Nestable containers with bending covers for improved storage

Abstract

In some embodiments, a storage apparatus is described having a container with an opening and a cover that is reversibly deformable between a storage position and a covering position for covering the opening, the apparatus comprising: a rigid storage container having an opening and being nestable with other containers of identical size and shape, a reversibly deformable detachable cover comprising an elastomeric member that is reversibly deformed upon movement of the cover from the storage position to the covering position, with the elastomeric member providing a seal between the cover and the container when the cover covers the opening in the covering position, wherein the cover has a projected surface area in the storage position that is less than a projected surface area of the cover in the covering position such that the cover is storable inside the container while other containers of identical size and shape are nested in the container.

1 . A storage apparatus having a container with an opening and a detachable cover reversibly deformable between a storage position and a covering position for covering the opening, the apparatus comprising: 
 a rigid storage container nestable with an identical container with the opening shaped for receiving one such identical container and    a reversibly deformable cover comprising a periphery to fasten to the container to cover the opening and seal the container, a rigid portion, an elastomeric member, and a bendable portion,    with the elastomeric member comprising the periphery of the cover and engaging the container to provide a substantially water tight seal between the cover and the container when the cover covers the opening in the covering position, and    with the bendable portion reversibly bending about 180° from the storage position to the covering position of the cover,    wherein the cover is completely detachable from the container and has a projected surface area in the storage position that is no more than about 50% of a projected surface area of the cover in the covering position, and    wherein the cover is storable in the storage position entirely within the container upon the bending of the bendable portion by the about 180° while another container of identical size and shape is nested in the container.    
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the opening is approximately rectangular.  
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the container is free of holes other than the opening.  
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bendable portion comprises a living hinge that is not part of the elastomeric member.  
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 4  wherein the living hinge is disposed in the rigid portion and the rigid portion comprises two opposing surfaces by a thickness and the thickness is connected to bounded by elastomeric member.  
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elastomeric member comprises all of the bendable portion.  
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the bendable portion comprises a living hinge and a portion of the elastomeric member that at least partially overlays the living hinge.  
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the elastomeric member comprises an undercut that mates to the container to seal the container.  
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the elastomeric member is overmolded onto at least a portion of the rigid member.  
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the rigid member and a second rigid member are at least partially joined by the bendable portion.  
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the first rigid member comprises a flange that is overmolded by the elastomeric member.  
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the cover further comprises a fastener for fastening the lid to itself in the storage position.  
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  made by a process comprising overmolding the elastomeric member onto the rigid portion.  
   
   
       14 . A method of storing the storage apparatus of  claim 1  comprising bending the bendable portion of the cover about 180° into the storage position and placing the cover entirely within the container.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising nesting the container with an essentially identical second container.