Reusable Covers For Containers

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to reusable covers. Such reusable covers may be flexible so that they can create a seal with a container, such as bowls and other dishes, to preserve foods or extend the time that a stored item may be suitable and desirable for consumption. Each cover may include a base and a flexible wall, and may be applied on containers of varying diameters and shapes.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A reusable cover for containers, comprising:
 a base;   a flexible wall extending from the base, the flexible wall including a rim portion and wherein the rim portion forms an opening for the cover;   the rim portion having an initial state where the opening is a first size and the rim portion having a first deformed state where the opening is a second size, wherein the first size is smaller than the second size;   wherein the reusable cover is configured to contact a sidewall of a first container; and   wherein when the reusable cover engages the first container, the rim portion transitions from the initial state to the first deformed state, and a first seal is formed between the first container and the reusable cover.   
     
     
         2 . The reusable cover of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible wall further includes a ring portion, wherein the rim portion comprises an annular flange, wherein the rim portion includes a radially inner limit and a radially outer limit, wherein the radially outer limit is joined to the ring portion, wherein the rim portion further includes a maximum contact region, and wherein the maximum contact region includes the region between the radially outer limit and the radially inner limit. 
     
     
         3 . The reusable cover of  claim 2 , wherein the rim portion includes a minimum contact region, and wherein the first cover is configured to engage and properly seal a container with at least a minimum container diameter that contacts at least the minimum contact region. 
     
     
         4 . The reusable cover of  claim 2 , wherein the first cover is configured to engage and properly seal a container with at most a maximum container diameter that contacts at least the radially inner limit of the rim portion. 
     
     
         5 . The reusable container of  claim 4 , wherein the first cover is configured to engage and properly seal any container between the minimum container diameter and the maximum container diameter. 
     
     
         6 . The reusable cover of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible wall is formed of a first material, wherein the base is formed of a second material that is different from the first material, and wherein the flexible wall and the base are joined together using a process selected from a group consisting of: over molding, adhesive-bonding, and ultrasonic welding. 
     
     
         7 . The reusable cover of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 wherein the rim portion has a second deformed state where the opening is a third size, wherein the first size is smaller from third size, and wherein the second size differs from the third size;   wherein the reusable cover is configured to contact a sidewall of a second container; and   wherein when the reusable cover engages with the second container, the rim portion transitions from the initial state to the second deformed state, and a second seal is formed between the second container and the reusable cover.   
     
     
         8 . A reusable cover for sealing containers, comprising:
 a base;   a flexible wall extending from the base, the flexible wall including a rim portion and wherein the rim portion forms an opening for the cover;   the rim portion having an initial state wherein the rim portion is substantially radial in shape, and the rim portion having a first deformed state wherein the rim portion deflects axially upward toward the base; and   wherein the reusable cover is configured to form an annular sealing ring with a first container in the first deformed state.   
     
     
         9 . The reusable cover of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 wherein the opening is disposed at a first axial distance from the base in the initial state, and wherein the opening is disposed at a second axial distance from the base in the first deformed state; and   wherein the first axial distance is greater than the second axial distance.   
     
     
         10 . The reusable cover of  claim 8 , wherein a material comprising the base is more rigid than a material comprising the flexible wall. 
     
     
         11 . The reusable cover of  claim 8 , wherein the base is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         12 . The reusable cover of  claim 8 , wherein the base is configured to receive the bottom side of a second container. 
     
     
         13 . The reusable cover of  claim 11 , wherein the base includes a central portion and a peripheral portion, wherein the central portion is substantially flat, wherein the peripheral portion extends along at least a portion of a side of the reusable cover, and wherein the peripheral portion is joined to at least a portion of the flexible wall. 
     
     
         14 . The reusable cover of  claim 13 , wherein the base further includes a ridge, wherein the ridge is disposed between the central portion and the peripheral portion. 
     
     
         15 . The reusable cover of  claim 8 , wherein the flexible wall further includes a release tab, wherein the release tab can be used to release the reusable cover from the first container. 
     
     
         16 . The reusable cover of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 the rim portion having a second deformed state wherein the rim portion deflects axially upward toward the base;   wherein the reusable cover is configured to form an annular sealing ring with a second container in the second deformed state; and   wherein the size of the first container is less than the size of the second container.   
     
     
         17 . The reusable cover of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 the rim portion having a second deformed state wherein the rim portion deflects axially upward toward the base;   wherein the reusable cover is configured to form an annular sealing ring with a second container in the second deformed state;   wherein the opening is disposed at a third axial distance from the base in the second deformed state; and   wherein the second axial distance is greater than the third axial distance.   
     
     
         18 . A method of using a reusable cover with a first container, the method comprising:
 engaging the reusable cover with the first container, such that a rim portion of a flexible wall contacts a sidewall of the first container;   moving the first container into the opening of the reusable cover such that the rim portion of the flexible wall deforms toward the base and the opening increases in size; and   thereby sealing the first container with the reusable cover.   
     
     
         19 . The method of using the reusable cover of  claim 18 , further comprising at least partially releasing the reusable cover from the container by contacting a release tab within the reusable cover. 
     
     
         20 . The method of using the reusable cover of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 removing the first container from the reusable cover;   engaging a reusable cover with the first container, such that the rim portion of the flexible wall contacts a sidewall of the second container, wherein the diameter of the second container is greater than the diameter of the first container;   moving the second container further into the opening of the reusable cover such that the rim portion of the flexible wall deforms upward and the opening increases in size; and   thereby sealing the second container with the reusable cover.