Abstract:
An apparatus, according to one embodiment, for storing a product comprising a lid including a tongue; and a clamp; and a container including a groove, wherein the tongue and the groove form a seal when the lid is coupled to the container; and a bead, wherein the clamp engages with the bead when the lid is coupled to the container. An apparatus, according to another embodiment, for storing a product comprising a lid; a container configured to engage with the lid and form a secondary seal between the lid and the container; and a film seal coupled to the container.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0002]    The present invention relates to containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to containers with a sealing mechanism. 
         [0003]    2. Discussion of the Related Art 
         [0004]    There are containers that utilize a thin film seal to keep contents either moisturized or isolated from moisture. For example, wet moisture wipes that are used to clean floors or other surfaces are stored in a container that has a lid. Generally, when manufactured a film seal is included across the top of the container to form a moisture tight barrier. In use, after removal of the lid, the film seal can also be removed and the moisture wipes can be accessed. However, the film seal is not reusable and thus, the lid now forms the only barrier between the container and the outside of the container. In general, the lid does not provide a seal even after being placed back on the container. This leads to the moisture wipes becoming dried out. A similar problem exists with any liquid product, tea, coffee, or any other product that is moisturized or should be isolated from moisture. 
         [0005]    Thus, a container that can provide a seal after removal of a thin film seal from the top of the container is needed. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0006]    Some embodiments provide a container and lid that include both a film seal and a secondary seal, the secondary seal capable of being engaged before and after the film seal has been removed. Some other embodiments provide a container and lid including a tongue and groove forming a seal, the container and lid further including a bead and clamp that provide a force to keep the tongue and groove engaged. 
         [0007]    One embodiment can be characterized as an apparatus, according to one embodiment, for storing a product comprising a lid including a tongue; and a clamp; and a container including a groove, wherein the tongue and the groove form a seal when the lid is coupled to the container; and a bead, wherein the clamp engages with the bead when the lid is coupled to the container. 
         [0008]    Another embodiment can be characterized as an apparatus, according to another embodiment, for storing a product comprising a lid; a container configured to engage with the lid and form a secondary seal between the lid and the container; and a film seal coupled to the container. 
         [0009]    A subsequent embodiment includes a method comprising forming a film seal on a top of a container; engaging a lid with the container; and forming a secondary seal with a tongue and a groove between the lid and the container. Optionally, the method further includes engaging a bead and a clamp to provide a force between the tongue and the groove that form the secondary seal. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    The above and other aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following more particular description thereof, presented in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a diagram illustrating a side cross sectional view of a portion of a container having a film seal and a lid forming a secondary seal with the container in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a diagram illustrating a side cross sectional view of the container and the lid of  FIG. 1  after the film seal has been removed in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a diagram illustrating a three-dimensional view of a container in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a diagram illustrating a three-dimensional view of a container and a lid in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5A-5C  are a sequence of a diagrams illustrating a break away tab for a container in accordance with one embodiment; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a diagram illustrating stackable containers in accordance with one embodiment; and 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a diagram illustrating stackable lids in accordance with one embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0018]    Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding components throughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions, sizing, and/or relative placement of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary meaning as is usually accorded to such terms and expressions by those skilled in the corresponding respective areas of inquiry and study except where other specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of describing the general principles of the invention. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the claims. The present embodiments address the problems described in the background while also addressing other additional problems as will be seen from the following detailed description. 
         [0020]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a diagram is shown illustrating a side cross sectional view of a portion of a container having a film seal and a lid forming a secondary seal with the container in accordance with one embodiment. Shown is a film seal  100 , a gap  101 , a container  102  that includes: an inner wall  106 , a groove  108 , a bead  110 , an outer wall  112 , a bumper return  114  and a rib support  116 , and a lid  104  that includes: a top  118 , a tongue  120 , a clamp  121 , an undercut  122  and an outer wall  124 . 
         [0021]    The film seal  100  provides a seal for the container  102  that is removable. Once removed, however, the film seal  100  is generally thrown away. That is, the film seal  100 , once removed, does not get reapplied to the container  102 . As described above, the container may contain products that are moisturized (e.g., moisture wipes) or products for which it is desirable to keep isolated from moisture (e.g., tea, coffee). The present embodiment provides a secondary seal for after the film seal  100  has been removed.  FIG. 2  illustrates a side cross sectional view of the container and the lid of  FIG. 1  after the film seal has been removed. 
         [0022]    The secondary seal, in accordance with one embodiment, includes the tongue  120  and the groove  108 . As shown, the tongue  120  is in the shape of a “V” such that the tongue  120  is easily lead into the groove  108  when placing the lid  104  back onto the container  102 . While other shapes can function to provide the secondary seal, the “V” shape makes the lid  104  and container  102  much more user friendly. As the tongue  120  engages the groove  108 , the lid  104  is going to be pushed upward and outward by the groove  108 . In order to counter balance that force and provide a good seal, the container  102  includes the bead  110  and the lid  104  includes the clamp  121  and the undercut  122 . The undercut  122  is a portion of the clamp  121 . 
         [0023]    The bead  110  and the clamp  121  act to provide a downward and inward force that counteracts the force between the tongue  120  and the groove  108  allowing the tongue  120  and groove  108  to provide a good secondary seal between the container  102  and the lid  104 . That is, the clamp  121  grasps onto the bead  110  and pushes the tongue  120  down into the groove  108  to create the secondary seal. By forming the bead  110  in a direction upward and outward from the container  102 , the proper force is applied to the tongue  120  and the groove  108 . The bead  110  is wider than an opening of the clamp  121  such that the undercut  122  portion of the clamp  121  helps to create the downward and inward force for the secondary seal. While the bead  110  and the groove  108  are shown as part of the container  102  and the clamp  121  and the tongue  120  are shown as part of the lid  104  in accordance with the one embodiment, other embodiments can have any of these components integrated with either the lid  104  or the container  102  depending upon the specific design desired. 
         [0024]    In one embodiment, the container  102  includes the outer wall  112  which has at least a portion that includes an outward slope. The outward slope makes it easier for a user to line up the tongue  120  and groove  108  when placing the lid  104  back on the container. Optionally, the gap  101  is provided between the outward slope portion of the outer wall  112  and the lid  104 . The gap  101  is provided such that if portions of the film seal  100  are not completely removed the film seal  100  will not interfere with forming the secondary seal between the tongue  120  and the groove  108 . In this embodiment, the outward slope includes a stepped portion before the groove  108  and the bead  110 . Additionally, in this embodiment, the bead  110 , the clamp  121 , the tongue  120  and the groove  108  are all positioned below a flat portion of the top of the container  102  where the film seal  100  attaches to the container  102 . This allows for the secondary seal to be formed outside of where the contents of the container are stored. Additionally, this configuration allows the secondary seal to be formed in an area where material from the film seal will not be left over after removal. Advantageously, this provides greater reliability in forming a good secondary seal. Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the secondary seal extends around the entire container  102 . 
         [0025]    The container  102  also optionally includes the bumper return  114 . The bumper return  114  provides for a tamper evident container. Additionally, the tamper evident features will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 5A-5C . As shown, the bumper return  114  is a “U” shaped outer rim portion of the container  102 , however, other shapes may be optionally utilized. The bumper return  114  extends around substantially the entire container in the present embodiment. Another optional feature of the container  102  is the rib support  116 . The rib support  116  is one or a plurality of supports located around the container that provide additional strength for the container  102 . While the rib support  116  provides additional support for the container, the outward sloping portion of the container  102 , the groove  108  and the bead  110  provide the hoop strength for the container. 
         [0026]    The lid  104  includes the outer wall  124 . Optionally, the outer wall  124  extends down into the bumper return  114  of the container  102  in order to provide a tamper evident feature for the lid  104  and container  102  (shown and described with reference to  FIGS. 5A-5C ). The outer wall  124  also optionally includes a stepped portion in order to provide a stacking feature for the lids (shown and described with reference to  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0027]    Referring to  FIG. 3 , a diagram is shown illustrating a three-dimensional view of a container in accordance with one embodiment. Shown is a container  300 , a break away corner tab  302 , a bumper return  304  and a secondary seal  306 . 
         [0028]    The container  300  is shown with the lid removed. The optional break away corner tab  302  provides a tamper evident feature. After removal of the break away corner tab  302 , the lid (not shown) is more easily removed from the container. The container  300  shown is a rectangular shape, however, other shapes for the container are utilized in alternative embodiments. For example, the container  300  can be round, square, oval, rectangular, triangular and other shapes in various embodiments. Additionally, the size and the depth of the container  300  varies in different embodiments depending upon the specific application and what is stored within the container  300 . 
         [0029]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , a diagram is shown illustrating a three-dimensional view of a container and a lid in accordance with one embodiment. Shown is a container  400 , a lid  402 , a bumper return  404  and a break away corner tab  406 . The lid  402  is secured to the container  400 . The break away corner tab  406  is intact, however, may be removed in order to more easily remove the lid  402  from the container  400 . 
         [0030]    Referring next to  FIGS. 5A-5C , shown are a sequence of a diagrams illustrating a break away tab for a container in accordance with one embodiment. Shown is a container  500 , a lid  502 , a bumper return  504  and a break away corner tab  506 . 
         [0031]    In  FIG. 5A , the break away corner tab  506  is intact and the lid  502  is securely fastened to the container  500 . In order to gain access to the lid  502  so that it can be removed, the break away corner tab  506  is removed as shown in  FIG. 5B . The lid  502  can then be grasped by a user and the lid  502  can be removed from the container such as is shown in  FIG. 5C . The bumper return  504  prevents the user from accessing the lid  502  from other places around the container  500 . As stated above, the bumper return  504  and the break away corner tab  506  are optional features and only present in some embodiments. 
         [0032]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a diagram is shown illustrating stackable containers in accordance with one embodiment. Shown is a first container  600  and a second container  602 . By providing a shape of the container such that it is stackable, the storage space required before the containers are filled with a product is greatly reduced. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , a diagram is shown illustrating stackable lids in accordance with one embodiment. Shown is a first lid  700 , a second lid  702 , a stepped outer wall  704  of the first lid and a stepped outer wall  706  of the second lid. Similarly to the containers, the lids are stackable in order to reduce the storage space needed before the lids are placed on the containers. In this manner, the stepped outer wall  704  of the first lid  700  engages with the stepped outer wall  706  of the second container  702 . 
         [0034]    While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means of specific embodiments and applications thereof, other modifications, variations, and arrangements of the present invention may be made in accordance with the above teachings other than as specifically described to practice the invention within the spirit and scope defined by the following claims.