SEALING MEANS FOR A PLASTICS CONTAINER AND LID, AND TO A PRODUCT USING SUCH SEALING MEANS

Abstract: The invention discloses improvements to a sealable container (10) and lid (12). The container body has an open top with a rim thereround, a plurality of annular flanges spaced apart extending radially outwards from an external wall of the container body (10), an annular skirt extending radially outwards from the undersurface of the furthest located annular flange, a lid (12) having an outer leg which includes a plurality of annular rims formed therein in a relationship corresponding to the spaced apart relationship of the annular flanges of the container body (10), the annular rims of the lid (12) are snap-fastenable over corresponding, said annular flanges of the container body (10), and an inner leg disposed from an undersurface of the lid (12) and configured to fit to an inner wall of the container body (10). The improvement comprises an annular rib (50) on the undersurface of the lid (12), an annular groove (26) on the mid portion of the extreme end rim of the container body rim; wherein an air-tight seal is created upon the annular rib being sealingly engaged upon the annular groove and the annular flanges and annular rims are in registration respectively.

Description: 1 SEALING MEANS FOR A PLASTICS CONTAINER AND LID, AND TO A PRODUCT USING SUCH SEALING MEANS FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to sealing means for a plastic container and lid and more particularly, the present invention relates to improvements in providing a leak-resistant sealing means between the container and lid and to a tamper proof reusable injection moulded wide-mouth plastic container and injection moulded lid utilizing such sealing means. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Many products sold to the consuming public or to wholesalers and retailers are provided in wide-mouth straight wall containers. The consumers come from the following market sectors; food and beverages; paints and chemicals; lube oils and greases; industrial and domestic detergents; and other solid, powdery substances. All consumers have indicated that they prefer containers which initially have a tamper evident seal and which can be resealed after opening for partial consumption or use of the contents. It is imperative that the containers perform the following functions from the time the lid is applied onto the container until final end use by the ultimate consumer: 1. From the initial application of lid, the packaging must pass internal pressure and hydraulic static requirements to U.N. Standards for the packaging of dangerous goods category 3. 2. After initial opening and removal of tamper proof seal, the lid must be re-applied to container providing a seal which ensures that no degradation of remaining packaged contents occur. 3. The container and lid seal should ensure that an air-tight, leak proof condition is achieved even after initial opening, at both high (40° Celsius) and low (-20° Celsius) temperatures. Conventional containers that meet the above mentioned criteria have been constructed using a silicon rubber O-ring seal to achieve maximum seal SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) RO/AU by loading the said seal under compression on the junction position between the container and lid. The addition of a silicon rubber O-ring seal not only adds cost to the container and lid, but also has been found in most cases not to achieve desired results regarding air/hydraulic leak proofability. Furthermore, the recyclability of the packaging is hampered because of the difficulty in the separation of the silicon rubber O-ring seal from the thermoplastic or metal closure. Some prior art examples of wide-mouth containers and cooperating lids having a tamper-evident tear strip and sealing arrangement may be found in US Patent Nos. 5,460,287; 5,163,576; 4,538,741 ; 3,107,838; 3,811 ,597; 4,034,889; 4,919,286; 5,092,478; 5,143,219; 5,292,024; 5,143,235; and 3,532,244. Although the various inventions of the referred containers and lids including those with internal gaskets may function satisfactorily for their intended purposes there is a need for a plastic container and lid assembly which provides a leak resistant seal without the need for an internal sealing gasket. Further more such container and lid assembly should provide leak- resistant closing for a wide range of temperature fluctuations and for rough handling. The container and lid assembly which satisfies the above criteria should also be one that is capable of easy manipulation and capable of repeated opening/closing cycles without losing its leak-resistant property. in prior art container and lid assembly, the structural and configuration of the lid and the rim portion of the container is rigid. When the container filled with liquid or powder is dropped at 45° or dropped on its longitional axis, the force of impact, often disengages the lid from the container and the lid is separated from the container. Further in prior art, the external edge of the container is angular often at 90°. The edge acts as sharp wedge. So when the container is dropped at 45° the edge has a cutting effect on the inner side of the lid. The container and lid assembly must be able to withstand high lateral and vertical impact at both high and low temperatures. In addition, the SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) R0/AU container and lid must be, capable of being produced at a commercially affordable cost, of low weight made of commodity plastic resins, be user friendly in its assembly and easy to manipulate in opening and closing. The assembly must be also be capable of being manufactured on high-speed equipment ensuring maximum productivity at very high efficiency rates, minimizing the cost of manufacture. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION A primary object of the present invention is to provide a novel multi- purpose plastic container and lid without the use of any gaskets or O-ring seals and which has a leak resistant sealing means. Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved container and lid that withstands the following performance criteria, over and above the requirements set forward by the United Nations (U.N.) Code, the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT-35), Sharps Container Standards, JIS Standards, Packaging of Dangerous Goods (International), America Motor Freight Standards and German DIN Standards. Further the conditions of use in less industrialized countries are more demanding, in that climatic and the following handling conditions are different. For example the following conditions are typical: - 1. Extended storage period of packaging in temperatures at more than 50°C. 2. Far more severe transportation conditions due to poor service routes. 3. Severe handling of containers with little or no automation in container handling. 4. Settling/Stacking of container for long period six (6) to nine (9) high direct sunlight. 5. Far higher customer requirements regarding drop test performance at ambient temperatures. Additional performance requirements of the markets in less industrialized or tropical country markets are as follows: - SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) RO/AU 1. Stacking requirements: To stack six (6) to nine (9) high, filled containers with closure applied, in direct sunlight and subjected to ail weather conditions for a period of not less than 90 days. Stack testing (in this manner) is not specified in U.N. standards, or in fact in any other international code. 2. Drop test requirements: Drop Test Requirements in less UN Standards Industrialized countries Group I i) flat on base chime 2.5 metres 1.2 metres ii) horizontal on side 2.0 metres 1.2 metres iii) 45° on base chime 1.5 metres 1.2 metres iv) 45° on closure rim 1.5 metres 1.2 metres v) flat on closure 1.5 metres not specified 3. Rolling Requirements: To stack filled containers three (3) to four (4) high and roll/rotate the column on the base rim without disengagement of the assembly and without deformation of base rim of the container. Rolling is not specified in U.N. standards. 4. Stack Impact/Drop test: To stack six (6) filled containers in a column and to physically push the stack over without any container fracture and or product leakage. This test is not specified in U.N. standards. 5. Leakage Test: i) Internal pressure test of 30 kpa with no air leak. ii) Hydro-static test of 100 kpa for 10 minutes with no water leakage. It is an object of the invention to provide a plastics container and closure that exactly meets the performance requirements of all known markets but at a far lighter accumulated weight than other known prior art containers/lid assemblies for the equivalent internal volume and more importantly to provide containers used for industrial purposes (U.N. Standards, category III). SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) RO/AU A still further object of the present invention is to provide an injection moulded wide-mouth plastics container and injection moulded lid having a tamper evident tear strip which, after removal, enables the easy removal of the lid which may be reapplied onto the container but always ensuring a leak- proof sealing. Still another object of this invention is to provide an injection moulded wide-mouth plastics container and lid assembly wherein the internal profile of the container and the underside of the lid contain no pockets or ribbed sections that would inhibit the natural flow of trap packaged contents (liquid or powder form) when pouring out the said contents out of the container, Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lid which reciprocates with the change in shape of the rim of the container from an equilibrium circular shape to a momentarily oval shape when impact force is applied onto the container. When the shape of the lid is distorted momentarily, the lid should not be dislodged or disengaged from the container. It is an object of the present invention where the lid and the mouth of the container act in unison or tandem when a filed container and lid assembly is subjected to an impact force. The lid should not disengage from the container at moment of the impact force on the container and lid assembly. Still yet another object of the invention is to provide a container and lid assembly wherein the lid is not impinged by a wedge action by the external peripheral edge of the container onto the lid of the container. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention discloses improvements to a sealable container and lid. The container body has an open top with a rim thereround, a plurality of annular flanges spaced apart extending radially outwards from an external wall of the container body, an annular skirt extending radially outwards from the undersurface of the furthest located annular flange; a lid having an outer leg which includes a plurality of annular rims formed therein in a relationship corresponding to the spaced apart relationship of the annular flanges of the container body, the annular rims of the lids are snap-fastenable over SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) RO/AU corresponding said annular flanges of the container body, and an inner leg disposed from an undersurface of the lid and configured to fit to an inner wall of the container body. The improvement comprises an annular rib on the undersurface of the lid; an annular groove on the mid portion of the extreme end rim of the container body rim wherein an air and liquid tight seal is created upon the annular rib being sealingly engaged upon the annular groove and the annular flanges and annular rims are in registration respectively. An annular groove extends around the container body between the penultimate annular flange and the ultimate annular flange said annular groove providing a weakened deflectable annular region on the container body to accommodate bend stresses on the container when the lid is secured onto the container and when lateral impact force is applied onto the container. The weakened deflectable annular region of the lid comprises of a V- shaped cross section integrally formed on the external side of the wall of the container and above the ultimate annular flange. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention should become apparent from the ensuing description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: - Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the assembled container and lid embodying the present invention. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled container and lid with the tamper proof seal partially removed from the lid. Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the container and lid. Fig. 4 is a side view of the container and lid assembly. Fig. 5 is a side sectional view of a container wall. Fig. 6 is a side sectional view of the lid as secured onto a container. Fig. 7 depicts a detailed enlargement scrap sectional view of the container. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) RO/AU Fig. 8 depicts a detailed enlargement sectional view of the lid locking and sealing profiles. Fig 9 and 10 depicts a detailed enlargement sectional view of the locks 3 and 4 respectively. Fig. 11 depicts a sectional view of the assembled lid and container. Fig. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the assembled container and lid. Fig. 13 depicts the sectional elevation of the nested containers. Fig. 14 depicts a scrap sectional view of the container and specifically the locking profiles on the container hoop and handle orientation ear. Fig. 15 depicts elevation view of the tamper-proof tear-strip and pull-off tab. Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 illustrates an injection moulded cylindrical container body (10) and injection moulded lid (12) which embodies the present invention. The container body (10) has a cylindrical wall which is of wider diameter at the mouth region as compared to the diameter of the wall at the base region. This configuration allows the nesting of empty containers, without the lid, one into another as shown in Fig. 13. The container (10) includes a base chime or panel (14) which is profiled in a marginally concave manner to overcome the bulging effect when hot contents (such as oil at 55° Celsius) is filled into the container. The base chime (14) in its construction and profile ensures that it does not sag below profile edge (16) when hot material is introduced into the container. The portion of the container (10) adjacent the mouth region is designed to cooperate with the lid (12) to provide a leak-resistant sealing mechanism and yet easy to open and close through repeated open/close cycles. As seen in Figs. 5 and 7 the upper periphery wall (18) is displaced outward from the lower periphery wall (20) of the container (10). At the point of displacement (22) the thickness of the periphery wall is thinner than the rest of periphery wall section thus providing a annular deflectable region or groove. This thinner section enables faster injection moulding time and the top portion of the upper periphery wall (18) to pivot more easily inward and outward when SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) RO/AU 8 the lid (12) is fitted or removed from the container. The thinner section enables faster production time, due to the elimination of heavier than necessary wall sections (as compared to comparatively similar sized in prior art containers). This point of displacement also allows periphery wall (18) when closure (12) is applied and particularly when under impact (for example, when container top chime impacts at 45° on the ground) to follow more closely the movement of the lid. A distinct annular ledge (24) is provided at the junction of the upper periphery wall (18) and the lower periphery wall (20). As will be seen later, this annular ledge (24) receives the inner leg (44) or annular curtain of the lid so as to partially support the weight of load placed on the lid (12) and to give a sealing effect of the lid upon the container. The uppermost terminal edge of the upper periphery wall (18) of the container includes an annular groove (26) at the mid portion and two annular flanges (28, 30) on either side of the annular groove (26). The container has a total of four sealing looks identified in Fig. 7 as 1 , 2, 3 and 4. All of these sealing locks engage simultaneously upon application of lid (12) onto container (10). Each of the sealing lock consists of a locking flange acting cooperatively with corresponding ledge on the container lid (12). One part of the first lock ledge (1) consists of a corner annular flange (28) at the uppermost part of the container body (10). The outer circumferential portion of this corner annular flange (28) is configured in a manner that when the lid (12) is engaged on the container, there is a void (30) between the lid and the said corner annular flange (See Fig. 8). The void provides a cushioning effect when the container and lid is subjected to impact forces. One part of the second lock (2) consists of an annular flange (32) extending downwards and outwards away the peripheral wall of the container. The annular flange (32) extends radially further than the comer annular flange (28). Between the annular flange (32) and the point of displacement (22) there is disposed a third lock (3). One part of the third lock (3) includes a substantially horizontal annular flange (34) extending from the container wall and which simultaneously acts as pivoting fulcrum. The terminal end of this annular flange (34) extends radially further from the peripheral wall as compared to SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) RO/AU the corresponding dimension of the second flange (32). The terminal edge of the annular flange (34) is cut at an inclining angle such that lower portion (34a) of the flange (34) extends further away from the periphery wall (18) then the upper portion (34b) of the flange (see Fig. 9). Adjacent to and below the point of displacement (22) a fourth annular flange (36) extends outwards and downwards. The terminal end of this flange (36) extends slightly further from the periphery wall of the container as compared to the terminal end of the third annular flange (34). Commencing marginally inside from the terminal edge and extending downwards and outwards from the undersurface of the fourth annular flange (36) is an annular skirt or hoop (38) which is preferably bend outwards at the central portion to provide additional strength to the hoop. As in the third annular flange, the fourth annular flange (36) extends outwards at an inclining angle such that lower portion (36a) of the flange extends further away from the periphery wall (18) then the upper portion (36b) of the flange (see Fig. 10). Disposed vertically at regular intervals around the container, between the third annular flange (34) and the fourth annular flange (36) is a series of first strengthening ribs (40). Underneath the fourth annular flange (36) there is provided at regular intervals second strengthening ribs (42). These strengthening ribs (42) act as shock absorbers upon side/lateral impact, for example at the moment of a horizontal container drop of 1.5 metres. These ribs are designed to collapse or spring slightly upon direct impact upon annular skirt or loop (38) so as the shock/impact is not fully transferred/imparted to container (10). All the flanges and strengthening ribs described above are integrally made with the container body (10) as a whole. Referring to Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 there are shown a sectional profile of a lid (12). In cross-section, the lid (12) includes an inverted U shaped section at the distal circumferential end. The inner leg (44) of the U section extends downwards from a horizontal portion (46) of the U section. On the underside of the horizontal portion (46) of the U section at the mid portion thereof (48) there is provided an annular rib (50). This annular rib (50) is configured and SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) RO/AU 10 dimensioned to fit tightly onto the groove (26) at the mouth section of the container. The annular rib (50) in radial cross-section is preferably fructo conical (See Fig. 8). Preferably vertically above the annular rib (50) is an annular groove (51). The spatial configuration of this annular groove (51) facilitates the complete forming of the annular rib (50) during the injection moulding process in the manufacture of the lid. Plastics melt is directed into the mould cavity for the annular rib (50) during the injection moulding process. The terminal end of the inner leg (44) includes two annular ribs or fins (45). Upon the lid (10) being applied onto the container body (12), the two annular ribs or fins (45) are biased against the annular ledge (24) of the container body. Upon engagement of locks 1 , 2, 3 and 4, these annular ribs (45) flex slightly against the annular ledge and being under downward pressure create a superior internal seal between the container and the lid. Instead of a annular rib (50) on the lid and an annular groove on the rim of the container to act cooperatively to create a seal, there could be groove on the underside of the lid and a rib extending vertically from the rim of the container. The outer leg (52) of the lid extends downwards and slightly outwards from the periphery wall of the container when assembled onto the container. A first closure rib (54) preferably conical in cross-section is provided on the inner side of the outer leg (52). This closure rib (54) is directed towards the inner leg (44) and is configured to fit tightly in registration on the underside of the flange (28). A second annular closure rib (56) is provided below the first closure rib (54). The annular rib in cross section is conical in shape and is configured to fit tightly in registration the second annular flange (32) of the container lid. Further down along the outer leg (52) is an annular closure rib (58) on the inner side of the outer leg. On the outer side of the outer leg at the corresponding position to the annular rib (58) is a groove (60). It will be appreciated that the thickness of the outer leg at this point is thinner than along the rest of the outer leg and is the tear off point for the tamper evident seal (62) of the container and lid assembly. The outer leg (52) extends downwards and outwards further. Below and on the inner side along the outer leg is another annular rib (64). This SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) RO/AU 1 1 annular rib (64) is configured to act cooperatively against the annular flange (36). The annular ribs (58, 64) are configured in a manner that the upper edges are acutely angled along the axis of the outer leg (52). In comparison the upper edges of the ribs (54, 56) are obtusely angled along the axis of the outer leg (52). The horizontal section of the lid (46) is integrally connected to the leg substantially perpendicularly. Referring to Fig. 7, it will be seen that panel (66) of the lid is co-axial to the annular flange (34) and therefore correspondly to lock 3 in the container and lid assembly. The working of the various parts will be described now together with other features not described earlier. To enable easy comprehension of the interrelationship of the various parts, the following description where appropriate is adopted. First lock (1) comprises of annular flange (28) engaged upon annular rib (54). Second lock (2) comprises of annular flange (32) engaged upon annular rib (56). Third lock (3) comprises of annular flange (34) engaged upon annular rib (58). Fourth lock (4) comprises of annual flange (36) engaged upon annular rib (64). Referring to Figs. 6 to 10, there is shown a container with a lid according to the invention in a sealed position. At this position, the annular rib (50) on the undersurface of the lid (12) fits tightly into the annular groove (26) of the container to provide an air-tight fitting seal of the lid to the container. The annular rib (54) of the lid is tightly engaged upon the annular flange (28) of the container. This is the first lock (1). Internal annular rib (56) of the lid is tightly engaged upon the annular rim (34) of the container (see Fig. 4). The annular closure rib (56) is triangular in cross section in radial cross-section of the lid. The upper side (56a) of the triangular section is inclined downwards towards the container. The lower side (56b) of the triangular section is inclined downwards away from the SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) RO/AU 12 container. This is the second lock (2). Internal annular closure rim on the lid (62) engages upon the annular rim (34) of the lid. The annular rim (58) includes an upwardly inclining side (58a), which engages upon the downwardly inclined side (34a) of the annular flange (34). This is the third lock (3). Internal annular closure rim (64) on the lid engages upon the annular rim (36) of the lid. The annular rim (64) includes an upwardly inclining side (64a) which engages upon the downwardly inclined side (36a) of the annular flange (36). This is the fourth lock (4). When annular rims (58 and 64) engage upon rims (34 and 36), they act as cams, being slightly undercut (or reverse in profile). Annular skirt or hoop (38) supported on the underside by regularly spaced out second strengthening ribs (42), takes any lateral impact forces on the lid and container assembly, instead of the impact forces being directed directly onto the container. Additional first strengthening ribs (40) are disposed equidistant apart on the outer side of the container. These strengthening ribs improve the impact performance of the container by acting as bracers on the container. It will be appreciated that the lid when engaged to the container creates an air-tight seal without the need for a rubber gasket or O-ring seal. The four locks and the annular groove (26) and annular rib (50) sealing means which initially work independent of each other do act cooperatively when the lid is fitted over the container. The sealing mechanism of the invention is depicted more clearly in Fig. 7. Lock 3 pulls the lid (10) tightly onto the container and ensures an air tight seal. The upper sides of the annular closure rims 54 and 56 are inclined downwards and towards the container to enable easy removals of the lid. Lock 3 ensures that the two annular ribs (45) in the inner leg (44) of the lid are under load and are pressed tightly on the container against the annular ledge (24). Lock 4 acts as a bias means, pulling the lid tightly against the container. From the description above it will be appreciated that a first air tight sealing means is formed by the annular rim 50 and annular groove 26 SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) RO/AU 13 assembly. The tight fit of this sealing means is further enabled by a second sealing means formed by the annular ribs (45) of the inner leg (44) being biased against the annular ledge (24) and which position is maintained by locks 1 , 2 and 3. Lock 2 forms a cam action to provide a further tight fit inner leg (44) against the periphery wall and the tight fit of the annular rim (50) against the annular groove (26). Any lateral impact on lid alongside the outer leg (52) of the lid will be transmitted to panel (66) of lid. No strengthening fins are provided on the lid, unlike in prior art lids. This configuration has distinct advantages not available in prior art lids. Firstly the absence of strengthening ribs on the lid reduces the amount of material used and therefore reduces the weight and cost of production of the lid. Secondly the lid does not trap any of the contents stored in the container when the container is emptied. This is desirable factor in the market. Thirdly the lid with the absence of the strengthening ribs, the lid is more malleable or flexible. The container and the lid assembly is able to withstand greater distortion without the lid becoming disengaged from the container, especially when the filled container and lid assembly is dropped from a height onto the ground and the assembly is impacted at any angle. The first, second and third locks are designed in a way that as engagement of the lid and container occurs; and if any enlargement of the container takes place, registration of the component parts of the various locks is further enhanced. The locks create a spring effect upon interlocking and further transmit motion much the same way as would a cam action. Prior art inventions in the same field involve locks that are designed to provide only an attempt to hold the lid in position on the container and to more importantly resist easy removal of lid from the container. In the present invention the presence of a plurality of locks facilitates the tight fit of the lid onto the container by creating a continuous "live seal" at the various locks. The container body (10) and the injection moulded lid (12) are made from plastics injection process which process involves the injection of commodity grade plastics resin melt into the corresponding mould for the container or lid by turbulant flow (non-laminar) flow of plastics melt into the SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) RO/AU 14 mould body. The adoption of injection of plastics melt by a non-laminar injection fill, permits the creation of thin walled sections without any corresponding loss in mechanical strength compared with identical sized containers made using conventional laminar flow process. Using the non-laminar injection fill process drastically reduces in- moulded stress in the container and the lid. While a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in detail, various modifications, alterations and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) RO/AU

Claims: 15 CLAIMS 1. In a sealable container and lid: the container body having an open top with a rim thereround, a plurality of annular flanges spaced apart extending radially outwards from an external wall of the container body, an annular skirt extending radially outwards from the undersurface of the furthest located annular flange, a lid having an outer leg which includes a plurality of annular rims formed therein in a relationship corresponding to the spaced apart relationship of the annular flanges of the container body, the annular rims of the lids are snap-fastenable over corresponding said annular flanges of the container body, and an inner leg disposed from an undersurface of the lid and configured to fit to an inner wall of the container body, the improvement comprising:- an annular rib (50) on the undersurface of the lid: an annular groove (26) on the mid portion of the end rim of the container body (10): wherein an air-tight seal is created upon the annular rib (50) being sealingly engaged upon the annular groove (26) and the annular flanges and annular rims are in registration respectively. 2. A sealable container and lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein an annular groove (22) extends around the container body between the annular rib (34) penultimate annular flange (36) said annular groove (22) providing a weakened deflectable annular region on the container body to accommodate bend stresses on the container when the lid is secured onto the container. 3. A sealable container and lid as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the annular groove (22) of the lid comprises of a V-shaped cross section on the external wall of the container (10) and above the ultimate annular flange (36). 4. A sealable container and lid as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the inner leg (44) of the lid includes at least one annular rib (45) and wherein the SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) RO/AU 16 annular rib (45) of the inner leg (44) biases against the top of an annular ledge (24) along periphery wall of the container body. 5. A sealable container and lid as claimed in Claim 1 wherein a cam effect resulting from the engagement of annular rim (62) against annular flange (36) results in a downward force exerted by the annular rib (50) against the annular groove (26) on the container body to create an airtight seal means between the container body and the lid. 6. A sealing means for a container and lid: the container body having an open top with a rim thereround, a plurality of annular flanges spaced apart extending radially outwards from an external wall of the container body, an annular skirt extending radially outwards from the undersurface of the furthest located annular flange, a lid having an outer leg which includes a plurality of annular rims formed therein in a relationship corresponding to the spaced apart relationship of the annular flanges of the container body, the annular rims of the lids are snap-fastenable over corresponding, said annular flanges of the container body, and an inner leg disposed from an undersurface of the lid and configured to fit to an inner wall of the container body, the improvement comprising at least one annular rib (50) on the undersurface of the lid; an at least one annular groove (26) on the mid portion of the end rim of the container body (10) rim; wherein an air-tight seal is created upon the annular rib (50) being sealingly engaged upon the annular groove (26). 7. In a sealable container and lid: the container body having an open top with a rim thereround, a plurality of annular flanges spaced apart extending radially outwards from an external wall of the container body, an annular skirt extending radially outwards from the undersurface of the furthest located annular flange, a lid having an outer leg which includes a plurality of annular rims formed therein in a relationship corresponding to the spaced apart relationship of the annular flanges of the container body, the annular rims of the lids are snap-fastenable over corresponding said annular flanges of the SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) RO/AU 17 container body, and an inner leg disposed from an undersurface of the lid and configured to fit to an inner wall of the container body, the improvement comprising:- the improvement comprising at least one annular rib (50) on the mid-portion of the rim of the container body (10) and at least one groove (26) on the undersurface of the lid, wherein an air-tight seal is created upon the annular rib (50) being sealingly engaged upon the annular groove (26). 8. A sealable container and lid as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the lid includes a horizontal panel co-axial with an annular flange of the container body when the lid is engaged upon the container body. 9. A sealable container and lid as claimed in Claim 1 wherein when the lid (12) is engaged upon the container body (10) the corner formed by horizontal portion and vertical portion of the outer leg (52) of the lid is spaced apart from the first flange (28) of the container body to provide a void (30) between the lid and the container. 10. A sealable container and lid as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the angle of inclination of the upper edge of at least one annular rim in the lid is obtuse and the angle of inclination of the upper edge of at least another annular rim in the lid is acute. SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26) RO/AU

Inventors: CHIRADEJNANT PRAJAK, TYLER GLENN NORMAN, CHIRADEJNANT, PRAJAK, TYLER, GLENN, NORMAN
Applicants: CHIRADEJNANT PRAJAK, PORANUNT COMPANY LTD, TYLER GLENN NORMAN, CHIRADEJNANT, PRAJAK, PORANUNT COMPANY LTD., TYLER, GLENN, NORMAN
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B65D43
IPC codes: B44D3, B65D21, B65D41, B65D43, B65D51