US20170021966A1

US20170021966A1 - Container offering multiple configurations

Info

Publication number: US20170021966A1
Application number: US15/214,569
Authority: US
Inventors: Samir Parikh; Michael G Evans
Original assignee: Waddington Group Inc
Current assignee: Waddington Group Inc
Priority date: 2015-07-20
Filing date: 2016-07-20
Publication date: 2017-01-26
Also published as: CA2936601A1

Abstract

A container includes a receptacle having a sidewall with inner and outer surfaces and a rim. The container lid has inner and outer surfaces, a central portion, and a periphery divided into a first periphery portion and a second periphery portion extending outward and downward from the first periphery portion. In a first mounting configuration, the central and first periphery portions of the lid are nested below the receptacle rim with the lid outer surface contacting the receptacle sidewall inner surface. In a second mounting configuration, the lid is inverted and the second periphery portion extends over the rim of the receptacle, while the first periphery and central portions of the lid extend above the receptacle rim, and the inner surface of the lid contacts the outer surface of the receptacle wall. A second, identical receptacle can be included, with both receptacles mounted to opposing sides of the lid.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/194,378, filed Jul. 20, 2015, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to containers, such as containers for food service and/or food storage, and more particularly, to containers that include a receptacle and a lid that may be mounted to the receptacle in a plurality of configurations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable plastic containers comprising receptacles and removable lids are widely used in the food service industry, including food establishments such as restaurants and cafeterias. Often, it is necessary for such establishments to enclose food contents of widely differing types and amounts in such containers. For example, a salad may consume considerable space, but may require only a rudimentary seal, whereas a beverage or soup may be compact, but may require a highly reliable, liquid-tight seal. Due to these varying requirements, it can be necessary for food service establishments to maintain a large variety of different types and sizes of disposable container in inventory, leading to increased overhead costs.
Accordingly, there has been a long felt and largely unmet need for container designs that can be assembled in a plurality of configurations having different capacities and sealing properties, so that a smaller inventory of receptacles and lids can be used to accommodate a wider range of quantities and types of content. Generally, the cost of manufacturing such disposable containers must be minimized, for example by using thermoforming as the method of manufacture.
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0261065 (to Claypool et al.) purports to disclose a storage container that has a base with a bottom panel, and an upstanding side wall extending generally upward from a perimeter of the bottom panel. The side wall has a top end and a top opening is generally circumscribed by the top end. A reversible lid has a lid perimeter and a cover panel generally within the lid perimeter. The cover panel has a first side and a second side. The reversible lid can be installed on the base in two different selectable orientations including a first orientation with the second cover panel side facing the base and a second orientation with the first cover panel side facing the base. A first seal is created between the reversible lid and the base in the first orientation and a second seal is created between the reversible lid and the base in the second orientation. A first sealed storage space is formed between the base and the reversible lid when in the first orientation and a second sealed storage space is formed between the base and the reversible lid when in the second orientation. The first sealed storage space has a larger volume than a volume of the second sealed storage space.
However, it is the experience of those skilled in the art that the container construction described by Claypool et al. cannot be readily implemented by thermoforming, and is therefore impractically expensive to manufacture. In particular, thermoforming involves manipulating a sheet of a certain thickness for achieving a formed shape. Therefore, rib constructions such as those taught by Claypool that require varying thicknesses are difficult to achieve by thermoforming.
In addition, even when the lid of Claypool is used in the orientation that provides the greatest volume (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 4 of Claypool), the full capacity of the receptacle cannot be fully utilized because, as shown in FIG. 6, rib 44 a projects into the receptacle below the receptacle flange 60. For this reason, the contents in the receptacle must be restricted to a level below rib 44 a, so that the rib is not immersed in the contents, and the contents do not interfere with the seal formed between rib 44 a and the receptacle.
PCT Publication No. WO1990/008710 (ro Timm) purports to disclose a package for a sundae-type frozen dessert that includes an open-top container and a dished cap for the container. The cap has a skirt portion that extends from one side of an annular shoulder and a pilot portion that extends from the opposite side of the shoulder portion to an annular crown that surrounds an open cup portion. The skirt portion snaps over the rim of the container when the cap is in a normal position, with the one side of the shoulder resting on the container rim. The pilot portion makes a loose telescopic fit within the top of the container when the cap is in an inverted position, with the opposite side of the shoulder resting on the container rim. After the container is partially filled with a dessert mix, the cap is fitted onto the container in the normal position, and the cup portion is filled with a topping and covered with a seal. The completed package is then frozen. To prepare for eating, the cap is inverted on the container after removal of the sealing cover, and the package is placed in a microwave oven until the topping melts and pours down onto the frozen dessert mix. The cap is then removed, and the hot sundae is ready for eating directly from the container.
However, according to the disclosure of Timm, the lid makes only a “loose telescopic fit” with the top of the container when the cap is in an inverted position (see e.g. abstract). Accordingly, the lid of the Timm design can only be sealed to the container in its upright configuration, and merely rests on the container in the inverted configuration.
What is needed therefore is a container having a lid that is sealable to a receptacle in at least two configurations that differ in volume and/or type of seal, wherein at least one of the configurations allows the full capacity of the container to be utilized, and wherein the lid and receptacle can be manufactured using thermoforming.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A container is disclosed having a lid that is sealable to a receptacle in two configurations that differ in container capacity and, in embodiments, also in type of seal (i.e. liquid-tight or not liquid-tight). The lid has a central portion surrounded by a periphery that is divided into first and second periphery portions, whereby the first periphery portion is proximal to and surrounds the central region of the lid, while the second periphery portion extends outward and downward from the first periphery portion. In embodiments, the two periphery portions are joined by a generally horizontal shelf.
In a first configuration, the central area and first periphery portion of the lid nest within the receptacle, so that a seal is formed between the outer surface of the first periphery portion and the inner walls of the receptacle, while the second periphery portion of the lid extends above the rim of the receptacle. In a second configuration, the lid is inverted as compared to the first configuration, so that the second periphery portion extends over the rim of the receptacle and forms a seal therewith, while the first periphery portion and the central region of the lid extend above the rim of the receptacle. In various embodiments, the shelf of the lid rests in both configurations on a flange that surrounds the rim of the receptacle, whereby the outer surface of the shelf is against the flange in the first configuration, and the inner surface of the shelf is against the flange in the second configuration.
Various embodiments of the lid and receptacle include projections and indentations that enhance the removable attachment of the lid to the receptacle in either or both configurations.
In embodiments, two receptacles can be provided, and a two-compartment container can be formed by attaching the lid to the first container in the first configuration while inverting the second container and attaching it to the same lid in the second configuration. In some embodiments, the two receptacles are identical to each other.
One general aspect of the present invention is a container that includes a receptacle having a receptacle base wall and a receptacle sidewall extending upward from the receptacle base wall to a receptacle rim, the receptacle sidewall having a sidewall inner surface and an opposed sidewall outer surface, and a lid having an outer surface and an inner surface, the lid having a lid central portion and a lid periphery divided into a first periphery portion proximal to the central portion and a second periphery portion positioned outwardly and downwardly of the first periphery portion, the lid being mountable to the receptacle in a first configuration and in a second configuration. According to this general aspect, in said first configuration the lid central portion and first periphery portion are nested below the receptacle upper rim, and a portion of the lid outer surface is engaged with the receptacle sidewall inner surface, and in said second configuration the lid is inverted with respect to the first configuration, the lid central portion and first periphery portion being above the receptacle rim, and a portion of the lid inner surface being engaged with the receptacle sidewall outer surface.
In embodiments, the receptacle sidewall inner surface comprises at least one indentation and the first periphery portion of the lid comprises at least one projection that is receivable in the indentation when the lid is mounted to the receptacle in the first configuration. In various embodiments, in the first configuration the second periphery portion is positioned above the rim of the receptacle.
In certain embodiments, the lid comprises a shoulder between the first periphery portion and the second periphery portion. In some of these embodiments the receptacle rim comprises an outwardly extending receptacle flange, so that in the first configuration, an outer surface of the horizontal shoulder is seated on the receptacle flange. In some of these embodiments, in the second configuration an inner surface of the shoulder is seated on the receptacle flange. And in some of these embodiments the lid periphery comprises at least one inwardly extending projection, and in the second configuration the receptacle flange is secured between said inwardly extending projection and the shoulder of the lid.
In embodiments, when in the first configuration the container is liquid tight.
In various embodiments, the receptacle is a first receptacle, and the container further comprises a second receptacle that is mountable to the lid in an inverted position when the lid is mounted to the first receptacle in the first configuration. In some of these embodiments, the second receptacle is generally identical to the first receptacle. In some of these embodiments, the first periphery portion is nested in the first receptacle when the lid is mounted to the first receptacle in the first configuration and the second receptacle is mounted to the lid in the inverted second configuration. In some of these embodiments, the second periphery portion is positioned above the first periphery portion and above the first receptacle when the lid is mounted to the first receptacle in the first configuration and the second receptacle is mounted to the lid in the inverted second configuration.
In some of these embodiments, the lid comprises a shoulder between the first periphery portion and the second periphery portion. In some of these embodiments, the rim of the first receptacle comprises an outwardly extending first receptacle flange, and an outer surface of the shoulder is seated on the first receptacle flange when the lid is mounted to the first receptacle in the first configuration and the second receptacle is mounted to the lid in the inverted second configuration. In some of these embodiments, the rim of the second receptacle comprises an outwardly extending second receptacle flange, and the second receptacle flange is seated on an inner surface of shoulder when the lid is mounted to the first receptacle in the first configuration and the second receptacle is mounted to the lid in the inverted second configuration. And in some of these embodiments, the second periphery portion comprises at least one inwardly extending projection, and the second receptacle flange is removably secured between the projection and the shoulder when the lid is mounted to the first receptacle in the first configuration and the second receptacle is mounted to the lid in the inverted second configuration.
In various embodiments where the second receptacle is generally identical to the first receptacle, the first receptacle and the lid are liquid tight when the lid is mounted to the first receptacle in the first configuration and the second receptacle is mounted to the lid in the inverted second configuration.
Another general aspect of the present invention is a container that includes a first receptacle having a first receptacle base wall and a first receptacle sidewall extending upward from the first receptacle base wall to a first receptacle rim, the first receptacle sidewall having a first sidewall inner surface and an opposed first sidewall outer surface, a lid mounted to the first receptacle and comprising a lid central portion, a lid inner surface facing away from the first receptacle, an opposed lid outer surface, and a lid periphery divided into a first periphery portion proximal to the central portion and a second periphery portion positioned outwardly and downwardly of the first periphery portion, wherein at least the first periphery portion is nested below the first receptacle rim, and a second receptacle having a second receptacle base wall and a second receptacle sidewall extending upward from the first receptacle base wall to a second receptacle rim, the second receptacle sidewall having a second sidewall inner surface and an opposed second sidewall outer surface, the second receptacle being inverted with respect to the first receptacle and being mounted to the lid, the lid inner surface facing the second receptacle, and the second receptacle rim being nested within the second periphery portion.
In embodiments, the lid outer surface engages the first sidewall inner surface to secure the lid to the first receptacle. In some of these embodiments, the first sidewall inner surface comprises at least one indentation, the lid outer surface comprises at least one projection, and the projection is received in the indentation to secure the lid to the first receptacle.
In various embodiments, the second receptacle sidewall engages the lid inner surface to secure the lid to the second receptacle. And in some embodiments, the second periphery portion is positioned above the first periphery portion and above the first receptacle rim.
In certain embodiments, the lid comprises a shoulder between the first periphery portion and the second periphery portion. In some of these embodiments, the first receptacle sidewall comprises an outwardly extending first receptacle flange at the first receptacle rim, and the shoulder is seated on the first receptacle flange. In some of these embodiments, the second receptacle sidewall comprises an outwardly extending second receptacle flange at the second receptacle rim, and the second receptacle flange is seated on the shoulder. And in some of these embodiments, the second periphery portion comprises at least one inwardly extending projection, and the second receptacle flange is secured between the inwardly extending projection and the shoulder.
In embodiments, the first receptacle and the lid are generally liquid tight. And in various embodiments, the first receptacle and the second receptacle are identical.
The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way.

FIG. 1A is a top plan view of a receptacle in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a side elevation view of the receptacle of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 2A is a top plan view of a lid in an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B is a side elevation view of the lid of FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is perspective view of the lid of FIGS. 2A and 2B mounted to the receptacle of FIGS. 1A and 1B in a first configuration;

FIG. 3B is a side elevation view of the container of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is an exploded perspective view of the container of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3D-3D in FIG. 3B;

FIG. 4A is perspective view of the lid of FIGS. 2A and 2B mounted to the receptacle of FIGS. 1A and 1B in a second configuration in order to form a second container;

FIG. 4B is a side elevation view of the container of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4C is an exploded perspective view of the container of FIG. 4A;

FIG. 4D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4D-4D in FIG. 3B;

FIG. 5A is perspective view of the lid of FIGS. 2A and 2B mounted to two of the receptacles of FIGS. 1A and 1B;

FIG. 5B is a side elevation view of the container of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5C is an exploded perspective view of the container of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 5D is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5D-5D in FIG. 3B;

FIG. 6A is perspective view of the lid of FIGS. 2A and 2B mounted to two of the receptacles of FIGS. 1A and 1B, in an inverted configuration;

FIG. 6B is a side elevation view of the container of FIG. 6A; and

FIG. 6C is an exploded perspective view of the container of FIG. 6A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1A to 2B, a receptacle 102 and a lid 104 are shown according to an embodiment of the present invention. When oriented as shown in FIG. 1B, the receptacle 102 includes a base 112 and sidewalls 102 that extend generally upward from the base 112 to a rim 120. When oriented as shown in FIG. 2B, the lid 104 includes a central portion 138 and a generally downward extending periphery 140 divided into a first periphery portion 142 proximal to the central portion 138, and a second periphery section 144, where the second periphery portion 144 is located below and displaced horizontally outward from the first periphery portion 142.
The lid 104 may be mounted to the receptacle 102 in a plurality of configurations, in order to form various container configurations. Such configurations may, for example, be used for food service and/or food storage applications. For example, referring to FIGS. 3A to 3D, the lid 104 may be mounted to the receptacle 102 in a first configuration to form container 106 a. In this first configuration, the central portion 138 and first periphery portion 142 of the lid 104 are nested within the receptacle 102, so that the central portion 132 and first periphery portion 142 located below the rim 120 of the receptacle 102. Accordingly, the outer surface of the first periphery portion 142 is pressed against the inner surface 124 of the sidewall of the receptacle 102.
Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 4A to 4D, the lid 104 may also be mounted to the receptacle 102 in a second configuration, in which it is inverted with respect to the first configuration, to form container 106 b. In this second configuration, the second periphery portion 144 extends over the rim 120 of the receptacle 102, so that the inner surface of the lid 104 is pressed against the outer surface 126 of the receptacle 102
Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 5A to 5D, a pair of receptacles 102 a, 102 b may be assembled to a single lid 104, on opposed sides of the lid 104, in order to form another container 106 c. The container 106 c has a bottom portion 108 that is generally equivalent to container 106 a, and a top portion 110 that is generally equivalent to container 106 b.
Alternatively, referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, a pair of receptacles 102 a, 102 b may be assembled to a single lid 104 which is inverted with respect to the configuration shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D, on opposed sides of the lid 104, in order to form another container 106 d. The container 106 d has a bottom portion 108 that is generally equivalent to container 106 b, and a top portion 110 that is generally equivalent to container 106 a. It will be noted that while FIGS. 5C and 6C show relative arrangement of two receptacles and a lid for containers 106 c and 106 d respectively, this is only intended for demonstration purposes and is not intended as a functional method for assembling or stacking the receptacle-lid combinations during use. In an exemplary use situation, container 106 c (FIG. 5A) can be derived by inverting container 106 b (FIG. 4A) and engaging it with the receptacle 102 a. Similarly, container 106 d (FIG. 6A) can be created by inverting container 106 a (FIG. 3A) and engaging it with the receptacle 102 a. It will also be appreciated by those of ordinary skill that the terms lid and receptacle can be used interchangeably and the exemplary designation used herein is not intended to limit the functionality of a receptacle to be utilized as a lid or for the lid to be utilized as a receptacle.
Thus, the receptacles and lids described herein enable a food establishment such as a restaurant or cafeteria to create a variety of different container configurations by utilizing the same basic components depending on the type of foods to be served or stored therein. Various container configurations may be adapted to have varying engagement characteristics between the lid and the receptacle. In some embodiments, when the lid 104 is mounted to the receptacle 102 in the first configuration to form container 106 a, it may provide a generally or relatively liquid tight or liquid resistant seal. When the lid 104 is mounted to the receptacle 102 in the second configuration to form container 106 b, the container 106 b may be generally non-liquid tight or non-liquid resistant, or less liquid tight or less liquid resistant than the container 106 a.
Accordingly, if the receptacle 102 is to be used to store liquids or less viscous foods, the lid 104 may optionally be mounted to the receptacle 102 in the first configuration. If the receptacle 102 is to be used to store dry goods or solid or relatively viscous foods, the lid 104 may optionally be mounted to the receptacle 104 in the second configuration. Furthermore, if it is desired to store liquid goods and dry goods separately, two receptacles 102 may be mounted to a single lid 102 in order to form container 106 c or container 106 d. When using container 106 c, the receptacle 102 a at the bottom portion 108 of the container 106 c may optionally be used to store liquid goods, and the receptacle 102 b at the top portion 110 may optionally be used to store dry goods. When using container 106 d, the receptacle 102 a at the bottom portion 108 of the container 106 c may optionally be used to store dry goods, and the receptacle 102 b at the top portion 110 may optionally be used to store liquid goods.
Furthermore, the receptacles and lids described herein may allow for simplification of inventory, as the same receptacle and lid may provide containers with different capacities. For example, a container of the first configuration may have a fill capacity of 1.5 oz. and a container of the second configuration may have a fill capacity of 2 oz.
The receptacle 102 and the lid 104 will presently be described in further detail. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in the embodiment shown, the receptacle 102 extends along an axis 103, and includes a receptacle base wall 112, and a receptacle sidewall 114 extending from the receptacle base wall 112. When the receptacle 102 is in the position shown in FIG. 1B, the receptacle sidewall 114 may be said to extend upwardly from the receptacle base wall 112. The receptacle base wall 112 and receptacle sidewall 114 form an interior volume 116 (shown in FIGS. 3C and 4C) of the receptacle 102. In the embodiment shown, the receptacle 102 is generally square in transverse section, and the receptacle sidewall 114 includes four sidewall portions. In alternative embodiments, the receptacle may be another shape in transverse section, for example circular, and the receptacle sidewall may include another number of sidewall portions, for example a single circular sidewall portion.
Referring still to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in the embodiment shown, the receptacle sidewall 114 has a sidewall distal portion 118 defining a sidewall distal end 120. A receptacle opening 122 (shown in FIGS. 3C and 4C) is at the distal end 120. The sidewall distal portion 118 and sidewall distal end 120 may also be respectively referred to as a sidewall upper portion 118 and sidewall upper end 120, when the receptacle is in the position shown in FIG. 1B. The receptacle sidewall 114 also has a sidewall inner surface 124 that faces the interior volume 116, and an opposed sidewall outer surface 126.
Referring still to FIGS. 1A and 1B, the receptacle sidewall 114 includes an outwardly extending receptacle flange 128 at the sidewall upper end 120. As will be described in further detail below, when the container is in the first configuration or the second configuration, the receptacle flange 128 provides a seating surface for the lid 104. Furthermore, when the container is assembled in the first configuration, the receptacle flange 128 engages the lid 104 to removably secure the lid 104 to the receptacle 102.
The sidewall inner surface 124 may include at least one indentation for engaging the lid 104 when the lid 104 is assembled to the receptacle 102 in the first configuration, as will be described in further detail below. Referring to FIG. 3C, in the embodiment shown, the sidewall inner surface 124 includes four indentations 130 (only one of which is labelled in the drawings), each of which is provided at a corner of the receptacle sidewall 114, and each of which is in the sidewall distal portion 118.
Referring now to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 3C, in the embodiment shown, the lid 104 extends along an axis 105, and includes a lid first surface 132 (shown in FIG. 3C), and an opposed lid second surface 134 (shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3C). The lid 104 is shaped so that the lid first surface 132 defines a recess 136, which may be used for storage when the lid 104 is positioned so that the first surface 132 is upwardly facing.
Referring still to FIGS. 2A and 2B, the lid 104 includes a central portion 138, and a lid periphery 140. In the embodiment shown, the central portion 138 includes a generally square and flat panel. However, in alternative embodiments, the central portion may be of any other shape or be oriented in a non-planar manner, for example it may be circular, triangular, elliptical, or domed or curved.
Referring still to FIGS. 2A and 2B, in the embodiment shown, the lid periphery 140 includes a first periphery portion 142 and a second periphery portion 144 positioned radially outwardly of the first periphery portion 142. The first periphery portion 142 is axially spaced from the central portion 138 in a first direction (indicated by arrow A1 in FIG. 2B), and the second periphery portion 144 is spaced from the first periphery portion in the first direction.
When the lid 104 is in the position shown in FIG. 2B, the first periphery portion 142 is above the second periphery portion 144. The first periphery portion 142 includes a first lid sidewall 146 extending generally orthogonally to the central portion 138. The second periphery portion 144 includes a second lid sidewall 148 that also extends generally orthogonally to the central portion 138, and a lid lip 150 extending outwardly from the second lid sidewall 148. The lid periphery 140 further includes a shoulder 152 extending between the first lid sidewall 146 and the second lid sidewall 148. As will be described in further detail below, when the lid 104 is assembled to the receptacle 102 in the first configuration or the second configuration, the shoulder 152 is seated on the receptacle flange 128 of the receptacle 102.
The lid second surface 134 may include a portion for engaging the sidewall inner surface 124, to removably secure the lid 104 to the receptacle 102 when the lid 104 is assembled to the receptacle 102 in the first configuration. Referring to FIGS. 2A and 2B, in the embodiment shown, the lid second surface 134 includes four radially outwardly extending projections 154 (only two of which are labelled in the drawings). The projections 154 are positioned at the corners of the first lid sidewall 146, and are shaped to be received in the indentations 130 of the sidewall inner surface 124 of the receptacle 102. In alternative embodiments, the lid second surface may include another number of projections, for example at least one projection.
The lid first surface 132 may include a portion for engaging the receptacle sidewall 114 to removably secure the lid 104 to the receptacle 102 when the lid 102 is assembled to the receptacle 102 in the second configuration. Referring to FIG. 3C, in the embodiment shown, the lid first surface 132 includes four radially inwardly extending projections 156. The projections 156 extend inwardly from the second lid sidewall 148, and are spaced from the shoulder 152. As will be described below, when the container is assembled in the second configuration, the receptacle flange 128 is removably secured between the projections 156 and the shoulder 152. In alternative embodiments, the lid second surface may include another number of projections, for example at least one projection. Furthermore, the length or width of the projections as well as the height of the projections relative to the sidewall may vary to allow for customizing the fit between the receptacle and the lid and the lidding force needed during engagement.
Referring now to FIGS. 3A to 3D, when the lid 104 is assembled to the receptacle 102 in the first configuration, the lid central portion 138 and first periphery portion 142 are nested in the sidewall upper portion 118, so that the portion of the lid second surface 134 along first lid sidewall 146 faces the sidewall inner surface 124 of the receptacle 102. The second periphery portion 144 is positioned above the first periphery portion 142 and above the receptacle 102. A portion of the lid second surface 134 engages the sidewall inner surface 124 at the sidewall upper portion 118 to removably secure the lid 104 to the receptacle 102. More specifically, the projections 154 of the lid 104 are received in the indentations 130 of the receptacle 102, and removably secure the lid 104 to the receptacle 102. The projections 154 may generally be snapped into and out of the indentations 130 in order to mount the lid 104 to the receptacle and remove the lid from the receptacle, respectively. Furthermore, the shoulder 152 of the lid 104 is seated on the receptacle flange 128. This configuration provides a generally or relatively liquid tight or liquid resistant seal.
Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4D, when the lid 104 is assembled to the receptacle 102 in the second configuration, the lid is inverted with respect to the first configuration. The sidewall upper portion 118 is nested within the second periphery portion 144 of the lid, and the lid central portion 138 and first periphery portion 142 are above the receptacle 102. A portion of the lid first surface 132 engages the sidewall upper portion 118 to removably secure the lid 104 to the receptacle 102. More specifically, the receptacle flange 128 engages the lid first surface 132 and is removably secured between the projections 156 and the shoulder 152. The receptacle flange 128 may generally be snapped past the projections 156, in order to mount the lid 104 to the receptacle and remove the lid 104 from the receptacle 102.
In both the first configuration and the second configuration, the lid lip 150 provides grasping portion, which may be grasped by a user in order to remove the lid 104 from the receptacle 102.
Referring to FIGS. 5A to 6C, a first receptacle 102 a and a second receptacle 102 b may be assembled to a single lid 104, on opposed surfaces 132, 134 of the lid 104, in order to form the container 106 c. In the embodiment shown, the first receptacle 102 a and second receptacle 102 b are generally identical. As used herein, the term ‘identical’ indicates that the receptacles 102 a, 102 b are made from the same mold, and/or are indistinguishable to the naked eye. Throughout this document, features of the first receptacle 102 a may be referred to with the prefix ‘first’, and similar features of the second receptacle 102 b may be referred to with the prefix ‘second’. In alternative embodiments, the receptacles 102 a and 102 b may be of differing sizes, depths or shapes from each other, while still being adapted to engage with lid 104.
In the configuration of FIGS. 5A to 5C, the lid first surface 132 faces away from the first receptacle 102 a and towards the second receptacle 102 b, and the lid 104 covers both the opening of the first receptacle 102 a and the opening of the second receptacle 102 b. The lid 104 is mounted to the first receptacle 102 a in the same fashion as shown in FIGS. 3A to 3D, and to the second receptacle 102 b in the same fashion as shown in FIGS. 4A to 4D.
Referring to FIGS. 6A to 6C, as mentioned above, this configuration is similar to the configuration of FIGS. 5A to 5C, but is inverted with respect to the configuration shown in FIGS. 5A to 5C.
In any of the above embodiments, the receptacle 102 and/or the lid 104 may be sealed with a membrane. For example, the receptacle 102 may include a membrane sealed to flange 128. Providing a membrane can help to contain liquids or viscous materials, particularly when inverted (e.g. as per receptacle 102 b in FIGS. 5A to 5D). For further embodiments, the lid 104 may include a membrane sealed to shoulder 152 and/or lip 150, when in either the first configuration or the second configuration.
The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. Each and every page of this submission, and all contents thereon, however characterized, identified, or numbered, is considered a substantive part of this application for all purposes, irrespective of form or placement within the application.
This specification is not intended to be exhaustive. Although the present application is shown in a limited number of forms, the scope of the invention is not limited to just these forms, but is amenable to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. One or ordinary skill in the art should appreciate after learning the teachings related to the claimed subject matter contained in the foregoing description that many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter includes any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof, unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. In particular, the limitations presented in dependent claims below can be combined with their corresponding independent claims in any number and in any order without departing from the scope of this disclosure, unless the dependent claims are logically incompatible with each other.

Claims

I claim:

1. A container comprising:

a receptacle having a receptacle base wall and a receptacle sidewall extending upward from the receptacle base wall to a receptacle rim, the receptacle sidewall having a sidewall inner surface and an opposed sidewall outer surface; and

a lid having an outer surface and an inner surface, the lid having a lid central portion and a lid periphery divided into a first periphery portion proximal to the central portion and a second periphery portion positioned outwardly and downwardly of the first periphery portion, the lid being mountable to the receptacle in a first configuration and in a second configuration;

wherein in said first configuration the lid central portion and first periphery portion are nested below the receptacle upper rim, and a portion of the lid outer surface is engaged with the receptacle sidewall inner surface, and

in said second configuration the lid is inverted with respect to the first configuration, the lid central portion and first periphery portion being above the receptacle rim, and a portion of the lid inner surface being engaged with the receptacle sidewall outer surface.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the receptacle sidewall inner surface comprises at least one indentation and the first periphery portion of the lid comprises at least one projection that is receivable in the indentation when the lid is mounted to the receptacle in the first configuration.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein in the first configuration the second periphery portion is positioned above the rim of the receptacle.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a shoulder between the first periphery portion and the second periphery portion.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the receptacle rim comprises an outwardly extending receptacle flange, so that in the first configuration, an outer surface of the horizontal shoulder is seated on the receptacle flange.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein in the second configuration an inner surface of the shoulder is seated on the receptacle flange.

7. The container of claim 5, wherein the lid periphery comprises at least one inwardly extending projection, and in the second configuration the receptacle flange is secured between said inwardly extending projection and the shoulder of the lid.

8. The container of claim 1, wherein when in the first configuration the container is liquid tight.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein the receptacle is a first receptacle, and the container further comprises a second receptacle that is mountable to the lid in an inverted position when the lid is mounted to the first receptacle in the first configuration.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the second receptacle is generally identical to the first receptacle.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein the first periphery portion is nested in the first receptacle when the lid is mounted to the first receptacle in the first configuration and the second receptacle is mounted to the lid in the inverted second configuration.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein the second periphery portion is positioned above the first periphery portion and above the first receptacle when the lid is mounted to the first receptacle in the first configuration and the second receptacle is mounted to the lid in the inverted second configuration.

13. The container of claim 12, wherein the lid comprises a shoulder between the first periphery portion and the second periphery portion.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the rim of the first receptacle comprises an outwardly extending first receptacle flange, and an outer surface of the shoulder is seated on the first receptacle flange when the lid is mounted to the first receptacle in the first configuration and the second receptacle is mounted to the lid in the inverted second configuration.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein the rim of the second receptacle comprises an outwardly extending second receptacle flange, and the second receptacle flange is seated on an inner surface of shoulder when the lid is mounted to the first receptacle in the first configuration and the second receptacle is mounted to the lid in the inverted second configuration.

16. The container of claim 15, wherein the second periphery portion comprises at least one inwardly extending projection, and the second receptacle flange is removably secured between the projection and the shoulder when the lid is mounted to the first receptacle in the first configuration and the second receptacle is mounted to the lid in the inverted second configuration.

17. The container of claim 10, wherein the first receptacle and the lid are liquid tight when the lid is mounted to the first receptacle in the first configuration and the second receptacle is mounted to the lid in the inverted second configuration.

18. A container comprising:

a first receptacle having a first receptacle base wall and a first receptacle sidewall extending upward from the first receptacle base wall to a first receptacle rim, the first receptacle sidewall having a first sidewall inner surface and an opposed first sidewall outer surface;

a lid mounted to the first receptacle and comprising a lid central portion, a lid inner surface facing away from the first receptacle, an opposed lid outer surface, and a lid periphery divided into a first periphery portion proximal to the central portion and a second periphery portion positioned outwardly and downwardly of the first periphery portion, wherein at least the first periphery portion is nested below the first receptacle rim; and

a second receptacle having a second receptacle base wall and a second receptacle sidewall extending upward from the first receptacle base wall to a second receptacle rim, the second receptacle sidewall having a second sidewall inner surface and an opposed second sidewall outer surface, the second receptacle being inverted with respect to the first receptacle and being mounted to the lid, the lid inner surface facing the second receptacle, and the second receptacle rim being nested within the second periphery portion.

19. The container of claim 18, wherein the lid outer surface engages the first sidewall inner surface to secure the lid to the first receptacle.

20. The container of claim 19, wherein the first sidewall inner surface comprises at least one indentation, the lid outer surface comprises at least one projection, and the projection is received in the indentation to secure the lid to the first receptacle.

21. The container of claim 18, wherein the second receptacle sidewall engages the lid inner surface to secure the lid to the second receptacle.

22. The container of claim 18, wherein the second periphery portion is positioned above the first periphery portion and above the first receptacle rim.

23. The container of claim 18 wherein the lid comprises a shoulder between the first periphery portion and the second periphery portion.

24. The container of claim 23, wherein the first receptacle sidewall comprises an outwardly extending first receptacle flange at the first receptacle rim, and the shoulder is seated on the first receptacle flange.

25. The container of claim 24, wherein the second receptacle sidewall comprises an outwardly extending second receptacle flange at the second receptacle rim, and the second receptacle flange is seated on the shoulder.

26. The container of claim 25, wherein the second periphery portion comprises at least one inwardly extending projection, and the second receptacle flange is secured between the inwardly extending projection and the shoulder.

27. The container of claim 18, wherein the first receptacle and the lid are generally liquid tight.

28. The container of claim 18, wherein the first receptacle and the second receptacle are identical.