AU2009221378B2

AU2009221378B2 - Stackable cosmetic jar

Info

Publication number: AU2009221378B2
Application number: AU2009221378A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Brett Christopher Domoy; Christopher Mark Houghton
Original assignee: Unilever PLC
Current assignee: Unilever PLC
Priority date: 2008-03-03
Filing date: 2009-02-24
Publication date: 2012-05-31
Anticipated expiration: 2029-02-24
Also published as: CN101965139A; ATE521258T1; ES2370111T3; KR20100127256A; IL207765A; AR070734A1; JP5367729B2; CO6280597A2; EP2249677B1; BRPI0906058A2; JP2011514820A; CA2716574A1; ZA201006026B; AU2009221378A1; WO2009109480A2; IL207765A0; BRPI0906058B1; CA2716574C; KR101552372B1; MX2010009742A

Abstract

A jar (2) for a cosmetic product is provided which includes a non-circular container body (4) and a cap closure (14). The container body (4) features a closed end (6) defined by a bottom panel (8) and an open end defined by a mouth (12). The bottom panel (8) on an exterior surface is formed with projecting crescent shaped symmetrically disposed feet (66). The cap closure (14) includes a fitment (16) engageable around the mouth (12) and supported on the container body (4). A lid (18) is hingedly connected to the fitment (16) and defined by a roof panel (20) having a domed upper surface. The upper surface includes a pair of crescent shaped indents (24, 26) formed symmetrical to each other along opposite edges of the roof panel (20). The crescent shaped indents (24, 26) allow stacking of one jar upon another with good stability. The domed (curved) roof panel (20) distributes force (from stacked jars) more evenly along the cap closure (14). This permits a decrease in jar wall thickness which leads to a reduction in plastic weight.

Description

- 1 STACKABLE COSMETIC JAR BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention concerns jars which have domed lids and are structured to be stackable one 5 upon another. Ordinarily the term "jar" refers to a squat large-mouthed container. In the cosmetics art, jars are the packaging of choice for cold creams and for petrolatum. Indeed, petrolatum jars sold under the trademark of VASELINE or VASELINOS are the premier jar cosmetic products. Since 10 these packages are proportionately squat, retailers need to stack one jar upon another to efficiently utilize store shelf space. Stackability is also a desirable feature in transport of these packages from manufacture to the retail store. Environmental concerns and economics provide an incentive to light weight packages. Excess 15 plastic desirably should be removed from packaging. Ordinarily jars need to be stackable to conserve space. A certain amount of plastic is needed to render walls of the jar sufficiently sturdy for stacking. We have found that curved (dome) caps distribute force more evenly. Less downward force is 20 generated. Consequently the jars can be constructed with thinner walls than ordinarily required for flat capped jars. Of course the problem with curved surfaces is that objects are not readily stably perched thereon. Curvature presents stackability problems. US 6 412 634 (Telesca et al.) discloses a domed flip-top dispenser for towelettes. Around the 25 inner towelette dispensing aperture is a domed platform congruent with the domed lid. A special plug seal is described to ensure tight fit between lid and dispensing aperture. The present invention seeks to provide a jar with a lid having a curvilinear top surface permitting a second similar jar to be stably positioned atop the first. In accordance with alternative embodiments the present invention is to provide a sealing system suitable for a jar with 30 curvature.

C\NRPortbl\DCC\TZM\43091.DOC-2/0/2012 -2 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect the present invention provides a jar for cosmetic products is provided which includes: (i) a non-circular container body having a closed end defined by a bottom panel and an open 5 end defined by a mouth, the bottom panel on an exterior surface formed with projecting crescent shaped symmetrically disposed feet; (ii) a cap closure including: (a) a fitment engageable around the mouth and supported on the container body; (b) a lid hingedly connected to the fitment and defined by a roof panel having a 10 domed upper surface, the upper surface including a pair of crescent shaped indents symmetrical to each other formed along opposite edges of the roof panel. According to another aspect the present invention provides a jar for cosmetic products comprising: 15 (i) a non-circular container body having a closed end defined by a bottom panel and an open end defined by a mouth, the bottom panel on an exterior surface formed with projecting crescent shaped symmetrically disposed feet; and (ii) a cap closure wherein the cap closure comprises: (a) a fitment engageable around the mouth and supported on the container 20 body; and (b) a lid hingedly connected to the fitment and defined by a roof panel having a domed upper surface, the upper surface comprising a pair of crescent shaped indents which are grooves being grooved into the upper surface and the pair of crescent shaped indents being symmetrical to each other formed along 25 opposite edges of the roof panel, the projecting crescent shaped symmetrically disposed feet shaped to engage, when stacked above another similar jar, the crescent shaped indents of the other similar jar and the crescent shaped indents being oriented along a length direction of the roof panel. 30 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more evident upon consideration of the drawings in which: - 2A Figure 1 is a plan perspective view of a jar according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a top plan view thereof; 5 Figure 3 is an illustration of stacked jars; Figure 4 is a plan elevational view similar to that of Figure 1 except that the lid has been moved into an open position; 10 Figure 5A is a cross-sectional partial view along line 5A-5A of Figure 2 showing the depth variation and configuration of the crescent shaped indent on the roof panel; Figure 5B is a cross-sectional partial view along line 5B-5B of Figure 5A showing depth 15 near terminal section of the indent; Figure 5C is a cross-sectional partial view along line 5C-5C of Figure 5A showing depth around a middle section of the indent; WO 2009/109480 PCT/EP2009/052143 -3 Figure 6 is a cross-section along line 6-6 of Figure 1; Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the partial area in dashed outline shown in Figure 6; and 5 Figure 8 is an elevational tilted view of the jar showing a bottom panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION We have found that use of a pair of crescent shaped indents (curved grooves) prevent 10 slippage. The indents prevent not only a stacked jar from sliding off the roof panel of another jar but they also prevent a sideways fall. The crescent geometry of the present invention ensures that both directions of instability on a cap closure can be minimized. Figure 1 illustrates the jar 2 of the present invention. This package includes a non-circular 15 container body 4 having a closed end 6 defined by a bottom panel 8 and an open end defined by a mouth 12. A cap closure 14 is placed over the open end 10 of the container body. 20 Figure 1 illustrates a fully closed position of the cap closure. Figure 4 illustrates an open position. The cap closure includes a fitment 16 engageable around the mouth 12 and supported on the container body. A lid 18 is hingedly connected to the fitment. The lid is defined by a roof panel 20 having a domed upper surface. 25 Figure 2 illustrates the upper surface as including a pair of crescent shaped indents 24, 26 symmetrical to each other and formed along opposite edges of the roof panel. Figure 3 illustrates jar 2 serving as a base for jar 3 (shown without a cap closure) in a stacking arrangement. 30 Figure 5A illustrates a cross-sectional partial view of the lid with focus upon the crescent shaped indent 24. The indent includes a middle section 28 flanked on either side by terminal sections 30, 32. The middle section 28 has a rounded and at midpoint almost flat floor; it is grooved deeper into the roof panel than the terminal sections 30, 32. Figure 5C best illustrates the middle section. There is also a geometric difference WO 2009/109480 PCT/EP2009/052143 -4 between the sections. Terminal sections 30, 32 have a V-shaped floor. Figure 5B best illustrates the terminal sections. Figure 4 best illustrates an interior surface 48 of the roof panel 20. The roof panel is 5 bordered by a downward projecting skirt 34. This skirt is defined by a front portion 36, a rear portion 38 and two side portions 40, 42 opposite one another. The side portions bridge the front and rear portions. The front and rear portions have lower concavely formed edges 44. 10 A seal plug 46 projects downwardly from the interior surface 48 of the roof panel. The seal plug is interior to and uninterruptedly juxtaposed along front, rear and side portions of the skirt. Further, the seal plug has a front section 50, a rear section 52 and two side sections 54, 56. The front and rear sections have lower convexly formed edges 58. 15 A lid seal 60 surrounds the mouth 12 and projects upwardly toward the lid 18. Along a perimeter of the lid seal 60 is an outwardly projecting seal bead 62, best shown in Figure 7. The seal bead is seated matingly against an interior of the front portion 36 of the skirt along the lower concavely formed edge 44. In a closed lid position, the jar features the seal plug seated interior to and matingly with the lid seal. 20 A support ridge 64 is found on the fitment 16 below the seal bead. The support ridge has a convex curvature to matingly engage the concavely formed lower edges of the front and rear portions of the skirt. 25 Figure 8 illustrates the bottom panel 8 of the container body being formed concavely outward and downward. This structure creates along an outer perimeter of the bottom panel a set of juxtaposed feet 66 shaped to engage the crescent shaped indent 24 of jar 2 when stacked atop this jar 2.

- 4A Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. 5 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 10 to which this specification relates.

Claims

1. A jar for cosmetic products comprising: (i) a non-circular container body having a closed end defined by a bottom panel and 5 an open end defined by a mouth, the bottom panel on an exterior surface formed with projecting crescent shaped symmetrically disposed feet; and (ii) a cap closure wherein the cap closure comprises: (a) a fitment engageable around the mouth and supported on the container body; and 10 (b) a lid hingedly connected to the fitment and defined by a roof panel having a domed upper surface, the upper surface comprising a pair of crescent shaped indents which are grooves being grooved into the upper surface and the pair of crescent shaped indents being symmetrical to each other formed along opposite edges of the roof panel, 15 the projecting crescent shaped symmetrically disposed feet shaped to engage, when stacked above another similar jar, the crescent shaped indents of the another similar jar and the crescent shaped indents being oriented along a length direction of the roof panel.

2. A jar according to claim 1 wherein the crescent shaped indents comprise a middle section 20 flanked on either side by terminal sections, the middle section being grooved deeper into the roof panel than the terminal sections.

3. A jar according to claim 2 wherein the terminal sections have a V-shaped floor. 25

4. The jar according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the roof panel is bordered by a downward projecting skirt, the skirt having a front portion, a rear portion and two side portions opposite one another bridging the front and rear portions.

5. A jar according to claim 4 wherein the front and rear portions have lower concavely 30 formed edges.

6. A jar according to any one of the preceding claims further comprising a seal plug downwardly projecting from an interior surface of the roof panel, the seal plug being interior to and uninterruptedly juxtaposed to the front, rear and side portions of the skirt. -6

7. A jar according to claim 6 wherein the seal plug has a front section, a rear section and two side sections opposite one another bridging the front and rear sections, the front and rear sections having lower convexly formed edges. 5

8. A jar according to claim 6 or claim 7 wherein a lid seal surrounds the mouth and projects upwardly toward the lid.

9. A jar according to claim 8 wherein the seal plug in a closed position is seated interior to and matingly with the lid seal. 10

10. A jar according to claim 8 or claim 9 wherein the lid seal along a perimeter thereof has an outwardly projecting seal bead, the seal bead seated matingly with an interior of the front portion of the skirt along a lower concavely formed edge thereof. 15

11. A jar according to claim 10 further comprising a support ridge on the fitment below the seal bead, the support ridge having a convex curvature to matingly engage the concavely formed lower edges of the front and rear portions of the skirt.

12. A jar for cosmetic products substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the 20 accompanying figures.