Storage container

Abstract

A container includes a base portion made primarily of paper and a lid portion comprising plastic or other suitable material. The base portion includes a primary rim extending radially outward at, or proximate to, an opening to the interior storage region of the base portion, and circumscribing the opening. A plastic secondary rim is fixedly joined to a surface of the primary rim such that when the lid portion is removably received to the base portion, so as to close the opening, a peripheral sealing portion of the lid portion sealingly engages the plastic secondary rim, in pressed conformance therewith, making a plastic-against-plastic seal.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage container, comprising:
 a base portion comprised of a non-plastic material being configured to provide an interior space in which material is receivable and containable, said base portion including a primary rim extending radially outward of an opening to said interior space;   a secondary rim being affixed to a selected surface portion or portions of said primary rim, said secondary rim being comprised of at least one of plastic or elastomeric material; and   a lid portion being removably receivable to said base portion, said lid portion being configured to close the opening in said base portion, said lid portion including sealing structure being comprised of plastic or elastomeric material configured to engage a surface of said secondary rim when the lid portion is received to said base portion.   
     
     
         2 . A storage container according to  claim 1 , wherein said material is food or consumable liquid. 
     
     
         3 . A storage container according to  claim 1 , wherein said non-plastic material is paper. 
     
     
         4 . A storage container according to  claim 1 , wherein said lid portion comprises a central region including a non-plastic material and a peripheral engagement region including at least one of plastic or elastomeric material. 
     
     
         5 . A storage container according to  claim 1 , wherein a surface of said base portion facing said interior space is treated with a water proofing or resisting agent. 
     
     
         6 . A storage container according to  claim 5 , wherein said water proofing or resisting agent includes at least one of wax, foil, polyethylene, polylactic acid or polylactide. 
     
     
         7 . A storage container according to  claim 1 , wherein said non-plastic material is biodegradable. 
     
     
         8 . A storage container according to  claim 1 , wherein said plastic or elastomeric material of at least one of the lid portion or the base portion comprises polylactic acid or polylactide. 
     
     
         9 . A storage container, comprising:
 a base portion comprised of a paper material being configured to provide an enclosed volume in which food is receivable and containable, said base portion including a primary rim extending radially outward of an opening to said enclosed volume;   a secondary rim being affixed to a selected surface portion or portions of said primary rim, said secondary rim being comprised of a plastic material; and   a lid portion being removably receivable to said base portion, said lid portion being configured to close the opening in said base portion, said lid portion including sealing structure comprised of a plastic material for engaging a surface of said secondary rim when the lid portion is received to said base portion to thereby provide a plastic-against-plastic seal between said lid portion and said base portion.   
     
     
         10 . A storage container according to  claim 9 , wherein the paper material includes a surface suitable for receiving printing. 
     
     
         11 . A storage container according to  claim 9 , wherein said lid portion comprises a central region including a paper material and a peripheral engagement region carrying said sealing structure and including a plastic material. 
     
     
         12 . A storage container according to  claim 9 , wherein a surface of said base portion facing said interior space is treated with a water proofing or resisting agent. 
     
     
         13 . A storage container according to  claim 12 , wherein said water proofing or resisting agent includes at least one of wax, foil, polyethylene, polylactic acid or polylactide. 
     
     
         14 . A storage container according to  claim 9 , wherein said base portion and said lid portion are suitable for reheating along with the food stored therein.