Closure device

Abstract

A closure device for a storage container includes a container body with an upper rim having at least two locating notches and a lid with corresponding deformable closure tabs extending from its perimeter edge, each tab formed from an elastic material In use, the tabs deform by flexing or stretching to engage the locating notches and partially return to exert a downward clamping force, securing the lid and maintaining a seal. The tabs may be overmolded with a gasket for enhanced sealing. The device enables repeated engagement without loss of elasticity, compensating for minor deformations from washing or use, with applications in food storage and microwaving. The lid is invertible for venting and profiled for stacking.

Description

CLOSURE DEVICEField of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to storage containers and in particular to closure mechanisms for storage containers.

[0002] The invention has been developed primarily for use in methods and systems for improved closure mechanisms for food storage containers formed from a plastics material and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use.

[0003] Embodiments address limitations in prior closures that degrade after repeated thermal / mechanical cycles, providing resilient elastic tabs for maintained sealing force.Background

[0004] Any discussion of the background art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such background art is prior art, nor that such background art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the field in Australia or worldwide as at the priority date of the present application.

[0005] All references, including any patents or patent applications, cited in this specification are hereby incorporated by reference, which means that it should be read and considered by the reader as part of this text. That the document, reference, patent application or patent cited in this text is not repeated in this text is merely for reasons of conciseness.

[0006] No admission is made that any reference or documentation cited in the present specification constitutes prior art. The discussion of the references states what their authors assert, and the applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinence of the cited documents. It will be clearly understood that, although a number of prior art publications may be referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that any of these documents forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or in any other country, at the priority date of the application.

[0007] Food containers are commonly used for storing and transporting food items. A key requirement of such containers is the ability to securely seal the contents to preventspills, maintain freshness, and protect against contaminants. Existing food containers may employ various sealing mechanisms, such as snap-fit closures or screw-on lids. However, many of these mechanisms suffer from design complexities or limitations in ensuring a reliable and airtight seal and many closure mechanisms suffer from material fatigue after repeated closure cycles causing them to eventually fail. For example, many prior art closure mechanisms comprise a rigid plastic tab extending from a side of a lid and which are designed to bend inwards to engage an over-centre ridge formation provided in a container body in a snap-fit manner. Over time, repeated closure cycles cause the tab material at the bending site to fatigue and eventually break. Many rigid plastic materials also fatigue under repeated exposure to heat, for example if placed in a dishwashing machine, which will usually accelerate the fatigue and breakage of the closure tabs rendering the lid unable to seal the container.

[0008] For example, hinged clamps (e.g., US20220402662A1 ) fold but fatigue overtime; tamper-evident buckles (e.g., TWI814273B) are single-use; flange bindings (e.g., KR20160003913U) deform; sleeve latches (e.g., US9067713B2) require auxiliary parts; simple snaps (e.g., Klean Kanteen) lack cycle resilience. In particular, prior art deformable tab systems (e.g., US 2022 / 0402662 A1 ) suffer from permanent deformation of the tab after 50-100 cycles, leading to seal failure. Furthermore, over-center ridge systems (common in rigid plastic lids) have a tendency to warp after heat drying, reducing sealing force by up to 80%.

[0009] There is therefore a need for a food container that provides a simple yet effective sealing mechanism using readily available materials, with a design that allows for repeated use without degradation. The closure device described herein seeks to address those needs by providing a plastic food container with a lid that features elastic tabs, which engage complementary locating notches on the container base, creating a secure seal to lock the lid in place.

[0010] A variety of different types of containers are available for general storage use, some of which are particularly designed for the storage and preservation of food items for later consumption and / or use. These containers may be intended for commercial use during the distribution of food items, home use for the storing of recently prepared food items, or both.

[0011] Rigid containers are preferable as they are durable, can maintain their shape, and thereby protect the stored items (e.g., food items, etc.) from being crushed. Another advantage is that the rigid containers are usually easily washable and, therefore, reusable. Also, it is desirable that rigid containers be temperature and microwave resistant to allow for heating, cooling, and freezing of the stored food items within the container.

[0012] These containers, such as bowls for food items and the like, are generally provided with lids which are adapted to engage the opening of the container to form an airtight seal and attached to the container body by a closure mechanism. The closure mechanism is required to retain the lid in the engaged position to maintain the airtight seal between the lid and the container. However, the container / lid combinations have typically been susceptible to leakage, or difficulties in securing the lid to the container. Common closure mechanisms include two or more tabs formed in the periphery of the lid, such tabs including a over-centring formation which is configured to engage with a ridge formed in the container to secure the lid to the container. Such mechanisms, however, deteriorate over time such that fastening the lid to the container by the closure mechanism becomes difficult to use, particularly for users with reduced strength or hand dexterity, such as the elderly or very young. This problem of securing the lid to the container can be aggravated after the container and lid have been washed and dried by heat, which can result in slight deformations of the container and / or lid. Such container / lid combinations, as a result of slight deformation, can lose their ability to generate a tight seal between said lid and container.

[0013] It is desirable for an improved closure device to securely engage a lid with a respective container body which is easy to use and does not deteriorate over time.

[0014] It would be further desirable to provide a storage container and lid combination that can be used to form an airtight, lockable, leak-proof seal, be a microwavable container, and which lid can be repeatedly and releasably securable to the container after being subjected to many wash and dry cycles.Summary

[0015] It is an object of the present invention to overcome or ameliorate at least one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art, or to provide a useful alternative. The presentinvention addresses this by elastic tabs that stretch and partially return, exerting downward clamping for >90% seal retention after 200 cycles.

[0016] Throughout this specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise”, “comprises” and “comprising” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated step or element or group of steps or elements but not the exclusion of any other step or element or group of steps or elements.

[0017] Any one of the terms “including” or “which includes” or “that includes” as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the elements / features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, “including” is synonymous with and means “comprising”.

[0018] In the claims, as well as in the summary above and the description below, all transitional phrases such as “comprising”, “including”, “carrying”, “having”, “containing”, “involving”, “holding”, “composed of”, and the like are to be understood to be open-ended, i.e. , to mean “including but not limited to”. Only the transitional phrases “consisting of” and “consisting essentially of” alone shall be closed or semi-closed transitional phrases, respectively.

[0019] Even though particular combinations of features are recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification, these combinations are not intended to limit the disclosure of possible implementations. In fact, many of these features may be combined in ways not specifically recited in the claims and / or disclosed in the specification. Although each dependent claim listed below may directly depend on only one claim, the disclosure of possible implementations includes each dependent claim in combination with every other claim in the claim set.

[0020] The invention disclosed herein provides a closure device wherein deformable closure tabs are integrally formed with the lid, each tab having a root portion of reduced thickness and a distal engagement lip, configured to elastically deform inward laterally inward during engagement and return to an unbiased position within an undercut notch, thereby generating a continuous inward sealing force. The invention disclosed herein further provides a container comprising the improved closure device. In preferred forms, the tabs are formed from polypropylene with a Shore D hardness of 50-70, and the notch includes an inward bevel of 10-30°, promoting snap-fit engagement without permanent set. The invention disclosed herein further provides: a storage container, for example forfood storage, comprising the improved closure device; a method for securing a lid of a container; a method of manufacturing a lid for a container; and a method of using a food storage container for repeated sealing.

[0021] According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a storage container comprising: a container body having: a bottom surface; a sidewall extending upwardly therefrom defining an interior space, and an upper rim defining an opening to the interior space, the upper rim including at least two locating notches; a lid having a top surface and a perimeter edge comprising: at least two elastically deformable closure tabs integrally extending outwardly from the perimeter edge, each tab positioned to correspond to a respective locating notch when the lid covers the opening; wherein each tab is configured to elastically deform when pressed toward the respective locating notch and at least partially return toward an original shape upon engagement therewith, thereby securing the lid to the container body and creating a seal therebetween.

[0022] According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a closure device for providing a secure closure between a lid and a respective container body, the container body comprising: a bottom surface; a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom surface to define an interior space; and an upper rim defining an opening to the interior space; the lid comprising a top surface and a perimeter edge; wherein the container body comprises two or more locating notches formed in the upper rim; and wherein the closure device comprises two or more deformable closure tabs extending outwardly from the perimeter edge of the lid, each deformable closure tab being formed from an elastic or rubberised material and corresponding in position to one of the locating notches in the upper rim of the container body when the lid is engaged with the container body.

[0023] The deformable closure tab may be formed from an elastic or rubberised material.

[0024] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a food storage container comprising a container body. The container body may comprise: a bottom surface; a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom surface to define an interior space; and an upper rim defining an opening to the interior space, the upper rim including two or more locating notches formed therein.

[0025] The container may further comprise a lid portion configured to cover the opening of the container body. The lid portion may comprise a top surface; a perimeter edge; and two or more deformable closure tabs extending outwardly from the perimeter edge, each deformable closure tab being formed from an elastic or rubberised material and corresponding in position to one of the locating notches in the upper rim of the container body. In use, when the lid portion is placed on the container body to cover the opening, each deformable closure tab may be adapted to deform by flexing or stretching to engage its corresponding locating notch, and upon release, partially return toward its original shape to exert a downward clamping force securing the lid portion to the container body and maintaining a seal therebetween, without requiring engagement with a lateral wall extension, an opposing flange, or a protective sleeve.

[0026] According to a particular arrangement of the third aspect, there is provided a food storage container comprising: a container body having: a bottom surface; a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom surface to define an interior space; an upper rim defining an opening to the interior space, the upper rim including two or more locating notches formed therein; a lid portion configured to cover the opening of the container body, the lid portion having: a top surface; a perimeter edge; and two or more deformable closure tabs extending outwardly from the perimeter edge, each deformable closure tab being formed from an elastic orrubberised material and corresponding in position to one of the locating notches in the upper rim of the container body; wherein, in use, when the lid portion is placed on the container body to cover the opening, each deformable closure tab is adapted to deform by flexing or stretching to engage its corresponding locating notch, and upon release, partially return toward its original shape to exert a downward clamping force securing the lid portion to the container body and maintaining a seal therebetween, without requiring engagement with a lateral wall extension, an opposing flange, or a protective sleeve.

[0027] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a plastic food container. The container may comprise a container body having a peripheral edge and at least two locating notches disposed along the peripheral edge. The container may further comprise a lid configured to fit over the container body. The lid may have a peripheral rim. The rim may include at least two deformable closure tabs formed from an elastic or rubberised material positioned opposite one another. The deformable closure tabs may be operable to engage the locating notches of the container body. The deformable closure tabs may be adapted to deform when pressed toward the locating notches and partially return towards their original shape once engaged with the respective locating notch, to exert a downward clamping force thereby securely locking the lid onto the container body to create and maintain a seal between the lid and the container body.

[0028] According to a particular arrangement of the fourth aspect, there is provided a plastic food container comprising: a container body having a peripheral edge and at least two locating notches disposed along the peripheral edge; and a lid configured to fit over the container body, the lid having a peripheral rim, the rim including at least two deformable closure tabs formed from an elastic or rubberised material positioned opposite one another, the deformable closure tabs being operable to engage the locating notches of the container body; wherein the deformable closure tabs are adapted to deform when pressed toward the locating notches and partially return towards their original shape, thereby securely locking the lid onto the container body to create and maintain a seal between the lid and the container body.

[0029] The following are additional features of the closure device and the food storage container including the improved closure device and are applicable to each of the above aspects of the invention and may be utilised in combination with any one or more of the above aspects, in any combination.

[0030] The downward clamping force exerted by the deformable closure tabs may secure the lid portion to the container body and maintain a seal therebetween, without requiring engagement with a lateral wall extension, an opposing flange, or a protective sleeve.

[0031] The locating notches may be positioned at opposing locations on the container body. The deformable closure tabs may engage the locating notches in a reversible manner via radial inward flexing. The deformable closure tabs may engage respective locating notches in a captive manner.

[0032] The deformable closure tabs may be formed from a material having sufficient flexibility to allow for repeated engagement and disengagement with the locating notches without losing elasticity.

[0033] The lid of the third or fourth aspects may further include a gasket or sealing material positioned along its peripheral rim to enhance the sealing capability when the deformable closure tabs engage the locating notches. The gasket may be integrally formed with the one or more deformable closure tabs.

[0034] The container body and lid of the third or fourth aspects may be formed from a food-safe plastic material.

[0035] A top surface of the lid portion of the container of the third or fourth aspects, may be profiled to seal the opening of the container body.

[0036] The lid portion may be invertible relative to the container body such that, in an inverted orientation, the deformable closure tabs engage the locating notches to retain the lid portion during internal pressure increases, for example during microwaving of food within the container.

[0037] The food storage container may further comprise a profiled top surface on the lid portion adapted to receive the bottom surface of another identical container body for stable stacking.

[0038] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container comprising: a container body having a bottom surface; a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom surface to define an interior space; an upper rim defining an opening to the interior space, the upper rim including at least one locating notch formed therein; and a lid portion configured to cover the opening of the container body, the lid portion having a top surface and a perimeter edge; wherein: at least one deformable closure tab extends outwardly from the perimeter edge of the lid portion, the deformable closure tab being formed from an elastic or rubberised material and corresponding in position to the at least one locating notch in the upper rim of the container body; and in use, when the lid portion is placed on the container body to cover the opening, the deformable closure tab is adapted to deform by flexing, stretching, or bending to engage the locating notch, and upon release, at least partially returns toward its original shape to exert a clamping force securing the lid portion to the container body and maintaining a seal therebetween.

[0039] The deformable closure tab may be integrally formed with a gasket along the perimeter edge of the lid portion, the gasket and tab comprising the same elastic or rubberised material.

[0040] The flexible material of the deformable closure tab may enable deformation without permanent loss of elasticity after repeated engagement cycles.

[0041] The locating notches may be positioned on the upper rim, and the deformable closure tab may engage respective locating notches in a reversible manner.

[0042] The container body and lid portion may be formed from a plastic material configured for repeated use without substantial deformation exceeding the clamping force of the deformable closure tab.

[0043] The lid portion may be invertible relative to the container body such that, in an inverted orientation, the deformable closure tabs engages the respective locating notches to retain the lid portion.

[0044] The container may further comprise a profiled top surface on the lid portion adapted to receive the bottom surface of another container body for stacking.

[0045] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of releasably securing a lid to a container body, the method comprising: aligning elastically deformable tabs extending outwardly from a perimeter edge of the lid with notches in an upper rim of the container body; pressing the tabs toward the notches to deform the tabs; and engaging the deformed tabs with the notches, allowing the tabs to at least partially return toward their original shape to secure the lid to the container body

[0046] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of securing a lid portion to a container body of a food storage container, the method comprising: placing the lid portion over an opening defined by an upper rim of the container body, wherein the upper rim includes two or more locating notches formed therein, and the lid portion includes two or more deformable closure tabs extending outwardly from a perimeter edge of the lid portion, each deformable closure tab being formed from an elastic material and aligned with a corresponding locating notch; deforming each deformable closure tab by flexing or stretching to engage the corresponding locating notch; and releasing each deformable closure tab, allowing it to partially return toward its original shape to exert a downward clamping force, thereby securing the lid portion to the container body and maintaining a seal therebetween, without engaging a lateral wall extension, an opposing flange, or a protective sleeve.

[0047] The method of the sixth or seventh aspects may further comprise inverting the lid portion relative to the container body and engaging the deformable closure tabs with the locating notches to retain the lid portion during internal pressure increases, such as during microwaving.

[0048] The method may further comprise stacking a second identical food storage container on the lid portion by receiving a bottom surface of the second container body on a profiled top surface of the lid portion for stable stacking.

[0049] According to a eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of manufacturing a lid portion for a food storage container, the method comprising:forming a lid body having a top surface and a perimeter edge; overmolding an elastic material onto the perimeter edge to integrally form two or more deformable closure tabs extending outwardly therefrom and a gasket along the perimeter edge, wherein the deformable closure tabs and gasket comprise the same elastic material; and configuring the deformable closure tabs to deform by at least 10% without permanent loss of elasticity after at least 500 engagement cycles.

[0050] The elastic material may have a Shore A hardness of between about 40-80.

[0051] The overmolding may be performed in a single step, bonding the elastic material to the lid body via heat and pressure without adhesives.

[0052] According to an ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of using a food storage container for repeated sealing, the method comprising: repeatedly engaging and disengaging deformable closure tabs of a lid portion with locating notches in an upper rim of a container body over at least 500 cycles, wherein each engagement involves deforming the tabs to engage the locating notches and releasing them to exert a downward clamping force maintaining a seal; and washing the container body and lid portion, wherein the deformable closure tabs compensate for minor deformations up to about 0.5 mm to 2 mm caused by heat washing without loss of sealing integrity.

[0053] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. The invention includes all such variation and modifications. The invention also includes all of the steps, features, formulations, and compounds referred to or indicated in the specification, individually or collectively and any and all combinations of any two or more of the steps or features.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0054] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiment I preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Figure 1 shows a lid for a container including a plurality of deformable closure tab; according to the present invention;Figure 2 shows a contained adapted to engage with the lid of Figure 1 including a corresponding plurality of locating notches formed in the perimeter of the opening of the container adapted to receive the deformable closure tabs of Figure 1 to releasably engage the lid and seal the container opening; andFigure 3 shows a top view of the lid of Figure 1 ;Figure 4 shows a top view of the container of Figure 2;Figures 5A and 5B shows a detail view of the deformable closure tab of the lid, respectively in a resting and deformed state.Figure 6 shows a side view of the container of Figure 2;Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional view of the container of Figure 2;Figure 9 shows a side view of the lid of Figure 1 ;Figure 10 shows a side view of the container of Figures 1 and 2 with lid engaged with the container body an inverted orientation;Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the container of Figures 1 and 2 with lid engaged with the container body an inverted orientation;Figure 12 shows a side view of the container in use with the lid engaged with the container body with deformable tabs securely engaged with locating notches;Figure 13 shows a perspective view of the container in use with the lid engaged with the container body with deformable tabs securely engaged with locating notches;Figures 14A and 14B respectively show detail views of deformable tabs according to the present invention in an unlatched position in perspective and top-down views; andFigures 15A and 15B respectively show detail views of deformable tabs 110 according to the present invention in a latched position in perspective and top-down views.

[0055] In the drawings, like structures are referred to by like numerals throughout the several views. The drawings shown are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead generally being placed upon illustrating the principles of the present invention.Definitions

[0056] The following definitions are provided as general definitions and should in no way limit the scope of the present invention to those terms alone, but are put forth for a better understanding of the following description.

[0057] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. For the purposes of the present invention, additional terms are defined below. Furthermore, all definitions, as defined and used herein, should be understood to control over dictionary definitions, definitions in documents incorporated by reference, and / or ordinary meanings of the defined terms unless there is doubt as to the meaning of a particular term, in which case the common dictionary definition and / or common usage of the term will prevail.

[0058] For the purposes of the present invention, the following terms are defined below.

[0059] The articles “a” and “an” are used herein to refer to one or to more than one (i.e., to at least one) of the grammatical object of the article. By way of example, “an element” refers to one element or more than one element.

[0060] The term “about” is used herein to refer to quantities that vary by as much as 30%, preferably by as much as 20%, and more preferably by as much as 10% to a reference quantity. The use of the word ‘about’ to qualify a number is merely an express indication that the number is not to be construed as a precise value.

[0061] Although any methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, preferred methods and materials are described. It will be appreciated that the methods, apparatus andsystems described herein may be implemented in a variety of ways and for a variety of purposes. The description here is by way of example only.

[0062] The phrase “and / or”, as used herein in the specification and in the claims, should be understood to mean “either or both” of the elements so conjoined, i.e. , elements that are conjunctively present in some cases and disjunctively present in other cases. Multiple elements listed with “and / or” should be construed in the same fashion, i.e., “one or more” of the elements so conjoined. Other elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified by the “and / or” clause, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, a reference to “A and / or B”, when used in conjunction with open-ended language such as “comprising” can refer, in one embodiment, to A only (optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to B only (optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to both A and B (optionally including other elements); etc.

[0063] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, “or” should be understood to have the same meaning as “and / or” as defined above. For example, when separating items in a list, “or” or “and / or” shall be interpreted as being inclusive, i.e., the inclusion of at least one, but also including more than one, of a number or list of elements, and, optionally, additional unlisted items. Only terms clearly indicated to the contrary, such as “only one of” or “exactly one of,” or, when used in the claims, “consisting of” will refer to the inclusion of exactly one element of a number or list of elements. In general, the term “or” as used herein shall only be interpreted as indicating exclusive alternatives (i.e., “one or the other but not both”) when preceded by terms of exclusivity, such as “either,” “one of,” “only one of,” or “exactly one of.” “Consisting essentially of,” when used in the claims, shall have its ordinary meaning as used in the field of patent law.

[0064] As used herein in the specification and in the claims, the phrase “at least one”, in reference to a list of one or more elements, should be understood to mean at least one element selected from any one or more of the elements in the list of elements, but not necessarily including at least one of each and every element specifically listed within the list of elements and not excluding any combinations of elements in the list of elements. This definition also allows that elements may optionally be present other than the elements specifically identified within the list of elements to which the phrase “at least one” refers, whether related or unrelated to those elements specifically identified. Thus, as a non-limiting example, “at least one of A and B” (or, equivalently, “at least one of A orB,” or, equivalently “at least one of A and / or B”) can refer, in one embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, with no B present (and optionally including elements other than B); in another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, B, with no A present (and optionally including elements other than A); in yet another embodiment, to at least one, optionally including more than one, A, and at least one, optionally including more than one, B (and optionally including other elements); etc.

[0065] For the purpose of this specification, where method steps are described in sequence, the sequence does not necessarily mean that the steps are to be carried out in chronological order in that sequence, unless there is no other logical manner of interpreting the sequence.

[0066] In addition, where features or aspects of the invention are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognise that the invention is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0067] Modifications and variations such as would be apparent to the skilled addressee are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by any of the specific embodiments described herein. These embodiments are intended for the purpose of exemplification only. Functionally equivalent products, formulations and methods are clearly within the scope of the invention as described herein. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0068] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.

[0069] Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.

[0070] The method steps, processes, and operations described herein are not to be construed as necessarily requiring their performance in the particular order discussed or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of performance. It is also to be understood that additional or alternative steps may be employed.

[0071] Reference to positional descriptions and spatially relative terms), such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath”, “below”, “lower”, “above”, “upper” and the like, are to be taken in context of the embodiments depicted in the figures, and are not to be taken as limiting the invention to the literal interpretation of the term but rather as would be understood by the skilled addressee.

[0072] Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and / or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0073] It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”, “engaged”, “connected” or “coupled” to another element / layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element / layer or intervening elements / layers may be present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements / layers should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between”, “adjacent”). As used herein the term “and / or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0074] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular example embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. The use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” may be intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms “comprise”, “comprises,” “comprising,” “including,” and “having,” or variations thereof are inclusive and therefore specify the presence of statedfeatures, integers, steps, operations, elements, and / or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0075] Figures 1 and 2 respectively show a lid 100 and body 150 together forming a food storage container according to the present invention.

[0076] Referring firstly to Figure 2 the body 150 of the food storage container comprises a bottom surface 151 , sidewalls 153 extending upwardly from the bottom surface 151 to define an interior space 160. The sidewalls 153 terminate to define an upper rim 157 defining an opening to the interior space 160. Rim 157 of container body 150 comprises a plurality of locating notches 170 spaced around the rim 157. As shown in Figure 2, upper rim 157 extends outwardly from side walls 153 and extend further outwards in a central region of sidewalls 153 than at the corners of bogy 150 to accommodate notches 170 in rim 157.

[0077] Referring back now to Figure 1 , lid 100 is profiled around the periphery 101 and configured to engage upper rim 107 of body 150 thereby to seal the interior space 160 in an air-tight and water-tight seal. Lid 100 comprises a top surface 103, and a perimeter edge 105. Two or more deformable closure tabs 110 extend outwardly from the perimeter edge 105. Each elastic tab corresponds in position to a respective one of locating notches 170 in the upper rim 157 of the container body 150. In the present arrangement, the locating notches 170 in rim 157 of body 150 are located midway along each of the sidewalls 103. Similarly, deformable closure tabs 110 are located midway along the edges of perimeter edge 105 to be adjacent respective locating notches 170 when lid 100 is applied to body 150. In use, lid 100 is placed on the body to cover the opening of internal space 160.

[0078] Figures 5A and 5B respectively show two embodiments of tab 110, both of which operate in identical manner to secure the lid 100 to container body 150. The tab 110 of Figure 5B is similar to that of Figure 5A, with the exception that tab 110 of Figure 5B additionally includes a rigid portion 114 on the enlarged end portion 113. Rigid portion 114 is preferably formed by a rigid plastic material and may be formed around the periphery of enlarged end portion 113 by an overmolding manufacturing process. Rigid portion 114 is advantageous in that it permits a user to grip tab 110 more securely as tab 110 is stretched outwards from lid 100 for engagement with a respective notch 170 of thecontainer 150. The deformable closure tabs 110 are adapted to be stretched outward (as seen in, for example, Figure 5B) and downwards such that the stretched central body portion 111 of deformable tabs 110 is engaged with a respective locating notch 170. The tab 110 is then released such that tab body portion 111 returns towards its resting (unstretched) state and is captured within locating notch 107 by enlarged head portion 113 of tabs 111. Enlarged end portion 113 of deformable closure tab 110 is secured against rim 157 of body 150 since locating notch 107 is smaller than enlarged tab end portion 113 to prevent tab returning completely to its unstretched (i.e., resting) state. In this way, when engaged with a respective locating notch 170, the deformable closure tabs provide a positive force pulling the lid 100 down onto the container body to form and maintain a seal against the opening of container body 150. The deformable closure tabs 110 may stretch by approximately 10 - 50% of their unstretched length without permanent deformation, exerting a downward clamping force of approximately 1 -5 N to maintain the seal (calculated via Hooke’s law F = k * x, where k is the spring constant for the deformable material (for example, TPE material « 200-1000 N / m) based on tab dimensions, and x is the stretch distance of nominally about 5mm to about 10 mm). The tabs’ elasticity compensates for minor deformations in the rim (e.g., up to 0.5-2 mm from heat washing), unlike rigid snap-fits closure mechanisms that fail after repeated bending cycles.

[0079] In particular embodiments, enlarged head portion 113 is provided with a rigid plastic portion, for example surrounding the periphery of head portion 113 to assist with a user’s grip on the head portion 113 to stretch elastic tab 110 outwards from lid 100 and into locking engagement with a respective locating notch 170 in the upper rim 157 of the container body 150. Rigid plastic portion 114 in particular embodiments may be formed by an overmolding manufacturing process for structural integrity with deformable tabs 110.

[0080] In one embodiment, the locating notches 170 are positioned at opposing locations along the peripheral edge 157 of the container body 150. The deformable closure tabs 110 on the lid 100 are aligned with these locating notches 170 and engage them in a captive manner. The engagement between the deformable closure tabs 110 and locating notches 170 creates a secure connection, ensuring that the lid 100 is properly sealed to the container body 150.

[0081] The locating notches 170 are designed with a shape and size that corresponds to the elastic tabs 110. The tabs 110 may be designed to flex inward when pressedtoward the notches, allowing the tabs to enter respective locating notches 170 and then partially return towards their original position to lock into place such that enlarged head 113 of the tab 110 is help captive within a respective locating notch 170 as shown in Figures 12 and 13 where it is demonstrated that the central portion 111 of tabs 110 engages with respective locating notch 170 and is retained in that state by the enlarged head 113 of elastic tab 110. The embodiment of container body 150 as shown in Figure 13 is provided with locating notches 170 formed in upper rim 157 only on two opposed sidewalls 153 of body 150, in contrast to the container body 150 of Figure 11 which includes locating notches 170 on each side of container body and formed in upper rim 157. In Figure 13, it is observed that upper rim 157 does not extend further in a central region of sidewall 153 on the sides of container body 150 where there is no locating notch 170.

[0082] Figures 14A and 14B respectively show detail views of deformable tab 110 in an unlatched position in perspective and top-down views. Similarly, Figures 15A and 15B respectively show detail views of deformable tab 110 in a latched position in perspective and top-down views, where tab 110 is securely engaged with locating notch 170.

[0083] In the present arrangement of Figures 1 , 2 and 11 the container lid 100 and body 150 are square such that lid 100 may be rotated by 90 degrees in either direction and lid 100 will still sealingly engage with body 150 (even with lid 100 in the inverted position as shown in Figure 11) such that deformable closure tabs 110 of lid 100 align with locating notches 170 of body 150. To accommodate this rotational symmetry of the lid, container body comprises two pairs of diametrically opposed locating notches 170. In a similar manner, further arrangements of lid 100 may optionally comprise an additional pair of diametrically opposed deformable closure tabs 110 (not shown) such that the four tabs 110 of lid 100 are adapted to engage each of a respective of the four locating notches 170 of body 150.

[0084] In other arrangements, the lid 100 and body 150 may be rectangularly shaped. In such arrangements, lid 100 preferably may comprise at least four deformable closure tabs 110, one located along each edge of the lid to provide a secure seal around the peripheral rim 157 of body 150. In further arrangements, the lid may comprise more than one deformable closure tab on the long side of a rectangular container, with the corresponding rectangular container body comprising more than one respective locating notches aligned with and adapted to receive the deformable closure tabs of the lid.

[0085] In particular arrangements, container body 150 is adapted to be nestable within like container bodies. As can be seen in Figures 6 and 7, the sidewall 103 comprises formations 158 and 159 configured to retain the nested container bodies in a slightly elevated position to ensure they do not sit fully within an outer container body and thus prevent significant vacuum formation between nested containers which increases the difficulty in separating the nested containers.

[0086] In particular arrangements, lid 110 may further comprise a rubberised sealing ring 109 (as seen in lid cross-sectional view of Figure 8) located on the underside 104 of the lid within the peripheral formation 111 , In use when engaged with body 150, and forced into sealing engagement with body 150 by engagement of the plurality of deformable closure tabs 110 with respective locating notches 170, the sealing gasket 109 is drawn into sealing engagement with the upper rim 157 of body 150, thereby to create the air-tight and water-tight seal of inner space 160. In particular arrangements, sealing gasket 10 is drawn into the opening of body 150 and into sealing engagement with an inner surface of side walls 103 when lid 100 is locked into position be engagement of deformable closure tabs 110 with respective locating notches 170. In particular arrangements, when lid 100 is locked into place on container body 150 by engaging each of the deformable closure tabs 110 with each respective locating notch 170, gasket 109 is typically drawn into the opening of body 150 by approximately 5 to 10 mm to ensure a secure air-tight and water-tight seal

[0087] In particular arrangements, sealing gasket 109 may be formed of the same deformable closure elastic material as deformable closure tabs 110, and may be integrally formed with deformable closure tabs 110. Indeed, during manufacture of lid 100, the deformable closure tabs 110 and sealing gasket 109 may be formed simultaneously by an overmolding manufacturing process as will be well understood by the skilled addressee. In this manner, the sealing gasket 109 and deformable closure tabs may be formed in a single step of the manufacturing process, thus significantly reducing the manufacturing complexity of lid 100.

[0088] The lid 100 and container body 150 are preferably formed from food-safe plastic materials, such as, for example, polypropylene or polyethylene, which are durable, lightweight, and suitable for food storage. The deformable closure tabs 100 are formed from a material that is flexible yet strong enough to maintain their elasticity over multiple uses. A common material for this purpose, for example, is thermoplastic elastomer (TPE)or other similar flexible plastics such as, for example, thermoplastic rubber (TPR), silicone or the like. The elastic material of the deformable closure tabs may have a Shore A hardness of approximately 40-80, enabling deformation by at least 10% without permanent loss of elasticity after at least 500 engagement cycles (based on standard rubber / TPE fatigue / deterioration testing methods such as ASTM D430).

[0089] The engagement of the deformable closure tabs 110 with the locating notches 170 creates a secure fit, ensuring that the lid 100 remains in place during storage or transport of the container. In some embodiments, a gasket 109 or sealing material may be provided along the peripheral rim 101 of the lid 100 to enhance the sealing capability, preventing air or moisture from entering the container 150. This ensures that food remains fresh and protected from contamination.

[0090] The design of the deformable closure tabs 110 and locating notches 170 allows for repeated engagement and disengagement of the lid 100 without compromising the sealing integrity. The material chosen for the deformable closure tabs 110 ensures that they maintain their flexibility and elasticity, even after repeated use, providing a durable and reusable solution for food storage.

[0091] In further embodiments as seen for example in use in Figures 10 and 11 , the lid 100 may be further adapted to seal the container body 150 when placed in an inverted orientation to cover the opening to the interior space 160 of body 150. In such arrangements, the periphery 101 of lid 100 may be configured to sit within the opening of container body 150 to prevent over spills and / or splashes, for example when the container is used to reheat food in a microwave oven. Lid 100 may further comprise locating formations 115 to locate the periphery 101 within the opening of container body 150 when the lid 100 is placed in an inverted orientation on the body 150. Deformable closure tabs 110 may still be able to engage with respective locating notches 170 when lid 100 is placed in an inverted orientation such that the lid is retained in position in the event of an increase in pressure within the internal space 160 of container body caused by the heating of food within the container body. In this orientation, the deformable closure tabs 110 of lid 110 advantageously may be used as a handle by which a user my lift the lid from the body, without needing to touch the lid 100 itself which may be hot due to the heating procedure.

[0092] In further arrangements, the periphery 101 of lid 100 may further be profiled to be adapted to receive bottom surface 151 of a container body 150 in a stable configuration. This feature has the advantage of facilitating stable stacking of like lidded containers in a stable manner, for example, up to 5 or more like containers without toppling.

[0093] In particular arrangements, the locating notches 170 of the container body 150 may be positioned at opposing locations on the body 150, such that the deformable closure tabs 110 engage the locating notches 170 in a captive manner.

[0094] In particular arrangements, the deformable closure tabs 110 are formed from a deformable closure or rubberised material having sufficient flexibility to allow for repeated engagement and disengagement with the locating notches without losing elasticity.

[0095] In particular arrangements, the container body 150 and lid 100 are formed from a food-safe plastic material.Embodiments

[0096] Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “one arrangement” or “an arrangement” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment / arrangement is included in at least one embodiment / arrangement of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment / arrangement” or “in an embodiment / arrangement” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment / arrangement, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments / arrangements.

[0097] Similarly it should be appreciated that in the above description of example embodiments / arrangements of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment / arrangement, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment / arrangement. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description arehereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment / arrangement of this invention.

[0098] Furthermore, while some embodiments / arrangements described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments / arrangements, combinations of features of different embodiments / arrangements are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments / arrangements, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments / arrangements can be used in any combination.Specific Details

[0099] In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.Terminology

[0100] In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as “forward”, “rearward”, “radially”, “peripherally”, “upwardly”, “downwardly”, and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.Different Instances of Objects

[0101] As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives “first”, “second”, “third”, etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.Comprising and Including

[0102] In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” or variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. , to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0103] Any one of the terms: “including” or “which includes” or “that includes” as used herein is also an open term that also means “including at least” the elements / features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.Scope of Invention

[0104] Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred arrangements of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

[0105] Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.Industrial Applicability

[0106] It will be appreciated that the food storage containers described / illustrated above at least substantially provide an improved closure mechanism to secure the lid of the container to the container body.

[0107] The food storage containers described herein, and / or shown in the drawings, are presented by way of example only and are not limiting as to the scope of the invention. Unless otherwise specifically stated, individual aspects and components of the food storage containers may be modified, or may have been substituted therefore known equivalents, or as yet unknown substitutes such as may be developed in the future orsuch as may be found to be acceptable substitutes in the future. The food storage containers may also be modified for a variety of applications while remaining within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention, since the range of potential applications is great, and since it is intended that the present food storage containers be adaptable to many such variations.

Claims

CLAIMS:1 . A storage container comprising: a container body having: a bottom surface; a sidewall extending upwardly therefrom defining an interior space; and an upper rim defining an opening to the interior space, the upper rim including at least two locating notches; a lid having a top surface and a perimeter edge; and comprising: at least two elastically deformable closure tabs integrally extending outwardly from the perimeter edge, each tab positioned to correspond to a respective locating notch when the lid covers the opening; wherein each tab is configured to elastically deform when pressed toward the respective locating notch and at least partially return toward an original shape upon engagement therewith, thereby securing the lid to the container body and creating a seal therebetween.

2. A closure mechanism for a container comprising: a body having an upper rim with at least two notches; and a lid having a perimeter edge, the closure mechanism comprising at least two elastically deformable tabs extending outwardly from the perimeter edge, each tab positioned to align with and engage a respective notch when the lid covers the body, thereby releasably securing the lid to the body.

3. A closure device for providing a secure closure between a lid and a respective container body, the container body comprising: a bottom surface; a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom surface to define an interior space; and an upper rim defining an opening to the interior space, the lid comprising a top surface and a perimeter edge; wherein the container body comprises two or more locating notches formed in the upper rim; and wherein the closure device comprises two or more deformable closure tabs extending outwardly from the perimeter edge of the lid, each deformable closure tab being formed from an elastic or rubberised material and corresponding in position to one of thelocating notches in the upper rim of the container body when the lid is engaged with the container body.

4. A food storage container comprising: a container body having: a bottom surface; a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom surface to define an interior space; and an upper rim defining an opening to the interior space, the upper rim including two or more locating notches formed therein; a lid portion configured to cover the opening of the container body, the lid portion having: a top surface; a perimeter edge; and two or more deformable closure tabs extending outwardly from the perimeter edge, each deformable closure tab being formed from an elastic or rubberised material and corresponding in position to one of the locating notches in the upper rim of the container body; wherein, in use, when the lid portion is placed on the container body to cover the opening, each deformable closure tab is adapted to deform by flexing or stretching to engage its corresponding locating notch, and upon release, partially return toward its original shape to exert a downward clamping force securing the lid portion to the container body and maintaining a seal therebetween, without requiring engagement with a lateral wall extension, an opposing flange, or a protective sleeve.

5. A plastic food container comprising: a container body having a peripheral edge and at least two locating notches disposed along the peripheral edge; and a lid configured to fit over the container body, the lid having a peripheral rim, the rim including at least two deformable closure tabs formed from an elastic or rubberised material positioned opposite one another, the deformable closure tabs being operable to engage the locating notches of the container body; wherein the deformable closure tabs are adapted to deform when pressed toward the locating notches and partially return towards their original shape once engaged withthe respective locating notch, to exert a downward clamping force thereby securely locking the lid onto the container body to create and maintain a seal between the lid and the container body.

6. The plastic food container of Claim 5, wherein the downward clamping force exerted by the deformable closure tabs secures the lid portion to the container body and maintains a seal therebetween, without requiring engagement with a lateral wall extension, an opposing flange, or a protective sleeve.

7. The plastic food container of either Claim 5 or Claim 6, wherein the locating notches are positioned at opposing locations on the container body, and the deformable closure tabs engage the locating notches in a reversible captive manner via radial inward flexing.

8. The plastic food container of any one of Claims 5 to 7, wherein the deformable closure tabs are formed from a material having sufficient flexibility to allow for repeated engagement and disengagement with the locating notches without losing elasticity.

9. The plastic food container of any one of Claims 5 to 8, wherein the lid includes a gasket or sealing material positioned along its peripheral rim to enhance the sealing capability when the deformable closure tabs engage the locating notches.

10. The plastic food container of Claim 9, wherein the gasket is integrally formed with the one or more deformable closure tabs.

11. The plastic food container of any one of Claims 5 to 10, wherein the container body and lid are formed from a food-safe plastic material.

12. The plastic food container of any one of Claims 5 to 11 , wherein a top surface of the lid portion is profiled to seal the opening of the container body.

13. The food storage container of any one of Claims 5 to 12, wherein the lid portion is invertible relative to the container body such that, in an inverted orientation, the deformable closure tabs engage the locating notches to retain the lid portion during internal pressure increases.

14. The food storage container of any one of Claims 5 to 13, further comprising a profiled top surface on the lid portion adapted to receive the bottom surface of another identical container body for stable stacking.

15. A container comprising: a container body having a bottom surface; a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom surface to define an interior space; an upper rim defining an opening to the interior space, the upper rim including at least one locating notch formed therein; and a lid portion configured to cover the opening of the container body, the lid portion having a top surface and a perimeter edge; wherein: at least one deformable closure tab extends outwardly from the perimeter edge of the lid portion, the deformable closure tab being formed from an elastic or rubberised material and corresponding in position to the at least one locating notch in the upper rim of the container body; and in use, when the lid portion is placed on the container body to cover the opening, the deformable closure tab is adapted to deform by flexing, stretching, or bending to engage the locating notch, and upon release, at least partially returns toward its original shape to exert a clamping force securing the lid portion to the container body and maintaining a seal therebetween.

16. The container of Claim 15, wherein the deformable closure tab is integrally formed with a gasket along the perimeter edge of the lid portion, the gasket and tab comprising the same elastic or rubberised material.

17. The container of Claim 15 or Claim 16, wherein the flexible material of the deformable closure tab enables deformation without permanent loss of elasticity after repeated engagement cycles.

18. The container of any one of Claims 15 to 17, wherein the locating notch is positioned on the upper rim, and the deformable closure tab engages the locating notch in a reversible manner.

19. The container of any one of Claims 15 to 18, wherein the container body and lid portion are formed from a plastic material configured for repeated use without substantial deformation exceeding the clamping force of the deformable closure tab.

20. The container of any one of Claims 15 to 19, wherein the lid portion is invertible relative to the container body such that, in an inverted orientation, the deformable closure tab engages the locating notch to retain the lid portion.

21. The container of any one of Claims 15 to 20, further comprising a profiled top surface on the lid portion adapted to receive the bottom surface of another container body for stacking.

22. A method of releasably securing a lid to a container body, the method comprising: aligning elastically deformable tabs extending outwardly from a perimeter edge of the lid with notches in an upper rim of the container body; pressing the tabs toward the notches to deform the tabs; and engaging the deformed tabs with the notches, allowing the tabs to at least partially return toward their original shape to secure the lid to the container body.

23. A method of securing a lid portion to a container body of a food storage container, the method comprising: placing the lid portion over an opening defined by an upper rim of the container body, wherein the upper rim includes two or more locating notches formed therein, and the lid portion includes two or more deformable closure tabs extending outwardly from a perimeter edge of the lid portion, each deformable closure tab being formed from an elastic material and aligned with a corresponding locating notch; deforming each deformable closure tab by flexing or stretching to engage the corresponding locating notch; and releasing each deformable closure tab, allowing it to partially return toward its original shape to exert a downward clamping force, thereby securing the lid portion to the container body and maintaining a seal therebetween, without engaging a lateral wall extension, an opposing flange, or a protective sleeve.

24. The method of Claim 22, further comprising inverting the lid portion relative to the container body and engaging the deformable closure tabs with the locating notches to retain the lid portion during internal pressure increases, such as during microwaving.

25. The method of Claim 22, further comprising stacking a second identical food storage container on the lid portion by receiving a bottom surface of the second container body on a profiled top surface of the lid portion for stable stacking.

26. A method of manufacturing a lid portion for a food storage container, the method comprising: forming a lid body having a top surface and a perimeter edge; overmolding an elastic material onto the perimeter edge to integrally form two or more deformable closure tabs extending outwardly therefrom and a gasket along the perimeter edge, wherein the deformable closure tabs and gasket comprise the same elastic material; and configuring the deformable closure tabs to deform by at least 10% without permanent loss of elasticity after at least 500 engagement cycles.

27. The method of Claim 26, wherein the elastic material has a Shore A hardness of between 40-80.

28. The method of either Claim 26 or Claim 27, wherein overmolding is performed in a single step, bonding the elastic material to the lid body via heat and pressure without adhesives.

29. A method of using a food storage container for repeated sealing, the method comprising: repeatedly engaging and disengaging deformable closure tabs of a lid portion with locating notches in an upper rim of a container body over at least 500 cycles, wherein each engagement involves deforming the tabs to engage the locating notches and releasing them to exert a downward clamping force maintaining a seal; and washing the container body and lid portion, wherein the deformable closure tabs compensate for minor deformations up to about 0.5 mm to 2 mm caused by heat washing without loss of sealing integrity.

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