Reclosable container

Abstract

A reclosable container includes a container having an opening defined by a rim, a reclosable lid having a rim-engaging portion and a recessed portion inwardly of the rim-engaging portion, and a sealing sheet material separate from the lid, the sealing sheet material extending across the opening and being removably secured to the container rim beneath the lid, wherein the recessed portion of the lid projects into the container opening and the sealing sheet material has a recessed portion which accommodates the recessed portion of the lid.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reclosable container comprising: 
 a container having an opening defined by a rim;    a reclosable lid having a rim-engaging portion and a recessed portion inwardly of the rim-engaging portion; and    sealing sheet material separate from the lid, the sealing sheet material extending across the opening and being removably secured to the container rim beneath the lid;    wherein the recessed portion of the lid projects into the container opening and the sealing sheet material has a recessed portion which accommodates the recessed portion of the lid.    
     
     
         2 . A reclosable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the rim-engaging portion of the lid has an inverted channel-shaped cross-section with an annular base which overlies the container rim, an outer skirt depending from the base outwardly of the container and an inner wall depending from the base within the container opening, with the recessed portion of the lid extending from a distal edge of the inner wall.  
     
     
         3 . A reclosable container according to  claim 2 , wherein the outer skirt of the lid makes an interference fit with the container rim to engage the lid with the container.  
     
     
         4 . A reclosable container according to  claim 2 , wherein the base of the inverted channel-shaped rim engaging portion of the lid overlies the container rim adjacent thereto with the sealing sheet material therebetween.  
     
     
         5 . A reclosable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the rim of the container comprises an upper end face supported at an inner edge by a wall of the container and a skirt depending from the upper end face.  
     
     
         6 . A reclosable container according to  claim 5 , wherein the upper end face of the rim extends substantially transversely to the axis of the container.  
     
     
         7 . A reclosable container according to  claim 6 , wherein the sealing sheet material is removably secured to the upper end face of the container rim.  
     
     
         8 . A reclosable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing sheet material is selected from the group comprising a metal foil, a polymer/metal laminate, a polymer film and a multi-layer polymer film.  
     
     
         9 . A reclosable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing sheet material is heat sealed to the container rim.  
     
     
         10 . A reclosable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing sheet material is adhesively engaged with the container rim.  
     
     
         11 . A reclosable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the recessed portion of the sealing sheet material extends from adjacent the container rim.  
     
     
         12 . A reclosable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the recessed portion of the sealing sheet material is formed by cold drawing or by thermoforming the sealing sheet material.  
     
     
         13 . A reclosable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the recessed portion of the sealing sheet material is at least partly formed before the sealing sheet material is secured to the container rim.  
     
     
         14 . A reclosable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the recessed portion of the sealing sheet material is formed at the same time as and/or after the sealing sheet material is secured to the container rim.  
     
     
         15 . A reclosable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is a thermoformed or injection moulded plastic container.  
     
     
         16 . A reclosable container according to  claim 1  wherein the lid is thermoformed or injection moulded.  
     
     
         17 . A method of forming a sealed container package which comprises providing a container having a container opening defined by a rim of the container; 
 providing a sealing sheet material across the container opening and removably securing the sealing sheet material to the container rim;    forming a recessed portion in the sealing sheet material whereby at least after the sealing sheet material has been secured to the container rim the recessed portion projects into the container opening; and    attaching a reclosable lid to the container rim, the lid projecting into the recessed portion of the sealing sheet material within the container opening.    
     
     
         18 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the recessed portion is cold formed or thermoformed.  
     
     
         19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the thermoforming is carried out by engaging the sealing sheet material with a former to form the recessed portion in the sealing sheet material.  
     
     
         20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein at least part of the sealing sheet material is heated before the former is engaged with the sealing sheet material.  
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein at least part of the sealing sheet material is heated at the same time as or after the former is engaged with the sealing sheet material.  
     
     
         22 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the recessed portion of the sealing sheet material is at least partly formed before the sealing sheet material is secured to the container rim.  
     
     
         23 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the recessed portion of the sealing sheet material is at least partly formed at the same time as or after the sealing sheet material is secured to the container rim.  
     
     
         24 . A method according to  claim 23 , wherein the sealing sheet material is not drawn across the container rim as the recessed portion is formed.  
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the sealing sheet material is a thermoformable film and the action of heating the film for thermoforming also initiates the bonding of the film to the container rim.  
     
     
         26 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the thermoformable film is a polymeric film and the heating of the film softens it such that it can be heat sealed to the container rim.  
     
     
         27 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the heating of the sealing sheet material activates an adhesive or sealing layer on the sealing sheet material.  
     
     
         28 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the sheet sealing material is cut or shaped prior to being secured to the container rim.  
     
     
         29 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the sheet sealing material is cut or shaped during and/or after being secured to the container rim.  
     
     
         30 . A method according to  claim 17 , wherein the sealing sheet material is removably secured to an upper end face of the container rim.