U.S. patent application number 13/850696 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-12 for nesting container lids with snap on wings.
The applicant listed for this patent is WKI HOLDING COMPANY, INC.. Invention is credited to Steven M. Grider, Travis S. Harvey, Justin M. Smyers.
Application Number | 20130234406 13/850696 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47915330 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130234406 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Harvey; Travis S. ; et
al. |
September 12, 2013 |
Nesting Container Lids with Snap On Wings
Abstract
Stackable lids for a container each include a top surface facing
generally in a first direction and a bottom surface opposite the
top surface and facing generally in a second direction. Pivotable
wing portions extend from each side edge of the lid and each
pivotable wing portion is joined to its respective side edge by a
hinge. The wing portions are moveable between engaged and
disengaged positions, and an inner surface of each wing includes a
tab member configured for detent engagement with a rim of the
container. The lid also includes corner portions extending between
the side edges. Each corner portion includes a skirt portion
extending generally in the second direction. Each corner portion
also defines a recessed shoulder configured to receive the skirt
portion of another when the lids are stacked.
Inventors: |
Harvey; Travis S.; (Chicago,
IL) ; Grider; Steven M.; (West Dundee, IL) ;
Smyers; Justin M.; (Newport Beach, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
WKI HOLDING COMPANY, INC. |
Rosemont |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47915330 |
Appl. No.: |
13/850696 |
Filed: |
March 26, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
13416943 |
Mar 9, 2012 |
|
|
|
13850696 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
277/645 ;
277/644 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00972
20130101; B65D 2543/00564 20130101; B65D 2543/00962 20130101; B65D
2543/00296 20130101; B65D 2543/0099 20130101; B65D 41/16 20130101;
B65D 2543/00527 20130101; B65D 2543/00731 20130101; F16J 15/061
20130101; B65D 43/0212 20130101; F16J 15/027 20130101; B65D
2543/00537 20130101; F16J 15/104 20130101; B65D 2543/00842
20130101; B65D 45/22 20130101; B65D 2543/00027 20130101; B65D 53/02
20130101; B65D 2543/00805 20130101; B65D 53/00 20130101; B65D
2543/00629 20130101; B65D 2543/00194 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
277/645 ;
277/644 |
International
Class: |
B65D 53/02 20060101
B65D053/02 |
Claims
1. A compressible seal member for a container lid comprising: a
body defining a cross section, the cross section including a
substantially square and hollow outer portion, an inner portion,
and a plurality of webs extending between the inner portion and the
outer portion.
2. The compressible seal member of claim 1, wherein the
substantially square and hollow outer portion includes
substantially straight side walls.
3. The compressible seal member of claim 1, wherein the
substantially square and hollow outer portion includes curved
walls.
4. The compressible seal member of claim 1, wherein the curved
walls are convex.
5. The compressible seal member of claim 1, wherein the cross
section is substantially symmetrical about both a first axis and a
second axis that is substantially perpendicular to the first
axis.
6. The compressible seal member of claim 5, wherein each of the
plurality of webs is substantially aligned with one of the first
axis and the second axis.
7. The compressible seal member of claim 1, wherein the body
includes a plurality of raised ridges formed on outer surfaces of
the outer portion.
8. The compressible seal member of claim 1, wherein the inner
portion is substantially circular.
9. The compressible seal member of claim 1, wherein the inner
portion is hollow.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Divisional Application of, and claims
priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/416,943, filed on
Mar. 9, 2012.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to lids for storage
containers and more particularly to nesting container lids with
snap on wings.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A variety of containers and corresponding lids are known for
storing items. When the containers in question are intended to
store food, such as leftovers, it is generally preferred for the
container to include an air tight and leak proof seal. Other
considerations for containers intended to store food include the
ability to store several containers in a minimum amount of space.
In this regard many containers and lids are known with a wide
variety of nesting or stacking features that allow the containers
and lids to fit within one another, be removably attached to one
another, or generally to be stored in a manner that reduces the
amount of space occupied by multiple containers and lids. In many
instances, there is a design trade-off between providing a strong,
air tight seal between the container and corresponding lid and
providing nesting or stacking features that allow multiple
containers and lids to be stored in a minimum amount of space.
SUMMARY
[0004] In some aspects a lid for a container is provided. The
container includes a rim and the lid includes a top surface facing
generally in a first direction and a bottom surface opposite the
top surface and facing generally in a second direction. The lid
also includes side edges. A pivotable wing portion extends from
each side edge. Each pivotable wing portion is joined to its
respective side edge by a hinge and is moveable between a first
position where the wing portion extends generally outwardly, and a
second position where the wing portion extends generally in the
second direction. An inner surface of each wing includes a tab
member configured for detent engagement with the rim of the
container. The lid also includes corner portions extending between
the side edges. Each corner portion includes a skirt portion
extending generally in the second direction. Each corner portion
also defines a recessed shoulder configured to receive the skirt
portion of another, substantially identical, lid.
[0005] In other aspects, a pair of lids for a container is
provided. The container includes a rim and each lid includes a top
surface facing generally in a first direction away from the
container when the lid is attached to the container, and a bottom
surface opposite the top surface and facing generally in a second
direction toward the container when the lid is attached to the
container. Each lid also includes side edges. A pivotable wing
portion extends from each side edge. Each pivotable wing portion is
joined to its respective side edge by a hinge and is moveable
between a first position where the wing portion extends generally
outwardly, and a second position where the wing portion extends
generally in the second direction. An inner surface of each wing
includes a tab member configured for detent engagement with the rim
of the container. Each lid also includes corner portions extending
between the side edges. Each corner portion includes a skirt
portion extending generally in the second direction. Each corner
portion also defines a recessed shoulder. The lids are stackable
upon one another. When a first lid of the pair of lids is stacked
upon a second lid of the pair of lids, the recessed shoulders of
the second lid each receive a respective one of the skirt portions
of the first lid.
[0006] In still other aspects, a storage container set includes a
container having a base, sidewalls, and a rim, and a plurality of
lids. Each lid is releasably attachable to the rim of the container
and includes a top surface facing generally in a first direction
away from the container when the lid is attached to the container,
and a bottom surface opposite the top surface and facing generally
in a second direction toward the container when the lid is attached
to the container. Each lid also includes side edges. A pivotable
wing portion extends from each side edge. Each pivotable wing
portion is joined to its respective side edge by a hinge and is
moveable between a disengaged first position where the wing portion
extends generally outwardly, and an engaged second position where
the wing portion extends generally in the second direction. An
inner surface of each wing portion includes a tab member configured
for detent engagement with the rim of the container. The lid also
includes corner portions extending between the side edges. Each
corner portion includes a skirt portion extending generally in the
second direction, and also defines a recessed shoulder. The lids
are stackable upon one another such that when a first lid of the
plurality of lids is stacked upon a second lid of the plurality of
lids, the recessed shoulders of the second lid each receive a
respective one of the skirt portions of the first lid.
[0007] In still other aspects, a compressible seal member includes
a body defining a cross section. The cross section includes a
substantially square and hollow outer portion, an inner portion
within the outer portion, and a plurality of webs extending between
the inner portion and the outer portion.
[0008] In still other aspects, a storage container set includes a
container having a base, sidewalls, and a rim. Thee rim includes
rim corners and rim side portions. A lid is releasably attachable
to the rim of the container. The lid includes a top surface facing
generally in a first direction away from the container when the lid
is attached to the container. The lid also includes a bottom
surface opposite the top surface and facing generally in a second
direction toward the container when the lid is attached to the
container. Pivotable wing portions extend along substantially
straight side edges of the lid. Each pivotable wing portion is
joined to its respective side edge by a hinge and moveable between
a disengaged first position and an engaged second position. Corner
portions extend between the side edges. Each corner portion
includes a skirt portion extending generally in the second
direction and covering the rim corners. When the pivotable wing
portions are moved to the engaged second position, the pivotable
wing portions cover the rim side portions such that the wing
portions and the skirt portions cooperate to substantially
completely surround and protect the rim of the container.
[0009] In still other aspects, a lid for a container includes a top
surface facing generally in a first direction, a bottom surface
opposite the top surface and facing generally in a second
direction, and side edges. A pivotable wing portion extends from
one of the side edges and is joined to its respective side edge by
a hinge. The pivotable wing portion is moveable between a first
position where the wing portion extends generally in an outward
direction, and a second position where the wing portion extends
generally in the second direction. Hinge guards are located
substantially adjacent each end of the hinge. Each hinge guard
extends generally in the outward direction beyond the hinge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container and a snap-on
lid.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top view of the container and snap-on lid of
FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 3 is front elevation view of the container and snap-on
lid of FIG. 1.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a section view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a section view taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of two of the snap-on lids
of FIG. 1, one positioned above the other.
[0016] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of two of the snap-on lids
of FIG. 1 stacked one upon the other.
[0017] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view showing the encircled portion 8-8
of the container and snap-on lid in FIG. 2.
[0018] FIG. 9a is a cross-section view of a seal for the snap-on
lid of FIG. 1.
[0019] FIG. 9b is a cross-section view of another seal for the
snap-on lid of FIG. 1.
[0020] In the following detailed description, numerous specific
details are set forth to provide a full understanding of the
subject technology. It will be apparent, however, to one ordinarily
skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced
without some of these specific details. In other instances,
well-known structures and techniques have not been shown in detail
so as not to obscure the subject technology.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] FIGS. 1-4 illustrate a container 10 and snap-on lid 14. The
container 10 is generally rectangular and includes a base 18,
sidewalls 22 extending generally upwardly from the base 18, and a
rim 26 (FIG. 4) extending around the upper edges of the sidewalls
22. Containers of different sizes, shapes, and configurations than
that illustrated can also be used without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present invention. In some embodiments, the
container 10 is a substantially rigid material, such as glass,
ceramic, and variations thereof.
[0022] The snap-on lid 14 is also generally rectangular and is
releasably attached to the rim 26 of the container 10. The lid 14
includes a top surface 30 that faces in a first direction generally
away from the container 10 when the lid 14 is attached to the
container 10, and a bottom surface 34 (FIG. 4) opposite the top
surface and that faces in a second direction generally toward the
container 10 when the lid 14 is attached to the container 10. The
top surface 30 includes a generally concave or recessed portion 36
that is sized to receive the base 18 of another container 10
stacked on top of the lid 14. The recessed portion 36 improves
stability when a container 10 is stacked on top of the lid 14.
[0023] The lid 14 includes a plurality (e.g., four, as illustrated)
of substantially straight side edges 38 and curved corner portions
42 extending between the side edges 38. A pivotable wing portion 46
is joined to and extends from each of the side edges 38. More
specifically, each pivotable wing portion 46 is joined to a
respective side edge 38 by a hinge 50, such as a living hinge, and
is moveable between a disengaged first position in which the wing
portion 46 extends generally outwardly (see FIGS. 6 and 7) and an
engaged second position (FIGS. 1 and 3) in which the wing portion
extends generally in the second direction, e.g., toward the base 18
of the container 10 when the lid 14 is attached to the container
10. In some embodiments, the lid 14 is manufactured from
polypropylene.
[0024] FIG. 4 shows the wing portion 46 of the lid 14 in the
engaged second position and attached to the rim 26 of the container
10. As shown, the rim 26 is generally hook-shaped in cross section
and includes a lower concave surface and an upper convex surface
51. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper convex surface 51 is a
smooth, continuously curved surface that extends entirely around
the perimeter of the container 10 and defines an uppermost extent
of the container 10. The wing portion 46 includes an inner surface
54 that faces toward the upper convex surface 51 of the rim 26 and
that includes a tab member 52 for engagement with the lower concave
surface of the rim 26. A resilient seal member 58 engages the upper
convex surface 51 of the rim 26 to provide a substantially air
tight and liquid tight seal between the lid 14 and the container
10. When the wing portion 46 is in the engaged second position, the
inner surface 54 is directly adjacent to, but not necessarily
touching, the upper convex surface 51 of the rim, and the tab
member 52 is in engagement with the lower concave surface of the
rim 26.
[0025] The seal member 58 is received within a seal channel 62 that
is formed in the bottom surface 34 of the lid 14. Both the seal
member 58 and the seal channel 62 extend around a perimeter of the
lid 14. The combined resiliency of the seal member 58 and the lid
14 permit the tab members 52 of each wing portion 46 to be snapped
into and out of the recess defined by the lower concave surface of
the rim 26 in a detent manner. In some embodiments, each wing
portion 46 includes two tab members 52.
[0026] Referring also to FIG. 5, in the illustrated embodiment each
corner portion 42 of the lid 14 is substantially continuously
curved and includes a skirt portion 66 that extends downwardly and
around the corners of the container 10 (i.e., generally in the
second direction) when the lid 14 is attached to the container 10.
Each skirt portion 66 helps properly align the lid 14 with the
container 10 as the lid 14 is being positioned on the container 10.
Proper alignment of the lid 14 relative to the container 10 ensures
that the seal 58 and the wing portions 46 are correctly positioned
for engagement with the rim 26 of the container 10.
[0027] Each skirt portion 66 includes a lower end 70 terminating in
a bottom edge 74. Each corner portion 42 also defines a recessed
shoulder 78 formed generally in the area between the top surface 30
and the skirt portion 66. The recessed shoulder 78 is configured to
receive the lower end 70 of the skirt portion 66 of another lid 14
when two or more lids 14 are stacked one upon the other. More
specifically, the shoulder 78 includes a first shoulder surface 82
that faces in the first direction, and a second shoulder surface 86
that joins the first shoulder surface 82 and faces generally
outwardly. In the illustrated embodiment, the second shoulder
surface 86 also joins the top surface 30; however, other
embodiments may include additional steps, shoulders, or other
features between the second shoulder surface 86 and the top surface
30.
[0028] Referring also to FIGS. 6 and 7, when a first lid 14a is
stacked upon a second lid 14b, the shoulders 78 of the second lid
14b receive the skirt portions 66 of the first lid 14a. More
specifically, the bottom edges 74 of the skirt portions 66 of the
first lid 14a engage the first shoulder surfaces 82 of the second
lid 14b, and the lower ends 70 of the first lid 14a fit over the
second shoulder surfaces 86 of the second lid 14b. In some
embodiments, with the exception of the wing portions 46, which tend
to droop slightly, the only contact between the first lid 14a and
the second lid 14b is the contact between the lower ends 70 of the
skirt portions 66 of the first lid 14a and the first and second
shoulder surfaces 82, 86 of the second lid 14b. This is due at
least in part to the height of the skirt portions 66, which is
sufficient to space the top and bottom surfaces 30, 34 of adjacent
lids apart from one another.
[0029] As mentioned above, the height of the skirt portions 66 also
aids in alignment of the lid 14 with the container 10. More
specifically, the skirt portions 66 extend in the second direction
well beyond the bottom surface 34 of the lid 14 such that, as the
lid 14 is positioned over the container 10, the skirt portions 66
receive and corners of the rim 26 and guide the lid 14 into
position. As a result, the seal member 58 is properly aligned with
the rim 26 before the wing portions 46 are moved from the
disengaged first position to the engaged second position, which
compresses the seal 58. As FIG. 6 makes apparent, when the wing
portions 46 are in the disengaged first position, the skirt
portions 66 substantially completely cover the corners of the rim
26 of the container 10, while the straight side portions of the rim
26 remain substantially exposed when viewed from the front or side.
Moving the wing portions 46 to the engaged second position covers
the side portions of the rim 26. Once the wing portions 46 are in
the engaged second position, the wing portions 46 and the skirt
portions 66 cooperate to substantially completely surround and
protect the rim 26 of the container. More specifically, as best
shown in FIG. 2, only a very small portion of the rim 26 is exposed
to the outside by the small spaces between the wing portions 46 and
the skirt portions 66.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 8, each hinge 50 defines a respective
hinge axis 90 about which the wing portion 46 pivots. A relatively
small, U-shaped cutout 94 is provided between the end of the hinge
50 and the end of the adjacent corner portion 42. To protect the
hinge 50 and improve durability of the lid 14, the end of each
corner portion 42 includes a hinge guard 98. The hinge guard 98 is
substantially aligned with the hinge 50 to protect the end of the
hinge 50 and the wing portion 46 from side impacts, which can
contribute to premature failure of the hinge 50. This can
particularly be the case when the hinge 50 is in the form of a
living hinge. In the illustrated embodiment the hinge guard 98
extends in an outward direction (e.g., upwardly as viewed in FIG.
8) beyond the hinge axis 90 such that the hinge axis 90 extends
through the hinge guard 98 and a portion of the hinge guard 98 is
located a further distance in the outward direction than the hinge
axis 90. In other embodiments, the hinge axis 90 may be
substantially coincident with or tangent to the outer-most portion
of the hinge guard 98. Also in the illustrated embodiment, the
hinge guard 98 is spaced from the end of adjacent hinge 50 in the
direction of the hinge axis 90 by the U-shaped cutout 94.
[0031] Referring to FIGS. 9a and 9b, in some embodiments, the seal
member 58 includes a body having a cross section that is
symmetrical about both a first axis 102 and a second axis 106 that
is substantially perpendicular to the first axis 102. Other
embodiments of the seal member 58 may be asymmetrical about one or
both of the axes 102, 106. Although other shapes can be used, in
the illustrated embodiments, the cross section of the seal member
58 includes outer side walls 108 that define a substantially square
hollow outer portion 110, and a substantially circular hollow inner
portion 114 positioned within the outer portion 110. The inner
portion 114 is coupled to the outer portion 110 by a plurality
(e.g., four as illustrated) radially outwardly extending webs 118
that, in the illustrated embodiments, are substantially aligned
with the axes 102, 106. More or fewer webs 118 in different
arrangements, and thinner or thicker outer and inner portions 110,
114 with different relative sizes and spacings can be selected to
provide the desired characteristics of compressibility and
resiliency for the seal.
[0032] The cross section of the illustrated seal member 58 also
includes a plurality (e.g., three, as shown) of raised ridges 122
formed on the outer surface of each side wall 108 of the outer
portion 110. As shown, the substantially square hollow outer
portion 110 can include substantially straight side walls 108, as
in FIG. 9a, or substantially curved or convex side walls 108 as in
FIG. 9b. It has been found in some applications that the curved or
convex side walls 108 shown in FIG. 9b have a reduced tendency to
fold under compression and can sometimes provide a better seal than
the straight edges of FIG. 9a. Exemplary materials for the seal
member 58 include silicone and thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). The
configuration of the seal member 58 results in substantially
uniform pressure on all side of the seal member 58 and reduces the
possibility of the seal being installed in an improper orientation
during assembly.
* * * * *