1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure is generally directed to storage containers, and more particularly to storage containers with reversible lids that can be secured to the bases of the containers in two different orientations and yet create a seal between lid and base.
2. Description of Related Art
Storage containers are known to include a container base and a lid. Many such storage containers are configured so that the lid can be installed on and secured to the base to create an air tight seal between lid and base. When installed, the lid seals contents within a substantially airtight storage space of the container. A typical storage container of this type has a lid that installs on the container base in only one orientation to create the seal. Most storage containers of this type include a lid with a cover surface that lies in a plane generally parallel to and near a top of the base. Some lids are known to have small surface variations in the lid cover surface or panel for ornamental or structural purposes.
Conventional food storage containers are typically constructed as described above. Many of these types of containers are used to store food. The volume of food to be stored may be in excess of the storage volume of the base of a selected container. If so, the user must select multiple storage containers, which takes up significant storage space and dirties two containers. Alternatively, the user must select a larger storage container. This often results in the user necessarily choosing a container that is much larger than needed to store the food. A significant amount of excess air within the storage container may result because the storage space is then only partially filled with the stored food. Also, after a container is selected and used to store food, a portion of the stored food is often taken out later and eaten. The remaining amount of the stored food is then typically left in the same storage container instead of being shifted to a smaller container. This again results in the presence of even more excess air within the partially filled storage space of the container. The additional excess air can cause even faster degradation of the stored food.
Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:
The disclosed storage container includes a base and a lid that can be installed securely on the base in two different orientations. In each of the orientations, the lid and base create a seal to provide an air tight storage space within the storage container. In one example, the lid is also configured so that when it is installed on the base in one orientation, the storage space is effectively larger than the storage space that results when the lid is installed on the base in the other, inverted orientation.
Turning now to the drawings,
The disclosed container base 12 has a bottom panel 16 and a generally upstanding side wall 18 extending upward from a perimeter of the bottom panel. As noted above, the perimeter of the bottom panel 16 is generally circular in this example. The side wall 18 is a generally circular cylinder in cross section, but has a varying diameter that increases from a lower end 20 to an upper or top end 22 of the wall in this example. The side wall cylinder is thus tapered, as the base diameter increases nearer the upper end 22 of the side wall. A storage space 23 is defined within the confines of the side wall 18 and above the bottom panel 16 of the container base 12, and beneath the lid 14 when it is installed on the base. A top opening 24 into the base interior is defined generally near the upper end 22 of the side wall and provides access to the base interior.
Also as generally depicted in
Also as shown in
An annular rim 32 extends radially outward relative to the lid perimeter 30, and in this example, is also circular in configuration. A single tab 34 extends farther radially outward from an outer edge or surface of the rim 32. Use of one or more such tabs 34 is also well known for use in easily grasping and raising one edge of the lid 14 for removal from the base 12. Again, the size, contour, shape, position, construction, and configuration of the tab or tabs 34, cover panel 26, and annular rim 32, if present, can vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art.
The disclosed cover panel 26 bulges or protrudes, i.e., is distended, significantly upward and out of plane relative to a plane of the rim 32 and with reference to the standard lid orientation. In this example, the cover panel 26 is somewhat cone shaped, but has a plurality of discrete steps 29. Thus, the surfaces of the cover panel 26 are not smooth and gradual, but instead are stepped, creating a plurality of circumferential, progressively smaller diameter, stepped surfaces in the panel. The plane of the annular rim 32 is used as a reference because, as described below, the annular rim is positioned central to first and second seal structure portions on the lid 14 in this example and because the rim seats adjacent the top opening 24 of the base 12 when the lid is installed in either orientation.
The general nature of the disclosed storage container is that the lid 14 can be installed on the base 12 in two different orientations. A first or standard orientation is depicted in
We now describe one example of the seal means or structure; which includes parts on both the lid and the base, and that yields the disclosed reversible lid storage container.
As shown in
The perimeter 30 of the lid 14 in this example has an annular wall or skirt 40 that extends around and depends from an outer or perimeter edge of the cover panel 26. The vertical height of the skirt 40 is sufficient to carry a number of structural features of the seal means or structure, as described below. Also, the annular rim 32 is positioned in this example at about mid-height on the skirt 40 and extends radially outward from an outer surface of the skirt. A first portion 42a of the skirt outer surface is positioned below the rim 32 with reference to this lid orientation, and is on the opposite side of the rim relative to the bulging cover panel 26. A second portion 42b of the skirt outer surface is positioned above the rim with reference to this lid orientation on the side of the rim opposite the first outer skirt surface portion 42a. The first and second skirt surface portions 42a and 42b each face generally radially outward in this storage container example.
As shown in
The configuration of the lid perimeter including the skirt 42, rim 32, cover surface 26, and skirt inner and outer surfaces also enhance structural rigidity of the lid 14 in this particular example. However, as will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the specific configuration of the lid perimeter can vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of present invention. The discrete skirt, rim, and skirt and rim surfaces may each be an optional structure. A part of the sealing means or structure can alternatively be provided directly on an interior or exterior portion of the cover surface 26 or on some other alternative structure carried on, or formed as part of, the lid.
As depicted in
A base rib 56 extends circumferentially around the base 12 and projects radially inward from the interior surface 51 of the annular wall 50. The base rib 56 is spaced a distance upward and away from the step 52, thus, effectively forming a base depression 58 between the step and the base rib. The base depression 58 is effectively recessed radially outward into the interior surface 51 of the annular wall 50. In this example, the base depression 58 extends circumferentially around the base 12 and is positioned adjacent the step 52 between the upper end 22 of the side wall and the base rib 56. The annular wall 50 continues upward beyond the base rib 56 into an annular flange 60 that extends radially outward around the base 12. As noted above, the interior surface 51 of the annular wall 50 continues into the top edge 54, which is the top most surface of the flange 60. The flange 60 continues radially outward and then curves downward into a depending lip 62. The lip 62 extends circumferentially around the base 12 and is spaced outward from the outer surface of the annular wall 50 at the upper end 22 of the side wall 18. The combination of the base rib 56 and the base depression 58 of the annular wall 50 together define a base seal structure in this example. This base seal structure and, in this example, the top edge 54 of the base 12 form a part of the seal means or structure of the disclosed storage container.
The configuration of the step 52, annular wall 50, lip 62, and flange 60 also enhance structural rigidity of the base 12 in this particular example. However, as will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the specific configuration of the generally upper portion of the side wall 18 and the base 12 can vary considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of present invention. The discrete annular wall, the step, the lip, and the flange may each be an optional structure. A part of the sealing means or structure can alternatively be provided directly on an interior or exterior surface of the side wall 18 or on some other alternative structure carried on, or formed as part of, the base. That structure need only be configured to mate with another structure on the lid to form a seal with the lid installed on the base.
As shown in
The distance between the lower edge of the base rib 56 and the top edge 54 of the base 12, as well as between the first rim surface 48a and the first lid rib 44a, can in this example be sufficient to maintain a slight interference or pressure between portions of the lid and base. Specifically, by designing and controlling these dimensions, a generally vertical, positive pressure component can be created between the first rim surface 48a and base top edge 54 and also between the base rib 56 and first lid rib 44a to create an air tight seal. Similarly, the slight diameter difference between the inner most diameter of the base rib 56 and the outer most diameter of the first lid rib 44a also can be designed to create a generally horizontal, positive pressure component to assist in maintaining the seal. Overall, these structures create what is generally termed herein as a first sealing structure, portions of which are partly provided on the base and partly provided on the lid.
Turning now to the lid orientation shown in
The lid 14 in this orientation seats or seals in substantially the same manner as in the prior orientation, but with the following differences. First, the previously upward facing second rim surface 48b of the annular rim 32 now faces downward and bears against the top edge 54 of the base 12. The second lid rib 44a positioned on the opposite side of the annular rim 32 in this example interferingly fits and snaps within the base rib 56 and nests in the base depression 58 of the annular wall interior surface 51. Similarly and simultaneously, the rib 56 in this example interferingly fits and snaps over the second lid rib 44b and nests in the second lid depression 46b adjacent the annular rim 32. Again, the spacing between the surface 48b of the annular rim 32 and the second lid rib 44b, and the spacing between the base rib 56 and the top edge 54 can be such that a slight interference is maintained between the annular rim and base top edge and between the lid and base ribs. This interference again creates a generally vertical surface pressure between the base and lid structures. Also, the diameter difference between the inner most surface of the base rib 56 and the outer most surface of the second lid rib 44b again creates generally horizontal interference to form and retain a seal when the inverted lid is installed as shown in
As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the sealing means or structure between the lid and base can vary and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the lid in this example has an exterior facing surface, which seats against an interior surface 50 of an annular wall at the top of the side wall 18 of the base 12. In an alternate example, an interior lid surface could seat against an exterior surface of the base and yet otherwise have the same structure as illustrated and described herein. In another alternative example, the base surface, whether on an interior annular or exterior annular surface can include a single circumferential depression and the lid can include a pair of circumferential projections or ribs whether on an exterior surface or an interior surface of the lid, that nest in the depression, one rib being provided for each lid orientation. In another alternative example, the lid can include a surface, whether on an interior or exterior portion of the lid, that includes a pair of circumferential depressions and the base can include a single circumferential rib, wherein the rib seats in one of the depressions depending upon the lid orientation.
In the disclosed example, the storage container 10 can be fabricated from a plastic or thermoplastic material such as polypropylene, thermoplastic elastomer, polyethylene, or the like. The container components can be injection molded, blow molded, vacuum formed, thermoformed, or otherwise fabricated as desired. Alternative materials can also be used to fabricate the base and/or the lid, such as glass, metal, ceramic, or the like and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Similarly, other alternative processes can be used, depending upon the material utilized for a specific lid or base component.
The disclosed reversible lid storage container provides at least two beneficial advantages for consumers. First, the storage container may have a base of a particular storage volume. However, the storage space can be increased rather substantially by installing the lid on the base in the first orientation shown in
A second beneficial advantage for the consumer is that if a small amount of material, such as a food item, is stored in the container, wherein that food volume is less than the volume of the storage space within just the base, the lid can be installed on the base in the second inverted orientation. In this orientation, the cover surface 26 projects downward into the base and effectively reduces the volume of the storage space. By doing so, the volume of air within the storage space is also reduced. As is known to those having ordinary skill in the art, air can negatively effect how long food stored in the container will last. By reducing the amount of excess air in the storage space, food contents stored in the container may simply last longer.
The disclosed example of a reversible lid and the seal means or structures can create a double seal arrangement. The ribs and depressions create a first seal when the lid is installed on the base in either orientation. The lid rim and the top edge of the base can create a second seal using the geometry of the interlocking structures as noted above. The rim can be drawn down upon and into interference with the top edge of the base when the lid is installed in either orientation to create the second seal.
Although certain storage containers have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.
This patent is related to and claims the priority benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/681,823 entitled “Reversible Lid Storage Container,” which was file on May 17, 2006, and the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60681823 | May 2005 | US |