CA2761211A1 - Multi-purpose closure - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is an multi-purpose closure (i.e., lid) for a vessel such as a vial, jar, bottle, food serving-storage container, and the like. In one embodiment the improved closure has a shallow wall or ring extending from its interior surface designed to friction-hold a second inner package which thus hangs down inside the first outer vessel. Other embodiments are described including where the second vessel is permanently secured to the first closure and has its own a closure. In a third embodiment the second vessel is detachable for 'carry-away' use. Daily prescription of pills can be transferred to the inner vessel and viewed through the closure to conveniently verify remaining dosage.
In a fourth embodiment the closure is used to hold supplements such as a sauce to be used with, say, a salad in a food container. A fifth embodiment for a food storage container, the closure is populated with raised dimples adjacent to words or markings such that select dimples can be thumb-pressed to collapse or invert so as to provide future indication of date, food type, an the like.

Description

SPECIFICATIONS
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is in the field of closures for vessels used for packaging such as pill vials, food containers and other rigid packaging.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Closures for packaging vessels having multiple features for safety and convenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In vessels used for packaging such as pill vials, bottles, -food take-out- and storage containers, and the like, the present invention is directed to the closures (also referred to as lids or covers or caps) for such -vessels. The improved closure of the instant invention has structures formed on the inner and/or outer surfaces of the closure that provide additional packaging benefits. The structures may be injection molded or thermoformed or otherwise formed or added so as to be part of the closure.
Such structures may be used to carry an additional vessel within the main vessel, that is, a second vessel carrying the san-ie or different product. The second vessel is friction-pressed into the structure such that it hangs inside until needed for use.
Removing the closure makes the second inner vessel and its contents available for use.
For example an injection molded vessel commonly referred to as a pill vial with a transparent closure, may have a miniature vial attached to the closure such that it can be easily filled with a daily dose of pills. The remaining pills can be verified through the closure to ensure accurate compliance with the prescription. Or, similarly, a food container of thin thermoformed clear plastic for,say, salad or sandwiches and the like, may have customer-selected dressing or condiment separately packaged (i.e., like coffee creamers) that hang safely inside the food container ready for use.
Closure structures of the instant invention may also include raised, structures such as domed dimples on the outer closure surface that can be easily deformed, crumpled or inverted with one's finger. A user-meaningful mark is co-formed adjacent to the dimple.
Such dimples and markings can be arranged in coherent sets to, for example, identify . vessel contents, or months of the year. In this way a particular dimple associated with a user-meaningful mark can be identified weeks or months from the all other normal domed dimples in the set to serve as a reminder of contents and/or date. For example in food storage it is beneficial to know the starting date (month) of storage and what food is in the = vessel. In the instant invention, twelve such dimples each adjacent a month of the year will allow the user to deform the appropriate diinple and thus .be able to 'read' the month = of storage when the stored container is later retrieved from the freezer. A second set may be four in number to indicate the week of the, month. Additional sets of such raised dimples on the container closure may have markings associated with food types.
Such raised dimples may also be designed to pop inside out or become inverted, to enable identification. This may be useful where the material is more resilient whereby deforming would not occur.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
= Figure 1 shows a side view of a prior art contain.cr containing material;
= Figure la shows a prior art closure for the prior art container;
= Figure 2a is one embodiment of a closure for the first outer container of the instant multi-container invention whose inner surface is adapted with a receptacle to hold the inner container;
Figure 2 shows a side view of how the inner containet is nested inside an outer container;
Figure 3 shows an embodiment where the inner container has a separate closure;

Figure 4 shows the first closure inverted for access to inner container whose contents remain secure during such handling;
Figure 5 shows an embodiment where the outer container is double ended with double closures each engaging respective inner containers. Four different contents are also possible within the single container;
Figure 6 shows another embodiment where the inner container has a flange that rest on, or engages the lip of the outer container;
Figure 7 show the same embodiment where a top flange rests on. the rim and the lower flange adjoins the tapered d.iameter of the outer container;
Figure 8 show the same embodiment with only an upper flange to rest on the rim of the outer container and is trapped by its closure;
Figure 9 shows a perspective of a common sealing gasket, used in most common containers, that is modified to allow the instant invention to be used in existing containers;
Figure 9a shows the same embodiment fitted into an inverted closure and where the inner container is shown to be removable therefrom;
Figure 10 shows multiple inner containers engaging the inner surface of the closure of the outer container;
= Figure 11 shows a plain inner container that simply fits into the top of the outer container by engaging the inner wall and is made spill-proof by the outer container's closure;

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Figure 12 shows how the inner container's receptacle can be secured to the outer closure by a sealing washer;
Figure 13 shows a squeezable or collapsable tube type inner container secured to the outer closure and with its own removable closure;
Figure 14 shows a side view of a transparent, thermoformed closure with an internal recess structure;
Figure 15 shows the same embodiment with a second container pressed into the recess;
Figure 16 shows label discs that for insertion into the recess;
Figure 17 shows the same embodiment;
Figure 18 shows a top view of a closure with parallel ridges spaced to frictionally receive secondary containers in both round and rectangular shape Figure 19 shows a side cross-section view of a closure with a raised dimple and a deformed dimple;
Figure 20 shows the same embodiment where a dimple is pressed to pop inside out or =

Figure 21 shows a top view of the embodiment of Figs 14, 15 including a retained spoon; become inverted;
Figure 22 is a side view showing the closure of Figs 14, 15, 19 and the container below and where the bottom of the container has a recess to allow stack ..-packing of the containers such that they nest together. .Also shown is the use of dimples on the side wall of a container.
Figure 23 shows a variation of Fig 22 where the cup-shaped recess is formed so that there is no raised structure above the closure upper surface;
Figure 24 shows an embodiment of a dimple fbrrn having a concentric wave design to ease its inversion which is also shown;

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Figure 25 shows a top view of a closure with sets of multiple, deformable dimples. Sets are associated with months, week.s, food ingredient and food type and one dimple from each set is shown deformed and/or inverted.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In Fig 1 vessel 2c shows a representation of the prior art in the form of a pill vial. Prior art closure 2 is a common lid or cap with representative engagement means 21) to snap, flip, plug, screw or twist, into or onto or. over the opening of vessel body 3.
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In the instant invention vessel body 3 may be identical to prior art. Closure I however is different to the prior art in that its interior surfaee has receptacle means thereon to hold , a separate inner vessel 3a. Preferably closure I is transparent or translucent to allow .
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viewing of contents of vessel 3a.

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, On inner surface la of closure 1 is a receptacle lc (shown in heavy line in Figs 3, 3a), i.

which, in one embodiment, is a shallow eylindricai wall, ring or socket designed to i I receive inner vessel 3a. A ring of pin-like protrusions will also suffice. Receptacle lc .
, circumscribes an area lb on inner surface 2a. Receptacle lc may. have a taper or threads, I
i ridges, grooves, or other features formed into its inner and/or outer surfaces (not shown) to more securely engage inner vessel 3c which itself may have may have cooperating features formed thereon.

Inner vessel 3a has a first end 3f which is closed and a second. end 3g has an openin.g or rim to receive a closure. In one embodiment (Fig 3) first end 3f is permanently closed = by bottom 6 (shown in heavy line). Ideally, either end 3f or 3g may be inserted into sleeve , lc. If first end 3f is inserted, then a closure 4 that .Cets over or closure 4a that fits in, is .

provided for second end 3g so that inner -vessel 3a can be readily disengaged to become a , . CA 02761211 2011-12-06 convenient take-away to be safely carried in pocket or purse. If second end 3g (open end) is inserted into sleeve lc then no closure 4, 4a is needed.
Figs 4, 9 shows another embodiment yhere sleeve lc is taller so that itself forms the inner vessel 3a and has a closure 4 or 4a. Fig 5 shows an embodiment where vessel 3 may = have closures 1 at each end and either or both may have an inner vessel 3a. In this = embodiment vessel 3 may also have a partition 6a to separate contents.
In another embodiment shown in Figs 6, 7, 8 inner vessel 3a does not attach to closure 2 but sits on or in vessel body 3. Flange10 may be sized to fit between outer vessel 3 and its closure 2, such that inner 'vessel 3a is engaged therabe tweet). Fig 6) and contents are = held separate. Alternatively inner vessel of this embodiment may have second flange 11 which.contacts the normally tapered wall of outer vessel body 3 where sueh taper is indicated in Fig 6 by designations large diameter 12 and lesser diameter 13, Another = 'embodiment that eliminates the flanges (Fig 11) has the inner vessel. 3a simply sliding down to engage the tapered inner walls of outer vessel 3 so as to remain uppermost in the = outer container such that closure 1 can prevent spillage.
Figs 9, 9a and 12 show how existing closures may be modified by using a different sealing gasket. In Fig 9 receptacle lc includes a flange 20 that serves as the gasket where both may be formed in one piece. In Fig 12 is another embodiment where washer gasket = 21 fits over and secures reõceptaele 3a into the closure 1 by clamping its flange 22 therebetween. In Fg 9a a normal closure is shown upsirle down. and in section so as to show how flange 20 (or flanges 21, 22) is secured therein. In Fig 9a inner vessel 3c is = removably insertable. As previously described, inner vessel 3c may be inserted bottom 6 first and have a closure 4, 4a, or, inserted with bottom 6 out (not shown) such that a closure 4, 4a is not needed. Flanges 20, 2.1, 2..2 21 raay include features to prevent CA .02761211 2011-12-06 unwanted movement or rotation. Components 3c, 4, 4a may be opaque or translucent.

In Fig 10 is shown how multiple inner containers may be attached to closure 1 each = = enclosing area lb. Such an embodiment may be usealii for a larger diam.eter outer vessel body where several related materials A should be packaged securely together, such as = different pills, chemicals, specimens, components and the like. Of course inner vessel 3a may itself have its own inner vessel arranged in the manner described above making for a = multi-nested, multi-container. In another enabodiment one or more ma.gnets may be used on or in bottom 6 to suspend inner container 3a from a closure I made of steel.

- Any combination of the above described embodiments may also be used.

In Figs 14-20 is shown a closure 100 (also :referred to 2,s a cover ot lid) of qpical = transparent food container of the type widely used for prepared foods and/or for food storage in fridge or freezer, vacuum thermoformed from thin plastic sheed and/or injection = molded from plastic, silicone or other elastomer.

= Closure 100 has integral ritn100b to engage and seal onto related 'vessel body 110 (Fig = = 22). In the instant invention, closure 11. has additional structures form.ed thereon. In one .=
= embodiment, recess 102 has retaining wall portion 101 designed to receive and hold a separate vessel N by means of its upper lip M. A label P may also be inserted in recess = 102. In Figs 22, 23 the recess 102 may be doubly formed such that inverted .structure 120 creates retaining wall portion 101 which thereby allows recess 10.2 remalas bek,ly the closure outer surface. Vessel body 110 m.ay have bottom recess a for nestin2.

Fig 18 shows another embodiment comprising parallel ridges 120 formed in the closure for auxiliary product vessels M to be held therebetween in both round and , rectangular form. Such ridges 120 are also shown in end view in Fig 23. Ridges 120 may be non-parallel (not shown) so that vessels I\,4 can be sl.id in from the front end whereby = 7 they jam between the narrowing ridge spacing. Spaced dimple structures may also be used to hold articles such as plastic spoon R (Fig 21) that snaps between dimples.

In Figs 19, 20 and 24 is shown the use of deformable dimples 1.70 arranged in sets such = _ as set 190 associated with food groups (Vegetable, Beef, Bird, Pork, Fish), set 185 associated with weeks, set 175 and the outer ring set 160 representing, the twebie months of the year. Such deformed dimples can be 'erased' by pressing out the deforming effect from the opposite side of the closure, making the dimples reusable. Also shown is a protector ridge 200 that serves to prevent accidental deforming of dimples 170 during handling. Once frozen, containers can be arranged on their sides to expose the (.7dosures and thereby dispiay the infbrmation communicated by the dimples. Fig 2: also shows how the dimple concept ma.y be used on the side wail of a container such that they remain visible when containers (i.e., circular containers) a.re arranged in stacks where the lower closures are covered.

In use, one dimple 170 from each dimple set (160, 170, 180, 190) may be deformed (or inverted) to create visibly distinguishable- dimples .I.70a. In Fig 24, month 4 (April);

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= week 3; Veg and Pasta have all be deformed and thereby have been made visibly distinctive from the remaining untouched dimples. Thus in the future where one wishes to know the contents and age of the produenstored in the vessel, that information is quickly discernible by 'reading' the deformed dimple and the adjacent user-meaningful marking.

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More such information can be so encoded, such as the alphabet, limited only by the area of closure 100. Such dimples could also be in the forin of separate rubbery dornes (not shown) inserted into holes in closure 100 to serve the same readability purpose.

In Figs 19, 20, dimple 1'70 is an embodiment suited to use with resilitat malierials that do not easily, deform. The initial raised dimple 170 is pressed down such that it pops . _ .

through the closure (i.e., inverts) to inverted dimple 170a to serve the same function as above described deformed dimples. In Fig 24 wave dimple 180 is an embodiment for both =

= flexible and resilient closure materials. A concentric wave form surrounding the centered = dimple adds flexibility to ease the act of inversion. Wave dimple 180 \'hen inverted it is =

shown as inverted wave dimple 1.80a. Wave dirnpl.e 180 also eases the reversion to clear the dimple after the contents are removed from the vessel and the dimple is to be reused.
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The above specification discloses the basics of the present invention so that anyone skilled in the art may reduce it to practice. Other details may be included in such practice = without detracting from the spirit of the invention.
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Claims (7)

1. In a closure for a vessel, the improvement comprising;
forming at least one retaining structure on the interior surface of said closure to retain at least one additional vessel therein.

2. In a closure for a vessel, the improvement comprising;
forming at least one deformable structure extending from the exterior surface of said closure.

3. The closure of Claim 2 further including forming at least one user-meaningful marking adjacent said at least one deformable structure;
the arrangement being that deforming at least one of said at least one deformable structure provides a visually meaningful indicator.

4. The closure of Clam 2 where multiple said deformable structures are arranged in user-meaningful sets.

5. The closure of Claim 2 or 3 where said user-meaningful markings include sets related to time.

6. The closure of Claim 2 or 3 or 4 further including user-meaningful marking include sets related to said vessel's content.

7. The closure of Claim 1 where said at least one retaining structure is adapted to hold another article.