Patent Publication Number: US-10773861-B2

Title: Storage container lid system with attachment device

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of a U.S. Provisional Application with Ser. No. 62/490,723, filed on Apr. 27, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to a storage container lid system for improved storage and organization. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Storage containers, particularly food storage containers, which have a bowl or a concave base that defines a storage space therein typically have separate lids that can be secured over a top opening of the base to seal contents within the concave space of the container. In many instances, the lid secures to an upper or top edge or rim of the concave base to create an air tight seal for food being stored within the storage space. 
     One particular difficulty with such storage container systems is storing both the lids and the container bases of the storage container when the lids are not being used. Another difficulty is in storing the containers in such a way that the lids do not become lost, misplaced, or separated from the container bases, so that an appropriately-sized lid can be located when a particular container base is selected for use. 
     SUMMARY 
     In various embodiments disclosed herein, a storage container lid system is provided that facilitates stacking of the lids with each other, allows for adhering the lid to the bottom of the concave base container and allows for stacking of the base container in a vertical configuration. In one example embodiment, the invention relates generally to a container, which includes a lid member and concave base that is storable when not in use. In this example embodiment, the lid member includes an attachment device assembly that is integrated with the lid and facilitates lid stacking configurations as well as storage container stacking configurations where the concave base includes a corresponding attachment device or receptacle. In a related example embodiment, the lid member includes at least one magnet assembly that is integrated into the body of the lid member. In a related embodiment, a plurality of magnet assemblies are disposed in various locations about the lid member. 
     In another example embodiment, the invention relates generally to a lid assembly set or system which includes at least two lid members that can be stacked when not in use. The lid members are able to be stacked because they include an attachment device assembly in the lid member. The attachment device assembly can be integrated into one or more individual lid members. In this example embodiment, the attachment device assembly includes a magnetic assembly to facilitate adhering of a first lid member to a surface of a second lid member, also having a magnetic member or metallic member, in a stack configuration. 
     In yet another example embodiment, the invention relates generally to a magnetic assembly for use with a lid member of a container storage system including at least one magnetic member and an enveloping member adapted to cap the at least one magnetic member, the cap member together with the magnetic member being located in a receptacle of the lid member or on a surface of the lid member directly or molded within the lid member. 
     The invention advantageously provides a container, with its concave base and lid member that can be stored as a lid stack or the lid member associated with a base of a container via one or more attachment device assemblies, which provides no added clutter, or misplaced, lost or separated lids from corresponding base containers. 
     The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are intended to be read in conjunction with both this summary, the detailed description and any preferred and/or particular embodiments specifically discussed or otherwise disclosed. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of illustration only and so that this disclosure will be thorough, complete and will fully convey the full scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS. 1A and 1B  illustrate front views of a lid member with a concave base container and the lid member with the base container in a paired configuration ready for storage, respectively, according to the teachings of the invention. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a perspective sectioned view of an exemplary lid member with an attachment device assembly integrated therein according to the teachings of the invention. 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exploded, front perspective sectioned view of an exemplary lid member with an attachment device assembly according to the teachings of the invention. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exploded, side sectioned view of an exemplary lid member with an attachment device assembly according to the teachings of the invention. 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a top perspective view of an exemplary storage container assembly having a lid with an attachment device assembly contained therein according to the teachings of the invention. 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a top perspective view of a concave base of  FIG. 5  illustrating a floor panel construction with an exemplary receptacle according to the teachings of the invention. 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a top perspective view of a lid connected underneath to a base container of  FIG. 6  in a paired configuration ready for storage according to the teachings of the invention. 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary storage container assembly having a lid with an attachment device assembly contained therein according to the teachings of the invention. 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a top perspective view of the concave base of  FIG. 8  illustrating a floor panel construction with an exemplary receptacle according to the teachings of the invention. 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of a lid connected underneath to a base container of  FIG. 8  in a paired configuration ready for storage according to the teachings of the invention. 
         FIGS. 11A-11C  illustrate an exemplary perspective, side and top views of an organized lid stack in a vertical and horizontal configuration, respectively, facilitated by an attachment device assembly as described herein according to the teachings of the invention. 
         FIG. 12  illustrates a cross section cutaway view of at least two stacked lids according to the teachings of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Following are more detailed descriptions of various related concepts related to, and embodiments of, methods and apparatus according to the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that various aspects of the subject matter introduced above and discussed in greater detail below may be implemented in any of numerous ways, as the subject matter is not limited to any particular manner of implementation. Examples of specific implementations and applications are provided primarily for illustrative purposes. 
     The various example embodiments of the invention are generally directed at a lid member or cover accessory that is storable via one or more attachment devices, such as but not limited to magnetic assemblies, integrated or integratable into the lid member. The lid member can be a reusable, microwaveable lid member that does not generally become hot during cooking, remaining generally cool to the touch. In a related embodiment, a lid member storage system is provided herein with the advantage of being able to be stack one lid with another lid member together, or attracted towards one another, in a stacked configuration. In yet another example embodiment, the lid members described herein can also connect with an associated concave base of the container in a paired configuration when the storage container is not in use. 
     Referring now to the Figures, and in particular  FIGS. 1A-1B  there is illustrated a storage container system  5  and front views of a lid member  10  with a concave base  20  in a normal storage configuration and the lid member with the base container in a paired configuration ready for storage, respectively. The exemplary lid member  10  and concave base container  20  can be used for food storage. In this example embodiment, lid member  10  includes a lid panel  12 , with a top surface  14 , a bottom surface  16 , and a perimeter collar  18  located around the top surface of the lid panel  12  and which is configured to mate with an upper rim of at least one sidewall of concave base  20 . Perimeter collar  18  generally extends downward from lid panel  12  that is configured to close off the top near the upper end or rim of concave base  20 . In this example embodiment, lid member  10  further includes a receptacle configuration  19  adapted for receiving at least one attachment device assembly  30 . In this example embodiment, the attachment device assembly is a magnetic assembly  30 . Receptacle  19  allows attachment device assembly  30  to be integrated into lid member  10 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , the attachment device assembly  30  is located at the center of lid member  10  to thereby attach lid member  10  to other lid members or to the concave base when in a storage configuration. Lid member  10  can have differing shapes/sizes to cover various shaped bases and can have one or more attachment device assemblies  30  located thereon or therein (e.g. magnetic device assemblies) to facilitate lid or container storage. 
     In this example embodiment, concave base  20  has a base or floor panel  22 , a base perimeter  24  and a side wall  26  that extend continuously around base perimeter  24  and extends upward from base perimeter  24  and base panel  22  thereby defining the container. Side wall  26  terminates at a top edge or rim  28  that defines an open top or end  29  that provides access to an interior storage space (e.g. for food). The outer surface of base floor panel  22  can include a recessed opening or aperture  21  adapted to receive a portion of a lid panel (such as receptacle  19 ) when the storage container set is not in use. Recessed opening or aperture  21  of concave base  20  is dimensioned to receive the top surface of lid panel  12  to facilitate stacking of lid member  10  with concave base container  20  in a paired configuration. Storage container  5  can be, but is not limited to, an injection molded plastic container and can be formed from metal, ceramic, glass or any other formable material. 
     In related embodiments, opening  21  of the concave base includes a magnet or a metallic member to also secure lid panel  12  to the concave base for storage or portability. In one example embodiment, receptacle  19  is configured to have a friction fit or snap-fit into opening  21  without the need for a separate attachment assembly, such as for example a magnet, to be located therein. In related embodiments, a metallic member or a magnetic member is molded into, or adhered to with other methods or means, the outer surface of base floor panel  22  to facilitate connection with a magnetic member in lid member  10 . The metallic or magnet member, properly sized and shielded, should be able to be placed in a microwave for cooking of any food in the concave base. 
     Referring again now to  FIGS. 2-4 , there is illustrated a perspective sectioned view; an exploded, front perspective; an exploded, side view; and a top perspective view, respectively, of an exemplary lid member  10  that further includes at least one attachment device assembly  30  disposed within receptacle  19 . In some embodiments, attachment device assembly  30  can have a top and bottom in which both halves coming together in a snap-fit configuration to form an attachment device assembly  30  (e.g. magnet assembly). In a related embodiment, one or more magnets are encased or enveloped directly into receptacle  19  as receptacle  19  is molded and formed via ultrasonic welding or other similar molding and sealing methods. In any embodiment described herein, the magnet is shielded, which includes a metal screen encasing a magnet, or a metal cap enclosure, or a metal foil wrapped around magnet, or a metal coated magnet, all which create a ‘Faraday Cage’ or ‘Faraday Shield’ effect which shields the magnet from radio frequency (RF) or electromagnetic energy or waves (e.g., microwaves). This is all performed before the magnetic element is encased into the lid member. In another embodiment, a metal member shielded in a similar manner to the magnet is used as a corresponding element in the base container to the magnet. 
     In yet another embodiment, a magnetic assembly  30  for use with lid member  10  is provided that includes at least one magnet member and includes an enveloping member adapted to envelop the at least one magnetic member, the enveloping member together with the magnet member is integrated with an outer surface of the lid member. In this example embodiment, the magnet member is comprised of material or alloy selected from the group consisting of neodymium, alnico, ceramic, samarium cobalt, strontium, barium and ferrite, or is a flexible strontium magnet, while the enveloping member is selected from the group consisting of a heat resistant plastic housing, a ceramic housing, a metal foil cover or coating, and a metal mesh. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-10 , there are illustrated other embodiments of the storage system similar to  FIGS. 1-4 . In particular,  FIG. 5  illustrates a top perspective view of an exemplary circular storage container assembly having a lid with an attachment device assembly contained therein according to the teachings of the invention.  FIG. 6  illustrates a top perspective view of a concave base of  FIG. 5  illustrating a floor panel construction with an exemplary receptacle according to the teachings of the invention.  FIG. 7  illustrates a top perspective view of a lid connected underneath to a base container of  FIG. 6  in a paired configuration ready for storage according to the teachings of the invention. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 8-10 , there is illustrated another storage system having a rectangular or square configuration. In particular,  FIG. 8  illustrates a perspective view of another exemplary storage container assembly and having a lid with an attachment device assembly contained therein according to the teachings of the invention.  FIG. 9  illustrates a top perspective view of the concave base of  FIG. 8  illustrating a floor panel construction with an exemplary receptacle according to the teachings of the invention.  FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of a lid connected underneath to a base container of  FIG. 8  in a paired configuration ready for storage according to the teachings of the invention. 
     With respect to  FIGS. 11A-11C , there are illustrated perspective, side and top views of a plurality of stacked lids according to the teachings and benefits of the invention. In particular, where each of the lids  110  are nested or stacked with one another to form an organized lid stack, the benefits of the magnetic-oriented attachment assembly are clearly evident. Different sized and shaped lids may be quickly stacked when the lids are not in use. The plurality of stacked lids can be further nested or stacked on the underside of a base container or a plurality of base containers when the containers and lids are not in use. Lid  110  is also associated with its corresponding concave base when the container is not in use. 
     With respect to  FIG. 12  there is illustrated a side view in cross section of a plurality of stacked lids according to the invention. In this example embodiment, the lids are aligned with an attachment device assembly  130  and are aligned such that lid panels  112  are also vertically aligned. In related embodiments, the shape of the lid member includes square, round, oval, and rectangular and is not limited to the shapes as illustrated. (See  FIGS. 5-10 ). In addition, in related embodiments, the material of the lid member is not limited to plastic and includes other materials such as microwave and standard oven safe materials such as metal, glass, aluminum, cardboard, ceramic and silicone. Attachment assemblies are not just limited to microwave-safe and electromagnetically-safe magnets and include, but are not limited to, suction cups, mechanical fasteners (such as hook and loop fasteners or snap buttons) or twist-on or screw on fasteners and light adhesives that are microwave and heat resistant. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,731,663; 6,886,694 and 8,395,467 are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. 
     While the invention has been described above in terms of specific embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these disclosed embodiments. Upon reading the teachings of this disclosure many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind of those skilled in the art to which this invention pertains, and which are intended to be and are covered by both this disclosure and the appended claims. It is indeed intended that the scope of the invention should be determined by proper interpretation and construction of the appended claims and their legal equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the disclosure in this specification and the attached drawings.