TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a lid for a kitchenware vessel, and more particularly, to a lid capable of selectively forming a fluid-tight seal with a kitchenware vessel.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Kitchenware vessels and lids are generally known in the relevant art. Some known vessel-and-lid combinations include locking features for removably securing a lid to a vessel, including some vessel-and-lid combinations that include features for selectively enabling a seal between an interior and an exterior of the vessel. However, these known lids or vessel-and-lid combinations include superfluous moving parts, adding complexity, weight and manufacturing costs. Further, these known lids require a user to undertake multiple steps to secure and release the lid from the vessel and selectively enable a seal between the interior and exterior of the vessel. The accessories or integrated features available on known lids and vessel-and-lid combinations do not adequately address the above-mentioned issues. Accordingly, there is a need for a lid that forms a fluid-tight seal when a locking tab selectively secures the lid to a vessel, and for a lid that incorporates sealing features with a movable locking mechanism.

[0003] The present disclosure is provided to address the problems discussed above and other problems, and to provide advantages and aspects not presently provided by known lids. A full discussion of the features and advantages of certain preferred embodiments of the present disclosure is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY

[0004] In some embodiments of the present disclosure, a removable lid for selectively sealing a storage vessel having a base and a continuous sidewall is provided. The removable lid comprises a main body having a bottom surface and a top surface and a tab movably secured to the main body. The tab is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. A gasket is secured to the bottom surface of the main body of the lid, and a vent is formed in the gasket. The vent includes an aperture extending from an outer gasket side to an inner gasket side. The vent also includes a vent seal. A sealing protrusion is disposed on the tab. The sealing protrusion includes a sealing face disposed on a distal end of the sealing protrusion. When the tab is disposed in the first position, the sealing face contacts the vent seal and forms a generally fluid-tight seal with the vent seal. [0005] In some implementations of the present disclosure, a removable lid for selectively sealing a storage vessel is provided. The storage vessel includes a base and a continuous sidewall. The removable lid includes a main body having a bottom surface and an upper surface. A tab is movably secured to the main body such that the tab is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. A gasket is secured to the bottom surface. A channel is disposed on a lower surface of the gasket, and the gasket is selectively compressible between a relatively compressed state and a relatively uncompressed state. The channel allows a passage of fluid across the gasket when the gasket is in the relatively uncompressed state and the gasket forms a generally fluid-tight seal across the gasket when the gasket is in the relatively compressed state.

[0006] In some implementations of the present disclosure, a storage container assembly is provided. The assembly includes a storage vessel having a base and a continuous sidewall and a removable lid. The removable lid has a main body having a bottom surface and an upper surface. A tab is movably secured to the main body such that the tab is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. A gasket is secured to the bottom surface of the main body of the lid. A vent is formed in the gasket, and the vent includes an aperture extending from an outer gasket side to an inner gasket side and the vent further includes a vent seal. A sealing protrusion is disposed on the tab. The sealing protrusion includes a sealing face disposed on a distal end of the sealing protrusion. When the tab is located in the first position, the sealing face contacts the vent seal and forms a fluid-tight seal with the vent seal.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The following figures are included to illustrate certain aspects of the present disclosure, and should not be viewed as exclusive embodiments. The subject matter disclosed is capable of considerable modifications, alterations, combinations, and equivalents in form and function, without departing from the scope of this disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a vessel and a lid according to exemplary

implementations of the present disclosure, showing portions of a selective venting system.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective assembly view of the vessel and lid of FIG. 1, showing the vessel separated from the lid.

[0010] FIG. 3 is an exploded side view of a vessel, lid and gasket of FIG. 1 according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure.

[0011] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the vessel and lid of FIG. 1, showing selective venting features of a gasket and a locking tab, according to an exemplary

implementation of the present disclosure. [0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a lid and vessel according to exemplary

implementations of the present disclosure, further showing elements of a selective venting system and a selective locking system.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the lid and vessel of FIG. 5, taken along line 6-6, showing elements of the selective locking system and selective venting system in a first position.

[0014] FIG. 7 is the cross-sectional view of the lid and vessel of FIG. 5, showing elements of the selective locking system and selective venting system in a second position.

[0015] FIG. 8 is a side view of a vessel, lid and selective venting system according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, particularly showing a tab module and gasket in a first position.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a side view of the vessel, lid and selective venting system of FIG. 8, showing the tab module and gasket in a second position.

[0017] FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional view of the vessel, lid and selective venting system of FIG. 8, showing the tab module and gasket in the first position.

[0018] FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of the vessel, lid and selective venting system of FIG. 8, showing the tab module and gasket in the second position.

[0019] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a vessel, lid and selective venting system of an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, showing a gasket in a first position.

[0020] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel, lid and selective venting system of FIG. 12, showing the gasket in a second position.

[0021] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a vessel, lid and selective venting system according to an exemplary implementation of the present disclosure, showing a tab and sealing protrusion in a first position.

[0022] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of the vessel, lid and selective venting of FIG. 14, showing the tab and sealing protrusion in a second position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] This disclosure is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms. There are shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail, embodiments of the disclosure with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the disclosure. It is not intended to limit the broad aspects of the disclosure to the implementations illustrated.

[0024] Disclosed herein are various implementations of a selective venting system 10 for a lid used in connection with a cookware vessel or other houseware storage vessel. The lid 14 is releasably securable to a vessel 32 that generally includes a base 36 and a continuous sidewall 40. A peripheral edge 44, or an upper edge, of the continuous sidewall 40 is disposed at a substantially opposite side of the continuous sidewall 40 than is the base 36. The continuous sidewall 40 defines a sidewall interior surface 46 and a sidewall exterior surface 48. A sidewall lip 52 is formed on the continuous sidewall 40 proximate the peripheral edge 44. As best shown in FIGS. 1-3, the selective venting system 10 includes a lid 14 having a main body 18. The main body 18 of the lid 14 forms a lower side 22 and an upper side 24, along with one or more positional elements 28.

[0025] A tab 60 is attached to the lid 14. In some implementations of the present disclosure, more than one tab 60 is attached to the lid 14. The tab 60 is movably attached to the lid 14, and further can be attached to the lid 14 via a hinge 64. A tab securement protrusion 68 is attached to the tab 60 and selectively engages the sidewall lip 52 to releasably secure the lid 14 to the vessel 32. Either or both of the lid 14 or the tab 60 can be formed from polypropylene or any other suitable polymer or material.

[0026] In some implementations, the lid 14 and its peripheral edge 44 are substantially circular in shape. In some implementations, the lid 14 includes four rounded corners 15a, 15b,15c, 15d each having a first radius of curvature nand a side 17a,17b, 17c, 17d disposed between each pair of adjacent rounded corners 15a,15b,15c, 15d each having a second radius of curvature r ₂ . The first radius of curvature rl is less than the second radius of curvature r ₂ . In some

implementations, the peripheral edge 44 includes four rounded corners 44a,44b,44c,44d each having a third radius of curvature r ₃ and a side 45a,45b,45c,45d disposed between each pair of adjacent rounded corners 44a,44b,44c,44d each having a fourth radius of curvature r ₄ . The third radius of curvature r ₃ is less than the fourth radius of curvature r ₄ .

[0027] A gasket 72 is secured to the lower side 22 of the lid 14. The gasket 72 contacts the peripheral edge 44 of the continuous sidewall 40 when the lid 14 is placed in proper contact with the vessel 32. The positional elements 28 engage with portions, or corners, of the continuous sidewall 40 or peripheral edge 44 to position the gasket 72 in contact with the peripheral edge 44 when the lower side 22 of the lid 14 is placed in proper contact with the vessel 32. It will be understood that the gasket 72 can be formed from a polymer, rubber, thermoplastic elastomer material or any other suitable material.

[0028] The gasket 72 can be attached to the lower side 22 of the lid 14 through a variety of mechanical or chemical attachment technologies including, but not limited to, adhesives, interference fits, mechanical fasteners and other relative geometric arrangements of the gasket 72 and lid 14. A gasket channel 76 is, in some implementations, formed on the lower side 22 of the lid 14. The gasket channel 76 aids in the positioning and securement of the gasket 72 on the lower side 22, and includes an inner gasket guide 80 and an outer gasket guide 82. The inner gasket guide 80 and the outer gasket guide 82 position the gasket 72 radially on the lower side 22 of the lid 14 and the inner gasket guide 80 is disposed radially inward of the outer gasket guide 82. An inner gasket guide recess 90, visible in FIG. 3, is disposed on the inner gasket guide 80 and will be described below in greater detail.

[0029] Elements of the selective venting system 10 are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The gasket 72 includes a vent 94 allowing a fluid or gaseous exchange between the interior and an exterior of the vessel 32 when the lid 14 is properly placed on the vessel 32. According to one embodiment, the vent 94 includes an aperture 98 that passes through the gasket 72 from an outer gasket side 102 to an inner gasket side 106. A sealing surface 110 is formed on the gasket 72 at an end of the aperture 98 or the vent 94. In particular, the sealing surface 110 is formed on the outer gasket side 102. The sealing surface 1 10, (e.g. a 'bell mouth"), forms a raised lip surface that protrudes outwardly from the gasket 72. A sealing surface support 116 is also formed on the outer gasket side 102 and structurally supports the formation and functionalities of the sealing surface 110 described below.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, the inner gasket guide recess 90 is disposed on the inner gasket guide 80 and is substantially aligned with the aperture 98 when the gasket 72 is disposed in the gasket channel 76. The inner gasket guide recess 90 enables the inner gasket guide 80 to retain and position the gasket 72 in the gasket channel 76 and simultaneously allows fluid to flow through the aperture 98 without causing a fluid flow blockage.

[0031] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate a sealing protrusion 120 formed on the tab 60. The sealing protrusion 120 extends from the tab 60 and terminates at a face 124 formed on a distal end 128 of the sealing protrusion. The sealing protrusion 120 is, in some implementations, integrally formed with the tab 60 such that a movement of the tab 60 relative to the lid 14 and gasket 72 produces a corresponding movement of the sealing protrusion 120 relative to the lid 14 and gasket 72. In some implementations, as shown in FIG. 4, the face 124 is formed at an angle a from a side surface 129 of the sealing protrusion 120. In one preferred embodiment, the angle a is approximately 120 degrees.

[0032] FIG. 6 shows the tab 60 in a first position 150. In the first position 150, the vent 94 is closed such that a generally fluid-tight seal is formed at or near the aperture 98. It will be understood that a generally fluid-tight seal is achieved when the flow of fluid across the gasket 72 is substantially retarded. Accordingly, in this configuration, fluids and gasses are substantially prevented from flowing through the aperture 98 between the inner and outer sides of gasket 102, 106, and thus from an interior of the vessel 32 to an exterior of the vessel 32.

[0033] In some implementations, the sealing protrusion 120 seals the aperture 98 when the tab

60 is arranged in the first position 150. As the sealing protrusion 120 is moved in conjunction with a movement of the tab 60, the face 124 is brought towards the sealing surface 1 10 with a corresponding tab 60 movement towards the first position 150. In some implementations, the sealing surface 110 is compressible, such that the sealing protrusion 120 is moved towards the sealing surface 110, the face 124 contacts the sealing surface 110. The face 124 may further press into the sealing surface 110 such that the face 124 compresses the sealing surface 110. The contacting of the sealing surface 110 by the face 124, and/or the compression of the sealing surface 110 by the face 124, seals the aperture 98 such that a generally fluid-tight seal is formed through the aperture 98, thereby substantially preventing fluids from flowing through the aperture 98 between the inner and outer sides of the gasket 102, 106.

[0034] Similarly, when the sealing protrusion 120 is moved away from the sealing surface 110 in conjunction with a movement of the tab 60, the face 124 moves away from the sealing surface 110. Such a tab 60 arrangement is defined as a second position 160, as best shown in FIG. 7. When the face 124 is no longer in contact with the sealing surface 110, and/or no longer compresses the sealing surface 1 10, the face 124 does not form the fluid-tight seal through the aperture 98. Fluid is thereby allowed to flow from the outer gasket side 102 to the inner gasket side 106 or from the inner gasket side 106 to the outer gasket side 106, depending on relative pressures on opposed sides 102, 106 of the gasket 72.

[0035] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the tab 60 is arranged in the first position 150, the tab securement protrusion 68 engages with a portion of the sidewall lip 52 to removably secure the lid 14 to the vessel 32. The engagement of the tab securement protrusion 68 with the sidewall lip 52, in some implementations, also draws the lid 14 closer to the vessel 32 and/or compresses the gasket 72 against the sidewall lip 52 or peripheral edge 44 to form a generally fluid-tight seal between the gasket 72 and the sidewall lip 52 or peripheral edge 44. As described above, the tab 60 being arranged in the first position 150 causes the sealing protrusion 120 to form a generally fluid-tight seal through the aperture 98. Accordingly, the first position 150 corresponds to a releasable engagement between the lid 14 and the vessel 32, and also to a generally fluid tight-seal being formed through the aperture by the sealing protrusion 120.

[0036] When the tab 60 is arranged in the second position 160, there is no engagement between the tab securement protrusion 68 and a portion of the sidewall lip 52. Thus, the lid 14 is separable from the vessel 32. As described above, when the tab 60 is arranged in the second position 160 the sealing protrusion 120 is not positioned to form a generally fluid-tight seal through the aperture 98. Accordingly, the second position 160 corresponds to a lack of a securement between the lid 14 and the vessel 32 caused by the tab securement protrusion 68 and sidewall lip 52, and also to a lack of a generally fluid tight-seal being formed through the aperture by the sealing protrusion 120. [0037] In operation, when the tab 60 is moved into the first position 150 the lid 14 is secured to the vessel 32 and also a generally fluid tight-seal is formed because the sealing protrusion 120 seals the aperture 98. Conversely, movement of the tab 60 into the second position 160 releases the lid 14 from the vessel 32, and permits fluid to flow through the aperture 98.

[0038] In some implementations, as shown in FIGS. 8-13, the gasket 72 includes a lower surface 174 having at least one channel 180. The channel 180 can be formed through, under, over, around or on any surface or portion of the gasket 72. In some implementations, the gasket 72 is compressible to a plurality of states. In particular, the gasket 72 is selectively compressible between a relatively uncompressed state 184 as shown in FIGS. 8, 10 and 12, a relatively compressed state 188 as shown in FIGS. 9, 11 and 13.

[0039] The channel 180 permits fluid flow across or through the gasket 72 when the gasket 72 is in the relatively uncompressed state 184. In some implementations, when the gasket 72 is in the relatively uncompressed state 184, the lower surface 174 of the gasket 72 maintains the formation of the channel 180 across the lower surface 174 of the gasket 72. Further, when the gasket 72 is in the relatively uncompressed state 184, the lower surface 174 of the gasket 72 is not sufficiently compressed against the peripheral edge 44 to prevent a fluid flow across the channel 180.

[0040] Conversely, fluid is prevented from flowing across the channel 180 when the gasket 72 is in the relatively compressed state 188. When the gasket 72 is in the relatively compressed state 188, the lower surface 174 of the gasket 72 is sufficiently compressed against the peripheral edge 44 to generally prevent a fluid flow across the channel 180.

[0041] Either or both of the gasket 72 or lid 14 can be moved towards, or compressed against, the peripheral edge 44 by various mechanical systems. In some implementations shown in FIGS. 1-7, 12 and 13, a cam 192 engages with the sidewall lip 52 and/or the peripheral edge 44 to selectively move the gasket 72 towards the peripheral edge 44. The cam movement compresses the gasket 72 against the peripheral edge 44, thereby selectively compressing the gasket 72 between the relatively uncompressed state 184 and the relatively compressed state 188. It is contemplated that the cam 192 can be formed on the tab 60, and further can form a portion of the tab securement protrusion 68. Alternatively, or in addition thereto, the gasket 72 and/or lid 14 can be moved towards, or compressed against, the peripheral edge 44 by manual application of force to the lid 14 by user.

[0042] In some implementations shown in FIGS. 8-11, a movable tab module 200 selectively moves the gasket 72 toward the peripheral edge 44. By moving the tab module 200, the gasket

72 is compressed against the peripheral edge 44, thereby selectively compressing the gasket 72 between the relatively uncompressed state 184 and the relatively compressed state 188. According to these implementations, the tab module 200 may be moved substantially vertically to compress the gasket 72 against the peripheral edge 44. Further, in some implementations, the tab module 200 is at least partially connected to the lid 14 via one or more flexible supports 204. The flexible supports 204 can be formed from a polymer, thermoplastic elastomer, or any other suitably resilient and deformable material. The flexible supports 204 allow the tab module 200 to remain connected to the lid 14 regardless of a present location of the tab module 200 relative to the lid 14, and further allow the tab module 200 to move relative to the lid 14.

[0043] The tab module 200, in some implementations, is selectively disposable in a tab module upper state 208(FIGS. 8 and 10) and a tab module lower state 210 (FIGS. 9 and 1 1). When the tab module 200 is placed into the tab module upper state 208, the gasket 72 is disposed in the relatively uncompressed state 184 and when the tab module 200 is placed into the tab module lower state 210, the gasket is disposed in the relatively compressed state 188. The tab module 200 can be moved between the tab module lower state 210 and the tab module upper state 208 by a manual force of a user.

[0044] The disclosed systems and methods are well adapted to attain the ends and advantages mentioned as well as those that are inherent therein. The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as the teachings of the present disclosure may be modified and practiced in different but equivalent manners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings herein. Furthermore, no limitations are intended to the details of construction or design herein shown, other than as described in the claims below. It is therefore evident that the particular illustrative embodiments disclosed above may be altered, combined, or modified and all such variations are considered within the scope of the present disclosure. The systems and methods illustratively disclosed herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element that is not specifically disclosed herein and/or any optional element disclosed herein. While compositions and methods are described in terms of "comprising," "containing," or "including" various components or steps, the compositions and methods can also "consist essentially of or "consist of the various components and steps. All numbers and ranges disclosed above may vary by some amount. Whenever a numerical range with a lower limit and an upper limit is disclosed, any number and any included range falling within the range is specifically disclosed. In particular, every range of values (of the form, "from about a to about b," or, equivalently, "from approximately a to b," or, equivalently, "from approximately a-b") disclosed herein is to be understood to set forth every number and range encompassed within the broader range of values. Also, the terms in the claims have their plain, ordinary meaning unless otherwise explicitly and clearly defined by the patentee. Moreover, the indefinite articles "a" or

"an," as used in the claims, are defined herein to mean one or more than one of the element that it introduces. If there is any conflict in the usages of a word or term in this specification and one or more patent or other documents that may be incorporated herein by reference, the definitions that are consistent with this specification should be adopted.

[0045] As used herein, the phrase "at least one of preceding a series of items, with the terms "and" or "or" to separate any of the items, modifies the list as a whole, rather than each member of the list {i.e., each item). The phrase "at least one of allows a meaning that includes at least one of any one of the items, and/or at least one of any combination of the items, and/or at least one of each of the items. By way of example, the phrases "at least one of A, B, and C" or "at least one of A, B, or C" each refer to only A, only B, or only C; any combination of A, B, and C; and/or at least one of each of A, B, and C.