Abstract:
A container ( 10 ) and scalable cover ( 32 ) in which the container ( 10 ) has a bottom wall ( 12 ) and an upstanding peripheral wall ( 16, 18 ) terminating in an upper edge ( 22 ) surrounding an open mouth. The peripheral wall ( 16, 18 ) is inclined outwardly at a slight angle to the vertical or alternatively vertically disposed. A replaceable cover ( 32 ) is provided with a central top planar wall ( 34 ) and an inverted U-shaped periphery terminating in an outer rim skirt ( 38 ). A contiguous downwardly extending scaling fin ( 44 ) is disposed inwardly of the skirt for forming an interference fit with the inside surface of the upper portion of the container peripheral wall when the cover ( 32 ) is installed over the container mouth. The fin ( 44 ) may be substantially vertically disposed or canted outwardly at a small angle to the vertical depending upon the inclination of the peripheral wall ( 16, 18 ). A pair of latches ( 48 ) are rotatably mounted on the cover ( 32 ) adjacent the outer rim skirt ( 38 ) and arranged to engage protruding latch hooks ( 50 ) on the container peripheral wall ( 16, 18 ) to releasably secure the cover ( 32 ) over the contain*-mouth.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part application of PCT/US01/02434, filed Jan. 5, 2001, entitled CONTAINER AND SEALING COVER. 
     
    
     
       TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0002]    This invention relates generally to a container for storing foods, liquids and other articles and a replaceable cover or lid capable of providing a tight seal and more particularly to the container cover which is suitable for use in microwave cooking and in automatic dish washers.  
         BACKGROUND ART AND OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Food storage containers are generally made of a plastic material such as polypropylene or polyethylene polymers or copolymers. Such containers are normally fairly rigid, but may be subject to some amount of flexure especially where the lid or cover is arranged to be peeled off of the container mouth. Most such container/lid configurations provide a sealing bead or rim along the upper wall of the container with a mating channel on the lid which engages the bead as well as the adjacent inner and outer surfaces of the container wall. Such sealing arrangements generally require considerable effort to force the lid onto the sealing bead during the closing procedure and perhaps greater effort to peal the lid away from the container during the opening process. While some lids are provided with one or more outwardly extending tabs to accommodate a user&#39;s fingers, the opening procedure may be quite difficult for a person suffering from arthritis or tendinitis. In addition, the lids of such sealable containers often become distorted through heating, dishwashing or refrigeration procedures making lid replacement difficult or impossible. In addition containers designed for microwave use are generally provided with a separate vent located in the lid for preventing pressure build up.  
           [0004]    In some designs a separate sealing member such as an O-ring or annular gasket is disposed between the container rim and the lid channel to provide a more secure seal. Such designs may rely on frictional forces to maintain the lid in place on the container or may rely on latching arms carried by the lids which engage retention lips on the container. In either case the separate sealing member, i.e., O-ring or gasket involves not only added manufacturing costs, but is subject to being misplaced or lost during use of the container.  
           [0005]    There is a need for a more user friendly food storage container/cover which overcomes the above shortcomings.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    A container in accordance with the present invention includes a bottom wall and an upstanding peripheral wall terminating in an upper edge surrounding an open top or mouth. At least an upper portion of the wall defines an inside sealing surface which circumscribes the wall below the peripheral edge. While the container is preferably rectangularly-shaped, it may also be circular or oval in shape.  
           [0007]    A replaceable cover is provided which includes a top, preferably dish-shaped, with a planar top wall terminating in a downwardly extending outer rim flange or skirt. The skirt is arranged to fit over a substantial portion of the upper edge of the container. The cover includes a downwardly extending inner sealing flange circumscribing the cover inwardly of the outer flange. The sealing flange has a lower section terminating in a free edge, the perimeter of which is greater than the perimeter of the container sealing surface so that the lower section of the sealing flange forms an interference fit with the inside sealing surface of the container wall when the cover is pressed downwardly over the mouth or open top of the container.  
           [0008]    A pair of latch handles are pivotally mounted on opposite sides of the cover along the outer rim flange thereof with each latch handle being provided with a protruding locking tab arranged to snap under a section of the peripheral upper edge of the container wall when the latch handle is rotated downwardly to lock the cover in a sealing relationship over the container mouth. The outer rim skirt of the cover does not extend under the peripheral upper edge of the cover so that the cover can be readily removed when the latch handles are rotated upwardly to disengage the locking tabs from the peripheral upper edge of the container. Also when one of the latch handles is rotated to its unlocked position expanded fluid within the container will cause the lid (or a portion thereof) to rise slightly during microwave cooking to provide the necessary venting action to prevent excess pressure build-up.  
           [0009]    In one embodiment the upper portion of the container peripheral wall is inclined outwardly at a slight angle to the vertical, say 2° to 5° and the sealing flange is substantially vertical.  
           [0010]    In an alternative embodiment the upper portion of the container wall and the inside sealing surface defined thereby is substantially vertically disposed and the sealing flange is outwardly canted, when the bottom wall is positioned on a horizontal plane. The sealing flange seats against the inside sealing surface of the container wall when the cover is pressed downwardly over the mouth or open top of the container to form the interference fit. As an additional feature, to facilitate mating and un-mating the container and cover, the uppermost portion of the wall defines a transition or lead in surface for guiding the sealing flange into registry with the container sealing surface. Such transition surface may be inclined outwardly at an angle to the vertical, e.g., 45° or less, when the bottom wall is positioned in a horizontal plane.  
           [0011]    The construction and function of preferred embodiments of the container/cover arrangement of the present invention may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like components are designated by the same reference numeral in the several figures. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a perspective top view of a container and cover in accordance with the present invention showing the cover in a separated condition with the latch handles unassembled;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a perspective bottom view of the container/cover of FIG. 1 showing the bottom of the cover and container in some detail;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 2 a  is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the cover of FIG. 2 taken along lines  2   a - 2   a  showing the disposition of the ribs;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken along lines  4 - 4  of FIG. 3 showing the angle that the upper portion of the container side wall makes with the vertical;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the cover;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 6 is a side elevational view of the cover;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the cover taken along lines  7 - 7  of FIG. 5;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 8 is a top plan view of one of the latch handles;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of a latch handle;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of a latch handle;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 11 is a bottom plan view of the container and cover in an assembled and locked position;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the container and cover with one of the latch handles rotated to its fully upright position illustrating the simultaneous application of upward pressure to the latch handle and downward pressure to the cover for breaking the seal and releasing the cover from the container;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 13 is a side elevational view of the container and cover in an assembled and locked position; and  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 a  is a enlarged sectional view of the right medial end of the assembled container and cover showing (a) the interference fit between the cover sealing flange and the inside surface of the upper portion of the container side wall and (b) the configuration of the end section of the cover overlying the container handle;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another container and cover in accordance with the present invention showing the cover in separated condition with the latch handles unassembled  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 15 is a perspective bottom view of the container/cover of FIG. 14 showing the bottom of the cover and container;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 16 is a top plan view of the container of FIG. 14;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the container taken along lines  17 - 17  of FIG. 16;  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 17 a  an enlarged sectional view of the right medial end of the container showing the upper portion of the container;  
         [0032]    [0032]FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the cover;  
         [0033]    [0033]FIG. 19 is a side elevational view of the cover;  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 20 is a partial cross-sectional view of the cover;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 21 is a top plan view of one of the latch handles;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 22 is a bottom plan view of a latch handle;  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 23 is a side elevational view of a latch handle;  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 24 is a side elevational view of the container and cover in an assembled and locked position;  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 24 a  is an enlarged sectional view of the left medial end of the assembled container and cover showing (a) the sealing fit between the cover sealing fin and the inside surface of the upper portion of the container side wall and (b) the configuration of the end section of the cover overlying the container handle;  
         [0040]    [0040]FIG. 25 is an enlarged sectional view of the left medial end of the assembled container and cover showing the cover sealing flange and the inside surface of the uppermost portion of the container side wall prior to flexure;  
         [0041]    [0041]FIG. 26 is an enlarged sectional view of the latch handle in its open position;  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 27 is an enlarged sectional view of the latch handle rotated in its closed position;  
         [0043]    [0043]FIG. 28 is a bottom plan view of the container and cover in an assembled and locked position. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0044]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 4 , the container  10  of the present invention includes a flat bottom wall  12  which merges at its periphery, via a rounded corner  14 , with a peripheral wall, comprising end walls  16  and side walls  18 . As discussed previously, while the container shown in the drawings has a rectangular shape, the container of the present invention may have a circular or oval shape with only a peripheral upstanding wall. The end and side walls of the container  10  are merged, via rounded corners  20 , as shown. The peripheral wall ( 16 ,  18 ) terminates in an upper edge  22 , via an outwardly extending convex shaped segment  24 . The edge  22  surrounds and defines an open top or mouth  25  of the container  10  and forms a pair of horizontally protruding handles  26  above the end walls  16  as shown. The top surface of the handles are substantially level with the plane of the edge  22  simplifying the manufacturing process and allowing the cover to overlie the handles as illustrated for example in FIG. 12 to be described. The bottom wall  12  of the container projects downwardly at the corners forming triangular shaped protruding feet  28 .  
         [0045]    The peripheral wall ( 16 ,  18 ) has a slight convex surface, preferably formed along a radius R of about 75 inches, so that an upper section  30  of the peripheral wall (extending below the curved segment  24 ) is disposed at about an angle θ of 2° to 5° and preferably about 3° to the vertical with the bottom  12  lying in a horizontal plane as is illustrated in FIG. 4. This slight angle facilitates the entry of a peripheral sealing flange or fin  44  on the cover, to enter the mouth of the container and form an interference or sealing fit with an inner sealing surface  30   b  formed on a lower portion of the wall section  30  when a cover  32  is seated onto the container, as will be explained in more detail. See FIGS. 4 and 13 a.    
         [0046]    Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2 and  5 - 8 , a replaceable cover or lid  32  for use with the container  10  is formed with a generally planar depressed wall section  34  which merges with an upwardly inclined peripheral section  36  joined along apex  37  to a downwardly extending outer rim flange or skirt  38 . The top of the cover, i.e., wall  34  and section  36  forms a dish-like shape for receiving the bottom of a like container/lid combination in a nesting arrangement. The outer flange or skirt  38  is interrupted by a pair of axel sections  40  which are spaced from the adjacent wall section  34  as is illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 5 to receive latching handles  48  to be described. The skirt  38  fits over the upper edge of the container except for the axel portions. The cover  32  includes extended end sections  42  which fit over the top of the container handles  26  in the assembled condition. The end sections  42  define slightly depressed oblong sections  43  which overlie and accentuate the container handles. See FIG. 13 a.    
         [0047]    The cover  32  further includes a downwardly extending inner sealing flange, rib or fin  44  positioned inwardly of the outer skirt  38 . The rib or fin  44  has a base  44   a  joined to the bottom of the wall section  34  and terminates in a free edge  44   b . The sealing fin or at least the free edge thereof has a slightly greater periphery than the periphery of the inside sealing surface  30   b  of the peripheral wall of the container so that lower end of the fin  44  is deflected slightly inwardly by the inner sealing surface  30   b  of the wall section  30  in the assembled condition. The slight deflection provides an interference and sealing fit between the fin  44  and the inside surface  30   b  of the container peripheral wall. See, for example, FIG. 13 a . The sealing flange, the outer rim skirt and the inclined peripheral section  36  of the cover form an inverted generally U-shaped cavity. Spaced vertical ribs  46  are formed along the underside of the peripheral section  36  and extend between the inner sides of the skirt  38  and the base of the sealing flange as shown in FIGS. 2 and 2 a  to serve as stop members to limit the downward movement of the cover and thereby control the extent or height of the seal between the cover sealing fin and the container sealing surface. The stop member, when abutted against the upper edge of the container, informs the user that a positive seal has been obtained.  
         [0048]    In the embodiment just described the cover sealing flange or rib  44  is substantially vertical and the inner sealing surface  30   b  on the upper peripheral wall of the container is slanted or canted outwardly by the angle θ of say 2° to 5° degrees. In an alternative embodiment, to be described in conjunction with FIGS.  14 - 28 , the cover sealing flange or rib is canted outwardly in its unstressed or unseated condition and the inner sealing surface of the container wall is generally vertically inclined. With this arrangement as with the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 13 , the lower portion of the cover sealing rib is forced inwardly against the container sealing surface to provide the sealing action when the cover is pressed downwardly over the mouth of the container.  
         [0049]    Referring again to the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 13  and more particularly to FIGS.  8 - 10 , the cover or lid  32  is removably secured (and sealed) to the container  10  by means of a pair of oppositely disposed latching handles  48  which engage the underside  50   a  of a pair of latch hooks  50  formed on the outside of the peripheral upper edge of the container wall as is illustrated by the dashed lines in FIG. 13. Each latch handle is formed with an upper surface  48   a  including an outwardly extending finger engaging surface  48   b , a back wall  48   c  and a lower surface. The lower surface is formed with a pair of short protruding spaced inner walls  48   d  which together with the back wall form two semicircular recesses  48   e  with downwardly faced openings  48   f  for receiving an associated axel  40 . The lower latch handle surface further forms a downwardly protruding locking tab  48   g  for engaging the lower edge  50   a  of an associated locking hook  50  on the container wall. Additionally the lower latch handle surface includes a finger engaging surface  48   h.    
         [0050]    The latch handles are assembled to the cover or lid  32  by spreading the inner walls  48  slightly away from the back wall  48   c  (in a snapping action) to allow each axel to enter the respective recess  48   e . The back wall  48   c  of each latch handle limits the rotational movement of the associated latch handle to about 90° by engaging the edge  34   a  of the wall  34  when the upper surface of the handle is about parallel to the surface  34 . It should be noted that the edge  34   a  may include a small upward curvature formed as part of the arched peripheral section  36 .  
         [0051]    As discussed previously and as illustrated in FIGS. 13 and 13 a , skirt  38 , while fitting over the upper edge of the container, except for the axel portions, does not extend under the upper peripheral edge of the container wall. As a result, only the latch handles serve to lock the cover and container together.  
         [0052]    In use, the cover  32  with the latch handles assembled thereon, may be placed over the mouth or top  24  of the container  10  and then pressed downwardly until the ribs  46  are seated on the container&#39;s upper edge  22 . In this position the inner sealing flange  44  forms an interference fit with the inside of the container peripheral wall. The latch handles may then be easily rotated to a closed position by pressing downwardly and inwardly on the finger engaging surfaces  48   b  until the locking tabs  48   g  snap under the locking hooks  50 .  
         [0053]    The locked container and cover, with the contents stored therein, is now ready for storage. To open the cover it is only necessary to rotate one or both of the latch handles to an unlocked position and lift the cover. If desired, one latch handle (or both) may be rotated to its upper most position and pressed upwardly (e.g., by a finger  52 ) while an area of the planar surface  34  of the cover adjacent the handle is simultaneously pressed downwardly (e.g., by a thumb  54 ). This simple maneuver causes the surface  34  to assume a slightly concave bow to break the seal and release the cover from the container. See FIG. 12.  
         [0054]    Another preferred embodiment of a storage container and lid is illustrated in FIGS.  14 - 17 . This embodiment is very similar to the embodiment of FIGS.  1 - 13  except that the sealing rib on the lid is canted outwardly and the inner sealing surface along the upper portion of the container peripheral wall is about vertical. The container  110 , like the container  10 , includes a flat bottom wall  112  which merges at its periphery, through rounded corners  114 , with a peripheral wall, comprising end walls  116  and side walls  118 . The end and side walls of the container  110  are merged through rounded corners  120 . The peripheral wall ( 116 ,  118 ) terminates in an upper edge  122 . The edge  122  surrounds and defines an open top or mouth  125  of the container  110  and forms a pair of horizontally protruding handles  126  above the end walls  116  as shown. The top surface of the handles are substantially level with the plane of the edge  122  simplifying the manufacturing process and allowing the cover to overlie the handles. The bottom wall  112  of the container projects downwardly at the corners forming triangular shaped protruding feet  128 .  
         [0055]    The uppermost section of peripheral wall ( 116 ,  118 ) has a short transition or lead in wall segment  123  extending below the upper edge  122  and above a surface  124   a  formed on the inside of an upper section  124  of the peripheral wall as is best illustrated in FIGS. 17 a ,  24   a ,  25  and  27 . The surface  124   a , which circumscribes the interior of the upper peripheral wall is referred to as the inside sealing surface. The short lead in segment  123  is inclined outwardly at an angle λ to the vertical. The angle λ and angle Φ (to be discussed) between the cover sealing rib or fin and the vertical must be correlated to allow the lid to be seated on the container with a reasonable amount of force. The angled lead in segment  123  and the inner surface  123   a  formed thereby facilitate the entry of an inner sealing rib or fin  144  (described below) on the cover to enter the mouth of the container and form a sealing fit with the generally rectangular sealing surface area  124   a  when a cover  132  is seated onto the container. This angled transition wall segment  123  also facilitates removal of the cover. See FIGS. 24 and 25. The transition wall segment may be about {fraction (1/16)} to ⅛ inches in height. The angle λ should not exceed 45° and preferably is within the range of about 10° to 20° and most preferably about 15° . The inside sealing surface  124   a  of wall section  124  is generally vertically disposed. Reference numbers  127  and  129  (FIG. 17 a ) indicate the direction of vertical planes and horizontal planes, respectively, in relation to the container bottom  122 . The rest of wall  118  below the wall section  124  may taper inwardly to the bottom  112 , which facilitates nesting of two or more containers.  
         [0056]    Referring now to FIGS. 14, 15 and  18 - 20 , a replaceable cover or lid  132  for use with the container  110  is formed with a generally planar depressed wall section  134  which merges with an upwardly inclined peripheral section  136  joined along apex  137  to a downwardly extending outer rim flange or skirt  138 . The top of the cover, i.e., wall  134  and section  136  forms a dish-like shape for receiving the bottom of a like container/lid combination in a nesting arrangement. The outer flange or skirt  138  is interrupted by a pair of axel sections  140  which are spaced from the adjacent wall section  134   a  as is illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 18 to receive latching handles  148  to be described. The skirt  138  fits over the upper edge of the container except for the axel portions and like the skirt  38  of the cover  32 , does not extend under the upper peripheral edge of the container wall. The cover  132  includes extended end sections  142  which fit over the top of the container handles  126  in the assembled condition. The end sections  142  define slightly depressed oblong sections  143  that overlie and accentuate the container handles. See FIG. 14.  
         [0057]    The cover  132  further includes a downwardly extending inner sealing flange, rib or fin  144  positioned inwardly of the outer skirt  138 . The flange or fin  144  is canted or inclined outwardly from the vertical through an angle Φ such that the free end  144   a  of the fin  144  is deflected or bent inwardly by the container inside sealing surface  124   a  with the lower half portion  144   b  of the fin being seated against the sealing surface  124   a  in the assembled condition. The cant or inclination angle Φ (FIG. 26) may be as great as 20° but preferably is in the range of about 4° to 8° and most preferably about 6° 0 . The deflection of the fin  144  by the inside sealing surface  124   a  of the wall section  124  provides a bending force and consequentially a lateral force there-between which enhances a sealing or interference fit between the fin  144  and the inside surface  124   a  of the container wall section  124 . As will be noted the free edge  144   a  of the sealing fin  144  has a greater periphery than the periphery of the container inside sealing surface  124   a . See, for example, FIG. 24 a.    
         [0058]    It has been discovered that a length to height ratio for the fin  144  is preferably about 4.0 to 5.0 and most preferably about 4.5 for ease of manufacturing the rib integrally with the cover by injection molding processes. A fin with a thickness of 0.055 inches at its base  144   c  would most preferably be 0.25 inches in height. The fin or rib  144  has a draft, i.e., thinner at the free end than at the base, of about 2° to 3°. The lower this height to width ratio the easier and more reliable the manufacturing process. The selection of the fin cant angle Φ, the height of the fin and placement of the fin on the cover in relation to the vertical sealing wall section  124  when the cover and container are mated are preferably selected such that about one-half of the fin&#39;s lower surface area is pressed into contact with the inner sealing surface  124   a . The amount of flexure, i.e., bending of the sealing fin  144 , preferably should not exceed 20% to 30% of the maximum yield strength of the fin. The vertical force required to seat the lid on the container may be of the order of 6 to 10 and preferably about 8 ounces per linear inch to accommodate the strength of the anticipated users while providing the desired seal.  
         [0059]    Spaced vertical ribs  146  are formed along the underside of the peripheral section  136  and the inner side of skirt  138  as shown in FIG. 15 and  18  to provide structural rigidity and seat on the upper edge  122  of the container.  
         [0060]    A pair of oppositely disposed latch handles  148  engage the underside  150   a  of a pair of latch hooks  150  formed on the peripheral upper edge of the container wall. Each latch handle is formed with an upper surface  148   a  including an outwardly extending finger engaging surface  148   b , a back wall  148   c  and a lower surface. The lower surface is formed with a pair of short protruding spaced inner walls  148   d  which together with the back wall form two semicircular recesses  148   e  with downwardly faced openings  148   f  for receiving an associated axel  140 . The lower latch handle surface further forms a downwardly protruding locking tab  148   g  with a bead  148   i  for engaging the lower edge  150   a  of an associated locking hook  150  on the container wall. Additionally the lower latch handle surface includes a finger engaging surface  148   h.    
         [0061]    The latch handles  148  are snapped onto the axels  140  and the cover  132  placed over the mouth or top  125  of the container  110  with the fin inserted into the transition segment facilitating the assembly process. See FIGS. 24 and 25. The cover  132  is then pressed downwardly until the ribs  146  are seated on the container&#39;s upper edge  122 . In this position the sealing fin  144  forms a seal with the inside of the container. See FIGS. 23 a  and  26 . The latch handles  148  may then be easily rotated to a closed position by pressing downwardly and inwardly on the finger engaging surfaces  148   b  until the locking tabs  148   g  is rotated to snap the bead  148   i  under the locking hooks  150  as illustrated in FIG. 26.  
         [0062]    Removal of the cover from the container may be accomplished similarly to the first above-described embodiment as described and illustrated with reference to FIG. 12.  
         [0063]    The container ( 10 ,  110 ) may be made (i.e., injection molded) of a suitable rigid or semi-rigid plastic such as polypropylene, but is preferably made of polycarbonate which is suitable for microwave and conventional dishwasher use. While the bottom of the container may be frosted the sides are preferably transparent or translucent to enable the food or material stored in the container to be readily viewed. It should be noted that to vent excess gas pressure from the container interior (as a result of cooking) it is only necessary to unlatch one of the latch handles.  
         [0064]    The cover or lid ( 32 ,  132 ) as well as the latch handles may also be made of a suitable plastic, but are preferably made of polypropylene, having sufficient rigidity so that the inner flange of skirt ( 44 ,  144 ) forms an interference or sealing fit with the inner surface of the container wall in the assembled condition. The cover also preferably has sufficient beam strength and flexibility so that when an upward force is exerted on the finger engaging lower surface ( 48   h ,  148   h  of one or both latch handles (when in their upward most position) and a downward force is exerted on the planar top cover surface adjacent the latch handle the outer rim flange ( 38 ,  138 ) will flex outwardly and upwardly to break the seal and disengage the cover from the container. This feature adds to the user friendliness of the container/lid arrangement and particularly for persons suffering from arthritis or tendinitis of the hands an wrists.  
         [0065]    The above-described storage container/cover arrangements can be made in a variety of sizes, i.e., lengths, widths and depths (e.g., 12″×7½″×2″ etc.), with or without a designed stacking system. The container with the cover removed may be used as a serving dish.  
         [0066]    There has thus been described improved, simple and inexpensive container/cover combinations which provides a reliable sealing system for food stuffs. Various modifications of the combination will occur to persons skilled in the art without involving any departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.