Patent Grant
8777043
1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure is generally directed to storage containers, and more particularly to a storage container and container system that includes multiple containers and multiple lids with snap features so that the lids and containers may be snapped together in various configurations either during use or during non-use.
2. Description of Related Art
Conventional storage containers, such as for storing food items, are commonly formed of generally or substantially rigid plastic configurations. Plastic containers of this type generally have a base and a lid that attaches to the base. The base typically has a bottom and a side wall that together define an interior storage space in the container. The lid can be attached to the base to cover the open top and to seal the storage space.
Such plastic containers are generally available in a variety of sizes to store or transport different volumes of food items. Each size container typically includes a corresponding lid sized to fit its associated container. A user will typically store empty containers in a kitchen cabinet or pantry area when not in use. When not being used, the lids often become separated from their associated container bases. Users have expressed frustration over lost or misplaced lids and the difficulty in finding the correct lid for a selected container.
Some known container systems include lids that attach to the bottom of their respective container bases to help manage the containers and lids by keeping the lids and their corresponding containers together. Such lids, when attached to the base bottoms, often hinder space efficient stacking and storage of multiple containers. However, the user still needs to find the specific lid for the corresponding container base when the lids and container bases become separated, such as during cleaning. This is because containers of one storage capacity typically have lids specifically sized for only those containers, and containers of another storage capacity typically have lids of a different size.
During normal use, a container base is typically filled with food items and covered with the lid. Users sometimes stack full containers for refrigerator storage or for transport to a location outside the home. However, the stacked containers tend to be unstable and can slide off of each other and become separated. This makes it difficult to keep the containers organized in refrigerated storage and difficult to transport. A known storage container system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,886,694, commonly assigned to the assignee of the present patent, employs a lid and base configuration whereby a base can rest on the lid of another container and register with the lid. However, the lid of the underlying base does not connect or attach to the base of the overlying container.
One example of a prior art container system is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,617 and includes a plurality of containers and a plurality of lids that can attach to one another in a variety of ways. Each lid includes opposed male and female fasteners centrally located with one fastener on each side of the lid. The lids are connectable as a stack by interconnecting adjacent male and female fasteners of adjacent lids. Additionally, a stack of lids can be attached to a stack of nested containers. Each container includes a female fastener, identical to the female fastener on the lids, located on its bottom surface. The stacked lids can be attached to the nested containers by snapping an exposed one of the aforementioned male lid fasteners to an exposed female fastener of the bottom of an exposed container. When full and in use, these containers could be stacked upon one another, but the stack would not be stable because of the small size and configuration of the male and female connectors on the bases and lids.
Another prior art container system is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,951,832 and includes a plurality of containers and lids, Each lid is sized to fit only its associated container. The inner surface of each lid is contoured either to snap-fit over the open top or onto the bottom of its respective container. The different sized containers can be stacked in a nested configuration, one inside the other, while the lids remain attached to the bottom of the corresponding container. The lids can not be stacked together and the containers when full and in use can not be stacked on top of one another in a stable arrangement.
Yet another prior art container system is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,409,128 and includes stackable containers with lids. The containers have a first threaded segment on an outer surface near the open top adapted to engage with a first threaded segment on an inner surface of the lids so that the lids close off the open top of the container. Additionally, each lid includes a stepped portion of its top. The stepped portion includes a second threaded segment sized and shaped to mate with a second threaded segment formed within a lower rim of the container so that the lids can thread to the bottom of adjacent containers when stacked. A stable stack can be created, but the lids can not attach to one another for storage and the threaded connection method can be somewhat difficult to use, particularly with full containers.
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 present invention is for a storage container and a container system. The disclosed container and system solves or improves upon one or more of the above-noted and other problems with and disadvantages of currently known storage containers. The disclosed container has a base and a lid. The lid has snap structures, one for snapping the lid to other like lids and another to snap the lid to the bottom of its base. The system includes multiple container bases and lids. The container bases can all have the same capacity, different capacities, or combinations and multiples of varying same and different capacities.
In one example, multiple container bases can be provided having varying storage space capacities with open tops that are identical in size and shape regardless of interior capacity. The lids can be identical one-size-fits-all or universal lids so that any lid can be used with any container base regardless of base storage capacity. In another example, the system can be provided having multiple different sized container bases, some of which have different sized open tops. In such an example, at least the container bases of the same open top size and shape can have a lid that is sized to fit the associated container bases. In each example, the bases and/or lids can be snapped together in various configurations either during use to store food items or during non-use. The disclosed container bases and lids can be formed of either a generally or substantially rigid plastic material and retain the same size and shape whether in use or not.
The lids of the disclosed system include a first snap feature that allows for a lid-to-lid snap connection. The lids also include a second snap feature that cooperates with a corresponding feature on the container bases to provide a lid-to-base bottom snap connection. The lids and container bases can be snapped together in a variety of configurations. Each lid also has a seal feature so as to fit over the top of the container base and seal the storage space of the base. Multiple lids can be snapped together to keep the lids together when not in use. In another example, a single lid may be snapped onto the bottom of an associated container base to keep the lid and container base together. In yet another example, multiple lids may be snapped together to form a stack that is then snapped onto the bottom of either a single container base or multiple container bases nested and stacked together. In still another example, a container sealed with a lid can be snapped onto a lid of another container base sealed with a lid. In another example, the disclosed container bases can also be nested together regardless of base volume.
Currently known plastic storage containers are typically stored in a kitchen cabinet or pantry area when not in use. However, many homes are not equipped with adequate storage space, especially for kitchen and food related storage items. Most users have a variety of container sizes with associated lids that are sized and shaped to fit a particular container to seal the container when in use. Currently known plastic storage containers typically take up a large amount of cabinet storage space since the container bases and lids are fairly rigid. A typical user may store the container bases and lids separately in the cabinet or pantry. Users often complain that the containers and lids become separated in the cabinet or pantry, requiring time and effort to find the lid that matches the desired container. Even when a base and lid organizer or rack is employed, it can still be difficult for a user to find a desired base and the appropriate lid for that base. Some users store their containers in a lid-on condition so that the containers may be stacked and the lids readily located. However, many cabinets and pantries are not tall enough to allow more than two such assembled containers to be stacked, requiring the stacked containers to be stored in a side-by-side condition. This method takes up a lot of shelf space in the cabinet or pantry and leaves significant cabinet or pantry storage space unused.
During use, plastic food storage containers hold food items and either are stored in a refrigerator or are transported to venues outside the home, such as, for example, to picnics, parties, pot luck dinners, or church socials. Users often employ more than one container to store or transport different food items and may stack the various containers. Stacking the full containers in a refrigerator, for example, provides organized storage. However, the stacked containers may slide around, slide off of one another, tip and fall, or otherwise become separated from each other. This can create spills or a cluttered and unorganized refrigerator. Additionally, when in use, users typically stack and carry fall containers during transport. However, the full containers can easily slip off of one another, tip and fall, and become separated. This makes it difficult to carry and load the fall containers from the home into a vehicle and to carry the containers from the vehicle to the destination. Additionally, it can be difficult to prevent the containers from becoming separated and sliding around inside the vehicle during transport. This not only can make transporting the full containers difficult but also can create the possibility of food spillage.
The present invention overcomes these and other problems with prior known containers by providing a storage container system that includes one or more container bases and associated lids that have unique snap features. The unique snap features are configured so that the container bases and lids can be stacked to form a small footprint and take up as little space as possible either in use while storing food items in a refrigerator or in non-use while being stored away in a cabinet or pantry. Additionally, the snap features allow the container bases and lids to be stacked together in a locked, stable, or secure manner to prevent separation to facilitate storage or transport during use.
Turning now to the drawings,
Each container 22, 24, and 26 of the disclosed example includes a container base and a lid. For example, the container 22 includes a base 22a and a lid 22b. Likewise, the container 24 includes a base 24a and a lid 24b and the container 26 includes a base 26a and 26b. The container bases in the set 20 in this example have various capacities to store different amounts of food items. For example, using the standard measuring cup capacity, the respective container base capacities can be of a three cup (container 22), five cup (container 24), and seven cup (container 26) storage capacity. However, these capacities are given only as examples and the invention contemplates containers having other storage capacities as well. While all of the bases 22a, 24a, and 26a can be of different interior capacities they are all of similar construction in this example. The lids 22b, 24b, and 26b are formed identically and are one-size-fits-all or universal so that any lid can fit onto any base.
The bases and lids of the set 20 are shown to be of a substantially square-like or generally rectangular cylinder shape. However, other shapes and configurations of the bases and lids, such as round or circular, are contemplated and are intended to fall within the scope of the invention. The invention is not to be limited to a specific container base and lid perimeter shape or overall contour.
Referring now to
The lid 32 is formed with features that allow it to cover and seal the open top 42 of the container base 30. As shown in
As shown in a combination of
In this example, the outer skirt wall 56 includes a gradually thicker portion 64 that is shaped to form an annular seal ridge 66 that extends radially inwardly around the inner surface of the outer skirt wall 56 and is coincident with the greatest thickness part of the thicker portion 64. An upper surface 68 is positioned above the ridge 66 on the inside of the outer skirt wall 56. Moving up from the ridge 66, the upper surface 68 is angled radially outwardly and meets an underside surface 70 of the top wall 54. A lower surface 72 is positioned below the ridge 66 on the inside surface of the outer skirt wall. Moving down from the ridge 66, the lower surface 72 is angled radially outwardly and meets a lower edge 74 of the outer skirt wall 56. The base 30 has an annular flange or rim 76 that extends radially outwardly from and circumferentially around the side wall 34. The rim 76 is located near the top edge 40 of the side wall 34, but spaced below the top edge. An upper portion 78 of the side wall 34 is thus defined above the rim 76 and is angled slightly radially outward. When the lid 32 is fit onto the base 30 to seal off the open top 42, the upper portion 78 of the base side wall 34 is received in the channel 58 of the lid 32. The ridge 66 of the thickened portion 64 and the upper surface 68 of the inside of the skirt wall 56 bear with some interference against the outside surface of the upper side wall portion 78. The top edge 40 of the base 30 and the underside surface 70 of the top wall 54 or the skirt assembly are drawn toward one another to bear against one another by their relative cylinder sizes and the relative surface-to-surface interference. This creates a seal at the interface between the upper surface 68 on the skirt wall and the sidewall portion 78, as well as between the top edge 40 and the underside surface 70 of the skirt assembly.
As seen in
In the disclosed example, the first snap structure 80 for lid-to-lid connection includes two components that mate with one another. Both components are provided as a feature of the lid structure. As shown in
The mating component of the first snap structure 80 is on the bottom side 46 of the lid 32 in this example. The disclosed mating part includes four complimentary angled protrusions or ribs 86. Each rib 86 is positioned generally at the base of the inner wall 52 where the skirt assembly meets the main panel section 48. Each rib 86 extends downward and is angled radially outward. A radially outward facing groove or recess 88 is thus formed on the outside facing surface of each rib 86 at the intersection between the rib and the underside of the lid at the base of the inner wall 52. The ribs 86 in this example are positioned beneath and aligned with the beads or lips 82 on the top side 44 of the lid 32.
As shown in
In this example, each lip or bead 82 projects radially inward and each annular recess 88 faces radially outward on the representative lid 32 to receive one of the lips 88 of an adjacent lid. However, as noted above, this arrangement could be inverted and the details of the particular structures can vary from those shown. Alternative mating snap component structures can be utilized and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the lips or beads 82 can be formed having more or less than four segments and can be placed at different locations on the lid from that shown. Also, a continuous annular lip or bead can also be utilized, if desired. The same variations can be employed for the lips or beads 82 and the grooves 88 as well.
As shown in
The second component of the snap structure 90 is formed as a part of a foot or rib 98 that depends downward from the bottom 36 of the base 30.One or more flanges 99 in this example project radially outward from the bottom of the foot 98. Each flange 99 is positioned to coincide with the positioning of the undercuts 97 on the lid 32. The foot 98 in this example is a continuous annular rib on the base bottom 36, but can also be formed as a plurality of feet, each having one of the flanges extending therefrom. A channel 100 is formed facing radially outward between each flange 99 and the surface of the bottom 36 of the base 30. Again, the mating components of the lid-to-base snap structure 90 can also vary and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. The features as disclosed herein can also be inverted and placed on the opposite parts.
As shown in
Multiple lids and bases can be used together in a variety of configurations. For example, as shown in
In another example shown in
In another example, the lids may be formed with a finger grip structure to facilitate removal of a lid secured to a base covering the open top. For example, a finger grip tab 110 can be formed to extend radially outwardly from the outer lower edge of the skirt assembly 50 on the container 33. The finger grip can be formed as a tab 110 only along a portion of the skirt assembly, such as on a corner of the square lids as shown herein, or can extend entirely around the skirt. In yet another example (not shown), a finger grip structure can be formed generally by extending a part of the skirt outer wall 56 generally radially outward.
In the example shown and described above, the container bases are of varying capacities with open tops that are identical in size and shape regardless of interior capacity. The lids are identical one-size-fits-all or universal lids. However, this invention can encompass a container system in which some different sized container bases have different sized open tops with lids sized only to fit a particular associated container base top opening size. However, the various lid-to-lid and lid-to-base snap structures can be formed to allow the different sized lids and/or bases to snap to any size lid or base. In another example, a system can be provided with several series of container base sizes. Each series can have bases with different capacities but the same size and shape top opening. Another series of that system can be provided with bases of different capacities and with top opening sizes and shapes that are common to one another but different from the other series.
The bases and lids can be formed from any suitable material and can be fabricated using any suitable process or method. In one example as shown in
A base 430 of the container 433 can also be dual molded from multiple different materials if desired, and for the same reasons. For example, the majority of the side wall and bottom can be formed from a substantially rigid, clear, transparent, or semi-transparent material. A portion of the base, such as the bottom foot or rib (described below) and/or parts of the rim or side wall can be formed from a different opaque and/or colored material to achieve improved seal and snap functionality and a desired aesthetic appearance. Alternatively, the base 430 as shown can be molded entirely of a single clear, transparent plastic material. Other materials can certainly be utilized to fabricate the bases and/or the lids as disclosed herein.
By providing lids and bases with mutually exclusive snap structures for lid-to-lid and lid-to-base attachments, the containers can be designed with greater variation in features. The components of one snap structure can be placed wherein desired on the base and lid parts without affecting the design of the other snap structure. The reverse is also true. Thus greater design flexibility can be achieved in the container products. Also, the disclosed container system permits greater variation in functionality during use. The lids and bases can be stacked, organized, and maintained in a greater number of different alternatives when stored during non-use than are permitted by prior art designs. During use, the containers can be stacked in a stable fashion to prevent spillage and can be stacked, carried, and transported during use much easier than prior known containers and systems.
Although certain storage containers and systems 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 priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/771,658, which was entitled “Storage Container System,” and which was filed on Feb. 9, 2006.
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