{
  "patent_number": "US 2487400",
  "country": "US",
  "title": "How Earl Tupper Invented the Airtight Plastic Food Container",
  "original_title": "Open mouth container and nonsnap type of closure therefor",
  "summary": "A 1947 patent for a flexible plastic container with a unique, airtight lid that seals by pressing down on the center, creating the foundation for Tupperware.",
  "what_it_does": "The patent describes a container made of flexible plastic with a groove around the rim. The lid is designed with a matching ridge. When the user presses the center of the lid, it forces the air out and creates a vacuum-like seal against the container wall. This mechanism allows for a secure closure without needing complex mechanical latches or snaps.",
  "what_it_does_not_cover": [
    "Does not cover rigid glass or metal containers that cannot flex to form a seal.",
    "Does not cover lids that require mechanical hinges or external clamps to stay closed.",
    "Does not cover containers made of non-polyethylene materials that lack the necessary flexibility."
  ],
  "filed": "1947-06-02",
  "granted": "1949-11-08",
  "expires": "1967-06-01",
  "status": "expired",
  "holder": "Individual",
  "holder_url": "https://patentbrief.org/company/individual",
  "inventors": [
    {
      "name": "Earl S Tupper",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/inventor/earl-s-tupper"
    }
  ],
  "times_cited": 116,
  "tags": [
    "consumer_electronics",
    "mechanical",
    "materials"
  ],
  "abstract": null,
  "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2487400/tupperware-airtight-seal",
  "markdown_url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2487400/tupperware-airtight-seal/md",
  "google_patents_url": "https://patents.google.com/patent/US2487400",
  "relatedPatents": [
    {
      "patentNumber": "22186",
      "countryCode": "US",
      "title": "John Mason's 1858 Patent for the Mason Jar Lid",
      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/22186/mason-jar"
    },
    {
      "patentNumber": "3349949",
      "countryCode": "US",
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      "countryCode": "US",
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      "url": "https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/2620061/pez-dispenser"
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  ]
}