Patent Publication Number: US-6712076-B2

Title: Shade-evident airtight container

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a container system. The present invention also relates to a make-up case or a cosmetic compact. More particularly, the present invention relates to an airtight or hermetically sealed cosmetic compact case with at least one viewing area. 
     Conventional compact cases hold makeup or cosmetics, such as, powders, eye shadow, eyeliner, lipstick, or other beauty aids. Compacts often provide a mirror and an applicator for facilitating the application of makeup to the face. 
     A compact usually includes a lid or a cover section hingeably coupled to a base or a container section. Either the cover section or the base section can be pivoted about a hinge to obtain a closed-position of the compact, thereby providing a convenient storage device. The mirror is typically disposed on the inside of the compact cover section. The base section of conventional compacts usually includes a cavity, which may be configured to receive a metal pan that contains or holds the makeup. Alternatively, the makeup can be directly stored in the cavity in the base section. 
     Compacts also allow for an applicator, including a pad, a brush, or other similar device. Generally, the applicator is disposed between the base and the cover when the compact is in the closed-position. Makeup is usually applied by rubbing or dipping the applicator (e.g., the pad or brush) in the pan or cavity holding the makeup. The applicator is then used to transfer and apply the makeup to the face. 
     Conventional compacts are enclosed in packages to prevent product tampering and displayed in stores on shelves or other display areas. Compact sellers attempt to display as many compacts as possible in a display area, which is a valuable commercial resource. Therefore, compact sellers desire to maximize the number of compacts per display area. However, conventional compacts do not permit viewing the cosmetic material contained therein when in the package. Compact sellers are thus required to provide a sampling area, which eliminates valuable display area for selling compacts. Thus, compact sellers desire to minimize any packaging or sampling areas that fill commercial space so as to maximize the number of packages which can be seen by the buyers. 
     In order to appropriately display a compact, the makeup within the container section must be readily visible to the buyer. Color and/or texture of the makeup is generally extremely important to the buyer of makeup. In order to display the cosmetic in the compact, traditional compact sellers package the compact in a generally open position, showing both the lid section and the container section in a single plane (on the front side of the package). Showing both the lid section and container section in a single plane doubles the amount of display area required to appropriately show the compact. Other display methods include providing a sample area that includes samples of all different shades, colors and textures of the cosmetics provided by the manufacturer. Again, these display items waste valuable commercial selling space. 
     Additionally, many currently available cosmetics contain a volatile chemical component that may require substantially airtight or hermetic storage to prevent or inhibit drying, hardening, and cracking of the cosmetics. An example of such a product are color-fast cosmetics that allows the cosmetics to remain applied to the skin surface for a prolonged period without rubbing off or fading. 
     Conventional compacts are usually arranged as a one-piece unit so that one hand of a user opens and holds the compact, while the other hand of the user applies the makeup to the skin surface of the face. However, many conventional one piece units do not provide an airtight seal. Other cases for containing more volatile cosmetics have thus been used, including containers with a screw-on cap. These containers effect a hermetic seal when in the closed-position. However, the user must contend with two separate pieces, which makes applying the makeup a more difficult task, i.e., it is more difficult for the user to unscrew the cap and apply the makeup at the same time. 
     Accordingly, it would be advantageous to provide an inexpensive and simple-to-use compact case which allows the buyer to view the color, shade and/or texture of the cosmetic when the container is in a closed position. It would also be advantageous to provide a container that is capable of effecting a substantially airtight or hermetic seal when in the closed position. Such a container should desirably be a one-piece container 
     It would also be advantageous to provide a container which allows the shade of the cosmetic stored therein to be viewed when the container is in the closed position. Also, it would be advantageous to provide a conventional style container (e.g., with a mirror and applicator), with product integrity from an airtight sealing mechanism and with shade-evidence, which would allow consumers to make an educated purchase and allow a retailer to increase commercial selling space. 
     It would be desirable to provide a system having any one or more of these or other advantageous features. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     To overcome the problems and disadvantages described above, a container for holding cosmetics and having a cover and a base is provided. The cover may be coupled to the base to permit pivoting the cover from a closed, storage position to an opened, use position relative to the base. The coupling mechanism may be a hinge with a spring, a living hinge, or other types of coupling mechanisms known to those skilled in the art. The base is also configured to retain the cosmetic material so that the cosmetic material may be accessed when the container is in the open-position. 
     The cover is configured to engage the base to provide an airtight or substantially airtight seal when the container is in the closed position. To effect the airtight seal, the cover may have a first interface, the first interface having a first periphery. Likewise, the base may have a second interface, the second interface having a second periphery corresponding to the first periphery. When the container is placed in the closed-position, the first interface engages the second interface to prevent air flow into and out of the container. The container may also include a discharge for reducing the air pressure integral with the first or the second interface. 
     The container also includes at least one viewing area, which permits the cosmetic material retained within the container to be viewed when the container is in the closed-position. The viewing area may be a transparent cover or base. Alternatively, the viewing area may be formed by molding a transparent segment within the cover, base or both, in a position to permit the cosmetic material to be viewed when the container is in the closed-position. The viewing area may also be provided by an aperture through the cover, base or both. 
     Also provided is a container for storing cosmetic material including a cover and a base pivotally coupled to the cover to selectively position the container in either an open-position or closed-position. The cosmetic material is retained by at least one pan. The base is configured for holding the pan, which can be secured to the base through adhesives, frictional engagement, a latching mechanism, or any other method of retaining a piece of material to another. The cover and base are configured to engage one another to provide a substantially airtight seal when the container is in the closed-position. At least a portion of the base, pan cover, or any combination of the same includes at least one viewing area which permits the cosmetic material to be viewed when the container is in closed-position. 
     Also provided is a container for storing a cosmetic material comprising a shell having a cover and a base pivotally coupled to the cover to selectively position the shell in an open-position or a closed-position. The container also includes an insert configured to retain cosmetic material and provide a substantially airtight seal when the shell is in the closed-position. 
     The insert may be a cup-lid combination that may be integral with the base. Desirably, the cup is configured to retain the cosmetic material and the lid may be pivotally coupled to the base or cup so that it may be selectively positioned to engage the cup in either a sealed position or an unsealed position. In the sealed position, the lid and cup provide the airtight or substantially airtight seal and maintain the cosmetic material in the airtight compartment between the lid and cup. Alternatively, the insert may include a cover piece and base piece pivotally coupled to the cover piece, where the cover piece and base piece fit within the cover and base of the shell, respectively. The base piece may then be configured to retain the cosmetic material. 
     The cosmetic material may be viewed when the shell is in the closed-position through at least one viewing area. The shell may include a plurality of viewing areas for viewing more than one cosmetic within the container. Because the cosmetic material is retained within the insert, the insert should also include a transparent portion which is disposed over or is proximate to the viewing area. For example, if a lid-cup combination is used, the lid, cup or both may be transparent. Additionally, the cosmetic material may be packaged in a pan, which is then positioned within the insert during manufacture. The pan should also include a transparent portion which is disposed over or proximate to the viewing area so as not obstruct view of the cosmetic material. 
    
    
     FIGURES 
     FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container in an open-position in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a plan view of the container of FIG. 1 shown in a closed-position and illustrating a viewing area. 
     FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an insert for use with a container in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a container similar to the container shown in FIG. 2, with the insert shown in FIG. 3 provided therein. 
     FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container shown in FIG. 2, without an insert therein. 
     FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a peripheral rim and a lip. 
     FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a groove. 
     FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a viewing area for a container in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a container with a pan in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a viewing area for a container in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a container in a closed-position with a viewing area positioned on a cover of the container in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG.  11 . 
     FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a container having a plurality of cavities in an open-position in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a container having a lid in an open-position in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
     FIG. 15 is a plan view of the container shown in FIG. 14 in the closed-position, illustrating a viewing area. 
     FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the container shown in FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a viewing area for a container similar to the container shown in FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a viewing area for a container similar to the container shown in FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a viewing area for a container similar to the container shown in FIG.  15 . 
     FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a container having a plurality of viewing areas shown in an open-position in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
     With reference to all FIGURES, a container  10  is shown. Container  10  may be a cosmetic compact case for holding a cosmetic material  50  (e.g., pressed or loose powder, eye shadow, lipstick, eyeliner, creams, or other beauty aids). In particular, container  10  is preferably a cosmetic case with an airtight or substantially airtight seal for containing a color-fast cosmetic, e.g., a non-fading and rub-resistant, makeup. 
     Referring to FIG. 1, container  10  is shown in an open-position. Container  10  includes a cover  12  coupled to a platform or base  14  by a hinge assembly  13 . Container  10  may be configured so that cover  12  includes a cavity  30 , and base  14  includes a cavity  32 . Cavity  30  and other features of cover  12  may provide a first sealing interface, while also providing a place for a display or mirror  96 . Cavity  32  of base  14  with other features discussed below provide a second sealing interface, while also providing a place for storing and retaining cosmetic material. The hinge assembly  13  preferably limits rotation of cover  12  to 180 degrees. Activation of a user interface  16  releases a lock or seal and permits cover  12  to pivot from storage or closed-position (see FIG. 2) to the use or open-position for presentation or viewing of a display or mirror  96  and for access to contents contained therein. 
     FIG. 2 shows container  10  in the closed-position. Container  10  also includes a viewing area  18  which allows a user to view the cosmetic material  50  retained in cavity  32 . The viewing area  18  may be located on either the cover  12 , the base  14  or both, depending on arrangement of cosmetic material  50  within the container  10  or consumer preference. 
     Alternatively, container  10  may include a unitary or integral two-piece insert  22  as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Insert  22  preferably includes a top or cover piece  24  integral with a bottom or base piece  26 . More specifically, cover piece  24  of insert  22  may be pivotally coupled to base piece  26  via a living hinge or be of two separate pieces. Insert  22  may be shaped in accordance with container  10  and may be sized to fit within the combination of cover  12  and base  14 . When insert  22  is utilized, cover  12  and base  14  serve as a shell and cover piece  24  then includes cavity  30  and, similarly, base piece  26  then has cavity  32 . Shell will then have a first viewing area  18  aligned with a second viewing area of insert  22  for viewing the cosmetic material contained within the container  10  when in the closed-position. Other exemplary embodiments may include an insert that has a cover piece and a base piece which are not coupled, but instead separate pieces that are held within the cover and base of shell, respectively. The insert may be held in place through adhesives, frictional engagement, a latching mechanism, or other methods or retaining and fitting two separate pieces known to those skilled in the art. 
     Cavity  32  is defined by a peripheral wall  34 . A peripheral rim  36  may be integral with (e.g., continuous) with peripheral wall  34 , circumferentially extending above a surface  35  of base piece  26 , and melding into a terminal, outwardly protruding lip  38 . Cavity  32  is preferably configured for retaining a cosmetic material  50 . Other embodiments of container  10  may have a plurality of cavities for holding different materials. For example, container  10  may have one cavity for one shade of cosmetic material and another cavity for another shade of cosmetic material, or one cavity for cosmetic material and another cavity for an applicator (e.g., brush or pad). Alternatively, instead of cavity  32 , base piece  26  can include an aperture configured such that a pan  70  pre-filled with cosmetic material can be disposed and retained therein (as shown in FIG.  9 ). 
     Cover piece  24  is also defined by a peripheral edge  33 . A groove  48  may be circumferentially defined between peripheral edge  33  of cover piece  24  and a shorter peripheral wall  44 . Groove  48  may be configured to receive peripheral rim  36  and lip  38  when container  10  is in a closed-position (e.g., when cover  12  engages base  14 ). Groove  48  of cover piece  24  thus provides a first sealing interface, and cavity  32  (along with peripheral rim  36  and lip  38 ) of base piece  26  provide a second sealing interface, which when engaged provide a substantially hermetic or airtight seal. 
     A similar style of construction may be employed to effect a hermetic seal by a container  10  without insert  22  as shown in FIG.  5 . Cover  12  may include a peripheral edge  33  and cavity  30 . Cavity may include a peripheral wall  46  which can be used to locate a mirror. Groove  48  may be circumferentially defined between peripheral edge  33  and shorter peripheral wall  44 . Similarly, FIG. 5 shows base  14  of container  10  also having a cavity  32 , defined by a peripheral wall  34  which extends beyond the surface  35  of base  14  to define the peripheral rim  36 . The peripheral rim melds into a terminal outwardly protruding lip  38 . When cover  12  and base  14  are placed in the closed-position, groove  48  receives peripheral rim  36  and lip  38 , thereby effecting the airtight or substantially airtight seal. 
     Both FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged, partial cross-sectional views of different aspects of the first sealing interface of cover  12  and the second sealing interface of base  14 . More specifically, FIG. 6 shows an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view of lip  38  extending from peripheral rim  36 . FIG. 7 is an enlarged, partial cross-sectional view showing groove  48  disposed between peripheral wall  44  and peripheral edge  33 . FIG. 7 further shows that peripheral wall  44  terminates in a free end  45  and spans a height that may be shorter than a height of peripheral wall  46  of cavity  30 . Peripheral edge  33  further includes a chamfer edge  52 , a bulge  54  protruding in a direction toward groove  48 , and an indentation  56  pointed in a direction away from wall  44 . Another groove  58  may be disposed between shorter peripheral wall  44  and peripheral wall  46  of cavity  30 . 
     To close container  10 , an external downward force is supplied, such as, by hand, to cover  12  to effect a pivotal motion of cover  12  toward base  14 . More specifically, as a result of the applied downward force on cover  12 , hinge assembly  13  folds to close cover  12  onto base  14 . In the process of closing container  10 , groove  48  receives peripheral rim  36  and lip  38  between shorter peripheral wall  44  and peripheral edge  33 , thereby effecting an airtight or substantially airtight seal at the interface. The seal can be formed between peripheral wall  34  and peripheral wall  44  or peripheral rim  36  and peripheral edge  33 . Moreover, bulge  54  of peripheral edge  33  pushes peripheral rim  36  to bias peripheral rim  36  towards peripheral wall  44 . Lip  38  of peripheral rim  36  also fits into indentation  56  of peripheral edge  33 , thus securing the hermetic seal and maintaining container  10  in the closed-position. As container  10  obtains the closed-position, the evacuated air may make a distinctive audible sound, indicating that the hermetic seal has been established. The quality of the hermetic seal associated with container  10  is somewhat similar to seals utilized in photographic film containers or plastic food storage containers. 
     To open container  10 , a pulling force is applied, such as, by hand, to cover  12  in a direction away from base  14 . In the process of separating or disengaging cover  12  from base  14  from the closed-position of container  10 , peripheral rim  36  may be removed from within groove  48 , thereby disrupting, e.g., breaking, the hermetic seal formed at the interface between peripheral rim  36  and peripheral wall  44 . As cover  12  is disengaged from base  14 , another audible sound may be emitted, indicating the hermetic seal has been broken. The terms “airtight” and “hermetic”, as used in this application, include an essentially non-leaking seal formed at atmospheric pressure, and may include either an airtight seal or a substantially airtight seal. 
     The container  10  may also include a discharge or valve (shown as a vent  60 ) for discharging or venting air from cavities  30  and  32  as shown in FIG.  7 . Vent  60  may be generally square shaped and has a width. Vent  60  may be recessed in and integral with peripheral edge  33 . Vent  60  provides for the discharge or venting of air from cavities  30  and  32  to the atmosphere. To discharge air from cavities  30  and  32 , container  10  may be positioned from the open-position to fully closed-position. Such closing of container  10  permits air trapped within cavities  30  and  32  to be discharged to the atmosphere. Although vent  60  functions to permit gas or air to be discharged (i.e., escape) from the cavities during closing of container  10 , it does not substantially degrade the generally hermetic seal when the container  10  is in the closed position. Thus, the contents (e.g., cosmetic material) in cavity  32  or pan  70  are not substantially degraded even though container  10  includes a vent. 
     Although the above-description sets forth the detailed construction of effecting an airtight or substantially airtight seal for the preferred embodiment of container  10 , it would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art to provide alternative sealing mechanisms. A non-limiting example includes use of a compression seal to effect a hermetic seal. A ring may be placed around the periphery of cover and/or base, which prevents air flow into or out of the container when in the closed-position. 
     FIGS. 8-12 provide alternative embodiments of container  10  by a position and type of viewing area  18 . All alternative embodiments show container  10  storing cosmetic material  50  within the airtight compartment provided by the hermetic seal described above and are not meant to provide an exhaustive summary of the different containers that are encompassed by the present invention. In FIG. 8, the viewing area is provided by a transparent cover  12 , which allows the cosmetic material  50  contained within the container to be viewed when container  10  is in the closed-position. The base  14  may be either transparent or opaque. Alternatively, the viewing area may be a transparent base  14 , with the cover  12  being either transparent of opaque. 
     FIG. 9 shows another embodiment of container  10 , where cavity  32  is configured to retain pan  70  holding cosmetic material  50 . In this embodiment, the viewing area may also be transparent cover  12  for viewing cosmetic material  50  when container  10  is in the closed-position. Again, the base  14  may be either transparent or opaque depending on desired specification requirements. Alternatively, container  10  may have a viewing area which is provided by a transparent base  14 , with either a clear or opaque cover  12 . When viewing area  18  is a transparent base  14 , at least the bottom portion  71  of pan  70  should be transparent as well to permit viewing the cosmetic material  50 . As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, the pan  70  can be used in place of storing cosmetic material directly inside a cavity of the base for all embodiments of the container. 
     FIG. 10 shows an alternative embodiment to container  10 , where viewing area  18  is provided by an over-molded transparent segment  80  positioned within base  14  of container  10 . Generally, over-molded segment  80  is first cut or molded and then transferred into another mold where either clear or non-clear material is injected and/or formed around the over-molded segment  80 . This process provides viewing area  18 , which may be positioned over cosmetic material  50  without requiring either the entire cover  12  or base  14  to be transparent. This embodiment may also be used with pan  70 , which includes a transparent portion that is disposed over or proximate the over-molded transparent segment  80  that forms the viewing area  18 . 
     FIGS. 11 and 12 show an alternative embodiment of container  10  with viewing area  18  provided in cover  12 . Viewing area  18  is provided therein by an over-molded segment  80  as described above. Generally, an applicator  15  (e.g., pad or brush applicator) is disposed within the container  10  between cosmetic material and cover  12  or cover piece  24 , and may obstruct viewing the cosmetic material through a viewing area  18 . Container  10  should then have a space for supplying applicator  15  so that applicator  15  does not obstruct viewing area  18 , inhibiting view of cosmetic material  50 . For example, applicator may be offset from viewing area  18  or applicator  15  may be in its own cavity. An example of such a container is provided in FIG. 13, which includes a viewing area  18  in cover  12  for viewing cosmetic material stored within cavity  32 . Also provided is a second cavity  65  in base  14  for storing an applicator. 
     FIG. 14 provides an alternative embodiment of an airtight container with viewing area. In this embodiment, container  110  includes a cover  112  and a base  114 . Container  110  also includes a cup  120  positioned either integral or fitted within base  114  and a lid  122  fastened or integral with base  114 . Lid  122  may be pivotally positioned in either a sealed position, where lid  122  engages cup  120 , or an unsealed position where lid  122  is not engaged with cup  120 . Cup  120  retains and stores cosmetic material  50 . Container  110  may thus be in an open-position, with cover  112  and base  114  separated, while cosmetic material  50  remains in an airtight or substantially airtight compartment when lid  122  and cup  120  are in the sealed position. 
     Lid  122  interacts with cup  120  in similar fashion as described above to effect the airtight or substantially airtight seal. Cup  120  includes a peripheral rim  136  and lip  138  extending therefrom. Lid  122  includes a peripheral edge  144  and peripheral wall  146  separated by a groove  148  therebetween. When lid  122  is positioned in the sealed position over cup  120 , peripheral rim  136  is fitted with groove  148  to effect the hermetic seal in the same manner as described above, similar to that as a film canister lid. Again, lid  122  and cup  120  may be engaged to provide a hermetic seal by other mechanisms known to those skilled in the art. The quality of the hermetic seal may be great enough to inhibit the spoiling, degradation, loss in weight, etc. of the items, which may be stored in container, due to the entry of atmospheric gas, air or other atmospheric conditions (e.g., water, debris, etc.). 
     FIG. 15 shows container  110  with cup  120  and lid  122  in a closed-position. A viewing area  118  is positioned in the base  114  for viewing cosmetic material  50  contained therein. To permit the cosmetic material  50  to be viewed, at least a portion of the cup  120 , lid  122 , or both should be transparent and aligned with viewing area  118 . FIGS. 16-19 show alternative embodiments of airtight container  110 , where viewing area  118  is formed by different methods and in different positions, and various embodiments of the lid  122  and cup  120  are also described herein. 
     FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of container  110  in closed-position with cup  120  and lid  122  in the sealed position. Base  114  of container  110  surrounds an aperture which forms viewing area  118 . Viewing area  118 , however, may be located anywhere on cover  112  or base  114  so long as cosmetic material  50  is visible through the viewing area  118 , and may likewise be of any convenient shape. In this embodiment, aperture receives bottom of cup  120 , which should be transparent to permit the cosmetic material  50  contained within the cup to be viewed through viewing area  118 . Container  110  may also include a mirror  96  retained in cavity  130  of cover  112  for viewing or easier application of the cosmetic material  50  when container  110  is in the open position. 
     FIG. 17 also shows base  114  surrounding an aperture to provide a viewing area  118 . In this embodiment, cup  120  includes an over-molded segment  80  within the bottom portion of cup  120 . Over-molded segment  80  is transparent and permits cosmetic material  50  contained within cup  120  to be viewed through viewing area  118 . In both FIGS. 16 and 17, the entire cup  120  and lid  120  may be transparent or opaque, so long as the area disposed over or proximate to viewing area  118  is transparent to permit viewing cosmetic material  50 . 
     FIG. 18 provides an example of container  110  with a viewing area  118  provided by a transparent cover  112 . Lid  122  is also transparent to permit the cosmetic material to be viewed when container is in closed-position. The base  114  may either be opaque or clear. Further, cup  120  may also be either opaque or clear. Additionally, cover  112  may only be partially transparent to provide a viewing area to the cosmetic material  50 . The cosmetic material may be poured or pressed into a pan  170  which may then be retained within the cup, rather than storing the cosmetic material directly within the cup. Again, this would require the pan to be transparent when the viewing area is positioned on the base for viewing the cosmetic material contained within the pan and cup. 
     FIG. 19 shows an embodiment where cover  112  surrounds an aperture that forms the viewing area  118  in conjunction with lid  122 . Lid  122  is convex when in sealed position and includes a transparent over-molded segment  80  that arcs into the aperture surrounded by cover  112  to form viewing area  118 . The cosmetic material  50  may then be viewed directly through cover  112 . 
     In all embodiments, container may include a plurality of viewing areas  18  as shown in FIG.  20 . This permits container  10  to include more than one cosmetic material that be viewed separately by each viewing area  18 . Further, cosmetic material  50  may be directly filled into at least one cavity  32 , cup  120  or pan  70 . So long as cosmetic material can be viewed through a viewing area, any desired method of assembly or construction may be performed. 
     Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that any modifications are possible (e.g. variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, protocols, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited in the claims. For example, the container may include decorative or functional surface treatments. The hinge assembly may be any type of hinged member (e.g. plate hinge, pin hinge, living hinge, etc.). The vent may include a mechanism to monitor and/or signal when the pressure in the cavities is too high, and may also include a check valve to increase or decrease the pressure in the cavities in response to such signal. The cover plate or the base plate of the insert may be provided with baffles, or may be flexible such that they can withstand a significant increase or decrease of pressure in the cavities. The base may be deformed (e.g., by pushing the center of the base plate towards the cover and lifting an end of the base plate) to reduce the volume within the cavities, thereby evacuating air from the cavities in a “burping” fashion before closing the container. The “footprint” or shape of the container may be rectangular or square, round or oval, hexagonal, or any other shape. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments. In the claims, any means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Other substitutes, modifications, changes and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the preferred and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present inventions as expressed in the appended claims.