AU2004222757A1

AU2004222757A1 - Container with lid and securing member

Info

Publication number: AU2004222757A1
Application number: AU2004222757A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Roger Green
Original assignee: Withcott Group Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Withcott Group Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2004-10-21
Filing date: 2004-10-21
Publication date: 2006-05-11

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990

ORIGINAL

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: "CONTAINER WITH LID AND SECURING MEMBER" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me/us: O1 o TITLE o "CONTAINER WITH LID AND SECURING MEMBER" 0 _FIELD OF THE INVENTION THIS INVENTION relates to a container with lid and securing member, preferably, the securing member is a securing flap that is adapted cto be used with a temper evident seal. The container with lid and securing member is suitable for holding a food product such as fruits and vegetables.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A container for fresh food items such as strawberries, tomatoes, alfalfa and the like commonly comprise a square bottom container and plastic wrap that is secured over the top of the container to retain the food items placed inside of the container. The plastic wrap also functions as a barrier to prevent people from touching and possibly stealing the contents, excludes insects, dust and the like from contacting the contents and also may function to keep the items fresh. Although this type of container is inexpensive, the plastic wrap does not provide structural protection from physical damage to the food inside the container. As such, during packaging, transport and display, the food inside the container may be damaged. Also, this container does not provide an easy means for detecting if the container has been opened or if the contents inside have been tampered with.

The container described above may further comprise a detachable rigid lid that is securable to an upper edge of a bottom portion of the container. The lid protects the food from physical contact, but does not 2 0 o provide an easy means for detecting if the container has been tampered O with. Applying a tamper evident sticker to join a side region between the lid 0 and bottom portion is time consuming and requires additional label applying machinery to attach the sticker to the side of the container.

Australian Patent Application No. 2003234951 (Tacca-Plastics Australia Pty Ltd) describes a container comprising two flaps, each covering half of an opening of the container. The two halves of the lid when in a

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0closed position are generally coplanar so that a label may be applied across a junction between the edges of the two halves of the lid. This container having two lid halves is not as secure or structurally as strong as a single lid, is less rigid and a tamper evident label must cover most of the length of a joint between the two lid halves to prevent access to the interior of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative or improvement to the abovementioned background art.

In a first aspect, the invention provides a container comprising: an item containing member comprising a rim defining an opening; (ii) at least one lid extending from the rim and capable of covering the opening; and (iii) at least one securing member extending from the rim and capable of fastening to the lid(s); wherein the securing members(s) when fastened to the lid(s) o comprises a single edge located adjacent to an upper surface of the lid(s) Oand a surface of the securing member(s) is located substantially parallel and 0 adjacent to the upper surface of the lid(s).

Preferably, the securing member(s) when fastened to the lid(s) cover at least one free edge of the lid(s).

CMore preferably, the securing member(s) when fastened to the S1- lid(s) further cover at least one free corner of the lid(s).

Even more preferably, the securing member(s) when fastened to the lid further cover at least two free corner of the lid(s).

The lid(s) preferably extend from the rim adjacent an entire length of a wall of the container.

Preferably, the lid(s) is formed integrally with the rim.

Preferably, the container comprises mating fasteners located on the lid(s) and rim to thereby secure the lid(s) to the rim.

The fasteners preferably comprise mating male and female members.

Preferably, the fasteners are located at corners of the lid and the rim.

Preferably, the securing member(s) extend from the rim adjacent an entire length of a wall of the container.

In one form, the rim comprises an extension from a top portion of the walls.

Preferably, the lid(s) extends from a free end of the extension.

Preferably, the securing member(s) extend from a free end of the extension.

The securing member(s) is preferably secured to the lid(s) by mating fasteners located on the securing member(s) and lid(s).

Preferably, the fasteners are located at respective adjacent corners of the securing member(s) and the lid(s).

In a preferred form, the lid(s) comprise at least one dualfastener capable of mating with complementary fasteners located on the rim and the or each securing member(s), wherein the dual-fastener comprises opposing surfaces respectively forming a male member and a female io member.

In one form, the lid(s) and the securing member(s) preferably extend from the rim at locations opposite each other.

In another form, the lid(s) and the securing member(s) preferably extend from the rim at locations adjacent each other.

In a second aspect, the invention provides a container comprising: an item containing member comprising a rim defining an opening; at least one lid extending from the rim and capable of covering the opening; at least one securing member extending from the rim and capable of fastening to the lid; and at least one dual-fastener located on the lid(s) and capable of mating with complementary fasteners located on the rim and the 0 Sor each securing member(s), O wherein the dual-fastener comprises opposing surfaces 0 respectively forming a male member and a female member.

Preferably, a surface of the securing member(s) is located substantially parallel and adjacent to an upper surface of the or each lid(s) N when said securing member(s) is fastened to the or each lid(s).

1- In one preferred form, the container comprises a single circular 0wall.

In another preferred form, the container comprises four walls.

Preferably, the container further comprising a tamper evident seal attached over at least part of the free edge of the securing member(s) and at least part of an upper surface of the lid(s).

Throughout this specification unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of the stated integers or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention may be readily understood and put into practical effect, preferred embodiments will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts and wherein: FIG. 1: is an isometric view of the container comprising a single securing member in an opened configuration; o FIG. 2A. is an isometric view of the container in FIG. 1 in a O closed configuration; 0 FIG. 2B. is an isometric view of the container in FIG. 2A in a closed configuration with a tamper evident seal affixed to the container lid and securing member; FIG. 3 is a side cross sectional view of the lid and securing member in a closed configuration; 0 FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a container comprising two securing members; FIG. 5A shows an embodiment of a round container with securing member and lid in an open configuration; and FIG. 5B shows the embodiment of FIG. 5A with the securing member and lid in a closed configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a container with lid and securing member that is preferably used in combination with a tamper evident seal, such as a sticker, label, adhesive strip or the like. Because the securing member is substantially parallel and flat relative to the lid when the lid and securing member are in a closed configuration, the tamper evident seal may be applied to the top surface of the lid and securing member using standard labelling equipment without a need to purchase separate equipment for applying a label on a side of the container. Also, as the tamper evident seal is applied flat on the top surface of the lid, advertising, product information and other details may be applied to the tamper evident 7 0 o seal thereby reducing a total number of stickers applied to the container.

O FIG. 1 shows the container 10 comprising an item containing 0 member 110, lid 100 and securing member 200 (shown as a flap) in an open configuration so that opening 300 is accessible to place an item therein or remove an item therefrom. The item containing member 110 comprises four N upward extending walls 111, 112, 113, 114 and a bottom 115. The walls t 111, 112, 113, 114 and bottom 115 are shown preferably comprising 0 0 supporting grooves or ribs 120 that provide additional rigidity to the bottom portion 110. The optional grooves 120 may be omitted.

A rim 130 is shown located around the opening 300 and in a preferred embodiment comprises an extension 134 that extends from a top portion of each wall 111, 112, 113, 114. The rim 130 preferably further comprises a vertical member 131 that extends substantially downward and parallel to an adjacent surface of the walls 111, 112, 113, 114 and further comprises a horizontal member 132 that extends substantially outward and perpendicular to the surface of the walls 111, 112, 113, 114 as shown. The extension member 134 joins the vertical member 131 to a top portion of the walls 111, 112, 113, 114. The rim 130 is preferably formed integral with the walls 111, 112, 113, 114, however, the rim 130 may be formed separately and attached to walls. This preferred form of the rim 130 comprising an extension provides additional strength and rigidity to the container.

The lid 100 extends from the rim at an integral joint 133 that is adjacent to the wall 111 and extends substantially along a length of the wall 111. The lid 100 is capable of pivoting from an opened configuration shown o in FIG. 1 to a closed configuration shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3 in a hingeci O like manner. The lid 100 and rim 130 each comprise mating fasteners 140, 0 141 that are complementary in shape. The fasteners are exemplified as recesses (female member) 140 located on the lid 100 and protrusions (male member) 141 located on rim 130. The fastener located on the lid 100 is shown as a dual-fastener 145 comprising opposing surfaces that respectively form a male member 142 and a female member 140. The four female 0 0members 140 are respectively located on corners of the lid 100 and mate with four male members 141 on the corners of the rim 130. Each female member 140 is capable of mating with respective male member 141 located on the vertical member 131 of the rim 130. When the female member 140 mates with the male member 141, the lid 100 is fastened in a closed configuration covering the opening 300. Preferably, the opening 300 is completely covered by the lid 100 when closed as shown.

The lid 100 comprises a dual-fastener 145 shown comprising a male member 142 that is formed by as a mirror image of the female member 140. The male member 142 mates with a female member 143 of the securing member 200 as shown in FIG. 3 to thereby fasten the securing member 200 in a closed position against the lid 100. Accordingly, the lid 100 comprises a dual-fastener 145 that is capable of mating with a complementary fastener located on the rim 130 and a complementary fastener located on the securing member 200. In the preferred form of the invention as shown, the dual-fasteners 145 located at each of the four corners of the lid 100 allow for the fastening of the lid 100 to the rim 130 and 9 0 o the lid 100 to the securing member 200 at a same location. It will be 2appreciated that fastening the lid 100 and securing member 200 at corners

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of a rectangular opening of the container is preferred to prevent unwanted opening of the lid 100 and potential tampering of the items inside of the container. Also, the dual-fastener 145 simplifies manufacturing and use of Nthe container. A user need only fasten the lid 100 and securing member 200 at a single location.

0Securing member 200 extends from the rim 130 from a first location that is opposite a second location from which the lid 100 extends, as shown. The securing member 200 extends an entire length of a side of the rim 130 along the wall 113 opposite wall 111 to thereby cover a free edge 101 of the lid 100 when secured to the lid 100. It is preferred that the securing member 200 further extends around at least one corner 150, more preferably around adjacent corners 150 and 151, so that the lid 100 cannot be opened without lifting the securing member 200. In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, the securing member 200 comprises only a single free edge 210 located adjacent an upper surface of the lid 100 as the side edges are adjacent to the rim 130. When a tamper evident seal is applied over the free edge 210 of the securing member 200 and lid 100 as shown in FIG. 2B, it is more difficult to tamper with the contents without disrupting the tamper evident seal when compared with an embodiment comprise the securing member 200 wherein the securing member 200 only extends partially along the rim 130 and/or not around the corners 150, for example a strap. A container having a lid that is only

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o secured by a strap located intermediate of the corners may be tampered with 2 by lifting the lid at a location adjacent to the strap, including for example, at

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the corners of the lid that are not secured.

In use, lifting securing member 200 is evident by tearing a tamper evident seal 400 that covers at least part of an edge 210 of the N securing member 200. A groove 144 extends at least partially along a top Ssurface of the lid 100 so that a knife or other object may be inserted therein 0 0to cut or remove the tamper evident seal 400.

The container 10 may comprise one or more lids 100 and one or more securing members 200. For example, a container comprising two half lids may further comprise a securing member 200 that is securable over both half lids. This provides securing of the lids in a closed position and provides an improved arrangement to apply a tamper evident seal.

It will be appreciated, however, that other embodiments of the invention may comprise a securing member 200 that does not extend an entire length of the rim 130 and accordingly the securing member 200 may only extend along a part of the rim 130 adjacent to wall 111, for example the securing member 200 may not extend around corners 150 or may extend only 95%, 90%, 80%, 75%, 50%, 25%, 10% or 5% of a length along adjacent wall 111. Also, the securing member 200 may extend from the rim 130 that forms a top part of the wall wherein the rim does not comprise the extension member 143, vertical member 131 or horizontal member 132. For the above embodiment, it is preferred that the lid comprise at least one dual-fastener.

Securing member 200 preferably extends only partially over the 11 0 o lid 100 when in a secured configuration so that a single edge 210 of the c securing member 200 is located above a top surface of the lid 100.

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Preferably, the securing member 200 extends at least over part of the lid, but more preferably about at least 10%, 25%, 50%, 75%, 90% or 95% of the lid 100. This arrangement allows for the application of a tamper evident seal N 400, such as an adhesive sticker, over the edge 210 and lid 100. Preferably, the securing member 200 comprises tapered ends 201 as shown.

0 0As shown in FIGS. 2B and 3, when the securing member 200 is in a secured configuration, the securing member 200 is located on top of the lid 100 and is substantially parallel and flat relative thereto. This provides a flat surface for applying the tamper evident seal 400. The flat surface 410 allows for use of standard labelling equipment and avoids use of additional equipment required to apply a label to a side surface of the container. Also, the tamper evident seal 400 being applied to a top flat surface 410 of the container 10 allows for the inclusion of product information, for example product description, weight, use by date, brand, etc, on the tamper evidence seal 400 thereby reducing a number of labels required to be affixed to the container 10 and reducing cost. Also, as the container 10 is preferably made of a transparent material to allow a user to visually inspect the contents within the container 10, a minimal number of labels obstructing the view of the contents may be desirable by some packagers. As discussed above, a groove 144 is preferably located at least partially along a top surface of the lid 100. More preferably, the groove 144 is located on lid 100 so that when the securing member 200 is in a closed configuration the edge 210 of the 12

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0 securing member 200 substantially aligns with an edge of the groove 144.

2 Accordingly, in this preferred embodiment, a knife or other object may be

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inserted into the groove 144 to assist with removal of the tamper evident seal 400.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention comprises cthe securing member 200 extending from the rim at a location opposite the J- lid 100, another embodiment contemplated by the invention is one or two 0 0securing members 220 extending adjacently from the lid 100, for example extending from rim 130 at location(s) that are adjacent to walls 112 and 114 as shown in FIG. 4. The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 comprises similar fasteners as described in FIGS. 1-3. Namely, the lid 100 is shown comprising four dual-fasteners 245 located in each corner that are each capable of mating with complementary fasteners located on the rim 130 and lid 100.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 4 comprises securing members 220 extending an entire length of the rim along the walls 112 and 114 and more preferably around corners thereof as shown. This preferred embodiment wherein free edges 102 of the lid 100 are covered by respective securing members 220 ensures that lid 100 cannot be easily lifted without lifting securing member 220. For an embodiment of the container comprising a single securing member 220 adjacent to the lid 100, it is preferred that the securing member 220 only extends partially over the top surface of the lid 100 so that a tamper evident seal may be applied as described above forthe embodiment shown in the figures. For the embodiment shown comprising two securing members 220, each securing member 220 comprises only a 13

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o single edge 121 that is located over the lid 100 when fastened thereto. This O makes it more difficult to lift the lid 100 without first lifting the securing members 220, and removing a tamper evident seal if present. In another embodiment comprising two securing members 220, a first securing member extends completely over the lid, and a second securing member extends N only partially over the first securing member so that the tamper evident seal may be applied over an edge 221 of the second securing member and a top surface of the lid and/or first securing member.

It is also contemplated that more than one securing member io may extend from the rim opposite or adjacent the lid, for example two, three, four, five or more securing members, either spaced from each other or in contact with an adjacent securing member. However, it is preferred that the container comprise a single securing member extending from the rim along an entire length of the wall as shown in the figures.

Another embodiment of the invention comprises a rim without the extension shown comprising the extension member 133, vertical member 131 or horizontal member 132. For such an embodiment, the lid 100 is attached directly to the wall 111 at a top portion thereof. The lid may still comprise the recesses 140 that mate with the respective protrusions 141 to secure the lid 100 in a closed position.

It will be appreciated that the lid 100 may comprise any suitable number of recesses 140, for example, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight or more recesses 140. The recesses 140 may be located in the corners as shown in the preferred embodiment of the figures, or alternatively 14

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0or in addition, the recesses 140 may be located intermediate of the corners O of the rim 130. Also, it will be appreciated that the arrangement of recesses 0 140 located on the lid 100 and protrusions 141 located on the rim 130 may be reversed such that the lid 100 comprises protrusions and the rim 130 comprises recesses.

N The preferred embodiment of the container comprises four walls thereby forming a square or rectangular container, however, the 0 0invention contemplates a container having three walls, five walls, six walls or more.

The invention also contemplates a container comprising a single wall, for example a circular or oval container 500 wherein the wall 510 is continuous as shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B. For such an embodiment, the lid 520 and securing member 530 is preferably located substantially opposite each other along an upper rim 560 of a circumference of the round or oval shaped container 500 and pivotable relative thereto at points 550 and 551 as shown. The lid 520 and securing member 530 may be secured by a similar fastener as described above. As shown, the lid 520 comprises a dualfastener 501 comprising opposing surfaces respectively forming a male member 544 and a female member 540 as discussed previously that is capable of mating with a complementary fastener located on the rim 560 and securing member 530. The lid 520 comprises female members 540 that mate with respective complementary male members 541 located on rim 560 to thereby secure the lid 520 to the rim 560. The securing member 530 comprises female members 543 that mate with male members 544 located 1-

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0 on lid 520. In a closed configuration shown in FIG. 5B (and a same ci 2 arrangement as shown in FIG. respective top surfaces of the lid 520 and

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securing member 530 are substantially parallel and adjacent to each other.

The securing member 530 is located substantially flat on top of the lid 520 so that a tamper evident seal 400 may be applied to a junction between an cedge 531 of the securing member 530 and lid 520.

It will be appreciated that the container 500 may comprise a rim 0 560 having an extension similar to that described for the other embodiments of the invention. For example, the rim may comprise an upper portion of the 1o wall 510 with or without an extension such as the extension member, vertical member or horizontal member as shown in FIG. 3. It will also be appreciated that the container 500 may comprise one or more lids and one or more securing members in a similar manner as described for the other embodiments of the invention. For example, the container 500 may comprise two or more lids and two, three, four or more securing members.

The number of mating male and female members are not limited to the number exemplified and may comprise one, two, three, four, five or more mating male and female members. It is preferred that the fastener located on the lid for the fastening of the lid to the rim also functions to fasten the securing member to the lid, i.e. a dual-fastener as described herein. As shown in FIG. 3, the fastener located on the lid comprises both male and female members that mate with corresponding members located on the rim and corresponding members located on the securing member. Also, the rim 560 may comprise a female member and the lid 520 comprise a mating male 16

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o member; and the securing member 530 may comprise a male member that O mates with a female member located on the lid.

0 The securing member 530 when fastened to the rim 560 comprises a single free edge 531 as shown. Having only a single free edge 531 when secured makes it more difficult to lift the lid 520 without first lifting N the securing member 530, and removing a tamper evident seal when applied. The securing member 530 when in a secured configuration 0 0preferably extends at least about one-quarter, about one-third, about onehalf or even about two-thirds or more of the circumference of the rim 560. It will be appreciated that the greater a distance the securing member 530 extends along the rim 560, the more difficult it is to tamper with the contents of the container without opening the securing member 530 and removing the tamper evident seal 400, when the seal 400 is applied to the lid 520 and securing member 530.

It will be appreciated that the container 10 may be used to hold or retain any suitable item including for example, food and non-food items, a liquid such as water, soap, cream; a sold or semi-solid such as eggs, butter, margarine; fruits and vegetables such as strawberries, tomatoes, carrots, alfalfa, other sprouts, nuts and the like.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to describe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. It will therefore be appreciated by those of skill in the art that, in light of the instant disclosure, various modifications and changes can be made in the particular 17 0 o embodiments exemplified without departing from the scope of the present O invention.

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In 0 0 ci

Claims

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the securing member(s) when fastened to the lid(s) cover at least one free edge of the lid(s).
3. The container of claim 2 wherein the securing member(s) when fastened to the lid further cover at least one free corner of the lid(s).
4. The container of claim 1 wherein the lid(s) extends from the rim adjacent an entire length of a wall of the container. The container of claim 4 wherein the lid(s) is formed integrally with the rim.
6. The container of claim 1 comprising mating fasteners located on the lid(s) and rim to thereby secure the lid(s) to the rim.
7. The container of claim 6 wherein the fasteners comprise mating male and female members. 19 O o 8. The container of claim 7 wherein the fasteners are located at O corners of the lid and the rim. 0
9. The container of claim 1 wherein the securing member(s) extend from the rim adjacent an entire length of a wall of the container.
10. The container of claim 1 wherein the rim comprises an N extension from a top portion of the walls. S11. The container of claim 10 wherein the lid(s) extends from a free 0end of the extension.
12. The container of claim 10 wherein the securing member(s) extend from a free end of the extension.
13. The container of claim 1 wherein the securing member(s) is secured to the lid(s) by mating fasteners located on the securing member(s) and lid(s).
14. The container of claim 13 wherein the fasteners are located at respective adjacent corners of the securing member(s) and the lid(s). The container of claim 1 wherein the lid(s) comprise at least one dual-fastener capable of mating with complementary fasteners located on the rim and the or each securing member(s), wherein the dual-fastener comprises opposing surfaces respectively forming a male member and a female member.
16. The container of claim 1 wherein the lid(s) and the securing member(s) extend from the rim at locations opposite each other.
17. The container of claim 1 wherein the lid(s) and the securing member(s) extend from the rim at locations adjacent each other. O o 19. A container comprising: ci O an item containing member comprising a rim defining an 0 opening; ci at least one lid extending from the rim and capable of covering the opening; N at least one securing member extending from the rim Sand capable of fastening to the lid; and 0 at least one dual-fastener located on the lid(s) and capable of mating with complementary fasteners located on the rim and the or each securing member(s), wherein the dual-fastener comprises opposing surfaces respectively forming a male member and a female member. The container of claim 19 wherein a surface of the securing member(s) is located substantially parallel and adjacent to an upper surface of the or each lid(s) when said securing member(s) is fastened to the or each lid(s).
21. The container of claim 20 wherein the container comprises a single circular wall.
22. The container of claim 20 wherein the container comprises four walls.
23. The container of any one of claims 1 to 22 further comprising a tamper evident seal attached over at least part of the free edge of the securing member(s) and at least part of an upper surface of the lid.