Container sealing system

Abstract

An easily closable and openable container system includes a number of features which facilitate easy opening and closing while maintaining a high seal. In a first embodiment, the opening forces can be concentrated on one narrow side which includes a lip on one side of a lid flange and with an angled portion on the opposite side of the flange to give ease of opening with less force involved. In a second embodiment where one side is not significantly shorter than a longest side, the lid flange is located at a corner to concentrate the leverage for opening. A continuous flange surrounds a generally planar member and mates with a outwardly projecting rim. The flange includes a pair of surfaces, including an inwardly angled surface which acts to form a stable seal, and actually urges the lid downward as the natural sealing force from the flange is applied.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 712,874, filed on Feb. 28, 2007, the disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to a number of advantageous structures and devices for safe, convenient, easy to open and close containment sealing systems which are ideal for preserved sealing, particularly for foodstuffs.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Sealed containers are typically used in conjunction with food and other materials to be protected from moisture and the environment, or used with liquids and are to be isolated from spillage. Most sealed containers commercially available have compromised the sealing engagement in order to facilitate a snap shut closure. Quick engagement structures don't typically produce as strong of a seal as a more extended seal with significant sealing forces. Conversely, a g...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]An easily closable and openable container system includes a number of features which facilitate easy opening and closing while maintaining a high seal. In a first embodiment, the opening forces can be concentrated on one narrow side which includes a lip 41 on one side of a lid flange and with an angled portion on the opposite side of the flange to give ease of opening with less force involved. In a second embodiment where one side is not significantly shorter than a longest side, the lid flange is located at a corner to concentrate the leverage for opening.

[0006]A continuous flange surrounds a generally planar member and mates with a outwardly projecting rim. The flange includes a pair of surfaces, including an inwardly angled surface which acts to form a stable seal, and actually urges the lid downward as the natural sealing force from the flange is applied. A second surface, below the inwardly angled surface, is the first beveled surface which has sufficient angle to enable the upper part of the upper wall to engage and be urged into position with respect to the inwardly angled surface, and without the user having to provide stretching or two handed operation. In essence, the second surface is beveled to engage the upper wall and enable a mechanically advantaged force to fit the flange over the upper rim of the upper wall so that the sealing surfaces can be brought stably together with simple downward pressure.

[0007]The lateral sectional details of the flange portion include a number of angular relationships which contribute to the ease of use and positivity of sealing of the containers illustrated. A differential width flange can also provide additional ease of manipulation at a preferred point of opening.

Problems solved by technology

Most sealed containers commercially available have compromised the sealing engagement in order to facilitate a snap shut closure.

Quick engagement structures don't typically produce as strong of a seal as a more extended seal with significant sealing forces.

However, most complex locking arrangements or extended high pressure seals are inconsistent with ease of use and low expense.

The failure to form a lid hugging seal can cause containers holding the heated food to explode in the microwave causing damage and a mess.

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