Container assembly

Abstract

A container assembly includes a storage container, a ring, a lid and a seal. The storage container has a ring attachment portion. The ring has internal threads and an alignment mark aligned with an end of the thread. The ring is attachable to the ring attachment portion. The lid has external threads and an alignment mark aligned with an end of the thread such that when the lid is inserted into the ring with the two alignment marks aligned with one another, the lid is easily inserted into the ring without interference from the threads and can be rotated for sealing the lid to the ring. The seal is formed on to the ring and provides an air and water tight seal between the lid and the ring.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container assembly, comprising:
 a storage container having a ring attachment portion;   a ring having internal threads and an alignment mark aligned with a beginning end of the thread, the ring being attachable to the ring attachment portion;   a lid having external threads and an alignment mark aligned with a beginning of the thread such that when the lid is inserted into the ring with the two alignment marks aligned with one another, the lid is easily inserted into the ring without interference from the threads and can be rotated for sealing the lid to the ring; and   a seal formed on to the ring that provides an air and water tight seal between the lid and the ring with the lid installed to the ring.   
     
     
         2 . The container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the lid is opaque such that a person cannot see through the lid.   
     
     
         3 . The container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the lid is translucent such that a person can at least partially see contents of the storage container.   
     
     
         4 . The container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the lid is transparent such that a person can see unhindered the contents of the storage container.   
     
     
         5 . The container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a surface of the lid is provided with surface texturing providing the lid with translucent characteristics.   
     
     
         6 . The container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 a surface of the lid is provided with surface texturing providing the lid with an opaque characteristic.   
     
     
         7 . The container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the ring has internal threads and the lid has external threads such that the internal threads and external threads engage one another during rotation of the lid attaching the lid to the ring.   
     
     
         8 . The container assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein
 the ring has a first alignment mark aligned with an end of the internal threads, and   the lid has a second alignment mark aligned with an end of the external threads such that when the lid is rotated to a position where the first and second alignment marks align the thread are spaced apart and dis-engaged from one another such that the lid can be lifted out of the ring and inserted into the ring.   
     
     
         9 . The container assembly according to  claim 7 , wherein
 when the lid is rotated within the ring to a position where the first and second alignment marks are not aligned with one another, the thread are engaged from one another such that the lid cannot be lifted out of the ring.   
     
     
         10 . The container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the ring attachment portion of the storage container is an annular flange that extends away from an adjacent surface of the storage container, and   the ring has an inner portion and an outer portion that fit over the annular flange.   
     
     
         11 . The container assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein
 the ring includes a snap-fitting protrusion that snaps to a corresponding part of the annular flange of the ring attachment portion.   
     
     
         12 . The container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the ring includes a seal that is molded to the ring.   
     
     
         13 . The container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the ring includes a seal that is overmolded to the ring.   
     
     
         14 . The container assembly according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the seal includes an upper portion and a lower portion separated from one another by a plurality of posts that are molded into corresponding openings in the ring,   the upper portion providing sealing between a portion of the lid and the ring and   the lower portion provides sealing between the ring and the ring attachment portion of the storage container.