Container

Abstract

The present invention provides a container ( 2 ) comprising a body ( 4 ) having an opening ( 8 ) therein and a lid ( 6 ) adapted to close the opening ( 8 ). The peripheral edge ( 10 ) of the body having a first tapered section ( 11 ) defined by a first interior angle (y) and the lid ( 6 ) having a second tapered section ( 13 ) defined by a second interior angle (z). The first interior angle (y) being greater than the second interior angle (z) and the second tapered section ( 13 ) enclosing the first tapered section ( 11 ) when a sealing engagement is formed between the lid ( 6 ) and the body ( 4 ).

1 . A container comprising a body, having an opening therein, and a lid adapted to close said opening, said opening being defined by a peripheral edge of said body, said peripheral edge comprising a first tapered section, which first tapered section is defined by a first interior angle, said lid comprising a lip, which lip comprises a second tapered section, which second tapered section is defined by a second interior angle, said first interior angle being greater than said second interior angle and said lip being adapted to enclose said first tapered section and form a sealing engagement with said peripheral edge.  
     
     
         2 . A container as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the first interior angle and/or the second interior angle is at least 2°.  
     
     
         3 . A container as claimed in    claim 1   , where the first interior angle and/or the second interior angle is less than 90°.  
     
     
         4 . A container as claimed in    claim 1   , wherein the peripheral edge is an extension of the body of the container.  
     
     
         5 . A container according to    claim 1   , wherein the peripheral edge has an inverted substantially V-shaped cross-section providing the first tapered section.  
     
     
         6 . A container according to    claim 1   , wherein the peripheral edge has a solid cross-section.  
     
     
         7 . A container according to    claim 1   , wherein the peripheral edge has a hollow cross-section.  
     
     
         8 . A container according to    claim 1   , wherein the peripheral edge has a first surface which extends outwards and upwards of the body of the container, and a second surface which extends outwards and downwards of the distal end of the first surface to provide the first tapered section.  
     
     
         9 . A container according to    claim 8   , wherein the peripheral edge further comprises a third surface, which extends substantially downwards of the distal is end of the second surface when the container is arranged in a substantially upright position.  
     
     
         10 . A container according to    claim 8   , wherein the second surface is situated to the exterior of the container.  
     
     
         11 . A container according to    claim 9   , wherein the third surface is situated to the exterior of the container.  
     
     
         12 . A container according to    claim 1    wherein the lip of the lid is adapted to provide an interference fit with the peripheral edge of the body of the container, so as to provide the sealing engagement.  
     
     
         13 . A container according to    claim 1   , wherein in a sealing engagement with the peripheral edge the lip is spaced apart from a proportion at least of the first tapered section of the peripheral edge.  
     
     
         14 . A container according to    claim 13   , wherein in a sealing engagement with the peripheral edge, the lip is spaced apart from a proportion at least of the second surface of the peripheral edge.  
     
     
         15 . A container according to    claim 9   , wherein the lip forms a sealing engagement with the third surface of the peripheral edge.  
     
     
         16 . A container according to    claim 1   , wherein a portion at least of the second surface provides a lip engagement area for the container when in use as a drinking vessel.  
     
     
         17 . A container according to    claim 1   , wherein the lid comprises a base from which said lip extends.  
     
     
         18 . A container according to    claim 17   , wherein the lip comprises a first surface, which extends upwards and outwards of the base, and a second surface, which extends outwards and downwards of the distal end of the first surface to provide a second tapered section.  
     
     
         19 . A container according to    claim 17   , wherein the lip extends about the full periphery of the base of the lid.  
     
     
         20 . A container according to    claim 18   , wherein the lip further comprises a third surface, which extends substantially downwards of the distal end of the second surface when the container is arranged in a substantially upright position.  
     
     
         21 . A container according to    claim 1   , wherein the cross-sectional shape of the lip corresponds with the cross-sectional shape of the peripheral edge of the body of the container.  
     
     
         22 . A container according to    claim 1   , wherein the angle between the first surface of each tapered section and a vertical axis running through the apex of the tapered section is less than the angle between each second surface and the vertical axis.  
     
     
         23 . A container according to    claim 1   , wherein when the lid and base are engaged together, the base of the lid extends into the cavity of the body of the container.  
     
     
         24 . A container according to    claim 1   , wherein an interior surface of the peripheral edge of the body of the container and the lip of the lid comprise a coupling means to attach the lid and the body together.  
     
     
         25 . A container according to    claim 24   , wherein the coupling means comprises corresponding threaded sections or a ridge and groove arrangement.  
     
     
         26 . A container according to    claim 24   , wherein the peripheral edge comprises a peripheral wall extending between the first tapered section and the body of the container, at which peripheral wall the coupling means is located.  
     
     
         27 . A container according to    claim 24   , wherein the lid comprises a peripheral surface extending between the second tapered section and the base, at which peripheral surface the coupling means is located.  
     
     
         28 . A container according to    claim 1    being a container for foodstuffs.  
     
     
         29 . A container according to    claim 1    suitable for use as both a container for storage of goods and a serving means for said goods.  
     
     
         30 . A container according to    claim 1   , wherein the lid is adaptable for attachment to the exterior surface of the container to provide a base for the container.  
     
     
         31 . A container according to    claim 30   , wherein the container and the lid comprise fixing means to attach the lid to the base of the container.  
     
     
         32 . A container according to    claim 31   , wherein the fixing means comprises a protrusion and a corresponding socket.  
     
     
         33 . A container according to    claim 32   , wherein the socket decreases in size progressively from the opening to provide for a forced fit of the protrusion in the socket.  
     
     
         34 . A container according to    claim 32   , wherein the protrusion and the socket comprise corresponding threaded sections to provide a fixing means.  
     
     
         35 . A container according to    claim 32   , wherein the protrusion and socket comprise a ridge and groove arrangement to provide a fixing means.  
     
     
         36 . A container according to    claim 1   , wherein the container is shaped such that a plurality of containers generally tessellate one adjacent another when stacked together.  
     
     
         37 . A container comprising a body having an opening therein, and a lid, which lid comprises a projection adapted to fit inside said opening, said body and said projection comprising a coupling means so as to provide a means of attaching said body and said lid together.  
     
     
         38 . A container according to    claim 37   , wherein the coupling means provides a locking engagement between the body and the projection.  
     
     
         39 . A container according to    claim 37   , wherein the coupling means is spaced from a distal end of the peripheral edge defining the opening in the body.  
     
     
         40 . A container according to    claim 37   , wherein the lid is attachable to the container to provide a base for the container when in use.  
     
     
         41 . A container according to    claim 40   , wherein the lid is attachable to the container by means of a snap fit, interference fit or a twist fit attachment.  
     
     
         42 . A container according to claims  1 , having features in accordance with    claim 38   .