Patent ID: 6460716
Filing Date: 2002-10-08
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
A plastic, molded food container having four seals comprising:(A) a base having (i) a substantially planar bottom; (ii) base side walls extending substantially vertically upward from said bottom; (iii) a base flange extending substantially horizontally outward from said base side walls; (iv) an inverted, U-shaped base rim extending outward from said base flange, said base rim having (a) an inner base rim surface which extends substantially vertically upward from said base flange; (b) a middle base rim surface which extends substantially horizontally outward from inner base rim surface; (c) an exterior base rim surface which extends substantially vertically downward from said middle base rim surface; (B) a lid having (i) a substantially planar top; (ii) lid side walls extending substantially vertically downward from said top; (iii) a lid flange extending substantially horizontally outward from said lid side walls; (iv) an inverted, U-shaped lid rim extending outward from said lid flange and mating with said inverted, U-shaped base rim when said lid is locked onto said base, said lid rim having (a) an inner lid rim surface which extends substantially vertically upward from said lid flange; (b) a middle lid rim surface which extends substantially horizontally outward from said inner lid rim surface; (c) an exterior lid rim surface which extends substantially vertically downward from said middle lid rim surface; (C) a locking lip which extends vertically downward from said exterior lid rim surface and locks said lid onto said base; (D) four seals which form when said lid is locked onto said base, said four seals being (i) a horizontal inner seal formed by said lid flange and said base flange; (ii) a vertical middle seal formed by said inner base rim surface and said inner lid rim surface; (iii) a horizontal middle seal formed by said middle base rim surface and said middle lid rim surface; (iv) a vertical exterior seal formed by said exterior base rim surface and said exterior lid rim surface; (E) two air pockets between said four seals, a first air pocket formed between said horizontal inner seal and said vertical middle seal, and a second air pocket formed between said vertical middle seal and said horizontal middle seal; and (F) said horizontal middle seal having a surface area equal to or greater than said horizontal inner seal, said vertical middle seal and said vertical exterior seal.