초록 ▼

A spill-resistant container of deformable polymeric material is disclosed. The container includes a lid mountable in the container. A characterizing feature of the device resides in the provision of portions of the container surrounding the lid being inwardly deflectible into overlapping relation of

A spill-resistant container of deformable polymeric material is disclosed. The container includes a lid mountable in the container. A characterizing feature of the device resides in the provision of portions of the container surrounding the lid being inwardly deflectible into overlapping relation of the lid responsive to lateral, inwardly directed forces applied thereagainst. The invention includes a method of forming the container which involves applying a heat-sealable, heat-shrinkable membrane to portions of the container outwardly of the lid and thereafter causing the membrane to shrink, thus to deflect portions of the container into upwardly lapping relation of portions of the lid.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A resealable, spill-resistant container of deformable polymeric material comprising a bottom, upwardly directed side walls extending therefrom, the uppermost ends of said walls defining an open mouth, a rim configuration extending outwardly from said side walls and surrounding said mouth, a perim

1. A resealable, spill-resistant container of deformable polymeric material comprising a bottom, upwardly directed side walls extending therefrom, the uppermost ends of said walls defining an open mouth, a rim configuration extending outwardly from said side walls and surrounding said mouth, a perimetrical lid receiving portion formed on said rim configuration outwardly adjacent said mouth, a lid member including a perimetal seal portion sealingly received in said receiving portion and a lid lock assembly integrally formed on said rim configuration, said lock assembly including a branch portion extending laterally outwardly beyond said seal portion at a level below said seal portion, a leg member extending upwardly from said branch portion, the uppermost end of said leg member being disposed at a height above said seal portion, the area between said leg member and seal portion being flexible, said leg member being positioned to be shifted into upwardly lapping position of said seal portion responsive to pressure exerted thereagainst in the direction of the interior of said container. 2. A container in accordance with claim 1 and including a bumper flange extending outwardly from the uppermost end of said leg. 3. A container in accordance with claim 2 wherein said seal portion of said lid member includes an outwardly directed stiffener flange disposed in abutting relation to said branch, said flange terminating in spaced relation to the junction of said branch and leg member, thereby to limit flexure of said branch to the area outwardly of said stiffener flange. 4. A container in accordance with claim 2 and including a membrane heat-sealingly connected to the upper surface of said bumper flange along a perimetrical seal line surrounding said lid. 5. A container in accordance with claim 4 wherein said membrane is formed of heat-shrinkable material, and said membrane is in stressed condition, whereby said leg member is inwardly deflected into said upwardly lapping position. 6. A container in accordance with claim 1 wherein said seal portion of said lid member includes an outwardly directed stiffener flange disposed in abutting relation to said branch, said flange terminating in spaced relation to the junction of said branch and leg member, thereby to limit flexure of said branch to the area outwardly of said stiffener flange. 7. An anti-spill recloseable container assembly formed of polymeric material or the like comprising a container having a bottom, side wall portions extending upwardly from said bottom, the uppermost ends of said side wall portions defining an open mouth, a closure configuration outwardly surrounding said mouth, said configuration including a generally U-shaped trough including generally vertically directed inner and outer legs and a branch extending between said legs, said outer leg projecting upwardly beyond said inner leg, a cover member in closing relation of said mouth, said cover member including a rim portion in snap-fitted engagement with portions of said closure configuration, and a generally horizontally directed stiffener flange disposed in said trough in abutting relation to said branch, the outermost extremity of said stiffener flange lying in proximate relation to said hinge connection, the area of said branch outwardly of said flange being flexible, whereby inward forces applied against said leg deform said portions of said branch between said stiffener flange and said leg thereby to deflect said leg into overlapping position of said rim portion. 8. A container in accordance with claim 7 and including a bumper flange projecting outwardly from said outer leg, said bumper flange being disposed at a level above said rim portion. 9. A spill-resistant container of deformable polymeric material comprising a bottom, upwardly directed side walls, the uppermost ends of said side walls defining an open mouth, a rim configuration surrounding said mouth, a perimetrical lid receiver portion on said rim configuration, a lid having a perimetal seal portion retained in said receiver portion, an upstanding leg formed on said rim configuration outwardly adjacent said seal portion of said lid, said leg being disposed at a height above said seal portion, a flange extending outwardly from the uppermost end of said leg, a heat-shrinkable, heat-sealable membrane bonded to said flange along a perimetric seal line, said membrane being in stressed condition thereby to deflect said leg members inwardly into overlapping position of said seal portion. 10. The method of manufacturing a spill-resistant container of deformable polymeric material which comprises the steps of providing an integral container having a bottom, side walls, and a rim configuration extending outwardly from the upper ends of said side walls, said rim configuration including a lid receiver seat, stop portions extending laterally outwardly of said seat, said stop portions being at a level above said seat, and a surrounding flange extending laterally outwardly from the upper end of said stop portions, providing a lid having a peripheral seal portion, inserting said seal portion of said lid into said receiver seat, providing a heat-sealable, heat-shrinkable membrane sized to register with said flange, disposing said membrane in registry with said flange, forming a heat-seal connection between said membrane and flange surrounding said lid, and thereafter applying heat-shrinking influences to said membrane to cause the same to contract and shift said leg portions inwardly into overlapping relation of said lid.