Container

Abstract

The container covers stack together in two different ways. First, the covers can be stacked into an “aligned” stack. The aligned stack provides 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. 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 sealed storage area. 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.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a first cover comprising a first closure portion, an engagement portion, and an alignment portion, the first closure portion being sealingly engageable with a second closure portion of a base so that when the first and second closure portions are engaged with each other, the first cover and the base define a substantially sealed storage area, the engagement portion being engageable with the engagement portion of a second cover, and the alignment portion being engageable with the alignment portion of the second cover; and    the base comprising a bottom, a peripheral sidewall extending from the bottom, an open top, and the second closure portion.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the first cover and the base comprise thermoformed plastic.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the first and second closure portions comprise locking rings, the locking rings of the first and second closure portions each comprising an inner wall, a retention bead, and an outer wall.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the first closure portion of the first cover is engageable with the first closure portion of the second cover.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the engagement portion comprises a rib and a detent groove and wherein the rib of the engagement portion of the first cover is engageable with the detent groove of the engagement portion of the second cover.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the first cover comprises a gripping tab.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the bottom, peripheral sidewall, and open top of the base define a cavity and wherein the base is partially insertable into the cavity of a second base.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the alignment portion of the first cover comprises an element selected from the set consisting of: a flange, a protrusion, and a locking ring.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the alignment portion of the first cover is located on the first closure portion.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the alignment portion of the first cover is located on the engagement portion.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the alignment portion of the first cover is engageable with a second alignment portion of the base.  
   
   
       12 . A first cover for a container, the first cover comprising: 
 a first closure portion;    an engagement portion; and    an alignment portion,    wherein the first closure portion is sealingly engageable with a second closure portion of a base so that when the first and second closure portions are engaged with each other, the first cover and the base define a substantially sealed storage area, wherein the engagement portion is engageable with the engagement portion of a second cover, and wherein the alignment portion is engageable with the alignment portion of the second cover.    
   
   
       13 . The first cover of  claim 12  wherein the first cover comprises thermoformed plastic.  
   
   
       14 . The first cover of  claim 12  wherein the first closure portion comprises a locking ring, the locking ring of the first closure portion comprising an inner wall, a retention bead, and an outer wall.  
   
   
       15 . The first cover of  claim 12  wherein the first closure portion of the first cover is engageable with the first closure portion of the second cover.  
   
   
       16 . The first cover of  claim 12  wherein the engagement portion comprises a rib and a detent groove and wherein the rib of the engagement portion of the first cover is engageable with the detent groove of the engagement portion of the second cover.  
   
   
       17 . The first cover of  claim 12  wherein the first cover comprises a gripping tab.  
   
   
       18 . The first cover of  claim 12  wherein the alignment portion of the first cover comprises an element selected from the set consisting of: a flange, a protrusion, and a locking ring.  
   
   
       19 . The first cover of  claim 12  wherein the alignment portion of the first cover is located on the first closure portion.  
   
   
       20 . The first cover of  claim 12  wherein the alignment portion of the first cover is located on the engagement portion.  
   
   
       21 . The first cover of  claim 12  wherein the alignment portion of the first cover is engageable with a second alignment portion of the base.  
   
   
       22 . A system of container covers, the system comprising: 
 a first cover comprising a first closure portion, an engagement portion, and an alignment portion, wherein the first closure portion is sealingly engageable with a second closure portion of a base so that when the first and second closure portions are engaged with each other, the first cover and the base define a substantially sealed storage area, and wherein the engagement portion is engageable with the engagement portion of a second cover; and    a second cover comprising a first closure portion, an engagement portion, and an alignment portion,    wherein the alignment portion of the first cover is engageable with the alignment portion of the second cover.    
   
   
       23 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the first cover and the second cover each comprises thermoformed plastic.  
   
   
       24 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the first closure portion comprises a locking ring, the locking ring of the first closure portion comprising an inner wall, a retention bead, and an outer wall.  
   
   
       25 . The system of  claim 22  wherein the first closure portion of the first cover is engageable with the first closure portion of the second cover.