Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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CONTAINER WITH A RATCHETING LID
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to containers for
storing food or other material. More particularly, the
invention is directed to a container having a bowl and a lid
wherein the lid ratchets to a selected position in the bowl
to reduce headspace in the container and provides a tight
locking seal with the bowl side wall.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Containers for food or other material are well
known in the art. Generally such containers include a bowl
for receiving and holding the food and a lid for closing and
sealing the bowl to maintain freshness. Certain containers
for food may be opened and reused to store the food. Other
containers for food, once opened, are disposed of and if any
food is not utilized by the consumer, the food must be
placed in a separate storage container.
[0003] Storage containers are also well known in the art.
These containers generally fall under several categories,
including (1) single-use or disposable containers made of
plastic or paper; (2) semi-durable containers which are
disposable after a few uses; and (3) durable containers
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manufactured for multiple uses. The present invention is
directed to semi-durable containers and durable containers
for multiple uses.
[0004] When storing food in a container, the food is
inserted into the bowl of the container and the lid covers
the bowl by a number of different sealing and closure
mechanisms. A problem with existing containers is that
depending on the volume of food product stored, there may be
substantial headspace between the food and the lid. In this
headspace, there is air which may cause the food being
stored to lose freshness and reduce the storage life for the
food product. Additional shortcomings with the known
storage containers are that the seal is not tight allowing
air to enter the container which may affect the freshness of
the food and also reduce the time that the food may be
stored in the container.
[0005] Accordingly, there is a need in the market for a
semi-durable or durable storage container which has reduced
headspace in the container thereby eliminating the amount of
air in the container and having a tight locking seal to
preclude entry of air into the container and to provide a
secure container.
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SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed to containers
for food or other material having a bowl and a ratcheting
lid. The container may be used as an original point-of-
purchase container for the storage of food product or other
material after the container is opened or as a separate
storage container purchased empty for storing food or other
material. The container includes a ratcheting lid which
will reduce the headspace in the container thereby reducing
the air in the container and increasing the storage life for
the food product or other material in the container and
maintaining the freshness of the material. Additionally,
the lid and bowl of the container provide an improved
locking seal which precludes air, liquid or the like from
entering the container and provides for a secure closure,
thereby maintaining the freshness of the food product or
other material stored in the container and increasing the
storage life for the food product or other material.
[0007] The container of the present invention comprises a
bowl for receiving and holding the food or other material to
be stored in the container. In a preferred embodiment, the
bowl has rounded side walls and a base which may be flat or
rounded and is made of a durable plastic material to allow
for multiple uses, although other shapes and materials may
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be used with the invention. The bowl includes a side wall
having an interior portion which may include grooves and
ridges upon which the lid may ratchet to reduce the
headspace in the container. In a preferred embodiment, the
bowl includes a plurality of alternating grooves and ridges
generally spaced evenly apart upon which the lid may ratchet
to adjust the amount of headspace between the material in
the container and the underside of the lid.
[0008) The container of the invention includes a novel
lid designed to ratchet along the interior of the bowl of
the container to adjust the headspace in the container and
to provide a tight locking seal of the lid to the bowl. In
a preferred embodiment, the lid is annular in shape and
made of a durable plastic to allow multiple uses of the
container. Other shapes and materials may also be used for
the lid. In one preferred embodiment, the lid comprises a
base, a handle and a locking mechanism. The base has a
diameter generally corresponding to that of the bowl such
that the peripheral edge of the base will provide a seal in
conjunction with the ridges of the bowl. The handle
extends vertically and is perpendicular to the base and
also functions in conjunction with the locking mechanism.
The locking mechanism of the lid comprises a flipper having
panels and finger members. The finger members are
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generally perpendicular to the panels and adjacent to the
handle. The panels move vertically and horizontally. When
the lid is placed in the bowl the flippers move vertically
allowing them to move freely into and past the grooves as
the lid is pushed down into the container. When the lid
reaches the desired position in the bowl, the lid is pulled
upward and the flippers lock into place in a groove of the
bowl, thereby preventing the lid from moving upward or
downward. The peripheral edge of the lid provides a tight
seal against the ridges of the bowl to prevent entry of air
or leakage of food or other material if the container tips
on its side or upside down. To remove the lid, the
flippers include finger members which may be pinched inward
to engage the handle which causes the panels to pivot
around a point and move vertically and horizontally inward
toward the center of the lid, thereby disengaging the
flippers from the groove of the side wall of the bowl and
allowing clearance of the bowl side wall. By holding the
finger members of the flippers pinched together and in
contact with the handle, the lid may be pulled up and out
of the bowl of the container.
[0009] In another embodiment of the invention, the
container comprises a bowl having grooves and ridges as
described above and a ratcheting lid. In this embodiment,
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the ratcheting lid includes a base, a handle and a locking
mechanism. The handle extends vertically and is
perpendicular to the base and also functions in conjunction
with the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism of the
lid comprises wings having a plurality of panels with finger
members generally perpendicular to the panels and adjacent
the handle. The wings are moved by the fingers pivoting on
a vertical axis to move the panels in a horizontal plane in
relation to the base. When the panels are moved outside the
peripheral edge of the base, the panels lock into a groove
of the bowl of the container. The peripheral edge of the
lid seats on the ridges of the bowl to provide a tight seal.
To remove the lid, the finger members are moved inward to
engage the handle thereby moving the panels out of the
groove, to generally overlie the base, and to clear the side
wall of the bowl. The lid can then be lifted out of the
bowl by gripping the fingers and handle which are in contact
with each other.
[0010] The different embodiments of the invention will be
apparent from the following description of the preferred
embodiments of the invention and from the accompanying
drawings.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The following detailed description of specific
non-limiting embodiments of the present invention can be
best understood when read in conjunction with the following
drawings, where like structures are indicated with like
reference numbers.
[0012] Figure 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment
of a lid of the invention.
[0013] Figure 2 is a perspective view of the lid of
Figure 1 showing the pinching of the flippers for removing
the lid from the container.
[0014] Figure 2A is an enlarged partial cross-sectional
view illustrating the support hinge.
[0015] Figures 3A through 3C are partial cross-sectional
views of alternative embodiments of the base and peripheral
edge of the base of the lid.
[0016) Figure 4 is a perspective view of another
embodiment of the lid of the invention.
[0017] Figure 5 is a perspective view of another
embodiment of the handle for the lid of Figure 4.
[0018] Figure 6 is a partial cross-sectional view of the
container of the invention utilizing the lid of Figure 1.
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[0019] Figure 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of
another embodiment of the container of the invention
utilizing the lid of Figure 1.
[0020] Figure 8 is a perspective view of another
embodiment of a lid of the invention.
[0021] Figure 9 is a top view of another embodiment of
the lid of Figure 8.
[0022] Figure 9A is an enlarged partial cross-sectional
view taken along line 9A-9A of Figure 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] The present invention provides for a container
having a bowl and a ratcheting lid. The container provides
for ratcheting the lid to control the headspace in the
container. The lid and bowl provide for a tight locking
seal to prevent entry of air or other material into the
container and to prevent the leakage of material from the
container. A primary purpose of the container is for the
storage of food. The container maintains the freshness of
the food and extends the time the food may be stored in the
container. The description of the invention will refer to
the storage of food in the container. However, it is
understood that other materials may be stored in the
container without departing from the scope of the invention.
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[0024] In the presently preferred embodiments of the
invention, the side wall of the container is generally round
in shape. The bottom wall or base portion of the container
can be flat or rounded in shape. The invention will be
described herein with respect to a rounded or cylindrical
walled container. However, it is understood that other
shaped containers may be used with the invention.
Similarly, a preferred material for the container is a
durable plastic such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and
combinations thereof. However, other plastics may be used
provided the plastic allows for multiple uses of the
container. Such plastics include polyethylene
terephthalate, polystyrene and nylon.
[0025] Referring to Figures 6 and 7, the container 10 of
the invention comprises a bowl 12 and lid 14. The container
of the invention includes different embodiments of the
ratcheting lid as shown, for example, in Figures 1, 4, 8 and
9 and as discussed hereafter. Generally, the bowl of the
container is substantially the same for these different
embodiments of the ratcheting lids.
[0026] Again referring to Figures 6 and 7, the bowl 12
includes a side wall 20, a bottom wall 22 and an open top
portion 24. The interior 26 of the side wall 20 includes a
plurality of grooves 28 formed in the side wall. The side
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wall further includes a plurality of ridges 30. In a
preferred embodiment, the grooves and ridges are spaced
evenly to provide a track for ratcheting the lid 14. The
plurality of ridges and grooves will provide for different
levels of closure of the lid, thereby controlling the amount
of headspace between the material stored in the bowl and the
underside of the lid. It is understood that the grooves and
ridges may include different spacing without departing from
scope of the invention. Additionally, the number of grooves
and ridges may vary depending upon the size of the container
and the different levels of headspace desired. Also, the
invention may use a plurality of ridges extending from the
side wall which inherently provides for a plurality of
grooves therebetween, that is, it is not necessary to have
the grooves formed in the side wall.
[0027] Referring to Figures 1-2, a preferred embodiment
of the ratcheting lid 14 is disclosed. In this embodiment,
the lid is annular in shape and comprised of a durable
plastic material such as polypropylene, polyethylene,
polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene or nylon. However,
it is understood that the lid may include different shapes
and different materials without departing from the scope of
the invention.
[0028] The lid 14 comprises a base 40, a handle 42 and a
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locking mechanism 44. The base 40 includes a top portion
50, a bottom 52, support hinges 54 and a peripheral edge 56.
The base is generally of a uniform thickness throughout,
although the thickness may vary without departing from the
scope of the invention. The peripheral edge 56 provides a
tight seal for the container when locked and seated against
two or more of ridges 30 in bowl 12 as discussed in greater
detail hereafter. The peripheral edge 56 includes a
generally vertical wall portion 58 and a rounded wall
portion 60 adjoining the top of base 40. As discussed
hereafter, the peripheral edge 56 may include different
geometries.
[0029] The support hinges 54 are attached to the base by
any suitable means such as an adhesive or other fastening
means. Alternatively, they can be molded as part of the
base. As seen for example in Figures 2 and 2A, the support
hinges 54 are rectangular in shape and include a living
hinge 62 which provides a pivot point for movement of the
locking mechanism 44. The support hinge is preferably made
of a resilient elastomeric material such as thermoplastic
elastomers, thermoplastic olefins, thermoplastic
vulcanizates and thermoplastic urethanes. The hinges 54 are
also connected to panels 72 of the locking mechanism
discussed hereafter and allow the panels 72 to pivot
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vertically and horizontally along axis 62a.
[0030] Handle 42 extends upwardly from base 40 and is
designed to be gripped by the user, including in conjunction
with the locking mechanism 44 to insert the lid 14 into bowl
12 and to take the lid out of the bowl as discussed
hereafter. Handle 42 includes notches 64 for receiving
fingers 74 of locking mechanism 44 as discussed below.
Handle 42 may include ribs 66 to aid in gripping the handle.
[0031] Locking mechanism 44 comprises flippers 70. The
flippers include panels 72 and fingers 74. Fingers 74 are
generally perpendicular to the panels. Fingers 74 include
ribs 76 corresponding to ribs 66 of handle 42. The panels
have an end portions 78 shaped to correspond to the
curvature of the inside side wall 26 of bowl 12. Panels 72
further include legs 80 to seat generally near the
peripheral edge of the base 40 and provide support for
panels 72.
[0032] Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, Figure 1
illustrates the lid in a closed and locked position if it
was in bowl 12 as shown in Figure 6 in solid lines. Figure
2 illustrates the lid being pinched at fingers 74 by the
user's hand to unlock the lid and remove the lid from the
container, as generally shown by the phantom lines in Figure
6. Fingers 74 fit into notches 64 and allow the user to
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unlock and remove the lid from bowl 12. The operation of
the container will be discussed in greater detail hereafter.
[0033] Referring to Figure 4, Figure 4 illustrates
another embodiment of the lid of the invention. The lid of
Figure 4 is substantially the same as the lid shown in
Figures 1 and 2 with the exception of the configuration of
the handle and the fingers of the flippers. Accordingly,
the like reference numbers in Figure 4 correspond to the lid
of Figures 1 and 2. In Figure 4, handle 142 is annular in
shape having an opening 144 and beveled neck 146. Fingers
164 are curved and mate with peripheral edge 148 of handle
142. When fingers 164 are pinched similar to as shown in
Figure 2, they will engage peripheral edge 148 for
disengaging flippers 70 from the bowl.
[0034] Figure 5 is an alternative embodiment of the
handle 142 of Figure 4. Figure 5 illustrates handle 142a
which is similar to handle 142 except that it does not
include beveled neck 146.
[0035] Now referring to Figures 6 and 7, the operation of
the container will be described in reference to the lid 14
of Figure 1 (the ribs 66 and 76 are not shown for
simplicity). Referring to Figure 6, Figure 6 illustrates
the lid 14 (in solid lines) in bowl 12 in a locked position.
The panels 72 of flippers 70 are locked in a groove 28. The
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peripheral edge 56 of the lid is sealingly engaged with two
ridges 30. In order to lock the lid in the bowl in this
relationship, the lid 14 is pushed down into the bowl 12.
When pushing the lid in, the user may grip handle 42 alone
or pinch fingers 74 to engage handle 42, thereby gripping
both fingers 74 and handle 42. The flippers 70 move
vertically (shown in phantom lines) which allows them to
move freely past the grooves and ridges as the lid is pushed
down into the container. When the user reaches the point in
the container having the desired headspace, the lid is
pulled up with the handle 42 and the panels 72 engage a
groove 28 to lock the lid into place. This prevents removal
of the lid and secures the lid to the bowl. With the
peripheral edges 56 seated against a plurality of ridges 30,
the lid is substantially air-tight and leak-proof.
[0036] Referring to the phantom lines of the flipper in
Figure 6, when the lid is to be removed, fingers 74 are
pinched inward, such as shown in Figure 2, and they engage
the handle 42. This moves the panels 72 vertically and
horizontally inward toward the handle and releases the
panels from the groove 28. The lid may then be pulled out
of the container.
[0037] Referring to Figure 7, Figure 7 also shows the lid
14 locked in bowl 12. In this embodiment, the bowl 12 has a
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different configuration having fewer grooves 28 and ridges
30 and has a rounded bottom portion. Insertion and removal
of the lid is the same as previously discussed for Figure 6
and shown in Figure 2.
[0038] Referring to Figures 8 and 9, an alternative
embodiment of the lid is disclosed. In this embodiment, the
lid comprises a base 240, a handle 242 and a locking
mechanism 244. The base 240 is generally the same as base
40 in Figures 1 and 4 and includes a top portion 250, a
bottom 252 and a peripheral edge 256. The base is generally
of a uniform thickness throughout, although the thickness
may vary without departing from the scope of the invention.
The peripheral edge 256 provides a tight seal for the
container when locked and seated against two or more of
ridges 30 in bowl 12 as previously discussed. The
peripheral edge 256 includes a generally vertical wall
portion 258. As discussed hereafter, the peripheral edge
256 may include different geometries.
[0039] Handle 242 extends upwardly from base 240. The
handle includes concave portions 246 for receiving and
mating with fingers 274 of the locking mechanism 244.
Handle 242 functions in conjunction with the locking
mechanism 244 as discussed hereafter to be gripped by the
user to insert the lid 14 into bowl 12 and to take the lid
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out of the bowl.
[0040] Locking mechanism 244 comprises a plurality of
wings 270. The wings include panels 272 and fingers 274.
Fingers 274 are generally perpendicular to the panels and
have convex portions 276 for mating with the concave
portions 246 of the handle. The panels have an end portion
278 shaped to be inserted and received by grooves 28 of
inside wall 26 of bowl 12. In one embodiment as shown in
Figure 8, the panels 272 are attached to the base 240 by
flexible elastomeric pins 280 (shown in partial cut-away for
one of panels 272). Pins 280 have sufficient elasticity
allowing for twisting of the pins and the corresponding
movement of panels 272. When pins 280 are in the relaxed
state, panels 272 extend outside the peripheral wall 256 of
base 240. In another embodiment as shown in Figures 9 and
9A, the panels 272 are attached to the base 240 by a pin 282
extending from the bottom of the panel 272 into a slot 284
in the top portion 250 of base 240 and held in place by a
ring member 286 at the end of pin 282. Pins 282 will move
in slots 284 to allow for movement of panels 272. These
embodiments of Figures 8 and 9 allow for axial movement of
the panels on the base to move the panels 272 in a
horizontal plane to overlie the base when disengaged from
the container and to move the panels into a groove 28 of
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bowl 12 in order to lock the lid into the container. Such
movement is accomplished by moving fingers 274 with one's
hand such that convex portions 276 engage concave portions
246. In operation, fingers 274 are moved into engagement
with handle 242 and panels 272 pivot and overlie base 240
and the lid inserted into bowl 12 to provide the desired
headspace. Fingers 274 are then moved away from handle 242
and are disengaged therefrom. This causes the panels to
move outward in a horizontal plane and engage a groove 28
and lock lid 14 into bowl 12. Like the lid of Figures 1 and
4, peripheral edge 256 engages ridges 30 for a tight seal.
[0041] Each of the lids disclosed in Figures 1, 4, 8 and
9 may include different geometries at the peripheral edge 56
and 256 thereof which is seated against ridges 30 in bowl
12. As seen above for Figure 1, the geometry includes a
generally vertical edge having a rounded shoulder adjacent
to the top of the base. As shown in Figures 4 and 8, the
peripheral edge is generally vertical. The vertical edges
may include a resilient gasket material, such as rubber or
the like, to enhance sealing against ridges 30. Alternative
embodiments of the edge are disclosed in Figures 3A, 3B and
3C.
[0042] Figure 3A discloses a base having a flat top 50,
the peripheral edge 56 having generally vertical wall 58
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(only partially shown), a ledge 58a and a tapered edge 60a.
Figure 3B discloses a base having a flat top 50, a
peripheral edge 56 having a generally vertical wall 58 (only
partially shown), and a step 58a. Figure 3C discloses a
base having a flat top 50, the peripheral edge 56 having a
generally vertical wall 58 (only partially shown), an
annular ring 58a and a step 60a.
[0043] As seen from the description of the invention, the
invention provides for a simple and inexpensive way of
reducing the headspace in a storage container for food or
other material. This will allow for maintaining freshness
of the food for a longer period of time and allow for a
longer storage life.
[0044] The exemplary embodiments herein disclosed are not
intended to be exhaustive or to unnecessarily limit the
scope of the invention. The exemplary embodiments were
chosen and described in order to explain the principles of
the present invention so that others skilled in the art may
practice the invention. As will be apparent to one skilled
in the art, various modifications can be made within the
scope of the aforesaid description. Such modifications
being within the ability of one skilled in the art form a
part of the present invention and are embraced by the
appended claims.
