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 was developed as a food container for storing food for later consumption, usually food for consumption the same day. It will therefore be convenient to describe the present invention in relation to that application. However, it should be understood that the container of the present invention is not limited to a food container, but may be a container for storing 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 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 transporting food for later consumption. Many young children and schoolchildren 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 have a base and a lid. Typically, the base provides the majority 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 element on the opposite edge that cooperates to secure the lid closed relative to 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 surfaces of the base and lid. This height setting prevents food items with a height greater than the storage space height from being stored within the container. The rigid base and lid mean that when a food item with a height greater than the storage space height is stored within the food container, the lid must be left slightly open relative to the base to accommodate the larger food item or the food must be transported separately from the food container. Leaving the lid open relative to the base can result in the food being spilled from the container, while transporting the food separately can result in the food being overlooked during consumption, both of which may be undesirable. Cutting food into smaller pieces requires more preparation and may be undesirable when storing the food in the container for long periods of time, as this can lead to deterioration in the food's appearance and nutritional value.

[0008] Norwegian Design Registration No. 084240 in the name of UNIKIA AS shows a food container with an outwardly protruding dome at one end. The dome allows food items that would otherwise not fit in the rest of the container to be placed within the dome. However, the dome's fixed shape limits its ability to accommodate such items. That is, if a square item were to strike the dome's inner surface toward the periphery, the full height of the dome would not be sufficient to accommodate the item. Furthermore, because the dome's shape is fixed, it always protrudes beyond the container lid, permanently increasing the container's bulk. Therefore, the food container in question does not readily address the problem of accommodating items that are taller than the height of the food container's storage space. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

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

[0010] The present invention provides a container having a container base and a container lid. The container base has a bottom and a wall rising from the bottom to define the interior of the container base. The container lid has a top cover and side edges, and the top cover covers the bottom when the lid and base are closed. The top cover includes an elastically deformable portion and a non-elastic portion, and when the lid and base are closed, the elastically deformable portion and the non-elastic portion each cover different portions of the bottom. The elastically deformable portion elastically deforms outward, away from the bottom that is in contact with the item, thereby changing to close the lid and container base. Therefore, the elastically deformable portion makes it easy to store an item placed on a portion of the bottom below the elastically deformable portion and extending enough to contact the elastically deformable portion inside the container base.

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

[0012] Advantageously, the elastic deformation of the elastically deformable portion allows an oversized item to be accommodated within 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 can occur when the lid is left partially open relative to the container base to insert the oversized item into the container. Furthermore, in containers where the lid and container base are sealed when the lid is closed relative to the container base, the elastic deformation feature of the present invention, which allows for the accommodation of an oversized item, allows the container to remain sealed even when an oversized item is present within the container. In other words, food that requires the container to be sealed to prevent spoilage or leakage can be stored within the container even when an oversized item is present within the container. Furthermore, because the container of the present invention can hold the oversized item along with other items within the container, the oversized item is less likely to 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, so that an object can be placed beneath the elastically deformable and non-elastic portions, respectively, when the lid and container base are closed. Accordingly, it is intended that objects placed inside the container base can be placed beneath 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 closing when placed beneath the non-elastic portion, the object can be placed and moved beneath the elastically deformable portion, causing the elastically deformable portion to deform outward, facilitating closure of the lid and container base.

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

[0015] The container according to the present invention can have a container base that includes at least one partition wall inside the container base, thereby forming at least two compartments. The separate compartments allow items stored in the container to be separated from one another. For example, pre-refrigerated foods, such as fruit or drinks, that may condense inside the container can be separated from hygroscopic foods, such as sandwiches. The interior of the container base can be divided into two compartments. Alternatively, two or more compartments can be provided. The compartments can be the same size or different sizes. When three or more compartments are provided, two compartments can be the same size, and one or more compartments can be different sizes.

[0016] In the above aspects of the present 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 bridge the partition between the adjacent compartments. Alternatively, a first elastic deformation portion can cover one compartment, and a 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 separated from each other by another intermediate compartment. In these aspects of the present invention, the first elastic deformation portion and the second elastic deformation portion can be separated by a non-elastic portion.

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

[0018] The elastically deformable portion can have any suitable shape. For example, the elastically deformable portion may be substantially square, rectangular, circular, or elliptical, but a circular shape is considered most suitable. This is because the pressure generated in the elastically deformable portion during elastic deformation is generally uniform throughout the elastically deformable portion. However, the upper cover can include elastically deformable portions of various shapes as needed. For example, if the elastically deformable portion spans two adjacent sections, this portion may be longer than it is wide, so it can be rectangular or elliptical.

[0019] When the elastically deformable portion is not engaged with an oversized item when the container lid is closing the container base, and the elastically deformable portion is in an undeformed or resting state, the elastically deformable portion has a generally planar shape. In this form of the invention, the elastically deformable portion deforms outward by stretching the material at that portion. Alternatively, the elastically deformable portion can be formed to have a generally wavy cross-section in the undeformed or resting state. In the case of a circular elastically deformable portion, the corrugations can be formed as circles with increasing diameters. In this latter form of the invention, as the elastically deformable portion deforms outward, the cross-section of the corrugations themselves deforms, becoming shallower until the corrugations disappear. Further deformation can then occur as the material of the elastically deformable portion stretches. The wavy cross-section is one example of a non-planar shape for the elastically deformable 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 top 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 the non-elastic portion. For example, the elastic and non-elastic portions can be made of a common material such as polypropylene, with the wall thickness of the non-elastic portion being 2 to 4 mm and the wall thickness of the elastically deformable portion being 0.2 to 1 mm. This aspect of the present invention can be manufactured by forming the top 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 overmolding two separate materials in a molding process, one for the elastically deformable portion and one for the non-elastic portion.

[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, and the substrate has an opening formed therein for receiving the elastically deformable portion. The opening can be a circular opening, or a square, rectangular, oval, 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 can extend across the opening from above or below the opening. Alternatively, the elastically deformable portion can be connected to the edge of the opening.

[0023] Although the elastically deformable portion can be connected to the edge of the opening, in an alternative configuration according to the present 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 inward from the edge, which allows for a more secure connection between the elastically deformable portion of the top cover and the non-elastic portion.

[0024] Any suitable method can be used to connect the non-elastic portion of the top cover to the outer or inner surface, such as an adhesive connection. However, detachable connection of the elastically deformable portion to the surface of the non-elastic portion provides cleaning advantages. Accordingly, in some embodiments of the invention, the surface of the non-elastic portion to which the elastically deformable portion is attached includes a groove that receives and secures a portion of the elastically deformable portion. The groove can completely surround an opening through which the elastically deformable portion extends. Alternatively, grooves can be provided that receive and secure individual portions of the elastically deformable portion. In other embodiments of the invention, a press-fit connection can be made between the elastically deformable portion and the non-elastic portion. This can include a protrusion on the elastically deformable portion that presses into an opening formed in the non-elastic portion to maintain the connection.

[0025] The connection of the non-elastic portion of the top cover to the outer or inner surface is possible whether or not the elastically deformable portion is connected to the edge of the opening in the non-elastic portion. In some embodiments of the invention, the elastically deformable portion is connected to the outer or inner surface of the non-elastic portion, and the elastically deformable portion spans the opening in the non-elastic portion without connecting to the edge of the opening. In other embodiments of the invention, there is engagement between the elastically deformable portion and the edge of the opening, but the engagement is only a bearing or contact engagement. Such engagement helps to secure the elastically deformable portion in place.

[0026] Although the above discussion has mentioned the option of connecting the elastically deformable portion to either the outer surface or the inner surface of the non-elastic portion of the upper cover, when a connection is made, it is generally assumed that the connection will be 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 portion of the elastically deformable portion can extend into the opening of the non-elastic portion and bear against the opposite 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 the surface of the container base when the lid and base are closed. For example, the seal can seal against the upper end or opposing edge of the wall of the container base and the upper end or opposing edge of a partition provided inside the container base. The seal can include a sealing groove into which the wall of the container base and / or the upper end of any partition fit 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 made of the same material, thereby allowing the seal to be a single component. The sealing portion may extend across the entire bottom of the container base, except for the portion of the bottom covered by the elastically deformable portion. Alternatively, if the container base is partitioned, the sealing portion may extend across one or more compartments. In some embodiments of the present invention, the elastically deformable portion covers one compartment and the sealing portion covers the other compartment, thereby allowing the seal to extend across two compartments. In one embodiment of the present invention, the container base includes three compartments, and the seal covers two of the compartments.

[0030] The elastically deformable portion can include two separate substrates, an outer substrate and an inner substrate, each extending across the opening in the non-elastic portion. In some embodiments of the invention, the outer substrate can be attached to the edge of the opening. The inner substrate can be attached to either the inner or outer surface of the non-elastic portion of the top cover, spaced from the edge. It is generally envisioned that the inner substrate is fabricated on the inner surface of the non-elastic portion. In this embodiment of the invention, one of the inner substrate and the inner surface of the non-elastic portion can define a groove, and the other of the inner substrate and the inner surface of the non-elastic portion can have a protrusion that is received in the groove. This allows the inner substrate to be attached to the inner surface of the non-elastic portion by receiving the protrusion in the groove. In another embodiment of the invention, a press-fit connection can be made between the inner substrate and the inner surface of the non-elastic portion. This can include a protrusion on the inner substrate that is pressed into the 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 explanation of the drawings]

[0032] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, certain embodiments will now be described with reference to the following figures.

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a container according to the invention in a closed state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows the container of FIG. 1 with the container lid in a slightly open or ajar position. [Figure 3] 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 ajar position as shown in FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1, showing a state in which the elastically deforming 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 elastically deformable portion. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 shows a different configuration for forming the elastically deformable portion. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] The accompanying drawings show a food container according to one embodiment of the present invention, however, it should be understood that the food container 10 shown 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. The container base 11 has a bottom 13 from which a wall 14 depends. The bottom 13 and the wall 14 define a container base interior 15. A carry strap 16 is secured to the 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, and in the closed position shown in Figure 1, the latch 22 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, allowing the lid 12 to rotate 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 Figures 3 to 5, the non-elastic portion 26 is discontinued at the elastically deforming portion 25. The non-elastic portion 26 forms a major portion of the top cover 18 of the container 10. As is clear from Figure 1, when the container 10 is in the closed state, the elastically deforming portion 25 and the non-elastic portion 26 both cover the bottom 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 13.

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

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

[0041] As is clear from FIGS. 3 to 5, the elastically deformable 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 elastically deformable portion 25 covers only compartment 33. Of course, the elastically deformable portion 25 can also be configured to extend into compartment 32. Alternatively, it is possible to include a separate elastically deformable portion for extending into compartment 32. Therefore, although the arrangement of the elastically deformable portion 25 is shown in FIG. 3 as covering compartment 33, it is not limited to this position, nor is it limited to covering only a single compartment.

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

[0043] The entire sealing member 35 is formed of an elastically deformable material, preferably silicone. Therefore, the material of the elastically deformable portion 25 extends over the sealing portion 36 and each of the protrusions 37, 38, and 39. The sealing member 35 is intended to seal the upper end or edge of the wall 14 and the partition 31 that define the compartments 32 and 33. The sealing member 35 does not cover and seal the compartment 34. This configuration is merely an example used to explain one embodiment of the present invention. Therefore, various sealing configurations can be provided to seal various or all of the 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 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 with respect to compartment 34, no seal is interposed between these surfaces. As a result, the maximum height of an item that can be accommodated in compartment 32 is slightly lower than that of compartment 34 due to the presence of seal 36. Because seal 36 is formed of an elastically deformable material, an item that has a height greater than the distance between the inner surface of bottom 13 and the opposing surface of seal 36 will deform seal 36 toward lid 12, but the deformation will cease as soon as seal 36 rests on the inner surface of lid 12. As a result, when container base 11 and lid 12 are closed, substantially the same maximum height applies to the items that can be accommodated in compartments 32 and 34.

[0045] However, the same height restriction does not apply to items placed in section 33. As is clear 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 when the lid 12 and the container base 11 are brought into a closed state, 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).

[0046] While food item 30 is shown as a spherical item, it is important to understand that any item within compartment 33 that exceeds the height between the opposing faces of bottom 13 and inner surface 45 of elastically deformable portion 25 will elastically deform outward when it comes into contact with elastically deformable portion 25. Furthermore, elastically deformable portion 25 is generally planar at all times except when an item is engaged, at which time elastically deformable portion 25 deforms outward to accommodate the item within compartment 33. Of course, there is a limit to the extent to which elastically deformable portion 25 can deform outward, but items placed within container 10 will typically be placed above a predetermined height H 34 Lower than the specified 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 shows an integrated structure 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 portion made of the same material as the non-elastic portion 50; 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 2 to 4 mm, while the thickness of the elastically deforming portion 51 can be 0.2 to 1 mm.

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

[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 soft elastic material section 53 are connected to opposite edges of the non-elastic section 50, forming a chemical bond during overmolding that joins the two materials together.

[0051] 10 shows a configuration in which inelastic portion 50 includes downwardly extending projections 54, and an elastically deformable but removable seal 55 is secured to projections 54. Seal 55 underlies an overmolded portion 56 that can 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 the 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, only the compartment 33 is sealed, see also Figure 6.

[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. 11.

[0054] FIG. 12 shows a configuration similar 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 integral with and made 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 top 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 corrugations 61 form the inner surface of the elastically deformable portion 60.

[0055] The advantage of this configuration is most relevant for food-grade containers, where silicone is typically used for 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-walled portion 61) and overmolded TPE (overmolded portion 62) is used. This makes it easier to reduce the amount of silicone used (because thin-walled portion 61 is thin) while still achieving an aesthetically pleasing exterior appearance by using TPE, which can be suitably colored and is soft to the touch.

[0056] 3 and 4, elastically deformable portion 25 is generally continuous with the planar upper surface of inelastic portion 26. While this is aesthetically preferable, other aspects of the invention may employ the configuration of FIG. 10 without overmolded portion 56. Thus, in an undeformed state, elastically deformable portion 55 extends below the outer surface of inelastic portion 50. However, upon engagement with an article, elastically deformable portion 55 is forced up beyond the outer surface of 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 of the storage space of the container 10 increases. 34 This can advantageously facilitate the storage of items such as food having a height greater than 1 / 2.

[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 to be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications within its spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A food container comprising: a container base; A container lid, and the container base has a bottom and a wall extending 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 with the container lid, the elastically deformable portion and the non-elastic portion cover different portions of the bottom, respectively; the elastically deformable portion is formed as a part of the seal, the seal is attached to the 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 that is 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. 10. The food container of claim 1, the container base includes at least one partition wall within the container base to form at least two compartments; A food container in which the elastically deformable portion covers one of the compartments.

3. A food container comprising: a container base; A container lid, and 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 wall forming at least two compartments within the 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 upper cover has a first elastically deforming portion, a second elastically deforming portion, and a non-elastic portion; When the container base is closed with 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 with 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 positioned 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 comes into contact with 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, and the container base has a bottom and a wall extending 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 with the container lid, the elastically deformable portion and the non-elastic portion cover different portions of the bottom, respectively; 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, an inner surface of the upper cover to which the elastic deformation portion is attached has a groove in at least a part thereof; a part of the elastic deformation portion is accommodated in the groove and fixed; The elastic deformation portion elastically deforms outward, away from the bottom portion that is in contact with the item, thereby making it easier to store the item inside the container base, which is located on the bottom portion covered by the elastic deformation portion and comes 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 extending from the bottom and defining an interior of the container base, the container base including at least one partition wall within the interior of the container base thereby forming 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 a non-elastic portion having a hole and an elastically deformable portion of a size that can 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 extending from the bottom and defining an interior of the container base, the container base including at least one partition wall within the interior of the container base thereby forming 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 a hole offset from the center of the top cover; an elastically deformable portion that covers 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 entire 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 the inside of the container base when the container base is closed with the container lid; and The container lid is It has an elastically deformable portion and a non-elastic portion, the elastically deformable portion and the non-elastic portion cover different portions 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 greater than the range in which the elastic deformation portion covers the bottom, The food container has an elastically deformable portion that elastically deforms outward 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 wall within the container base to form at least two compartments.

11. A food container comprising: a container base having a bottom and a wall extending from the bottom and defining an interior of the container base, the container base including at least two partitions within the interior of the container base thereby forming 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 elastically deformable portion that covers one of the at least three compartments when the container base is closed with the container lid, and a second elastically deformable portion that covers another of the at least three compartments, The food container wherein the non-elastic 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 extending from the bottom and defining an interior of the container base, the container base including at least one partition wall within the interior of the container base thereby forming 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 in which, 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 has a substrate of inelastic material with at least one hole 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 elastically deformable portion is formed as a part of the seal, The seal is attached to the 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 food container wherein the seal seals one or more but not all of the at least two compartments.

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