Container filtration systems

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10442590-B2
Application number	US-201815949659-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 10, 2018
Priority date	Aug 24, 2017
Publication date	Oct 15, 2019
Grant date	Oct 15, 2019

Abstract

Storage containers and lids for such containers are provided. The lid has a first lid face and a second lid face. The second lid face has a rim configured to attach the lid to a storage bin. On the first lid face and extending to the second lid face is a plurality of apertures to provide airflow through the lid. A seal material extends from the second lid face that is configured to make the airflow path selectively sealable at a continuous wall and closed surface of a corresponding storage bin.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A lid for a storage container, comprising:
a first lid face and an opposed second lid face, the second lid face comprising a rim for coupling the lid to a storage bin;
a plurality of apertures extending between the first lid face and the second lid face, to provide an airflow path through the lid; and
a seal material disposed on and extending from the second lid face, the seal material comprising a continuous wall surrounding a portion of the plurality of apertures, such that the airflow path at the portion of the plurality of apertures is selectively sealable at the continuous wall, when the continuous wall of the seal material contacts a continuous closed surface.

2. The lid of claim 1 , wherein the seal material is disposed on and extends along the rim, such that the seal material is configured to form a seal between the lid and a storage bin to which the lid is coupled.

3. The lid of claim 1 , further comprising a filter covering the plurality of apertures.

4. The lid of claim 3 , further comprising a gasket disposed between the filter and the first or second lid face.

5. The lid of claim 4 , further comprising a filter cap securing the filter and gasket on the first or second lid face.

6. The lid of claim 5 , wherein the filter cap comprises a series of male detents configured to secure the filter cap on the first or second lid face.

7. The lid of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures are disposed on an indented region of the lid.

8. A container system, comprising:
a storage bin comprising a floor, a continuous closed surface, and at least one sidewall extending from the floor to define an enclosed volume and an open top portion, wherein the open top portion is surrounded by a rim;
a lid comprising a plurality of apertures to provide an airflow path through the lid, the lid being configured to selectively engage the storage bin at the rim to form a closed container; and
a seal material disposed on and extending from a surface of the lid, the seal material comprising a continuous wall surrounding a portion of the plurality of apertures, such that the airflow path at the portion of the plurality of apertures is selectively sealable at the continuous wall, when the continuous wall of the seal material contacts the continuous closed surface of the storage bin.

9. The container system of claim 8 , wherein the floor comprises a series of channels configured to divert liquid that contacts the floor toward the at least one sidewall.

10. The container system of claim 9 , wherein the series of channels is defined by a plurality of arcuate ridges.

11. The container system of claim 8 , wherein the continuous closed surface extends from the at least one sidewall.

12. The container system of claim 8 , wherein the storage bin has a volume of approximately 3.5 gallons, approximately 5 gallons, approximately 8.5 gallons, or approximately 12.5 gallons.

13. The container system of claim 8 , wherein the plurality of apertures are disposed on an indented region of the lid.

14. The container system of claim 13 , wherein the indented region is configured to receive a gasket, a filter covering the gasket, and a filter cap, wherein the filter is disposed between the gasket and the filter cap.

15. The container system of claim 14 , wherein the filter cap comprises:
a top surface and an opposed bottom surface;
a plurality of chambers extending from the bottom surface, wherein the plurality of chambers is configured to divide the airflow path through the lid; and
a plurality of filter cap apertures extending from the top surface to the bottom surface.

16. The container system of claim 15 , wherein the filter cap comprises a series of male detents configured to secure the filter cap into the indented region of the lid.

17. The container system of claim 14 , wherein the filter is configured to control the flow of carbon dioxide and oxygen across the filter.

18. The container system of claim 8 , wherein:
the storage bin comprises a plurality of male detents disposed opposite the open top portion; and
the lid comprises a plurality of female detents configured to receive the male detents, such that the lid is selectively attachable to a base of the storage bin.

19. A container system kit, comprising:
the lid of claim 1 ;
a first storage bin having a first volume and comprising an enclosed volume, the enclosed volume being defined by at least one sidewall, the at least one sidewall defining the continuous closed surface, the storage bin having an open end and a closed end, wherein the closed end defines a series of interior channels; and
a second storage bin having a second volume that is larger than the first volume and comprising an enclosed volume, the enclosed volume being defined by at least one sidewall, the second storage bin having an open end and a closed end, wherein the first and second storage bins are each configured to selectively engage the lid to form a closed container.

20. The container system kit of claim 19 , wherein the first storage bin has a volume 3.5 gallons, 5 gallons, 8.5 gallons or 12 gallons, and the second storage bin has a volume of 5 gallons, 8.5 gallons, or 12.5 gallons.

Assignees

• Rubbermaid Commercial Prod Llc

Inventors

• Leo Mike
• Zarkis Michael A
• Souza Marcel
• Bradley Robert
• Smallwood Brian

Classifications

• B65D51/1616 Primary

  by means of a filter · CPC title

• B65D81/266

  for absorbing gases, e.g. oxygen absorbers or desiccants (B65D51/244, B65D51/30 take precedence) · CPC title

• B65D2543/00175

  four straight sides, e.g. trapezium or diamond · CPC title

• B65D2543/00518

  Skirt · CPC title

• B65D21/0233

  Nestable containers · CPC title