STACKABLE CANNING JAR SYSTEM

Abstract

A stackable canning jar assembly includes a canning jar extending axially from a first end to a second end thereof with first end of the canning jar including a rim and the second end of the canning jar forming a bottom portion thereof with the bottom portion of the canning jar including an annular detent feature projecting therefrom. A lid element includes a peripheral portion and a channel portion. The peripheral portion includes a sealing element configured to removably engage the rim of the canning jar and the channel portion is disposed radially inwardly of the peripheral portion and is configured to removably receive the detent feature of the canning jar therein to limit movement of the canning jar relative to the lid element with respect to directions arranged perpendicular to the axial direction of the canning jar when the detent feature is received within the channel portion.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a canning jar assembly, and more particularly, to a canning jar assembly forming a part of a stackable canning jar system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It is known to provide a process for preserving food through canning. The process for canning to preserve food was first proven in the early 1800's and used a container such as a glass jar, a flat lid made of metal such as tin, and a seal such as wax. Later improvements to the early canning process came with the advent of the Mason jar and its reusable screw-on threaded retainer element for providing a sealing mechanism between a metal lid of zinc with a rubber ring and a glass container with a mating thread molded at the opening. The rubber ring created a seal maintained by the threaded band screwed in place. Throughout its history, the metal lid and wax seal have not been reusable.

The advent and development of these components provided an affordable and easy to use method for home canning and became popular for preserving consumable foodstuff such as sauces, pickles, relishes, fruit and tomatoes. This was an important development in the era pre-dating the common use of refrigeration and convenience stores for obtaining and keeping food from spoilage.

Other developments have followed to accomplish the same results, for example, jar variations allowing the use of glass lids held in place with a metal clamp for eliminating corrosion concerns and subsequent loss of seal leading to food contamination. Further improvements to this style of jar and seal included a raised lip to help keep the jar from cracking.

Mass production and distribution of glass canning jars began in the early 1900's, led by the Ball Corporation. Easier to fill wide-mouth jars were introduced around this time, as well as the innovation of permanently attaching the gasket seal to the metal lid. By 1915, a smaller, flat metal lid with the same permanent composition gasket seal had been developed using the same practice of screwing a metal retainer element onto a glass jar to seal and hold the lid in place during hot water processing. This improved the two-part lid system, thereby allowing canning jars to be used over and over with low cost and easy to use disposable metal lids that are presently still commonly in use.

Transport, stacking, and storage of canning containers, whether new or reused, causes challenges given the general non-stackable nature of such components, whether provided independently or as part of a canning assembly. That is, individual components such as the lid element, the retainer element, and the canning container are generally not produced with shapes that allow for a nested or stacked storage configuration when attempting to organize and group such individual components, nor do assemblies including a combination of two or more such components include such complimentary shapes for reducing the space occupied by a grouping of such assemblies.

There is accordingly a need for an improved system and method for storing and/or packaging canning jar assemblies and/or individual canning components in order to save space while also promoting an organized and orderly appearance of the stored or packaged canning jar assemblies and/or individual canning components.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Compatible and attuned with the present invention, a stackable canning jar system having canning components with multiple nested or mating surfaces for reducing a space occupied by the stackable canning jar system has surprisingly been discovered.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a stackable canning jar assembly comprises a canning jar extending in an interior axial direction from a first end to an opposing second end thereof with the first end of the canning jar including a rim leading into an interior of the canning jar and the second end of the canning jar forming a bottom portion thereof. The bottom portion of the canning jar includes an annular detent feature projecting therefrom in the interior axial direction. A lid element has an annular peripheral portion and an annular channel portion with the peripheral portion including an annular sealing element disposed thereon that is configured to removably engage the rim of the canning jar and the channel portion disposed radially inwardly of the peripheral portion and configured to removably receive the detent feature of the canning jar therein to limit movement of the canning jar relative to the lid element with respect to directions arranged perpendicular to the interior axial direction of the canning jar when the detent feature is received within the channel portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other objects and advantages of the invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded elevational cross-sectional view of a stackable canning jar assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a lid element according to the present invention that is suitable for use with a regular mouth canning jar;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the lid element of FIG. 3 as taken from the perspective of section lines 3-3;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the lid element of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is an elevational front view of the canning jar of the assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the canning jar of FIG. 5 with an enlarged view of a portion of the canning jar bounded by the broken circle;

FIG. 7 is an elevational cross-sectional view of an exemplary stack of canning jar assemblies according to FIG. 1 with the stack utilizing a two-part closure;

FIG. 8 is an elevational cross-sectional view of an exemplary stack of canning jar assemblies according to FIG. 1 with the stack utilizing a one-part closure;

FIG. 9 is an elevational front view of a canning jar of a stackable canning jar assembly according to another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 10 is a bottom plan view of the canning jar of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is an elevational cross-sectional view of an exemplary stack of canning jar assemblies utilizing the canning jar of FIGS. 9 and 10, wherein the stack utilizes a two-part closure;

FIG. 12 is an elevational cross-sectional view of an exemplary stack of canning jar assemblies utilizing the canning jar of FIGS. 9 and 10, wherein the stack utilizes a one-part closure;

FIG. 13 is a top plan view of a lid element according to the present invention that is suitable for use with a wide mouth canning container;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of the lid element of FIG. 13 as taken from the perspective of section lines 14-14;

FIG. 15 is an exploded elevational cross-sectional view of a stackable canning jar assembly according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an elevational cross-sectional view of an exemplary stack of canning jar assemblies according to FIG. 15 with the stack utilizing a two-part closure;

FIG. 17 is an elevational cross-sectional view of an exemplary stack of canning jar assemblies according to FIG. 15 with the stack utilizing a one-part closure;

FIG. 18 is an exploded elevational cross-sectional view of a stackable canning jar assembly according to yet another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is an elevational cross-sectional view of an exemplary stack of canning jar assemblies according to FIG. 18 with the stack utilizing a two-part closure; and

FIG. 20 is an elevational cross-sectional view of an exemplary stack of canning jar assemblies according to FIG. 15 with the stack utilizing a one-part closure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments. “A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology. “About” when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” and/or “substantially” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” and/or “substantially” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

All documents, including patents, patent applications, and scientific literature cited in this detailed description are incorporated herein by reference, unless otherwise expressly indicated. Where any conflict or ambiguity may exist between a document incorporated by reference and this detailed description, the present detailed description controls.

Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments may alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of.” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.

As referred to herein, disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of “from A to B” or “from about A to about B” is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter may define endpoints for a range of values that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9, 1-8, 1-3, 1-2, 2-10, 2-8, 2-3, 3-10, 3-9, and so on. All values provided for the dimensions of certain features of the invention should also be understood to be subject to typical manufacturing inconsistencies and therefore may be associated with corresponding manufacturing tolerances, hence the resulting features of a manufactured article of the invention may include dimensions that vary from those listed herein in accordance with such manufacturing tolerances while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

The present invention is drawn towards a canning jar assembly 1 having a configuration suitable for stacking a plurality of the canning jar assemblies 1 in an axial direction thereof to form a stackable canning jar system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the canning jar assembly 1 generally includes a canning jar 3, a lid element 10, and a retainer element 70. The stacking of the individual ones of the canning jar assemblies 1 is accomplished via a nested relationship present between a lower portion and an upper portion of each of the canning jar assemblies 1, as explained in detail hereinafter. Advantageously, the present invention discloses a configuration of the associated canning jar 3 that allows for a stacking of a plurality of the canning jar assemblies 1 when utilizing a combination of the lid element 10 and the retainer element 10 with respect to one or more of the canning jar assemblies 1 forming a stack of the canning jar assemblies 1, when exclusively utilizing the lid element 10 in the absence of the retainer element 10 with respect to one or more of the canning jar assemblies 1 forming a stack of the canning jar assemblies 1, and/or combinations thereof. The present invention is accordingly configured to allow for the stacking of the canning jar assemblies 1 regardless of whether the user thereof prefers to stack canning jars 5 having undergone successful canning processes via only the hermetic seal provided by the lid element 10 when exposed to a vacuum effect within the associated canning jars 5 or via a combination of the lid element 10 and the retainer element 70 with the retainer element 70 threadably coupled to the associated canning jars 5 for further preventing removal of the lid element 10 and/or a breaking of the hermetic seal provided thereby. Additionally, the disclosed flexibility of stacking arrangements can also be helpful in storing as of yet utilized canning assemblies 1 while maintaining a grouping of the desired components, such as maintaining one of the lid elements 10 and one of the retainer elements 70 in close proximity to an associated canning jar 3 such that all components are readily accessible and proximate each other when choosing to initiate a canning process.

FIGS. 2-4 illustrate the lid element 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. During a canning process, the lid element 10 is configured to be disposed between a rim 6 of the canning jar 3 and a radially extending portion 72 of the retainer element 70 when the retainer element 70 is threadably engaging a thread 8 formed along a finish portion 7 of the canning jar 3. The lid element 10 further remains on the rim 6 following a successful canning process leading to a reduced pressure within an interior of the canning jar 3 and a resulting hermetic seal formed between the lid element 10 and the rim 6.

The lid element 10 may be formed to include multiple different layers, and the number of layers and the composition of each of the corresponding layers may be selected to provide a desired strength and stiffness to the lid element 10 while also providing desired corrosion and/or contamination resistance. In the provided example, a core layer may be formed from a metallic material such as steel and alloys thereof. Other suitable metallic materials may alternatively be utilized in forming the core layer, such as aluminum and alloys thereof, as one additional non-limiting example. The core layer may also include an additional coating (not shown) of another metallic material such as tin, as desired, to one or both sides of the base metallic material of the core layer. The core layer may include a nominal thickness of about 0.0063-0.0070 inches, as one non-limiting range of possible values.

The lid element 10 may further include three inner protective layers disposed to a side of the core layer facing towards an interior of the canning jar 3 when the lid element 10 is engaging the rim 6 of the canning jar 3. As used hereinafter, an axial direction of the lid element 10 corresponding to the axial direction towards the interior of the canning jar 3 when the lid element 10 is engaged thereto is referred to as the interior axial direction while an opposing axial direction opposite to the interior axial direction is referred to as the exterior axial direction. A first inner protective layer disposed adjacent the core layer towards the interior axial direction may be provided as a first corrosion protection layer and may be formed from a food grade protective layer. A second inner protective layer disposed adjacent the first inner protective layer towards the interior direction may be provided as a second corrosion protection layer and may be formed from a base coat of a BPA free coating. A third inner protective layer disposed adjacent the second inner protective layer towards the interior direction may be provided as a third corrosion protection layer and may be formed from a top coat of a BPA free coating. The BPA free coatings may be provided as coatings of polyester, as one non-limiting example.

The lid element 10 may also include two outer protective layers disposed to a side of the core layer corresponding to an exterior of the canning jar 3 when the lid element 10 is engaging the rim 6 of the canning jar 3. A first outer protective layer disposed adjacent the core layer towards the exterior direction may be provided as a first corrosion protection layer and may be formed from a food grade protective layer. A second outer protective layer disposed adjacent the first outer protective layer towards the exterior direction may be provided as a second corrosion protection layer and may be formed from a BPA free coating, such as a coating of polyester.

The lid element 10 is described hereinafter as including an inner face 10a and an opposing outer face 10b, wherein the inner face 10a refers to the exposed surface of the lid element 10 facing in the interior axial direction while the outer face 10b refers to the exposed surface of the lid element 10 facing in the exterior axial direction. As best shown in FIGS. 2-4, the lid element 10 generally includes a peripheral portion 12, a channel portion 20, and a domed portion 30. The domed portion 30 forms a central portion of the lid element 10 and includes a circular perimeter shape. The channel portion 20 is disposed radially outwardly of the domed portion 30 and the peripheral portion 12 is disposed radially outwardly of the channel portion 20. The peripheral portion 12 and the channel portion 20 are each annular in shape. As such, it should be apparent that the lid element 10 is substantially axially symmetric about a central axis thereof and each of the features described hereinafter with reference to the cross-sectional views of the lid element 10 shown throughout the present disclosure should be understood to extend circumferentially around a full 360 degrees relative to the central axis.

The peripheral portion 12 includes an annularly extending skirt segment 14 arranged to extend in parallel to an axial direction of the lid element 10, which also corresponds to the axial direction of the canning jar 3 when the lid element 10 is engaged thereto. The skirt segment 14 is substantially cylindrical in shape and is configured to extend around an outer circumferential surface of a finish portion 7 of the canning jar 3 terminating in the rim 6 thereof. The skirt segment 14 also forms an outer circumferential surface of the lid element 10 having a maximum radial distance from a central axis of the lid element 10. The peripheral portion 12 is configured to be axially aligned with and to overlay the rim 6 of the canning jar 3 about an entirety of a circumference thereof at a position radially inward of the skirt segment 14 thereof when the lid element 10 is properly engaging the rim 6.

An arcuate transition segment 15 extends arcuately through at least 90 degrees of curvature and connects the skirt segment 14 to an engaging segment 16 of the peripheral portion 12 disposed radially inwardly of the skirt segment 14. More specifically, the arcuate transition segment 15 is initially arranged parallel to the axial direction where the arcuate transition segment 15 first extends tangentially away from the skirt segment 14 and curves radially inwardly along a circular curvature until transitioning to the annular engaging segment 16.

The engaging segment 16 may be arranged at an angle A₁ with respect to a radial direction of the lid element 10, which is arranged perpendicular to the axial direction thereof. The angle A₁ is shown in FIG. 5 as being about 12-14°, but other angles of inclination may be utilized without necessarily departing from the scope of the present invention. In some embodiments, the angle A₁ may be between 0° (corresponding to a radially extending segment) and 20°. An example of the angle A₁ being 0° is shown with respect to the depiction of the lid element 10 in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the angle A₁ may be between 9° and 15°. The inclination of the engaging segment 16 and annular extension thereof results in the engaging segment 16 having a frustoconical shape. The inclination of the engaging segment 16 is shown as including the engaging segment 16 extending partially in the interior axial direction when progressing in the radial inward direction of the lid element 10 away from the arcuate transition segment 15 and towards the channel portion 20 of the lid element 10. It should also be apparent that the angle of curvature through which the arcuate transition segment 15 extends is accordingly determined by the angle A₁, which is added to the previously disclosed 90° to determine the total angle of curvature of the arcuate transition segment 15. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2-4, the angle A₁ of 12-14° therefore corresponds to the arcuate transition segment 15 extending through an angle of about 102°-104° of curvature.

The arcuate transition segment 15 forms a convex surface along the outer face 10b of the lid element 10 and a concave surface along the inner face 10a thereof. As shown in FIG. 4, the arcuate transition segment 15 may include a radius of curvature RC₁ of about 0.040 inches along the convex surface of the outer face 10b, as one non-limiting example. However, other values may be selected for RC₁ without necessarily departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in other embodiments, the radius of curvature RC₁ may be between 0.030 and 0.050 inches, as desired.

The outer face 10b of the lid element 10 is configured to eventually engage an inner facing surface 75 of the radially extending portion 72 of the retainer element 70 along at least one of the arcuate transition segment 15 and/or the engaging segment 16 when the retainer element 70 is progressively threaded relative to the canning jar 3 with the lid element 10 engaging the rim 6 thereof. As shown in FIG. 4, an annular apex surface 15a formed along a portion of the arcuate transition segment 15 disposed distally from a plane defined by an end of the skirt 14 with respect to the axial direction and also arranged parallel to such a plane (providing a radially extending surface) may be configured to provide an annular surface along which the radially extending portion 72 of the retainer element 70 first contacts the peripheral portion 12 of the lid element 10 when progressing axially theretowards during a threading of the retainer element 70 relative to the canning jar 3. Alternatively, where the angle A₁ is selected to be 0°, the engaging segment 16 extends exclusively in the radial direction and thus forms an annular and planar surface arranged parallel to the radially extending portion 72 of the retainer element 70.

The channel portion 20 includes an outer angled segment 21, a planar segment 22, and an inner angled segment 23. A radial inward end of the peripheral portion 12 includes an arcuate transition segment 17 arcuately connecting the engaging segment 16 to the outer angled segment 21 of the channel portion 20. The arcuate transition segment 17 includes a circular curvature and curves through an angle corresponding to a difference in inclination present between the engaging segment 16 of the outer angled segment 21. When the angle A₁ is selected to be 0° to form the annular, planar, and radially extending engaging segment 16 described above, the outer angled segment 21 may extend a greater distance (height) in the axial direction to cause the arcuate transition segment 17 to connect a frustoconical surface formed by the outer angled segment 21 to a planar surface formed by the engaging segment 16. As shown in FIG. 4, the transition segment 17 forms a concave surface along the inner face 10a and a convex surface along the outer face 10b when connecting the engaging segment 16 to the outer angled segment 21. A radius of curvature RC₂ of the convex surface formed by the arcuate transition segment 17 along the outer face 10b may be about 0.100 inches, as one non-limiting example. However, other values may be selected for the radius of curvature RC₂ without necessarily departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, in other embodiments, the radius of curvature RC₂ may be between 0.090 and 0.110 inches, as desired.

The outer angled segment 21 is inclined to extend partially in the radially inward direction and partially in the interior axial direction as the outer angled segment 21 extends away from the arcuate transition segment 17 and towards an outer channel transition segment 25 connecting the outer angled segment 21 to the planar segment 22 of the channel portion 20. The outer angled segment 21 may be inclined by an angle A₂ relative to the radial direction of the lid element 10, which is illustrated in FIG. 4 as being about 40°. However, other values may be selected for the angle A₂ while remaining within the scope of the present invention. In some embodiments, the angle A₂ is selected to be between 35° and 45°. In other embodiments, the angle A₂ is selected to be between 30° and 50°.

The outer channel transition segment 25 arcuately connects the outer angled segment 21 to the planar segment 22 of the channel portion 20. The outer channel transition segment 25 includes a circular curvature and curves through an angle corresponding to a difference in inclination present between the outer angled segment 21 and the planar segment 22, which corresponds to the angle A₂. As shown in FIG. 4, the outer channel transition segment 25 forms a convex surface along the inner face 10a and a concave surface along the outer face 10b when connecting the outer angled segment 21 to the planar segment 22. A radius of curvature RC₃ of the concave surface formed by the outer channel transition segment 25 along the outer face 10b may be about 0.070 inches, as one non-limiting example. However, other values may be selected for the radius of curvature RC₃ without necessarily departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the radius of curvature RC₃ may be between 0.060 and 0.080 inches, as desired.

The planar segment 22 is arranged in the radial direction of the lid element 10. The planar segment 22 extends radially inwardly from the outer channel transition segment 25 to an inner channel transition segment 26 connecting the planar segment 22 to the inner angled segment 23. The inner angled segment 23 is inclined to extend partially in the radially inward direction and partially in the exterior axial direction as the inner angled segment 23 extends away from the inner channel transition segment 26 and towards the centrally disposed domed portion 30 of the lid element 10. The inner angled segment 23 accordingly includes a slope that is opposed to that of the outer angled segment 21. The inclination of the inner angled segment 23 and the annular configuration thereof results in the inner angled segment 23 having a frustoconical shape. The inner angled segment 23 may be inclined by an angle A₃ relative to the radial direction of the lid element 10, which is illustrated in FIG. 5 as being about 45°. However, other values may be selected for the angle A₃ while remaining within the scope of the present invention. In some embodiments, the angle A₃ is selected to be between 40° and 50°. In other embodiments, the angle A₃ is selected to be between 35° and 55°.

The inner channel transition segment 26 arcuately connects the planar segment 22 to the inner angled segment 23. The inner channel transition segment 26 includes a circular curvature and curves through an angle corresponding to a difference in inclination present between the inner angled segment 23 and the planar segment 22, which corresponds to the angle A₃. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner channel transition segment 26 forms a convex surface along the inner face 10a and a concave surface along the outer face 10b when connecting the inner angled segment 23 to the planar segment 22. A radius of curvature RC₄ of the concave surface formed by the inner channel transition segment 26 along the outer face 10b may be about 0.020 inches, as one non-limiting example. However, other values may be selected for the radius of curvature RC₄ without necessarily departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the radius of curvature RC₄ may be between 0.010 and 0.030 inches, as desired.

A dome transition segment 27 arcuately connects the inner angled segment 23 to the domed portion 30 of the lid element 10. The dome transition segment 27 includes a circular curvature and curves through an angle corresponding to a difference in inclination present between the inner angled segment 23 and a periphery of the domed portion 30. As shown in FIG. 4, the inner channel transition segment 26 forms a concave surface along the inner face 10a and a convex surface along the outer face 10b when connecting the inner angled segment 23 to the domed portion 30. A radius of curvature RC₅ of the concave surface formed by the dome transition segment 27 along the inner face 10a may be about 0.020 inches, as one non-limiting example. However, other values may be selected for the radius of curvature RC₅ without necessarily departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the radius of curvature RC₅ may be between 0.010 and 0.030 inches, as desired.

The domed portion 30 is initially angled relative to the radial direction of the lid element 10 adjacent the inner angled segment 23 and the dome transition segment 27 before curving to be arranged parallel to the radial direction at the central axis of the domed portion 30. The angle of inclination of the domed portion 30 adjacent the inner angled segment 23 is selected to be less than that of the inner angled segment 23 relative to the radial direction, and may generally be within a range of about 3-5°. The domed portion 30 may include a circular curvature having a radius of curvature far exceeding that of the previously disclosed radii of curvature RC₁, RC₂, RC₃, RC₄, RC₅. The domed portion 30 extends a distance in the radial direction of the lid element 10 that is greater than a distance the channel portion 20 extends in the radial direction of the lid element 10 or a distance the peripheral portion 12 extends in the radial direction of the lid element 10. The distance the domed portion 30 extends in the radial direction is also greater than a combined distance the peripheral portion 12 and the channel portion 20 extend in the radial direction.

The lid element 10 further includes a sealing element 50 disposed along the inner face 10a thereof at the peripheral portion 12 thereof. Specifically, the sealing element 50 is disposed to contact at least a portion of each of the skirt segment 14, the arcuate transition segment 15, the engaging segment 16, and the arcuate transition segment 17 of the lid element 10. A radially outward end of the sealing element 50 may be disposed immediately adjacent an axial end of the skirt segment 14 while a radially inward end of the sealing element 50 may contact the arcuate transition segment 17. As shown in FIG. 4, an engaging surface 52 of the sealing element 50 connecting the radially inward and outward ends of the sealing element 50 may be disposed to be inclined at an angle A₄ relative to the radial direction. The inclination of the engaging surface 52 may include the engaging surface 52 progressing at least partially in the exterior axial direction and at least partially in the radial inward direction when extending from the radially outward end to the radially inward end thereof. In the present embodiment, the angle A₄ is about 12-14°. However, alternative values may be selected for the angle A₄ without necessarily departing from the scope of the present invention. In some embodiments, the angle A₄ may be selected to be between 0° and 20°. In other embodiments, the angle A₄ may be selected to be between 10° and 15°. The inclination of the engaging surface 52 and the annular configuration thereof results in the engaging surface 52 being frustoconical in shape.

The sealing element 50 may be formed from a flexible and resilient elastomeric material such as a suitable rubber. The sealing element 50 is configured to engage an axial end portion of the rim 6 of the canning jar 3 during a canning process. The sealing element 50 may be further configured to sealingly engage the rim 6 when a pressure differential is formed between the interior and the exterior of the canning jar 3 with respect to the opposing faces 10a, 10b of the lid element 10 such that the lid element 10 is urged in the interior axial direction and the sealing element 50 is compressed in the axial direction between the peripheral portion 12 and the rim 6. The engaging surface 52 may be selected to include the described inclination to aid in the lid element 10 being centered relative to the rim 6. Additionally, the described inclination of the engaging surface 52 also results in a reaction force present between the sealing element 50 and the rim 6 extending at least partially in the radial direction of each of the canning jar 3 and the lid element 10, which aids in ensuring a suitable seal around an entirety of the perimeter of the rim 6 when a suitable pressure differential is present.

The lid element 10 shown throughout FIGS. 2-4 may correspond to an embodiment of the lid element 10 configured for use with a canning jar 3 having a rim 6 of a specified radius/diameter suitable for sealingly engaging the corresponding sealing element 50. The sealing element 50 may accordingly extend along those radial positions corresponding to a nominal radius of the rim 6 of the canning jar 3 to ensure contact therebetween when the lid element 10 is centered relative to the rim 6. The illustrated canning jar 3 of FIG. 1 may be representative of a “regular mouth” canning jar having a rim 6 with a diameter of about 2.5 inches, hence the lid element 10 of FIGS. 1-5 may be dimensioned for use with such a regular mouth canning jar. Specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a series of diameters of the lid element 10 at the positions of various features described hereinabove are given with respect to the embodiment of the lid element 10 suitable for use with the regular mouth canning jar 3 having the 2.5 inch diameter rim 6. The canning jar 3 of FIG. 1 may be representative of a 16 oz canning jar, but alternate volumes may be utilized while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

The disclosed diameters include a diameter D₁ corresponding to an outer diameter of the domed portion 30 and an inner diameter of the inner angled segment 23. A diameter D₂ corresponds to an outer diameter of the inner angled segment 23 and an inner diameter of the planar segment 22. A diameter D₃ corresponds to an outer diameter of the planar segment 22 and an inner diameter of the outer transition segment 25. A diameter D₄ corresponds to an outer diameter of the outer transition segment 25 and an inner diameter of the outer angled segment 21. A diameter D₅ corresponds to an inner diameter of the arcuate transition segment 17 and an outer diameter of the outer angled segment 21. A diameter D₆ corresponds to an inner diameter of the outer angled segment 21 and an inner diameter of the engaging segment 16. A diameter D₇ corresponds to a diameter of the annular apex surface 15a formed at the apex of the arcuate transition segment 15. Finally, a diameter D₈ corresponds to an outer diameter of the skirt segment 14.

In the example shown in FIGS. 1-5, the value for D₁ is about 1.850 inches, the value for D₂ is about 1.880 inches, the value for D₃ is about 2.104 inches, the value for D₄ is about 2.182 inches, the value for D₅ is about 2.278 inches, the value for D₆ is about 2.364 inches, the value for D₇ is about 2.602 inches, and the value for D₈ is about 2.682 inches. Although not pictured in FIG. 4, a radially inner end of the sealing element 50 may be positioned intermediate the positions corresponding to the diameters D₅ and D₆. In the present embodiment, the radially inner end of the sealing element 50 includes a diameter of 2.300 inches. A radial distance of each identified position from the central axis of the lid element 10 is of course understood to be equal to half of each of the provided diameter values.

Additionally, various axial distances associated with the lid element 10 suitable for use with the regular mouth canning container are also shown in FIG. 4, wherein each of the axial distances is referred to as a height of each of the corresponding features. A first height H₁ corresponds to the axial distance present between a distal end of the skirt segment 14 and the annular apex surface 15a, and may accordingly correspond to a height of the peripheral portion 12. A second height H₂ corresponds to the axial distance present between the annular apex surface 15a and a junction of the radially inward end of the engaging segment 16 and the radially outward end of the arcuate transition segment 17. Where the angle A₁ is selected to be 0° (as shown in FIG. 1, which is in contrast to FIGS. 2-4), the second height H₂ may alternatively be zero. A third height H₃ corresponds to the axial distance present between the junction of the radially inward end of the engaging segment 16 and the radially outward end of the arcuate transition segment 17 and the outer face 10b along the planar portion 22 of the channel portion 20, which also corresponds to a height of the outer angled segment 21 when including the adjacent transition segments 17, 25. A fourth height H₄ corresponds to an axial height of the inner angled segment 23. A fifth height H₅ corresponds to an axial distance between the domed portion 30 at a central axis of the lid element 10 as measured from the inner face 10a of the planar segment 22 of the channel portion 20. In the example shown in FIGS. 2-4, the value for H₁ is about 0.100 inches, the value for H₂ is about 0.025 inches, the value for H₃ is about 0.078 inches, the value for H₄ is about 0.016 inches, and the value for H₅ is about 0.061 inches. A height of the domed portion 30 itself, which corresponds to the distance the domed portion 30 extends axially in the exterior axial direction beyond the inner angled segment 23, is equal to a difference between H₅ and H₄, which is 0.045 inches in the present example.

Based on the disclosed dimensions, the lid element 10 includes the domed portion 30 extending radially relative to the central axis of the lid element 10 a distance of about 0.925 inches, the channel portion 20 (corresponding to the portions of the lid element 10 extending radially between the positions of the identified diameters D₁ and D₆) extending radially about 0.257 inches, and the peripheral portion 12 (corresponding to the portions of the lid element 10 disposed radially outwardly of the position of the identified diameter D₆) extending radially about 0.159 inches. As such, the domed portion 30 occupies about 69% of the radial extension of the lid element 10, the channel portion 20 occupies about 19% of the radial extension thereof, and the peripheral portion 12 occupies about 12% of the radial extension thereof. The planar segment 22 of the channel portion 20 extends radially about 0.112 inches, which occupies about 44% of the radial extension of the channel portion 20 and about 8% of the radial extension of the lid element 10. The lid element 10 also includes the domed portion 30 having a height greater than that of the inner angled segment 23 with respect to the axial direction.

Referring back to FIG. 1, the retaining element 70 includes an axially extending portion 71 and the previously mentioned radially extending portion 72. The axially extending portion 71 is substantially cylindrical in shape and includes an inner circumferential surface 73 and an opposing outer circumferential surface 74. The inner circumferential surface 74 includes a thread 79 configured to engage the thread 8 of the canning jar 3. The axially extending portion 71 extends axially from a first end 97 to an opposing second end 98, wherein the first end 97 is open and configured for reception over the finish portion 7 of the canning jar 3 and the second end 98 intersects the radially extending portion 72, which is annular in shape and extends radially inwardly from the second end 98 until terminating at a lip 77 defining a periphery of a circular opening 78 formed through the radially extending portion 72. The radially extending portion 72 includes an inner facing surface 75 facing in the interior axial direction and an outer facing surface 76 facing in the exterior axial direction, wherein the opening 78 extends between the opposing surfaces 75, 76. The radially extending portion 72 generally extends radially inwardly a sufficient distance from the axially extending portion 71 to overlap and engage the engaging segment 16 of the peripheral portion 12 of the lid element 10 when the lid element 10 is disposed between the retainer element 70 and the rim 6 of the canning jar 3.

The canning jar 3 extends axially from a first end 4 to a second end 5, wherein the first end 4 is an upper end of the canning jar 3 and the second end 5 is a lower end thereof when the canning jar 3 is disposed in an upright configuration. As utilized hereinafter, it is assumed that the canning jar assemblies 1 are stacked in the upright configuration with reference to the directional language utilized herein, such as stating that one feature is disposed above, below, upward, or downward relative to another feature. However, it should be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the same relationships exist between the components forming the stackable features of the canning jar assembly 1 when disposed in an inverted or upside-down configuration, as desired.

The first end 4 includes the rim 6 leading into an interior of the canning jar 3. The previously mentioned finish portion 7 refers to a cylindrical portion of the canning jar 3 extending axially downwardly from the rim 6 and including the thread 8 for engaging the thread 79 of the retainer element 70. A body portion 9 of the canning jar 3 generally refers a portion of the canning jar 3 defined by a sidewall thereof that extends primarily in the axial direction between the finish portion 7 and a bottom portion 40 of the canning jar 3 disposed at the second end 5 thereof. The body portion 9 of FIG. 1 includes a neck portion 9a and an enlarged portion 9b, wherein the neck portion 9a tapers radially outwardly when extending axially from the finish portion 7 towards the enlarged portion 9b. However, the canning jar 3 may have substantially any configuration of the body portion 9 while remaining within the scope of the present invention, so long as the ends 4, 5 of the canning jar 3 include the necessary structure as disclosed herein for achieving the stackable canning jar system of the present invention.

The bottom portion 40 of the canning jar 3 may refer to the portion of the canning jar 3 that is disposed immediately adjacent the second end 5 of the canning jar 3 opposite the rim 6 and that also has an outward facing surface that faces at least partially in the previously described interior axial direction, which in the context of the canning jar 3 extends from the first end 4 and towards the second end 5 thereof. The bottom portion 40 may include each of a base portion 41 and a heel portion 42. The base portion 41 refers to a portion of the bottom portion 40 including an axially distal surface of the canning jar 3 with respect to the interior axial direction and any surfaces of the bottom portion 40 disposed radially inwardly of such an axially distal surface, wherein this axially distal surface is arranged in the radial direction to facilitate support of the canning jar 3 on a horizontal surface arranged parallel to the radial direction. The heel portion 42, which may be optional in certain configurations of the canning jar 3, refers to an inwardly tapered segment of the bottom portion 40 extending from the body portion 9 along the sides of the canning jar 3 to the base portion 41 along the underside of the canning jar 3. In the present embodiment, the heel portion 42 includes a substantially convex outer surface when tapering inwardly towards the second end 5, but alternative configurations may be utilized without necessarily departing from the scope of the present invention, including the outer surface of the canning jar 3 along the heel portion 42 having an inclined straight shape or a concave shape, as desired.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, which show the canning jar 3 of FIG. 1 in isolation, the present invention is characterized from the prior art in that the bottom portion 40 of the canning jar 3 includes a detent feature 80 projecting axially therefrom with respect to the interior axial direction (the direction extending from the first end 4 to the second end 5 of the canning jar 3) that is configured to be at least partially received within one or both of the channel portion 20 of the lid element 10 and/or the opening 78 formed through the radially extending portion 72 of the retainer element 70, depending on the desired stacking configuration and associated components utilized therein. The detent feature 80 is annular in shape when viewing the bottom portion 41 from the perspective of the exterior axial direction (FIG. 6), and is disposed to surround a central axis of the canning jar 3 such that corresponding aspects of the detent feature 80 have common radial distances from the central axis of the canning jar 3 about a circumferential periphery of the detent feature 80. In the embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6, the detent feature 80 forms the base portion 41 of the canning jar 3 and projects axially away from the surrounding heel portion 42 thereof.

As can be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the detent feature 80 includes what may be referred to as a corrugated or knurled configuration when extending annularly around the detent feature 80 in a circumferential direction thereof. That is, the detent feature 80 does not project an equal axial distance from the surrounding surfaces of the bottom portion 40 about the periphery of the detent feature 80, but instead includes a repeating pattern of projecting portions 81 and indented portions 82 with respect to the circumferential direction of the detent feature 80, wherein the projecting portions 81 form the axially distal surfaces of the bottom portion 40 with respect to the interior axial direction and the indented portions 82 are indented axially relative to the projecting portions 81 with respect to the opposing exterior axial direction. The formation of the detent feature 80 to include the corrugated or knurled configuration about the circumferential direction may aid in increasing the frictional forces present between the detent feature 80 and another contacting surface as a result of the irregular surface configuration resulting therefrom.

As shown in FIG. 6, the projecting portions 81 may include a longer dimension in the radial direction than in the circumferential direction while having a substantially rectangular, rounded rectangular, elliptical, or other elongate shape, as desired. A spacing between adjacent ones of the projecting portions 81, as defined by one of the indented portions 82 interposed therebetween, may also be less than the radial dimension of each of the projecting portions 81. However, it should be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that the circumferential dimension of the projecting portions 81, the radial dimension of the projecting portions 81, and/or the circumferential dimension of the indented portions 82 may vary from that disclosed, including either circumferential dimension being greater than the radial dimension of the projecting portions 81 and interposed indented portions 82.

As shown throughout FIGS. 1 and 5-8, the detent feature 80, as defined by each of the projecting portions 81 thereof, includes a radially outer surface 83, a base surface 84, and a radially inner surface 85. The base surface 84 is each of arranged in the radial direction, forming the axially distal (bottommost) surface of each of the projecting portions 81 with respect to the axial interior direction (and hence the axially distal surface of the detent feature 80 in general), and configured to rest on a corresponding horizontal surface when placing the canning jar 3 in an upright configuration. Each of the radially outer surface 83 and the radially inner surface 85 extends at least partially in the exterior axial direction when extending away from the base surface 84 and towards the bottom portion 40 adjacent the detent feature 80, or alternatively may each be said to extend at least partially in the interior axial direction when extending away from the bottom portion 40 of the canning jar 3 and towards the base surface 84 of the corresponding projecting portion 81. The radially outer surface 83 of each projecting portion 81 may be tapered or inclined to include a decreasing radial distance from the central axis of the canning jar 3 when extending from the bottom portion 40 towards the base surface 84 with respect to the interior axial direction (and hence a decreasing diameter of a radially outer surface of the detent feature 80 with respect to the interior axial direction) and the radially inner surface 85 of each projecting portion 81 may be tapered or inclined to include an increasing radial distance from the central axis of the canning jar 3 when extending from the bottom portion 40 towards the base surface 84 (and hence an increasing diameter of an radially inner surface of the detent feature 80 with respect to the interior axial direction).

In some embodiments, a portion of the radially outer surface 83 extending from the base surface 84 may be inclined at an acute angle relative to the radial direction that is equal to or greater than the angle of inclination A₂ of the outer angled segment 21 of the channel portion 20 to promote reception of the detent feature 80 relative to the lid element 10 when the detent feature 80 is axially received within the channel portion 20 during the stacking of two or more canning jar assemblies 1. In similar fashion, a portion of the radially inner surface 85 extending from the base surface 84 may be inclined at an acute angle relative to the radial direction that is equal to or greater than the angle of inclination A₃ of the inner angled segment 23 and/or equal to or greater than an angle of inclination (not identified) of the domed portion 30 where the domed portion 30 extends away from the inner angled segment 23, which again promotes reception of the detent feature 80 relative to the lid element 10 when the detent feature 80 is received within the channel portion 20 during stacking of two or more canning jar assemblies 1.

A central region of the base portion 41 of the bottom portion 40 disposed radially inwardly of the detent feature 80 may include a domed or partially spherical shape with a decreasing radial dimension as the central region of the base portion 41 extends in the exterior axial direction and inward radial direction away from the inner side of the detent feature 80. The domed shape may be substantially complimentary to the domed portion 30 of the lid element 10 such that the central region of the base portion 41 of the canning jar 3 does not interfere with the domed portion 30 when the detent feature 80 is received within the channel portion 20 of the lid element 10.

FIG. 7 illustrates one possible configuration of a plurality of the canning jar assemblies 1 for forming an exemplary stack 2a that utilizes both the lid element 10 and the retainer element 70 with respect to at least one canning jar assembly 1 of the stack 2a receiving the detent feature 80 of an axially adjacent one of the canning jars 3. It should be readily apparent that the disclosed stack 2a having three illustrated canning jars 3 and two interposed combinations of the retainer element 70 and the lid element 10 is merely illustrative of one exemplary stack, and that fewer or greater canning jars 3 may be utilized in a corresponding stack with any combination of lid elements 10 and/or retainer elements 70.

Several specific relationships may be present between the detent feature 80, the lid element 10, and the retainer element 70 to facilitate the stacking of the canning jar assemblies 1 in the disclosed nested configuration. It is assumed hereinafter that the central axis of the canning jar 3, the central axis of the lid element 10, and the central axis of the retainer element 70 are substantially aligned (co-axial) with one another to facilitate a piloting of the detent feature 80 into the opening 78 of the retainer element 70 and the channel portion 20 of the lid element 10 while maintaining the beneficial properties of the present invention. The disclosed arrangement includes, with respect to a corresponding one of the canning jar assemblies 1, the sealing element 50 of the lid element 10 engaging the rim 6 of the canning jar 2 about a periphery thereof and the inner facing surface 75 of the radially extending portion 72 of the retainer element 70 facing towards and potentially engaging the engaging segment 16 of the peripheral portion 12 of the lid element 10 (as shown in FIG. 7) about a periphery thereof following a threading of the retainer element 70 relative to the finish portion 7 of the corresponding canning jar 3 for coupling the retainer element 70 to the canning jar 3. However, the radially extending portion 72 may be spaced axially from the peripheral portion 12 of the lid element 10, such as by a limited degree of threading of the retainer element 70 onto the finish portion 7, without necessarily departing from the scope of the present invention.

The detent feature 80 of an adjacent canning jar 3 disposed above the corresponding one of the canning jar assemblies 1 is at least partially received within the opening 78 of the retainer element 70 of the underlying canning jar assembly 1 when the adjacent canning jar 3 is stacked thereon to at least partially receive or nest the detent feature 80 within an interior of the retainer element 70 defined by the inner circumferential surface 73 thereof between the opposing first and second ends 97, 98 thereof. Specifically, at least a portion, if not an entirety, of the radially outer surface 83 of each of the projecting portions 81 includes a radial dimension measured relative to the central axis of the canning jar 3 that is less than the radial dimension of the lip 77 of the retainer element 70 defining the opening 78 from the central axis thereof. With respect to the entire annular array of the projecting portions 81 forming the detent feature 80, at least a portion, if not an entirety, of an outer diameter of the detent feature 80 is less than the inner diameter of the opening 78 defined by the lip 77 to facilitate the entry of the detent feature 80 through the opening 78. As depicted in FIG. 7, the entirety of the detent feature 80 of the depicted embodiment includes the radial dimension/outer diameter that is less than the radial dimension/inner diameter of the lip 77 defining the opening 78 to cause the radially outwardly disposed heel portion 42 to rest on and be supported by the outer facing surface 76 of the radially extending portion 72 of the retainer element 70. The reception of the detent feature 80 within the opening 78 results in the base surface 84, at least a portion of the radially outer surface 83, and at least a portion of the radially inner surface 85 of each of the projecting portions 81 being disposed axially through the opening 78 beyond the radially extending portion 72 with respect to the interior axial direction.

The reception of the detent feature 80 within the opening 78 may further result in at least a portion of the detent feature 80 extending axially into the channel portion 20 of the underlying lid element 10, depending on the axial projection of the detent feature 80 relative to the bottom portion 40 of the canning jar 3 and the axial position of the retainer element 70 following threading onto the finish portion 7. For example, it can be seen in FIG. 7 that an extension of the detent feature 80 in the interior axial direction would result in the detent feature 80 being disposed at least partially within the channel portion 20 at a radial position disposed directly between the domed portion 30 and the outer angled segment 21 and/or the peripheral portion 12 of the lid element 10, as desired. In FIG. 7, at least a portion of the detent feature 80 also extends axially beyond the engaging surface 16 of the peripheral portion 12 with respect to the interior axial direction, thereby resulting in the at least a portion of the detent feature 80 being able to be said to be received within the annular peripheral portion 12 of lid element 10.

A maximum radial dimension/outer diameter of the detent feature 80 as formed where the radially outer surfaces 83 of each of the projecting portions 81 intersects the heel portion 42 may be selected to be similar to the minimum radial dimension/inner diameter of the opening 78 to prevent undesired movement of the received canning jar 3 relative to the retainer element 70 with respect to directions arranged perpendicular to the axial direction of the canning jar 3, such as selecting the maximum radial dimension/outer diameter of the detent feature 80 to be at least 90% of the minimum radial dimension/inner diameter of the opening 78, at least 95% of the minimum radial dimension/inner diameter of the opening 78, or at least 98% of the minimum radial dimension/inner diameter of the opening 78, as desired. The interaction between the detent feature 80 and the lip 77 defining the opening 78 may be such that axial movement of the received canning jar 3 in the exterior axial direction is necessary before such a perpendicular movement of the canning jar 3 relative to the retainer element 70 is possible. The detent feature 80 may also be configured for reception within the opening 78 such that rotation of the canning jar 3 about a radially extending axis extending through the canning jar 3 may not be possible due to interference between the radially inner and radially outer surfaces 83, 84 and the lip 77 where a tight-fit and/or suitable degree of axial extension of the detent feature 80 is selected to prevent such rotation, thereby further preventing a disassembly of the stackable canning jar system.

Although not pictured in FIG. 7, the stack 2a may be formed in the absence of the lid element 10 where it is desired to stack the canning jars 3 while exclusively coupled to respective retainer elements 70. For example, a retainer element 70 may be threaded onto a canning jar 3 in the absence of the lid element 10 while still having the same configuration of the lip 77 defining the opening 78 thereof for receiving the detent feature 80 of the above-disposed canning jar 3 in the same manner as shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 8 illustrates another possible configuration of a plurality of the canning jar assemblies 1 for forming an exemplary stack 2b that utilizes only the lid element 10 between adjacent ones of the canning jars 3 forming the stack 2b, wherein the channel portion 30 of each such lid element 10 is configured to at least partially receive or nest the detent feature 80 of an above-disposed one of the canning jars 3 therein. It should once again be readily apparent that the disclosed stack 2b having three illustrated canning jars 3 and two interposed lid elements 10 is merely illustrative of one exemplary stack, and that fewer or greater canning jars 3 may be utilized in a corresponding stack while remaining within the scope of the present invention.

Several specific relationships may be present between the detent feature 80 and the lid element 10 to facilitate the stacking of the canning jar assemblies 1 in the disclosed nested configuration of FIG. 8. It is again assumed hereinafter that the central axis of the canning jar 3 and the central axis of the lid element 10 are substantially aligned (co-axial) with one another to facilitate a piloting of the detent feature 80 into the channel portion 20 of the lid element 10 while maintaining the beneficial properties of the present invention. The disclosed arrangement includes, with respect to a corresponding one of the canning jar assemblies 1, the sealing element 50 of the lid element 10 engaging the rim 6 of the canning jar 2 about a periphery thereof.

The detent feature 80 of an adjacent canning jar 3 disposed above the corresponding one of the canning jar assemblies 1 is at least partially received within the channel portion 20 of the lid element 10 of the underlying canning jar assembly 1 when the adjacent canning jar 3 is stacked thereon. Specifically, at least a portion, if not an entirety, of the radially outer surface 83 of each of the projecting portions 81 includes a radial dimension measured relative to the central axis of the canning jar 3 that is less than the radial dimension of a radially inner end of the engaging segment 16 of the lid element 10. With respect to the entire annular array of the projecting portions 81 forming the detent feature 80, at least a portion, if not an entirety, of an outer diameter of the detent feature 80 is less than the inner diameter of the radially inner end of the engaging segment 16 of the lid element 10 to facilitate the entry of the detent feature 80 into the channel portion 20. As depicted in FIG. 8, the entirety of the detent feature 80 of the current embodiment includes the radial dimension/outer diameter that is less than the radial dimension/inner diameter of the engaging segment 16 to cause the radially outwardly disposed heel portion 42 to rest on and be supported by the engaging segment 16.

The reception of the detent feature 80 within the channel portion 20 results in the base surface 84, at least a portion of the radially outer surface 83, and at least a portion of the radially inner surface 85 of each of the projecting portions 81 being disposed axially beyond the engaging segment 16 with respect to the interior axial direction such that the base surface 84, the at least a portion of the radially outer surface 83, and the at least a portion of the radially inner surface 85 are all positioned directly radially inwardly relative to at least a portion of the outer angled segment 21 of the channel portion 20 and directly radially outwardly of the inner angled segment 23 and/or a facing surface of the domed portion 30.

A maximum radial dimension/outer diameter of the detent feature 80 as formed where the radially outer surfaces 83 of each of the projecting portions 81 intersects the heel portion 42 may be selected to be similar to the minimum radial dimension/inner diameter of the radially inner end of the engaging segment 16 to prevent undesired movement of the received canning jar 3 relative to the lid element 10 with respect to directions arranged perpendicular to the axial direction of the canning jar 3, such as selecting the maximum radial dimension/outer diameter of the detent feature 80 to be at least 90% of the minimum radial dimension/inner diameter of the engaging segment 16, at least 95% of the minimum radial dimension/inner diameter of the engaging segment 16, or at least 98% of the minimum radial dimension/inner diameter of the engaging segment 16, as desired. The interaction between the detent feature 80 and the channel portion 20 and/or peripheral portion 12 of the lid element 10 may be such that axial movement of the received canning jar 3 in the exterior axial direction is necessary before a perpendicular movement of the canning jar 3 relative to the lid element 10 is possible. The detent feature 80 may also be configured for reception within the lid element 10 such that rotation of the canning jar 3 about a radially extending axis extending through the canning jar 3 may not be possible due to interference between the radially inner and radially outer surfaces 83, 85 and the surfaces of the lid element 10 where a tight-fit and/or suitable degree of axial extension of the detent feature 80 is selected to prevent such rotation, thereby further preventing a disassembly of the stackable canning jar system.

Referring now to FIGS. 9 and 10, a canning jar 103 according to another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed, wherein the disclosed canning jar 103 may be representative of a 32 oz “regular mouth” canning jar having the 2.5″ diameter rim. The canning jar 103 may be utilized as an assembly in conjunction with the lid element 10 and the retainer element 70 as previously shown and described, hence the same reference numerals are utilized with respect to the lid element 10 and retainer element 70 hereinafter. Similar features of the canning jar 103 are denoted with the addition of “100” to the reference numeral utilized in identifying the analogous feature of the canning jar 3, and hence the description of the analogous features of the canning jar 3 hereinabove should be understood to apply to the canning jar 103, unless noted otherwise.

The canning jar 103 differs from the canning jar 3 in that a radially outer segment 145 of the base portion 141 forming the axially distal surface of the canning jar 103 with respect to the interior axial direction is disposed radially outwardly of the periphery of the detent feature 180 such that the heel portion 142 does not intersect the detent feature 180 directly in the same manner as is present in the canning jar 3, but instead intersects the radially outer segment 145. An annular indentation 146 is formed within the bottom portion 140, and more specifically within the base portion 141, for separating the radially outer segment 145 of the base portion 141 from the detent feature 180. As shown in FIG. 10, each of the radially outer segment 145 of the base portion 141 and a surface of the indentation 146 formed therein may include a corrugated or knurled surface configuration to increase the frictional forces along the base portion 141. A radial dimension of the indentation 146 as measured between the detent feature 180 and the radially outer segment 145 and an axial dimension of extension of the indentation 146 in the exterior axial direction may be selected to allow for axial reception of the radially extending portion 172 and/or the peripheral portion 12 of the lid element 10 within the indentation 146 with respect to the exterior axial direction while the detent feature 180 extends axially into the opening 78 and/or the channel portion 20 of the lid element 10 with respect to the interior axial direction. A surface defining the indentation 146 may rest on the retainer element 70 when received therein. The detent feature 180 may thus be constrained from motion via an interaction with one or both of the lip 77 and/or the channel portion 20 of the lid element 10 while the lid element 10 and/or retainer element 70 may be further constrained from motion via the reception thereof within the indentation 146. The reception of the lid element 10 and/or retainer element 70 within the indentation 146 may include at least a portion of the radially extending portion 72 of the retainer element 70 and/or the peripheral portion 12 of the lid element 10 being disposed radially directly between the detent feature 180 and the radially outer segment 145 of the base portion 141.

The detent feature 180 includes several variations relative to the detent feature 80, but operates in substantially the same manner and generally includes the same relationships relative to the lid element 10 and the retainer element 70 as does the detent feature 80, hence further description of all such relationships is omitted herefrom regarding the axial and/or radial positioning of the detent feature 180 relative to the lid element 10 and/or the retainer element 70. One such difference relates to the detent feature 180 being annular in shape in the absence of the corrugated or knurled surface configuration separating the projecting portions 81 of the detent feature 80 from the indented portions 82 thereof with respect to the circumferential direction. Each of a radially outer surface 183 and a radially inner surface 185 of the detent feature 180 are thus annular and continuous in the circumferential direction. The radially inner surface 185 is also tapered inwardly to substantially correspond to or compliment the shape of the domed portion 30 of the lid element 10 while inclined at a relative small angle relative to the radial direction instead of being arranged at an acute and larger angle relative thereto as disclosed with reference to the canning jar 3. Lastly, the base surface 184 is annular and continuous (absent indented portions) while having a much smaller radial dimension between the surfaces 183, 185 than the detent feature 80 does with respect to the surfaces 83, 85 to result in the base surface 184 being a relatively sharp and convex surface with only a relatively small annular segment thereof arranged parallel to the radial direction.

As can be seen in FIG. 11, which shows a stack 2c utilizing canning jar assemblies 101 comprising the canning jar 103, the lid element 10, and the retainer element 70, the retainer element 70 is received in the indentation 146 in a manner preventing lateral or radial disassembly absent initial axial movement of one of the retainer element 70 or the canning jar 103 having the indentation 146 formed therein relative to each other. The detent feature 180 also includes the required radii/diameters/axial extensions of all relevant features to extend axially through the opening 78 of the retainer element 70 or into the channel portion 20 of the lid element 10 while maintaining the same relationships with each component as disclosed with reference to the detent feature 80.

FIG. 12 illustrates another example of a stack 2d wherein only the lid element 10 is interposed axially between adjacent canning jars 103 of the assemblies 101 in the absence of the retainer element 70. The peripheral portion 12 of the lid element 10, which may refer specifically to the engaging segment 16 thereof, is received within the indentation 146 to cause the surface defining the indentation 146 to be supported on the peripheral portion 12. The detent feature 180 includes a substantially complimentary shape to the channel portion 20 and the domed portion 30 of the lid element 10 to further aid in preventing undesired movement of the canning jars 103 relative to one another.

FIGS. 13-20 illustrate an embodiment of the lid element 10 as being dimensioned for use with a canning jar representative of a “wide mouth” canning container having a rim with a diameter of about 3.25 inches. As can be seen by comparison of FIGS. 3 and 14, the lid element 10 of FIG. 14 includes the same general configuration (hence the same reference numerals refer to the same features), but is dimensioned alternatively to maintain the same structural benefits of the lid element 10 while accommodating the increased diameter of the rim. Despite the differences in diameter, the lid element 10 of FIG. 14 shares many of the same characteristics as the lid element 10 of FIG. 3. Specifically, the lid element 10 may maintain the same values for each of the thickness T, the angle A₂, the angle A₃, the angle A₄, the radius of curvature RC₁, the radius of curvature RC₂, the radius of curvature RC₃, the radius of curvature RC₄, the height H₁, the height H₂, and the height H₃. The lid element 10 of FIG. 14 may differ from the lid element 10 of FIG. 3 by including an angle A₁ of about 0-9° (rather than 0-14°), a radius of curvature RC₅ of 0.010 inches (rather than 0.020), a height H₄ of 0.025 inches (rather than 0.016), and a height H₅ of 0.075 inches (rather than 0.061). A height of the domed portion 30 itself, which corresponds to a difference between H₅ and H₄, is also 0.050 inches in the present example (rather than 0.045).

The lid element 10 of FIG. 14 also includes different values of the disclosed diameters in accordance with the enlarged diameter of the rim of the wide mouth canning jar. Specifically, in the example shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, the value for D₁ is about 2.281 inches, the value for D₂ is about 2.330 inches, the value for D₃ is about 2.638 inches, the value for D₄ is about 2.713 inches, the value for D₅ is about 2.806 inches, the value for D₆ is about 2.906 inches, the value for D₇ is about 3.242 inches, and the value for D₅ is about 3.322 inches. Although not pictured in FIG. 14, a radial inner end of the sealing element 50 may be positioned intermediate the positions corresponding to the diameters D₅ and D₆. In the present embodiment, the radial inner end of the sealing element 50 includes a diameter of 2.849 inches. A radial distance of each identified position from the central axis of the lid element 10 is of course understood to be equal to half of each of the provided diameter values.

Based on the disclosed dimensions, the lid element 10 of FIG. 14 includes the domed portion 30 extending radially relative to the central axis of the lid element 10 a distance of about 1.141 inches, the channel portion 20 (corresponding to the portions of the lid element 10 extending radially between the positions of the identified diameters D₁ and D₆) extending radially about 0.312 inches, and the peripheral portion 12 (corresponding to the portions of the lid element 10 disposed radially outwardly of the position of the identified diameter D₆) extending radially about 0.208 inches. As such, the domed portion 30 occupies about 69% of the radial extension of the lid element 10, the channel portion 20 occupies about 19% of the radial extension thereof, and the peripheral portion 12 occupies about 12% of the radial extension thereof. The planar segment 22 of the channel portion 20 extends radially about 0.154 inches, which occupies about 49% of the radial extension of the channel portion 20 and about 9% of the radial extension of the lid element 10. The lid element 10 also includes the domed portion 30 having a height greater than that of the inner angled segment 23 with respect to the axial direction.

Despite the differences in diameters, it should be apparent that each of the lid elements 10 described herein includes substantially similar proportions of the radial extensions of each of the disclosed features in conjunction with utilizing the same angles of inclination for each of the opposing angled segments 21, 23 straddling the planar segment 22 of the channel portion 20. This similarity in structure results in each of the lid elements 10 operating in substantially the same manner as described hereinafter.

FIGS. 15-17 illustrate a canning jar 203 of a canning jar assembly 201 according to another embodiment of the present invention that may be considered representative of a 16 oz “wide mouth” canning jar suitable for use with the “wide mouth” lid element 10 disclosed in FIG. 14, while FIGS. 18-20 illustrate a canning jar 303 of a canning jar assembly 301 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention that may be considered representative of a 32 oz “wide mouth” canning jar that is also suitable for use with the “wide mouth” lid element 10 disclosed in FIG. 14. The canning jar 203 includes a substantially cylindrical body portion 209 devoid of a necked portion while also having a slight inward taper with respect to the interior axial direction, whereas the canning jar 303 is substantially identical in configuration to the canning jar 3, except for being enlarged relative thereto. FIG. 16 illustrates the canning jars 203 as forming a stack 2e with respect to a combination of the lid element 10 and the retainer element 70 interposed therebetween, whereas FIG. 17 illustrates the canning jars 203 as forming a stack 2f with respect to only an interposing lid element 10. Similarly, FIG. 19 illustrates the canning jars 303 as forming a stack 2g with respect to a combination of the lid element 10 and the retainer element 70 interposed therebetween, whereas FIG. 20 illustrates the canning jars 303 as forming a stack 2h with only an interposing lid element 10.

The canning jar 203 includes a detent feature 280 and the canning jar 303 includes a detent feature 380, each of which is substantially identical in configuration and purpose with respect to the detent feature 80, including the use of a corrugated or knurled surface configuration along each of the detent features 280, 380, hence further description of each of the detent features 280, 380 is omitted herefrom. Of note, however, is the manner in which the detent features 280, 380 of the stacks disclosed in each of FIGS. 17 and 20 include a shape that substantially complimentary to the shape of the outer face 10b of the lid element 10 such that each of the detent features 280, 380 may contact the lid element 10 along the outer face 10b thereof such that the detent features 280, 380 are directly supported by the respective lid elements 10 and potentially further restricted in movement by any engaging features forming the channel portion 20 or the domed portion 30 of the lid element 10.

From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art can easily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and, without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make various changes and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usages and conditions.

Claims

1. A stackable canning jar assembly comprising: a canning jar extending in an interior axial direction from a first end to an opposing second end thereof, the first end of the canning jar including a rim leading into an interior of the canning jar and the second end of the canning jar forming a bottom portion thereof, the bottom portion of the canning jar including an annular detent feature projecting therefrom in the interior axial direction; anda lid element having an annular peripheral portion and an annular channel portion, the peripheral portion including an annular sealing element disposed thereon that is configured to removably engage the rim of the canning jar, the channel portion disposed radially inwardly of the peripheral portion and configured to removably receive the detent feature of the canning jar therein to limit movement of the canning jar relative to the lid element with respect to directions arranged perpendicular to the interior axial direction of the canning jar when the detent feature is received within the channel portion.

2. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 1, wherein the detent feature is corrugated with respect to a circumferential direction thereof.

3. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 2, wherein the detent feature includes a plurality of alternating projecting portions and indented portions with respect to the circumferential direction thereof.

4. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 1, wherein the detent feature is tapered with respect to the interior axial direction.

5. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 4, wherein the detent feature includes a radially outer surface, a radially inner surface, and a base surface connecting the radially outer surface to the radially inner surface, wherein the radially outer surface tapers radially inwardly when extending in the interior axial direction away from the bottom portion of the canning jar, the radially inner surface tapers radially outwardly when extending in the interior axial direction away from the bottom portion of the canning jar, and the base surface extends in the radial direction.

6. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 1, wherein a radially outer segment of the channel portion extending at least partially in the interior axial direction is configured to engage a radially outer surface of the detent feature to limit the movement of the canning jar relative to the lid element with respect to the directions arranged perpendicular to the interior axial direction of the canning jar when the detent feature is received within the channel portion.

7. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 1, wherein a maximum outer diameter of the detent feature is less than a diameter of a radially inner end of the peripheral portion transitioning to the channel portion to facilitate reception of the detent feature in the channel portion.

8. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the detent feature extends beyond an engaging segment of the peripheral portion with respect to the interior axial direction when the detent feature is received within the channel portion, wherein the engaging segment of the peripheral portion is configured to engage a retainer element configured for removable coupling to the canning jar adjacent the rim thereof.

9. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the detent feature extends beyond an apex of a domed portion of the lid element with respect to the interior axial direction when the detent feature is received within the channel portion.

10. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the canning jar is supported on the peripheral portion of the lid element when the detent feature is received within the channel portion of the lid element.

11. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 1, wherein a surface of the detent feature engages and is supported by a surface of the channel portion of the lid element when the detent feature is received within the channel portion.

12. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the detent feature includes a surface that is complimentary to a facing surface of the lid element when the detent feature is received within the channel portion.

13. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 1, wherein the bottom portion of the canning jar includes an annular indentation formed therein at a position radially outwardly of the detent feature with the indentation indented into the bottom portion with respect to an exterior axial direction opposite the interior axial direction.

14. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 13, wherein the peripheral portion of the lid element is received within the indentation formed in the bottom portion of the canning jar when the detent feature is received within the channel portion.

15. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 1, further comprising a retainer element having an axially extending portion configured for removable coupling to the canning jar adjacent the rim and a radially extending portion having an opening formed therethrough, wherein the opening formed through the radially extending portion is configured to removably receive the detent feature of the canning jar therein to limit movement of the canning jar relative to the retainer element with respect to directions arranged perpendicular to the interior axial direction of the canning jar when the detent feature is received within the opening.

16. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 15, wherein the lid element is configured for removable reception within an interior of the retainer element with the peripheral portion of the lid element facing towards the radially extending portion of the retainer element, and wherein the detent feature is at least partially received in the channel portion of the lid element when the lid element is received within the interior of the retainer element and the detent feature is received through the opening of the retainer element.

17. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 15, wherein the bottom portion of the canning jar includes an annular indentation formed therein at a position radially outwardly of the detent feature with the indentation indented into the bottom portion with respect to an exterior axial direction opposite the interior axial direction.

18. The stackable canning jar assembly of claim 17, wherein the radially extending portion of the retainer element is received within the indentation formed in the bottom portion of the canning jar when the detent feature is received within the opening of the retainer element.

19. A stack comprising a plurality of the stackable canning jar assemblies as set forth in claim 15, wherein a first stackable canning jar assembly of the plurality of the stackable canning jar assemblies includes the axially extending portion of the retainer element of the first stackable canning jar assembly coupled to the canning jar of the first stackable canning jar assembly adjacent the rim thereof, and wherein a second stackable canning jar assembly of the plurality of the stackable canning jar assemblies includes the detent feature of the canning jar of the second stackable canning jar assembly received within the opening of the retainer element of the first stackable canning jar assembly to form the stack.

20. A stack comprising a plurality of the stackable canning jar assemblies as set forth in claim 1, wherein a first stackable canning jar assembly of the plurality of the stackable canning jar assemblies includes the sealing element of the lid element of the first stackable canning jar assembly engaging the rim of the canning jar of the first stackable canning jar assembly, and wherein a second stackable canning jar assembly of the plurality of the stackable canning jar assemblies includes the detent feature of the canning jar of the second stackable canning jar assembly received within the channel portion of the lid element of the first stackable canning jar assembly to form the stack.