Michael P Juneau

US Patent:

53778600, Jan 3, 1995

Filed:

Sep 14, 1993

Appl. No.:

8/120525

Inventors:

Mark Littlejohn - Appleton WI
Michael P. Juneau - Neenah WI

Assignee:

James River Corporation of Virginia - Richmond VA

International Classification:

B65D 4116

US Classification:

220306

Abstract:

A food container which is a combination of a base portion and a lid portion made from a resilient polymeric material is disclosed. The base is a unitary component including an upwardly projecting, peripherally extending sealing rim having inner and outer sealing areas. The lid is also a unitary component including a peripherally extending sealing channel correspondingly shaped to receive the sealing rim of the base and particularly, to engage the rim at the inner and outer sealing areas. Because both the base and lid are made from resilient material, the inner and outer sealing areas are shaped to provide a self-reinforcing seal configuration wherein the initial engagement of either the inner or the outer seals urges the other seal into engagement. This feature also permits a wide tolerance to processing variations in the size of the lid and the base. The base portion of the food container of the present invention is also designed to include audible indicators as the lid becomes fully sealed with the base.