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  ContainerRelated Patent Categories: Receptacles, Closures, Combined Or ConvertibleContainer description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20080041850, Container. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/559,527, filed Nov. 14, 2006, which is a continuation in part of International Application No, PCT/US 06/06263, filed Feb. 22, 2006, which claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/655,830, filed Feb. 23, 2005. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to containers, and, more particularly, to containers whose covers align together when stacked in a first position and which can be locked together in a second position. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Rigid, thermoplastic food containers are generally known. Users often accumulate a large number of these containers in different sizes and shapes. When not in use, the containers are often stored haphazardly into drawers. In this case, the unused containers take up a great deal of room, and finding a matching base and cover in a disarranged drawer may be difficult. To avoid this, some users stack the containers in cabinets. While the bases of the containers usually nest and therefore take up less room than in a disorganized drawer, it may still be difficult to match a base with a cover. In addition, the covers may not stack and the covers may tend to topple down. When the containers are in use to store food, the containers are often stacked one on top of another in cabinets or in a refrigerator. These stacks may be precarious, and their fall may cause food to spill from the containers. Many users would find it desirable if the containers, whether empty or in use, could be stored in a manner space efficient, less precarious, and more structurally rigid. [0004] During large-scale manufacturing, the covers may be transported in bulk before being separated out for individual packaging. During bulk handling, manufacturers would find it desirable if the covers would form a stack stable enough to resist the vertical and lateral movements caused by forces typically encountered during manufacturing operations. [0005] The present invention has as a general aim to provide containers that satisfy both users and manufacturers. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides containers whose covers can be stacked together in two different ways. First, the covers can be stacked into an "aligned" stack. The aligned stack provides enough structural rigidity for bulk handling during manufacturing. Second, the covers can be stacked into a "locked" stack. The locked stack provides even more structural rigidity than does the aligned stack and is useful when storing unused covers. [0007] In some embodiments, the container cover includes a first closure portion, an engagement portion, and an alignment portion. The base includes a second closure portion. The first closure portion of the cover is sealingly engageable with the second closure portion of the base to define a substantially sealed, leak-proof, and re-sealable storage area for items such as food. The alignment portion of the cover is engageable with the alignment portion of a second cover to form an aligned cover stack. The engagement portion of the cover is engageable with the engagement portion of a second cover to form a locked cover stack. [0008] The covers and bases can be economically constructed from relatively thin-gauge plastic so that the user can either wash them after use or dispose of them with the view that their purchase price allows them to be used as a consumable good. The container can be readily manufactured, for example, with conventional thermoforming equipment. The cover can be made from a semi-transparent material to ensure satisfactory visibility of the container's contents. The container can be suitable for refrigerator, freezer, microwave, and machine dishwasher use. [0009] The features of the present invention will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the detailed description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, provided herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a container with a cover and a base according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0011] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the container cover of FIG. 1; [0012] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container cover of FIG. 1; [0013] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the container base of FIG. 1; [0014] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the container base of FIG. 1; [0015] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view of the container of FIG. 1; [0016] FIG. 7 is an enlarged, detail view of a portion of FIG. 6; [0017] FIG. 8 is side sectional view of another embodiment of the container shown in FIG. 7; [0018] FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of the container shown in FIG. 7; [0019] FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of a stack of two sealed containers; [0020] FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of a stack of two nested container bases with two locked container covers; Continue reading about Container... Full patent description for Container Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Container patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Container or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Electrical box extension sleeve Next Patent Application: Two-piece, easy access container Industry Class: Receptacles ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Container patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.65021 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Canon USA , Celera Genomics , Cephalon, Inc. , Cingular Wireless , Clorox , Colgate-Palmolive , Corning , Cymer , |
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