U.S. patent application number 11/842385 was filed with the patent office on 2008-02-21 for canister with a sealed lid.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rubbermaid Incorporated. Invention is credited to Ian Westad Cunningham, Brian Douglas Furlong.
Application Number | 20080041858 11/842385 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39100403 |
Filed Date | 2008-02-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080041858 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Furlong; Brian Douglas ; et
al. |
February 21, 2008 |
CANISTER WITH A SEALED LID
Abstract
A canister has a base with a bottom, a side wall extending up
from a perimeter of the bottom, and a top opening near a top end of
the side wall. The canister can have a handle formed as a part of
the back wall extending upward from the base above the side wall
and around at least part of the top opening. The canister can also
have one or more seals created at different points of contact
between the lid and the base with the lid installed on the base.
One of the seals can be formed between an upward facing ledge on
the base and a downward facing shoulder on the lid. Another of the
seals can be formed between an outward facing projection on a skirt
wall of the lid and an interior surface of the base side wall.
Another seal can be created between a gasket that is carried on an
exterior surface of a lid skirt wherein a portion of the gasket
bears against the interior surface of the base side wall. The
canister can also have a positive lid retention structure. The
structure can include one or more ribs that project inward from the
base interior side wall and a snap projection extending outward
from a skirt wall of the lid. The projection can snap downward over
the one or more ribs with the lid installed on the base.
Inventors: |
Furlong; Brian Douglas;
(Davidson, NC) ; Cunningham; Ian Westad;
(Huntersville, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
LEMPIA BRAIDWOOD LLC
223 W. JACKSON BLVD.
SUITE 620
CHICAGO
IL
60606
US
|
Assignee: |
Rubbermaid Incorporated
Huntersville
NC
|
Family ID: |
39100403 |
Appl. No.: |
11/842385 |
Filed: |
August 21, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60839081 |
Aug 21, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/378 ;
220/770 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00296
20130101; B65D 2543/00629 20130101; B65D 2543/00796 20130101; B65D
2543/0074 20130101; B65D 2543/00518 20130101; B65D 2543/00546
20130101; B65D 2543/00694 20130101; B65D 2543/00564 20130101; B65D
2543/00194 20130101; B65D 43/021 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/378 ;
220/770 |
International
Class: |
B65D 53/00 20060101
B65D053/00; B65D 25/30 20060101 B65D025/30 |
Claims
1. A canister comprising: a base having a bottom, a side wall
extending up from a perimeter of the bottom, and a top opening near
a top end of the side wall; a back wall extending upward from the
base above the side wall and around at least part of the top
opening; a hand opening formed through a portion of the back wall
creating a handle on the back wall above the hand opening; a lid
having a top panel and a skirt wall coupled to the top panel and
extending around a perimeter of the lid, the skirt wall having at
least a lower section depending below the top panel with an
exterior surface sized to fit within the top opening of the base;
and a lid seal extending around the perimeter of the lid and
creating a circumferential seal between the lid and the base near
the top opening.
2. A canister according to claim 1, wherein the storage receptacle
is a rectangular cylinder and the side wall includes four panels
including a back panel.
3. A canister according to claim 2, wherein the back wall projects
upward from the top end along at least the back panel.
4. A canister according to claim 3, further comprising: a
transition wall integrally connected to each opposed end of the
back wall and coupled respectively to opposed side panels of the
side wall.
5. A canister according to claim 1, wherein the lid seal is formed
on the exterior surface of the skirt wall lower section and
includes a projection that interferingly bears against an interior
surface of the side wall with the lid installed on the base.
6. A canister according to claim 5, wherein the lid seal is a
gasket coupled to the skirt wall lower section.
7. A canister according to claim 5, wherein the lid seal includes a
projection carried on and extending from the exterior surface of
the skirt wall that interferingly bears against the interior
surface of the side wall with the lid installed on the base.
8. A canister according to claim 1, further comprising: one or more
ribs projecting inward from an interior surface of the side wall of
the base near the top opening; and a projection extending
circumferentially around and projecting radially outward from the
skirt wall lower section, wherein the projection is snapped
downwardly over the one or more ribs with the lid installed on the
base.
9. A canister according to claim 8, wherein the circumferential
projection interferingly bears against an interior surface of the
side wall to create the lid seal.
10. A canister comprising: a base having a bottom, a side wall
extending up from a perimeter of the bottom, and a top opening near
a top end of the side wall; a lid having a top panel and a skirt
wall coupled to the top panel and extending around a perimeter of
the lid, the skirt wall having at least a lower section depending
below the top panel with an exterior surface sized to fit within
the top opening of the base; a gasket carried on an exterior
surface of the lower section of the skirt wall and having a seal
surface facing outward and configured to interferingly bear against
an interior surface of the base side wall below the top opening to
form a first circumferential seal with the lid installed on the
base; and a second circumferential seal defined by part of the lid
and configured to bear against a surface of the base near and
around the top opening with the lid installed on the base.
11. A canister according to claim 10, wherein the lid seal includes
a projection extending radially outward from the skirt wall lower
section that interferingly bears against the interior surface of
the base side wall below the top opening to form the second
circumferential seal.
12. A canister according to claim 11, wherein the second
circumferential seal is formed below the first circumferential seal
below the gasket.
13. A canister according to claim 11, further comprising a downward
facing shoulder positioned above and extending radially outward
relative to the skirt wall lower section, wherein the shoulder
rests on and seats against the ledge of the rim with the lid
installed on the base to create a third circumferential seal.
14. A canister according to claim 10, further comprising: one or
more ribs projecting inward from and extending generally around the
interior surface of the base side wall and positioned near the top
opening; and a projection extending radially outward from and
circumferentially around the skirt wall lower section, wherein the
projection is snapped over and downward relative to the one or more
ribs with the lid installed on the base, and wherein the projection
bears against the interior surface of the base side wall to form
the second circumferential seal.
15. A canister according to claim 10, wherein the base has a rim
extending around the side wall near the top end and extending
outward around the top opening to form an upward facing ledge.
16. A canister according to claim 15, further comprising a downward
facing shoulder positioned above and extending radially outward
relative to the skirt wall lower section, wherein the shoulder
rests on and seats against the ledge of the rim with the lid
installed on the base to create the second circumferential
seal.
17. A canister according to claim 15, further comprising: a back
wall extending upward from an edge of the rim above at least a back
of the canister and around at least part of the top opening; and a
hand opening formed through a portion of the back wall creating a
handle on the back wall above the hand opening.
18. A canister comprising: a base having a bottom, a side wall
extending up from a perimeter of the bottom, and a top opening near
a top end of the side wall; one or more ribs projecting inward from
an interior surface of the side wall near the top opening; a lid
having a top panel and a skirt wall coupled to the top panel and
extending around a perimeter of the lid, the skirt wall having at
least a lower section depending below the top panel with an
exterior surface sized to fit within the top opening of the base;
and a projection extending circumferentially around and radially
outward from the lower section of the skirt wall, wherein with the
lid installed on the base the projection is resiliently snapped
downward past the one or more ribs to removably retain the lid
installed, and wherein with the lid installed the projection
interferingly bears against the interior surface of the side wall
to create a first circumferential seal around the top opening.
19. A canister according to claim 18, further comprising: a gasket
carried on an exterior surface of the lower section of the skirt
wall and having a seal surface facing outward and configured to
interferingly bear against an interior surface of the base side
wall below the top opening to form a second circumferential seal
with the lid installed on the base.
20. A canister according to claim 19, wherein the base has a rim
extending outward around the side wall near the top end and having
an upward facing ledge surrounding the top opening, and wherein the
lid has a downward facing shoulder positioned above and extending
radially outward relative to the skirt wall lower section that
rests on and bears against the rim ledge with the lid installed on
the base to form a third circumferential seal.
21. A canister according to claim 18, wherein the base has a rim
extending around the side wall near the top end and having an
upward facing ledge surrounding the top opening, and wherein the
lid has a downward facing shoulder positioned above and extending
radially outward relative to the skirt wall lower section that
rests on and bears against the rim ledge with the lid installed on
the base to form a second circumferential seal.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Disclosure
[0002] The present disclosure is generally directed to storage
containers, and more particularly to a canister with a lid
seal.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] Plastic canisters have become quite popular for storing
items, and particularly dry food products and cooking ingredients
such as flour and sugar, in bulk. Typical canisters define a
generally rectangular or circular cylinder enclosure with an open
end that is used to load and remove food product to and from the
canister. A lid can be secured at the open end for food storage.
Typically, the food products are stored in a canister located in a
food storage area of a kitchen, and a canister can be transported
to a food preparation area as desired. When larger canisters are
loaded to full capacity or near capacity, the size and weight of
the canister can render grasping and transporting the canister
difficult.
[0005] Furthermore, the intended duration of food storage can vary
from canister to canister depending on the nature of the stored
food product. For instance, some products are quickly consumed,
such that the canisters need only store the food product for a
matter of hours or a few days. In other applications, a user may
desire to store food product in the canister for extended periods
of time such as, for example, weeks and even months.
[0006] Traditional canisters typically include a container base and
a lid that snugly seats over the top opening to close the container
base. No additional seal is provided, other than the interference
between lid and base. Some conventional containers or canisters
include a compression gasket or seal made of an elastomeric
material disposed at the downward facing or horizontal interface
between the lid and the canister body at the open end. Some
conventional containers or canisters also include a secondary
closure, such as a mechanical latch. Some plastic containers have
an attached flap that is molded to the lid via a living hinge. When
the lid is attached to the canister at the open end, the user can
press the flap down, thus causing the flap to swivel about the
hinge and snap under a rim of the container. This snapping action
pulls the gasket tight to increase the force between the seal
surface of the gasket and the container rim. Unfortunately, such
products can be tedious to use, as they require the user to perform
a two step process. First, the user must secure the lid onto the
container. Second, the user must manually snap the hinged latch or
latches in one or more locations in order to install the lid onto
and remove the lid from the container. Moreover, such living hinges
can wear over time with repeated use and ultimately fail. This can
degrade the effectiveness of the seal between the lid and the
canister or container body be reducing or eliminating the ability
to latch. Additionally, such containers are substantially more
complex, and thus more expensive, to manufacture compared to
conventional containers and canisters.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent upon reading the following description in
conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:
[0008] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one example of a canister
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention.
[0009] FIG. 2 shows an exploded side view of the lid and container
base of the canister shown in FIG. 1.
[0010] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the container base
portion of the canister shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section taken along line IV-IV of the
canister of FIG. 1 and depicts one example of a seal arrangement
between the lid and the base.
[0012] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section similar to that of FIG. 4, but
depicts an alternative example of a seal arrangement between the
lid and the base.
[0013] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the container base of
another example of a canister constructed in accordance with the
teachings of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0014] The disclosed container is described and depicted as a food
storage canister that solves or improves upon one or more of the
above-noted or other problems and/or disadvantages in the prior
art. It is desirable to provide a canister lid that forms a
reliable air tight seal with the base to preserve food product for
extended periods of time stored in the container base. The
disclosed food storage canister has a canister body or base with an
open top and a lid that seals against the body. It would also be
desirable to provide a canister that can be easily transported even
when fully loaded and heavy. In one example, the disclosed
container has a handle to facilitate easy grasping and transport of
the canister when it is loaded to the point that carrying the
canister without a handle would be difficult and cumbersome. It
would further be desirable to provide a cost-effective food storage
canister with a more user-friendly and durable seal between the lid
and the canister body. The disclosed storage container or canister
has an integrated sealing apparatus and securing mechanism to
ensure that the lid is reliably secured to the canister body and to
assist in maintaining a tight seal between the lid and base.
[0015] Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1 and 2 show one example
of a food storage container in the form of a canister 10
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention. The canister 10 has a base or canister body 12 and a
removable lid 14. The lid 14 can be removed from and installed on
the base 12 as desired. In the present example, the canister base
12 has a bottom 16 and an upstanding side wall 18 that is connected
to and extends up from a perimeter of the bottom 16. A food storage
space 20 is defined by the bottom 16 and the upstanding side wall
18 as shown in FIG. 3, wherein the lid 14 has been removed from the
canister base 12. The base 12 also has a top opening 22 at a top
end 24 of the side wall 18 to provide access into the interior
storage space 20 when the lid 14 is removed.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 3, the canister base 12 in this example is
shaped generally in the form of a rectangular cylinder with rounded
corners. The side wall 18 has four wall panels including a front
panel 26a, a back panel 26b, and a pair of opposed side panels 26c,
26d. In this example, the side wall 18 is tapered slightly such
that the storage space 20 is wider or slightly larger at the top
opening 22 than at the bottom 16. As will be evident to those
having ordinary skill in the art, the height, diameter, size, and
overall shape of the canister base 12 can vary considerably and yet
fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. For
example, the base 12 can be in the form of a circular cylinder or
other suitable configuration. In addition, the size of the base 12,
i.e., the storage volume within the storage space 22, can also vary
within the spirit and scope of the invention. The base 12 can be
provided in any desired size or in a series of different or
graduated sizes such as, for example, a 1.0 pint, a 1.5 pint, a 1.0
quart, a 2.0 quart, a 3.0 quart, a 1.0 gallon, and/or a 1.5 gallon
bases of graduated size. Certainly, other size and shape variations
can also be provided within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the base 12 has an annular rim 30
extending circumferentially around the base near the top end 24. In
the disclosed example, the rim 30 is a flange extending laterally
or radially outward from a top edge of the side wall 18 on the base
12. A front part of the rim 30 on the front panel 26a is formed as
a forward extending lip 32. The lip 32 in the disclosed example
extends forward and curves slightly downward. Opposed side parts 34
of the rim 30 project laterally outward from the side panels 26c
and 26d. A rear part 36 of the rim 30 projects rearward and outward
from the side wall top edge on the base 12. In the disclosed
example, an upstanding transition wall 38 or buttress wall projects
upward from part of an outer edge of each of the side parts 34.
Each wall 38 transitions from a front portion of the respective
side part 34 having no transition wall to an increasing transition
wall height moving rearward toward the back of the base 12. As best
illustrated in FIG. 3, a back wall 40 extends upward from an outer
edge of the rear part 36 on the rim 30. The back wall 40 extends
laterally between the transition walls 38 and the sides of the back
wall are integrally connected with each of the transition wall
38.
[0018] In the example shown in FIGS. 1-3, a hand opening 42 is
formed below a top edge 44 of the back wall 40 and through the back
wall. The material strip of the wall left above the hand opening 42
creates a handle 46 that can be utilized to carry the canister 10.
In order to carry the canister, a user can place their fingers
through the hand opening 42 and grasp the handle 46, which provides
a secure grip on the canister. The handle 46 can be very useful to
transport a large sized canister 10 that is filled with a substance
such as a food item. For example, if the base 12 has a larger
storage space 20 that can hold, for example, three quarts, a
gallon, or a gallon and a half of a substance, the handle can be
particularly useful to a user so that they can carry the canister
with only one hand. A conventional canister of this size would
typically have to be carried by an ordinary person using both
hands. Such a canister would be difficult to grasp with only one
hand because of its size and because of the weight of the large
quantity of food product within.
[0019] As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the
art, the shape, size, and configuration of the rim 30, the
transition walls 38, the back wall 40, and the handle 46 can vary
considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the
present invention. The shape of the hand opening 42 as well as its
position on the back wall 40 or another wall of the canister 10 can
vary and will dictate the location and size of the handle 46. The
handle need not be positioned on a back of the canister, but
instead can be positioned on a corner or a side of the body 12, if
desired. Alternatively, the canister need not be rectangular, as
noted above, and thus the handle can be placed in an appropriate
location on a canister having a different shape. In the disclosed
example, the transition walls 38 can be provided as an aesthetic or
ornamental feature of the canister. However, the transition walls
38 also act as structural support or as a buttress for the back
wall 40 and handle 46. Thus, using a material that is light weight,
such as plastic, can still yield a strong and durable canister
construction using the disclosed handle configuration. The rim 30
in this example is at the top edge of the side wall. The rim could
be eliminated entirely or be constructed extending from an outer
surface of the side wall as well.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, the top surface of the rim 30 defines an
upward facing ledge 50 that completely surrounds the top opening 22
in the base 12. In the disclosed example, the ledge or surface 50
defines a downward lid stop or seat for the lid 14 when installed
on the base. Also as shown in FIG. 3, an elongate rib 52 projects
inward from an interior surface on each of the side wall panels
26a-26d. In the disclosed example, each rib 52 is a continuous
elongate projection with one on each of the side wall panels. Each
rib 52 is positioned spaced downward from but near the top end 24
of the base, or the location of the rim 30.
[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid 14 in the disclosed
example includes a top panel 60 and a perimeter skirt wall 62. The
skirt wall circumferentially surrounds the lid 14 and is coupled to
the perimeter edge of the panel 60. The size and shape of the top
panel 60 in the disclosed example is configured to generally match
that of the base 12, and particularly the top opening 22, so that
the lid can cover and close off the top opening. Thus, the top
panel 60 in the disclosed example is generally flat and has a
somewhat rectangular shape with rounded corners to coincide with
the generally rectangular cylinder shape of the base 12. As will be
evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the general
shape and configuration of the lid 14 can vary from that disclosed
and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0022] As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the perimeter skirt
wall 62 has an upper wall section 64 that surrounds and faces a top
side 66 of the top panel 60. The perimeter skirt wall 62 also has a
lower wall section 68 that surrounds and faces a bottom side 70 of
the top panel 60. In the disclosed example, a top lip 72 projects
radially outward from an upper edge of the upper section 64 and
extends circumferentially around the entire lid 14. The top lip 72
provides a positive grasping point for an individual to grasp the
lid 14 when removing or carrying the lid and also adds strength and
rigidity to the lid. The lip 72 in another example could extend
radially inward from the top edge of the upper section 64 on the
skirt wall 62. Alternatively, the lip 72 could project both
radially inward and radially outward if desired. The lid 14 can
alternatively be provided with other surface features and
structures making it easier for a user to grasp and hold the
lid.
[0023] In the disclosed example, the upper section 64 of the skirt
wall 62 is positioned radially outward of the lower section 68.
This radial offset creates a downward facing step or shoulder 74 at
the juncture between the upper section 64 and the lower section 68
and at about the level of the bottom side 70 of the panel 60. A
projection 76 is generally wedge shaped in cross-section and
extends circumferentially around the lid 14. The projection 76 is
positioned at or near the bottom edge 78 of the lower section 68 on
the skirt wall 62. The projection 76 includes an exterior or
outerfacing surface 80 that is angled upward and outward from the
bottom edge 78 relative to a plane of the lower section 68. A top
surface 82 of this projection 76 in this example is generally
normal or perpendicular to the exterior surface 84 of the lower
section 68. An inward horizontal step 83 is formed above the
projection 76 on the lower skirt wall section 68.
[0024] The step 83 and the shoulder 74 each terminate at the
exterior surface 84 on the lower section 68. The exterior surface
84 is thus recessed inward relative to the outermost tip of the
projection 76 and to the exterior surface 86 of the upper section
64 on the skirt wall 62. This effective recess is located between
the shoulder or stop 74 and the step surface 83 above the
projection 76. This so-called recess creates a gasket or seal
groove adjacent to the exterior surface 84 surrounding the lid 14
on the lower section 68. As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, a gasket
or seal 90 that may generally be described as an O-ring is seated
in the recess or groove between the shoulder 74 and the projection
76. As is described below, the seal or gasket take on a number of
different configurations and constructions and yet fall within the
spirit and scope of the present invention. In the example described
herein, the seal or gasket creates a wiper seal at the top end 24
of the base 12.
[0025] FIG. 4 shows the construction of one example of a gasket or
seal 90 suitable for use with the canister of the present
invention. In this example, the seal 90 is generally rectangular in
cross section and has an inner surface 92 that bears against the
exterior surface 84 of the skirt wall lower section 68. The seal 90
also has a top surface 94 that generally faces and lies adjacent
the shoulder or stop 74. The seal 90 also has a bottom surface 96
that generally faces and lies adjacent the top surface 82 of the
projection 76. The top and bottom surfaces of the seal 90 may bear
against their adjacent surfaces or may lie loosely adjacent but
slightly spaced from the adjacent surfaces as desired. This may
depend on how snug a fit is desired for a particular gasket design,
or as to whether the seal 90 is to be easily or readily removable
and replaceable.
[0026] In the example of FIG. 4, the seal 90 also has an exterior
or outer facing surface 98 that is opposite the inner surface 92
and the faces outward around the lid 14. In this example, a
plurality of sealing ribs 100 project outward from the outer
surface 98. The number of sealing ribs 100 can vary within the
spirit and scope of the present invention, as can the particular
shape, width, rib spacing, and projection height of such ribs. The
seal 90 can be constructed from any suitable resilient material
that is capable of resilient deflection and sealing and compatible
with the mating materials of the lid 14 and the base 12. In one
example, the seal 90 is constructed of a silicon material. The
sealing ribs 100 can thus deflect and deform as necessary to create
a tight seal against the appropriate base surfaces and yet not
permanently deform during normal use.
[0027] The disclosed construction of the lid 14 and seal 90 creates
a multi-point seal or multiple seal locations between the lid 14
and the base 12. The lid and base also create a positive lock or
latch to retain the lid 14 in place and to maintain the seal. In
this example, the projection 76 and the angled surface 80 are sized
and arranged so that when the lid is inserted downward into the top
opening 22 of the base 12, the projection 76 snaps over the
multiple ribs 52 on the interior surface of the base. As shown in
FIG. 4, the projection 76 catches on the ribs 52 to retain the lid
14 in place. The material of the lid projection 76, the base side
wall 18, and/or the ribs 52 can be such that resilient deformity of
the materials permits the lid to be removed when desired by
forcibly snapping the projection 76 back over the ribs 52 in an
upward direction toward the top opening 22.
[0028] A first seal in the disclosed example is created between the
abutting surfaces of the shoulder or stop 74 on the lid 14 and the
top surface or ledge 50 on the rim 30. Positive abuttment between
these two surfaces can be created by controlling the spacing
between the projection 76, the ribs 52, the ledge 50, and the
shoulder or stop 74. A second seal is created in this example by
positive interference between the projection 76 and the interior
side wall surface of the base 12 just below the ribs 52. Again, the
degree of interference and resultant seal created at this contact
point can be created by dimensional control of the base side wall
and the projection. A third seal in this example is created by
surface to surface contact between the interior side wall surface
of the base 12 and the seal ribs 100 on the outer surface of the
seal or gasket 90. This third seal could be characterized as a
third, fourth, and fifth seal created by the three ribs I00 in the
disclosed example. The degree of interference between the seal ribs
100 and the side wall inner surface on the base 12 can again be
manipulated according to the dimensional design of these
compliments.
[0029] As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the
art, the design and configuration of the seal 90 can vary and yet
fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention. FIG. 5
illustrates one of many possible alternative examples of a seal 110
suitable for use with the canister 10 disclosed herein. In this
example, all of the canister and seal components are essentially
the same except that the alternate seal 110 in this example has an
outer surface 112 with a single wiper seal projection 114
projecting from the surface. The wiper seal projection 114 in this
example is substantially similar in shape and configuration to the
lid projection 76 described previously. The wiper seal projection
114 has an angled outer facing surface 116 that angles outward and
upward relative to the bottom surface 96 of the seal 110. The wiper
seal projection 114 also has a top surface 118 and is generally
perpendicular or normal to be outer surface 112 on this seal
110.
[0030] As discussed previously, the canister base 12 can vary
within the spirit and scope of the present invention. FIG. 6
illustrates one example of an alternative canister base 120 that is
substantially similar to the base 12 described previously. In this
example, the base 120 also has a back wall 122 that extends between
the two transition walls 38. However, the back wall 122 in this
example does not have a hand opening and thus does not have a
handle that could be described as similar to the base 12 and handle
46 of the prior example. In this example, the configuration of the
base 120 can be suitable for smaller quantity or volume canisters.
In one example, the base 120 could be suitable for smaller 1 pint,
1.5 pint, or 1 quart sized canisters. Such a base could be easily
and readily grasped by a user simply by wrapping their hand around
the outer surface of the base side wall 18. There would be no need
for a handle. Also, the back wall 122 on the smaller sized
canisters may be too small to provide a hand opening suitable to
fit a hand of a user. In this example, since the base 120 is
relatively small in volume, the back wall 122 and the underside of
the rim back part 36 could instead be easily grasped if a user
chose to carry the canister base 120 by holding the back wall
instead of by gripping around the side wall 18.
[0031] The canister examples and the various seals disclosed herein
have been provided for illustrative purposes only and are not
intended to specifically limit the scope of the invention only to
these examples. Design variations and modifications can be employed
in the disclosed canisters. A number of possible alternatives and
modifications have been mentioned above. In another example,
multiple O-ring type seals or gaskets can be used in place of the
seals 90 or 110 disclosed herein. In a further example, the
elongate ribs 52 can be replaced by a plurality of shorter ribs or
projections spaced apart circumferentially around the interior of
the side wall 18 on the base 12. The materials utilized to
fabricate the base 12 and lid 14, as well as the gasket or seals 90
or 110, can vary within the spirit and scope of the invention. In
one example, both the lid and base can be injection molded from
plastic or thermoplastic materials such as polypropylene,
polyethylene, thermoplastic elastomer, and the like.
[0032] Although certain storage containers have been described
herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure,
the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the
contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of
the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible
equivalents.
* * * * *