Metal container with lid attachment flange

Abstract

A metal container bottom for holding contents such as spices is provided. The metal container bottom may be used with a plastic lid. The metal bottom has a formed end that includes a connection hook for securing the bottom to a lid.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a container lid that defines a mounting channel;   a container bottom including:
 a generally tubular sidewall; 
 a formed top end including a top shoulder that is interconnected between a radially inward extending connection hook and the tubular sidewall, the formed top end is axially received into the mounting channel to secure the container lid to the container bottom. 
   
     
     
         2 . A container bottom comprising:
 a generally tubular sidewall;   a formed top end including:
 a top shoulder and a radially inward extending connection hook, the top shoulder is interconnected between the tubular sidewall and the connection hook. 
   
     
     
         3 . The container bottom of  claim 2 , wherein the connection hook is directly connected to the top shoulder, the top shoulder forming a distal end of the container bottom. 
     
     
         4 . The container bottom of  claim 3 , wherein the connection hook extends at an angle of between about 15 and 45 degrees relative to the tubular sidewall. 
     
     
         5 . The container bottom of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular sidewall has a generally rectangular periphery defined by pairs of parallel sides and four rounded corners, the connection hook extends at an angle of about zero degrees relative to the tubular sidewall proximate the corners and at an angle of between about 15 and 45 degrees adjacent the sides. 
     
     
         6 . The container bottom of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular sidewall has edges thereof welded together to secure the sidewall in its tubular form. 
     
     
         7 . The container bottom of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular sidewall has edges thereof that are mechanically interlocked using a mechanical hem to secure the sidewall in its tubular form. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the tubular sidewall has a generally rectangular periphery defined by pairs of parallel sides and four rounded corners, the connection hook being substantially continuous entirely around the tubular sidewall. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the connection hook extends at an angle of between 10 and 20 degrees proximate the sides and the four rounded corners. 
     
     
         10 . A container comprising:
 a container lid that defines a mounting channel; and   a container bottom including:
 a generally tubular sidewall; 
 a formed top end including:
 a top shoulder and a radially inward extending connection hook, the top shoulder is interconnected between the tubular sidewall and the connection hook. 
 
   
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the connection hook is directly connected to the top shoulder, the top shoulder forming a distal end of the container bottom. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the connection hook extends at an angle of between about 15 and 45 degrees relative to the tubular sidewall. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the tubular sidewall has a generally rectangular periphery defined by pairs of parallel sides and four rounded corners, the connection hook extends at an angle of about zero degrees relative to the tubular sidewall proximate the corners and at an angle of between about 15 and 45 degrees adjacent the sides. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the tubular sidewall has edges thereof welded together to secure the sidewall in its tubular form. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the tubular sidewall has edges thereof that are mechanically interlocked using a mechanical hem to secure the sidewall in its tubular form. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the formed top end includes a radially inward stepped portion and an extension portion, the radially inward stepped portion is interposed between the sidewall and the extension portion and the extension portion is interposed between the shoulder and the radially inward stepped portion. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the shoulder and the extension portion are positioned radially inward of the inner surface of the sidewall. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the extension portion is generally parallel to the sidewall. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the mounting channel of the container lid is formed between an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall that extend axially from a lid body, the formed end being received between the inner and outer sidewalls when the container lid is mounted to the container bottom. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein the inner sidewall of the container lid includes a radially outward extending projection forming an undercut region that receives the connection hook when the container lid is mounted to the container bottom. 
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 20 , wherein the radially outward extending projection includes a plurality of ribs, a distal end of the connection hook engaging the ribs when the container lid is mounted to the container bottom. 
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 21 , wherein the radially outward extending projection includes a tapered surface from which the ribs extend, the tapered surface of the radially outward extending projection extending at a non-parallel angle to the sidewall of the container bottom. 
     
     
         23 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the sidewall and the formed end are formed from a single, continuous piece of material. 
     
     
         24 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the tubular sidewall has a generally rectangular periphery defined by pairs of parallel sides and four rounded corners, the connection hook being substantially continuous entirely around the tubular sidewall. 
     
     
         25 . The container of  claim 24 , wherein the connection hook extends at an angle of between 10 and 20 degrees proximate the sides and the four rounded corners.