Container with sealing lid

Abstract

A releasably sealable container system is provided. The container system includes a container, a lid, a gasket and a locking arm. The container includes a lip defining an opening. The lid is configured to engage the opening. The lid includes a body and a frame. The gasket is configured to cooperate with the lid and the lip to seal the opening. The locking arm is coupled to the body and configured to move between an engaging position to lock the lid to the container and a disengaging position permitting the lid to be removed from the container. The body cooperates with the locking arm to move the locking arm from the disengaging position to the engaging position.

1 . A releasably sealable container system comprising:
 a container having a lip defining an opening;   a lid configured to engage the opening, the lid comprising a body and a frame;   a gasket configured to cooperate with the lid and the lip to seal the opening; and   a locking arm coupled to the body and configured to move between an engaging position to lock the lid to the container and a disengaging position permitting the lid to be removed from the container, the body cooperating with the locking arm to move the locking arm from the disengaging position to the engaging position.   
   
   
       2 . The releasably sealable container system of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of locking arms. 
   
   
       3 . The releasably sealable container system of  claim 1  further comprising at least one release grip located on the frame. 
   
   
       4 . The releasably sealable container system of  claim 1  wherein the locking arm includes a flexible hinge connecting the locking arm to the body to permit the locking arm to pivot relative to the body. 
   
   
       5 . The releasably sealable container system of  claim 1  further comprising a retaining arm coupled to the body to contact at least one of the locking arm and the lip to retain the body on the container. 
   
   
       6 . The releasably sealable container system of  claim 1  wherein the lip includes a sealing portion and an engaging portion, and the locking arm includes a cammed portion, the cammed portion contacting the engaging portion when in the engaging position. 
   
   
       7 . The releasably sealable container system of  claim 1  wherein the locking arm includes a hook-shaped portion and a disengagement portion, and the frame including a pulling arm, the pulling arm cooperating with the disengagement portion to move the locking arm to the disengaging position. 
   
   
       8 . A releasably sealable container system comprising:
 a container having a lip defining an opening, the lip including a sealing portion and an engaging portion;   a lid configured to engage the opening, the lid comprising a body and a frame;   a gasket configured to cooperate with the lid and the sealing portion of the lip to seal the opening; and   a locking arm coupled to the body, the body configured such that movement of the body in a downward direction causes the locking arm to move inwardly and engage the engaging portion and movement of the body in an upward direction permits the locking arm to move outwardly and disengage from the engagement portion.   
   
   
       9 . The releasably sealable container system of  claim 8  further comprising a plurality of locking arms. 
   
   
       10 . The releasably sealable container system of  claim 8  further comprising at least one release grip located on the frame. 
   
   
       11 . The releasably sealable container system of  claim 8  wherein the locking arm includes a flexible hinge connecting the locking arm to the body to permit the locking arm to pivot relative to the body. 
   
   
       12 . The releasably sealable container system of  claim 8  further comprising a retaining arm coupled to the body to contact at least one of the locking arm and the lip to retain the body on the container. 
   
   
       13 . The releasably sealable container system of  claim 8  wherein the lip includes a sealing portion and an engaging portion, and the locking arm includes a cammed portion, the cammed portion contacting the engaging portion when in an engaging position. 
   
   
       14 . The releasably sealable container system of  claim 8  wherein the locking arm includes a hook-shaped portion and a disengagement portion, and the frame including a pulling arm, the pulling arm cooperating with the disengagement portion to move the locking arm to a disengaging position. 
   
   
       15 . A method of sealing a container system, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a container having a lip defining an opening, the lip including a sealing portion and an engaging portion;   providing a lid configured to engage the opening, the lid comprising a body, a frame and a locking arm;   positioning a gasket between the lid and the sealing portion of the lip; and   moving the body in a downward direction causing the locking arm to move inwardly and engage the engaging portion.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of moving the body in a downward direction causing the locking arm to move inwardly includes causing a cammed portion of the locking arm to engage the engaging portion. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the step of moving the body in a downward direction causing the locking arm to move inwardly includes causing a hook-shaped portion of the locking arm to engage the engaging portion. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15  further comprising the step of moving the body in an upward direction permitting the locking arm to move outwardly and disengage from the engaging portion. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the step of moving the body in an upward direction includes permitting a cammed portion of the locking arm to disengage from the engaging portion. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 18  wherein the step of moving the body in an upward direction includes having a pulling arm on the body cooperate with a disengagement portion of the locking arm to move the locking arm to a disengaging position.