The present invention relates to an improved container. More specifically, the present invention relates to an easy-open square-shaped container which is easy to carry.
Generally, square containers are more efficient for storing products, such as food, because they stack closer together with less wasted space outside of the container between adjacent containers. Thus, it is desirable to use square containers in food products, such as ice cream, to utilize the most space within the freezer in store freezer cases. However, one problem with square containers is that it is generally difficult to get the lids off of the container. Thus, the user generally has to pull from a corner of the lid because pulling from the side of the lid simply pulls the adjacent corners closer together and makes it more difficult to remove the lid. Additionally with cold food products, such as ice cream, the containers are cold and possibly wet with condensation and slippery when the user tries to remove the lid. Thus, there is a need in the art for an improved container which has efficient use of storage space but is easy to open.
In view of the foregoing, a primary feature or advantage of the present invention is to provide an improved container.
Another feature or advantage of the present invention is to provide a container with a lid that is easy to grip and remove from the square container.
Another feature or advantage of the present invention is a container which is easy to carry and provide structure on both the container and lid for ease of opening a square lid on the square container.
Another feature or advantage of the present invention is a method of removing a square-shaped lid from a square-shaped container.
These and or other features or advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the specification and claims that follow.
According to one aspect of the present invention, an improved container and lid combination is disclosed. The improved container and lid combination includes a container body having a base and sidewalls extending upward from the base to form the container, a bail pivotally attached to opposite corners of the container, and a lid body having a top and sides extending downward from the top to form the lid, wherein the lid is adapted to mate to the container. In the preferred form, the lid includes a tab which extends outward and downward from a corner portion of the lid whereby a user may pull downward on the bail and upward on the tab to lift the lid from the container, the container includes an ear on opposite corners having a slot adapted to pivotally secure the bail to the container, the bail has terminal ends with a pin extending perpendicularly inward there from being securable within the slot, the sidewalls terminate in a mouth opposite the base having a lip adapted to seat against a slot in the lid, inner sides of the lid have one or more ridges adapted to secure the lid to the lip of the container, the top of the lid has a recess adapted to receive the base of another container when one or more of the containers are stacked together, the lid also has a rim near the outer periphery, and the rim is adapted to secure sides of another lid when one or more lids are stacked together.
A new method for an improved container and lid combination is disclosed. The method includes taking the container having a base and sidewalls and the lid having a top and sides and removing the lid from the container by pushing downward against the container on a bail pivotally attached to opposite corners of the container while lifting upward on the lid. In the preferred form, the method also includes the step of inserting one or more fingers underneath a tab integrally formed in a corner of the lid for lifting up on the tab to remove the lid and the step of balancing forces exerted while removing the lid by pushing downward on the bail against the container and lifting upward on the tab at the same time.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
The bail 24 may affix to the container 10 by any type of connection which allows the bail 24 to pivot. One example is where the bail 24 has a tab or pin 28 extending inward which mates with a corresponding friction fit slot 26 in the ear 18 and the ear 18 is integrally connected to the container 10. The tab or pin 28 extending from the bail 24 fits in the slot 26 in the ear 18 yet pivots around the pin 28.
The container 10, lid 30, and bail 24, can be made from any material which is desired for the intended purpose. However, it is preferred that these items be formed from a plastic material. In addition, if the container assembly is to contain food, the plastic material should be food grade.
It is easily understood how advantages of the present invention allow for a more efficient storage of goods and containers because of the square size of the container 10 which stack closer together leaving less wasted space outside and between the containers 10. However, square containers generally are somewhat difficult to open because of the square lids. Thus, the present invention solves these problems by providing a square-shaped container 10 with an easy-open lid 30 and a bail 24 on the container 10 to aid in opening the lid 30. Other useful and nonobvious benefits of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art and the following claims.
Another advantage of the present design is that square containers which have bails generally have the bails attached to a side portion rather than a corner. This allows the bail to be approximately centered to the center of gravity for the container allowing for easy carry of the container when product is in the container. However, when bails are placed on opposite sides of the container rather than on opposite corners of the container, one cannot easily open a square lid because, as discussed above, square lids generally need to be pulled from a corner, rather than a side to open easily. The shape, radius of corners, and size of the container may vary depending on desired use of the container.
The invention has been shown and described above with the preferred embodiments, and it is understood that many modifications, substitutions, and additions may be made which are within the intended spirit and scope of the invention. From the foregoing, it can be seen that the present invention accomplishes at least all of its stated objectives.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 to a provisional application Ser. No. 60/823,610 filed Aug. 25, 2006, which application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
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60823610 | Aug 2006 | US |