Storage device having an articulated cover fitting inner and outer containers

Abstract

A container system includes an inner container adapted to nest inside of an outer container. A single cover sealingly engages both the inner and outer containers. The cover includes a first closure portion, a third closure portion, and an engagement portion. The third closure portion may be formed from an inside surface of at least a portion of the engagement portion. The outer container includes a second closure portion. The first closure portion of the cover is sealingly engageable with the second closure portion of the outer container to define a sealed storage area. The inner container includes a forth closure portion. The third closure portion of the cover is sealingly engageable with the forth closure portion of the inner container. The engagement portion of the cover is engageable with the engagement portion of a second cover to form a locked cover stack.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to storage devices having a cover adapted to seal an inner and an outer container. Multiple covers of the plastic containers may be aligned together when stacked in a first position and may be locked together in a second position.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Rigid, thermoplastic food containers are generally known. Users often accumulate a large number of these containers in different sizes and shapes. When not in use, the containers are often stored haphazardly into drawers. In this case, the unused containers take up a great deal of room, and finding a matching base and cover in a disarranged drawer may be difficult. To avoid this, some users stack the containers in cabinets. While the bases of the containers usually nest and therefore take up less room than in a disorganized drawer, it may still be difficult to match a base with a cover. In addition, the covers may not stack and the covers may tend to topple ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007]In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides containers whose covers can be stacked together in two different ways. First, the covers can be stacked into an “aligned” stack. The aligned stack provides enough structural rigidity for bulk handling during manufacturing. Second, the covers can be stacked into a “locked” stack. The locked stack provides even more structural rigidity than does the aligned stack and is useful when storing unused covers.

[0010]Further, the covers of the present invention may include articulation elements that allow the covers to easily flex upwardly or downwardly, sometimes referred to as articulate, either alone or when engaged with the base of the container. A protruding engagement portion of the cover may be articulated downwardly to the level of the top of the remaining portions of the cover.

[0011]The covers and bases (e.g., inner and outer containers) can be economically constructed from relatively thin-gauge plastic so that the user can either wash them after use or dispose of them with the view that their purchase price allows them to be used as a consumable good. The container can be readily manufactured, for example, with conventional vacuum thermoforming equipment. The cover can be made from a semi-transparent material to ensure satisfactory visibility of the container's contents. The container can be suitable for refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and machine dishwasher use.

Problems solved by technology

When not in use, the containers are often stored haphazardly into drawers.

In this case, the unused containers take up a great deal of room, and finding a matching base and cover in a disarranged drawer may be difficult.

While the bases of the containers usually nest and therefore take up less room than in a disorganized drawer, it may still be difficult to match a base with a cover.

In addition, the covers may not stack and the covers may tend to topple down.

These stacks may be precarious, and their fall may cause food to spill from the containers.

In this design, the user may not be able to, for example, pour salad dressing out of the inner vessel without spilling the contents of the outer vessel.

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