US20230322452A1

US20230322452A1 - Container apparatus and containment system

Info

Publication number: US20230322452A1
Application number: US17/715,679
Authority: US
Inventors: Carmen Okuku Lira-Nunez
Original assignee: Instant Brands Holdings Inc
Current assignee: Instant Brands Holdings Inc
Priority date: 2022-04-07
Filing date: 2022-04-07
Publication date: 2023-10-12

Abstract

The containment system includes a lid having a gasket and a first threaded connection, one or more insertable receptacles having a flange which includes nesting geometry, and a jar having a second threaded connection, wherein the lid and the jar connect via the first threaded connection and the second threaded connection. In some configurations, the flange(s) of the insertable receptacle(s) are disposable between the gasket and a top lip of the jar when the lid and the jar are connected.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to containers, containment systems, and more specifically, to containment systems with one or more optional inserts.

BACKGROUND

Reusable containers are known for containing and storing substances such as, e.g., food items. In some instances, the containment systems seal the substance(s) placed therein from the outside environment, i.e., limiting the amount of interaction or movement of the air, moisture, or other substances into or out of the containment system. Containment systems used for sealing substances also may aid in limiting leaks of the substance(s) from the containment system. In addition, while a sealed container may limit moisture migration from within the container, some items being stored may benefit from separate storage conditions. Current solutions, however, do not effectively seal compartments within the container to prevent moisture migration therebetween without requiring cumbersome sealing arrangements and multiple bulky containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Disclosed herein are embodiments of systems and apparatuses pertaining to providing a containment system including one or more insertable receptacles. This description includes drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A is a top perspective view of a containment system in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a side view of the containment system of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C is a cross-sectional side view of the containment system of FIG. 1A in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 1C in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 1E is a cross-sectional side view of the containment system of FIG. 1A in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 1F is a cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 1E in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 1G is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the containment system of FIG. 1A in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 1H is a cross-sectional perspective view of a portion of the containment system of FIG. 1A in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2A is a side view of a containment system in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2B is a cross-sectional side view of the containment system of FIG. 2A in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 2B in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a containment system in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4A is a top perspective view of a containment system in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional side view of the containment system of FIG. 4A in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 4C is a cross-sectional view of a portion of FIG. 4B in accordance with various embodiments.

FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a containment system in accordance with various embodiments.

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments. It will further be appreciated that certain actions and/or steps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrence while those skilled in the art will understand that such specificity with respect to sequence is not actually required. It will also be understood that the terms and expressions used herein have the ordinary technical meaning as is accorded to such terms and expressions by persons skilled in the technical field as set forth above except where different specific meanings have otherwise been set forth herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are systems, apparatuses, and methods that are useful to contain items such as food and to help maintain the freshness of the foods contained therein. In one illustrative configuration, the containment system limits or prohibits moisture migration between compartments within a containment system. By one illustrative approach, the containment system herein may permit a user to retain a first food product in a first compartment of the containment system and a second food product in a second compartment of the containment system in a sealed arrangement that limits moisture migration between the first and second compartments. In this manner, if the first food product has, e.g., a particularly high moisture content and the second food product, e.g., typically has crispy or crunchy texture, the containment system described herein may prevent moisture migration from the first compartment to the second compartment, which might otherwise render the crispy or crunchy food product unsatisfactory. In addition, separately storing foods items that have distinct properties often assists with prolonging the shelf life of foods.
In some embodiments, a containment system includes a lid, one or more insertable receptacles, and a jar where the lid and the jar connect via a threaded connection. By some configurations, the insertable receptacle(s) include a flange that is at least partially disposed between a gasket of the lid and a top edge or lip of the jar. By one approach, the containment system may include two insertable receptacles that, together with the jar and lid, form three distinct compartments for food that are sealed to prevent moisture migration therebetween. To that end, the containment system typically includes a seal or gasket. In one illustrative approach, the gasket is formed to engage a mating interface between flanges or edges of the insertable receptacles and jar edges. Further, in some embodiments a portion of the insertable receptacle(s) may have a nesting arrangement to further limit migration of moisture or other fluids. In addition, in some configurations the nesting arrangement may include a keyed connection that helps retain the relative position of the insertable receptacle(s), thereby increasing stability of the insertable receptacle(s) relative to one another (whether they are within the jar or removed therefrom).
Generally speaking, pursuant to these various embodiments, systems and apparatus described herein may be used to provide a containment system having one or more insertable receptacles to divide or separate substances placed or disposed within from interacting, touching, or contacting one another while the system is closed. In one illustrative approach, the containment system includes a lid having a gasket and a first threaded connection such as internal threads disposed on a skirt of the lid, an insertable receptacle having a flange which includes a nesting protrusion on a top surface of the flange and a nesting depression on a bottom surface of the flange, and a jar having a second threaded connection such as external threads disposed on a neck of the jar, wherein the lid and the jar connect via the first threaded connection and the second threaded connection. In one embodiment, when the lid and jar are threaded together, the flange of the insertable receptacle is disposed, in part, between the gasket and a top lip of the jar. In some embodiments a second insertable receptacle may be utilized which includes a flange and a nesting protrusion on a top surface of the flange. The insertable receptacle and the second insertable receptacle may be used to hold or store substances within while simultaneously separating the stored substances from one another and any substance disposed in the jar.
In some configurations, the nesting protrusion of the second insertable receptacle aligns with the nesting depression of the first insertable receptacle to connect or couple the first insertable receptacle and the second insertable receptacle. When the lid is secured to the jar, the flange of the insertable receptacle may be disposed between the top lip of the jar and the gasket and the nesting protrusion may depress the gasket of the lid creating a substantially airtight seal between the lid, the insertable receptacle, and the jar. In some embodiments, the gasket includes a gel material with sufficient malleability and/or pliability to depress when contacted by the nesting protrusion. Similarly, when utilizing more than one insertable receptacle, when the lid is secured to the jar, the flanges of both the first insertable receptacle and the second insertable receptacle may be disposed between the top lip of the jar and a portion of the gasket and the nesting protrusion of the insertable receptacle may depress the gasket of the lid creating a substantially airtight seal between the lid, the first insertable receptacle, the second insertable receptacle, and the jar.
In some configurations, the nesting protrusion of the second insertable receptacle aligns with the nesting depression of the first insertable receptacle to align, connect or couple the first insertable receptacle and the second insertable receptacle. In some embodiments, the gasket includes a bead or bulge that may align with a portion of one or more of the insertable receptacle(s). In use, the bulge of the gasket may seal the first insertable receptacle and the second insertable receptacle. When the lid is secured to the jar, the flange(s) of the insertable receptacle(s) may be disposed between at least a portion of the top lip of the jar. The nesting protrusion may align with a channel of the gasket creating a substantially airtight seal between the lid, the insertable receptacle, and the jar. Similarly, when utilizing more than one insertable receptacle, when the lid is secured to the jar, the flanges of both the first insertable receptacle and the second insertable receptacle may be disposed between at least a portion of the top lip of the jar and the gasket. The nesting protrusion may align with a channel of the gasket creating a substantially airtight seal between the lid, the first insertable receptacle, the second insertable receptacle, and the jar. In addition, when the lid is secured to the jar, in one configuration, the bulge of the gasket assists with providing a seal at the interface between an outside edge the first and second insertable receptacles.
In some embodiments, the insertable receptacle, or a body thereof, may be substantially disposed inside of or surrounded by the second insertable receptacle, or a body thereof, such that the insertable receptacle is nested inside of the second insertable receptacle and the flange of the insertable receptacle rests on top on the flange of the second insertable receptacle. In some embodiments the lid may comprise or include a handle, a vent cap having a button, a vent cap gasket, and a hinge, and/or a receiving opening for a straw to be inserted.
Referring now to the drawings, similar numerals indicate the same elements throughout the figures. Referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, an illustrative embodiment of a containment system 100 is provided in accordance with some embodiments. The containment system includes a lid 102 and a jar 104. By some approaches, the containment system 100 includes one or more insertable receptacles 108, 116, which may be placed within the jar 102 when the lid 104 is secured thereto, and a gasket 110 to assist with providing a seal for the containment system 100. The lid 102 and the insertable receptacles 108, 116 may be made out of glass, metal, plastic, plastic resin, or some other composite material, among other options. Similarly, the jar 104 may be made out of the same material as the lid 102, or a different material, again, such as plastic, plastic resin, glass, metal, or another material. In one illustrative embodiment, the lids 102 and insertable receptacles 108,116 are comprised of polypropylene and the jar 104 is comprised of glass.
Referring to FIGS. 1C and 1D, a cross-sectional view of the containment system 100 and a cross-sectional view of a portion of a sealing engagement 107 is shown. The lid 102 and the jar 104 may be threaded with internal and external threads, respectively, such that a threaded connection 106, or engagement, is made between the two elements. The threaded connection 106 is typically utilized to secure the lid 102 relative to the jar 104 to thereby prohibits moisture or other fluids from migrating from the interior of the containment system. The threaded connection 106, in some instances, may create a substantially airtight seal. In some embodiments, the lid 102 includes a gasket 110.
By some approaches, the gasket 110 may be disposed within or on the lid 102 or a channel within the lid 102 to hold the gasket 110 in place, as described in more detail below with reference to FIG. 1G and FIG. 1H. By some approaches, the gasket 110 is a silicone or other material such as plastic that may be depressed. By some other approaches, the gasket 110 may include a channel 123, discussed in more detail below with reference to FIG. 1G, to align or further seal the lid 102, the jar 104, and the insertable receptacle(s) 108, 116. The gasket 110 may have a variety of configurations. In one illustrative approach, the gasket 110 has a circular configuration, similar to the shape of the lid 102 and the opening of the jar 104 with a cross section that is, e.g., an angled shape or L-shape. As shown in FIG. 1D, in one illustrative configuration, the gasket 110 has an L-shaped cross section that mirrors at least a portion of the lid 102 where the gasket 110 is disposed, thereby providing a flush engagement between the channel of the lid 102 and the gasket 110. In use, the gasket 110 may wrap around the terminating edge of the flange 112 of an insertable receptacle and contact a portion or edge of the jar 104.
When the lid 102 and the jar 104 are connected via the threaded connection 106, an internal volume may be defined or created. An insertable receptacle 108 may be disposed within the containment system. The insertable receptacle 108 may be disposed within the volume defined by the lid 102 and the jar 104 when connected. The insertable receptacle 108 may include a flange 112. When the lid 102 and the jar 104 are connected, the flange 112 may be disposed between the lid 102, and/or gasket 110 thereof, and a top lip of the jar 104, as illustrated. The insertable receptacle 108 may be, for example, a cup, a bowl, a well, or any other suitable structure to receive and/or hold a substance placed in the insertable receptacle 108. The insertable receptacle 108 may also include a body and a wall. The insertable receptacle 108 may be made of plastic, plastic resin, glass, silicon, or another suitable material, as outlined above.
As shown in FIG. 1C, when the first insertable receptacle 108 is placed within the jar 104 and sealed closed with the lid 102 and gasket 110, the containment system 100 includes a first compartment 140 and a second compartment 142 that are sealed from one another via the lid 102 and the gasket 110. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1E, if a second insertable receptacle 116 is disposed within the jar 104, the lid 102 and gasket 110 (along with the receptacles) may form a first compartment 140, a second compartment 142, and a third compartment 144 that are each sealed.
Turning now to FIG. 1D, the insertable receptacle 108, specifically the flange 112 thereof, may include a nesting protrusion 114 on a top surface of the flange 112. In some configurations, the insertable receptacle 108 may include a nesting depression 115 on a bottom surface of the flange 112. The nesting protrusion 114 may be a ring, a bead, or other raised structure disposed on the top surface of the flange 112. The nesting depression 115 may be a channel, a cut-out, a cavity, or a notch on the bottom surface of the flange 112. In some embodiments, the nesting protrusion 114 and the nesting depression 115 have a corresponding shape such that the raised portion above the flange 112 of the nesting protrusion 114 has a substantially similar shape as the channel of the nesting depression 115. This nesting arrangement of the flanges 112 assists with limiting fluid or moisture creep from the container, and along with the gasket 110 and the insertable receptacles, may help form discretely sealed compartments within the jar 104.
The sealing engagement 107, in use, operates such that when the lid 102 is secured to the jar 104 using the threaded engagement 106, the nesting protrusion 114 may depress at least a portion of the gasket 110 (and/or engage a channel 123 in the gasket 110), and the top lip of the jar 104 may contact the bottom surface of the flange 112 to create a seal. A portion of the gasket 110 may compress between the jar 104 and the lid 102. As shown in FIG. 1D, in some configurations, a portion of the gasket 110 may be slightly compressed by the outer skirt 105 and the upper end of the jar 104 near the lip thereof. This seal may be an airtight seal to aid in preventing outside contaminants from entering the containing system 100, preventing leakage of the contained items, and from having air or moisture from one compartment enter another compartment if the insertable receptacle is included therein. Indeed, this seal may additionally aid in preventing substances disposed inside of the jar from interacting or mingling with substances placed in the insertable receptacle 108.
When used, while the lid 102 and jar 104 are not yet threadingly engaged, a user may place a first substance in the jar 104. Then, the user may insert the insertable receptacle 108 having the flange 112 rest on the top lip or edge of the jar 104. The user may place a second substance within the insertable receptacle 108. The substances placed within the jar 104 and the insertable receptacle 108 may be the same or different. For example, one may be liquid, e.g., soup or yogurt, and the other solid, such as a crispy or crunchy soup cracker or granola. In the containment system 100, these food items are kept separate such that they may retain their desired properties, such as, e.g., texture and mouth feel. Further, the user may secure the lid 102 to the jar 104 using the threaded connection 106. While the lid 102 is being secured to the jar 104, the gasket 110 and the nesting protrusion 114 may contact one another, and, in some embodiments, the nesting protrusion 114 may depress at least a portion of the gasket 110.
Referring to FIGS. 1E and 1F, a cross-sectional view of the containment system 100 and a cross-sectional view of a portion of a sealing engagement 107 is shown. FIG. 1E illustrates an embodiment of the containment system 100 including a second insertable receptacle 116. The second insertable receptacle is similar to the insertable receptacle 108. The second insertable receptacle 116 is differently different size than the insertable receptacle 108 by having longer sidewalls that the first insertable receptacle 108. As shown, the second insertable receptacle 116 is larger than the insertable receptacle 108 such that the second insertable receptacle 116 may surround substantially all of the first insertable receptacle 108.
In some configurations, the first insertable receptacle 108 may have a volume of about ⅛ cup to ½ cup. In one illustrative embodiment, the first insertable receptacle 108 has a volume of about ¼ cup. The second insertable receptable 116 may have a volume of about ½ cup to one cup. In one illustrative embodiment, the second insertable receptacle 116 has a volume of about ¾ cup. When the first insertable receptacle 108 and the second insertable receptacle 116 are used in conjunction with one another, the first insertable receptacle 108 may limit the usable volume of the second insertable receptacle 116, such as the third compartment 144, to a volume of about ½ cup, if the first receptacle is ¼-cup and entirety of the second receptacle is ¾-cup. In some embodiments, the volume of the first insertable receptacle 108 may be about one half the volume of the jar 104. In some embodiments, the volume of the second insertable receptacle 116 may be about one half the volume of the jar 104.
Similarly, the second insertable receptacle 116 may include a flange 118. Further, the second insertable receptacle may be, for example, a cup, a bowl, a well, or any other suitable structure to receive and/or hold a substance placed in the insertable receptacle 108. The insertable receptacle 116 may also include a body and a wall. The second insertable receptacle 116 may be made of plastic, plastic resin, glass, silicon, or another suitable material.
The second insertable receptacle 116 may include a nesting protrusion 117 on a top surface of the flange 118. Similar to the nesting protrusion 114, the nesting protrusion 117 may be a ring, a bead, or other raised structure disposed on the top surface of the flange 118. The nesting protrusion 117 of the second insertable receptacle may have a corresponding shape, size, and/or configuration of the nesting depression 115 of the insertable receptacle 108.
The sealing engagement 107, in use, operates such as when the lid 102 is secured to the jar 104 using the threaded engagement 106, the nesting protrusion 114 may depress at least a portion of the gasket 110, the nesting protrusion 117 of the second insertable receptacle 116 may connect with the nesting depression 115 of the insertable receptacle 108, and the top lip of the jar 104 may contact the bottom surface of the flange 118 to create a seal. This seal may be an airtight seal to aid in preventing outside contaminants from entering the containing system 100 and contained items from leaking out of the system. This seal may additionally or alternatively aid in preventing substances disposed inside of the jar from interacting or mingling with substances placed in the insertable receptacle 108 and/or the second insertable receptacle 116.
During use, while the lid 102 and jar 104 are not yet connected, a user may place a first substance in the jar 104. The user may insert the second insertable receptacle 116 having the flange 118 rest on the top lip of the jar 104. The user may place a second substance within the second insertable receptacle 116. The user may insert the first insertable receptacle 108 having the flange 112 rest on top of the flange 118 of the second insertable receptacle 116. The nesting depression 115 of the insertable receptacle 108 may align and/or connect with the nesting protrusion 117 of the second insertable receptacle 116. The user may place a third substance within the insertable receptacle 108. The substances placed within the jar 104, the second insertable receptacle 116, and the first insertable receptacle 108 may be the same or different, as described above. The user may secure the lid 102 to the jar 104 using the threaded connection 106. While the lid 102 is being secured to the jar 104, the gasket 110 and the nesting protrusion 114 of the insertable receptacle 108 may contact one another, and, in some embodiments, the nesting protrusion 114 may depress at least a portion of the gasket 110. As shown in FIG. 1F, the cross-section of the gasket 110 includes a first width wise portion 111 and a second lengthwise portion 113. The width wide portion 111 of the gasket 110 may be disposed substantially parallel to a top surface of the lid 102. The lengthwise portion 113 may be disposed substantially parallel to the skirt portion of the lid 102 containing the internal threading. Indeed, a channel may be formed within the lid 102 via an outer skirt 105 and a rib or an inner skirt 109 (which is connected by the lid portion 119) to receive the gasket 110. The lengthwise portion 113 and the widthwise portion 111 engage with the flange(s) 112, 118 and the upper lip or edge of the jar 104, 204 to seal the compartments.
To access the contents of the containment system, a user may unsecure or unthread the lid 102 from the jar 104. The user may remove the insertable receptacle 108. In one operation, the lid 102 may be secured back onto the jar 104. In this operation, similar to above, the nesting protrusion 117 of the second receptacle 116 may depress or engage the gasket 110 and create a seal between the lid 102, the second insertable receptacle 116, and the jar 104. In another operation, the user may remove both the first insertable receptacle 108 and the second insertable receptacle 116. Again, the user may secure the lid 102 back onto the jar 104. In this operation, the top lip of the jar 104 may depress or engage the gasket 110 and create a seal between the lid 102 and the jar 104. Both the first insertable receptacle 108 and the second insertable receptacle 116 may be removed at one time, or one may be removed and the other may be placed back into the jar 104 or remain in the jar 104.
Utilizing the containment system 100 may allow for a system with one lid, one threaded connection 106, and one gasket 110 to form a sealed container with a jar 104, while also potentially including at least one divider in the form of the first insertable receptacle 108 and/or the second insertable receptacle 116. This may allow for quicker or easier use of one or more dividers in a single containment system, thereby permitting the container to be to re-configured or customized in light of the products or material to be contained.
Referring to FIGS. 1G and 1H, in some configurations, the gasket 110 includes a bead 121 for alignment and/or sealing of elements in the containment system 100. The gasket 110 may also include a channel 123 for alignment of the first insertable receptacle 108 or the second insertable receptacle 116. More specifically, the bead 121 may be utilized to seal and/or align flanges of the first insertable receptacle 108 and the second insertable receptacle 116. The bead 121 may be disposed along an inner surface of the lengthwise portion of the gasket 110 between an edge of the first insertable receptacle 108 and the second insertable receptacle 116 when the lid 102 is secured to the jar 104.
In some embodiments, the gasket 110 is coupled to the lid 102 by a friction fit arrangement such that the gasket 110 is retained into position on the lid 102 between the inner skirt 109 and the outer skirt 105, which is connected by the lid portion 119. In some configurations, the gasket 110 is further held into position in the lid 102 via the thread 150, in addition to the skirts 109, 105, and the lid top 103. In one illustrative approach, a small gap between the gasket 110 and the inner skirt 109 and/or the outer skirt 105 may be used to allow for expansion of the gasket 110 if the gasket 110 is depressed by the jar 104, the first insertable receptacle 108, and/or the second insertable receptacle 116.
Referring to FIGS. 2A to 2C, an illustrative embodiment of a containment system 200 is provided. The containment system 200 includes a lid 202 and a jar 204. The containment system 200 is similar to the containment system 100 with the exception of at least the volume created by the lid 202 and the jar 204 is larger than the volume created by the lid 102 and the jar 104. In some embodiments, the jar 104 may be or hold up to about 5-20 ounces, and in one illustrative example, holds about 16 ounces, while the jar 204 may be or hold up to about 20-40 ounces and in one illustrative example holds about 32 ounces. Despite the differences in the size of the jars 104, 204, the openings thereof may be comparable such that a similarly sized lid may be used to seal both jar sizes. Indeed, the lid 202 may be the same size and shape as the lid 102 such that the lid 102 and the lid 202 are interchangeable between the systems 100 and 200.
Referring to FIG. 3 , an illustrative embodiment of a containment system 300 is provided in accordance with some embodiments. The containment system 300 includes a lid 302, a jar 304, and a handle 320. The handle 320 may be part of the lid 302, such that the lid 302 and the handle 320 are one integral structure. The handle 320 may include an opening for one or more fingers of a user to grasp the handle 320. The handle 320, and corresponding opening thereof, may include different shapes such that a user's hand and/or fingers may easily fit through the opening of the handle 320. In some embodiments, the handle 320 may be used to secure the containment system 300 to a bag using a carabiner clip or other clipping mechanism. The handle 320 may be made from the same material as the lid 302, or a different material, such as plastic, plastic resin, glass, metal, or another material. The lid 302 may be the same size and shape as the lid 102 or the lid 202 such that the lid 102, the lid 202, and the lid 302 are interchangeable between contain systems 100, 200, and 300.
Referring to FIGA. 4A to 4C, an illustrative embodiment of a containment system 400 is provided in accordance with some embodiments. The containment system 400 includes a lid 402, a jar 404, a handle 420, and a vent cap 422. The containment system 400 may also include, similar to FIG. 1C, an insertable receptacle 408. The insertable receptacle 408, and corresponding operations, functions, and uses, is similar to that described above with reference to FIGS. 1C and 1D. The vent cap 422 may be made from the same material as the lid 402, or a different material, such as plastic, plastic resin, glass, metal, or another material.
In one illustrative embodiment, the vent cap 422 may include a button 423, a vent cap gasket 424, and a fulcrum 429. As illustrated by a vent cap engagement 427, the button 423 may be depressed or pushed by a user such that the button 423 is pushed downward about the fulcrum 429. The fulcrum 429 may be a hinge or other structure to allow the button 423 to be pressed downward which allows the vent cap gasket 424 to raise. The vent cap gasket 424 may be silicone and utilized to help prevent a substance contained within from leaking out of the vent cap 422. In operation, when the button 423 is pushed downwards, the vent cap gasket 424 may raise and open. In some embodiments, the vent cap gasket 424 may be on an opposing side of the vent cap 422 than the button 423. When the vent cap gasket 424 is opened, moisture from inside the containment system 400 and moisture from the outside environment is able to pass through the vent cap 422. Similar to above, the lid 402 may be the same size as the lids 102, 202, and 302, such that the lid 402 may be used on containment systems 100, 200, 300, and 400.
Referring to FIG. 5 , an illustrative embodiment of a containment system 500 is provided in accordance with some embodiments. The containment system 500 includes a lid 502 and a jar 504. The lid 502 includes a handle 520, a receiving opening 526, and a straw 528. The straw 528 may be used while insertable receptacles, such as those discussed above, are included in the containment system, or with the insertable receptacles removed.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of other modifications, alterations, and combinations can also be made with respect to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. A containment system, the system comprising:

a lid having a gasket associated therewith and internal threads on a lid skirt;

an insertable receptacle having a flange which includes a nesting protrusion on a top surface of the flange and a nesting depression on a bottom surface of the flange; and

a jar having external threads on a neck thereof,

wherein the lid and the jar connect via the internal threads and the external threads,

wherein the flange of the insertable receptacle is disposed between at least a partially between the gasket and a top lip of the jar when the lid and the jar are threadingly engaged with one another.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second insertable receptacle having a second flange which includes a second nesting protrusion on a top surface of the flange.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the flange of the insertable receptacle is disposed above the second flange of the second insertable receptacle.

4. The system of claim 2 wherein the second nesting protrusion of the second insertable receptacle engages with the depression of the insertable receptacle.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the second nesting protrusion of the second insertable receptacle and the depression of the insertable receptacle form a keyed connection.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the internal threads, the external threads, the gasket, and the flange of the insertable receptacle create airtight seals between a first compartment and a second compartment.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the lid comprises a handle.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein the lid includes a vent cap.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the vent cap includes a button, a vent cap gasket, and a hinge.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the lid includes a receiving opening.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the gasket includes a bead on an inner surface thereof.

12. A containment system, the system comprising:

a lid having a gasket and a first threaded connection;

a first insertable receptacle having a first body and a first flange which includes a first nesting protrusion on a top surface of the first flange and a first nesting depression on a bottom surface of the flange;

a second insertable receptacle having a second body and a second flange which includes a second nesting protrusion on a top surface of the second flange; and

a jar having a second threaded connection,

wherein the lid and the jar connect via the first threaded connection and the second threaded connection,

wherein the second nesting protrusion on the top surface of the second insertable receptacle forms a keyed connection with the first nesting depression on the bottom surface of the first flange of the first insertable receptacle such that the first body of the first insertable receptacle is contained within the second body of the second insertable, and

wherein an airtight seal is formed between one or more of the lid, the gasket, the first flange of the first insertable receptacle, the second flange of the second insertable receptacle, and a top lip of the jar when the lid and the jar are connected.

13. The system of claim 12 wherein the first nesting protrusion of the first insertable receptacle depresses a portion of the gasket.

14. The system of claim 12 wherein the first insertable receptacle is removable from the jar.

15. The system of claim 12 wherein the second insertable receptacle is removable from the jar.

16. The system of claim 12 wherein the lid includes a receiving opening.

17. The system of claim 16 wherein a straw is insertable into the receiving opening.

18. The system of claim 12 wherein the lid comprises a handle.

19. The system of claim 12 wherein the lid includes a vent cap.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the vent cap includes a button, a vent cap gasket, and a hinge.