Container

Abstract

A container having a container body, a base, a flange circumferentially extending partially about the container body to define a gap exposing a portion of the container body, and an optional lid. The lid may attach to the container body to form an air-tight seal. The gap advantageously allows a tool or a digit to be used to access and remove the lid from the container body. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

1 . A container, comprising: 
 a body portion displaying an outer surface, a top edge, and a bottom edge;    a generally circular base portion cooperating with the body portion to form a fluid-tight bond proximate the body portion bottom edge; and    a flange member radially extending from the body portion proximate the body portion top edge, the flange member defining a gap in which the body portion outer surface is exposed.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , the body portion comprising a generally frustoconical first section and a generally cylindrical second section, the first section extending from the bottom edge and integral to the second section, the second section extending between the top edge and the first section.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid accommodating the body portion top edge to achieve a substantially air-tight seal.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3 , in which the lid is made from a substantially flexible material.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 2 , the flange member comprising a first flange element and a second flange element, the first flange element displaying a peripheral edge and extending from the body portion second section, the second flange element extending from the first flange element.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 5 , further comprising a multiplicity of ribs extending between the body portion second section, the first flange element, and the second flange element.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 5 , further comprising a multiplicity of ribs integrally extending between the body portion second section, the first flange element, and the second flange element.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 5 , in which the first flange element extends generally orthogonally from the body portion second section.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8 , in which the second flange element extends generally orthogonally from the body portion second section.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 9 , further comprising a multiplicity of ribs extending between the body portion second section, the first flange element, and the second flange element.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 9 , further comprising a multiplicity of ribs integrally extending between the body portion second section, the first flange element, and the second flange element.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 2 , in which the flange member gap extends between about 10 degrees and 40 degrees with respect to the container body portion.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 2 , in which the gap exposes a circumferential dimension of the body portion second section between about 1 and 4 centimeters.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 2 , in which the gap exposes a circumferential dimension of the body portion second section between about 1.5 and 3.5 centimeters.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 2 , in which the gap exposes a circumferential dimension between about 1 degree and 40 degrees of the body portion.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 2 , in which the gap exposes a circumferential dimension between about 10 degrees and 30 degrees of the body portion.  
   
   
       17 . A process of manufacturing a container, comprising: 
 forming a container body displaying an upper edge and an outer surface;    joining a base to the container body; and    attaching a flange to the container body proximate the container body upper edge, the flange defining a gap exposing the container body outer surface.    
   
   
       18 . The process of  claim 17 , further comprising forming a lid accommodating the container body upper edge to form an air-tight seal.  
   
   
       19 . The process of  claim 18 , further comprising forming a reinforcing structure extending between the container body and the flange.  
   
   
       20 . The process of  claim 18 , in which the flange includes a first flange element displaying a radial end and a second flange element extending from the first flange element radial end, 
 the process further comprising forming a reinforcing structure extending between the container body, the first flange element, and the second flange element.    
   
   
       21 . The process of  claim 20 , in which the reinforcing structure comprises a multiplicity of ribs.  
   
   
       22 . The process of  claim 18 , in which the container body, the base, and the flange are unitarily formed.  
   
   
       23 . The process of  claim 18 , in which the container body, the base, and the flange are formed by injection-molding.  
   
   
       24 . The process of  claim 18 , in which the lid is formed from a substantially flexible material.  
   
   
       25 . The process of  claim 24 , in which the container and the lid are formed from a thermoplastic.  
   
   
       26 . The process of  claim 24 , in which the container and the lid are formed from a high density polyethylene.  
   
   
       27 . The process of  claim 18 , in which the attached flange exposes a circumferential dimension of the container body outer surface between about 1 and 4 centimeters.  
   
   
       28 . The process of  claim 18 , in which the attached flange exposes a circumferential dimension of the container body outer surface between about 1.5 and 3.5 centimeters.  
   
   
       29 . A process of placing a substance into a container, comprising: 
 providing the container, the container comprising a body portion, a base sealingly attached to the body portion, and a flange circumferentially extending from the body portion proximate a body portion top end so as to define a gap, the gap exposing a portion of an outer surface of the body portion;    conveying the substance into the container; and    accommodating the body portion top end by a lid, thereby closing the filled container with a substantially air-tight seal.