Patent ID: 8870021

Claim:
A dinnerware vessel-lid combination comprising: a ceramic or glass vessel having an open top surrounded by a peripheral edge with a peripheral locking lip defining a locking surface; a lid fabricated of a plastic material, and configured to attach to the open top of the vessel by a set of latches integrally formed with the lid; and an elastomeric seal structure assembled to the lid and configured to provide an air-tight seal between the lid and the peripheral edge of the vessel when the lid is attached to the vessel; wherein the vessel is a unitary structure, defining a sidewall portion and a bottom wall, the sidewall portion having a top peripheral portion with a lip portion including said locking lip defining said locking surface for engagement by the set of latches, the top peripheral portion including the peripheral edge, and wherein the locking lip further includes an angled lead-in surface portion to aid in guiding the latch over the locking lip, the lead-in surface comprising a frustro-conically-shaped surface disposed at an angle with respect to the locking surface; and wherein the lid includes a plurality of alignment tab portions extending from a bottom of the lid peripheral edge portion and including an angled surface configured to contact the vessel peripheral edge as the lid is positioned on the vessel to guide the lid into position on the vessel while preventing misalignment.