Container

Abstract

To provide a food container capable of storing an article having a height greater than a height of a storage space.SOLUTION: A food container 10 includes a container base 11 and a container lid 12. The container base includes a bottom 13 and a wall 14 rising from the bottom to define an interior of the container base. The container lid has a top cover 18 and side edges 19, and the top cover covers the bottom when the lid 12 and base 11 are closed. The top cover includes an elastically deformable portion 25 and a non-elastic portion 26. When the lid and the base are closed, the elastically deformable portion and the non-elastic portion each cover a different portion of the bottom. The elastically deformable portion elastically deforms outward, away from the bottom in contact with an item, thereby facilitating a storage of the item inside the container base that is placed on a portion of the bottom below the elastically deformable portion and that comes into contact with the elastically deformable portion when the container base is closed with the lid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container for storing and transporting items. The present invention has been developed as a food container for storing food for later consumption, usually food for consumption on the same day. It will therefore be convenient to describe the invention in relation to that application. However, it should be understood that the container of the present invention is not limited to being a food container, but may be a container for housing any suitable item.

[0002] With respect to food containers, one example of a use for food containers is to store food prepared by parents for school-age children to eat at lunch or snack time at school.

[0003] Priority Cross Reference This application claims priority to Australian Patent Application No. 2019208141, filed on 22 July 2019, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. [Background technology]

[0004] The following discussion of the background of the invention is intended to facilitate an understanding of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that this discussion is not intended as an admission or admission that any aspect of the discussion was part of the common general knowledge as of the priority date of this application.

[0005] Food containers are available for storing and carrying food for later consumption. Many young children and school children carry a day's worth of meals for kindergarten or school in such containers. Similarly, many adult workers carry snacks and lunches to work in food containers. Food containers used in this manner are mostly made substantially of hard plastic and include a base and a lid. Typically, the base provides the major part of the storage space for storing food, although the lid can contribute to the storage space as well.

[0006] The base and lid are typically connected together by a hinge on one edge and a cooperating clip or latch feature on the opposing edge that cooperates to secure the lid closed against the base.

[0007] When the container is closed, the height of the storage space within the container is set by the distance between the opposing faces of the base and the lid. This setting of the height means that food products having a height greater than the height of the storage space cannot be stored within the container. The rigidity of the base and lid means that if a food product having a height greater than the height of the storage space is to be stored within the food container, the lid must be left slightly open relative to the base to accommodate the larger food product or the food product must be carried separately from the food container. Leaving the lid open relative to the base may cause the food product to fall out of the container, while carrying the food product separately from the food container may cause the food product to be overlooked during consumption, both of which may be undesirable. Cutting the food into smaller pieces may require more preparation and may be undesirable if the food product is to be stored in the container for long periods of time, as this may lead to deterioration of the food product's appearance and nutritional value.

[0008] Norwegian Design Registration No. 084240 in the name of UNIKIA AS shows a food container with an outwardly projecting dome at one end. The dome allows food items that do not fit in the rest of the container to be accommodated in the dome portion in some cases. However, the dome has a fixed shape and is therefore limited in its ability to accommodate such items. That is, if a square item hits the inner surface of the dome towards the periphery of the dome, the full height of the dome cannot be utilized to accommodate the item. Furthermore, because the dome has a fixed shape, it always projects beyond the container lid, permanently increasing the bulk of the container. Thus, the food container in question does not easily solve the problem of accommodating an item having a height greater than the height of the food container's accommodation space. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention provides a container, such as a food container, which overcomes, or at least mitigates, the above-mentioned shortcomings of currently available containers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0010] The present invention provides a container, the container having a container base and a container lid. The container base has a bottom and a wall rising from the bottom to define an interior of the container base. The container lid has a top cover and side edges, the top cover covering the bottom when the lid and base are closed. The top cover includes an elastically deformable portion and a non-elastic portion, the elastically deformable portion and the non-elastic portion each covering a different portion of the bottom when the lid and base are closed. The elastically deformable portion elastically deforms outwardly away from the bottom in contact with the article, causing the lid and container base to change to close. Thus, the elastically deformable portion facilitates the placement of an article inside the container base that is placed on a portion of the bottom below the elastically deformable portion and extends to contact the elastically deformable portion.

[0011] The container according to the present invention advantageously facilitates the storage of food or other articles having a height that exceeds the height of the storage space of the container by elastically deforming the elastically deformable portion outwardly so as to increase the height of the storage space. When the elastically deformed article is removed from the container, the elastically deformed portion can return to its pre-deformed state or shape, so that the increase in storage space due to the elastic deformation is temporary. Hereinafter, such articles are referred to as "oversized" articles.

[0012] Advantageously, the elastic deformation of the elastically deformable portion allows an oversized item to be accommodated in the container, and the container lid can close the container base, thereby closing the container. This prevents the item from falling out of the container, which may occur when the lid is half-open relative to the container base to place the oversized item in the container. Furthermore, in a container in which the lid and the container base are sealed when the lid is closed relative to the container base, the elastic deformation function of the present invention that allows the container to accommodate an oversized item allows the container to be sealed even when an oversized item is present in the container. In other words, food that requires the container to be sealed to prevent spoilage or leakage can be stored in the container even when an oversized item is present in the container. Furthermore, the container according to the present invention allows the oversized item to be held together with other items in the container, reducing the possibility that the oversized item will be overlooked during consumption.

[0013] When the lid and container base are closed, the elastically deformable and non-elastic portions of the top cover are each spaced apart from the bottom of the container base such that an object can be placed underneath the elastically deformable and non-elastic portions, respectively, when the lid and container base change to close. Thus, it is intended that objects placed inside the container base can be placed underneath either the elastically deformable or non-elastic portions. However, if an object has a size or height that would prevent or could prevent the lid and container base from changing to close when placed underneath the non-elastic portion, the object can be placed and moved underneath the elastically deformable portion, which would cause the elastically deformable portion to deform outwardly, facilitating the closure of the lid and container base.

[0014] Containers according to the invention may be of any suitable shape, such as, for example, generally square, rectangular, circular, or oval. Containers according to the invention may have a removable container lid, such that the lid can be completely removed from the container base to open the container. Alternatively, the lid may be permanently attached to the container base, such as by a hinge. The container may include a suitable clip or latch arrangement for securing the lid and container base when the container is closed.

[0015] The container according to the invention may have at least two compartments, as the container base includes at least one partition inside the container base. The separate compartments allow the items contained in the container to be separated from each other. For example, pre-refrigerated foods that may condense inside the container, such as fruits and drinks, may be separated from hygroscopic foods, such as sandwiches. The container base interior may be divided into two compartments. Alternatively, more than two compartments may be provided. The compartments may be of the same size or different sizes. When more than two compartments are provided, two compartments may be of the same size and one or more compartments may be of different sizes.

[0016] In the above aspects of the invention, the elastic deformation portion can cover one of the compartments. Alternatively, the elastic deformation portion can cover two or more compartments. For example, the elastic deformation portion can extend across two adjacent compartments so as to span over a partition between the adjacent compartments. Alternatively, the first elastic deformation portion can cover one compartment and the second elastic deformation portion can cover another compartment, such as an adjacent compartment. Alternatively, the compartments covered by the first elastic deformation portion and the second elastic deformation portion can be spaced apart from each other by another intermediate compartment. In these aspects of the invention, the first elastic deformation portion and the second elastic deformation portion can be separated by a non-elastic portion.

[0017] The first elastic deformation portion and the second elastic deformation portion can be used even in a container that does not have a partition wall. The first elastic deformation portion and the second elastic deformation portion can be simply provided when it is considered necessary or desirable to accommodate an oversized item in the container.

[0018] The elastic deformation part can have any suitable shape. The elastic deformation part may be, for example, substantially square, rectangular, circular or elliptical, but circular is considered to be the most suitable shape. This is because the pressure generated in the elastic deformation part during elastic deformation is generated almost equally throughout the elastic deformation part. However, the upper cover can include elastic deformation parts of various shapes as required. For example, when the elastic deformation part spans two adjacent sections, this part may be longer than it is wide, so it can be rectangular or elliptical.

[0019] When the elastic deformation portion is not engaged with the oversized article when the container lid closes the container base, and the elastic deformation portion is in an undeformed or resting state, the elastic deformation portion has a generally planar shape. In this form of the invention, the elastic deformation portion is deformed outwardly by stretching the material of the portion. Alternatively, the elastic deformation portion can be formed to have a generally corrugated cross-section in the undeformed or resting state. In the case of a circular elastic deformation portion, the corrugations can be formed as circles with increasing diameters. In this latter form of the invention, as the elastic deformation portion deforms outwardly, the corrugation cross-section itself deforms to become shallower until the corrugations disappear. The material of the elastic deformation portion can then be stretched to further deform. The corrugated cross-section is one example of a non-planar shape of the elastic deformation portion, and other non-planar shapes are within the scope of the invention.

[0020] The elastically deformable portion and the non-elastic portion can be formed in the upper cover of the container lid by any suitable method. For example, the elastically deformable portion and the non-elastic portion can be formed integrally. This can be achieved by forming the elastically deformable portion from the same material as the non-elastic portion and making the wall thickness of the elastically deformable portion thinner than that of the non-elastic portion. For example, the common material for the elastic portion and the non-elastic portion can be polypropylene, and the wall thickness of the non-elastic portion can be 2 to 4 mm, while the wall thickness of the elastically deformable portion can be 0.2 to 1 mm. This embodiment of the present invention can be manufactured by forming the upper cover by molding.

[0021] Alternatively, the elastically deformable and non-elastic portions can be formed separately. This form of the invention can also be produced by forming the top cover by molding two separate materials, one for the elastically deformable portion and one for the non-elastic portion, in a molding process.

[0022] In another aspect of the invention, the top cover includes a substrate of a non-elastic material for forming the non-elastic portion of the top cover, the substrate having an opening formed therein for receiving the elastically deformable portion. The opening may be a circular opening, or a square, rectangular, elliptical opening, or any other suitable shape suitable for forming the required shape of the elastically deformable portion. In this aspect of the invention, the elastically deformable portion may extend across the opening, such as from above or below the opening. Alternatively, the elastically deformable portion may be connected to an edge of the opening, or the like.

[0023] The elastically deformable portion can be connected to the edge of the opening, but in an alternative configuration according to the invention, the elastically deformable portion can also be connected to the outer or inner surface of the non-elastic portion of the top cover, with the connection point or area being spaced inwardly from the edge, which allows a more reliable connection between the elastically deformable portion of the top cover and the non-elastic portion.

[0024] Any suitable method may be used to connect the non-elastic portion of the top cover to the outer or inner surface, such as an adhesive connection. However, a releasable connection of the elastically deformable portion to the surface of the non-elastic portion provides an advantage for cleaning. Thus, in some forms of the invention, the surface of the non-elastic portion to which the elastically deformable portion is attached includes a groove for receiving and fixing a portion of the elastically deformable portion. The groove may completely surround an opening through which the elastically deformable portion extends. Alternatively, grooves may be provided for receiving and fixing individual portions of the elastically deformable portion. In other forms of the invention, a press-fit connection may be made between the elastically deformable portion and the non-elastic portion. This may include a protrusion on the elastically deformable portion that is pressed into an opening formed in the non-elastic portion to maintain the connection.

[0025] The connection to the outer or inner surface of the non-elastic portion of the top cover is possible with or without the elastic deformation portion being connected to the edge of the opening of the non-elastic portion. In some forms of the invention, the elastic deformation portion is connected to the outer or inner surface of the non-elastic portion, and the elastic deformation portion spans the opening of the non-elastic portion without connecting to the edge of the opening. In other forms of the invention, there is an engagement between the elastic deformation portion and the edge of the opening, but the engagement is only a bearing or contact engagement. Such engagement serves to fix the elastic deformation portion in place.

[0026] Although the above discussion refers to the option of connecting the elastically deformable portion to either the outer surface or the inner surface of the non-elastic portion of the top cover, when a connection is made, it is generally assumed that the connection is made to the inner surface of the non-elastic portion. In this configuration, when the engagement between the elastically deformable portion and the edge of the opening is only a bearing engagement or a contact engagement, the elastically deformable portion is connected to the inner surface of the non-elastic portion, and a part of the elastically deformable portion can extend into the opening of the non-elastic portion and bear against the opposing edge of the edge of the opening.

[0027] The elastically deformable portion can be formed as part of a seal attached to the inside of the container lid and sealing against a surface of the container base when the lid and base are closed. For example, the seal can seal against the top or opposing edges of the walls of the container base and the top or opposing edges of a partition provided inside the container base. The seal can include a sealing groove into which the walls of the container base and / or the top of any partition fits when the lid and base are closed.

[0028] The seal may be attached to the container lid in any suitable manner, and the connection of the resilient portion to the lid may be by similar attachment arrangements as described above.

[0029] Thus, the seal includes a sealing portion and an elastically deformable portion, and these two portions may be of the same material, so that the seal can be a single piece. The sealing portion can extend across the entire bottom of the container base, except for the portion of the bottom that is covered by the elastically deformable portion. Or, if the container base is partitioned, the sealing portion can extend across one or more compartments. In some forms of the invention, the elastically deformable portion covers one of the compartments and the sealing portion covers the other of the compartments, so that the seal extends across two compartments. In one form of the invention, the container base includes three compartments, and the seal covers two of the compartments.

[0030] The elastically deformable portion may include two separate substrates, an outer substrate and an inner substrate, each substrate extending across the opening of the non-elastic portion. In some forms of the invention, the outer substrate may be attached to the edge of the opening. The inner substrate may be attached to the inner or outer surface of the non-elastic portion of the top cover, spaced from the edge. It is generally envisaged that the inner substrate is made to the inner surface of the non-elastic portion. In this form of the invention, one of the inner substrate and the inner surface of the non-elastic portion may define a groove, and the other of the inner substrate and the inner surface of the non-elastic portion may have a protrusion that is received in the groove. This results in the inner substrate being attached to the inner surface of the non-elastic portion by receiving the protrusion in the groove. In other forms of the invention, a press-fit connection may be made between the inner substrate and the inner surface of the non-elastic portion. This may include a protrusion on the inner substrate that is pressed into an opening formed in the non-elastic portion to maintain the connection.

[0031] In the above aspect of the invention, the outer substrate is an overmold and the inner substrate is a removable seal. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] In order that the present invention may be more fully understood, certain embodiments are described with reference to the following figures.

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a container according to the invention in a closed state. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 shows the container of FIG. 1 with the container lid in a slightly open or ajar position. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 taken along line AA of FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 2 taken along line AA of FIG. 1, but with the container lid in a slightly open or half-open position as shown in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1, showing a state in which the elastic deformation portion is deformed outward. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 shows the container of FIG. 1 with the container lid fully open. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows different configurations for forming the elastically deformable portion. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows different configurations for forming the elastically deformable portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows different configurations for forming the elastically deformable portion. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 shows a different configuration for forming the elastically deformable portion. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 shows a different configuration for forming the elastic deformation portion. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows a different configuration for forming the elastically deformable portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0034] The accompanying drawings show a food container according to one embodiment of the present invention, however, it should be understood that the illustrated food container 10 is only one form of container to which the present invention may be applied.

[0035] The food container of Figures 1 and 2 includes a container base 11 and a container lid 12. Container base 11 has a bottom 13 with a wall 14 depending therefrom. Bottom 13 and wall 14 define a container base interior 15. A carry strap 16 is secured to front wall 14.

[0036] The container lid 12 has a rectangular top cover 18 and a side edge 19. The side edge 19 is an edge that extends downward from the outer periphery of the top cover 18 and overlaps with the upper end of the wall portion 14 when the container 10 is closed. The side edge 19 extends approximately perpendicular to the top cover 18.

[0037] The lid 12 is connected to the container base 11 by a rear hinge 21 and a hinged clip or latch 22 which, in the closed position shown in Figure 1, locks onto a protrusion 23. It will be readily apparent that the container 10 can be opened by releasing the latch 22 from the protrusion 23 and the lid 12 can be rotated upwardly about the hinge 21 and away from the base 11.

[0038] The container 10 includes an elastically deforming portion 25 and a non-elastic portion 26. In Figs. 3 to 5, the non-elastic portion 26 is terminated at the elastically deforming portion 25. The non-elastic portion 26 forms a main portion of the upper cover 18 of the container 10. As is clear from Fig. 1, when the container 10 is in the closed state, both the elastically deforming portion 25 and the non-elastic portion 26 cover the bottom portion 13 of the container base 11. However, the elastically deforming portion 25 and the non-elastic portion 26 each cover a different portion of the bottom portion 13.

[0039] A cross-sectional view of the container 10 taken along line AA in Fig. 1 in the closed state of Fig. 1 is shown in Fig. 3. Figs. 4 and 5 are also cross-sectional views of the container 10 taken along line AA. Fig. 4 shows the lid 12 slightly open from the base 11, while Fig. 5 shows the lid in a closed state but with the elastic deformation portion 25 deformed outward. In each of Figs. 4 and 5, a spherical food item 30 in the form of an apple is shown within the container base interior 15.

[0040] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the container 10 with the lid 12 fully open relative to the container base 11. FIG. 6 shows that the container base 11 includes a partition 31 extending upward from the bottom 13. FIG. 2 also shows the partition 31, although it is partially hidden. Thus, separate compartments are formed in the container base 11 for storing different foods separately. While FIGS. 3-5 show two compartments 32 and 33, FIG. 6 shows that the container 10 includes three compartments 32-34. The compartments 32 and 33 are substantially identical in shape and configuration and are approximately square-shaped. Meanwhile, the compartment 34 extends in the front-to-rear direction along the side of the container base 11 to form a single, approximately rectangular compartment that is approximately the same size as the combined size of the compartments 32 and 33.

[0041] As is clear from FIGS. 3 to 5, the elastic deformation portion 25 is part of a larger seal member 35 that extends across and seals each of the compartments 32 and 33. As shown in FIG. 3, the elastic deformation portion 25 covers only the compartment 33. Of course, the elastic deformation portion 25 can also be configured to extend into the compartment 32. Alternatively, it is possible to include a separate elastic deformation portion for extending into the compartment 32. Thus, although the arrangement of the elastic deformation portion 25 is shown in FIG. 3 as covering the compartment 33, it is not limited to that position, nor is it limited to covering only a single compartment.

[0042] Thus, the seal member 35 includes a seal portion 36 and an elastically deformable portion 25. The seal portion 36 underlies a portion of the non-elastic portion 26, and the seal member 35 is secured to the lid 12 by projections 37, 38, and 39 being received in grooves formed in the lid 12. The elastically deformable portion 25 extends across an opening 40 in the non-elastic portion 26 of the top cover 18 and engages an edge 41 of the opening 40 within a corresponding recess formed in the outer periphery of the elastically deformable portion 25. Because the opening 40 is a circular opening, the edge 41 is also a circular edge.

[0043] The entire sealing member 35 is made of an elastically deformable material, preferably silicone. Thus, the material of the elastically deformable portion 25 continues over the sealing portion 36 and each of the protrusions 37, 38, and 39. The sealing member 35 is for sealing the upper end or edge of the wall 14 and the partition 31 that define the compartments 32, 33. The sealing member 35 does not cover the compartment 34 and therefore does not cover and seal the compartment 34. This configuration is merely taken as an example to explain one aspect of the present invention. Thus, it is possible to provide various sealing configurations for sealing various or all compartments that may be provided in the container base.

[0044] In the closed state of the container 10 as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, the maximum height of the items that can be accommodated in the compartment 34 is a predetermined height H 34It will be understood that the height is the distance between the inner surfaces of the lid 12 and the bottom 13, and in the case of the compartment 34, no seal is interposed between these surfaces. For this reason, the maximum height of the article that can be accommodated in the compartment 32 is slightly lower than that of the compartment 34 due to the presence of the seal 36. Since the seal 36 is made of an elastically deformable material, an article having a height greater than the distance between the inner surface of the bottom 13 and the opposing surface of the seal 36 will deform the seal 36 towards the lid 12, but this deformation will cease as soon as the seal 36 rests on the inner surface of the lid 12. As a result, when the container base 11 and the lid 12 are closed, the articles that can be accommodated in the compartments 32 and 34 have substantially the same maximum height.

[0045] However, no similar height restrictions apply to items placed in section 33. As is apparent from FIG. 34 Food 30 that does not fit into compartments 32 or 34 because it exceeds the width of the food 30 can be successfully placed in compartment 33 and the lid 12 can be closed on the container base 11. This is because the food 30 engages with the elastic deformation portion 25, causing the elastic deformation portion 25 to elastically deform outward (away from the base 13) when the lid 12 and the container base 11 are brought into a closed state.

[0046] Although the food item 30 is shown as a spherical item, it is important to understand that any item within the compartment 33 that exceeds the height between the opposing faces of the bottom 13 and the inner surface 45 of the elastically deformable portion 25 will elastically deform outwardly when it comes into contact with the elastically deformable portion 25. Moreover, the elastically deformable portion 25 is generally planar in configuration at all times except when an item is engaged. Upon engagement, the elastically deformable portion 25 deforms outwardly to accommodate the item within the compartment 33. Of course, there is a limit to the extent to which the outward deformation of the elastically deformable portion 25 can occur, but items placed within the container 10 will typically be placed above a predetermined height H. 34 Lower than a given height H 34 In other words, the elastic deformation portion 25 is usually slightly higher than the predetermined height H 34 It is provided to accommodate slightly taller items.

[0047] Figures 7 to 10 show various configurations for forming the elastically deformable portion 25. The configurations in Figures 7 to 11 differ from the configurations in which the elastically deformable portion 25 is shown in Figures 3 to 6. Figures 7 to 11 respectively show the inelastic portion 50 of the container lid and the elastically deformable portion of the lid. In each figure, the elastically deformable portion is shown in two positions: a rest position (upper figure) and an elastically deformed position (lower figure).

[0048] 7, an integrated structure is shown in which non-elastic portions 50 are provided on both sides of an elastically deforming portion 51. The elastically deforming portion 51 is a thin-walled portion made of the same material as the non-elastic portion 50, and for example, both the elastically deforming portion 50 and the non-elastic portion 51 can be made of polypropylene. As described above, the thickness of the non-elastic portion 50 can be set to 2 to 4 mm, while the thickness of the elastically deforming portion 51 can be set to 0.2 to 1 mm.

[0049] 8 shows another integral structure, where the elastically deformable portion is formed by a corrugated portion. Therefore, first, the corrugated outer shape of the elastically deformable portion 52 is deformed to elastically deform outward, and then the corrugation itself is straightened or flattened to further deform. Furthermore, after the corrugation is flattened, the elastically deformable portion 51 can be deformed by elastically stretching.

[0050] 9 shows an overmolded configuration in which a section 53 of suitable soft elastic material such as TPE (thermoplastic elastomer) or TPU (thermoplastic polyurethane) is overmolded with a non-elastic plastic material (such as PP - polypropylene) of the non-elastic section 50. Both side edges of the section 53 of soft elastic material are connected to opposite edges of the non-elastic section 50 to form a chemical bond during overmolding that joins the two materials together.

[0051] 10 shows an arrangement in which inelastic portion 50 includes downwardly extending projections 54 to which an elastically deformable but removable seal 55 is secured. Seal 55 underlies an overmolded portion 56 which may be molded to inelastic portion 50 in a manner similar to that described above for FIG.

[0052] The configuration of Figure 10 also shows how the elastically deformable portion 25 can be fitted to the container 10 without providing a sealing portion 36 of the entire sealing member 35. Thus, in Figure 3, the elastically deformable portion 25 can terminate in a protrusion 38 rather than extending to the sealing portion 36. In such a configuration, see also Figure 6, only the compartment 33 is sealed.

[0053] 11 shows a similar configuration to FIG. 10, showing inelastic section 50 and overmolded section 56 connected therebetween, but also showing a removable peripheral seal 58 that fits over downwardly extending projections 54. Peripheral seal 58 extends around or surrounds overmolded section 56, rather than being underneath overmolded section 56 as in FIG.

[0054] FIG. 12 shows a similar configuration to FIG. 8, illustrating a unitary structure including a non-elastic portion 50 on either side of an elastically deformable portion 60. The elastically deformable portion 60 includes a thinned portion 61 that is unitary with and of the same material as the non-elastic portion 50. The thinned portion 61 is a corrugated portion. The elastically deformable portion 60 further includes an overmolded portion 62 molded onto the corrugations on the upper surface of the thinned portion 61. In the configuration of FIG. 12, the overmolded portion 62 forms the outer surface of the elastically deformable portion 60, and the corrugated portion 61 forms the inner surface of the elastically deformable portion 60.

[0055] The advantage of this configuration is that it is most appropriate for food grade containers, where silicone is typically used for the surfaces that come into contact with food. However, silicone is more expensive than other materials. However, in FIG. 12, a combination of thin corrugated food grade PP (thin wall portion 61) and overmolded TPE (overmolded portion 62) is used. This makes it easier to use less silicone (because thin wall portion 61 is thin) while still making the exterior of the container aesthetically pleasing by using TPE, which can be suitably colored and is soft to the touch.

[0056] 3 and 4, the elastically deformable portion 25 is generally continuous with the planar upper surface of the inelastic portion 26. While this is aesthetically preferred, other aspects of the invention may employ the configuration of FIG. 10 without the overmolded portion 56. Thus, in an undeformed state, the elastically deformable portion 55 extends below the outer surface of the inelastic portion 50. However, upon engagement with an article, the elastically deformable portion 55 is forced up past the outer surface of the inelastic portion 50 depending on the amount of deformation required to accommodate the article.

[0057] The food container 10 has a storage space height H 34 The elastic deformation portion 25 is elastically deformed outward so that the height H 34 This can advantageously facilitate the storage of items such as food having a height greater than 10 mm.

[0058] When any or all of the words "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this specification (including the claims), they shall be interpreted as specifying the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but not as excluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps or components.

[0059] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described, and it is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications that are within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A food container comprising: A container base; A container lid, having the container base has a bottom and a wall rising from the bottom to define an interior of the container base; The container lid has a top cover and a side edge; When the container base is closed with the container lid, the top cover covers the bottom, the top cover includes a non-elastic portion defining an opening and a resiliently deformable portion extending across the opening; When the container base is closed by the container lid, the elastically deformable portion and the inelastic portion each cover different portions of the bottom, The elastic deformation portion is formed as a part of the seal, the seal is attached to an inside of the container lid and seals against a surface of the container base when the container base is closed with the container lid; The elastic deformation portion elastically deforms outward, away from the bottom portion in contact with the item, thereby facilitating the storage of the item inside the container base, the item being located in the bottom portion below the elastic deformation portion and coming into contact with the elastic deformation portion when the container base is closed with the container lid.

2. 2. The food container according to claim 1, the container base includes at least one partition within the container base to form at least two compartments; A food container, wherein the elastically deformable portion covers one of the compartments.

3. A food container comprising: A container base; A container lid, having the container base has a bottom, a wall extending from the bottom to define an interior of the container base, and at least one partition forming at least two compartments within the container base; The container lid has a top cover and a side edge; When the container base is closed with the container lid, the top cover covers the bottom, the upper cover has a first elastically deforming portion, a second elastically deforming portion, and a non-elastic portion; when the container base is closed by the container lid, the first elastic deformation portion, the second elastic deformation portion, and the non-elastic portion each cover a different portion of the bottom; When the container base is closed by the container lid, the first elastic deformation portion covers one of the at least two compartments, and the second elastic deformation portion covers the other of the at least two compartments; A food container in which at least one of the first elastic deformation portion or the second elastic deformation portion elastically deforms outward away from the bottom portion in contact with an item, the food container being arranged on the bottom portion covered by at least one of the first elastic deformation portion or the second elastic deformation portion, and which makes it easy to store the item that contacts at least one of the first elastic deformation portion or the second elastic deformation portion inside the container base when the container base is closed with the container lid.

4. A food container comprising: A container base; A container lid, having the container base has a bottom and a wall rising from the bottom to define an interior of the container base; The container lid has a top cover and a side edge; When the container base is closed with the container lid, the top cover covers the bottom, the top cover includes a non-elastic portion defining an opening and a resiliently deformable portion extending across the opening; When the container base is closed by the container lid, the elastically deformable portion and the inelastic portion each cover different portions of the bottom, the opening has an edge; The elastic deformation portion is attached to the edge portion and an inner surface of the upper cover spaced apart from the edge portion, The inner surface of the upper cover to which the elastic deformation portion is attached has a groove at least in a part thereof, A portion of the elastic deformation portion is received in the groove and fixed thereto, The elastic deformation portion elastically deforms outward, away from the bottom portion in contact with the item, thereby making it easy to store the item inside the container base, the item being located on the bottom portion covered by the elastic deformation portion and coming into contact with the elastic deformation portion when the container base is closed with the container lid.

5. A food container comprising: a container base having a bottom and a wall rising from the bottom to define an interior of the container base, the wall including at least one partition within the interior of the container base to form at least two compartments; a container lid having an upper cover that covers the bottom when the container base is closed with the container lid; The upper cover is The device has a non-elastic portion having a hole and an elastically deformable portion having a size to be held within the hole, A food container in which, when the container base is closed with the container lid, the elastically deformable portion covers only one of the at least two compartments, and the non-elastic portion covers the remaining compartment of the at least two compartments.

6. A food container comprising: a container base having a bottom and a wall rising from the bottom to define an interior of the container base, the wall including at least one partition within the interior of the container base to form at least two compartments; a container lid having an upper cover that covers the inside of the container base when the container base is closed with the container lid; The upper cover is a non-resilient portion having an aperture offset from the center of the top cover; an elastically deformable portion covering the hole, A food container in which, when the container base is closed with the container lid, the elastically deformable portion covers one of the at least two compartments, and the non-elastic portion covers the remaining compartment of the at least two compartments.

7. 7. The food container according to claim 6, A food container in which, when the container base is closed with the container lid, the non-elastic portion covers the entirety of one of the at least two compartments, and the elastically deformable portion covers the other of the at least two compartments.

8. A food container comprising: a container base defining a container interior; a container lid that covers an inside of the container base when the container base is closed with the container lid; having The container lid is The elastically deformable portion and the non-elastic portion are included. the elastically deformable portion and the non-elastic portion each cover a different portion of the bottom when the container base is closed with the container lid, the range in which the inelastic portion covers the bottom is equal to or larger than the range in which the elastic deformation portion covers the bottom, A food container wherein the elastic deformation portion elastically deforms outwardly and away from the bottom when it comes into contact with an item placed underneath.

9. 9. The food container according to claim 8, the inelastic portion has a substrate made of an inelastic material with holes formed therein; The elastically deformable portion extends across the hole.

10. 10. The food container of claim 8 or 9, wherein the container base includes at least one partition within the container base to form at least two compartments.

11. A food container comprising: a container base having a bottom and a wall portion rising from the bottom and defining an interior of the container base, the wall portion including at least two partitions within the container base to form at least three compartments; a container lid that covers the inside of the container base when the container base is closed with the container lid, The container lid is A non-elastic portion; a first elastic deformation portion that covers one of the at least three compartments when the container base is closed with the container lid, and a second elastic deformation portion that covers another of the at least three compartments, The food container, wherein the inelastic portion covers the remaining compartments of the at least three compartments.

12. A food container comprising: a container base having a bottom and a wall rising from the bottom to define an interior of the container base, the wall including at least one partition within the interior of the container base to form at least two compartments; a container lid that covers the inside of the container base when the container base is closed with the container lid, The container lid has a non-elastic portion and an elastically deformable portion, A food container, wherein when the container base is closed with the container lid, the non-elastic portion covers the at least one partition wall and the elastic deformation portion covers at least one of the at least two compartments.

13. 13. The food container of claim 12, the inelastic portion comprises a substrate of an inelastic material having at least one aperture formed therein; The elastically deformable portion extends across the at least one hole.

14. 14. The food container according to claim 12 or 13, The elastic deformation portion is formed as a part of the seal, The seal is attached to an inside of the container lid and seals the container base when the container lid is closed on the container base.

15. 15. The food container of claim 14, The seal seals one or more of the at least two compartments, but not all of the compartments.

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