arcuate cut-outs 320 have an arc measure that is greater than about 5° and less than about 90°, such as greater than about 5° and less than about 45°, greater than about 10° and less than about 30°, greater than about 5° and less than about 20°, greater than about 5° and less than about 15°, greater than about 5° and less than about 10°, greater than about 1° and less than about 30°, greater than about 1° and less than about 25°, greater than about 1° and less than about 20°, greater than about 1° and less than about 15°, or greater than about 1° and less than about 10°. In certain embodiments, the arc measure of the arcuate cut-outs 320 is about 1°, about 5°, about 10°, about 15°, about 20°, about 25°, about 30°, about 35°, about 40°, or about 45°. Suitable arc measures of the arcuate cut-outs 320 may include any value or subrange of values within the listed measurements. The arc measure of each arcuate cut-out 320 is measured as the angle that the arcuate cut-out 320 defines at the center of the lid 300 (i.e., where the axis A₁intersects the lid 300). The arc length of each arcuate cut-out 320 may be determined by multiplying the total circumference of the skirt 310 by the fraction of the arc measure of the arcuate cut-out 320 divided by 360°.

Each of the three arcuate cut-outs 320 are formed at locations where concentration of friction may occur when an external force is applied to the tab 314. The three arcuate cut-outs 320 are respectively labeled 320a, 320b, and 320c in FIGS. 9 and 10 for ease of description of their respective locations. As shown, a first one of the three arcuate cut-outs 320a is formed along the sealing ring 316 at the location that complements the location on the lid flange 312 where the tab 314 is formed. The arcuate cut-out 320a formed at this location alleviates friction at the point where a force is applied (e.g., the tab 314 is pulled or pushed) by a user to detach the lid 300 from the base 200. The two other of the arcuate cut-outs 320b and 320c are formed in a mirrored relationship on the sealing ring 316 on both sides of the first one of the arcuate cut-outs 320a. These two other arcuate cut-outs 320b and 320c are equally spaced a distance along the sealing ring 316 from the first arcuate cut-out 320a. The locations on the sealing ring 316 relative to the first arcuate cut-out 320a at which the arcuate cut-outs 320b and 320c are formed may correspond to the “pinching point” locations along the sealing ring 316 where friction between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212 is concentrated as described above. In this regard, the location of the arcuate cut-outs 320b and 320c may vary depending on where friction between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212 concentrates when a user applies forces to (e.g., pulls on or pushes) the tab 314 in an attempt to detach the lid 300 from the base 200.

In the example embodiment, the distance between the first arcuate cut-out 320a and each of the arcuate cut-outs 320b and 320c may span an arc measure of greater than about 5° and less than about 90°, such as greater than about 5° and less than about 45°, greater than about 10° and less than about 30°, greater than about 5° and less than about 20°, greater than about 5° and less than about 15°, greater than about 5° and less than about 10°, greater than about 1° and less than about 30°, greater than about 1° and less than about 25°, greater than about 1° and less than about 20°, greater than about 1° and less than about 15°, or greater than about 1° and less than about 10°. In certain embodiments, the arc measure spanned between adjacent arcuate cut-outs 320 is about 1°, about 5°, about 10°, about 15°, about 20°, about 25°, about 30°, about 35°, about 40°, or about 45°. Suitable arc measures spanned between adjacent arcuate cut-outs 320 may include any value or subrange of values within the listed measurements. Each arc measure spanned between adjacent arcuate cut-outs 320 is measured as described above and is measured as the distance that the sealing ring 316 extends without an arcuate cut-out 320 being formed.

Referring to FIGS. 11-14, features of the skirt 310 and the base flange 212 that facilitate sealing engagement are shown in greater detail. FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the container 100 in the open configuration (shown in FIG. 4), showing details of the skirt 310 and the base flange 212. FIG. 12 is a cross-section of the container 100 in the closed configuration from a right side of the container (shown in FIG. 3). FIG. 13 is an enlarged view of Section Circle C₁of FIG. 12, showing details of the sealing engagement between the skirt 310 and the base flange 212 at a location along the sealing ring 316 where neither a notch 318 nor an arcuate cut-out 320 is formed. FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of Section Circle C₂of FIG. 12, showing details of the sealing engagement between the skirt 310 and the base flange 212 at a location along the sealing ring 316 where the arcuate cut-out 320a is formed and where the tab 314 is formed on the lid flange 312.

As shown and described above, the skirt 310 extends the length L₂between the lid rim 308 and the lid flange 312 and the base rim wall 210 extends the length L₁between the base rim 208 and the base flange 212 that projects outwardly from the base rim wall 210. The length L₂is greater than the length L₁and, when the container is in the closed configuration, mating surfaces of the base rim 208 and the lid rim 308 are in face-to-face contact and the skirt 310 overlaps the base flange 212 (shown in FIGS. 13 and 14).

Referring to FIG. 13, the geometry of the skirt 310 that enables sealing engagement with the base flange 212 is defined by a first segment 322 that extends downwardly from the lid rim 308 at an obtuse angle 332. The first segment 322 extends between the lid rim 308 and a second segment 324. The first segment 322 deviates from the lid rim 308 at the obtuse angle 332 such that a junction 326 between the first segment 322 and the second segment 324 is located both below the lid rim 308 and outwardly from the lid rim 308. The junction 326 is suitably also located outward beyond the base flange 212 when the container 100 is in the closed configuration. The second segment 324 extends downwardly from the junction 326 to a contact region 328 along the skirt 310. The second segment 324 extends in a slight arcuate manner such that, in extending between the junction 326 and the contact region 328, the second segment 324 curves slightly inward. As such, the contact region 328 is positioned inward relative to the junction 326.

The contact region 328 defines the junction between the second segment 324 and the sealing ring 316. The contact region 328 is also the location where the skirt 310 engages the base flange 212. The sealing ring 316 extends downwardly from the contact region 328 to the lid flange 312. The sealing ring 316 also extends in an arcuate manner such that the sealing ring 316 forms a U-shape or a semicircular shape between the contact region 328 and the lid flange 312. As such, in extending downwardly between the contact region 328 and the lid flange 312, the sealing ring 316 initially extends inwardly to an apex 330 and then the sealing ring 316 continues its downward extent by extending outwardly beyond the apex 330 to the lid flange 312. The inward extent of the sealing ring 316 between the contact region 328 and the apex 330 enables the sealing ring 316 to form a friction fit between the skirt 310 and the base flange 212. Specifically, the base flange 212 engages the skirt 310 at the contact region 328, and the inward extent of the sealing ring 316 from the contact region 328 to the apex 330 creates a friction fit that facilitates maintaining the skirt 310 and the base flange 212 engaged, and the lid 300 and the base 200 sealed, when the container 100 is in the closed configuration. The lid 300 (and the skirt 310) is formed of an elastically deformable material that enables the skirt 310 to bend outwardly about the second segment 324 in response to application of sufficient force (e.g., pulling or pushing the tab 314), enabling the apex 330 to move past the base flange 212 and the lid 300 to be detached from the base 200.

Referring to FIG. 14, in locations where the skirt 310 includes an arcuate cut-out 320 formed in the sealing ring 316, the geometry of the skirt 310 facilitates alleviating friction that concentrates along certain regions of the sealing ring 316 in response to application of force in an attempt to detach the lid 300 from the base 200 (e.g., in response to a user pulling or pushing on the tab 314). Specifically, the skirt 310 includes the first segment 322 that extends from the lid rim 308 to the junction 326, and the second segment 324 that extends downwardly from the junction 326 to the contact region 328 along the skirt 310. The first segment 322 and the second segment 324 define the same geometry of the skirt 310 as described above with reference to FIG. 13, where the sealing ring 316 does not include an arcuate cut-out 320. Where the arcuate cut-out 320 is formed in the sealing ring 316 (as shown in FIG. 14), the inward extent of the skirt 310 defined by the sealing ring 316 (shown in FIG. 13) is not present. Rather, the arcuate cut-out 320 creates a substantially flat segment 334 that extends substantially vertically and downwardly from the contact region 328 to the tab 314. As such, the arcuate cut-out 320 facilitates reducing friction between the base flange 212 and the skirt 310 at this location because of the absence of an inwardly extending segment to create friction below the contact region 328. It will be appreciated that, although the cross-section shown in FIG. 14 shows the segment 334 created by the first arcuate cut-out 320a, that a similar cross-section of the skirt 310 is present when the arcuate cut-outs 320b and 320c, or any other number of arcuate cut-outs 320, are formed, and, in these cross-sections, the arcuate cut-outs 320 create the substantially flat segment 334 extending between the contact region 328 and the lid flange 312. The arcuate cut-out 320 may, in some embodiments, be formed such that the substantially flat segment 334 extends into the second segment 324, and the inward extent of the second segment 324 terminates at a point located outwardly of the contact region 328, thereby removing the contact region 328 from the skirt 310 at locations where an arcuate cut-out 320 is formed. Alternatively stated, when the lid 300 and the base 200 are sealed, the skirt 310 may not come into contact with the base flange 212 at locations where an arcuate cut-out 320 is formed.

To further illustrate, additional reference is made to FIGS. 15A-15C, which show a sequence of the lid 300 being detached from the base 200 in response to an application of force to (e.g., a user pulling or pushing) the tab 314. FIGS. 15A-15C show the reduction in friction that is facilitated by the arcuate cut-out 320 formed in the skirt 310. The flat segment 334 created by the arcuate cut-out 320 and extending vertically and downwardly from the contact region 328 enables the skirt 310 to move past the base flange 212 in these areas without the base flange 212 substantially interfering with the upward movement of the skirt 310 and, thereby, the lid 300. It will be appreciated that, although not specifically shown, during the sequence shown in FIGS. 15A-15C, the sealing ring 316 causes the base flange 212 to interfere with upward movement of the skirt 310 at areas along the skirt 310 that do not include the arcuate cut-out 320 or a notch 318 (e.g., shown in FIG. 13), thereby creating friction at these areas. The combination of the absence of friction at areas along the skirt 310 where arcuate cut-outs 320 are formed and friction between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212 at the areas where arcuate cut-outs 320 (and notches 318) are not formed facilitates improving the distribution of friction, reducing or eliminating “pinching points” between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212, and providing a lid 300 that is more user-friendly in detaching from the base 200 while maintaining sufficient friction between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212 in the absence of sufficient force applied to detach the lid 300 from the base 200.

Referring to FIGS. 16-23A,B, another example container 150 is shown. In this embodiment, the container 150 includes the base 200 and a lid 400. The base 200 includes the same elements and features as the base 200 described above for the container 100. The lid 400 includes the same elements and features as the lid 300 described above for the container 100, with additional features described in further detail below. As described above for the lid 300, the lid 400 may be formed of one or more resins or plastic materials such as, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), or the lid 400 may be formed of a molded fiber material (e.g., recycled newspaper or cardboard, bio-based resins or plant fibers such as wood pulp, bamboo, bagasse, rice hull, wheat straw, and/or PLA or PHA fibers). The lid 400 is coupled to (e.g., is fit onto) the base 200 when the container 150 is in a closed configuration (shown in FIG. 16). The lid 400 is detached and separated from the base 200 when the container 100 is in an open configuration (not shown). Components of the container 150 identical to components of the container 100 shown in and described above with reference to FIGS. 1-15A-C are identified in FIGS. 16-23A,B using the same reference numerals as used in FIGS. 1-15A-C.

Referring to FIGS. 17-22, various isolated views of the lid 400 are shown. The lid 400 includes the top 302, the lid sidewall 304, the lid rim 308, the skirt 310, and the lid flange 312, as described above for the lid 300. The skirt 310 of the lid 400 is similarly dimensioned and has a similar geometry as the skirt 310 of the lid 300 described above, to facilitate a sealing engagement between the skirt 310 and the base flange 212 overlapped by the skirt 310 when the container 150 is in the closed configuration. As described above, the geometry of the skirt 310 enables the base 200 and the lid 400 to remain sealed together until an externally applied force urges the lid 400 away from the base 200 (e.g., by a user pulling or pushing on a tab 414 of the lid 400). In particular, as shown in FIG. 13 and described above, the skirt 310 includes the contact region 328 that engages the base flange 212 and the sealing ring 316 extends downwardly from the contact region 328 to the lid flange 312 in an arcuate manner such that the sealing ring 316 initially extends inwardly to an apex 330. The inward extent of the sealing ring 316 between the contact region 328 and the apex 330 causes the sealing ring 316 to engage with the base flange 212 in response to a force (e.g., a pulling or a pushing force) applied to the tab 414, which interferes with upward movement of the lid 400 when being detached from the base 200.

As described above, the skirt 310 includes cut-outs 320 (or “reliefs”) that are formed in the sealing ring 316 on both sides of the tab 414. The skirt 310 is circular in shape and the cut-outs 320 are arcuate in shape in this example as well. The arcuate cut-outs 320 are formed at suitable locations along the sealing ring 316, proximate to the tab 414, to facilitate alleviating concentration of friction between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212 when a force is applied to separate the lid 400 from the base 200. A series of outwardly-punched notches 318 may also be formed in the sealing ring 316 as described above. The series of notches 318 may alternatively be inwardly-punched to define the sealing ring 316 as described above.

The tab 414 of the lid 400 includes a dome 434 and a tab flange 436. The dome 434 has a generally quarter-spherical shape and extends outwardly from the lid rim 308 and the skirt 310. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 23A-B, the dome 434 is hollow and the tab 414 has a generally semispherical or U-shaped bottom opening 438 that is sized and shaped to receive a user's thumb, for example, to provide leverage when the user desires to exert a force onto (e.g., push or pull) the tab 414 to detach the lid 400 from the base 200. The dome 434 also extends across a tab opening 440 formed in the skirt 310. The tab opening 440 interrupts the continuous circumferential extent of the skirt 310 and, as such, the skirt 310 terminates at each circumferential end 442, 444 of the tab 414. The tab flange 436 extends outwardly from the bottom of the dome 434. The tab flange 436 may provide an additional grasping portion of the tab 414 for a user in exerting force onto (e.g., pushing or pulling) the tab 414 to detach the lid 400 from the base 200. In the example embodiment, the tab flange 436 is integrally formed with the lid flange 312. In other embodiments, the tab flange 436 may be separate from the lid flange 312 in other embodiments.

The tab opening 440 formed in the skirt 310 obviates the first arcuate cut-out 320a on the lid 300 that extends across a region of the skirt 310 spanned by the tab 314 (shown in FIG. 9). The tab opening 440, like the arcuate cut-out 320a, alleviates friction at the point where a force is applied (e.g., the tab 414 is pulled or pushed) by a user to detach the lid 400 from the base 200. The tab opening 440 extends between the circumferential ends 442 and 444 an arc measure β₁that is suitable to facilitate alleviating friction without deteriorating the integrity of the seal formed between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212 when the lid 400 and the base 200 are sealed. Suitably, the arc measure β₁is greater than about 5° and less than about 90°, such as greater than about 5° and less than about 45°, greater than about 10° and less than about 30°, greater than about 5° and less than about 20°, greater than about 5° and less than about 15°, greater than about 5° and less than about 10°, greater than about 1° and less than about 30°, greater than about 1° and less than about 25°, greater than about 1° and less than about 20°, greater than about 1° and less than about 15°, or greater than about 1° and less than about 10°. In certain embodiments, the arc measure β₁is about 1°, about 5°, about 10°, about 15°, about 20°, about 25°, about 30°, about 35°, about 40°, or about 45°. A suitable arc measure β₁may include any value or subrange of values within the listed measurements. The arc measure β₁is measured as the angle that the tab opening 440 extends between the circumferential ends 442 and 444 defines at the center D₁of the lid 400 (i.e., where an axis A₂extending through the center of the container 150 intersects the lid 400). The arc length of the tab opening 440 may be determined by multiplying the total circumference of the skirt 310 by the fraction of the arc measure β₁divided by 360°.

The lid 400 also includes the arcuate cut-outs 320 formed in the sealing ring 316 (i.e., elongate regions formed along the skirt 310 which each reduce or eliminate engagement between the skirt 310 and the base flange 212 when the lid 400 is being detached from the base 200). In the example embodiment, two arcuate cut-outs 320b and 320c are formed in the sealing ring 316. In other embodiments, any number of arcuate cut-outs 320 may be formed that enables the lid 400 to function as described herein. Each arcuate cut-out 320b and 320c formed may have the same size (i.e., the same arc measure) or may be differently sized. That is, the arcuate cut-out 320b has an arc measure β₂and the arcuate cut-out 320c has an arc measure β₃, and the arc measure β₂may be the same or different as the arc measure β₃. Suitably, the arc measures β₂and β₃enable the respective arcuate cut-out 320b and 320c to alleviate concentrated friction between sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212 at the locations where the arcuate cut-outs 320b and 320c are formed, without deteriorating the integrity of the sealing engagement between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212. Suitably, the arc measures β₂and β₃are each greater than about 5° and less than about 90°, such as greater than about 5° and less than about 45°, greater than about 10° and less than about 30°, greater than about 5° and less than about 20°, greater than about 5° and less than about 15°, greater than about 5° and less than about 10°, greater than about 1° and less than about 30°, greater than about 1° and less than about 25°, greater than about 1° and less than about 20°, greater than about 1° and less than about 15°, or greater than about 1° and less than about 10°. In certain embodiments, the arc measures β₂and β₃are each about 1°, about 5°, about 10°, about 15°, about 20°, about 25°, about 30°, about 35°, about 40°, or about 45°. Suitable arc measures β₂and β₃may include any value or subrange of values within the listed measurements. Suitable arc measures β₂and β₃may include any value or subrange of values within the listed measurements. The arc measures β₂and β₃are measured as described above for the arc measure β₁.

Each of the arcuate cut-outs 320b and 320c are formed at locations along the sealing ring 316 where concentration of friction may occur when an external force is applied to the tab 414. In the example embodiment, the arcuate cut-outs 320b and 320c are formed in a mirrored relationship on opposing sides of the tab opening 440 and are equally spaced a distance along the sealing ring 316 from the tab 414. The locations on the sealing ring 316 relative to the tab 414 at which the arcuate cut-outs 320b and 320c are formed may correspond to the “pinching point” locations along the sealing ring 316 where friction between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212 is concentrated as described above. In this regard, the location of the arcuate cut-outs 320b and 320c may vary depending on where friction between the sealing ring 316 and the base flange 212 concentrates when a user applies forces to (e.g., pulls on or pushes) the tab 414 in an attempt to detach the lid 400 from the base 200. In the example embodiment, the distance between the tab 414 and each of the arcuate cut-outs 320b and 320c may span an arc measure β₄and β₅, respectively, of greater than about 5° and less than about 90°, such as greater than about 5° and less than about 45°, greater than about 10° and less than about 30°, greater than about 5° and less than about 20°, greater than about 5° and less than about 15°, greater than about 5° and less than about 10°, greater than about 1° and less than about 30°, greater than about 1° and less than about 25°, greater than about 1° and less than about 20°, greater than about 1° and less than about 15°, or greater than about 1° and less than about 10°. In certain embodiments, the arc measures β₄and β₅are each about 1°, about 5°, about 10°, about 15°, about 20°, about 25°, about 30°, about 35°, about 40°, or about 45°. Suitable arc measures β₄and β₅may include any value or subrange of values within the listed measurements. Each arc measure β₄and β₅spanned between the tab 414 and the respective arcuate cut-out 320b and 320c is measured as described above for the arc measures β₁, β₁, and β₃. Moreover, the arc measures β₄and β₅are measured as the distance spanned between the beginning of the respective arcuate cut-out 320b and 320c and the circumferential end 442 and 444, respectively, of the tab 414.

Referring to FIGS. 24-31A,B, another example container 160 is shown. In this embodiment, the container 160 includes the base 200 and a lid 500. The base 200 includes the same elements and features as the base 200 described above for the container 100. The lid 500 includes the same elements and features as the lid 300 described above for the container 100, with additional features described in further detail below. As described above for the lid 300, the lid 500 may be formed of one or more resins or plastic materials such as, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), or the lid 500 may be formed of a molded fiber material (e.g., recycled newspaper or cardboard, bio-based resins or plant fibers such as wood pulp, bamboo, bagasse, rice hull, wheat straw, and/or PLA or PHA fibers). The lid 500 is coupled to (e.g., is fit onto) the base 200 when the container 160 is in a closed configuration (shown in FIG. 24). The lid 500 is detached and separated from the base 200 when the container 160 is in an open configuration (not shown). Components of the container 160 identical to components of the container 100 shown in and described above with reference to FIGS. 1-15A-C are identified in FIGS. 24-31A,B using the same reference numerals as used in FIGS. 1-15A-C.

Referring to FIGS. 25-30, various isolated views of the lid 500 are shown. The lid 400 includes the top 302, the lid sidewall 304, the lid rim 308, and the lid flange 312, as described above for the lid 300. The lid 500 also includes a skirt 510 that extends downwardly from the lid rim 308 to the lid flange 312, and the lid flange 312 extends outwardly from the skirt 510. The skirt 510 of the lid 500 is similarly dimensioned and has a similar geometry as the skirt 310 of the lid 300 described above, to facilitate a sealing engagement between the skirt 510 and the base flange 212 overlapped by the skirt 510 when the container 160 is in the closed configuration. As described above for the skirt 310, the geometry of the skirt 510 enables the base 200 and the lid 500 to remain sealed together until an externally applied force urges the lid 500 away from the base 200 (e.g., by a user pulling or pushing on a tab 314 of the lid 500). In particular, the skirt 510 includes a sealing ring 516 that engages the base flange 212 in response to the force (e.g., a pulling or a pushing force) applied to the tab 314, which interferes with upward movement of the lid 500 when being detached from the base 200.

The sealing ring 516 in the example lid 500 is formed as a series of inwardly-punched notches 518 along the skirt 510. The notches 518 extend inwardly from the skirt 510 beyond a contact region 528 of the skirt 510. As described above with reference to the contact region of the skirt 510 (shown in FIGS. 13 and 14), the contact region 528 of the skirt 510 engages the base flange 212 when the lid 500 and the base 200 are sealed together in the closed configuration of the container 160. Each of the inwardly-punched notches 518 interferes with upward movement of the lid 500 when being detached from the base 200, and the notches 518 cooperate to form the sealing ring 516. Connecting members 519 extend between pairs of adjacent notches 518, and the connecting members 519 are defined as locations along the skirt 510 where inwardly-punched notches 518 are not formed. The notches 518 and the connecting members 519 may each span an equal distance, or the distance spanned by the notches 518 and/or the connecting members 519 may vary along the circumferential extent of the skirt 510. The notches 518 and the connecting members 519 may extend a greater distance than the notches 318 and the connecting members 319 described above with respect to the lids 300 and 400. As shown in the illustrated embodiment of FIGS. 24-31A,B, the notches 518 and the connecting members 519 may be slightly arcuate in shape due to the distance respectively extended along the skirt 510. The notches 518 and the connecting members 519 extend a smaller distance than the arcuate cut-outs 520, described in further detail below. Moreover, a lid that includes the notches 518 and the connecting members 519, but does not include the arcuate cut-outs described below, experiences pinching points when the lid 500 is being detached from the base 200, and the arcuate cut-outs 520 facilitate alleviating concentration of friction between the base flange 212 and the sealing ring 516 formed by the notches 518 to relieve the pinching points. The skirt 510 at locations where notches 518 are formed may have a similar cross-section as shown in FIG. 13 for the skirt 310.

The skirt 510 includes cut-outs 520 (or “reliefs”) that are located along the skirt 510. The skirt 510 is circular in shape and the cut-outs 520 are arcuate in shape in this example, similar to the arcuate cut-outs 320 formed in the sealing ring 316 described above. The arcuate cut-outs 520 are suitably located to facilitate alleviating concentration of friction between the sealing ring 516 and the base flange 212 when a force is applied (e.g., a pulling or pushing force on the tab 314) to separate the lid 500 from the base 200. In the example embodiment, the skirt 510 includes three arcuate cut-outs 520a, 520b, and 520c. In other embodiments, any number of arcuate cut-outs 520 may be located along the skirt 510 to enable the lid 500 to function as described herein. The skirt 510 at locations where arcuate cut-outs 520 are located may have a similar cross-section as shown in FIG. 14 for the skirt 310.

Each of the arcuate cut-outs 520 is an elongate region along the skirt 510 where notches 518 are not formed which interrupts the continuity of the series of notches 518 and, thus, the sealing ring 516. Alternatively stated, the arcuate cut-outs 520 extend a length between a pair of adjacent inwardly-punched notches 518 that is greater than a length traversed by connecting segments 519 extending between other pairs of adjacent inwardly-punched notches 518. To form and/or locate the arcuate cut-outs 520 in these embodiments, when forming the sealing ring 516 by the series of inwardly-punched notches 518 along the skirt 510, the punching may be paused along elongate regions of the skirt 510 of suitable length corresponding to the desired length of the arcuate cut-outs 520. For example, an arcuate cut-out 520 may be formed by pausing the punching for one or multiple locations where an inwardly-punched notch 518 would otherwise be formed. For example, an arcuate cut-out 520 may be formed by pausing the punching for two adjacent locations, three adjacent locations, four adjacent locations, five adjacent locations, six adjacent locations, seven adjacent locations, or eight adjacent locations where inwardly-punched notches 518 would otherwise be formed. Additionally or alternatively, the arcuate cut-outs 520 may also be formed after forming the sealing ring 516 from a continuous series of inwardly-punched notches 518 by punching one or multiple inwardly-punched notches 518 outwardly to remove a desired number of notches 518 from the skirt 510, thereby creating the elongate region along the skirt 510 where inwardly-punched notches 518 are not formed.

The arcuate cut-outs 520 include a first arcuate cut-out 520a that extends across a region of the skirt 510 spanned by the tab 314 (i.e., the first arcuate cut-out 520a extends between a first circumferential end 342 and a second circumferential end 344 of the tab 314). The first arcuate cut-outs 520a extends between the circumferential ends 342 and 344 an arc measure α₁. The arcuate cut-outs 520 also include a second arcuate cut-out 520b and a third arcuate cut-out 520c located on opposing sides of the tab 314. That is, the second arcuate cut-out 520b is located along the skirt 510 proximate to the first circumferential end 342 of the tab 314 and the third arcuate cut-out 520c is located proximate to the second circumferential end 344. That is, the arcuate cut-out 520b has an arc measure α₂and the arcuate cut-out 520c has an arc measure α₃. The arc measures α₁, α₂, and α₃may be the same or different, and each arc measure α₁, α₂, and α₃is suitable to facilitate alleviating friction without deteriorating the integrity of the seal formed between the sealing ring 516 and the base flange 212 when the lid 500 and the base 200 are sealed. Suitably, the arc measures α₁, α₂, and α₃are each independently greater than about 5° and less than about 90°, such as greater than about 5° and less than about 45°, greater than about 10° and less than about 30°, greater than about 5° and less than about 20°, greater than about 5° and less than about 15°, greater than about 5° and less than about 10°, greater than about 1° and less than about 30°, greater than about 1° and less than about 25°, greater than about 1° and less than about 20°, greater than about 1° and less than about 15°, or greater than about 1° and less than about 10°. In certain embodiments, the arc measures α₁, α₂, and α₃are each independently about 1°, about 5°, about 10°, about 15°, about 20°, about 25°, about 30°, about 35°, about 40°, or about 45°. Suitable arc measures α₁, α₂, and α₃may include any value or subrange of values within the listed measurements. The arc measures α₁, α₂, and α₃are measured as the angle that the respective arcuate cut-out 520a,b,c defines at the center D₂of the lid 500 (i.e., where the axis A₃intersects the lid 300). The arc length of each arcuate cut-out 520 may be determined by multiplying the total circumference of the skirt 510 by the fraction of the arc measure of the arcuate cut-out 520 divided by 360°.

The second and third arcuate cut-outs 520b and 520c are formed at locations along the sealing ring 516 proximate to the tab 314 where concentration of friction may occur when an external force is applied to the tab 314. In the example embodiment, the arcuate cut-outs 520b and 520c are formed in a mirrored relationship on opposing sides of the tab 314 and are equally spaced a distance along the sealing ring 516 from the first arcuate cut-out 520a. The locations on the sealing ring 516 relative to the tab 314 at which the arcuate cut-outs 520b and 520c are formed may correspond to the “pinching point” locations along the sealing ring 516 where friction between the sealing ring 516 and the base flange 212 is concentrated as described above. In this regard, the location of the arcuate cut-outs 520b and 520c may vary depending on where friction between the sealing ring 516 and the base flange 212 concentrates when a user applies forces to (e.g., pulls on or pushes) the tab 314 in an attempt to detach the lid 500 from the base 200. In the example embodiment, the distance between the tab 314 and each of the arcuate cut-outs 320b and 320c may span an arc measure α₄and α₅, respectively, of greater than about 5° and less than about 90°, such as greater than about 5° and less than about 45°, greater than about 10° and less than about 30°, greater than about 5° and less than about 20°, greater than about 5° and less than about 15°, greater than about 5° and less than about 10°, greater than about 1° and less than about 30°, greater than about 1° and less than about 25°, greater than about 1° and less than about 20°, greater than about 1° and less than about 15°, or greater than about 1° and less than about 10°. In certain embodiments, the arc measures β₄and β₅are each about 1°, about 5°, about 10°, about 15°, about 20°, about 25°, about 30°, about 35°, about 40°, or about 45°. Suitable arc measures α₄and α₅may include any value or subrange of values within the listed measurements. Each arc measure α₄and α₅spanned between the tab 314 and the respective arcuate cut-out 520b and 520c is measured as described above for the arc measures α₁, α₂, and α₃. Moreover, the arc measures α₄and α₅are measured as the distance spanned between the beginning of the respective arcuate cut-out 520b and 520c and the circumferential end 342 and 344, respectively, of the tab 314.

Referring to FIGS. 32-39A,B, another example container 170 is shown. In this embodiment, the container 170 includes the base 200 and a lid 600. The base 200 includes the same elements and features as the base 200 described above for the container 100. The lid 600 includes the same elements and features as the lid 500 described above for the container 100, with additional features described in further detail below. As described above for the lid 500, the lid 600 may be formed of one or more resins or plastic materials such as, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), or the lid 600 may be formed of a molded fiber material (e.g., recycled newspaper or cardboard, bio-based resins or plant fibers such as wood pulp, bamboo, bagasse, rice hull, wheat straw, and/or PLA or PHA fibers). The lid 600 is coupled to (e.g., is fit onto) the base 200 when the container 170 is in a closed configuration (shown in FIG. 32). The lid 600 is detached and separated from the base 200 when the container 170 is in an open configuration (not shown). Components of the container 170 identical to components of the container 100, 150, and/or 160 shown in and described above with reference to FIGS. 1-31A,C are identified in FIGS. 32-39A,B using the same reference numerals as used in FIGS. 32-39A,B. The lid 600 includes the same features and elements of the lid 500 described above with reference to FIGS. 24-31A,B. In addition, the lid 600 includes the tab 414 that includes the dome 434 and the tab flange 436, described above for the lid 400 and with reference to FIGS. 16-23A,B. As described above, the tab 414 defines a tab opening 440 that obviates the first arcuate cut-out 520a on the lid 600. The tab opening 440 extends an arc measure α₆between circumferential ends 442 and 444 of the tab 414. The arc measure α₆may be similar to the arc measure α₁of the first arcuate cut-out 520a of the lid 500 (FIGS. 26 and 27), and/or may be similar to the arc measure β₁of the tab opening 440 of the lid 400 (FIGS. 18 and 19).

FIG. 40 is a perspective view of another example container 700 having similar features as the containers 100, 150, 160, and 170 described above. The container 700 is square in shape and includes a base 702 and a lid 704 that are also square in shape. As such, the base rim (not shown in FIG. 40) of the base 702 and the lid rim 706 of the lid 704 are substantially square in shape. The skirt 708 of the lid 704 is also square in shape, as is the sealing ring 710 of the skirt. As described above, the base 702 and/or the lid 704 may be formed of one or more resins or plastic materials such as, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), or a molded fiber material (e.g., recycled newspaper or cardboard, bio-based resins or plant fibers such as wood pulp, bamboo, bagasse, rice hull, wheat straw, and/or PLA or PHA fibers). The lid 704 is coupled to (e.g., is fit onto) the base 702 when the container 700 is in a closed configuration (shown in FIG. 40) and the lid 704 is detached and separated from the base 702 when the container 700 is in an open configuration (not shown). Features of the containers 100, 150, 160, and 170 apply equally to this example unless expressly stated otherwise.

The sealing ring 710 in the example lid 704 is formed as a series of inwardly-punched notches 712, similar to the sealing ring 516 described above for the lid 500. Connecting members 714, similar to the connecting members 519, extend between pairs of adjacent notches 712. A distance spanned by the notches 712 and/or the connecting members 714 may vary along the sealing ring 710. Cut-outs 716 are formed at locations along the sealing ring 710 proximate to an outwardly-extending tab 718 where concentration of friction may occur when an external force is applied to the tab 718. In the example embodiment, the cut-outs 716 are formed in a mirrored relationship on opposing sides of the tab 718. The locations on the sealing ring 710 relative to the tab 718 at which the cut-outs 716 are formed may correspond to the “pinching point” locations along the sealing ring 710 where friction between the sealing ring 710 and the base flange (not shown) of the base 702 is concentrated as described above. In this regard, the location of the cut-outs 716 may vary depending on where friction concentrates when detaching the lid 704 from the base 702.

In this example, the cut-outs 716 are elongate and substantially linear in extent, rather than arcuate, as the cut-outs 716 are formed in linear (straight) segments of the sealing ring 710. The tab 718 extends outwardly from a corner of the lid flange 720, but may extend from a linear segment of the lid flange 720 in other examples. The tab 718 is flat in this example, and notches 712 and connecting members 714 are located above the tab 718. In other examples, a cut-out 716 may be located above the tab 718. In some examples, the tab 718 includes a dome 722 rather than the notches 712 and connecting members 714 above the tab 718. An example of this is illustrated in FIG. 41.

FIG. 42 is a perspective view of another example container 800 having similar features as the container 700 described above. The container 800 is oval in shape and includes a base 802 and a lid 804 that are also oval in shape. As such, the base rim (not shown in FIG. 42) of the base 802 and the lid rim 806 of the lid 804 are substantially oval in shape. The skirt 808 of the lid 804 is also oval in shape, as is the sealing ring 810 of the skirt. As described above, the base 802 and/or the lid 804 may be formed of one or more resins or plastic materials such as, for example, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, or polyethylene terephthalate (PETE), or a molded fiber material (e.g., recycled newspaper or cardboard, bio-based resins or plant fibers such as wood pulp, bamboo, bagasse, rice hull, wheat straw, and/or PLA or PHA fibers). The lid 804 is coupled to (e.g., is fit onto) the base 802 when the container 800 is in a closed configuration (shown in FIG. 42) and the lid 804 is detached and separated from the base 802 when the container 800 is in an open configuration (not shown). Features of the containers 100, 150, 160, 170, and 700 apply equally to this example unless expressly stated otherwise.

The sealing ring 810 in the example lid 804 is formed as a series of inwardly-punched notches 812, similar to the sealing ring 710 described above for the lid 704. Connecting members 814, similar to the connecting members 714, extend between pairs of adjacent notches 812. A distance spanned by the notches 812 and/or the connecting members 814 may vary along the sealing ring 810. Cut-outs 816 are formed at locations along the sealing ring 810 proximate to an outwardly-extending tab 818 where concentration of friction may occur when an external force is applied to the tab 818. In the example embodiment, the cut-outs 816 are formed in a non-mirrored relationship on opposing sides of the tab 818 because the tab 818 is offset from an outermost side or edge of the oval shaped skirt 808. The locations on the sealing ring 810 relative to the tab 818 at which the cut-outs 816 are formed may correspond to the “pinching point” locations along the sealing ring 810 where friction between the sealing ring 810 and the base flange (not shown) of the base 802 is concentrated as described above. In this regard, the location of the cut-outs 816 may vary depending on where friction concentrates when detaching the lid 804 from the base 802.

In this example, the cut-outs 816 are elongate and substantially arcuate in extent, as the cut-outs 816 are formed in curved segments of the sealing ring 810. The tab 818 extends outwardly from the lid flange 720 offset from an outermost side or edge, but may extend from an outermost side or edge of the lid flange 720 in other examples. In some such examples, the cut-outs 816 may be formed in a mirrored relationship. The tab 818 is flat in this example, and notches 812 and connecting members 814 are located above the tab 818. In other examples, a cut-out 816 may be located above the tab 818. In some examples, the tab 818 includes a dome 822 rather than the notches 812 and connecting members 814 above the tab 818. An example of this is illustrated in FIG. 42.

As used herein, an element or step recited in the singular and preceded by the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding plural elements or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited. Furthermore, references to “example embodiment” or “one embodiment” of the present disclosure are not intended to be interpreted as excluding the existence of additional embodiments that also incorporate the recited features.

The terms “about,” “substantially,” “essentially” and “approximately,” and their equivalents, when used in conjunction with ranges of dimensions, concentrations, temperatures or other physical or chemical properties or characteristics is meant to cover variations that may exist in the upper and/or lower limits of the ranges of the properties or characteristics, including, for example, variations resulting from rounding, measurement methodology or other statistical variation.

The patent claims at the end of this document are not intended to be construed under 35 U.S.C. § 112(f) unless traditional means-plus-function language is expressly recited, such as “means for” or “step for” language being expressly recited in the claim(s).

This written description uses examples to disclose the disclosure, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the disclosure, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the disclosure is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

CONTAINER HAVING BASE AND LID WITH IMPROVED FRICTION SEAL

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