Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02598059 2007-08-21
CANISTER WITH A SEALED LID
Background of the Invention
1. Field of the Disclosure
[0001] The present disclosure is generally directed to storage containers, and
more particularly
to a canister with a lid seal.
2. Description of Related Art
[0002] Plastic canisters have become quite popular for storing items, and
particularly dry food
products and cooking ingredients such as flour and sugar, in bulk. Typical
canisters define a
generally rectangular or circular cylinder enclosure with an open end that is
used to load and
remove food product to and from the canister. A lid can be secured at the open
end for food
storage. Typically, the food products are stored in a canister located in a
food storage area of a
kitchen, and a canister can be transported to a food preparation area as
desired. When larger
canisters are loaded to full capacity or near capacity, the size and weight of
the canister can
render grasping and transporting the canister difficult.
[0003] Furthernaore, the intended duration of food storage can vary from
canister to canister
depending on the nature of the stored food product. For instance, some
products are quickly
consumed, such that the canisters need only store the food product for a
matter of hours or a few
days. In other applications, a user may desire to store food product in the
canister for extended
periods of time such as, for example, weeks and even months.
[0004] Traditional canisters typically include a container base and a lid that
snugly seats over
the top opening to close the container base. No additional seal is provided,
other than the
interference between lid and base. Some conventional containers or canisters
include a
compression gasket or seal made of an elastomeric material disposed at the
downward facing or
horizontal interface between the lid and the canister body at the open end.
Some conventional
containers or canisters also include a secondary closure, such as a mechanical
latch. Some
plastic containers have an attached flap that is molded to the lid via a
living hinge. When the lid
is attached to the canister at the open end, the user can press the flap down,
thus causing the flap
to swivel about the hinge and snap under a rim of the container. This snapping
action pulls the
gasket tight to increase the force between the seal surface of the gasket and
the container rim.
CA 02598059 2007-08-21
Unfortunately, such products can be tedious to use, as they require the user
to perform a two step
process. First, the user must secure the lid onto the container. Second, the
user must manually
snap the hinged latch or latches in one or more locations in order to install
the lid onto and
remove the lid from the container. Moreover, such living hinges can wear over
time with
repeated use and ultimately fail. This can degrade the effectiveness of the
seal between the lid
and the canister or container body be reducing or eliminating the ability to
latch. Additionally,
such containers are substantially more complex, and thus more expensive, to
manufacture
compared to conventional containers and canisters.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0005] Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become
apparent upon
reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in
which:
[0006] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one example of a canister
constructed in
accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 shows an exploded side view of the lid and container base of the
canister shown
in FIG. 1.
[0008] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of the container base portion of the
canister shown in
FIG. I .
[0009] FIG. 4 shows a cross-section taken along line IV-IV of the canister of
FIG. 1 and
depicts one example of a seal arrangement between the lid and the base.
[0010] FIG. 5 shows a cross-section similar to that of FIG. 4, but depicts an
alternative
example of a seal arrangement between the lid and the base.
[0011] FIG. 6 shows a perspective view of the container base of another
example of a canister
constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.
Detailed Description of the Disclosure
[0012] The disclosed container is described and depicted as a food storage
canister that solves
or improves upon one or more of the above-noted or other problems and/or
disadvantages in the
prior art. It is desirable to provide a canister lid that forms a reliable air
tight seal with the base
to preserve food product for extended periods of time stored in the container
base. The disclosed
2
CA 02598059 2007-08-21
food storage canister has a canister body or base with an open top and a lid
that seals against the
body. It would also be desirable to provide a canister that can be easily
transported even when
fully loaded and heavy. In one example, the disclosed container has a handle
to facilitate easy
grasping and transport of the canister when it is loaded to the point that
carrying the canister
without a handle would be difficult and cumbersome. It would further be
desirable to provide a
cost-effective food storage canister with a more user-friendly and durable
seal between the lid
and the canister body. The disclosed storage container or canister has an
integrated sealing
apparatus and securing mechanism to ensure that the lid is reliably secured to
the canister body
and to assist in maintaining a tight seal between the lid and base.
[0013] Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. I and 2 show one example of a food
storage
container in the form of a canister 10 constructed in accordance with the
teachings of the present
invention. The canister 10 has a base or canister body 12 and a removable lid
14. The lid 14 can
be removed from and installed on the base 12 as desired. In the present
example, the canister
base 12 has a bottom 16 and an upstanding side wall 18 that is connected to
and extends up from
a perimeter of the bottom 16. A food storage space 20 is defined by the bottom
16 and the
upstanding side wall 18 as shown in FIG. 3, wherein the lid 14 has been
removed from the
canister base 12. The base 12 also has a top opening 22 at a top end 24 of the
side wall 18 to
provide access into the interior storage space 20 when the lid 14 is removed.
[0014] As shown in FIG. 3, the canister base 12 in this exarnple is shaped
generally in the
form of a rectangular cylinder with rounded corners. The side wall 18 has four
wall panels
including a front panel 26a, a back panel 26b, and a pair of opposed side
panels 26c, 26d. In this
example, the side wall 18 is tapered slightly such that the storage space 20
is wider or slightly
larger at the top opening 22 than at the bottom 16. As will be evident to
those having ordinary
skill in the art, the height, diameter, size, and overall shape of the
canister base 12 can vary
considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present
invention. For example, the
base 12 can be in the form of a circular cylinder or other suitable
configuration. In addition, the
size of the base 12, i.e., the storage volume within the storage space 22, can
also vary within the
spirit and scope of the invention. The base 12 can be provided in any desired
size or in a series
of different or graduated sizes such as, for example, a 1.0 pint, a 1.5 pint,
a 1.0 quart, a 2.0 quart,
a 3.0 quart, a 1.0 gallon, and/or a 1.5 gallon bases of graduated size.
Certainly, other size and
shape variations can also be provided within the spirit and scope of the
invention.
3
CA 02598059 2007-08-21
[00151 As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the base 12 has an annular rim 30 extending
circumferentially
around the base near the top end 24. In the disclosed example, the rim 30 is a
flange extending
laterally or radially outward from a top edge of the side wall 18 on the base
12. A front part of
the rim 30 on the front panel 26a is formed as a forward extending lip 32. The
lip 32 in the
disclosed example extends forward and curves slightly downward. Opposed side
parts 34 of the
rim 30 project laterally outward from the side panels 26c and 26d. A rear part
36 of the rim 30
projects rearward and outward from the side wall top edge on the base 12. In
the disclosed
example, an upstanding transition wall 38 or buttress wall projects upward
from part of an outer
edge of each of the side parts 34. Each wall 38 transitions from a front
portion of the respective
side part 34 having no transition wall to an increasing transition wall height
moving rearward
toward the back of the base 12. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, a back wall 40
extends upward
from an outer edge of the rear part 36 on the rim 30. The back wall 40 extends
laterally between
the transition walls 38 and the sides of the back wall are integrally
connected with each of the
transition wall 38.
[0016] In the example shown in FIGS. 1-3, a hand opening 42 is formed below a
top edge 44
of the back wall 40 and through the back wall. The material strip of the wall
left above the hand
opening 42 creates a handle 46 that can be utilized to carry the canister 10.
In order to carry the
canister, a user can place their fingers through the hand opening 42 and grasp
the handle 46,
which provides a secure grip on the canister. The handle 46 can be very useful
to transport a
large sized canister 10 that is filled with a substance such as a food item.
For example, if the
base 12 has a larger storage space 20 that can hold, for example, three
quarts, a gallon, or a
gallon and a half of a substance, the handle can be particularly useful to a
user so that they can
carry the canister with only one hand. A conventional canister of this size
would typically have
to be carried by an ordinary person using both hands. Such a canister would be
difficult to grasp
with only one hand because of its size and because of the weight of the large
quantity of food
product within.
[0017] As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the
shape, size, and
configuration of the rim 30, the transition walls 38, the back wal140, and the
handle 46 can vary
considerably and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present
invention. The shape of the
hand opening 42 as well as its position on the back wall 40 or another wall of
the canister 10 can
vary and will dictate the location and size of the handle 46. The handle need
not be positioned
4
CA 02598059 2007-08-21
on a back of the canister, but instead can be positioned on a corner or a side
of the body 12, if
desired. Alternatively, the canister need not be rectangular, as noted above,
and thus the handle
can be placed in an appropriate location on a canister having a different
shape. In the disclosed
example, the transition walls 38 can be provided as an aesthetic or ornamental
feature of the
canister. However, the transition walls 38 also act as structural support or
as a buttress for the
back wall 40 and handle 46. Thus, using a material that is light weight, such
as plastic, can still
yield a strong and durable canister construction using the disclosed handle
configuration. The
rim 30 in this example is at the top edge of the side wall. The rim could be
eliminated entirely or
be constructed extending from an outer surface of the side wall as well.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the top surface of the rim 30 defines an upward
facing ledge 50
that completely surrounds the top opening 22 in the base 12. In the disclosed
example, the ledge
or surface 50 defines a downward lid stop or seat for the lid 14 when
installed on the base. Also
as shown in FIG. 3, an elongate rib 52 projects inward from an interior
surface on each of the
side wall panels 26a-26d. In the disclosed example, each rib 52 is a
continuous elongate
projection with one on each of the side wall panels. Each rib 52 is positioned
spaced downward
from but near the top end 24 of the base, or the location of the rim 30.
[00191 As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid 14 in the disclosed example includes
a top pane160
and a perimeter skirt wa1162. The skirt wall circumferentially surrounds the
lid 14 and is
coupled to the perimeter edge of the panel 60. The size and shape of the top
panel 60 in the
disclosed example is configured to generally match that of the base 12, and
particularly the top
opening 22, so that the lid can cover and close off the top opening. Thus, the
top pane160 in the
disclosed example is generally flat and has a somewhat rectangular shape with
rounded corners
to coincide with the generally rectangular cylinder shape of the base 12. As
will be .evident to
those having ordinary slcill in the art, the general shape and configuration
of the lid 14 can vary
from that disclosed and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0020] As best illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the perimeter skirt wall 62 has
an upper wall
section 64 that surrounds and faces a top side 66 of the top panel 60. The
perimeter skirt wall 62
also has a lower wall section 68 that surrounds and faces a bottom side 70 of
the top panel 60. In
the disclosed example, a top lip 72 projects radially outward from an upper
edge of the upper
section 64 and extends circumferentially around the entire lid 14. The top lip
72 provides a
CA 02598059 2007-08-21
positive grasping point for an individual to grasp the lid 14 when removing or
carrying the lid
and also adds strength and rigidity to the lid. The lip 72 in another example
could extend
radially inward from the top edge of the upper section 64 on the skirt wall
62. Alternatively, the
lip 72 could project both radially inward and radially outward if desired. The
lid 14 can
alternatively be provided with other surface features and structures making it
easier for a user to
grasp and hold the lid.
100211 In the disclosed example, the upper section 64 of the skirt wall 62 is
positioned radially
outward of the lower section 68. This radial offset creates a downward facing
step or shoulder
74 at the juncture between the upper section 64 and the lower section 68 and
at about the level of
the bottom side 70 of the pane160. A projection 76 is generally wedge shaped
in cross-section
and extends circumferentially around the lid 14. The projection 76 is
positioned at or near the
bottom edge 78 of the lower section 68 on the skirt wall 62. The projection 76
includes an
exterior or outerfacing surface 80 that is angled upward and outward from the
bottom edge 78
relative to a plane of the lower section 68. A top surface 82 of this
projection 76 in this example
is generally normal or perpendicular to the exterior surface 84 of the lower
section 68. An
inward horizontal step 83 is formed above the projection 76 on the lower skirt
wall section 68.
[0022] The step 83 and the shoulder 74 each terminate at the exterior surface
84 on the lower
section 68. The exterior surface 84 is thus recessed inward relative to the
outermost tip of the
projection 76 and to the exterior surface 86 of the upper section 64 on the
skirt wall 62. This
effective recess is located between the shoulder or stop 74 and the step
surface 83 above the
projection 76. This so-called recess creates a gasket or seal groove adjacent
to the exterior
surface 84 surrounding the lid 14 on the lower section 68. As illustrated in
FIGS. 2 and 4, a
gasket or seal 90 that may generally be described as an 0-ring is seated in
the recess or groove
between the shoulder 74 and the projection 76. As is described below, the seal
or gasket take on
a nurnber of different configurations and constructions and yet fall within
the spirit and scope of
the present invention. In the example described herein, the seal or gasket
creates a wiper seal at
the top end 24 of the base 12.
[0023] FIG. 4 shows the construction of one example of a gasket or seal 90
suitable for use
with the canister of the present invention. In this example, the seal 90 is
generally rectangular in
cross section and has an inner surface 92 that bears against the exterior
surface 84 of the skirt
6
CA 02598059 2007-08-21
wall lower section 68. The seal 90 also has a top surface 94 that generally
faces and lies adjacent
the shoulder or stop 74. The seal 90 also has a bottom surface 96 that
generally faces and lies
adjacent the top surface 82 of the projection 76. The top and bottom surfaces
of the seal 90 may
bear against their adjacent surfaces or may lie loosely adjacent but slightly
spaced from the
adjacent surfaces as desired. This may depend on how snug a fit is desired for
a particular gasket
design, or as to whether the seal 90 is to be easily or readily removable and
replaceable.
[0024] In the example of FIG. 4, the seal 90 also has an exterior or outer
facing surface 98 that
is opposite the inner surface 92 and the faces outward around the lid 14. In
this example, a
plurality of sealing ribs 100 project outward from the outer surface 98. The
number of sealing
ribs 100 can vary within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as can
the particular shape,
width, rib spacing, and projection height of such ribs. The sea190 can be
constructed from any
suitable resilient material that is capable of resilient deflection and
sealing and compatible with
the mating materials of the lid 14 and the base 12. In one example, the sea190
is constructed of a
silicon material. The sealing ribs 100 can thus deflect and deform as
necessary to create a tight
seal against the appropriate base surfaces and yet not permanently deform
during normal use.
[0025] The disclosed construction of the lid 14 and seal 90 creates a multi-
point seal or
multiple seal locations between the lid 14 and the base 12. The lid and base
also create a positive
lock or latch to retain the lid 14 in place and to maintain the seal. In this
example, the projection
76 and the angled surface 80 are sized and arranged so that when the lid is
inserted downward
into the top opening 22 of the base 12, the projection 76 snaps over the
multiple ribs 52 on the
interior surface of the base. As shown in FIG. 4, the projection 76 catches on
the ribs 52 to
retain the lid 14 in place. The material of the lid projection 76, the base
side wall 18, and/or the
ribs 52 can be such that resilient deformity of the materials permits the lid
to be removed when
desired by forcibly snapping the projection 76 back over the ribs 52 in an
upward direction
toward the top opening 22.
[0026] A first seal in the disclosed example is created between the abutting
surfaces of the
shoulder or stop 74 on the lid 14 and the top surface or ledge 50 on the rim
30. Positive
abuttment between these two surfaces can be created by controlling the spacing
between the
projection 76, the ribs 52, the ledge 50, and the shoulder or stop 74. A
second seal is created in
this example by positive interference between the projection 76 and the
interior side wall surface
7
CA 02598059 2007-08-21
of the base 12 just below the ribs 52. Again, the degree of interference and
resultant seal created
at this contact point can be created by dimensional control of the base side
wall and the
projection. A third seal in this example is created by surface to surface
contact between the
interior side wall surface of the base 12 and the seal ribs 100 on the outer
surface of the seal or
gasket 90. This third seal could be characterized as a third, fourth, and
fifth seal created by the
three ribs 100 in the disclosed example. The degree of interference between
the seal ribs 100 and
the side wall inner surface on the base 12 can again be manipulated according
to the dimensional
design of these compliments.
[0027] As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the
design and configuration
of the seal 90 can vary and yet fall within the spirit and scope of the
present invention. FIG. 5
illustrates one of many possible alternative examples of a seal I 10 suitable
for use with the
canister 10 disclosed herein. In this example, all of the canister and seal
components are
essentially the same except that the alternate seal 110 in this example has an
outer surface 112
with a single wiper seal projection 114 projecting from the surface. The wiper
seal projection
114 in this example is substantially similar in shape and configuration to the
lid projection 76
described previously. The wiper seal projection 114 has an angled outer facing
surface 116 that
angles outward and upward relative to the bottom surface 96 of the seal 110.
The wiper seal
projection 114 also has a top surface 118 and is generally perpendicular or
normal to be outer
surface 112 on this seal 110.
[00281 As discussed previously, the canister base 12 can vary within the
spirit and scope of the
present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates one example of an alternative canister
base 120 that is
substantially similar to the base 12 described previously. In this example,
the base 120 also has a
back wall 122 that extends between the two transition walls 38. However, the
back wall 122 in
this example does not have a hand opening and thus does not have a handle that
could be
described as similar to the base 12 and handle 46 of the prior example. In
this example, the
configuration offihe base 120 can be suitable for smaller quantity or volume
canisters. In one
example, the base 120 could be suitable for smaller 1 pint, 1.5 pint, or 1
quart sized canisters.
Such a base could be easily and readily grasped by a user simply by wrapping
their hand around
the outer surface of the base side wall 18. There would be no need for a
handle. Also, the back
wall 122 on the smaller sized canisters may be too small to provide a hand
opening suitable to fit
a hand of a user. In this example, since the base 120 is relatively small in
volume, the back wall
8
CA 02598059 2007-08-21
122 and the underside of the rim back part 36 could instead be easily grasped
if a user chose to
carry the canister base 120 by holding the back wall instead of by gripping
around the side wall
18.
[0029] The canister examples and the various seals disclosed herein have been
provided for
illustrative purposes only and are not intended to specifically limit the
scope of the invention
only to these examples. Design variations and modifications can be employed in
the disclosed
canisters. A number of possible alternatives and modifications have been
mentioned above. In
another exampie, multiple 0-ring type seals or gaskets can be used in place of
the seals 90 or 110
disclosed herein. In a further example, the elongate ribs 52 can be replaced
by a plurality of
shorter ribs or projections spaced apart circumferentially around the interior
of the side wall 18
on the base 12. The materials utilized to fabricate the base 12 and lid 14, as
well as the gasket or
seals 90 or 110, can vary within the spirit and scope of the invention. In one
example, both the
lid and base can be injection molded from plastic or thennoplastic materials
such as
polypropylene, polyethylene, thermoplastic elastomer, and the like.
[0030] Although certain storage containers have been described herein in
accordance with the
teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is
not limited thereto. On
the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the
disclosure that fairly fall
within the scope of permissible equivalents.
9
