Granted Patent B2

US 8,678,230 · App. 13/193,456 · Granted Mar 25, 2014

Abstract

Claims (80)

1. A container and air-tight lid system, comprising:

a glass, ceramic or metal vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge portion;

a lid including a lid portion fabricated of a plastic material, and a seal structure portion formed of an elastomeric material, the seal structure portion integrated with the lid portion to form a unitary lid-seal structure wherein the seal structure portion is permanently attached to the lid portion;

the lid configured to attach to the vessel open top by means of a latch or set of latches integrated with the lid portion, and the seal structure is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid portion and a sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel;

wherein the vessel further includes a latch engagement lip portion configured for engagement with the latch or set of latches integrated with the lid;

wherein the lid portion includes a web portion which is configured to extend over the open top region of the vessel when the lid is attached, a peripheral region extending about the periphery of the lid, a downwardly protruding outer peripheral sidewall portion and a downwardly protruding inner peripheral rib defining a lower ring portion, and wherein said outer peripheral side wall portion defines a lid perimeter larger than a perimeter of the vessel and facilitates alignment of the lid onto the vessel; and

wherein said lid has a rectilinear configuration, the latch or set of latches includes first and second latches on opposed first and second sides of said lid, and said lid includes stop ribs defined in opposed third and fourth sides of the lid having a depth sufficient to control the depth of insertion of the lid onto the vessel.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the plastic material is polypropylene.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the elastomer material is a thermoplastic elastomer material.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the vessel is a unitary structure including a bottom portion, a sidewall portion and a peripheral rim portion, the sealing surface is defined by an interior surface portion of the sidewall portion of the vessel at or adjacent the open top region, and the peripheral rim portion includes a generally flat top edge portion and the latch engagement lip portion extends from the top edge portion on an exterior side of the sidewall portion.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the vessel is fabricated of a glass suitable for baking or oven heating applications.

6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the glass is borosilicate glass.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the seal structure material is a material having good adhesion to the lid portion plastic material, and wherein the seal structure portion is fabricated as an injection molded second shot onto the lid portion.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the latch or set of latches comprise a latch connected to the lid portion by a living hinge, said living hinge defined by said elastomer material fabricated by the injection molded second shot.

9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the lid portion includes a web portion which is configured to extend over the open top region of the vessel when the lid is attached, a peripheral region extending about the periphery of the lid, a downwardly protruding outer peripheral sidewall portion and a downwardly protruding inner peripheral rib defining a lower ring portion, and wherein the seal structure portion comprises a circumferential seal portion extending from the lower ring portion about the entire periphery of the inner peripheral rib portion of the lid portion, the circumferential seal portion configured to engage the sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel to create an air-tight seal.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the one or more latches comprise a plurality of latches attached to the peripheral region of the lid portion adjacent the outer peripheral sidewall portion by respective living hinge portions.

11. The system of claim 1 , wherein the seal structure portion comprises a circumferential seal portion extending about the entire periphery of an interior inner peripheral rib portion of the lid portion, the circumferential seal portion configured to engage the sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel to create an air-tight seal.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the seal structure portion defines a flexible peripheral flap which bends as the lid is placed in position on the vessel and the flexible flap comes into contact with the sealing surface portion of the vessel, and is bent upwardly as the lid is latched.

13. The system of claim 12 , wherein the sealing surface is defined by a sidewall portion of the vessel at or adjacent the open top region.

14. The system of claim 13 , wherein the sidewall portion is angled outwardly from a bottom region of the vessel.

15. A container and air-tight lid system, comprising:

a glass, ceramic or metal vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge portion;

a lid including a lid portion fabricated of a plastic material, and a seal structure portion formed of an elastomeric material, the seal structure portion integrated with the lid portion to form a unitary lid-seal structure wherein the seal structure portion is permanently attached to the lid portion;

the lid configured to attach to the vessel open top by means of a latch or set of latches integrated with the lid portion, and the seal structure is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid portion and a sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel;

wherein the vessel further includes a latch engagement lip portion configured for engagement with the latch or set of latches integrated with the lid;

wherein the lid portion includes a web portion which is configured to extend over the open top region of the vessel when the lid is attached, a peripheral region extending about the periphery of the lid, a downwardly protruding outer peripheral sidewall portion and a downwardly protruding inner peripheral rib defining a lower ring portion, and wherein the seal structure portion comprises a circumferential seal portion extending from the lower ring portion about the entire periphery of the inner peripheral rib portion of the lid portion, the circumferential seal portion configured to engage the sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel to create an air-tight seal; and

wherein a width dimension and elevation position of the circumferential seal portion vary spatially around a perimeter of the lid.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the vessel is rectilinear with vessel corners, and the width dimension is wider in lid corners corresponding to the vessel corners to accommodate dimensional variations in the vessel.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the vessel is rectilinear with vessel corners, and the elevation position of the circumferential seal portion is configured so that the circumferential seal portion is positioned lower in the vessel corners relative to the vessel open top than circumferential seal portions intermediate the vessel corners.

18. A container and air-tight lid system, comprising:

a glass, ceramic or metal vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge portion;

a lid including a lid portion fabricated of a plastic material, and a seal structure portion formed of an elastomeric material, the seal structure portion integrated with the lid portion to form a unitary lid-seal structure wherein the seal structure portion is permanently attached to the lid portion;

the lid configured to attach to the vessel open top by means of a latch or set of latches integrated with the lid portion, and the seal structure is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid portion and a sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel;

wherein the vessel further includes a latch engagement lip portion configured for engagement with the latch or set of latches integrated with the lid;

wherein the lid portion includes a web portion which is configured to extend over the open top region of the vessel when the lid is attached, a peripheral region extending about the periphery of the lid, a downwardly protruding outer peripheral sidewall portion and a downwardly protruding inner peripheral rib defining a lower ring portion, and wherein the seal structure portion comprises a circumferential seal portion extending from the lower ring portion about the entire periphery of the inner peripheral rib portion of the lid portion, the circumferential seal portion configured to engage the sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel to create an air-tight seal; and

wherein the lid portion has flow channels extending through the peripheral region between a lid top surface and a surface of the inner peripheral rib, and the seal structure portion comprises a top peripheral layer portion covering at least a portion of the peripheral region of the lid portion, a rib layer formed on a portion of the inner peripheral rib, and a ring portion extending over a bottom edge of the lower ring portion to form the circumferential seal portion which extends outwardly from the lower ring portion.

19. A container and air-tight lid system, comprising:

a glass, ceramic or metal vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge portion;

a lid including a lid portion fabricated of a plastic material, and a seal structure portion formed of an elastomeric material, the seal structure portion integrated with the lid portion to form a unitary lid-seal structure wherein the seal structure portion is permanently attached to the lid portion;

the lid configured to attach to the vessel open top by means of a latch or set of latches integrated with the lid portion, and the seal structure is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid portion and a sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel;

wherein the vessel further includes a latch engagement lip portion configured for engagement with the latch or set of latches integrated with the lid;

wherein the lid portion includes a web portion which is configured to extend over the open top region of the vessel when the lid is attached, a peripheral region extending about the periphery of the lid, a downwardly protruding outer peripheral sidewall portion and a downwardly protruding inner peripheral rib defining a lower ring portion, and wherein the seal structure portion comprises a circumferential seal portion extending from the lower ring portion about the entire periphery of the inner peripheral rib portion of the lid portion, the circumferential seal portion configured to engage the sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel to create an air-tight seal; and

wherein the lid portion further includes a plurality of transverse rib portions extending between the inner peripheral rib portion and the outer peripheral sidewall portion, said elastomer material having a layer of said elastomer material formed thereon, said layer being compressed between said transverse rib portions and said vessel sealing surface portion of said vessel.

20. A container and air-tight lid system, comprising:

a glass, ceramic or metal vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge portion;

a lid including a lid portion fabricated of a plastic material, and a seal structure portion formed of an elastomeric material, the seal structure portion integrated with the lid portion to form a unitary lid-seal structure wherein the seal structure portion is permanently attached to the lid portion;

the lid configured to attach to the vessel open top by means of a latch or set of latches integrated with the lid portion, and the seal structure is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid portion and a sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel;

wherein the vessel further includes a latch engagement lip portion configured for engagement with the latch or set of latches integrated with the lid;

wherein the lid portion includes a web portion which is configured to extend over the open top region of the vessel when the lid is attached, a peripheral region extending about the periphery of the lid, a downwardly protruding outer peripheral sidewall portion and a downwardly protruding inner peripheral rib defining a lower ring portion, and wherein the seal structure portion comprises a circumferential seal portion extending from the lower ring portion about the entire periphery of the inner peripheral rib portion of the lid portion, the circumferential seal portion configured to engage the sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel to create an air-tight seal; and

wherein the seal structure portion comprises an outer rib layer portion formed on an outer surface portion of the inner peripheral rib, and a ring portion extending over a bottom edge of the lower ring portion to form the circumferential seal portion which extends outwardly from the lower ring portion.

21. The system of claim 20 , in which the seal structure portion does not extend over a top surface of the lid portion, and includes an inner rib layer portion on a portion of an inner surface portion of the inner peripheral rib.

22. A lid for attachment to a vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge portion, the lid comprising:

a lid portion fabricated of a plastic material, and a seal structure portion formed of an elastomeric material different from said plastic material of the lid portion, the seal structure portion integrated with the lid portion to form a unitary lid-seal structure wherein the seal structure portion is permanently attached to the lid portion;

a set of latches integrated with the lid portion; and

wherein the seal structure is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid portion and a sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel; and

wherein the lid portion has flow channels extending through the peripheral region between a lid top surface and a surface of the inner peripheral rib, and the seal structure portion comprises a top peripheral layer portion covering at least a portion of the peripheral region of the lid portion, a rib layer formed on a portion of the inner peripheral rib, and a ring portion extending over a bottom edge of the lower ring portion to form the circumferential seal portion which extends outwardly from the lower ring portion.

23. The lid of claim 22 , wherein the plastic material is polypropylene, and the elastomer material is a thermoplastic elastomer material.

24. The lid of claim 22 , wherein the seal structure material is a material having good adhesion to the lid portion plastic material, and wherein the seal structure portion is fabricated as an injection molded second shot onto the lid portion.

25. The lid of claim 22 , wherein the seal structure portion comprises a circumferential seal portion extending about the entire periphery of an interior inner peripheral rib portion of the lid portion, the circumferential seal portion configured to engage the sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel to create an air-tight seal.

26. The lid of claim 25 , wherein the seal structure portion defines a flexible peripheral flap which bends as the lid is placed in position on the vessel and the flexible flap comes into contact with the sealing surface portion of the vessel, and is bent upwardly as the lid is latched.

27. The lid of claim 22 , wherein the lid portion includes a web portion which is configured to extend over the open top region of the vessel when the lid is attached, a peripheral region extending about the periphery of the lid, a downwardly protruding outer peripheral sidewall portion and a downwardly protruding inner peripheral rib defining a lower ring portion, and wherein the seal structure portion comprises a circumferential seal portion extending from the lower ring portion about the entire periphery of the inner peripheral rib portion of the lid portion, the circumferential seal portion configured to engage the sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel to create an air-tight seal.

28. The lid of claim 27 , wherein the set of latches are attached to the peripheral region of the lid portion adjacent the outer peripheral sidewall portion by respective living hinge portions.

29. A lid for attachment to a vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge portion, the lid comprising:

a lid portion fabricated of a plastic material, and a seal structure portion formed of an elastomeric material different from said plastic material of the lid portion, the seal structure portion integrated with the lid portion to form a unitary lid-seal structure wherein the seal structure portion is permanently attached to the lid portion;

a set of latches integrated with the lid portion; and

wherein the seal structure is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid portion and a sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel;

wherein the lid portion includes a web portion which is configured to extend over the open top region of the vessel when the lid is attached, a peripheral region extending about the periphery of the lid, a downwardly protruding outer peripheral sidewall portion and a downwardly protruding inner peripheral rib defining a lower ring portion, and wherein the seal structure portion comprises a circumferential seal portion extending from the lower ring portion about the entire periphery of the inner peripheral rib portion of the lid portion, the circumferential seal portion configured to engage the sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel to create an air-tight seal; and

wherein the lid portion further includes a plurality of transverse rib portions extending between the inner peripheral rib portion and the outer peripheral sidewall portion.

30. A lid for attachment to a vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge portion, the lid comprising:

a lid portion fabricated of a plastic material, and a seal structure portion formed of an elastomeric material different from said plastic material of the lid portion, the seal structure portion integrated with the lid portion to form a unitary lid-seal structure wherein the seal structure portion is permanently attached to the lid portion;

a set of latches integrated with the lid portion; and

wherein the seal structure is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid portion and a sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel;

wherein the lid portion includes a web portion which is configured to extend over the open top region of the vessel when the lid is attached, a peripheral region extending about the periphery of the lid, a downwardly protruding outer peripheral sidewall portion and a downwardly protruding inner peripheral rib defining a lower ring portion, and wherein the seal structure portion comprises a circumferential seal portion extending from the lower ring portion about the entire periphery of the inner peripheral rib portion of the lid portion, the circumferential seal portion configured to engage the sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel to create an air-tight seal; and

wherein the seal structure portion comprises an outer rib layer portion formed on an outer surface portion of the inner peripheral rib, and a ring portion extending over a bottom edge of the lower ring portion to form the circumferential seal portion which extends outwardly from the lower ring portion.

31. A lid for attachment to a vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge portion, the lid comprising:

a lid portion fabricated of a plastic material, and a seal structure portion formed of an elastomeric material different from said plastic material of the lid portion, the seal structure portion integrated with the lid portion to form a unitary lid-seal structure wherein the seal structure portion is permanently attached to the lid portion;

a set of latches integrated with the lid portion; and

wherein the seal structure is configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid portion and a sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel;

wherein the lid portion includes a web portion which is configured to extend over the open top region of the vessel when the lid is attached, a peripheral region extending about the periphery of the lid, a downwardly protruding outer peripheral sidewall portion and a downwardly protruding inner peripheral rib defining a lower ring portion, and wherein the seal structure portion comprises a circumferential seal portion extending from the lower ring portion about the entire periphery of the inner peripheral rib portion of the lid portion, the circumferential seal portion configured to engage the sealing surface portion of the peripheral edge of the vessel to create an air-tight seal; and

in which the seal structure portion does not extend over a top surface of the lid portion, and includes an inner rib layer portion on a portion of an inner surface portion of the inner peripheral rib.

Assignments (20)