STORAGE CONTAINER

Abstract

A storage container is disclosed. A storage container according to one aspect of the present invention comprises: a cover; and a container body, wherein the cover is provided with a locking wing on one side thereof so as to be rotatable, wherein the container body is provided with an edge which protrudes on a side surface thereof, wherein an edge end portion is formed at the edge, wherein the edge end portion has an upper engaging groove and a lower engaging surface, wherein one side of the upper engaging groove is open, wherein the cover is provided with a side surface protrusion which is engaged with the lower engaging surface when the cover is coupled to the container body, and with an engaging protrusion which is inserted into the upper engaging groove when the cover is separated from the container body.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a storage container, more particularly to a storage container that is convenient to use.

BACKGROUND ART

Storage containers are currently widely in use for extending the shelf life of foodstuffs and allowing hygienic storage. A conventional storage container may be composed of a cover and a container body, with four locking flaps provided on the edges of a quadrilateral cover. The locking flaps may be coupled onto protrusions, etc., formed on the rim of the container body, whereby the cover may be coupled with the container body.

With the conventional storage container, there is the inconvenience of having to separate or couple all four locking flaps when removing and coupling the cover. Also, since the conventional storage container includes four locking flaps, the structure of the locking flap parts may be complicated, and there may be difficulty in cleaning such parts.

In an attempt to resolve the problems mentioned above of the storage container having four locking flaps, Korean Patent Publication No. 2015-0030128 discloses a storage container having a single locking flap. In the storage container disclosed in the publication, the locking flap is provided with a pressing protrusion on its inner surface, and the container body has a rotational latch part formed on its rim. The rotational latch part includes an upper protrusion and a lower protrusion. A latching groove is formed by the upper protrusion, where the pressing protrusion provided on the locking flap may be latched onto the latching groove, and the cover can be readily separated from the container body. A locking groove is formed by the lower protrusion, and a rotational locking protrusion provided on the locking flap may be coupled to the locking groove.

Since the storage container disclosed in the above publication has just a single locking flap, there is the advantage that the coupling and separating of the cover to and from the container body are made more convenient. However, as the rotational latch part formed on the rim of the container body includes an upper protrusion and a lower protrusion that protrude upwards and downwards, respectively, the structure is quite complicated, and cleaning may be difficult.

Also, according to the patent publication above, if a large amount of contents are placed within the storage container, there is considerable inconvenience when separating the cover from the container body. That is, when the cover is slid in a sideward direction relative to the container body for coupling or separation, the inner surface of the rim on the inside of the cover may be caught on the contents, possibly resulting in the cover being unable to slide in the sideward direction. Also, if the storage container is placed in a freezer so that the contents (for example, cooked rice) are frozen, then the inner surface of the rim can be caught on the contents that are in a hardened state. This can cause the problem of the cover being unable to readily slide in the sideward direction.

If a pressure difference occurs between the inside and outside of a storage container, the storage container may contract or expand, because air is prevented from flowing in and out. For example, if a storage container holding contents is placed and heated in a microwave oven, the pressure inside the storage container becomes much higher than the outside, but since the outflow of air is prevented by a packing, etc., the cover may become deformed and separated or, in extreme cases, the storage container may be damaged. Thus, with a conventional storage container, there is the inconvenience of having to separate the cover from the container body when using a microwave oven for heating.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Technical Problem

The present invention has been conceived to resolve the problems described above and aims to provide a storage container that is convenient to use.

Other objectives' of the present invention will be made more apparent from the embodiments described below.

Technical Solution

One aspect of the present invention provides a storage container that includes a cover and a container body, where the cover includes a locking flap on one side, the locking flap has a rotatable configuration, the container body includes a rim protruding from a side surface, the rim includes at least one pair of rim end portions facing each other, the rim end portion includes an upper latching indentation and a lower latching surface, the upper latching indentation is open at one side, the cover includes a side protrusion configured to latch onto the lower latching surface when coupled onto the container body, and the locking flap is inserted into the upper latching indentation when separated from the container body.

A storage container based on the present invention can include one or more of the following embodiments. For example, the rim end portions can be arranged as a pair facing each other with a movement space of a particular distance in-between. Also, an upper inclined surface can be formed in the upper latching indentation.

A cover for a storage container according to an aspect of the present invention can be a cover that couples with a container body of the storage container and can include a first inner rim and a second inner rim arranged at an inward side of the first inner rim that are arranged with a particular gap in-between to form a packing groove, where the second inner rim can include a front rim formed at a side where a locking flap is provided and a rear rim arranged opposite the front rim, and the front rim and/or the rear rim can be formed such that a lower end part is positioned flush with or lower than an upper end part of the container body when the cover is coupled to the container body.

A cover for a storage container according to another aspect of the present invention can be a cover that couples with a container body of the storage container and can include a side protrusion, and a first inner rim and a second inner rim arranged at an inward side of the first inner rim that are arranged with a particular gap in-between to form a packing groove, where the side protrusion can include a side inclined surface having a sloped angle, and the second inner rim can include a rim inclined portion having a sloped angle that is less steep than the side inclined surface.

A cover for a storage container according to still another aspect of the present invention can include a packing, a packing groove configured to receive the packing inserted therein, an air channel formed intagliated in the packing groove to enable an inflow and outflow of air, and an adjustment protrusion formed in the air channel and configured to contact the packing, where, while the cover and the container body are coupled to maintain a sealed state, a contact between the adjustment protrusion and the packing can be temporarily disengaged by a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the storage container such that an inflow or outflow of air is permitted.

A cover for a storage container according to yet another aspect of the present invention can be a cover that couples with a container body of the storage container and can include a packing, a packing groove having a bottom surface and configured to receive the packing inserted therein, an inner protrusion formed protruding from the bottom surface and forming an air channel to enable an inflow and outflow of air between the bottom surface and the packing, and an adjustment protrusion formed on one side of the inner protrusion and configured to close the air channel by contacting the packing, where, while the cover and the container body are coupled to maintain a sealed state, a contact between the adjustment protrusion and the packing can be temporarily disengaged by a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the storage container such that an inflow or outflow of air is permitted through the air channel.

A cover for a storage container based on the present invention can include one or more of the following embodiments. For example, the packing can include a hollow cavity. The adjustment protrusion can be formed in the same direction as the lengthwise direction of the hollow cavity when the packing is inserted in the packing groove. Also, the cover can include a downwardly protruding support protrusion, and the support protrusion can prevent the air channel from being closed off completely by an excessive contraction of the packing.

Advantageous Effects

The present invention can provide a storage container that has a simple structure and is therefore easy to clean and use.

Also, the present invention can provide a cover for a storage container that resolves the problem of the cover being caught on the container body and contents when moved in a sliding motion along a sideways direction.

Also, the present invention can provide a cover for a storage container that uses a simple structure to allow air to temporary flow in and out.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a storage container according to a first disclosed embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are perspective views each illustrating the container body of the storage container illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view illustrating the container body of the storage container illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating the container body of the storage container illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the cover of the storage container illustrated in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a locking flap of the cover illustrated in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 illustrates a storage container according to the first disclosed embodiment of the present invention before the cover is coupled to the container body.

FIG. 9 illustrates a storage container according to the first disclosed embodiment of the present invention with the cover coupled to the container body.

FIG. 10 illustrates a storage container according to the first disclosed embodiment of the present invention as the cover is being separated from the container body.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a storage container according to the first disclosed embodiment of the present invention with the cover and the container body coupled together.

FIG. 12 is a magnified view of an air channel and an adjustment protrusion provided on a cover.

FIG. 13 is a magnified cross-sectional view of portion A of FIG. 11 illustrating the arrangement with the packing removed.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the arrangement of FIG. 13 with the packing coupled on.

FIG. 15 illustrates a portion of the cover of a storage container according to a second disclosed embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view across line AA of FIG. 15 illustrating the arrangement with the packing inserted.

FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view across line BB of FIG. 15 illustrating the arrangement with the packing inserted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to particular modes of practice, and it is to be appreciated that all changes, equivalents, and substitutes that do not depart from the spirit and technical scope of the present invention are encompassed by the present invention. In the description of the present invention, certain detailed explanations of related art are omitted if it is deemed that they may unnecessarily obscure the essence of the invention.

The terms used in the present specification are merely used to describe particular embodiments, and are not intended to limit the present invention. An expression used in the singular encompasses the expression of the plural, unless it has a clearly different meaning in the context. In the present specification, it is to be understood that the terms such as “including” or “having,” etc., are intended to indicate the existence of the features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof disclosed in the specification, and are not intended to preclude the possibility that one or more other features, numbers, steps, actions, components, parts, or combinations thereof may exist or may be added.

While such terms as “first” and “second,” etc., may be used to describe various components, such components must not be limited to the above terms. The above terms are used only to distinguish one component from another.

Certain embodiments of the present invention will be described below in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Those components that are the same or are in correspondence are rendered the same reference numeral, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a storage container 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Incidentally, FIG. 1 illustrates an arrangement in which the locking flap 126 of the cover 110 is disengaged from the container body 150.

Referring to FIG. 1, a storage container 100 according to the present embodiment may include a cover 110 and a container body 150. The cover 110 and the container body 150 can have square shapes with rounded corners. In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, when the locking flap 126 is rotated down and coupled to the container body 150, the cover 110 may seal the container body 150.

Although the storage container 100 of the present embodiment is illustrated as having a square shape, the present invention is not limited by the shapes of the cover and container body. Of course, the cover and container body of a storage container based on another embodiment of the present invention can have any of a variety of shapes, including polygonal shapes such as rectangles, hexagons, etc., and elliptical or circular shapes, etc.

Below, a description is provided of the container body 150 of a storage container 100 based on an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to FIG. 2 through FIG. 5.

FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are perspective views each illustrating the container body 150 of the storage container 100 illustrated in FIG. 1, where FIG. 2 illustrates the inside of the container body 150, and FIG. 3 illustrates the lower part of the container body 150. FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 are a front elevational view and a plan view illustrating the container body 150 of the storage container 100 illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIG. 2 through FIG. 5, the container body 150 may have a horizontal cross section resembling a square shape and may have an inner space defined by four side surfaces 152 and a bottom surface (no reference numeral designated). The upper side of the container body 150 may be open.

At an upper part of each side surface 152 of the container body 150, there may be provided an outwardly protruding rim 154. The rim 154 may protrude outwardly in a perpendicular manner from an upper part of the side surface 152 and, as can be seen from FIG. 5, may have a particular width (the protruding length from the side surface 152). The rim 154 may be formed on all four side surfaces 152 of the container body 150, and the rim 154 formed on adjacent side surfaces 152 can be formed in a continuous manner.

The rim 154 may not be formed in the middles of the side surfaces 152 of the container body 150, to be separated from one another. Thus, in the middle of a side surface 152, a movement space 155 may be formed corresponding to a particular length of empty space, and the rim 154 may have rim end portions 156, corresponding to the end parts where the rim 154 is not formed continuously.

The movement space 155 may correspond to the portion where the rim 154 is not formed. When the cover 110 is placed on the upper part of the container body 150 for coupling onto the container body, side protrusion 116 formed on the inside of the cover 110 can be positioned as in FIG. 8, due to the movement spaces 155, without being hindered by the rim 154. Also, when the coupling protrusions 134 of the locking flap 126 are separated from the container body 150 as in FIG. 8 (during the separating of the cover), the side protrusions 116 may retreat from the lower parts of the rim 154 to be positioned in the movement spaces 155. When the side protrusions 116 are positioned in the movement spaces 155 and not under the rim 154, the locking with respect to the rim 154 may be disengaged, whereby the cover 110 can be separated from the container body 150.

A rim end portion 156 corresponds to an end part of the rim 154 and may have an upper latching indentation 158 formed at an upper part thereof and a lower latching surface 162 formed at a lower part thereof.

The upper latching indentation 158 may be an indentation formed at the rim end portion 156 to a particular depth, with one side open and with an upper inclined surface 160 formed on the inside. When the locking flap 126 is rotated for separating the cover 110 from the container body 150, the protruding portions 131 of a latching protrusion 128 formed on the locking flap 126 may be inserted into the upper latching indentations 158. Because of this, the cover 110 can be moved in a sideward direction by the rotation of the locking flap 126. Thus, the upper latching indentations 158 may correspond to open indentations onto which the latching protrusion 128 may be latched when the cover 110 is separated from the container body 150.

One side of an upper latching indentation 158 may be open, and the reason for this is to allow the latching protrusion 128, which is of a particular length, to be readily inserted. Also, as one side of the upper latching indentation 158 is open, fluids such as water can easily flow out to the exterior, and the inside can be readily cleaned.

Of course, it is also possible to have the upper latching indentation 158 without one side open. In this case, the latching protrusion 128 can have a shape corresponding to that of the upper latching indentation 158.

An upper inclined surface 160 can be formed on the inside of the upper latching indentation 158. The upper inclined surface 160 may correspond to an inclined surface that slopes downwardly towards the open side of the upper latching indentation 158. By virtue of the upper inclined surface 160, a fluid such as water that has entered the upper latching indentation 158 can be easily discharged.

A lower latching surface 162 may be formed at a lower part of the rim end portion 156. The lower latching surface 162 may correspond to the part onto which a side protrusion 116 formed on the cover 110 is latched and may be implemented as a slope by way of a flat or curved surface, etc. The sloped angle of the lower latching surface 162 can be formed to correspond with the sloped angle of the side protrusion 116. Also, the sloped direction of the lower latching surface 162 can be formed such to slope downwards in a direction moving further away from the movement space 155. By implementing the lower latching surface 162 as a slope in this manner, the side protrusion 116 can be readily latched onto the lower latching surface 162.

Referring to FIG. 3, coupling indentations 164 may be formed in the lower part of the rim 154. The coupling indentations 164 may be indentations formed adjacent to the rim end portions 156, and in the container body 150 based on the present embodiment, a pair of coupling indentations 164 may be provided symmetrically on the left and right. The coupling protrusions 134 provided on the locking flap 126 may be inserted into the coupling indentations 164, whereby the locking flap 126 may be coupled onto the container body 150, and the cover 110 may be completely coupled with the container body 150.

Just as the rim end portions 156, the coupling indentations 164 can be formed on all four side surfaces 152 of the container body 150, with one pair formed symmetrically on each side.

The container body 150 may include an upper end portion 166 that protrudes upward from the rim 154.

Below, a description is provided of the cover 110 of a storage container 100 based on an embodiment of the present invention, with reference to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the cover 110 of the storage container 100 illustrated in FIG. 1. FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a locking flap 126 of the cover 110 illustrated in FIG. 6.

Referring to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, a cover 110 based on the present embodiment may be coupled to the upper part of the container body 150 to seal the opening. The cover 110 may have a shape that corresponds to that of the container body 150.

The cover 110 may have an upper surface 112 and side surfaces 114. The upper surface 112 may be the surface that is exposed to the exterior when the cover 110 is coupled to the container body 150 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The upper surface 112 can have a square shape in the same or a similar shape as the horizontal cross section of the container body 150. Also, at the edges of the upper surface 112, the side surfaces 114 may protrude downward. On the side where the locking flap 126 is formed, the side surface 114 can be omitted or can be formed shorter. This is so that the rotation and coupling of the locking flap 126 may not be obstructed by the side surface 114.

From among the three side surfaces 114, the two side surfaces 114 that face each other and are adjacent to the locking flap 126 may have side protrusions 116 protruding inward. The side protrusions 116 may correspond to parts that are latched onto the lower latching surfaces 162 on the rim 154 of the container body 150. Because of this arrangement, the side surfaces 152 on which the locking flap 126 is not formed can also maintain a certain degree or more of coupling force with respect to the container body 150.

Aside protrusion 116 may be provided with a side inclined surface 117. The side inclined surface 117 may have a shape and sloped angle corresponding to the lower latching surface 162 onto which the side protrusion 116 is to be latched. Because of the side inclined surface 117 implemented thus, the side protrusion 116 can be readily latched onto the lower latching surface 162.

A packing groove 118 may be formed on the inside of the cover 110. The packing groove 118 may be formed over the entire edge of the cover 110 and may correspond to a groove formed between a first inner rim 120 and the side surfaces 114. A packing (see reference numeral 170 of FIG. 14) can be inserted inside the packing groove 118. The packing inserted in the packing groove 118 may be pressed by the upper end portion 166 of the container body 150 when the cover 110 is coupled onto the container body 150. Thus, the cover 110 can provide a sealing force with respect to the container body 150.

From among the three side surfaces 114, the side surface 114 opposite the part where the locking flap 126 is formed may correspond to a rear surface 122. On the inner side of the rear surface 122, rear protrusions 124 can be formed protruding inwardly. When the cover 110 is coupled onto the container body 150, the rear protrusions 124 may be latched onto the lower part of the rim 154 (see FIG. 9). Thus, even though there is no locking flap 126 formed on the rear surface 122, a sufficient coupling force can be provided as the rear protrusions 124 are latched onto the rim 154.

A rear protrusion 124 can be provided with a rear inclined surface 125. The rear inclined surface 125 may correspond to a flat or a curved surface formed in a downwardly inclined manner in the direction of the locking flap 126. By virtue of the rear inclined surfaces 125, the rear protrusions 124 can readily enter as they gradually move in the direction of the rim 154.

The locking flap 126 may have one end rotatably coupled to one side of the cover 110. The locking flap 126 serves not only to keep the cover in a coupled state with respect to the container body 150 but also to enable the cover 110 to be readily separated from the container body 150.

The locking flap 126 can include a latching protrusion 128 and coupling protrusions 134 on the inside.

The latching protrusion 128 may correspond to a protrusion that protrudes inward from a position adjacent to the connection part between the locking flap 126 and the cover 110. The latching protrusion 128 may be of a particular length, which can be the same as or slightly shorter than the distance between the pair of upper latching indentations 158 provided on one side surface 152. At the middle of an end part of the latching protrusion 128, a center indentation 130 may be formed. Because of the center indentation 130, protruding portions 131 can be formed on both end parts of the latching protrusion 128.

In the process of the cover 110 being separated from the container body 150, the protruding portions 131 may be inserted in the upper latching indentations 158 (see FIG. 10). Thus, the rotation of the locking flap 126 may push the cover 110 in a sideward direction, causing the side protrusions 116 and the rear protrusion 124 to be separated from the rim 154. The latching protrusion 128 thus provided with protruding portions 131 may serve to convert the rotational force of the locking flap 126 into a force for moving the cover 110 in a sideward direction, during the process by which the cover 110 is separated from the container body 150.

On the inside surface 132 of the locking flap 126, coupling protrusions 134 may be provided. The coupling protrusions 134 may be formed symmetrically on the left and right with a larger width compared to the protruding portions 131. The coupling protrusions 134 may be inserted into the coupling indentations 164 formed in the lower part of the rim 154. In this way, the locking flap 126 may be coupled to the side surface of the container body 150.

Below, a description is provided of how a storage container 100 based on the present embodiment may be coupled and separated, with reference to FIG. 8 through FIG. 10.

FIG. 8 illustrates a storage container 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention before the cover 110 is coupled to the container body 150, and FIG. 9 illustrates the arrangement with the cover 110 coupled to the container body 150 by a rotation of the locking flap 126. FIG. 10 illustrates a storage container 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention as the cover 110 is being separated from the container body 150. Incidentally, the cover 110 is represented by dotted lines in FIG. 8 through FIG. 10.

Referring to FIG. 8, in order to couple the cover 110 with the container body 150, the cover 110 may first be placed over the upper part of the container body 150. Since the container body 150 is square and the four side surfaces 152 all have the same shape, the cover 110 can be coupled to the container body 150 in any orientation. When the cover 110 is placed on the upper part of the container body 150, the side protrusions 116 provided on the inside of the cover 110 are not caught on the rim 154 and can pass through the movement space 155 to be positioned at the same height or at a slightly lower height than the lower latching surfaces 162, as in FIG. 8. Also, the rear protrusion 124 may be in a state before being latched onto the rim 154.

In the state before the cover 110 is coupled with the container body 150, the coupling protrusions 134 of the locking flap 126 may not yet be inserted in the coupling indentations 164. When the locking flap 126 is rotated in a clockwise direction, its inside surface 132 may contact the rim 154 to arrive at the arrangement shown in FIG. 8.

From the state in FIG. 8, when the locking flap 126 is further rotated in a clockwise direction, the locking flap 126 may operate as a lever and move the cover 110 in a sideways direction (towards the right in FIG. 8). That is, when the locking flap 126 is further rotated in a clockwise direction from the arrangement of FIG. 8, the part where the inside surface 132 and the rim 154 contact each other may be the fulcrum, the part where force is applied by the user (the lower part on the outer side of the locking flap) may be the point of effort, and the part where the locking flap 126 and the cover 110 are connected may be the point of action. Therefore, in accordance with the principle of levers where a force on the point of effort causes the point of action to move about the fulcrum, the part where the cover 110 and the locking flap 126 are connected (point of action) may be moved in a sideward direction (the right direction in FIG. 8 and FIG. 9) by the rotation of the locking flap 126, resulting in the arrangement shown in FIG. 9.

Referring to FIG. 9, the clockwise rotation of the locking flap 126 may cause the coupling protrusions 134 of the locking flap 126 to be inserted in the coupling indentations 164. In this way, the locking flap 126 may be completely coupled to the container body 150. Also, due to the clockwise rotation of the locking flap 126, the side protrusions 116 may be latched onto the lower latching surfaces 162, and the rear protrusion 124 may be latched onto the rim 154, resulting in the arrangement shown in FIG. 9.

As the side protrusions 116 may include side inclined surfaces 117 and the rear protrusion 124 may include the rear inclined surface 125, the cover 110 can somewhat move downward during the process of the side protrusions 116 and the rear protrusion 124 latching onto the rim 154. In this way, due to the downward movement of the cover 110, the packing (not shown) can be compressed, and a sealing force can be provided.

In this way, a storage container 100 based on the present embodiment can provide coupling forces at all four sides of the cover 110 and container body 150 even though there is just one locking flap 126. That is, for the four side surfaces 152, the coupling forces are provided by the locking flap 126 at one of the side surfaces, by the rear protrusion 124 at the rear surface 122, and by the side protrusions 116 at the two side surfaces 114. Thus, a storage container 100 based on the present embodiment can provide an excellent coupling force and sealing force despite having just one locking flap 126.

In order to separate the cover 110 from the container body 150, the locking flap 126 may be lifted and rotated in a counter-clockwise direction from the arrangement shown in FIG. 9. This may cause the coupling protrusions 134 of the locking flap 126 to be separated from the coupling indentations 164 and may cause the protruding portions 131 of the latching protrusion 128 to be inserted into the upper latching indentations 158, resulting in the arrangement shown FIG. 8 and FIG. 10.

From the arrangement of FIG. 10 in which the protruding portions 131 of the latching protrusion 128 are inserted in the upper latching indentations 158, when the locking flap 126 is further rotated in a counter-clockwise direction, the cover 110 may move in the left direction. This is because, since the latching protrusion 128 is inserted in the upper latching indentations 158, the counter-clockwise rotational force of the locking flap 126 may be converted into a force that moves the cover 110 in the left direction. As the cover 110 thus moves to the left, the latched state of the side protrusions 116 and the rear protrusion 124 with respect to the rim 154 may be disengaged. Thus, the cover 110 can be completely separated from the container body 150.

During the process of the cover 110 being separated from the container body 150, the compressed packing (not shown) may be elastically restored, as the pressure is removed. This may cause the cover 110 to somewhat move upward in height when separated from the container body 150. By virtue of such elastic restorative force of the packing, the side protrusions 116 and rear protrusion 124 having inclined surfaces 117, 125 can be readily disengaged from the state of being latched onto the rim 154.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a storage container 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention with the cover 110 and the container body 150 coupled together.

Referring to FIG. 11, on the inside of the side surfaces 114 of the cover 110, a first inner rim 120 and a second inner rim 121 may be formed with a particular gap in-between. The first inner rim 120 and the second inner rim 121 may be formed along the all of the side surfaces 114 of the cover 110 and may have a particular height. The first inner rim 120 and the second inner rim 121 may have a particular gap therebetween, and this gap may correspond to the packing groove 118 into which the packing 170 may be inserted.

The second inner rim 121, which may be positioned to the inside of the first inner rim 120, may be positioned on the inside of the upper end portion 166 of the container body 150 when the cover 110 is coupled with the container body 150.

The second inner rim 121 may include a front rim 121c, which may be positioned adjacent to the locking flap 126, and a rear rim 121d, which may be arranged facing the front rim 121c and positioned adjacent to the rear protrusion 124. In FIG. 11, it can be seen that the lower end portions of the front rim 121c and rear rim 121d may be positioned higher than the upper end portion 166 of the container body 150. This is to prevent the front rim 121c and rear rim 121d from being caught on the upper end portion 166 or on the contents (not shown) inside the container body 150 during the process of the cover 110 sliding in the sideways direction. By thus forming the vertical lengths of the front rim 121c and rear rim 121d at a greater height than the upper end portion 166 when the cover 110 is coupled with the container body 150, the cover 110 is able to readily slide in the sideward direction during coupling and separating to and from the container body 150.

Of course, when the cover 110 is merely placed on the container body 150 and not yet coupled, the lower end parts of the front rim 121c and rear rim 121d can be positioned higher than the upper end portion 166.

It is also possible to form the front rim 121c and rear rim 121d such that their lower end portions are at the same height as the upper end portion 166 when the cover 110 is coupled with the container body 150. Also, although the cover 110 of a storage container 100 based on the present embodiment is illustrated as having the front rim 121c and the rear rim 121d, which correspond to parts of the second inner rim 121, formed higher than the upper end portion 166, it is also possible to have the entire second inner rim 121 formed higher than the upper end portion 166.

On one side of the second inner rim 121, there may be formed a rim inclined portion 121a. The rim inclined portion 121a may correspond to an inclined surface or an inclined curved surface that has a sloped angle and is formed adjacent to the side protrusion 116. The slope of the rim inclined portion 121a can be formed to be the same as or less steep than the side inclined surface 117 formed on the side protrusion 116. This is so that the cover 110 is not hindered by the contents (not shown) when it moves in a sideways direction (the left direction in FIG. 8) to be separated from the container body 150.

The side inclined surface 117 can be formed as an inclined flat surface or an inclined curved surface having a slope.

FIG. 12 is a magnified view of an air channel 140 and an adjustment protrusion 142 provided on the cover 110. FIG. 13 is a magnified cross-sectional view of portion A of FIG. 11, illustrating the arrangement with the packing 170 removed, while FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the arrangement of FIG. 13 with the packing 170 coupled on.

Referring to FIG. 12 through FIG. 14, in the part of the packing groove 118 adjacent to the locking flap 126, there may be formed an air channel 140 (shown in dotted lines in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14). The air channel 140 may correspond to a groove (no reference numeral) formed in the inner surface of the first inner rim 120 forming the packing groove 118, a groove (no reference numeral) formed in the bottom surface 119 of the packing groove 118, and a groove (no reference numeral) formed in the outer surface of the second inner rim 121, connected together to form a continuous groove. Thus, the air channel 140 can have a “C” shape overall.

In the parts where the air channel 140 is formed, the first inner rim 120, second inner rim 121, and the bottom surface 119 may not contact the packing 170 but rather may be separated a fine gap. Thus, the air channel 140 may correspond to a small channel through which air can flow into and out from the inside of the container body 150 even as the packing 170 provides a sealing force. Since the air channel 140 is formed in a small width and depth, it may not be blocked by the packing 170 inserted in the packing groove 118.

The number and position of the air channel 140 can be changed according to the shape and size of the cover 110. For example, if the cover 110 is of a large size, then it would be conceivable to form two or four air channel 140 facing one another symmetrically with respect to the locking flap 126.

In the part of the air channel 140 formed in the bottom surface 119, an adjustment protrusion 142 may be formed. The adjustment protrusion 142 may correspond to a small protrusion formed over the entire width of the air channel 140. Referring to FIG. 12, it can be seen that the adjustment protrusion 142 may be formed perpendicularly to the lengthwise direction of the air channel 140. Referring to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, it can be seen that the end part of the adjustment protrusion 142 may be rounded. Also, it can be seen that the thickness of the adjustment protrusion 142 may be formed much smaller compared to the width of the packing groove 118.

The adjustment protrusion 142 may contact the packing 170. Thus, even though a storage container 100 based on the present embodiment includes an air channel 140, air may not flow in and out from inside the container body 150 as the air channel 140 is blocked by the adjustment protrusion 142. However, since the width and thickness of the adjustment protrusion 142 are very small, air can flow in or out through the air channel 140 in spite of the adjustment protrusion 142 if the pressure inside the container body 150 is larger than the pressure outside or vice versa.

For example, if the storage container 100 is heated in a microwave oven with the cover 110 coupled on, the pressure inside the storage container 100 would become greater than the pressure outside. Here, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the storage container 100 can cause the air channel 140 to be opened at the adjustment protrusion 142, which corresponds to the part having the weakest sealing force. That is, since only a small part of the adjustment protrusion 142 is in contact with the packing 170, the packing wall 174 of the packing 170 can be contracted by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the storage container 100, thereby creating a fine gap (not shown) between the adjustment protrusion 142 and the packing 170. This gap can allow the air inside the container body 150 to flow to the exterior through the air channel 140. When the air inside the storage container 100 has been somewhat released to the exterior so that the pressure difference has decreased, then the contracted packing wall 174 can restore its original state and again contact the adjustment protrusion 142, whereby the air channel 140 can be closed.

If the storage container 100 is cooled in the freezer of a refrigerator with the cover 110 coupled on, the air inside the storage container 100 would contract due to the cold air of the freezer, and the pressure outside the storage container 100 would become greater than the pressure inside. Here, the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the storage container 100 can cause the air channel 140 to be opened at the adjustment protrusion 142, which corresponds to the part having the weakest sealing force. That is, the packing wall 174 can contract at the part contacting the adjustment protrusion 142 due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the storage container 100, thereby creating a fine gap (not shown) between the adjustment protrusion 142 and the packing 170. This gap can allow the air outside the container body 150 to flow inside through the air channel 140. When the air outside the storage container 100 has somewhat entered so that the pressure difference has decreased, then the contracted packing wall 174 can restore its original state and again contact the adjustment protrusion 142, whereby the air channel 140 can be closed.

The cover 110 may be provided with support protrusions 180 that can prevent the packing 170 from contracting excessively, so that the air channel 140 can be prevented from becoming completely closed off by an excessive contraction of the packing 170.

Hollow cavities 172 corresponding to empty spaces may be formed within the packing 170, so that the part contacting the adjustment protrusion 142 can be contracted with relative ease. That is, since the packing walls 174 may be formed with the thicknesses reduced by the hollow cavities 172, the packing 170 may more readily be contracted by the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the container body 150.

The extent to which the packing wall 174 is contracted at a part contacting the adjustment protrusion 142 due to the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the storage container 100 can vary according to the material of the packing 170, the cross-sectional size of the packing 170, and the thickness of the packing wall 174, as well as the size and shape of the hollow cavities 172, the height and width of the adjustment protrusion 142, the cross-sectional shape of the adjustment protrusion 142, and the like. For example, if the length by which the adjustment protrusion 142 protrudes from the bottom surface of the air channel 140 were to be increased, then the packing wall 174 be pushed with increased pressure, making it more difficult for the packing wall 174 to contract and consequently making it more difficult to obtain a gap between the packing 170 and the adjustment protrusion 142. Also, if the size of the hollow cavity 172 formed in the packing 170 were smaller so that the packing wall 174 were thicker, then it would be more difficult for the packing wall 174 to contract, and it would be more difficult for the air channel 140 to be opened by the pressure difference.

The height of the adjustment protrusion 142 can be formed smaller than the depth of the air channel 140. Because of this, the adjustment protrusion 142 may not protrude out of the air channel 140. When the cover 110 is coupled with the container body 150, the packing 170 can be pressed in the direction of the air channel 140 to be contact with the adjustment protrusion 142.

Of course, it is also possible to form the adjustment protrusion 142 with a height greater than the depth of the air channel 140, in which case the adjustment protrusion 142 can protrude out of the air channel 140, as illustrated in FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. Also, it is possible to form the height of the adjustment protrusion 142 to be the same as the depth of the air channel 140.

Although the storage container 100 based on the present embodiment has been illustrated as having one air channel 140 and one adjustment protrusion 142, the present invention is not limited by the numbers and arrangement positions of the air channel 140 and adjustment protrusion 142. A storage container based on another embodiment of the present invention can include two or more air channels 140, where each air channel 140 can be provided with one or two or more adjustment protrusions 142.

Below, a description is provided of a storage container 100 based on another embodiment of the present invention, with reference to FIG. 15 through FIG. 17.

FIG. 15 illustrates a portion of the cover of a storage container according to a second disclosed embodiment of the present invention. Incidentally, in FIG. 15, the packing 170 is removed from the packing groove 228. FIG. 16 and FIG. 17 are cross-sectional views across line AA and line BB of FIG. 15, respectively, illustrating the arrangement with the packing 170 inserted. Incidentally, in FIG. 16 and FIG. 17, the packing 170 includes hollow cavities 172.

Referring to FIG. 15 through FIG. 17, a storage container based on the second disclosed embodiment may be characterized in that the packing groove 218 is formed by the first inner rim 220 and the second inner rim 221 and that, within the packing groove 218, an inner protrusion 242 is formed at a position location adjacent to the part where the locking flap (not shown) is formed. The inner protrusion 242 can protrude to a particular height from the bottom surface of the packing groove 218 and can be formed over the entire width of the packing groove 218. Also, the height of the inner protrusion 242 can be formed smaller than the depth of the packing groove 218. Each edge of the inner protrusion 242 can be rounded, whereby the packing 170 can be placed in tight contact with the upper surface of the inner protrusion 242.

A groove (no reference numeral) corresponding to an air channel may be formed in the inward side surface of the first inner rim 220 and the outer side surface of the second inner rim 221.

As illustrated in FIG. 16, the packing 170 inserted in the packing groove 218 may protrude out convexly because of the inner protrusion 242, and as a result, air channels 250 may be formed at the sides of the inner protrusion 242. Thus, the inner protrusion 242 may be formed in relieve to raise a part of the packing 170, so that gaps from the bottom surface of the packing groove 218 may be created, corresponding to air channels 250.

On both sides of the inner protrusion 242, there may be formed adjustment protrusions 244 having a smaller width and length. An adjustment protrusion 244 may serve to reduce the area touching the packing 170 and open the air channel 250, in a manner similar to that of the adjustment protrusion 142 in the first disclosed embodiment. The adjustment protrusions 244 can be formed in a sloping manner, as illustrated in FIG. 17, to be in tight contact with the packing 170. In this way, the adjustment protrusions 244 may serve to close off the air channels 250 formed by the inner protrusion 242.

The width of an adjustment protrusion 244 can be formed smaller than the width of the packing groove 218. Also, the length of an adjustment protrusion 244 can be formed smaller than the length of the packing groove 218 and the length of the inner protrusion 242. By thus forming the adjustment protrusion 244 with a small length and width, the area of contact between the adjustment protrusion 244 and the packing 170 can be reduced, so that air may flow into the inside of the storage container or flow out to the outside when there is a pressure difference between the inside and outside of the storage container.

While the descriptions above are provided for an embodiment of the present invention, it should be appreciated by the person having ordinary skill in the relevant field of art that various modifications and alterations can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention set forth in the scope of claims below.

Claims

1. A storage container comprising:

a cover and a container body,

wherein the cover comprises a locking flap on one side thereof, the locking flap having a rotatable configuration,

the container body comprises a rim protruding from a side surface thereof,

the rim has at least one pair of rim end portions formed therein, the pair of rim end portions facing each other,

the rim end portion comprises an upper latching indentation and a lower latching surface,

the upper latching indentation is open at one side, the cover comprises a side protrusion configured to latch onto the lower latching surface when coupled onto the container body,

and the locking flap is inserted into the upper latching indentation when separated from the container body.

2. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the rim end portions are arranged as a pair facing each other with a movement space of a particular distance therebetween.

3. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the upper latching indentation has an upper inclined surface formed therein.

4. A cover for a storage container configured to couple with a container body of the storage container, the cover comprising:

a first inner rim and a second inner rim arranged at an inward side of the first inner rim, the first inner rim and the second inner rim arranged with a particular gap in-between to form a packing groove,

wherein the second inner rim comprises a front rim and a rear rim, the front rim formed at a side where a locking flap is provided, the rear rim arranged opposite the front rim,

and the front rim and/or the rear rim is formed such that a lower end portion thereof is positioned flush with or lower than an upper end portion of the container body when the cover is coupled to the container body.

5. A cover for a storage container configured to couple with a container body of the storage container, the cover comprising:

a side protrusion; and

a first inner rim and a second inner rim arranged at an inward side of the first inner rim, the first inner rim and the second inner rim arranged with a particular gap in-between to form a packing groove,

wherein the side protrusion comprises a side inclined surface having a sloped angle,

and the second inner rim comprises a rim inclined portion having a sloped angle less steep than the side inclined surface.

6. A cover for a storage container configured to couple with a container body of the storage container, the cover comprising:

a packing;

a packing groove configured to receive the packing inserted therein;

an air channel formed intagliated in the packing groove to enable an inflow and outflow of air; and

an adjustment protrusion formed in the air channel and configured to contact the packing,

wherein, while the cover and the container body are coupled to maintain a sealed state, a contact between the adjustment protrusion and the packing is temporarily disengaged by a pressure difference between an inside and an outside of the storage container such that an inflow or outflow of air is permitted.

7. The cover for a storage container according to claim 6, wherein the adjustment protrusion protrudes to an outside of the air channel.

8. A cover for a storage container configured to couple with a container body of the storage container, the cover comprising:

a packing;

a packing groove having a bottom surface and configured to receive the packing inserted therein;

an inner protrusion formed protruding from the bottom surface and forming an air channel to enable an inflow and outflow of air between the bottom surface and the packing; and

an adjustment protrusion formed on one side of the inner protrusion and configured to close the air channel by contacting the packing,

wherein, while the cover and the container body are coupled to maintain a sealed state, a contact between the adjustment protrusion and the packing is temporarily disengaged by a pressure difference between an inside and an outside of the storage container such that an inflow or outflow of air is permitted through the air channel.

9. The cover for a storage container according to claim 6, wherein the packing comprises a hollow cavity.

10. The cover for a storage container according to claim 9, wherein the adjustment protrusion is formed in a same direction as a lengthwise direction of the hollow cavity when the packing is inserted in the packing groove.

11. The cover for a storage container according to claim 6, wherein the cover comprises a downwardly protruding support protrusion, the support protrusion configured to prevent the air channel from being closed off completely by an excessive contraction of the packing.

12. The cover for a storage container according to claim 7, wherein the packing comprises a hollow cavity.

13. The cover for a storage container according to claim 8, wherein the packing comprises a hollow cavity.

14. The cover for a storage container according to claim 12, wherein the adjustment protrusion is formed in a same direction as a lengthwise direction of the hollow cavity when the packing is inserted in the packing groove.

15. The cover for a storage container according to claim 13, wherein the adjustment protrusion is formed in a same direction as a lengthwise direction of the hollow cavity when the packing is inserted in the packing groove.

16. The cover for a storage container according to claim 8, wherein the cover comprises a downwardly protruding support protrusion, the support protrusion configured to prevent the air channel from being closed off completely by an excessive contraction of the packing.