Interchangeable container parts

Claim 2

A container of vacuum packaging components, said components being of preformed generally self-supporting construction and including in cooperative combination: a tub component having a top wall, and a sidewall peripherally integral with said top wall and extending generally downwardly therefrom, said top wall and said sidewall defining a nonrectangular shape, a flange portion extending generally outwardly from said sidewall adjacent the lower extent thereof, said flange portion being peripherally continuous about said sidewall and terminating in a generally rectangularly shaped boundary, a mating means configuration formed in said flange portion, said mating means extending in a closed generally rectangular path located intermediate said rectangularly shaped boundary and said sidewall, a lid having mating means configuration formed therein adapted to fit together with said mating means of said flange, said lid comprising a substantially flat central region immediately surrounded by the lid mating means, whereby interchangeability of said lid between rectangular and nonrectangular tubs is built into said tub and lid combination.

Claim 3

The container of claim 1 wherein said sidewall of said tub is generally circular in shape.

Claim 4

The container of claim 1 wherein said sidewall of said tub is generally oval in shape.

Claim 5

A plurality of container parts consisting of preformed vacuum packaging components wherein said parts are interchangeable comprising: a plurality of tubs of transparent plastic provided in at least two basic and different configurations, one of said tub configurations being generally rectangular, another of said tub configurations being nonrectangular in shape, said tubs commonly including a top wall and a sidewall peripherally integral with and extending generally downwardly from said top wall, a flange portion peripherally continuous about and extending generally outwardly from said sidewall, said flange portion including a preformed peripherally continuous mating means, said mating means of said various different tubs being peripherally coincident and each residing in a closed path located intermediate the terminating outer peripheral edge of said flange portion and said sidewall, said parts further comprising a lid having a preformed mating means configuration provided therein and adapted to fit together with said mating means of said tubs, said lid being substantially flat in the area thereof surrounded by the lid mating means whereby said lid is interchangeable with said various tubs regardless of tub volume capacity, configuration, or the like.

Claim 6

A plurality of container parts consisting of preformed vacuum packaging components wherein said parts are interchangeable comprising: a plurality of tubs of transparent plastic provided in at least two basic and different configurations, one of said tub configurations being generally rectangular, another of said tub configurations being nonrectangular in shape, said tubs commonly including a top wall and a sidewall peripherally integral with and extending generally downwardly from said top wall, a flange portion peripherally continuous about and extending generally outwardly from said sidewall, said flange portion including a preformed peripherally continuous mating means, said mating means of said various different tubs being peripherally coincident and each residing in a closed path located intermediate the terminating outer peripheral edge of said flange portion and said sidewall, said parts further comprising a lid having a preformed mating means configuration provided therein and adapted to fit together with said mating means of said tubs, said lid being substantially flat in the area thereof surrounded by the lid mating means whereby said lid is interchangeable with said various tubs regardless of tub volume capacity, configuration, or the like.

Claim 7

The plurality of container parts of claim 4 wherein one of said basic tub configurations involves a tub having a sidewall of generally circular shape.

Claim 8

The plurality of container parts of claim 4 wherein one of said basic tub configurations involves a tub having a sidewall of generally oval shape.

Claim 9

The plurality of container parts of claim 4 wherein said mating means of said lid comprises a groove, and wherein said mating means of said Tubs comprise a tongue adapted to fit into said groove.

Claim 10

The plurality of container parts of claim 4 wherein said tubs comprise preformed generally self-supporting plastic structure of thickness in a range appropriate for vacuumized luncheon meat packages.

Claim 11

The plurality of container parts of claim 4 wherein said lids comprise plastic foam.

Claim 12

The plurality of container parts of claim 4 wherein said lid is generally rectangular in shape.

Claim 13

The plurality of container parts of claim 10 wherein one of said tubs includes a generally circular sidewall configuration and a flange portion that terminates in a generally rectangularly shaped boundary.

Claim 14

The plurality of container parts of claim 11 wherein said tub mating means defines a generally continuous rectangularly shaped path extending parallel along and within said rectangular boundary of said flange.

Claim 15

The plurality of container parts of claim 10 wherein one of said tubs includes a generally oval sidewall configuration, and a flange portion that terminates in a generally rectangularly shaped boundary.

Claim 16

A plurality of container parts wherein said parts are interchangeable comprising: A plurality of tubs each including an open end for filling, said open ends being provided in at least two different sizes, said tubs commonly including a flange portion peripherally continuous about said open ends and extending generally outwardly therefrom, said flange portion including a preformed mating means configuration extending in surrounding relationship about said open ends, said mating means of said tubs being peripherally coincident with each other, said parts further including a standard lid having a preformed mating means configuration integral therewith and adapted to fit together with said mating means of said tubs, the portion of said lid surrounded by the lid mating means being substantially flat, whereby said lid is interchangeable with said tubs regardless of tub shape or the size of the open end thereof.

Claim 17

A plurality of container parts wherein said parts are interchangeable comprising: A plurality of tubs each including an open end for filling, said open ends being provided in at least two different sizes, said tubs commonly including a flange portion peripherally continuous about said open ends and extending generally outwardly therefrom, said flange portion including a preformed mating means configuration extending in surrounding relationship about said open ends, said mating means of said tubs being peripherally coincident with each other, said parts further including a standard lid having a preformed mating means configuration integral therewith and adapted to fit together with said mating means of said tubs, the portion of said lid surrounded by the lid mating means being substantially flat, whereby said lid is interchangeable with said tubs regardless of tub shape or the size of the open end thereof.

Claim 18

The plurality of container parts of claim 14 wherein said tub comprises preformed generally self-supporting plastic structure.

Claim 19

The plurality of container parts of claim 14 wherein the open end of one of said tubs is generally rectangular in shape.

Claim 20

The plurality of container parts of claim 14 wherein the open end of one of said tubs is generally circular in shape.

Claim 21

The plurality of container parts of claim 14 wherein the open end of one of said tubs is generally oval in shape.

Claim 22

The container of claim 2 wherein said lid comprises plastic foam.

Claim 23

The plurality of container parts of claim 15 wherein said lid comprises plastic foam.