Food Container with Access Tab

Abstract

A container includes a base and a lid. The base includes a lock channel. The lid includes a rim. The rim of the lid is configured to engage with the lock channel in the base to retain the base and the lid in a closed position. The container also includes a first tab on the base and a second tab on the lid. The first tab extends outward approximately perpendicular to a vertical direction. A portion of the second tab may be deflected upward at an oblique angle when the lid and the base are in the closed position. A first portion of the second tab may be received within the first tab and a second portion of the second tab may extend upward and out of the first tab at an oblique angle when the lid and the base are in the closed position.

Claims

1. A container defining a vertical direction, the container comprising: a base comprising a floor and a lock channel extending around a perimeter of the base outward of the floor; a lid extending along the vertical direction between a ceiling approximately at a top of the lid and an opening approximately at a bottom of the lid, the lid comprising a rim extending around a perimeter of the lid approximately at the bottom of the lid, the rim of the lid configured to engage with the lock channel in the base whereby the rim is retained within the lock channel when the base and the lid are in a closed position, wherein a storage volume of the container is defined by and between the base and the lid when the base and the lid are in the closed position; a first tab on the base, the first tab extending outward approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction, the first tab comprising a pocket contiguous with the lock channel and a ramp surface defined within the pocket of the first tab; and a second tab on the lid, the second tab received within the first tab when the base and the lid are in the closed position, wherein the ramp surface of the first tab deflects a portion of the second tab upward at an angle oblique to the vertical direction when the lid and the base are in the closed position.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the second tab is integrally joined to the rim of the lid, wherein the second tab extends at the angle oblique to the vertical direction to a free end when the lid and the base are in the closed position.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the base comprises an outer wall defining an outer side of the lock channel and a flange extending from a top of the outer wall, wherein the free end of the second tab extends above the flange of the base when the lid and the base are in the closed position.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein the first end of the second tab is positioned at approximately the same vertical position as a bottom of the lock channel of the base when the lid and the base are in the closed position.

5. The container of claim 2, wherein the second tab extends at the angle oblique to the vertical direction from an intermediate portion of the second tab to the free end when the lid and the base are in the closed position.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the second tab is integrally joined to a remainder of the lid, the second tab having a continuous and uniform material type and thickness across an entirety of the second tab, wherein the second tab remains joined to the remainder of the lid when the base and the lid move from the closed position to an open position.

7. The container of claim 1, wherein the second tab does not include a frangible portion, whereby the second tab remains joined to a remainder of the lid when the base and the lid move from the closed position to an open position.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein the second tab is spaced apart from the first tab when the lid and the base are in the closed position, whereby an access opening is defined between the first tab and the second tab when the lid and the base are in the closed position.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the first tab is positioned at a corner of the base and the second tab is positioned at a corner of the lid.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein the perimeter of the base comprises at least one curvilinear portion and the perimeter of the lid comprises at least one curvilinear portion, wherein the first tab is positioned along the curvilinear portion of the perimeter of the base and the second tab is positioned along the curvilinear portion of the perimeter of the lid.

11. A container defining a vertical direction, the container comprising: a base comprising a lock channel extending around a perimeter of the base; a lid comprising a rim extending around a perimeter of the lid approximately at a bottom of the lid, the rim of the lid configured to engage with the lock channel in the base whereby the rim is retained within the lock channel when the base and the lid are in a closed position, wherein a storage volume of the container is defined by and between the base and the lid when the base and the lid are in the closed position; a first tab on the base, the first tab extending outward approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction; and a second tab on the lid, a first portion of the second tab received within the first tab when the base and the lid are in the closed position, and a second portion of the second tab extending upward at an angle oblique to the vertical direction and out of the first tab when the lid and the base are in the closed position.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein the second tab is integrally joined to the rim of the lid, wherein the second portion of the second tab extends at the angle oblique to the vertical direction to a free end when the lid and the base are in the closed position.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the base comprises an outer wall defining an outer side of the lock channel and a flange extending from a top of the outer wall, wherein the free end of the second tab extends above the flange of the base when the lid and the base are in the closed position.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the first end of the second tab is positioned at approximately the same vertical position as a bottom of the lock channel of the base when the lid and the base are in the closed position.

15. The container of claim 12, wherein the second portion of the second tab extends at the angle oblique to the vertical direction from an intermediate portion of the second tab to the free end when the lid and the base are in the closed position.

16. The container of claim 11, wherein the second tab is integrally joined to a remainder of the lid, the second tab having a continuous and uniform material type and thickness across an entirety of the second tab, wherein the second tab remains joined to the remainder of the lid when the base and the lid move from the closed position to an open position.

17. The container of claim 11, wherein the second tab does not include a frangible portion, whereby the second tab remains joined to a remainder of the lid when the base and the lid move from the closed position to an open position.

18. The container of claim 11, wherein the second tab is spaced apart from the first tab when the lid and the base are in the closed position, whereby an access opening is defined between the first tab and the second tab when the lid and the base are in the closed position.

19. The container of claim 11, wherein the first tab is positioned at a corner of the base and the second tab is positioned at a corner of the lid.

20. The container of claim 11, wherein the perimeter of the base comprises at least one curvilinear portion and the perimeter of the lid comprises at least one curvilinear portion, wherein the first tab is positioned along the curvilinear portion of the perimeter of the base and the second tab is positioned along the curvilinear portion of the perimeter of the lid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0010] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures.

[0011] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a container according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter in an open position.

[0012] FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the exemplary container of FIG. 1 in a closed position.

[0013] FIG. 3 provides a top view of the exemplary container of FIG. 2.

[0014] FIG. 4 provides an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3.

[0015] FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of an exemplary base for a container according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0016] FIG. 6 provides a bottom perspective view of an exemplary lid for a container according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0017] FIG. 7 provides an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 2.

[0018] FIG. 8 provides a section view through a first tab and a second tab of the exemplary container of FIG. 2.

[0019] FIG. 9 provides a section view through a lock portion of the exemplary container of FIG. 2.

[0020] FIG. 10 provides a perspective view of a container according to one or more additional exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0021] FIG. 11 provides a top view of the container of FIG. 10.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0022] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0023] As used herein, the terms first, second, and third may be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another and are not intended to signify location or importance of the individual components. The terms includes and including are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term comprising. Similarly, the term or is generally intended to be inclusive (i.e., A or B is intended to mean A or B or both). In addition, here and throughout the specification and claims, range limitations may be combined and/or interchanged. Such ranges are identified and include all the sub-ranges contained therein unless context or language indicates otherwise. For example, all ranges disclosed herein are inclusive of the endpoints, and the endpoints are independently combinable with each other. The singular forms a, an, and the include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0024] Approximating language, as used herein throughout the specification and claims, may be applied to modify any quantitative representation that could permissibly vary without resulting in a change in the basic function to which it is related. Accordingly, a value modified by a term or terms, such as generally, about, approximately, and substantially, are not to be limited to the precise value specified. In at least some instances, the approximating language may correspond to the precision of an instrument for measuring the value, or the precision of the methods or machines for constructing or manufacturing the components and/or systems. For example, the approximating language may refer to being within a 10 percent margin, i.e., including values within ten percent greater or less than the stated value. In this regard, for example, when used in the context of an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g., generally vertical includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the vertical direction V.

[0025] The word exemplary is used herein to mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. In addition, references to an embodiment or one embodiment does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may. Any implementation described herein as exemplary or an embodiment is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. Moreover, each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0026] Referring now to the figures, an exemplary container 100 will be described in accordance with exemplary aspects of the present subject matter. FIGS. 1 and 2 provide perspective views of an exemplary container 100. As illustrated, container 100 generally defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, each of which is mutually perpendicular, such that an orthogonal coordinate system is generally defined. The container 100 includes a lid 104 and a base 102. As may be seen throughout the FIGS, e.g., in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, the base 102 may include a floor 106 and a well or lock channel 108 extending around a perimeter of the base 102 outward of the floor 106, e.g., where outward is used to refer to away from the geometric center of the container 100 as a whole. For example, the lock channel 108 may be outward of the floor 106 along one or more directions perpendicular to the vertical direction V, such as the transverse direction T and/or the lateral direction L. The lock channel 108, which may also be referred to as a well, may define a recess within which the lid 104, or a portion thereof, may be received and retained. The lid 104 may extend along the vertical direction V between a ceiling 110 approximately at a top of the lid 104 and an opening 112 (see, e.g., FIG. 6) approximately at a bottom of the lid 104. The lid 104 may include a rim 114 extending around a perimeter of the lid 104 approximately at the bottom of the lid 104, e.g., around the opening 112 of the lid 104.

[0027] FIG. 1 illustrates the container 100 in an open position. For example, items to be stored and/or displayed in the container 100, such as food items, e.g., baked goods such as a cake, may be loaded into the container 100 while the container 100 is in the open position as illustrated in FIG. 1. The container 100 may be movable between the open position of FIG. 1 and a closed position, e.g., the closed position may be seen in FIG. 2. For example, the container 100 may be moved to the closed position by coupling the lid 104 onto the base 102, such as after loading the container 100 with the items to be stored. In the closed position, the container 100 may be sealed and locked shut. In some embodiments, the rim 114 of the lid 104 may be configured to engage with the lock channel 108 in the base 102, e.g., within the lock channel 108, whereby the rim 114 is retained within the lock channel 108 when the base 102 and the lid 104 are in the closed position. As such, a storage volume 200 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8 and 9) of the container 100 may be defined by and between the base 102 and the lid 104 when the base 102 and the lid 104 are in the closed position. For example, the lid 104 may be coupled to the base 101, and the container 100 may be thereby locked shut, by mutual engagement of the rim 114 of the lid 104 and the lock channel 108 of the base 102, e.g., with the rim 114 received within and surrounded by the lock channel 108.

[0028] In some embodiments, the base 102 and the lid 104 may be separately formed, such that the lid 104 may be entirely removable from the base 102, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the base 102 and the lid 104 may be integrally joined, such as integrally joined by a living hinge.

[0029] The base 102 may include the floor 106, e.g., approximately at the bottom of the base 102 and/or the floor 106 may define a bottom of the storage volume 200 when the base 102 and the lid 104 are in the closed position. The lid 104 may include an opening 112, and the opening 112 may be positioned approximately at the bottom of the lid 104 when the lid and the base 102 are in the closed position. The lid 104 may extend along the vertical direction V from the opening 112 to the ceiling 110. When in the closed position, the ceiling 110 may be above the opening 112, and the ceiling 110 may be positioned approximately at a top of the lid 104 and approximately at a top of the overall container 100 as a whole. As noted above, the term approximately is used herein to include plus or minus ten percent, such as approximately at a top or bottom includes offsets from the topmost or bottommost edge or surface by up to ten percent of a total vertical dimension (e.g., height) of the overall container 100 when the container 100 is in a closed position.

[0030] When the base 102 and the lid 104 are in a closed position, the storage volume 200 (see, e.g., FIGS. 8 and 9) of the container 100 is defined by and between the base 102 and the lid 104. The storage volume 200 may thus be fully enclosed and sealed between the base 102 and the lid 104, such as sealed by the engagement of the rim 114 and the lock channel 108, when the container 100 is in a closed position. The lid 104 and the base 102 may be releasably coupled when in the closed position, such as unlockable from the closed position. For example, the lid 104 and the base 102 may be releasably coupled at the rim 114 of the lid 104 and the lock channel 108 of the base 102 when the base 102 and the lid 104 are in the closed position. The lid 104 and the base 102 may be configured to selectively move between the open position in which the interior of the container 100 is accessible and the closed position in which the lid 104 is releasably coupled to the base 102. For example, the lid 104 and the base 102 may move between the open position and the closed position by entirely decoupling the lid 104 and the base 102. Such decoupling may include unlocking and/or disengaging the rim 114 and the lock channel 108. In order to promote such decoupling, a gripping feature may be provided on the lid 104, e.g., such that a user can grip the feature in order to pull the rim 114 out of the lock channel 108 and thereby unlock and/or decouple the base 102 and the lid 104.

[0031] FIG. 3 provides a top view of the exemplary container 100 in a closed position. FIG. 4 provides an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3, where a first tab 120 on the base 102 and a second tab 130 on the lid 104 may be seen in FIG. 4. The first tab 120 may be positioned on the base 102 such as the first tab 120 may extend outward from the base 102 approximately perpendicular to the vertical direction V. For example, the first tab 120 may include a pocket 122 (see, e.g., FIGS. 4 and 5) contiguous with the lock channel 108 and a ramp surface 124 defined within the pocket 122 of the first tab 120. The second tab 130 may be received within the first tab 120 when the base 102 and the lid 104 are in the closed position. In such embodiments, the ramp surface 124 of the first tab 120 may deflect a portion of the second tab 130 upward at an angle oblique to the vertical direction V when the lid 104 and the base 102 are in the closed position. In some embodiments, e.g., as may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first tab 120 may be positioned at a corner of the base 102 and the second tab 130 may be positioned at a corner of the lid 104.

[0032] As may be seen, e.g., in FIGS. 2, 6, 7, and 8, the second tab 130 may include a flexible portion 132 and a holding portion, e.g., a textured portion 134, which includes a texture such a crosshatch or checkered pattern. The texture may promote grip for a user to grasp the second tab 130, e.g., the textured portion 134 thereof, in order to open the container 100, e.g., from the closed position. A first portion of the second tab 130 may be received within the first tab 120 when the base 102 and the lid 104 are in the closed position, and a second portion of the second tab 130 may extend upward at an angle oblique to the vertical direction V and out of the first tab 120 when the lid 104 and the base 102 are in the closed position. The flexible portion 132 may be predominantly within the first tab 120, e.g., the first portion of the second tab 130 within the first tab 120 may be a majority of the flexible portion 132, with a minority of the flexible portion 132 extending up and out of the first tab 120. In additional embodiments, none of the flexible portion 132 may extend out of the first tab 120. Thus, in various embodiments, the flexible portion 132 and the first portion of the second tab 130 received within the first tab 120 when the base 102 and the lid 104 are in the closed position may be coextensive or approximately coextensive. The flexible portion 132 may include one or more bends or folds, such as the flexible portion 132 may be corrugated, which may promote flexibility in order for the second tab 130 to be more easily deflected, such as deflected upwards by the first tab 120, e.g., deflected upwards by the ramp surface 124 of the first tab 120.

[0033] In some embodiments, the ramp surface 124 may deflect the second tab 130 generally upward along the vertical direction V such that the second tab 130 may extend outward along a horizontal direction (e.g., a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction V) and upward along the vertical direction V. In some embodiments, a first portion of the second tab 130 may be received within the first tab 120 when the base 102 and the lid 104 are in the closed position, and a second portion of the second tab 130 may extend upward at an angle oblique to the vertical direction V and out of the first tab 120 when the lid 104 and the base 102 are in the closed position. For example, a portion of the second tab 130, e.g., the textured portion 134 or at least a portion of the textured portion 134, may extend upward along the vertical direction V and outward, e.g., where outward refers to away from the geometric center of the overall container 100, along a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction V, such as within a lateral-transverse plane defined by the lateral direction L and the transverse direction T. Thus, the second portion of the second tab 130 may include the entire textured portion 134 of the second tab 130, e.g., the entire textured portion 134 of the second tab 130 may be deflected upward at an angle oblique to the vertical direction V when the lid 104 and the base 102 are in the closed position, and/or the entire textured portion 134 may extend upward at an angle oblique to the vertical direction V and out of the first tab 120 when the lid 104 and the base 102 are in the closed position.

[0034] As may be seen, e.g., in FIG. 9, the lock channel 108 may include a bottom width (or other dimension generally perpendicular to the vertical direction V) that is approximately equal to a corresponding dimension of the rim 114, such that the rim 114 may be snugly received in the bottom of the lock channel 108. The lock channel 108 may further include an outer wall 126, and the outer wall 126 may include an inward portion (e.g., an inwardly angled portion), such that the width of the lock channel 108 is reduced above the bottom of the lock channel 108, thereby impeding removal of the rim 114 of the lid 104 from the lock channel 108 of the base 102. Thus, the base 102 and the lid 104 may be formed of a pliable material, such as a thermoformed plastic material, such that one or both of the rim 114 and lock channel 108 may deflect in order to allow the rim 114 to pass into and out of the lock channel 108. As such, a user opening the container 100 (that is, moving the container 100 from the open position to the closed position) applies sufficient force to the container to deflect the lid 104 (e.g., rim 114 thereof) and/or base 102 (e.g., outer wall 126 of the lock channel 108 thereof). Such removal force may be more easily applied when the user is able to firmly and securely grip the lid 104 in order to pull the rim 114 out of the lock channel 108. Accordingly, the second tab 130, and in particular the textured portion 134 thereof, may enhance opening of the container 100. Furthermore, the deflection of the second tab 130 by the ramp surface 124 of the first tab 120 such that the second tab 130 extends above and out of the first tab 120 (e.g., the pocket 122 thereof) may present the textured portion 134 of the second tab 130 for easy access by the user.

[0035] The present disclosure may be used with a variety of containers. For example, the container 100 may be generally rectangular prism shaped, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 1-9. In additional embodiments, the container 100 may include at least one straight line side or edge in combination with one or more curvilinear sides or edges, such as the container may have a semi-circular cross-sectional shape, a quarter-circle cross-sectional shape, or other similar shape including combinations of both straight and curved sides or edges. In some embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11, the container 100 may be generally cylindrical. For example, in some embodiments, the perimeter of the base 102 may include at least one curvilinear portion and the perimeter of the lid 104 may include at least one curvilinear portion, such as the entire perimeter of each of the base 102 and the lid 104 may be curvilinear (e.g., with a single continuous curve or with multiple compound curvature). In such embodiments, the first tab 120 may be positioned along the curvilinear portion of the perimeter of the base 102 and the second tab 130 may be positioned along the curvilinear portion of the perimeter of the lid 104. In embodiments which include a combination of straight sides or edges and curved sides or edges, the first tab 120 and second tab 130 may be positioned at a corner or intersection of a straight side with a curved side, or along one of the sides away from such intersection. In some embodiments, the first tab 120 may have straight edges and may define a generally triangular shape, e.g., as illustrated. In additional embodiments, the first tab 120 may have one or more curvilinear edges, such as the entire outer edge of the first tab 120 which extends outward from the base 102 may be arcuate.

[0036] In some embodiments, the second tab 130 may be integrally joined to the rim 114 of the lid 104. In such embodiments, the second tab 130 may extend at the angle oblique to the vertical direction V to a free end 136 when the lid 104 and the base 102 are in the closed position. For example, the second tab 130 may be integrally joined to the rim 114 of the lid 104 at a first end opposite the free end and the second tab 130 may extend from the first end to the free end 136.

[0037] In some embodiments, the base 102 may include the outer wall 126 defining an outer side of the lock channel 108. In such embodiments, the base 102 may also include a flange 128 extending from a top of the outer wall 126. As may be seen, e.g., in FIG. 3, the flange 128 may extend around the entire perimeter of the base 102, including around the perimeter of the first tab 120. As may be seen, e.g., in FIGS. 7 and 8, the free end 136 of the second tab 130 may extend above the flange 128 of the base 102 when the lid 104 and the base 102 are in the closed position.

[0038] Referring again to FIG. 8, in some embodiments, the first end of the second tab 130 (e.g., at which the second tab 130 is joined to the rim 114 of the lid 104, as described above) may be positioned at approximately the same vertical position as a bottom of the lock channel 108 of the base 102 when the lid 104 and the base 102 are in the closed position. The portion of the second tab 130 which is within the pocket 122 of the first tab 120 may begin at the first end of the second tab 130, and may extend to an intermediate portion of the second tab 130. The intermediate portion of the second tab 130 may abut a top edge of the ramp surface 124 of the first tab 120. The second tab 130 may thus extend at the angle oblique to the vertical direction V from the intermediate portion of the second tab 130 to the free end 136 when the lid 104 and the base 102 are in the closed position.

[0039] In some embodiments, the second tab 130 may be integrally joined to a remainder of the lid 104, e.g., at the rim 114. In such embodiments, the second tab 130 may not be frangible, such as the second tab 130 may not include a frangible portion, whereby the second tab 130 remains joined to the remainder of the lid 104 when the base 102 and the lid 104 move from the closed position to the open position. For example, the second tab 130 may have a continuous and uniform material type and thickness (e.g., as measured approximately along the vertical direction V) across an entirety of the second tab 130, e.g., the thickness of the second tab 130 may vary from the first end to the free end 136 while being continuous without any interruptions, or the thickness may be constant as well as being continuous. Thus, while the container 100 may include tamper-evident features to indicate the container 100 has previously been opened, the second tab 130 may be used to repeatedly open the container 100 and re-open the container 100 after closing without any substantial changes in the structure of the second tab 130 or the first tab 120.

[0040] In some embodiments, e.g., as may be seen in FIGS. 2, 7, and 8, the second tab 130 may be spaced apart from the first tab 120 when the lid 104 and the base 102 are in the closed position. Thus, an access opening may be defined between the first tab 120 and the second tab 130 when the lid 104 and the base 102 are in the closed position. For example, a user may place one of the user's fingers in the access opening to grasp the second tab 130, such as the textured portion 134 thereof.

[0041] This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.