Container having an arched portion and Lid Therefor

Abstract

A container includes a bowl having a bottom and a sidewall, wherein a ledge is disposed on an inner surface of the sidewall and includes two opposing horizontal portions having a lowermost portion defining a first plane therebetween. A paperboard lid is removably retained within the bowl, wherein the lid includes an apex that lies in a second plane, which is parallel to the first plane. The distance between the first plane and the second plane is between about 0.15 cm to about 1.3 cm.

1 . A container, comprising:
 a bowl including a bottom and a sidewall, wherein a ledge is disposed on an inner surface of the sidewall and includes two horizontal portions on opposing portions of the inner surface of the sidewall, the two horizontal portions having a lowermost portion defining a plane Y therebetween; and   a paperboard lid removably retained within the bowl, wherein the lid arches upwardly in a continuous curve to an apex that lies in a plane Z, which is parallel to the plane Y, and   wherein the distance between the plane Y and the plane Z is between about 0.15 cm to about 1.3 cm.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the paperboard lid includes first and second pairs of parallel edges. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the ledge includes at least one arched portion having a radius of curvature of between about 15 cm to about 160 cm. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein at least one nub is disposed above the ledge and wherein the at least one nub and the ledge form a gap therebetween. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the first and second pairs of parallel edges are disposed within the gap when the lid is retained within the bowl. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the lid includes a tab. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the bowl includes at least two nubs having a space therebetween for receiving the tab therein. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the bowl includes a plurality of spaces such that the lid can be inserted in multiple orientations. 
     
     
         9 . A bowl for a container, comprising:
 a bottom;   a sidewall; and   a ledge disposed on an interior surface of the sidewall, wherein the ledge includes at least one arched portion and at least one horizontal portion,   wherein the arched portion has a radius of curvature of between about 15 cm to about 160 cm.   
     
     
         10 . The bowl of  claim 9 , wherein the sidewall comprises first, second, third, and fourth portions. 
     
     
         11 . The bowl of  claim 9  further including at least one nub disposed above the ledge, wherein the at least one nub and the ledge define a gap therebetween for retaining a lid therein. 
     
     
         12 . The bowl of  claim 11 , wherein the bowl includes a plurality of nubs of varying lengths. 
     
     
         13 . The bowl of  claim 9 , wherein the ledge includes two opposing arched portions. 
     
     
         14 . The bowl of  claim 13 , wherein the ledge includes two opposing horizontal portions having angled surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . A lid, comprising:
 a body portion having a planar profile in a non-deflected state and first and second pairs of opposing edges,   wherein the first and second pairs of edges are coextensive with the planar profile of the body portion in the non-deflected state when not placed on a container, and   wherein the first pair of edges is coextensive, and the second pair of edges is not coextensive, with the planar profile of the body portion in the deflected state when the body portion is placed on a container.   
     
     
         16 . The lid of  claim 15 , wherein the second pair of edges have a radius of curvature of between about 15 cm to about 160 cm when the lid is in the deflected state. 
     
     
         17 . The lid of  claim 15  further including a tab. 
     
     
         18 . The lid of  claim 15  further including a communication member attached thereto. 
     
     
         19 . The lid of  claim 18 , wherein the communication member is attached to the lid by a perforated portion. 
     
     
         20 . The lid of  claim 15 , wherein the lid is seated on a container to cause the second pair of edges to be placed into the deflected state.