Container including base and lid having retainment and anti-shock features

Abstract

A container includes a base including cells each sized and shaped for receiving a food item therein, and a land positioned between adjacent cells, and a lid releasably engaged with the base when the container is in a closed configuration, the lid including a cover and a retaining column extending from the cover to a distal column end. The distal column end engages the land of the base when the container is in the closed configuration, the retaining column includes outwardly-extending retainers. When the container is in the closed configuration, each of the outwardly-extending retainers is located over one of the adjacent cells to limit movement of the food item received in the respective cell. Each outwardly-extending retainer is spaced a distance from the distal column end such that a clearance is defined between the outwardly-extending retainers and the plurality of cells when the container is in the closed configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a base including a plurality of cells, wherein each cell is sized and shaped for receiving a food item therein, and a land positioned between adjacent cells; and   a lid releasably engaged with the base when the container is in a closed configuration, the lid including a cover and a retaining column extending from the cover to a distal column end, wherein:
 the distal column end engages the land of the base when the container is in the closed configuration, 
 the retaining column includes outwardly-extending retainers, wherein, when the container is in the closed configuration, each of the outwardly-extending retainers is located over one of the adjacent cells to limit movement of the food item received in the respective cell, and 
 each outwardly-extending retainer is spaced a distance from the distal column end such that a clearance is defined between the outwardly-extending retainers and the plurality of cells when the container is in the closed configuration. 
   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein recessed portions of the retaining column respectively extend between the distal column end and the outwardly-extending retainers, wherein each outwardly-extending retainer extends outwardly from the respective recessed portion of the retaining column at an oblique angle. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a base rim and the lid includes a lid rim that engages the base rim when the container is in the closed configuration, wherein the plurality of cells are defined in a base surface that is sunk relative to the base rim a depth that is approximately equal to a height of the clearance measured between the base surface and the outwardly-extending retainers. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the base and the lid include complementing S-shaped interlocks that sealingly engage one another outboard of the base rim and the lid rim when the container is in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the base includes a base sidewall extending from the base rim to the base surface, wherein the lid includes a lid sidewall joined to the lid rim by a lid transition section, the lid transition section including a first portion extending downwardly from the lid rim to a low point and a second portion extending inwardly from the low point to the lid sidewall, and wherein the first portion of the lid transition section is overlapped by the base sidewall when the container is in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the land includes an anti-shock element that engages the distal column end when the container is in the closed configuration, wherein the anti-shock element is configured to flex in response to a force exerted by the retaining column. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the anti-shock element is a flexible raised structure that includes an interior wall and an exterior wall, wherein the interior wall defines an opening that receives a distal tip of the retaining column protruding from the distal column end, and wherein each of the interior wall and the exterior wall includes a flexure that allows the anti-shock element to flex. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the flexure of the interior wall is a series of drafted and radiused ribs and the flexure of the exterior wall is a series of stepped ribs. 
     
     
         9 . A container comprising:
 a base including a base rim, a base surface that is sunk relative to the base rim, and at least one cell defined in the base surface, wherein the at least one cell is sized and shaped for receiving at least one food item therein; and   a lid including a cover, a lid rim that is releasably engaged with the base rim when the container is in a closed configuration, a sidewall extending between the cover and the lid rim, and retainers defined in the lid sidewall, the retainers extending inwardly from the lid sidewall at an oblique angle, wherein, when the container is in the closed configuration, the inwardly-extending retainers are located above the at least one cell to limit movement of the at least one food item received therein and each retainer extends inwardly from the sidewall at the oblique angle to a height from the base surface such that a clearance is defined between the retainers and the at least one cell.   
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the base surface is sunk relative to the base rim a depth that is approximately equal to the height of the retainers. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the base includes a base sidewall extending from the base rim to the base surface, wherein the lid sidewall is joined to the lid rim by a lid transition section, the lid transition section including a first portion extending downwardly from the lid rim to a low point and a second portion extending inwardly from the low point to the lid sidewall, and wherein the first portion of the lid transition section is overlapped by the base sidewall when the container is in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the lid sidewall includes indents that lengthen an inward extent of the second portion of the lid transition section to define the inwardly-extending retainers, wherein the second portion of the lid transition section extends from the low point to the lid sidewall at the oblique angle. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the base and the lid include complementing S-shaped interlocks that sealingly engage one another outboard of the base rim and the lid rim when the container is in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the base and the lid include complementing snap features that engage one another outboard of the base rim and the lid rim when the container is in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         15 . A container comprising:
 a base including a plurality of cells, wherein each cell is sized and shaped for receiving a food item therein, and a land positioned between adjacent cells; and   a lid releasably engaged with the base when the container is in a closed configuration, the lid including a cover and a retaining column extending from the cover to a distal column end,   wherein the distal column end engages the land of the base when the container is in the closed configuration, and   wherein the land includes an anti-shock element that is configured to flex in response to a force exerted by the retaining column.   
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the anti-shock element is a flexible raised structure that includes an interior wall and an exterior wall, wherein the interior wall defines an opening that receives a distal tip of the retaining column protruding from the distal column end. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein at least one of the interior wall and the exterior wall includes a flexure that allows the anti-shock element to flex. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein each of the interior wall and the exterior wall include the flexure. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the flexure of the interior wall is a series of drafted and radiused ribs. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the flexure of the exterior wall is a series of stepped ribs.