AU2002301339B2

AU2002301339B2 - Container and Lid Therefor

Info

Publication number: AU2002301339B2
Application number: AU2002301339A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Terrence James Collins
Original assignee: Viscount Plastics Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Viscount Plastics Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2001-10-15
Filing date: 2002-10-07
Publication date: 2008-05-01
Anticipated expiration: 2022-10-07

Description

Regulation 3,2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

(ORIGINAL)

Viscount Plastics (Vic.) Ply. Ltd., ACN 005 587511, Name of Applicant: Actual Inventor: Address for Service: Invention Title: Viscount Plastics (Vic.) Pty. Ltd., ACN 005 587 51 1, of 232 Boundary Road, Braeside 3195, Victoria, Australia Terrence James COLLINS DAVIES COLLISON CAVE, Patent Attorneys, 1 Little Collins Street, Melbourne 3000, Victoria, Australia Container and Lid Therefor Dctails of Associated Provisional Application No: PR8270/01 Filed 15 October, 2001 The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: P U(P[IN P.CC pK27Ispc c:apd4 Ho A),7 CONTAINER AND LID THEREFOR This invention relates to a container and lid therefor.

More particularly, the invention relates to a container having an upper rim to which can be fitted a moulded lid. The invention can be used in containers for shipping industrial products for instance in the volume range about 1 litre to 20 litres or more.

Frequently moulded lids include a peripheral recess which receives the rim of the container. It is customary to strengthen the lid so that the containers can be stacked during transport and storage. This of course increases the loading supporting capabilities of the lids. Sometimes the lids are reinforced by means of ribs or the like. In some arrangements ribs are provided in a second peripheral recess which is located inwardly adjacent to the recess which receives the rim of the container.

Whilst the ribs are provided to strengthen the lid, they do have an associated drawback of tending to trap part of the contents of the container in the spaces between the ribs. This can cause a number of problems including loss of product, cleaning and hygiene problems when the containers are used for food stuffs or dangerous products. Another problem arises where the containers are used for storage of paints. Normally paints are supplied as a white base to which appropriate tints are added at a paint distribution centre or shop in order to make a selected coloured paint. Normally the lid is removed, tints are added then the lid reapplied and the container agitated so that the tints are mixed through the paint. It has been found that the tints tend to accumulate in the spaces between the ribs and are not properly distributed within the paint. This can cause the paint to have the wrong colour because some of the tint material is not mixed through the main body of the paint.

P OPER\C(:pr271,pcWpok4.7I1 02 -2- An object of the present invention is to provide a novel form of lid which at least substantially overcomes the problem of having the container contents trapped between adjacent ribs.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel lid which has ribs in the peripheral flange and which provides improved sealing with the container.

According to the present invention there is provided a moulded lid for a container, the lid including an outer peripheral recess which in use receives the rim of the container, an inner peripheral recess inwardly adjacent to the outer peripheral recess, a plurality of ribs in the inner peripheral recess, and an integral annular flange moulded so as to be located in a first position in which it extends away from an underside surface of the lid, the flange being resiliently deformable to a second position in which it overlies the ribs.

Preferably, the integral annular flange is joined to the underside of the lid by means of an integral or live hinge.

Preferably the hinge is located adjacent to the inner peripheral flange.

In one arrangement, the inner and outer peripheral flanges are separated by a downwardly extending wall and wherein the annular flange engages an end of said downwardly extending wall when the flange is in its second position.

In an alternative arrangement, the inner and outer peripheral recesses are separated by a downwardly extending wall but the ribs extend beyond said wall and wherein the flange in its second position engages the ribs. In this arrangement, when the lid is used with a container it preferably includes an inwardly directed loading ledge which engages the integral flange in its second position.

Preferably, the loading ledge includes a sealing bead which makes sealing contact with the annular flange.

P.;OPERGCPpr827ipe cp d c-IA7111)2 -3- The invention also provides a container and lid wherein the container has a sidewall formed with a rim and wherein the lid comprises a lid as defined above and wherein, in use, the rim is engaged in said outer peripheral recess.

The invention also provides a container and lid wherein the container has a sidewall formed with a rim and wherein the lid comprises a lid as defined above and wherein, in use, the rim is engaged in said outer peripheral recess, and wherein the inner and outer peripheral recesses are separated by a downwardly extending wall but the ribs extend beyond said wall and wherein the flange in its second position engages the ribs.

The invention also provides a method of closing a container including the steps of: moulding a lid having outer peripheral recesses and an inner peripheral recess inwardly adjacent thereto, a plurality of ribs in said inner peripheral recess and an integral annular flange integrally moulded in a first position which is inclined downwardly relative to the inner peripheral recess; deflecting the flange outwardly to a second position in which it covers at least part of said inner peripheral recess; and placing the lid on a container having an upper rim so that the rim is located within the outer peripheral rim, whereby the interior of the container is isolated from said inner peripheral recess and/or said ribs.

The invention also provides a method of closing a lid on a container including the steps of: deflecting the annular flange of a lid as defined above; placing the lid on the rim of the container and pressing it downwardly so that the rim enters the outer peripheral recess and the flange is held in its second position in which it isolates the inner peripheral recess from the interior of the container.

The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic view of a container of the invention; P OPERGCIpr271ispc Cip dlo407hIlI2 -4- Figure 2 is an underside view of a lid of the invention; Figure 3 is an enlarged schematic sectional view along the line 3-3 of the lid in its moulded position; Figure 4 shows the lid with the flange in its second stable position; Figure 5 schematically shows the profile of the rim of the pail; Figure 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view through the lid adjacent to the rim of a container; and Figure 7 shows the lid mounted on the rim of the container.

Figure 1 shows a container 2 of the invention. It includes an injection moulded pail 4 and injection moulded lid 6. The lid includes on its underside an outer peripheral recess 8 which receives the top rim 10 of the pail 4. The container 2 is preferably of a type which is such that the filled containers can be stacked on top of one another for compact storage and transport. In this arrangement it is preferred that the sidewalls 12 of the pail are tapered so that its bottom edge 14 can be supported on a recessed top 16 of the lid 6. As will be described in more detail below, the lid 6 is reinforced so that it can better withstand the forces applied thereto during stacking and also to assist in passing drop tests and the like.

Figures 2, 3 and 4 diagrammatically illustrate more details of one form of the lid 6.

Figure 3 shows the lid in a form in which it is injection moulded from material such as polyethylene or polypropylene. It typically has a wall thickness in the range of 1.5mm to 2mm but this can be varied in accordance with requirements. It will be seen that adjacent to the outer peripheral recess 8 is an inner peripheral recess 18, separated from the recess 8 by means of a downwardly extending wall 20. The recess 8 includes a sealing bead 19 of generally triangular cross-sectional shape as shown in Figures 3 and 4. In the illustrated arrangement the wall is inclined slightly outwardly but it could be moulded so as to be vertical or perpendicular to the plane of the top 16. The outer part of the lid 6 includes a downwardly depending skirt 22 which includes an inwardly extending locking projection 24 and notch 26. The notch 26 constitutes a line of weakness which defines a tear strip 28 which can be removed by a user when the container is to be opened, in the usual way. The P' OPEROPprI27I)pc cup dCa4ilI* recess 18 preferably includes a multiplicity of strengthening ribs 30 which are integrally formed between the wall 20 and the wall 32 which defines the inner edge of the recess 18 and merges into the recessed top 16 of the lid.

In accordance with the invention, a continuous annular flange 34 is integrally moulded with the lid 6. It preferably extends from a corner region 36 where the wall 32 meets the recessed top 16. It is most preferably moulded thereto by means of an integral hinge 38 which permits rotation of the flange 34 about the hinge 38. The flange is moulded so that it is generally perpendicular to the plane of top 16. This enables relatively easy ejection of the lid from the moulding die. Alternatively, the flange 34 could be moulded so as to be inclined by about 50 inwardly.

Figure 3 shows the position of the flange 34 in which it is moulded and the flange 34 will be stable in that position. It can, however, be rotated outwardly around its full length so that it is outwardly inclined, as shown in Figure 4. If the flange is moulded inwardly inclined it can be deflected past its over-centre position and the circumferential elastic tension in the flange 34 will tend to cause it to rotate to a stable position in which it is inclined outwardly relative to the perpendicular direction. It is then in or deflected into its second operative position as shown in Figure 4.

The lower edge portion 42 of the flange 34 is arranged to engage a complementary lower edge 44 of the wall 20, as shown in Figure 4, when the flange 34 is in its second stable position. The flange preferably includes an inclined lower face 46 which is contiguous with the wall 20 when the flange 34 is in its second position, as shown in Figure 4. In the arrangement illustrated, the lower edges 48 of the ribs 30 may be arranged to engage at least part of the flange 34 when it is in its second position, as shown in Figure 4.

When the lid 6 is mounted on the container 2 the inner face of the top rim 10 of the pail engages the lower face 46 of the flange to thereby hold it in its correct operative position, as shown in Figure 1.

P OPER GCPpr.27r pe capdo -7-/Ill 12 -6- When the flange 34 is in its second stable position, as shown in Figure 4, because it engages the lower edge 44 of the wall, it effectively closes the recess 18 and thus prevents contents from the container entering the recess 18 and being trapped in the gaps between adjacent ribs 30. As mentioned previously, this feature results in a number of substantial practical advantages. It will also be appreciated that the lid is significantly strengthened because the action of the flange 34 tends to form a reinforcing box beam structure which encircles the periphery of the lid thereby making it better able to withstand forces applied thereto.

Figure 5 schematically shows the profile of the rim 10 formed at the upper edge of the sidewall 12 of the pail. The pail includes a clash skirt 50 having an outwardly projecting leg 52 and downwardly extending skirt 54. Formed inwardly above the clash skirt 50 is an inwardly projecting ledge 56 of generally triangular cross-sectional shape.

The ledge 56 includes a sealing bead 58 on its upper face. An outer interlocking projection 60 is integrally formed above the ledge 56. It has an inclined upper face 62 and a lower face 64 which is generally normal to the sidewall 12. The uppermost part of the rim 10 is formed with a bead 66 which is formed with a generally circular cross-sectional shape, as shown in Figure When the lid 6 is to be placed on the pail 4, the flange 34 is moved to its second stable position, as shown in Figure 4. Then the lid is positioned so that the outer peripheral recess 8 is adjacent to the bead 66 of the pail, as shown in Figure 6. Downward force can then be applied to the lid so that the skirt 22 will flex outwardly and the bead 66 will slide over the inclined face of the interlocking projection 24. The bead 66 can then be moved fully into the recess 8 so that the bead 66 will be held snugly engaged in the recess and will engage the sealing bead 19, as shown in Figure 7. In the closed position, the interlocking projection 24 interlocks with the projection 60. Further, the ledge 56 will lie adjacent to the flange 34 so that the sealing bead 58 will engage and also form a seal with the flange 34. It will also be noted that the lower edge of the tear strip 28 is located in engagement or closely adjacent to the flange 52 of the clash skirt 50. This assists in making the container tamper proof. In this respect any attempt to make unauthorised removal of the lid (without Q\0PER\CCP2230139 doc-25O31/200 00 S-7removing the tear strip 28) would more than likely cause visible scaring or deformation at IND the lower edge of the tear strip and/or on the flange 52.

The bead 58 preferably projects about 0.3 to 1mm above the surface of the ledge 5 56. The profile of the bead 58 may be rounded or triangular.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the ability to form a seal Sadjacent to the ledge 56 constitutes a significant improvement over known containers of this type which typically rely on seals provided by beads located in the recess 8. The flange 34 also prevents material from entering the recess 18 and being trapped in the spaces between adjacent ribs 30. This makes the container suitable for holding dangerous substances and those (such as oils) which are susceptible of seepage or leakage through capillary action and the like.

As mentioned above, the flange 34 is moulded in its first stable position and it may be manually moved to its second stable position after removal from the moulding die. It would, however, be a relatively simple matter to arrange for the flange 34 to be rotated to its second stable position automatically on extraction from the moulding die.

The thickness of the hinge 38 is preferably about 0.2mm. Also, it is preferred that the flange 34 is inclined upwardly at an angle of about 5' to 100 relative to the plane of the recessed top 16 of the lid when in its second stable position.

Many modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavour to which this specification relates.

Claims

1. A moulded lid for a container, the lid including an outer peripheral recess which in use receives the rim of the container, an inner peripheral recess inwardly adjacent to the outer peripheral recess, a plurality of ribs in the inner peripheral recess, and an integral annular flange moulded so as to be located in a first position in which it extends away from an underside surface of the lid, the flange being resiliently deformable to a second position in which it overlies the ribs.

2. A lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the integral annular flange is joined to the underside of the lid by means of an integral or live hinge.

3. A lid as claimed in claim 2 wherein the hinge is located adjacent to the inner peripheral flange.

4. A lid as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3 wherein the inner peripheral recess is defined in part by an inner peripheral wall and wherein the hinge is joined adjacent to a lower edge of said wall.

5. A lid as claimed in claim 4 wherein the lid includes a top which spans the inner peripheral recess and the integral flange is moulded at an angle which is generally perpendicular relative to said inner peripheral wall.

6. A lid as claimed in claim 5 wherein said angle is about 50

7. A lid as claimed in claim 4, 5 or 6 wherein when said flange is moved from its first position to its second position it moves through an over-centre position and is inclined outwardly relative to said inner peripheral wall.

8. A lid as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the inner and outer peripheral flanges are separated by a downwardly extending wall and wherein the annular flange P OPER G(iCP pr27-pc c.Lp doc-4 LJd -9- engages an end of said downwardly extending wall when the flange is in its second position.

9. A lid as claimed in claim 8 wherein the annular flange has first and second faces and wherein the first face engages the bottom end of said downwardly extending wall.

A lid as claimed in claim 9 wherein the lid includes a top which is generally perpendicular to said inner peripheral wall and wherein the flange is inclined upwardly relative to said top when the first face of the flange engages the bottom end of said downwardly extending wall.

11. A lid as claimed in claim 10 wherein the bottom end of said downwardly extending wall is inclined at a predetermined angle so as to be flush with said first face of the flange.

12. A lid as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein the flange has an end face which is inclined at a predetermined angle so that said end face is generally contiguous with the outer face of said downwardly extending wall when the flange is in its second position.

13. A lid as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 wherein the flange in its second position isolates the ribs and/or said inner peripheral recess from the interior of the container.

14. A container and lid wherein the container has a sidewall formed with a rim and wherein the lid comprises a lid as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13 and wherein, in use, the rim is engaged in said outer peripheral recess. A container and lid wherein the container has a sidewall formed with a rim and wherein the lid comprises a lid as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7 and wherein, in use, the rim is engaged in said outer peripheral recess, and wherein the inner and outer peripheral recesses are separated by a downwardly extending wall but the ribs extend beyond said wall and wherein the flange in its second position engages the ribs.

Q:APERCP\2002301339c doc-25/O32008 00 O

16. A container and lid as claimed in claim 15 wherein the container includes an IND inwardly directed loading ledge which engages the integral flange in its second position.

17. A container and lid as claimed in claim 16 wherein the annular flange has first and second faces and wherein, in the second position of the flange, the first face engages the O lower edges of the ribs and the second face engages said loading ledge. C,

18. A method of closing a container including the steps of: moulding a lid having outer peripheral recesses and an inner peripheral recess inwardly adjacent thereto, a plurality of ribs in said inner peripheral recess and an integral annular flange integrally moulded in a first position which is inclined downwardly relative to the inner peripheral recess; deflecting the flange outwardly to a second position in which it covers at least part of said inner peripheral recess; and placing the lid on a container having an upper rim so that the rim is located within the outer peripheral rim, whereby the interior of the container is isolated from said inner peripheral recess and/or said ribs.

19. A method of closing a lid on a container including the steps of: deflecting the annular flange of a lid as defined in claim 14 or placing the lid on the rim of the container and pressing it downwardly so that the rim enters the outer peripheral recess and the flange is held in its second position in which it isolates the inner peripheral recess from the interior of the container.

20. A lid for a container; a container; or a method of closing a container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.