Device for and method of securing a lid to a food container

Abstract

A lid is secured to a food container with the aid of one or more handles that are mounted on the lid and/or the container. An elongated, flexible, flattened, stretchable strap overlies the lid and has a plurality of enlarged openings spaced apart along the strap. Two of the openings receive the one or more handles in a secured position.

1 .- 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A device for securing a lid to a food container with the aid of a handle, the device comprising:
 an elongated strap having a length that extends between opposite end portions along a longitudinal direction, the strap being constituted of a flexible material that generally conforms to and overlies the lid when the lid is secured to the container in a secured position, and the strap being flattened and having generally planar, upper and lower surfaces that are spaced apart in a normal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the elongated strap includes a first end portion, a central portion, and a second end portion; and   a plurality of enlarged openings spaced apart along the strap along the longitudinal direction, each enlarged opening extending entirely through the strap in the normal direction between the upper and lower surfaces of the strap, and each enlarged opening being configured to receive the handle in the secured position,   wherein the second end portion is configured to be substantially superposed over the first end portion when the container is in the secured position.   
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the strap is made of an elastic, stretchable material that stretches along the longitudinal direction to increase the length of the strap. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the strap is made of a reusable, heat-resistant, and cleanable material. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the strap has a width extending transversely of the longitudinal direction between opposite peripheral side edges, and wherein each enlarged opening extends transversely for a distance that exceeds 50% of the width of the strap. 
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the first end portion and the second end portion have openings disposed proximally to their respective ends. 
     
     
         22 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the central portion of the elongated strap includes a plurality of openings. 
     
     
         23 . The device of  claim 17 , wherein the central portion of the elongated strap extends along a lower exterior surface of the food container. 
     
     
         24 . In combination:
 a food container having a mouth;   a lid that covers the mouth of the container;   a handle on the lid; and   a device securing the lid to the container in a secured position, the device including:
 an elongated strap having a length that extends between opposite end portions along a longitudinal direction, the strap being constituted of a flexible material that generally conforms to and overlies the lid when the lid is secured to the container in the secured position, and the strap being flattened and having generally planar, upper, and lower surfaces that are spaced apart in a normal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; the elongated strap includes a first end portion, a central portion, and a second end portion; and 
 a plurality of enlarged openings spaced apart along the strap along the longitudinal direction, each enlarged opening extending entirely through the strap in the normal direction between the upper and lower surfaces of the strap, and each enlarged opening being configured to receive the handle in the secured position, wherein when the container is in the secured position the second end portion is substantially superposed over the first end portion; and 
   wherein the handle is mounted on the container.   
     
     
         25 . The combination of  claim 24 , wherein the handle is mounted at one side of the container, and further comprising another handle at an opposite side of the container, wherein one of the enlarged openings receives one of the handles in the secured position, wherein another of the enlarged openings receives the other of the handles in the secured position, and wherein the lid is pressed snugly against the mouth by the strap that overlies the lid in the secured position. 
     
     
         26 . The combination of  claim 24 , wherein two of the enlarged openings both receive the handle in the secured position, and wherein the lid is pressed snugly against the mouth by the strap that overlies the lid in the secured position. 
     
     
         27 . A method of securing a lid to a food container with the aid of a handle, the method comprising:
 configuring the food container with a mouth;   covering the mouth of the container with the lid;   providing the handle on the lid;   providing a lid securing device with an elongated strap having a length that extends between opposite end portions along a longitudinal direction, the strap being constituted of a flexible material, and the strap being flattened and having generally planar, upper and lower surfaces that are spaced apart in a normal direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction; and with a plurality of enlarged openings spaced apart along the strap along the longitudinal direction, each enlarged opening extending entirely through the strap in the normal direction between the upper and lower surfaces of the strap;   receiving the handle in one of the enlarged openings; and overlying the lid with the strap to press the lid snugly against the mouth of the container in a secured position, wherein a central portion of the elongated strap extends along a lower exterior surface of the food container;   wherein the handle is mounted on one of the container and the lid.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the handle is mounted on the lid, and wherein two of the enlarged openings both receive the handle in the secured position, and wherein the lid is pressed snugly against the mouth by the strap that overlies the lid in the seemed position. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the handle is mounted at one side of the container, and further providing another handle at an opposite side of the container, wherein one of the enlarged openings receives one of the handles in the secured position, wherein another of the enlarged openings receives the other of the handles in the secured position, and wherein the lid is pressed snugly against the mouth by the strap that overlies the lid in the secured position. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the handle is mounted on the container, and wherein two of the enlarged openings both receive the handle in the secured position, and wherein the lid is pressed snugly against the mouth by the strap that overlies the lid in the secured position. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising forming the strap of a stretchable material, and stretching the strap during overlying the lid.