U.S. patent application number 15/053186 was filed with the patent office on 2017-08-31 for food container lid system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Joe Yih-Chyuan Chiou. Invention is credited to Joe Yih-Chyuan Chiou.
Application Number | 20170247151 15/053186 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59679202 |
Filed Date | 2017-08-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170247151 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chiou; Joe Yih-Chyuan |
August 31, 2017 |
Food Container Lid System
Abstract
A food container lid system is provided and generally includes a
food container and a lid for covering the food container. The lid
may include a base portion and a cover that attaches to the base
portion via a hinge. According to various aspects, a user may
release the cover from the base portion with one hand by actuating
a release member located on the base portion. According to various
additional aspects, the lid may include one or more air tight seal
structures that prevent food in the container from being exposed to
outside air and from leaking.
Inventors: |
Chiou; Joe Yih-Chyuan;
(Wilmette, IL) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Chiou; Joe Yih-Chyuan |
Wilmette |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59679202 |
Appl. No.: |
15/053186 |
Filed: |
February 25, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00194
20130101; B65D 43/163 20130101; B65D 2543/00564 20130101; B65D
2543/00972 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D 2543/00092
20130101; B65D 43/16 20130101; B65D 43/26 20130101; B65D 43/267
20130101; B65D 2543/00435 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/26 20060101
B65D043/26; B65D 43/16 20060101 B65D043/16 |
Claims
1. A food container lid, comprising: a lid base adapted to attach
to a top portion of the food container, wherein the lid base
comprises a release member configured to be actuated by a user and
an opening that exposes access to an interior of the food
container; a lid cover that covers the opening of the lid base and
prevents access to the interior of the food container when in a
closed state, wherein the lid cover comprises a cover connector
configured to be removably connected to the release member when the
lid cover is in the closed state; and a hinge connecting the lid
base to the lid cover; wherein the release member releases the
cover connector when the release member is actuated by the
user.
2. The food container lid of claim 1, wherein the hinge comprises a
biasing hinge that causes the lid cover to move from the closed
state to the open state when the cover connector is released by the
release member.
3. The food container lid of claim 2, wherein the biasing hinge is
configured to hold the lid cover at an angle of between 10.degree.
and 45.degree. with respect to the lid base.
4. The food container lid of claim 1, wherein the release member
comprises a release button that is actuated by the user pressing
the release button.
5. The food container lid of claim 4, wherein the release button
comprises a button hinge, a contact surface, and a button connector
configured to be removably connected to the cover connector, and
when the user presses inward on the contact surface of the release
button, the button connector moves outwardly with respect to the
cover connector thereby releasing the cover connector.
6. The food container lid of claim 5, wherein the button connector
comprises a hook and the cover connector comprises a corresponding
hook.
7. The food container lid of claim 1, further comprising a flange
attached to the lid base or the lid cover, and a channel attached
to the other of said lid base or lid cover, wherein the channel
includes a seal, and the seal and the flange form an air-tight seal
between the lid cover and the lid base.
8. The food container lid of claim 7, wherein the seal comprises
silicone rubber.
9. The food container lid of claim 1, wherein the lid base further
comprises a channel corresponding to an upper edge wall of the food
container and a seal included in the channel, and the seal and the
upper edge wall form an air-tight seal between the lid base and the
food container.
10. A food container lid, comprising: a lid base adapted to attach
to a top portion of the food container, wherein the lid base
comprises an opening that exposes access to an interior of the food
container; a lid cover that covers the opening of the lid base and
prevents access to the interior of the food container when in a
closed state; a flange attached to the lid base or the lid cover,
and a channel attached to the other of said lid base or lid cover,
wherein said channel includes a seal, and the seal and the flange
form an air-tight seal between the lid cover and the lid base; and
a hinge connecting the lid base to the lid cover.
11. The food container lid of claim 10, wherein the flange is
attached to the lid base and surrounds the opening, and the channel
is attached to the lid cover.
12. The food container lid of claim 10, wherein the channel is
attached to the lid base and surrounds the opening, and the flange
is attached to the lid cover.
13. The food container lid of claim 10, wherein the lid base
further comprises a second channel corresponding to an upper edge
wall of the food container and a second seal included in the second
channel, and when the lid base is attached to the food container,
the second seal and the upper edge wall form an air-tight seal
between the lid base and the food container.
14. The attachable lid of claim 13, wherein the seal and the second
seal each comprise silicone rubber.
15. The attachable lid of claim 10, wherein the lid base further
comprises a release member configured to be actuated by a user, and
the lid cover further comprises a cover connector configured to be
removably connected to the release member.
16. The attachable lid of claim 15, wherein the hinge comprises a
biasing hinge that causes the lid cover to move from the closed
state to the open state when the cover connector is released by the
release member.
17. The attachable lid of claim 16, wherein the release member
comprises a release button including a button hinge, a contact
surface, and a button connector configured to connect to the cover
connector, and when the user presses inward on the contact surface
of the release button, the button connector moves outwardly with
respect to the cover connector thereby releasing the cover
connector.
18. A food container lid apparatus comprising: a food container
comprising a release member configured to be actuated by a user and
an opening that exposes access to an interior of the food
container; a lid cover that covers the opening of the food
container and prevents access to the interior of the food container
when in a closed state, wherein the lid cover comprises a cover
connector configured to be removably connected to the release
member when the lid cover is in the closed state; and a hinge
connecting the food container to the lid cover; wherein the release
member releases the cover connector when the release member is
actuated by the user.
19. The food container lid apparatus of claim 18, further
comprising a flange attached to the lid base or the lid cover, and
a channel attached to the other of said lid base or lid cover,
wherein the channel includes a seal, and the seal and the flange
form an air-tight seal between the lid cover and the food
container.
20. The food container lid system of claim 18, wherein the release
member comprises a release button that is actuated by the user
pressing the release button.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not applicable to this application.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not applicable to this application.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Field
[0004] Example embodiments in general relate to a food container
lid system that allows a user to release a lid cover from a base
portion of the lid with one hand. Furthermore, the food container
lid system may be air-tight and/or water-tight to prevent food
included there within from going bad or from leaking.
[0005] Related Art
[0006] Any discussion of the related art throughout the
specification should in no way be considered as an admission that
such related art is widely known or forms part of common general
knowledge in the field.
[0007] A significant cause of food spoilage is oxygen. Oxygen can
be colorless and tasteless and is often forgotten or taken for
granted as a means for causing food to spoil. When oxygen comes
into contact with food, it can have deteriorative effects on fats,
food colors, vitamins, flavors, and other food elements. For
example, oxygen can cause oxidation, enhance the growth of
microorganisms, and cause damage to food by speeding up chemical
reactions of enzymes that are naturally present in the food.
[0008] In an effort to prevent food from spoiling as a result of
being exposed to oxygen, food may be put into containers. Many food
containers include lids. When the food container lid is opened, a
person is able to access the food included inside the food
container. Most food containers have a two piece design. A lid
(i.e., first piece) is attached to a container (i.e., second piece)
and the lid is pushed down to seal and close the food inside the
container.
[0009] A related food container typically requires a person to use
both hands in order to open the lid from the container. In this
type of container, one hand is typically required to brace the
container while the other hand is used to remove the lid. For
example, the lid may be opened by a user holding the food container
with one hand while unscrewing or detaching the lid with the other
hand. As another example, the lid may be opened while the user is
holding the food container and pulling upward on a wire opening
mechanism with the other hand. Recent food containers have
attempted to improve the effort required by a user to open a food
container by including a release mechanism in the cover of the lid.
However, when the release mechanism is actuated by the user, the
user must push their hand down on the cover creating a downward
force that goes against the opening upward of the cover, thus,
getting in the way of the cover when it attempts to open.
[0010] In addition, a typical two piece design does not have an
air-tight or a water-tight seal at a point of contact between the
lid and the container or at a point of contact between a lid cover
and a lid base. As a result, oxygen from outside the container may
be introduced to food included inside through multiple ways, even
if at a slower rate. Furthermore, if the food includes a liquid,
for example, milk, juice, water, soup, and the like, when the
container is moved or the liquid splashes or rises to the top, the
liquid may escape at the point of contact between the lid and the
container and/or at the point of contact between the lid cover and
the lid base.
[0011] In a related food container system, a release latch is
included in the cover of the lid. Therefore, to open the lid, a
user presses down on the release latch while simultaneously
pressing down on the cover. However, because the release latch is
included in the cover, the hand of the user gets in the way of the
lid while it is opening. In other words, when the user presses down
on the release latch, their hand is in contact with the cover of
the lid. As a result, the downward force of the user's hand
prevents the cover from opening upwards. Therefore, a user must use
two hands to open the cover.
[0012] Accordingly, there exists a need for a food container that
allows a user to open the lid with one hand without the hand being
in the way, and that creates an air-tight and water-tight seal for
the food included within.
SUMMARY
[0013] An example embodiment is directed toward a food container
lid that generally includes a base adapted to attach to a top
portion of a food container and a cover. The lid base may include a
release member that may be actuated by a user and an opening that
exposes access to an interior of the food container. The lid cover
may cover the opening of the lid base and prevent access to the
interior of the food container when in a closed state. The lid
cover may include a cover connector that removably connects to the
release member of the lid base when the lid cover is in the closed
state. The lid may also include a hinge connecting the lid base to
the lid cover. The release member may be actuated by the user to
release the cover connector. Accordingly, the lid cover may open
revealing the interior of the food container.
[0014] Another example embodiment is directed toward a food
container lid including a base adapted to attach to a top portion
of the food container and which includes an opening that exposes
access to an interior of the food container. The food container lid
also includes a cover that covers the opening of the lid base and
prevents access to the interior of the food container when in a
closed state. The food container lid also includes a hinge
connecting the lid cover to the lid base. Further, the food
container lid includes a flange attached to the lid base or the lid
cover, and a channel attached to the other of the lid base or the
lid cover. In this example embodiment the channel includes a seal
and the seal and the flange form an air-tight seal between the lid
cover and the lid base.
[0015] Another example embodiment is directed toward a food
container lid apparatus including a food container that has a
release member therein which may be actuated by a user and an
opening that exposes access to an interior of the food container.
The apparatus may also include a lid cover that covers the opening
of the food container and prevents access to the interior of the
food container when in a closed state. The lid cover may also
include a cover connector that may be removably connected to the
release member when the lid cover is in the closed state. The
apparatus also includes a hinge connecting the lid base to the lid
cover. Furthermore, the release member releases the cover connector
when the release member is actuated by the user.
[0016] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the
features of the food container lid system in order that the
detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order
that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.
There are additional features of the food container lid system that
will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter
of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining
at least one embodiment of the food container lid system in detail,
it is to be understood that the food container lid system is not
limited in its application to the details of construction or to the
arrangements of the components set forth in the following
description or illustrated in the drawings. The food container lid
system is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and
carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the
phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of
the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] Example embodiments will become more fully understood from
the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying
drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference
characters, which are given by way of illustration only and thus
are not limitative of the example embodiments herein.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food container lid system
with the lid closed in accordance with an example embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a food container lid system
with the lid in an initially opened state in accordance with an
example embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 2b is a perspective view of a food container lid system
with the lid fully open in accordance with an example
embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a food container lid system
having four locking areas in accordance with an example
embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a top portion of the
food container lid system of FIG. 1 taken along line 4-4 in
accordance with an example embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the top
portion of the food container lid system of FIG. 4 in accordance
with an example embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a food container lid system
in accordance with another example embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a top portion of the
food container lid system of FIG. 6 taken along line 7-7 in
accordance with an example embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the top
portion of the food container lid system of FIG. 7 in accordance
with an example embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a food container lid
system in accordance with another example embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 10 is a side perspective view of a top portion of the
food container lid system of FIG. 9 in accordance with an example
embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 11 is a view of a rubber hinge between a lid cover and
a lid base of a food container lid system in accordance with an
example embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 12 is a view of a rubber spring included in a release
button of a food container lid system in accordance with an example
embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a food container lid system
in accordance with another example embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a food container lid system
in accordance with another example embodiment.
[0033] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the top portion of the
food container lid system in accordance with an example
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A. Overview
[0034] An example food container lid system generally includes a
food container having an upper opening and a lid attached to an
upper end of the food container for selectively enclosing the upper
opening. In various example embodiments, the lid includes a base
that may be removably attached or permanently attached to the upper
end of the food container and a cover that is pivotally attached to
the base by a hinge. The lid base generally includes an access
opening that allows access to the interior of the food container
when the lid cover is open.
[0035] According to various example embodiments, the lid base may
include a release member disposed on a side portion thereof that
allows a user to easily and conveniently open the lid cover with
one hand and without the hand hitting or otherwise interfering with
the opening action of the lid cover. For example, the release
member may include a release latch or button that may be pressed
inwardly by a finger or a hand of the user. The lid cover may
include a connector that removably connects the lid cover to the
release member of the lid base when the lid cover is closed. In
this example, when the release member is actuated by the user
(e.g., the user presses on a portion of the release member) the
release member may release the cover connector and the biasing
hinge may force the lid open by causing the lid cover to move from
the closed position to the open position.
[0036] According to various example embodiments, the lid may
include one or more air tight seals. For example, a first seal may
be created between the base of the lid and the food container. In
this example, the base may include a channel located on an
underneath side thereof and a seal that is positioned within the
channel. When the base is attached to the food container, the seal
and the upper end of the food container may create an air tight
seal between the lid and the food container. A second seal may be
created between the lid cover and the lid base. In this example,
either the lid base or the lid cover may include a flange that
surrounds the access opening. Also, the other of the lid base and
the lid cover may include a channel and seal that is positioned
within the channel. Accordingly, when the lid cover is closed, the
seal and the flange may create an air tight seal between the lid
cover and the lid base.
[0037] In some examples, the lid base is removably attachable to
the food container. In other examples, the lid base may be
permanently attached to the food container, for example, through a
process of ultrasonic welding. In other examples, the lid base may
be integrated and/or molded into the food container such that the
food container and the lid base are of one construction as
illustrated in FIG. 15. In this example, the release member may be
included in the food container and the lid cover may be attached to
the food container by the hinge as further shown in FIG. 15. In
this example, there might not be a seal between the lid base and
the food container because the lid base is integrated with the food
container. However, in this example, a seal may be included between
the lid cover and the food container.
[0038] Accordingly, the food container lid system described herein
prevents a user's hand from getting in the way when the user opens
the lid cover. In addition, the lid may create a seal that is air
tight and/or water tight between the lid cover and the lid base,
and between the lid and the food container. As a result, the food
container lid may prevent food included in the container from being
exposed to outside air and from leaking out of the food container
when the lid cover is closed. Accordingly, the food container
system described herein may improve user convenience when opening
the food container and also improve the freshness and quality of
the food stored in the food container.
[0039] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a food container lid system
in which the lid is closed, and FIGS. 2a and 2b illustrate examples
of the food container lid system in which the lid is open.
Referring to FIGS. 1, 2a, and 2b, food container lid system 10
includes a food container 50 that has a lid removably attached
thereto. In this example, the lid includes a lid base 20 and a lid
cover 40. The lid base 20 is adapted to attach to a top portion of
the food container 50. For example, the lid base 20 may attach to
the food container 50 through a threaded mechanism, locking
mechanisms, snapping mechanisms, and the like. The food container
50, the lid base 20, and the lid cover 40 may include plastic. For
example, the food container 50 may include a clear plastic material
and the lid cover 40 and the lid base 20 may include a colored
plastic material.
[0040] In the example of FIG. 3, food container lid system 11
includes a lid base 20 that attaches to the food container 50 by
locking mechanisms 26. In this example, the lid base 20 includes
four locking mechanisms 26 (i.e., points of compression) such that
there is at least one locking mechanism 26 for each corresponding
side of the four-sided food container 50. Similarly, the food
container 50 may include locking mechanisms 54 (shown in FIG. 5)
that correspond to the locking mechanisms 26 of the lid base 20,
and which may lock or hold the locking mechanisms 26 securely.
Accordingly, leakage may be prevented from all four sides, in
comparison to a situation in which the lid base 20 is attached to
the food container 50 on two sides. As another example, food
container lid system 13 shown in FIG. 9 includes a threaded feature
at an upper end of the food container 50 and a lower end of the lid
base 20. In this example, the lid may be attached and/or fastened
to the food container 50 by screwing or twisting the lid
closed.
B. Release Member FIGS. 1, 2a, 2b, 3, 9, 13, 14) and (6, 11 &
12)
[0041] According to various aspects, a release member 30 is
included within or otherwise attached to the lid base 20, for
example, on a side portion or a top portion of the lid base 20. For
example, the release member 30 may be a release latch or a push
button that is actuated by a user pressing on a contact surface
thereof. However, the release member 30 is not limited thereto, and
may be any other desired release mechanism, for example, a latch
that is pulled downward, outward, and/or upward by a user, a knob
or dial that is turned by a user, and the like. Also, although the
release member 30 is shown on a side portion of the lid base 20,
the release member 30 is not limited to this location with respect
to the lid base 20. For example, the release member 30 may be
disposed on an upper portion of the lid base 20 and may be aligned
on a same plane as the lid cover 40. In some examples, a space may
be included between the release member 30 and the lid cover 40. The
space may further prevent the user's hand from getting in the way
of the lid cover 40 while the user's hand is contacting the release
member 30.
[0042] The lid base 20 also includes an opening 24 that exposes
access to an interior 52 of the food container 50 and a flange 22
surrounding the opening 24. The lid cover 40 may close the opening
24 of the lid base 20 and prevent access to the interior 52 of the
food container 50 when in a closed state. The lid cover 40 may be
connected to the lid base 20 via a hinge 60. In this example, a
single hinge 60 is shown but more than one hinge may be used. The
hinge 60 may be a biasing hinge such as a spring hinge, a coil
hinge, a rubber hinge, and the like, and may cause the lid cover 40
to move from the closed state to the open state when the lid cover
40 is released by the release member 30.
[0043] Also, the hinge 60 may bias the lid cover 40 at an angle
with respect to the lid base 20 as shown in FIG. 2a. For example,
the hinge 60 may cause the lid cover 40 to move upwards and away
from the lid base 20 as a result of a biasing force included in the
hinge 60. The biasing force created by the hinge 60 may hold the
lid cover 40 at an angle with respect to the lid base 20, for
example, an angle between 0.degree. and 90.degree. with respect to
the lid base 20, 5.degree. and 60.degree. with respect to the lid
base 20, 10.degree. and 45.degree. with respect to the lid base 20,
and the like. The user may further open the lid cover 40 by pulling
the lid cover 40 over the back of the hinge 60 thereby revealing
easier access to the entire opening 24 of the lid base 20 as shown
in FIG. 2b.
[0044] According to various exemplary embodiments, when the release
member 30 is actuated by the user, the release member 30 releases a
connection with the lid cover 40. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate
cross-sectional examples of the lid shown in FIGS. 1, 2a, 2b, and
3, taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 3. As shown, the lid cover 40 may
be removably connected to the release member 30 when the lid cover
40 is in the closed state. For example, the lid cover 40 may
include a cover connector 42 that removably connects to a release
member connector 34 of the release member.
[0045] For example, the cover connector 42 and the release member
connector 34 may include hook shapes, or partial hook shapes. In
the example of FIG. 5, the cover connector 42 includes a partial
hook, or L-shaped piece shape that has an approximate right angle
shape. Here, the cover connector 42 is a hook that extends
downwardly from the lid cover 40. Likewise, the release member
connector 34 has a shape that corresponds to the shape of the cover
connector 42 and includes a hook that extends upwardly from the
release member 30. Here, the release member connector 34 connects
(or contacts) the cover connector 42 preventing the lid cover 40
from being pushed upwards by the force of the hinge 60. The release
member 30 may include a tapered upper portion and may be pivotally
connected to the lid base 20 by button hinge 32 such that when the
lower portion (i.e., the contact portion) of the release member 30
is pushed inwardly the release member connector 34 moves outwardly
with respect to the cover connector 42 to disengage from or
otherwise release the cover connector 42 thereby allowing the lid
cover 40 to be pushed into the open position. It should also be
appreciated that the shape of the cover connector 42 and the
release member connector 34 is not limited to the examples shown
herein and may have any other desired shape and/or construction
capable of removably attaching the lid cover 40 to the release
member 30.
[0046] Referring again to the examples in FIGS. 2a and 2b, the lid
base 20 includes a housing or cavity therein for accommodating at
least a portion of the release member 30. In these examples, the
lower half of the release member 30 is housed in a cavity on the
side portion of the lid base 20. Furthermore, the top portion of
the release member 30 extends above an upper surface of the lid
base 20 enabling a cover connector 42 included within the lid cover
42 and positioned above the lid base 20 to be received by the
release member 30 when the lid cover 40 is closed. In addition, a
space exists on the lid base 20 between the flange 22 and the
release member 30. As a result, an external edge of the lid cover
40 may align flush with an external edge of the lid base 20 when
the lid is closed.
[0047] The food container 50 and the lid shown in FIGS. 1-5 have a
four-sided shape, however, the shape of the food container 50 and
the lid is not limited thereto. In the example of FIG. 9, food
container lid system 13 includes a circular shaped food container
50 and a lid having the same shape. As another example, the food
container 50 and the lid may have an elliptical shape, a triangular
shape, a five-sided shape or more, and the like.
[0048] Furthermore, in some examples, the food container 50 and the
lid may have a different shape with respect to each other. For
example, as shown in FIG. 13, food container system 14 may include
a food container 50 that has an elliptical shape such as a cereal
container, and the lid may have a circular shape. Here, the lid
base 20 is significantly larger than the opening 24 and the lid
cover 40. As another example, as shown in FIG. 14, food container
system 15 may include a food container 50 that has a fish bowl
shape and the lid may have a circular shape. It should also be
appreciated that any combination of sizes and shapes of lids and
food containers 50 are capable of being used.
[0049] According to various aspects, the hinge 60 and the button
hinge 32 may be spring hinges, coil hinges, biasing hinges, and the
like. The hinge 60 may force the lid cover 40 from the open
position to the closed position. The button hinge 32 may partially
resist the release member 30 being actuated by a user. For example,
the button hinge 32 may receive a force from the release member 30
being pressed by the user. Accordingly, the button hinge 32 may
deform enough to allow the cover connector 42 to disengage from the
release member connector 34. The button hinge 32 may also force the
release member 30 back to its original position when the user stops
exerting the pressing force. Furthermore, as shown in the examples
of FIGS. 11 and 12, the hinge 60 and the button hinge 32 may be
made of a microwavable material, for example, rubber, silicone, a
polymer, and the like.
[0050] In some examples herein, instead of the lid including a
removably attachable lid base 20, the features of the lid base may
be integrated into the food container itself. For example, FIG. 6
illustrates an example of food container lid system 12 in which
food container 50 includes the features of a lid base integrated
therein. In this example, the food container 50 includes release
member 30 that may be actuated by a user. Also, food container 50
may include and an opening (not shown) that exposes access to an
interior 52 of the food container 50. In this example, the lid
cover 40 may cover the opening of the food container 50 and prevent
access to the interior 52 of the food container 50 when in a closed
state. In this example, the lid cover 40 may include a cover
connector 42 that may be removably connected to the release member
30 of the food container 50 when the lid cover 40 is in the closed
state. In addition, a hinge 60 may connect the food container 50 to
the lid cover 40.
C. Seal Structure
[0051] According to various aspects, the lid may include one or
more seal structures that prevent air from entering and food from
leaking out of the food container 50. FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a
side view of food container lid systems 10 and 11 shown in FIGS.
1-3, FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a side view of the food container lid
system 12 shown in FIG. 6, and FIG. 10 illustrates a side view of
the food container lid system 13 shown in FIG. 9. In these
examples, a first seal 46 is included between the lid cover 40 and
the lid base 20. Also, in the examples of FIGS. 4, 5, and 10, a
second seal 28 is further included between the lid base 20 and the
food container 50. As a non-limiting example, the first seal 46 and
the second seal 28 may include silicone rubber, a polymer, and the
like. Referring to FIG. 2b, the flange 22 may be a wall that
extends outward and above the rest of the lid base 20 and is
approximately parallel to the side walls of the food container 50.
In the example of FIG. 2b, the flange 22 is located on an interior
of the lid base 20 surrounding the opening 24 and extends upward at
a height that is similar to a depth of the lid cover 40.
Accordingly, when the lid cover 40 is pulled down on top of the lid
base 20, an exterior edge of the lid cover 40 surrounds the
exterior area of the flange 22, and the exterior edge of the lid
cover 40 is aligned with an exterior edge of the lid base 20.
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, 7, 8, and 10, a first channel 44 is
included in an underneath side of the lid cover 40. For example,
the first channel 44 may include a slit or a groove that aligns
with the flange 22 of the lid base 20. A first seal 46 is included
within the first channel 44 and may be deformable. As another
example, the seal 46 may be included on an edge of the flange 22
(shown in FIG. 9) instead of within the first channel 44. According
to various aspects, when the lid cover 40 is placed in the closed
position, the seal 46 may contact the flange 22 causing the seal 46
to partially deform. As a result, a contact area between the seal
46 and the flange 22 may form an air tight and/or a water tight
seal between the lid cover 40 and the lid base 20.
[0053] In these examples, the flange 22 is included in the lid base
20 and the first channel 44 is included in the lid cover 40. It
should be appreciated that the flange 22 and the first channel 44
are not limited to these locations. As another example, the flange
22 may be included in the lid cover 40 and may extend downwardly
from the lid cover 40. Accordingly, the first channel 44 may be
included in the lid base 20 and be aligned with a location of the
flange 22.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 4, 5, and 10, the lid and the food
container 50 include a second seal structure. In these examples,
the lid base 20 includes a second channel 27 included on an
underneath side of the lid base 20. The second channel 27 may
correspond to an upper edge wall of the food container 50. Also, a
second seal 28 may be included in the second channel 27. According
to various aspects, when the lid base 20 is attached to the food
container 50, the seal 28 may be brought into contact with the
upper edge wall of the food container 50 causing the seal 28 to
partially deform. As a result, a contact area between the seal 28
and the upper edge wall of the food container 50 may form an air
tight and/or a water tight seal between the lid base 20 and the
food container 50.
[0055] In these examples, the channels (e.g., first channel 44 and
second channel 27) have a three-sided shape with an opening on the
lower portion thereof for receiving the corresponding seals 46 and
28, respectively. The size and shape of the channels 47, 27 may be
based on the width of the flange 22 and/or the upper edge of the
food container 50. For example, a width of the first channel 44 may
be slightly wider than the flange 22 to enable the flange 22 to be
inserted (at least partially) within the first channel 44 as the
lid cover 40 is closed. Here, the strength of the air tight seal
created by the first seal 46 and the flange 22 may be strengthened
or increased as the pressure from the flange 22 on the first seal
46 is increased causing the first seal 46 to be pressed against and
throughout the interior of the first channel 44. Likewise, a width
of the second channel 27 may be slightly wider than the upper edge
wall of the food container 50 to enable the upper edge wall to be
at least partially inserted within the second channel 27 as the lid
base 20 is attached to the food container 50. Accordingly, the
strength of the air tight seal created by the second seal 28 and
the upper edge wall may be strengthened or increased as the
pressure from the upper edge wall on the second seal 28 is
increased causing the second seal 28 to be pressed against and
throughout the interior of the second channel 27.
[0056] As another example, the first and second channels 44, 27 may
have a different shape than shown, for example, a semi-circular
shape or other desired shape. Also, a space may be included in the
underneath side of the lid cover 40 between the first channel 44
and an external edge of the lid cover 40. Accordingly, the external
edge of the lid cover 40 may align with an external edge of the lid
base 20, the first channel 44 may align flush with the flange
22.
D. Operation of Preferred Embodiment
[0057] The lid may be manufactured such that the lid is integrated
with the food container 50 as shown in the example of FIG. 6. As
another example, the lid may be subsequently attached to the food
container 50 by a user as shown in the examples of the food
container lid systems in FIGS. 1 and 9. For example, the lid may be
attached by the user pushing down on the top of the lid until
locking mechanisms 26 of the lid snap into place with corresponding
locking mechanisms on the food container 50. As another example,
the lid may be attached by the user screwing a threaded feature of
the lid base 20 into a threaded feature of the food container
50.
[0058] In use, a user may place food inside the food container 50.
The food may be added to the food container 50 before or after the
lid has been attached to the container. If the lid has previously
been attached to or is integrated with the food container 50, food
may be inserted through the opening 24 of the lid base 20 while the
lid cover 40 is open as shown in FIGS. 2a and 2b. With the food
inside, the lid cover 40 may be closed to cover the opening 24 of
the lid base 20 as shown in FIG. 1. When the lid is closed, the
seal structure may provide an air tight and water tight seal for
the food included inside.
[0059] When a user desires to access the interior 52 of the food
container 50 (e.g., to gain access to the food stored inside) the
user may actuate the release member 30 and cause the lid cover 40
to open or partially open. For example, the user may press on the
contact surface of the release member 30 shown in FIG. 5 with one
hand causing the release member connector 34 to slide away from the
cover connector 42. As a result, the lid cover 40 may be released
from the release member 30 and the hinge 60 may push the lid cover
40 away from the lid base 20 providing access to the opening 24 of
the lid base 20. In this example, the lid cover 40 may pop open
such as shown in the open state of FIG. 2a.
[0060] Accordingly, the food container lid system 10 described
herein prevents a user's hand from getting in the way when the user
opens the lid cover 40. In addition, the lid may create a seal that
is air tight and/or water tight between the lid cover 40 and the
lid base 20, and between the lid and the food container 50.
Accordingly, the food container system 10 described herein may
improve user convenience when opening the food container 50 and
also improve the freshness and quality of the food stored in the
food container 50.
[0061] Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms
used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of
ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although
methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described
herein can be used in the practice or testing of the food container
lid system, suitable methods and materials are described above. All
publications, patent applications, patents, and other references
mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to
the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The food
container lid system may be embodied in other specific forms
without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof,
and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be
considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any
headings utilized within the description are for convenience only
and have no legal or limiting effect.
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