Package with Leak Resistant Lid

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/653,534, filed May 30, 2024, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

Containers on the market, especially for food packaging margarine tubs, deli meat tubs, or similar containers, utilize a snap on lid. The lid has a ridge on part or all its extent that grabs onto a ledge or groove on the container when applied. This often provides a very secure and leak-proof seal and is very cheap to manufacture.

In most examples, the quality of the seal is directly related to the ease of applying or removing the lid: A very tight seal will make the lid very difficult to put on and/or remove. A looser seal can make the lid easier to apply/remove but will make the lid more likely to leak or fall off prematurely. Using a flexible material can improve the lid removal, but this limits material selection when designing the container, and the flexible material is often perceived as lower quality.

One alternative is a screw-on lid, such as a peanut butter jar or the like. This provides a strong seal independent of the ease of screwing on or off the lid. However, this is more expensive to manufacture and requires specialized tooling to form the screw threads on each component the lid and the container. Two hands are required to open this type of container, and it can be difficult for some users with limited dexterity.

Tabs and hinges are another common approach. A simple foam, plastic, or molded fiber hinged lid container is easy to open or close but has a very poor-quality seal and leaks easily. More high-end plastic containers have one or more independently hinged clasps, which can be flipped to lock and unlock the lid, but these are considerably more expensive to manufacture, require a strong structure, and are therefore only added to higher-quality reusable containers. There remains a need for providing a leak resistant package that is easy to close and open while remaining inexpensive to manufacture.

The present disclosure teaches a package made up of a container and a lid. The container defines a storage space and has a brim arranged around a central reference axis surrounding an opening into the storage space. The lid is sized to extend over the storage space and selectively block access to the storage space.

In illustrative embodiments, the package includes mount means without threads for coupling and decoupling the lid from the container. Coupling of the lid to the container via the mount means happens in response to downward pressure applied to the lid when placed onto the brim of the container so that a portion of the lid snaps over the brim into engagement with the container so as to retain the lid on the container and to block leakage of liquid out of the storage space in the container through the opening. Decoupling of the lid from the container via the mount means happens in response to rotation of the lid relative to the container to disengage the lid from the brim and allow lifting of the lid away from the container to thereby make the storage space of the container accessible through the opening.

In illustrative embodiments, the mount means includes one or more lid tabs and one or more corresponding container tabs. Each lid tab extends from a bottom edge of an outer lid flange. Each container tab extend from a bottom edge of the brim.

In illustrative embodiments, each lid tab is formed to include a retainer bump. The retainer bump extends under the bottom edge of the container brim when the lid is coupled to the container and the lid tab is circumferentially offset from the container tab.

In illustrative embodiments, each container tab is formed to include a side edge and a ramp. The side edge is arranged to push the retainer bump of the lid tab outwardly away from the storage space in response to rotation of the lid relative to the container toward a position in which the lid tab is circumferentially aligned with the container tab. The ramp is shaped to push the lid tab upwardly away from the storage space in in response to rotation of the lid relative to the container toward a position in which the lid tab is circumferentially aligned with the container tab.

In illustrative embodiments, the lid tab is formed to include a downward portion that extends downwardly from the bottom edge of the outer lid flange and the retainer bump extends inwardly from the downward portion toward the central reference axis. The lid tab is formed to include an outward portion that extends outwardly from the downward portion of the lid tab away from the central reference axis at a location below the bottom edge of the outer lid flange. The retainer bump and the outward portion of the lid tab are both located at the same axial location along the central reference axis below the bottom edge of the outer lid flange.

In illustrative embodiments, the retainer bump is circumferentially offset from the outward portion of the lid tab around the central reference axis. In some embodiments, the retainer bump can be circumferentially aligned with the outward portion of the lid tab.

In illustrative embodiments, the downward portion of the lid tab has angled side edges at circumferential end faces of the downward portion. The angled side edges extend both axially along the central reference axis and circumferentially around the central reference axis.

In illustrative embodiments, the container tab is formed to include a downward portion and an outward portion. The downward portion of the container tab extends downwardly from a bottom edge of the brim included in the container. The outward portion of the container tab extends outwardly from the downward portion of the container tab away from the central reference axis at a location below the bottom edge of the brim.

In illustrative embodiments, the ramp of the container tab extends upwardly from the outward portion of the container tab. The ramp has a height along the central reference axis that is limited so as not to extend above the bottom edge of the brim when the lid is coupled to the container and the lid tab is circumferentially offset from the container tab to resist removal of the lid from the container. In illustrative embodiments, the angled side edges of the downward portion of the lid tab are located so as to contact the ramp of the container tab upon rotation of the lid relative to the container about the central reference axis when the lid tab and the container tab are coming into circumferential alignment to thereby apply an upward force on the lid.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a package can include a lid and a container. The lid can an outer lid flange that extends around a central reference axis and a plurality of lid tabs spaced apart from one another around the central reference axis. The container can have a brim arranged around central reference axis surrounding an opening into a storage space and a plurality of container tabs spaced apart from one another around the central reference axis.

In illustrative embodiments, each lid tab is formed to include a downward portion that extends downwardly from the outer lid flange and a retainer bump that extends inwardly toward the central reference axis from the downward portion of the lid tab. Each container tab is formed to include (i) a downward portion with circumferential side edges arranged to push the retainer bump of the lid tab outwardly away from the central reference axis in response to rotation of the lid relative to the container toward a position in which the plurality of lid tabs are circumferentially aligned with the plurality of container tabs and (ii) a ramp shaped to push the lid tab upwardly away from the storage space in in response to rotation of the lid relative to the container toward a position in which the lid tab is circumferentially aligned with the container tab.

In illustrative embodiments, the retainer bump of the lid tab extends under the bottom edge of the container brim when the lid is coupled to the container and the lid tab is circumferentially offset from the container tab to resist removal of the lid from the container. The lid tab can also be formed to include an outward portion that extends outwardly from the downward portion of the lid tab away from the central reference axis at a location below the bottom edge of the outer lid flange.

In illustrative embodiments, the retainer bump and the outward portion of the lid tab are both located at the same axial location along the central reference axis below the bottom edge of the outer lid flange. The retainer bump can be circumferentially offset from or aligned with the outward portion of the lid tab around the central reference axis.

In illustrative embodiments, the downward portion of the lid tab has angled side edges at circumferential end faces of the downward portion. The angled side edges extend both axially along the central reference axis and circumferentially around the central reference axis.

In illustrative embodiments, the container tab is formed to include a downward portion and an outward portion. The downward portion extends downwardly from a bottom edge of the brim included in the container. The outward portion extends outwardly from the downward portion of the container tab away from the central reference axis at a location below the bottom edge of the brim.

In illustrative embodiments, the ramp of the container tab extends upwardly from the outward portion of the container tab. The ramp has a height along the central reference axis limited so as not to extend above the bottom edge of the brim when the lid is coupled to the container and the lid tab is circumferentially offset from the container tab to resist removal of the lid from the container. The angled side edges of the downward portion of the lid tab are located so as to contact the ramp of the container tab upon rotation of the lid relative to the container about the central reference axis when the lid tab and the container tab are coming into circumferential alignment to thereby apply an upward force on the lid.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of using a package is disclosed. The method includes providing a package with a container and a lid. The lid is adapted to be coupled and decoupled from the container.

In illustrative embodiments, the method includes placing the lid on the container and pressing downwardly along the central reference axis with a plurality of lid tabs circumferentially misaligned from a plurality of container tabs until retainer bumps snap under the bottom edge of a brim included in a container to couple the lid to the container.

In illustrative embodiments, the method includes rotating the lid relative to the container about the central reference axis toward the position in which the plurality of lid tabs are circumferentially aligned with the plurality of container tabs until circumferential side edges of a downward portion included in the container tab push the retainer bumps of the plurality of lid tabs outwardly away from the central reference axis.

In illustrative embodiments, the method includes lifting the lid away from the container while the plurality of lid tabs are held outwardly away from the central reference axis such that the lifting force to remove the lid from the container is reduced when compared to when the plurality of lid tabs extend more fully under the bottom edge of the brim included in the container.

An illustrative package according to the present disclosure includes a circular containerand a lidas shown in. The mount or brim of the containerends in the generally vertical flangeand extends downwards to its edge. Similarly, the lid has a rim with a flangethat extends downwards to its edge. The diameter of flangeis greater than, such that the lid fits around the outside of the container flange. Inward of the flanges,, additional features marked at locationsandmay be added to provide a more serpentine path for liquids to escape the container, in order to provide leak resistance. The exact geometry of these features may be adjusted and remain within the spirit of the present disclosure, except to note that the described features do not typically include significant interference fits that would change the lid opening/closing behavior.

The container has one or more container tabsas suggested in. As depicted, an illustrative containerhas three tabs, and c. In other embodiments, it is contemplated that a container may have one to four or more tabs. These container tabsextend first downward from the flange edgesome distance along a downward portion, and then project outwards some distance via an outward portion. These may be shaped with a curve or other shape for aesthetic reasons.

The downward portionand the outward portionof the tabmay be the same size, or the outward portionmay be smaller. The outward portionmay be arranged along a bottom edge of the downward portion.

A separate outwardly projecting portionshaped like a ramp is also included in each container tabas shown in. The illustrative rampprojects outward from the downward portionof the taband along a top surface of the outward portionof the ramp. In the depicted embodiment, this rampis symmetric on either side along the circumference of the container, but it may be asymmetric as well. The tip of this rampis low enough that it will not touch the lid flange edgewhen the lid is fully applied.

The lidhas a similar set of tabsas shown in. These lid tabsfirst project downwardsfrom the flange edgeof the lid, and then project outwards, in all or in part. The downward portionof the lid tabhas angled edges. Additionally, on the inside edge of these lid tabsis a small retainer bump. While the lid flange fitsfits over the container flangewithout interference, this bumpis sized so that it will interfere with the container flange.

The container tabsand the lid tabscooperate to provide mount means without threads for coupling/decoupling the lidrelative to the container. Coupling the lidto the containervia the mount means happens in response to downward pressure applied to the lidwhen placed onto the brim of the containerso that a portion of the lid snaps over the brim into engagement with the container so as to retain the lid on the container and to block leakage of liquid out of the storage space in the container through the opening. Decoupling the lidfrom the containervia the mount means happens in response to rotation of the lidrelative to the containerto disengage the lid from the brim and allow lifting of the lid away from the container to thereby make the storage space of the container accessible through the opening

When a user wishes to apply the lid, the lid is lined up on top of the container with the container tabsand the lid tabsgenerally not aligned and pressed down. The bumpswill interfere with the container flange. The tabswill flex out of the way slightly, pushing the bumps outwards as downward pressure is applied, allowing the lid to move downward onto the container despite the interference. The bumpis located on the tablow enough that it is mostly or entirely below the container flange edgewhen the lid is fully fit on the container. Therefore, when the lid is fully pressed onto the container, the lid tabswill snap back into position this will typically result in an audible snap.

In this configuration, the bumpsare below the container flange edge. While it is easy for a user to apply sufficient force downwards to apply the lid by pressing in the center, there is no way to easily apply force upwards to remove it in the same manner once it is latched. Dynamic forces as the container is moved, bumped, jostled, and carried are generally low by comparison, preventing the lid from easily coming loose by accident The force of this latching effect can be tuned as desirable to be stronger or weaker by increasing or decreasing the size of the bumps [], respectively.

A user may intentionally or unintentionally lift one lid taband this can unseat one bumppast the container flange edge. However, in this case any other bumps on other tabsonare pushed even more strongly under the container flange edgeand are therefore difficult to unseat only by pulling on only one tab

In order to easily and intentionally remove the lid, a user instead rotates the lidrelative to the container. In the depicted embodiment, the direction of rotation is not significant. The tabsandbegin generally not aligned. The user can rotate the lid to align the lid and container tabs with each other in either direction. If desired, a push tabcan be molded into the lid to make this rotation easier, and arrows or other text or symbolscan be put in the lid to indicate this action to the user. As the tabs are aligned, they can be pinched together by one hand. As they continue to align, the lid tab edgefirst contacts the ramp. Some of the twisting motion is converted into vertical motion of the lid due to this inclined plane/screw effect. Therefore, as the tab is twisted to contact the ramp, the lid begins to move upwards.

As the lid continues to be twisted, shortly after the effect above, the bumpcontacts the edge of the container tab. The force of this twisting motion is sufficient to push the bumps outwards, flexing the tabs to accommodate the interference. This action can be improved by chamfering the edge of the tabto provide a secondary ramp to slowly increase the pressure and interference as the lid is twisted, rather than applying it all at once as the bump contacts the otherwise sharp edge.

Finally, the twisting motion as it continues allows the entire tab to ride up onto the peak of the ramp, such that the flat bottom of the tabis contacting the peak. The bumpis fully above the container flange edgeand is contacting the face of the flange. If no downward or upward pressure is applied, the lid can continue to spin unimpeded all the way around. However, a slight amount of upward pressure can be applied to the lid at this point typically through the tab [], and the lid will easily come off of the container this can also result in an audible snap.

In the depicted embodiment, the bumpsand the outwardly projecting portion of the tabare misaligned on the lid tab. The preferred embodiment would be for these to be radially aligned with each other on the tab, such that when the tabs,are directly aligned one on top of the other, the bump is touching directly above the downwardly projecting portion of the container tab. As currently depicted the bump instead is off of this portionand instead sits just above the edge of the container flange. This means that a slight accidental downward pressure can re-close the lid onto the container, the opposite of the intent to open in this position. Alternatively, instead of moving the bump, the downward portion of the container tabcould be increased in width along the container, such that the asymmetrically positioned bumpstill rests on this portionwhen the tabs are directly aligned.

The container tab rampsare depicted as symmetrical, such that they operate the same whether the lid is twisted clockwise or counterclockwise. If, for some reason, this was not desirable, they could be made to only ramp up in one direction, and be vertical or less sloped in the other. The exact angle of the tab rampscould also be modified to be more or less angled, to make the wedge action described easier and more gradual if reducing the incline, or faster but requiring more force if increasing the incline.

As depicted, the lid can be continuously spun in either direction. This can result in the user overshooting, twisting the container past the optimal point to open it and potentially resulting in the lid snapping back to closed if a small amount of downward pressure is applied after passing this point.

An alternative embodiment could have a catch to prevent the lid from easily twisting past a designated stop point. One possible way of accomplishing this would be for one or more small tabsto project inwards from the lid flangesuch that they always make a slight interference with the container flangewhen the lid is closed. A small depressioncould be made in the container flangesuch that this new lid tab will fall into this depression with a snap when and only when the lid is in position to be removed as described above. This would naturally stop the rotation motion when the lid has been sufficiently lined up to remove. These tabs could be located near or on the tabs,or could even be at a distance around the container, as long as they line up only when the tabs also line up. There should be a number of these features equal to the number of tabs on the container.

As an alternative to multiple tabs, a similar effect can be created with only one tab. In this case, the lid flange edgecan be extended downwards so that it extends considerably past the container flange edgewhen latched. If the tab is lifted, this extended edge will flex slightly and grab the container flange edgeslightly. This, like the effect described earlier, can resist the lid coming off unexpectedly, though the effect is weaker. This lid flange edge can be extended even further, to merge with the edge of the downwardly projecting tab edge. The tab would merge with the flange, and the edgeswould not be present.

The rampcan also be removed. In this case, the lid can still be removed by turning, but this is only due to the action of the bumpbeing rotated into the container tab edge. This may be a simpler implementation in some cases. Similarly, the embodiment described shows the lid being removed by first, the action of the lid tab edgescontacting the ramp, and then by the action of the bumpcontacting the container tab edge. The alternative would also be effective, with the bump/edge/action preceding the edge/ramp/action.

As proposed, packages in accordance with the present disclosure may work best when implemented in round containers, due to the rotating mode of action. However, a similar snap-on and slide off system could be envisioned for square or rectangular containers, for which the lid slides side-to-side rather than rotates in place. While this solution is proposed for an injection-molded plastic container, one could imagine similar designs that apply to other similar materials, such a thermoformed plastic, foam, or molded fiber

The present disclosure teaches a rigid, washable, and reusable package made up of a container and a lid. The package includes no hinges or other moving parts and is easier to manufacture than a screw/threaded design. In some embodiments, the package container can have heavy duty, thick wall construction designed for multiple uses.

The package described has a strong fit and seal comparable to other snap on lids. The lid can be easily and quickly snapped onto the container like a snap-on lid. The lid cannot be easily snapped off, reducing the likelihood of the lid being accidently removed with resulting spillage. The lid can easily be twisted off, similar or even more easily than a threaded container design. Packages like those disclosed in this paper can have a lid that snaps on but then can only easily be removed with a twisting action. This makes it quicker to operate than other twist-off options but both more secure and easier to use than many snap-on/snap-off options.

Lids for packages in accordance with the present disclosure provide the ability to be applied quickly and easily. The lid can stay attached to the container securely with minimal leakage. The lid can be removed by a user easily. The container and lid features can be robust for multiple re-uses.