Stackable containers and methods of making the same

Abstract

A container includes a first container portion and a second container portion. The first container portion includes a first panel and a first sidewall extending from the first panel. The first panel includes a groove formed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the first panel. The second container portion includes a second panel and a second sidewall extending from the second panel toward the first container portion when the container is in a closed position. The second panel includes an outwardly projecting rib formed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the second panel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a first container portion including a first panel and a first sidewall extending from the first panel, wherein the first panel includes a groove formed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the first panel; and   a second container portion including a second panel and a second sidewall extending from the second panel toward the first container portion when the container is in a closed position, wherein the second panel includes an outwardly projecting rib formed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the second panel.   
     
     
         2 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the groove is u-shaped. 
     
     
         3 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the outwardly projecting rib is u-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the groove of the first panel is configured and adapted to mate with an outwardly projecting rib of another container. 
     
     
         5 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a gradual curved transition portion between the first panel and the first sidewall. 
     
     
         6 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first panel includes a plateau portion raised with respect to the groove, wherein the plateau portion defines an outwardly facing surface. 
     
     
         7 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the groove includes two linear segments. 
     
     
         8 . The container as recited in  claim 7 , wherein the groove includes a third linear segment connecting the two linear segments. 
     
     
         9 . The container as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the groove includes two arcuate transitions, wherein each arcuate transition is adjacent to a respective end of the third linear segment, wherein each arcuate transition connects the third linear segment to a respective end of one of the two linear segments. 
     
     
         10 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the outwardly projecting rib includes two linear segments. 
     
     
         11 . The container as recited in  claim 9 , wherein the outwardly projecting rib includes a third linear segment connecting the two linear segments. 
     
     
         12 . The container as recited in  claim 11 , wherein the outwardly projecting rib includes two arcuate transitions, wherein each arcuate transition is adjacent to a respective end of the third linear segment, wherein each arcuate transition connects the third linear segment to a respective end of one of the two linear segments. 
     
     
         13 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first container portion is configured and adapted to engage with the second container portion to form a leak resistant seal when the container is in the closed position. 
     
     
         14 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge joining the first container portion to the second container portion. 
     
     
         15 . The container as recited in  claim 14 , wherein the first and second container portions and the hinge are formed from a single sheet of material. 
     
     
         16 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the second container portion is a base of the container and the second panel is a bottom panel of the base, wherein the outwardly projecting rib of the bottom panel is configured and adapted to mate with a groove of another container. 
     
     
         17 . The container as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the first container portion is a lid of the container and the first panel is a top panel of the lid, wherein the groove of the top panel is configured and adapted to mate with an outwardly projecting rib of another container. 
     
     
         18 . A container assembly comprising:
 a container including:
 a lid including an upper surface and a sidewall, wherein the upper surface includes a groove formed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the upper surface; and 
 a base having a bottom surface and a sidewall extending from the bottom surface toward the lid when the container is in a closed position, wherein the bottom surface includes a downwardly projecting rib formed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the bottom surface. 
   
     
     
         19 . The container assembly as recited in  claim 18 , wherein the container is a first container, wherein the container assembly includes a second container, wherein the second container includes:
 a lid including an upper surface and a sidewall, wherein the upper surface includes a groove formed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the upper surface; and   a base having a bottom surface and a sidewall extending from the bottom surface toward the lid when the second container is in a closed position, wherein the bottom surface includes a downwardly projecting rib formed around at least a portion of a perimeter of the bottom surface, wherein the second container is stacked on top of the lid of the first container, and wherein the downwardly projecting rib of the second container is nested within the groove of the first container.   
     
     
         20 . The container assembly as recited in  claim 19 , wherein the first container includes a gradual curved transition portion between the upper surface and the sidewall, wherein the first container includes a label extending from the upper surface of the lid, over the gradual curved transition portion toward the base of the first container, wherein the label is in direct abutment with the upper surface of the lid of the first container to mitigate interference with the second container stacked on top of the first container.