Abstract: An easily closable and openable container system includes a number of features which facilitate easy opening and closing while maintaining a high seal. In a first embodiment, the opening forces can be concentrated on one narrow side which includes a lip on one side of a lid flange and with an angled portion on the opposite side of the flange to give ease of opening with less force involved. In a second embodiment where one side is not significantly shorter than a longest side, the lid flange is located at a corner to concentrate the leverage for opening. A continuous flange surrounds a generally planar member and mates with a outwardly projecting rim. The flange includes a pair of surfaces, including an inwardly angled surface which acts to form a stable seal, and actually urges the lid downward as the natural sealing force from the flange is applied.

Abstract: To enable more efficient cooking, draining and straining of cooking ingredients that are boiled or steamed, the invention adds structural features enabling a cooking strainer to fit in a cooking pot, specifically, pivot members on the cooking strainer, which fit in and are supported rotatably by receivers on the inner sidewalls of the cooking pot.