Sealable container

Abstract

A container is provided having a bottom and a lid removably attachable to the bottom, wherein a seal is provided about the periphery of the container. The bottom includes a base, an upstanding side wall attached to the base and forming an interior compartment for storing desired items, such as food, liquids, or other objects, a shelf extending from an upper edge of the upstanding sidewall, and an annular rim extending peripherally about the shelf. The lid includes a lid wall, an interior sealing wall depending from the lid wall, and a peripheral sealing wall depending from the peripheral edge of the lid wall. When the lid is secured to the bottom, an upper edge of the annular rim contacts the lid wall and an outer edge of the annular rim contacts the peripheral sealing wall to seal the lid to the bottom. The interior sealing wall can contact the shelf to further seal the lid and the bottom.

Description

This is a Continuation-In-Part application of U.S. Ser. No. 11/130,029 filed May 16, 2005. The contents of this application are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference into this application.

Throughout this application, references are made to various publications. Disclosures of these publications in their entireties are hereby incorporated by reference into this application to more fully describe the state of the art to which this invention pertains.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sealable container. More specifically, the present invention relates to a container for holding foods, liquids, or other items, which includes a seal extending about the periphery of the container.

Containers of various designs, shapes, and sizes are available for storing products, such as foods, liquids, and other objects. There are many different designs for sealing the peripheral edges of such containers. It is important that the seal be strong, so as to prevent liquids from spilling out of the container. The presence of food on or near the periphery of the container can adversely affect the ability to form an adequate seal between the lid and the bottom of the container when the lid is interlocked with the bottom.

Accordingly, what would be desirable, but has not yet been provided, is a container that is sealable about the periphery of the container, wherein a quick and effective seal can be provided between the lid and the bottom of the container, even in the presence of food or liquids on or near the periphery of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container having a seal. The container includes a bottom and a lid removably attachable to the bottom. The bottom includes a base, an upstanding side wall attached to the base and forming an interior compartment for holding food, liquids, or other items, a shelf extending from an upper edge of the upstanding sidewall, and an upstanding annular rim extending peripherally about the shelf. The lid includes a generally horizontal lid wall, an interior sealing wall depending from the lid wall, and a peripheral sealing wall depending from a peripheral edge of the lid wall. When the lid is secured to the bottom, an upper edge of the annular rim contacts the lid wall and an outer edge of the annular rim contacts the peripheral sealing wall to seal the lid to the bottom. A plurality of abutments could be provided on the interior sealing wall for bearing against the annular rim of the bottom to further secure the lid to the bottom. The interior wall can contact the shelf to further seal the container. A further embodiment would provide for the interior wall not to contact the shelf.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Other important objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following Detailed Description of the Invention taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded, perspective view of the container of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the container of the present invention, wherein the lid is affixed to the bottom of the container.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container of the present invention, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 with the interior wall contacting the shelf.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container of the present invention, taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 with the interior wall contacting the shelf.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container of the present invention, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2 with the interior wall contacting the shelf.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container of the present invention, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2 with the interior wall not contacting the shelf.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the container of the present invention, taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2 with the interior wall not contacting the shelf.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the container of the present invention, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2 with the interior wall not contacting the shelf.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a container having a bottom and a lid removably attachable to the bottom, wherein a seal is provided about the periphery of the container. The bottom includes a base, an upstanding side wall attached to the base and forming an interior compartment for holding food, liquids, or other items, a generally horizontal shelf extending from an upper edge of the upstanding sidewall, and an upstanding annular rim extending peripherally about shelf. The lid includes a generally horizontal lid wall, an interior sealing wall depending from the lid wall, and a peripheral sealing wall depending from a peripheral edge of the lid wall. When the lid is secured to the bottom, an upper edge of annular rim contacts the lid wall, and an outer edge of the annular rim contacts the peripheral sealing wall to seal the lid to the bottom. The interior sealing wall can contact the shelf to further seal the container.

FIG. 1 in an exploded perspective view of the container 10 of the present invention. The container 10 includes a lid 20 and a bottom 30. The lid 20 includes lid wall 27 extending about the periphery of the lid 20, interior sealing wall 22 depending from the lid wall 27, and a peripheral sealing wall 28 depending from the wall 27. A plurality of fins 24 could be provided along the circumference of the interior sealing wall 22 for supporting the interior sealing wall 22.

The bottom 30 includes a base 35 and an upstanding sidewall 36 attached to a peripheral edge of the base 35, the base 35 and sidewall 36 defining an interior compartment 33 for receiving foods, liquids, or other desired items. A generally horizontal shelf 32 extends from the upper peripheral edge of the side wall 36. An annular rim 31 extends upwardly from a peripheral edge of the shelf 32. When the lid 20 is attached to the bottom 30, an upper edge 37 of the rim 31 contacts the generally horizontal wall 27 to form a seal. Additionally, an outer edge 38 of the rim 31 contacts the peripheral sealing wall 28 to form a seal. Ideally, the seals formed by the rim 31 and the lid wall 27 and the peripheral sealing wall 28, respectively, are impervious to food or liquids. Additionally, the shape of the rim prevents food from collecting on the rim thereby minimizing interference from food on the rim. Similarly, the size of the bottom shelf is preferably minimized to reduce interference from food thereon.

The lid 20 and bottom 30 could be formed from any suitable materials, such as polypropylene, using any suitable manufacturing method, such as injection molding. Preferably, the lid 20 and bottom 30 are manufactured from a microwave-safe material, and are reusable. Further, it should be noted that the container 10 could be provided in any desired shape (e.g., square) and size without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. FIG. 2 is a top view of the container 10, wherein the lid 20 is attached to the bottom. The fins 24 could be positioned about the circumference of an interior side of the interior sealing wall 22 to provide reinforcement for the interior sealing wall 22. Abutments 26 could be positioned about the outer circumference of the interior sealing wall 22, adjacent every other fin 24. The abutments 26 bear against the annular rim 31 of the bottom 30 when the lid 20 is attached to the bottom 30 to assist with a secure interconnection between the lid 20 and the bottom 30. It should be noted that abutments 26 could be provided at any desired locations along the interior sealing wall 22. Further, the lid 20 could be made without abutments 26 and still function adequately.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container 10, taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2. It can be seen that the annular rim 31 of the bottom 30 includes an inner edge 34, an upper edge 37, and an outer edge 38. When the lid 20 is attached to the bottom 30 the abutments 26 bear against the inner edge 34 of the annular rim 31. Additionally, the upper edge 37 and the outer edge 38 of rim 31 contact the lid wall 27 and the peripheral sealing wall 28, respectively, to seal the lid 20 and the bottom 30. An annular rim protrusion 39 extending inwardly about the inner edge 34 of rim 31 could be provided. An annular peripheral sealing wall protrusion 29 could also be provided facing inwardly about the bottom of the peripheral sealing wall 28 for locking the lid 20 in position against the bottom 30. The bottom end of the interior sealing wall 22 may contact shelf 32 to form an additional seal.

Due to the positioning of the seals formed between the walls 27 and 28 and the rim 31, the presence of food on or near the shelf 32 will not impede the forming of such seals. Further, the profile of the interior sealing wall 22 is minimal so that a seal can still be effectuated between the end of the interior sealing wall 22 and the shelf 32, despite the presence of food or liquids on the shelf 32. The interior sealing wall 22 is narrower in cross-section than the shelf 32, instead of the same size as the shelf 32, which also minimizes interference by food with the seal. In that embodiment where the internal sealing wall does not contact the rim, as shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8, a further seal is not effectuated between the end of the interior wall 22 and the shelf 32. The relatively narrow width of the shelf 32 and the configuration of the rim 31 serves to minimize the collection of food thereon, which reduces the likelihood that a food handler or preparer will use his or her finger to clean food off of the shelf and/or the rim after putting food into the container, thereby reducing the likelihood of contamination. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container 10, taken along the line 4-4 of FIG. 2. In this view, the components involved with sealing the container can clearly be seen. It should be noted that the interior sealing wall 22 need not contact shelf 32, as is shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 8 as effective seals are still formed between the walls 27 and 28 and the rim 31. However, as is shown in FIGS. 3, 4, and 5 an additional seal can be obtained by contacting interior sealing wall 22 against shelf 32.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container 10, taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2. The fins 24 provide reinforcement for the interior sealing wall 22, and are positioned about the inner circumference of the interior sealing wall 22. Any desired number of fins 24 could be provided, at any desired locations along the interior sealing wall 22. Optionally, a protrusion 39 could be provided about the circumference of interior edge 34 of the rim 31 to co act with the abutments 26 (see FIG. 3 and FIG. 6) to lock the lid 20 in position. To remove the lid 20 from the bottom 30, a user can pull the peripheral sealing wall 28 away from the rim 31 to unlock the lid 20 from the bottom 30, and pull the lid upwardly away from the bottom 30.

Having thus described the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the foregoing description is not intended to limit the spirit and scope thereof. What is desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A sealable container, comprising:

A bottom having: a base; an upstanding side wall attached to a peripheral edge of the base, the base and the upstanding wall forming an interior compartment; a shelf extending from an upper edge of the upstanding side wall; and an annular rim extending peripherally about the shelf; and a lid having: lid wall; an interior sealing wall depending from the lid wall; and a peripheral sealing wall depending from the peripheral edge of the lid wall; wherein an upper edge of the annular rim of the bottom contacts the second generally horizontal wall and an outer edge of the annular rim of the bottom contacts the peripheral sealing wall to seal the container when the lid is attached to the bottom.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the interior sealing wall includes a plurality of abutments which bear against the annular rim.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein a bottom edge of the interior sealing wall contacts the shelf.

4. The container of claim 2 wherein a bottom edge of interior sealing wall contacts the shelf.

5. The container of claim 4, further comprising an annular protrusion formed on the peripheral sealing wall for locking the lid to the bottom portion.

6. The container of claim 5, further comprising an annular protrusion on an inner edge of the rim for coacting with the abutments to retain the lid on the bottom.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein a bottom edge of the interior sealing wall does not contact the shelf.

8. The container of claim 2 wherein a bottom edge of interior sealing wall does not contact the shelf.