U.S. patent application number 11/436154 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-11 for sealable container.
Invention is credited to Kwong Fai Li.
Application Number | 20070007297 11/436154 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46325501 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070007297 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Li; Kwong Fai |
January 11, 2007 |
Sealable container
Abstract
A container is provided having a bottom and a lid removably
attachable to the bottom, wherein a seal is provided about the
periphery of the container. The bottom includes a base, an
upstanding side wall attached to the base and forming an interior
compartment for storing desired items, such as food, liquids, or
other objects, a shelf extending from an upper edge of the
upstanding sidewall, and an annular rim extending peripherally
about the shelf. The lid includes a lid wall, an interior sealing
wall depending from the lid wall, and a peripheral sealing wall
depending from the peripheral edge of the lid wall. When the lid is
secured to the bottom, an upper edge of the annular rim contacts
the lid wall and an outer edge of the annular rim contacts the
peripheral sealing wall to seal the lid to the bottom. The interior
sealing wall can contact the shelf to further seal the lid and the
bottom.
Inventors: |
Li; Kwong Fai; (Stamford,
CT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LAW OFFICES OF ALBERT WAI-KIT CHAN, LLC
WORLD PLAZA, SUITE 604
141-07 20TH AVENUE
WHITESTONE
NY
11357
US
|
Family ID: |
46325501 |
Appl. No.: |
11/436154 |
Filed: |
May 16, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11130029 |
May 16, 2005 |
|
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11436154 |
May 16, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/782 ;
220/4.21 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 43/0208 20130101;
B65D 2543/00796 20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/0074
20130101; B65D 43/0212 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D
2543/00555 20130101; B65D 2543/00657 20130101; B65D 2543/0099
20130101; B65D 2543/00685 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/782 ;
220/004.21 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/18 20060101
B65D041/18; B65D 6/28 20060101 B65D006/28 |
Claims
1. A sealable container, comprising: A bottom having: a base; an
upstanding side wall attached to a peripheral edge of the base, the
base and the upstanding wall forming an interior compartment; a
shelf extending from an upper edge of the upstanding side wall; and
an annular rim extending peripherally about the shelf; and a lid
having: lid wall; an interior sealing wall depending from the lid
wall; and a peripheral sealing wall depending from the peripheral
edge of the lid wall; wherein an upper edge of the annular rim of
the bottom contacts the second generally horizontal wall and an
outer edge of the annular rim of the bottom contacts the peripheral
sealing wall to seal the container when the lid is attached to the
bottom.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the interior sealing wall
includes a plurality of abutments which bear against the annular
rim.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein a bottom edge of the interior
sealing wall contacts the shelf.
4. The container of claim 2 wherein a bottom edge of interior
sealing wall contacts the shelf.
5. The container of claim 4, further comprising an annular
protrusion formed on the peripheral sealing wall for locking the
lid to the bottom portion.
6. The container of claim 5, further comprising an annular
protrusion on an inner edge of the rim for coacting with the
abutments to retain the lid on the bottom.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein a bottom edge of the interior
sealing wall does not contact the shelf.
8. The container of claim 2 wherein a bottom edge of interior
sealing wall does not contact the shelf.
Description
[0001] This is a Continuation-In-Part application of U.S. Ser. No.
11/130,029 filed May 16, 2005. The contents of this application are
hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference into this
application.
[0002] Throughout this application, references are made to various
publications. Disclosures of these publications in their entireties
are hereby incorporated by reference into this application to more
fully describe the state of the art to which this invention
pertains.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a sealable container. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a container for
holding foods, liquids, or other items, which includes a seal
extending about the periphery of the container.
[0004] Containers of various designs, shapes, and sizes are
available for storing products, such as foods, liquids, and other
objects. There are many different designs for sealing the
peripheral edges of such containers. It is important that the seal
be strong, so as to prevent liquids from spilling out of the
container. The presence of food on or near the periphery of the
container can adversely affect the ability to form an adequate seal
between the lid and the bottom of the container when the lid is
interlocked with the bottom.
[0005] Accordingly, what would be desirable, but has not yet been
provided, is a container that is sealable about the periphery of
the container, wherein a quick and effective seal can be provided
between the lid and the bottom of the container, even in the
presence of food or liquids on or near the periphery of the
container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention relates to a container having a seal.
The container includes a bottom and a lid removably attachable to
the bottom. The bottom includes a base, an upstanding side wall
attached to the base and forming an interior compartment for
holding food, liquids, or other items, a shelf extending from an
upper edge of the upstanding sidewall, and an upstanding annular
rim extending peripherally about the shelf. The lid includes a
generally horizontal lid wall, an interior sealing wall depending
from the lid wall, and a peripheral sealing wall depending from a
peripheral edge of the lid wall. When the lid is secured to the
bottom, an upper edge of the annular rim contacts the lid wall and
an outer edge of the annular rim contacts the peripheral sealing
wall to seal the lid to the bottom. A plurality of abutments could
be provided on the interior sealing wall for bearing against the
annular rim of the bottom to further secure the lid to the bottom.
The interior wall can contact the shelf to further seal the
container. A further embodiment would provide for the interior wall
not to contact the shelf.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0007] Other important objects and features of the invention will
be apparent from the following Detailed Description of the
Invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of the container of
the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a top view of the container of the present
invention, wherein the lid is affixed to the bottom of the
container.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container of the
present invention, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 with the
interior wall contacting the shelf.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container of the
present invention, taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 with the
interior wall contacting the shelf.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container of the
present invention, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2 with the
interior wall contacting the shelf.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container of the
present invention, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 with the
interior wall not contacting the shelf.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the container of the
present invention, taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 with the
interior wall not contacting the shelf.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the container of the
present invention, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2 with the
interior wall not contacting the shelf.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0016] The present invention relates to a container having a bottom
and a lid removably attachable to the bottom, wherein a seal is
provided about the periphery of the container. The bottom includes
a base, an upstanding side wall attached to the base and forming an
interior compartment for holding food, liquids, or other items, a
generally horizontal shelf extending from an upper edge of the
upstanding sidewall, and an upstanding annular rim extending
peripherally about shelf. The lid includes a generally horizontal
lid wall, an interior sealing wall depending from the lid wall, and
a peripheral sealing wall depending from a peripheral edge of the
lid wall. When the lid is secured to the bottom, an upper edge of
annular rim contacts the lid wall, and an outer edge of the annular
rim contacts the peripheral sealing wall to seal the lid to the
bottom. The interior sealing wall can contact the shelf to further
seal the container.
[0017] FIG. 1 in an exploded perspective view of the container 10
of the present invention. The container 10 includes a lid 20 and a
bottom 30. The lid 20 includes lid wall 27 extending about the
periphery of the lid 20, interior sealing wall 22 depending from
the lid wall 27, and a peripheral sealing wall 28 depending from
the wall 27. A plurality of fins 24 could be provided along the
circumference of the interior sealing wall 22 for supporting the
interior sealing wall 22.
[0018] The bottom 30 includes a base 35 and an upstanding sidewall
36 attached to a peripheral edge of the base 35, the base 35 and
sidewall 36 defining an interior compartment 33 for receiving
foods, liquids, or other desired items. A generally horizontal
shelf 32 extends from the upper peripheral edge of the side wall
36. An annular rim 31 extends upwardly from a peripheral edge of
the shelf 32. When the lid 20 is attached to the bottom 30, an
upper edge 37 of the rim 31 contacts the generally horizontal wall
27 to form a seal. Additionally, an outer edge 38 of the rim 31
contacts the peripheral sealing wall 28 to form a seal. Ideally,
the seals formed by the rim 31 and the lid wall 27 and the
peripheral sealing wall 28, respectively, are impervious to food or
liquids. Additionally, the shape of the rim prevents food from
collecting on the rim thereby minimizing interference from food on
the rim. Similarly, the size of the bottom shelf is preferably
minimized to reduce interference from food thereon.
[0019] The lid 20 and bottom 30 could be formed from any suitable
materials, such as polypropylene, using any suitable manufacturing
method, such as injection molding. Preferably, the lid 20 and
bottom 30 are manufactured from a microwave-safe material, and are
reusable. Further, it should be noted that the container 10 could
be provided in any desired shape (e.g., square) and size without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. FIG. 2 is a
top view of the container 10, wherein the lid 20 is attached to the
bottom. The fins 24 could be positioned about the circumference of
an interior side of the interior sealing wall 22 to provide
reinforcement for the interior sealing wall 22. Abutments 26 could
be positioned about the outer circumference of the interior sealing
wall 22, adjacent every other fin 24. The abutments 26 bear against
the annular rim 31 of the bottom 30 when the lid 20 is attached to
the bottom 30 to assist with a secure interconnection between the
lid 20 and the bottom 30. It should be noted that abutments 26
could be provided at any desired locations along the interior
sealing wall 22. Further, the lid 20 could be made without
abutments 26 and still function adequately.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container 10, taken
along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2. It can be seen that the annular rim
31 of the bottom 30 includes an inner edge 34, an upper edge 37,
and an outer edge 38. When the lid 20 is attached to the bottom 30
the abutments 26 bear against the inner edge 34 of the annular rim
31. Additionally, the upper edge 37 and the outer edge 38 of rim 31
contact the lid wall 27 and the peripheral sealing wall 28,
respectively, to seal the lid 20 and the bottom 30. An annular rim
protrusion 39 extending inwardly about the inner edge 34 of rim 31
could be provided. An annular peripheral sealing wall protrusion 29
could also be provided facing inwardly about the bottom of the
peripheral sealing wall 28 for locking the lid 20 in position
against the bottom 30. The bottom end of the interior sealing wall
22 may contact shelf 32 to form an additional seal.
[0021] Due to the positioning of the seals formed between the walls
27 and 28 and the rim 31, the presence of food on or near the shelf
32 will not impede the forming of such seals. Further, the profile
of the interior sealing wall 22 is minimal so that a seal can still
be effectuated between the end of the interior sealing wall 22 and
the shelf 32, despite the presence of food or liquids on the shelf
32. The interior sealing wall 22 is narrower in cross-section than
the shelf 32, instead of the same size as the shelf 32, which also
minimizes interference by food with the seal. In that embodiment
where the internal sealing wall does not contact the rim, as shown
in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, a further seal is not effectuated between the
end of the interior wall 22 and the shelf 32. The relatively narrow
width of the shelf 32 and the configuration of the rim 31 serves to
minimize the collection of food thereon, which reduces the
likelihood that a food handler or preparer will use his or her
finger to clean food off of the shelf and/or the rim after putting
food into the container, thereby reducing the likelihood of
contamination. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container
10, taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2. In this view, the
components involved with sealing the container can clearly be seen.
It should be noted that the interior sealing wall 22 need not
contact shelf 32, as is shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 as effective
seals are still formed between the walls 27 and 28 and the rim 31.
However, as is shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 an additional seal can be
obtained by contacting interior sealing wall 22 against shelf
32.
[0022] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container 10, taken
along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2. The fins 24 provide reinforcement for
the interior sealing wall 22, and are positioned about the inner
circumference of the interior sealing wall 22. Any desired number
of fins 24 could be provided, at any desired locations along the
interior sealing wall 22. Optionally, a protrusion 39 could be
provided about the circumference of interior edge 34 of the rim 31
to co act with the abutments 26 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 6) to lock the
lid 20 in position. To remove the lid 20 from the bottom 30, a user
can pull the peripheral sealing wall 28 away from the rim 31 to
unlock the lid 20 from the bottom 30, and pull the lid upwardly
away from the bottom 30.
[0023] Having thus described the invention in detail, it is to be
understood that the foregoing description is not intended to limit
the spirit and scope thereof. What is desired to be protected by
Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.
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