Recloseable paperboard container

Abstract

A recloseable paperboard container ( 10 ) is disclosed that includes: a body ( 12 ) defining an internal volume ( 18 ) and an opening ( 20 ) into the internal volume, a connector member ( 14 ) connected to the body, and a lid ( 16 ) releasably engaged with the connector member to form a seal between the connector member and the lid. The connector member may include a flange ( 44 ) extending about the opening of the body and releasably engaging with the lid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a body defining an internal volume and an opening into said internal volume;   a connector member fixedly connected to said body, said connector member comprising a flange extending about said opening; and   a lid releasably engaged with said flange.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said body comprises paperboard. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said body comprises a second flange, and wherein said flange of said connector member is connected to said second flange. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said connector member further comprises a neck having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, said flange of said connector member extending from said upper end portion. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4  wherein said lower end portion is received in said internal volume. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 4  wherein said neck is sealingly connected to said body. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said engagement between said lid and said flange forms a water-tight seal. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein one of said flange and said lid comprises a protrusion and the other of said flange and said lid comprises a recess sized to closely receive said protrusion. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said lid comprises a rim, and wherein said rim is sealingly engaged with said flange. 
     
     
         10 . A container comprising:
 a body defining an internal volume and an opening into said internal volume, said body comprising a first flange extending about said opening,   a connector member fixedly connected to said body, said connector member comprising a second flange, wherein said first flange is subjacent to said second flange; and   a lid releasably engaged with said second flange to seal said opening.   
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein said body comprises paperboard. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 10  wherein said connector member further comprises a neck having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, said second flange extending from said upper end portion. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12  wherein said lower end portion is received in said internal volume. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 12  wherein said neck is sealingly connected to said body. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 10  wherein said engagement between said lid and said second flange forms a water-tight seal. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 10  wherein one of said second flange and said lid comprises a protrusion and the other of said second flange and said lid comprises a recess sized to closely receive said protrusion. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 10  wherein said lid comprises a rim, and wherein said rim is sealingly engaged with said second flange. 
     
     
         18 . A container comprising:
 a paperboard body defining an internal volume and an opening into said internal volume, said body comprising a side wall and a first flange extending outward from said side wall;   a connector member comprising a neck having an upper end portion and a lower end portion, and a second flange extending outward from said upper end portion, wherein said second flange is connected to said first flange, and wherein said lower end portion is received in said internal volume and connected to said side wall; and   a lid releasably engaged with said second flange to seal said opening.   
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18  wherein said engagement between said lid and said second flange forms a water-tight seal. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 18  wherein one of said second flange and said lid comprises a protrusion and the other of said second flange and said lid comprises a recess sized to closely receive said protrusion.