TOUCH AND SEAL SELF-CLOSING CONTAINER

Abstract

A container with a self-closing lid. The container has an open mouth with an upper rim with two lock elongate lock lever cutouts at opposite ends thereof, and two lock levers pivoted in the lock lever receiving cutouts, each lock lever having an upper rim with catch, and a bottom wall spaced below the upper rim. A lid sized and shaped to cover the open mouth of the container has an outer rim with a lower surface with downwardly directed projections at opposite ends thereof, and an upper surface with grooves formed thereon. When the lid placed on the open mouth of the container and pushed down, the projections will push on the bottom wall of the lock levers and rotate them inwardly causing the catches to snap into the grooves on lid to lock the lock levers on the lid.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to containers and more particularly to a container with an open mouth with a lid which will automatically be locked into place when pushed down onto the open mouth of a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a wide variety of containers and many have a lower storage portion with an open mouth, and a lid that fits to cover the open mouth and close it off.

In some prior art containers, a seal is provided on the lid that sealingly engages with a rim of the mouth of the lower storage portion. When a user wishes to connect the lid to the contain, the user will place the lid in alignment over the open mouth of the storage container and push down all along the rim of the lid to push the lid onto the rim of the storage container. To remove the lid, the user will then “unpeel” the lid from the storage container.

In some other prior art containers, there is a feature to lock the lid onto the lower storage portion comprising locking clips that are be manually lifted up to impinge on and be retained by the lid to thereby lock the lid in place on the container. Thus, in order to lock a lid to the open mouth of these types of containers, the user will place the lid onto the mouth of the container in alignment with the open mouth and push the lid down, and then manually lift up the lever locks to secure the locked position of the lid on the storage container. This extra step of manually lifting the lever locks takes an extra step.

It would be desirable to have a container with a lid that not only seals with the open mouth of the container but also self-locks in place with the user needing to lift locking levers into place.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a container with a self-closing lid, comprising:

a container having an open mouth with an upper rim with two lock lever receiving locations, and two lock levers with each comprising an upper rim with a first connector extending from a front edge of the upper rim, a bottom wall with a front edge, and a back wall joining the upper rim and the bottom wall, the upper rim, the bottom wall, and the back wall connected at ends thereof by end walls, wherein each lock lever is pivotally mounted in the lock lever receiving location of the container and moves between a unlocked position and a locked position; and

a lid that is sized and shaped to cover the open mouth of the container, the lid comprising an outer rim with an upper surface, and a lower surface that in use faces toward the open mouth of the container and which lower surface has a plurality of projections extending downwardly therefrom, the upper surface having second connectors in the vicinity of where the projections are located, and wherein when the lid is placed on the open mouth of the container with the lock levers in the unlatched positions and the lid is pushed down, the projections on the lid will push downwardly on the bottom wall of the lock levers and cause the lock levers to rotate inwardly to the locked position where the first connectors of the lock levers will snap into the second connects on the outer rim of the lid and lock the lock levers in place on the lid to retain the lid on the container.

In another embodiment the invention provides a container with a self-closing lid, comprising:

a container having an open mouth with an upper rim with two lock elongate lock lever cutouts at opposite ends of the container, the container having upper inside walls with an upper inside wall circumference, two lock levers with each comprising an upper rim with catches extending from a bottom edge of the upper rim, a bottom wall with a front edge, and a back wall joining the upper rim and the bottom wall, the upper rim, the bottom wall, and the back wall connected at ends thereof by end walls, wherein each lock lever is pivotally mounted in the elongate lock lever cutouts along a line located above the bottom wall and behind a projection line extending between the front edge of the upper rim and the front edge of the bottom wall; and

a lid that is sized and shaped to cover the open mouth of the container, the lid comprising an outer rim with an upper surface and a lower surface that in use faces toward the open mouth of the container and which lower surface has a plurality of projections extending downwardly therefrom, the upper surface having grooves formed thereon in the vicinity of the outer rim where the projections are located, and a seal, wherein the seal has an outer circumference that is larger than the upper inside wall circumference of the container, wherein when the lid with seal is placed on the open mouth of the container and is pushed down, the projections on the lid will push downwardly on the bottom wall of the lock levers and cause them to rotate inwardly so that the catches extending from the front edge of the upper rim will snap into the grooves on the upper surface of the outer rim and lock the lock levers in place on the lid to retain the lid on the container, and wherein the seal will engage with the upper inside walls of the container to form a seal therewith, and the seal will flex and provide a biasing force that tends to bias the lid upwardly away from the open mouth of the container.

In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a container with a self-closing lid, comprising:

a container comprising an open mouth with an upper rim with two lock elongate lock lever cutouts at opposite ends of the container, two lock levers each comprising an upper rim with at least one catch extending from a bottom edge of the upper rim and a bottom wall with a front edge that is spaced below the upper rim, wherein each lock lever is pivotally mounted to the lock lever receiving cutouts of the container; and

a lid that is sized and shaped to cover the open mouth of the container, the lid comprising an outer rim with an upper surface and a lower surface that in use faces toward the open mouth of the container and which has at least one projection at opposite ends of the outer rim extending downwardly from the lower surface of the outer rim, the upper surface having at least one groove formed thereon in the vicinity of the outer rim where the at least one projections is located, wherein when the lid is placed on the open mouth of the container and is pushed down, the at least one projection at opposite ends of the lid will push downwardly on the bottom wall of the lock levers and cause them to rotate inwardly so that the at least one catches extending from the front edge of the upper rim will snap into the at least one groove on the outer rim and lock the lock levers in place on the lid to retain the lid on the container.

These and other features of the invention are described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an exemplary embodiment of a container with a self-locking lid that will lock onto the open mouth of the container when the lid is pushed down and with an air vent cover in its closed state.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the exemplary embodiment of the container with a self-locking lid of FIG. 1.

FIGS. 3A and 3B are a top perspective view and bottom perspective view, respectively, of an air vent cover of the self-locking lid of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is top view of the self-locking lid portion of the container with a self-locking lid of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is bottom perspective view of the self-locking lid portion of FIG. 2.

FIG. 6 is rear perspective view of an exemplary lock lever of FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is bottom perspective view of the lid seal of FIG. 2

FIG. 8 is a detail view in area A of FIG. 2 showing a lock lever connection point in the container portion.

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the container portion of FIG. 2 without the lock levers.

FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view of the container portion of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view showing the exemplary container with self-locking lid of FIG. 1 with the lid valve in its open state.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view showing the exemplary container with self-locking lid of FIG. 11 with the lock levers moved to their unlocked state.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the container portion with its lid removed.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the container portion with its lid placed over the open mouth of the container portion but not pushed down.

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the container portion with its lid placed over the open mouth of the container portion band and just beginning to be pushed down.

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the container portion with its lid placed over the open mouth of the container portion band and just full to be pushed down with its lock levers moved to their locked state.

FIG. 17 is a cross-section view along lines view lines 17-17 of FIG. 1 showing the lid complete closed on the container portion with the lever locks in the locked state.

FIG. 18 is a cross-section view along lines view lines 18-18 of FIG. 1 showing the valve on the lid in its closed state.

FIG. 19 is a cross-section view along lines view lines 19-19 of FIG. 11 showing the air vent cover on the lid in its opened state.

FIG. 20 is a cross-section view along lines view lines 20-20 of FIG. 12 showing a detail of the lid with its lock levers unlatched from the lid and showing the lid contour and its interaction to fit with the handle and the upper rim of the bin portion.

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view along lines 21-21 of FIG. 14 showing a detail of the lid when it is first placed on the bin portion before it is pushed down to lock the lock levers in place on the lid.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view along lines 22-22 of FIG. 15 showing a detail of the lid when it is just starting to be pushed down into contact with the rim of the bin, with the lock levers partially rotated to start to lock the lid in place.

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view along lines 23-23 of FIG. 16 showing a detail of the lid when it is mostly pushed down into contact with the rim of the bin, with the lock levers more fully rotated to nearly lock the lid in place.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning first to FIG. 1, there is shown an exemplary embodiment of a container with a self-locking lid 10. The container with a self-locking lid 10 includes a container portion 12 and a lid 14. Lock levers 16 pass between cutaways 18 formed in a flat rim 24 at opposite ends 26 of the lid 14, and the lid includes an air vent cover 20 that pivotally fits into a vent cavity 22 formed in a top surface 56 of the lid 14. The lid 14 also has flat rim areas 28 at the other sides connected to the flat rim areas 24. The lid 14 has an outer perimeter 40 and has a gully 58 formed around a perimeter of its top surface 56 and the top surface is preferably generally flat and at an elevated height relative to the gulley. The gully 58 is sized to fit a curved bottom rim 60 of the container portion 12. The container portion 12 has a side perimeter portion 30. The lever locks 16 are pivotally attached along end walls 44 of the container 12 and the container 12 has side walls 46.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the parts of the exemplary embodiment of the container with a self-locking lid 10. The container portion 12, lid 14, lock levers 16, cutaways 18 formed in the flat rim 24 at opposite ends 26 of the lid 14, and the air vent cover 20 that pivotally fits into the cavity 22 formed in the lid 14, and a side perimeter portion 30 of the container portion 12 are shown. At opposite ends 32 of the container portion 12 there are lock lever receiving locations or lock lever cutouts 34 formed at opposite ends 36 of an upper rim portion 38 of the container portion 12 that surrounds its open mouth 42. A bottom wall 48 is connected to the two opposite end walls 44 and the two opposite side walls 46. Between ends 36 of upper rim portion at each end of the container portion 12 there are two spaced apart lock notches 160. Between the two spaced apart lock notches 160 is generally horizontal stub wall 162. The stub wall 162 extends from a top end 164 of the two opposite end walls 44, and a terminal edge 166 is set back compared to the outer reaches 168 of the opposite ends 32 of the container portion 12. There are lock lever connection areas 150 in the ends of the upper rim portion, which will be further described in FIG. 8. The purpose of stub wall 162, lock notches 160 and other features the lock lever connection areas 150 are described below. When the lid 14 is placed on the mouth 42 of the container portion 12, the flat rim 24 and flat rim areas 28 of the lid 14 will be generally parallel to the an upper rim portion 38 of the container portion 12. FIG. 2 and FIG. 7 show a lid seal 50 is provided and has an annular retention flange 52 and a sealing ring 54. The sealing ring 54 has an outer edge 156. The annular retention flange 52 is engaged with the lid 14 as will be described below, and the sealing ring 54 is sized and dimensioned to provide a seal with the upper inside surface 158 of the container portion 12 when the lid 14 is engaged therewith. The seal may be detachably attachable to the lid to allow for cleaning of the seal and the lid, or alternately may be permanently affixed to the lid, e.g., by being molded into the lid. The vent cavity 22 is formed into a top surface 56 of the lid 14. The vent cavity 22 has two pivot holes 62 at opposite sides 64 thereof. The air vent cover 20 has a top surface 66, a bottom surface 68, an air vent plug 70 extending from the bottom surface 68, and two pivots 72 extending from side edges 74 of the air vent cover 20. These features are also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The vent plug 70 can have a generally cylindrical share. These features are better shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The pivots 72 will pivotally engage with the pivot holes 62 on the lid 14, to allow the air vent cover 20 to rock relative thereto between a sealed state (best shown in FIG. 18) and an unsealed state (best shown in FIG. 19.)

FIG. 4 is top view and FIG. 5 is bottom perspective view, respectively, of the self-locking lid portion 14, and has features described above. The cutaways 18 formed in the flat rim 24 and is recessed in from outer edges 26 of the flat rim 24, and defines two opposed cutaway inner ends 80 joined by a cutaway inner edge 82. One continuous longitudinal groove 84 (or shorter sections of grooves) is formed adjacent and inwardly of the cutaway inner edge 82. Each cutaway 18 has a width between the two opposed cutaway inner ends 80 that is slightly wider than a length of the lock levers 16 from its side wall 136 to side wall 136 (see FIG. 6.) A vent hole 76 is formed at one end of the cavity 22 in a bottom wall 78 of the vent cavity 22. Extending downwardly from both sections of the flat rim 24 and spaced inwardly from near the cutaway inner ends 80 are pairs of spaced apart projections or lock prongs 90. The lock prongs 90 can be in the form of generally rectangular extension from the flat rim 24 and they preferably have flat tops 92. The pairs of lock prongs 90 on each of the lid are spaced apart by a distance so that they can freely pass through the lock notches 160 in the bin portion 12 when the lid 14 is placed over the open mouth 42 of the bin portion 12. Extending from an underside of the lid 14 are a pair of spaced apart seal retention walls 86A and 86B. Defined there between is a space 88 that is sized to snugly receive the annular retention flange 52 of the lid seal 50 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 7.)

FIG. 6 is rear perspective view of the exemplary lock lever 16 of FIGS. 1 and 2. Each lock lever 16 has a finger grip portion 120 that extends from an upper edge 122 of an upper rim 124. Extending from a bottom edge 126 of the upper rim 124 are catches 128. The lock lever 16 has a spaced back, back wall 130 and bottom wall 132. The bottom wall 132 has a leading edge 134. At both sides of the lock lever 16 are end walls 136, and the lock lever defines a space 138. Extending perpendicularly and outwardly from the end walls 136 are pivots 140. The pivots 140 are spaced on the end walls 136 above the bottom wall 132 and lay along a line of rotation (shown in dashed lines.) If an imaginary line were drawn from of the front of the catches 128 to the leading edge 134 of the bottom wall 132, a center of rotation of the pivots 140 would be set back from this line and above the bottom wall 132. Thus, with the pivots rotatably held to the lid 14, if the bottom wall 132 of the lock lever 16 is pushed down near its leading edge 134 with a force F, this will provide a rotational force (curved arrow) that rotates the lock lever 16. This operation is described further below.

FIG. 8 is a detail view in area A of FIG. 2 showing a lock lever connection area 150 in the container portion 12. The stub wall 162 extends from the top end 164 of the two opposite end walls 44, and its terminal edge 166 is set back compared to the outer reaches 168 of the opposite ends 32 of the container portion 12. A pivot apertures 170 is formed into a pivot wall 172, to purpose of which is to pivotally receive a pivot pin 140 of the lock levers 16. A cutaway 174 is preferably formed leading from a top rim of the container so that each pivot pin 140 of the lock levers 16 can be more easily snapped into the pivot apertures 170. A stop wall 176 with an underside 178 and front edge 180 extends outwardly from the top end 164. The lock notches 160 are formed between the stop walls 176 and the stub wall 162. The stop wall 176 will prevent over-rotation of the lock levers 16 when they ae installed into the bin portion 12 and are in their open states, as best shown in FIG. 20. The stub wall 162 can serve the same purpose. While the lock levers 16 are shown as having pivots 140 extending outwardly therefrom which pivotally engage with the pivot apertures 170, the position of the pivots and pivot apertures could be changed with pivots being located in the lock lever connection area 150 and pivot aperture being located on the lock levers instead, or a pivoting rod could be run though the pivot lock and through the lock lever cutouts 34 (not shown.)

FIG. 9 is a top perspective view and FIG. 10 is a bottom perspective view, respectively, of the container portion 12 of FIG. 2 without the lock levers 16. The various features described above are shown here. As can be seen, the lock lever cutouts 34 with lock lever connection areas 150 at both ends are shown, which will receive the lock levers. The stub wall 162 and stop wall 176 are shown.

FIG. 11 is a top perspective view showing the exemplary container 10 with self-locking lid of FIG. 1 with the lid vent cover 20 is popped to its open state relative to the vent cavity 22 formed in a top surface 56 of the lid 14 are locked onto the lid 14. The lock levers 16 are in their locked state onto the lid 14. FIG. 17 is a cross-section view along lines view lines 17-17 of FIG. 11 showing the lid 14 complete closed on the container portion 12 with the lever locks 16 in the locked state. As can be seen in FIG. 17, when the lid 14 is fully pushed down onto the bin 12, the lock levers 16 are fully rotated to their latched state, when the catches 128 on the upper rim 124 of the lock levers 16 are moved into the groove 84 formed in the lid 14, and the leading edge 134 of the bottom wall 132 of the latch lever 16 is completely pushed down and rotated by action of the tops 92 of the lock prongs 90 impinging thereon. The lid seal 50 is shown with its flange 52 retained in the space 88 between the pair of spaced apart seal retention walls 86A and 86B. The sealing ring 54 and its outer edge 156 are shown in full contact with the upper inside surface 158 of the container portion 12. As can be seen, the outer edge 156 will bend up slightly as it sweeps on the upper inside surface 158 of the container portion 12, which helps to form an airtight seal between the lid 14 and the container portion 14, and also stores a slight spring force that biases the lid 14 upwardly.

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view showing the exemplary container with self-locking lid 10 of FIG. 11 with the lock levers 16 manually pivoted downwardly to their unlocked state from the lid 14, which thereby causes the lid 14 to be lifted up from the container portion 12. When this is done, the lid 14 will be pushed up from the open mouth of the container portion 12 and the lock levers 16 will no longer retain the lid 14. FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view along view lines 20-20 of FIG. 12 and show the orientation of the lock levers 16 relative to the lid 14. As can be seen in FIG. 20, when the lock levers 16 are pivoted to their unlatched state, the catches 128 on the upper rim 124 of the lock levers 16 will disengage from the groove 84 formed in the lid 14, and the leading edge 134 of the bottom wall 132 of the latch lever 16 will push up on the top 92 of the lock prongs 90 and thereby cause the lid 14 to be pushed up from the open mouth of the container portion 12. The lid seal 50 is shown with its flange 52 retained in the space 88 between the pair of spaced apart seal retention walls 86A and 86B. The sealing ring 54 and its outer edge 156 are shown. As can be seen, the outer edge 156 extends slighting beyond a vertical projection line (not shown) of the upper inside surface 158 of the container portion 12.

FIG. 13 is a top perspective view of the container portion 12 without the lid 14 showing its open mouth 42. The opposite ends 36 of an upper rim portion 38 of the container portion 12 are show, and the lock levers 16 rotated to their open positions.

FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the container portion 12 with its lid 14 placed over the open mouth of the container portion 12 but not pushed yet pushed down. Is this state, the lock levers 16 remain in its unlatched position. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view along view lines 21-21 of FIG. 14 and show the orientation of the lock levers 16 relative to the lid 14. As can be seen in FIG. 21, when the lid 14 is first placed on the bin 12, lock levers 16 are in their unlatched state, the catches 128 on the upper rim 124 of the lock levers 16 do not engage with the groove 84 formed in the lid 14, and the leading edge 134 of the bottom wall 132 of the latch lever 16 will start to be pushed down by the tops 92 of the lock prongs 90 impinging thereon. The lid seal 50 is shown with its flange 52 retained in the space 88 between the pair of spaced apart seal retention walls 86A and 86B. The sealing ring 54 and its outer edge 156 are shown. The sealing ring 54 and its outer edge 156 are shown. As can be seen, the outer edge 156 extends slighting beyond a vertical projection line (not shown) of the upper inside surface 158 of the container portion 12.

FIG. 15 is a top perspective view of the container portion 12 with its lid 14 placed over the open mouth of the container portion 12 with the lid 14 just beginning to be pushed down. As can be seen, the lock levers 16 are just beginning to be rotated by this action, and without a user being required to manually rotate the lock levers. FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view along view lines 22-22 of FIG. 15 and show the orientation of the lock levers 16 relative to the lid 14. As can be seen in FIG. 22, when the lid 14 is pushed further down onto the bin 12, the lock levers 16 will continue to rotate inwardly and the catches 128 on the upper rim 124 of the lock levers 16 will move closer to the groove 84 formed in the lid 14, and the leading edge 134 of the bottom wall 132 of the latch lever 16 will be pushed down by the tops 92 of the lock prongs 90 impinging thereon. The sealing ring 54 and its outer edge 156 are shown with the outer edge 156 almost touching the top of the container 12. As can be seen, the outer edge 156 extends slighting beyond a vertical projection line (not shown) of the upper inside surface 158 of the container portion 12.

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the container portion 12 with its lid 14 placed over the open mouth of the container portion 12 and pushed down by a user. This action causes the lock levers 16 to rotate moved to their locked state. FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view along view lines 23-23 of FIG. 16 and show the orientation of the lock levers 16 relative to the lid 14. As can be seen in FIG. 23, when the lid 14 is pushed down onto the bin 12, lock levers 16 are rotated to nearly their latched state, when the catches 128 on the upper rim 124 of the lock levers 16 are close to engaging with the groove 84 formed in the lid 14, and the leading edge 134 of the bottom wall 132 of the latch lever 16 is nearly completely pushed down and rotated by action of the tops 92 of the lock prongs 90 impinging thereon. The lid seal 50 is shown with its flange 52 retained in the space 88 between the pair of spaced apart seal retention walls 86A and 86B. The outer edge 156 of the sealing ring 54 is shown making contact with the top and of the container 12 and starting to touch the outer edge 156 of the container 12 and bend up. This contact helps to form an airtight seal between the lid 14 and the container portion 14, and also stores a slight spring force that biases the lid 14 upwardly, which helps to pop the lid 14 up when the lever latches 16 are released.

The preferred embodiments of this invention have been disclosed, however, so that one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention.

Claims

1. A container with a self-closing lid, comprising:

a container having an open mouth with an upper rim with two lock lever receiving locations, and two lock levers with each comprising an upper rim with a first connector extending from a front edge of the upper rim, a bottom wall with a front edge, and a back wall joining the upper rim and the bottom wall, the upper rim, the bottom wall, and the back wall connected at ends thereof by end walls, wherein each lock lever is pivotally mounted in the lock lever receiving location of the container and moves between a unlocked position and a locked position; and

a lid that is sized and shaped to cover the open mouth of the container, the lid comprising an outer rim with an upper surface, and a lower surface that in use faces toward the open mouth of the container and which lower surface has a plurality of projections extending downwardly therefrom, the upper surface having second connectors in the vicinity of where the projections are located, and wherein when the lid is placed on the open mouth of the container with the lock levers in the unlatched positions and the lid is pushed down, the projections on the lid will push downwardly on the bottom wall of the lock levers and cause the lock levers to rotate inwardly to the locked position where the first connectors of the lock levers will snap into the second connects on the outer rim of the lid and lock the lock levers in place on the lid to retain the lid on the container.

2. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 1, wherein each lock lever is pivotally mounted to the lock lever receiving location of the container along a line located above the bottom wall and behind a projection line extending between the front edge of the upper rim and the front edge of the bottom wall.

3. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 1, wherein the lock lever receiving locations in the container comprises elongate lock lever cutouts at opposite ends of the upper rim of the container into which the lock levers pivotally fit.

4. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 3, wherein the lock levers are pivotally mounted in the lock lever cutouts by pivot pins extending from the ends walls of the lock levers which pivot pins freely rotate in pivot apertures formed into sides edges of the lock lever cutouts.

5. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 3, wherein the first connectors of the lock lever comprise catches extending from a bottom edge of the upper rim thereof, and wherein the second connectors formed on the upper side of the outer rim of lid comprises grooves.

6. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 3, wherein two spaced apart lock notches are formed in each elongate lock lever cutout, which two lock notches are spaced apart for passage of the projections extending from the underside of the lid so the projections may contact the bottom wall of the lock levers.

7. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 6, wherein positioned between the two spaced apart lock notches is a generally horizontal stub wall upon which the front edge of the bottom wall of the lock levers will impinge when the lock levers are moved to their unlocked position, thereby preventing further rotation of the lock levers.

8. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 1, wherein the back wall of the lock levers is spaced rearwardly from the front edges of the upper rim and lower wall and joining the upper rim and the bottom wall, together with the end walls thereby forming a cavity therein.

9. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 1, wherein each lock lever further comprises a grip handle extending above the upper rim, which grip handle is accessible by a user to manually move each lock lever from its locked position to the unlocked position.

10. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises cutaways at opposite ends of its outer rim, which cutaways are sized to receive the lock levers, and wherein the upper surface having the second connectors are located adjacent to the cutaways.

11. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises a seal, wherein the seal has an outer perimeter that is larger than an inner perimeter of an upper inside wall surface of the container, and wherein when the lid with the seal is placed on the open mouth of the container and pushed down, the seal will engage with the upper inside wall surface of the container to thereby form a seal therewith, and wherein the seal will flex and provide a biasing force that tends to push the lid upwardly away from the open mouth of the container.

12. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 1, wherein the seal is detachably attachable to the lid to allow for removal and cleaning of the seal and the lid.

13. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 1, wherein as the lock levers are moved by a user from their locked positions to their unlocked positions, the bottom walls of the lock levers will move up and push up on the projections extending from the bottom of the lid and cause the lid to lift upwardly relative to the open mouth of the container.

14. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 1, wherein the lid has an upper surface into which is formed a cavity with an aperture formed therethrough, which cavity receives a movable air vent cover, which air vent cover moves between a closed position where the aperture in the cavity is blocked by the air vent cover, and an opened position where the air vent cover blocks the aperture in the cavity.

15. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 14, wherein the air vent cover pivots on pivot prongs relative to the cavity in the lid between the opened position and the closed position, and wherein the air vent cover has an air vent plug which is adapted to air tightly engage with the aperture in the cavity when the air vent cover is in the opened position.

16. A container with a self-closing lid, comprising:

a container having an open mouth with an upper rim with two lock elongate lock lever cutouts at opposite ends of the container, the container having upper inside walls with an upper inside wall circumference, two lock levers with each comprising an upper rim with catches extending from a bottom edge of the upper rim, a bottom wall with a front edge, and a back wall joining the upper rim and the bottom wall, the upper rim, the bottom wall, and the back wall connected at ends thereof by end walls, wherein each lock lever is pivotally mounted in the elongate lock lever cutouts along a line located above the bottom wall and behind a projection line extending between the front edge of the upper rim and the front edge of the bottom wall; and

a lid that is sized and shaped to cover the open mouth of the container, the lid comprising an outer rim with an upper surface and a lower surface that in use faces toward the open mouth of the container and which lower surface has a plurality of projections extending downwardly therefrom, the upper surface having grooves formed thereon in the vicinity of the outer rim where the projections are located, and a seal, wherein the seal has an outer circumference that is larger than the upper inside wall circumference of the container, wherein when the lid with seal is placed on the open mouth of the container and is pushed down, the projections on the lid will push downwardly on the bottom wall of the lock levers and cause them to rotate inwardly so that the catches extending from the front edge of the upper rim will snap into the grooves on the upper surface of the outer rim and lock the lock levers in place on the lid to retain the lid on the container, and wherein the seal will engage with the upper inside walls of the container to form a seal therewith, and the seal will flex and provide a biasing force that tends to bias the lid upwardly away from the open mouth of the container.

17. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 16, wherein the lock levers are pivotally mounted in the lock lever cutouts by pivot pins extending from the ends walls of the lock levers, which pivot pins freely rotate in pivot apertures formed into sides edges of the lock lever cutouts.

18. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 16, wherein two spaced apart lock notches are formed in each elongate lock lever cutout, which two lock notches are spaced apart for passage of the projections extending from the underside of the lid to contact the bottom wall of the lock levers, the two spaced apart lock notches being located on the upper rim of the container, and wherein positioned therebetween is a generally horizontal stub wall upon which the front edge of the bottom wall of the lock levers will impinge when the lock levers are moved to their unlocked position, thereby preventing further rotation of the lock levers.

19. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 16, wherein the back wall of the lock levers is spaced rearwardly from the front edges of the upper rim and lower wall and joining the upper rim and the bottom wall, together with the end walls thereby forming a cavity therein.

20. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 16, wherein each lock lever further comprises a grip handle extending above the upper rim.

21. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 16, wherein the lid comprises cutaways at opposite ends of its outer rim, which cutaways are sized to receive the lock levers, and wherein the upper surface having the second connectors are located adjacent to the cutaways.

22. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 16, wherein the lid has an upper surface into which is formed a cavity, which cavity movably receives an air vent cover, which air vent cover moves between a closed position where an aperture in the cavity will be blocked by the air vent cover, and an opened position where the air vent cover blocks the aperture in the cavity.

23. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 16, wherein as the lock levers are moved by a user from their locked positions to their unlocked positions, the bottom walls of the lock levers will move up and push up on the projections extending from the bottom of the lid and cause the lid to lift upwardly relative to the open mouth of the container.

24. A container with a self-closing lid, comprising:

a container comprising an open mouth with an upper rim with two lock elongate lock lever cutouts at opposite ends of the container, two lock levers each comprising an upper rim with at least one catch extending from a bottom edge of the upper rim and a bottom wall with a front edge that is spaced below the upper rim, wherein each lock lever is pivotally mounted to the lock lever receiving cutouts of the container; and

a lid that is sized and shaped to cover the open mouth of the container, the lid comprising an outer rim with an upper surface and a lower surface that in use faces toward the open mouth of the container and which has at least one projection at opposite ends of the outer rim extending downwardly from the lower surface of the outer rim, the upper surface having at least one groove formed thereon in the vicinity of the outer rim where the at least one projections is located, wherein when the lid is placed on the open mouth of the container and is pushed down, the at least one projection at opposite ends of the lid will push downwardly on the bottom wall of the lock levers and cause them to rotate inwardly so that the at least one catches extending from the front edge of the upper rim will snap into the at least one groove on the outer rim and lock the lock levers in place on the lid to retain the lid on the container.

25. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 24, wherein the lid further comprises a seal, wherein the seal has an outer perimeter that is larger than an inner perimeter of upper inside walls of the container, and wherein when the lid with seal is placed on the open mouth of the container, the seal will engage with the upper inside walls of the container to form a seal therewith, and wherein the seal will flex and provide a biasing force that biases the lid upwardly away from the open mouth of the container.

26. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 24, wherein the lock lever further comprise a back wall joining the upper rim and the bottom wall, the upper rim, the bottom wall, and the back wall connected at ends thereof by end walls along a pivot line located above the bottom wall and behind a projection line extending between the front edge of the upper rim and the front edge of the bottom wall.

27. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 24, wherein two spaced apart lock notches are formed in each elongate lock lever cutout, which two lock notches are spaced apart for passage of the projections extending from the underside of the lid so the projections may contact the bottom wall of the lock levers.

28. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 27, wherein positioned between the two spaced apart lock notches is a generally horizontal stub wall upon which the front edge of the bottom wall of the lock levers will impinge when the lock levers are moved to their unlocked position, thereby preventing further rotation of the lock levers.

29. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 24, wherein the back wall of the lock levers is spaced rearwardly from the front edges of the upper rim and lower wall and joining the upper rim and the bottom wall, together with the end walls thereby forming a cavity therein.

30. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 24, wherein each lock lever further comprises a grip handle extending above the upper rim, which grip handle is accessible by a user to manually move each lock lever from its locked position to the unlocked position.

31. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 24, wherein the lid comprises cutaways at opposite ends of its outer rim, which cutaways are sized to receive the lock levers, and wherein the upper surface of the outer rim having the grooves are located adjacent to the cutaways.

32. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 24, wherein the lid further comprises a seal, wherein the seal has an outer perimeter that is larger than an inner perimeter of an upper inside wall surface of the container, and wherein when the lid with the seal is placed on the open mouth of the container and pushed down, the seal will engage with the upper inside wall surface of the container to thereby form a seal therewith, and wherein the seal will flex and provide a biasing force that tends to push the lid upwardly away from the open mouth of the container.

33. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 24, wherein as the lock levers are moved by a user from their locked positions to their unlocked positions, the bottom walls of the lock levers will move up and push up on the projections extending from the bottom of the lid and cause the lid to lift upwardly relative to the open mouth of the container.

34. The container with a self-closing lid of claim 24, wherein the lid has an upper surface into which is formed a cavity with an aperture formed therethrough, which cavity receives a movable air vent cover, which air vent cover moves between a closed position where the aperture in the cavity is blocked by the air vent cover, and an opened position where the air vent cover blocks the aperture in the cavity.