EP1358114B1 - Container - Google Patents

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Publication number
EP1358114B1
EP1358114B1 EP02715581A EP02715581A EP1358114B1 EP 1358114 B1 EP1358114 B1 EP 1358114B1 EP 02715581 A EP02715581 A EP 02715581A EP 02715581 A EP02715581 A EP 02715581A EP 1358114 B1 EP1358114 B1 EP 1358114B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
lid
receptacle
container
cutters
blades
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP02715581A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1358114A1 (en
Inventor
Tim Michael Debonnaire Haggard
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Haggards Brewery Ltd
Original Assignee
Haggards Brewery Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Haggards Brewery Ltd filed Critical Haggards Brewery Ltd
Publication of EP1358114A1 publication Critical patent/EP1358114A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1358114B1 publication Critical patent/EP1358114B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
    • B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2231/00—Means for facilitating the complete expelling of the contents
    • B65D2231/005—Means for facilitating the complete expelling of the contents the container being rigid
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D85/00—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials
    • B65D85/70—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for
    • B65D85/72—Containers, packaging elements or packages, specially adapted for particular articles or materials for materials not otherwise provided for for edible or potable liquids, semiliquids, or plastic or pasty materials

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a container, in particular one that is suitable for gelatinous food stuffs.
  • Gelatinous food stuffs such as jelly in various flavours are commonly available. Typically, they are sold in a concentrated form which must be made up as required. This is mainly due to the short shelf life of the made up food stuff, but also since the made up jelly adheres tightly to the container in which it is formed. As a result, it is difficult to extract the jelly from the container and some form of cutlery is usually required. Whilst this is not a problem in a domestic environment, this does hinder commercialisation of jelly-based food products in a retail environment.
  • the present invention seeks to provide a container for gelatinous food stuffs such as jelly which can enable retail sale in an easy and convenient package, preferably one that does not require bundling of disposable cutlery.
  • the present invention therefore provides a container comprising a receptacle and a lid, the lid comprising at least one cutter extending therefrom, so as to project into the container when closed as specified in claim 1.
  • the cutters upon removing the lid, typically employing a rotary action relative to the receptacle, the cutters will be drawn through the gelatinous food stuff within the receptacle, releasing it from the side walls thereof. This will enable the food stuff to be removed easily for consumption.
  • the cutters contact the inner faces of the receptacle.
  • the cutters can be in the shape of a blade, such as including a bevel edge.
  • the cutters could employ a novelty shape such as the profiles of popular characters.
  • the hardness and toughness of gelatinous food stuffs does not require a sharp edge.
  • the lid 10 of Figures 1 to 3 co-operates with the pot-shaped receptacle 12 of Figures 4 and 5.
  • the lid 10 is generally circular in shape to match a generally circular opening 14 on the receptacle 12.
  • the outer perimeter of the lid 10 has a rim 16 which is adapted to fit snuggly around the outside circular profile of the receptacle 12. Concentric with the rim 16 is a circular trench 18, spaced inwardly therefrom, which provides additional rigidity to the lid 10 and sandwiches the opening 14 of the receptacle 12 between the rim 16.
  • the outside face of the receptacle 12 has a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly extending ridges 20, 22.
  • a corresponding pair of inwardly directed ridges 24,26 are provided in a diametrically opposed relationship on the inner face of the lip 16 of the lid 10. These extend through an angle of about 110° To close the container, therefore, the lid 10 is placed over the receptacle 12 such that the ridges 22,24 pass through gaps between the ridges 24, 26 of the lid, and the lid is then rotated such that the ridges 20,22 are retained behind the ridges 24, 26.
  • the ridges, 20,22 have an upwardly directed portion 28 to assist in pulling the lid 10 home on the receptacle 12.
  • the reverse procedure is followed involving rotating the lid 10 until the ridges 20,22 of the receptacle 12 are no longer retained by the ridges 24,26 of the lid, and the lid 10 is then removed by pulling it from the receptacle 12.
  • a pair of blades 30,32 project inwardly of the receptacle 12 from the inner surface of the lid 10, between the trench 18 and the lip 16.
  • the two blades 30,32 are diametrically opposed and project from the inner surface of the lid 10 by a distance between 90% and 95% of the internal depth of the receptacle 12.
  • a depth of at least 60%-80% is advisable. The depth should be sufficient to release a significant amount of material, yet not so large as to prompt difficulties in the event of excessive manufacturing tolerances.
  • the blades are located such that as the lid 10 is rotated relative to the receptacle 12 to remove it therefrom, the blades 30, 32 each describe an arc close to or preferably at the inner surface of the receptacle 12, releasing gelatinous food stuff material contained within the receptacle 12 from the walls thereof. This results from the blades being located on the lid in a position which is offset from the centre thereof. As shown in Figures 1-3, two blades are provided which, when rotated during release of the lid, will make a sufficient cut in foodstuffs to allow easy release. A single blade could be provided, but this would require a correspondingly greater rotation of the lid. Equally, more blades could be provided, but at a cost of additional manufacturing complexity.
  • the blades, 30,32 are tilted slightly inwardly such that their tips are closer to each other than their roots. This matches the sectional profile of the receptacle 12 as is apparent in figure 5. The angle should not be too large else the blades may lose contact with the inner faces of the receptacle.
  • the profiles of the blades are similar to those of a knife, but with a bevelled edge 34 and a gentle curve of the forward cutting edge 36 to a point 38 at the tip of the blade 30,32.
  • other shapes can be adopted as gelatinous food stuffs are not typically of a hard or necessarily tough nature.
  • the shape of the blade could be a novelty shape such as the silhouette of popular figures or personalities.
  • the container described herein can be used for a variety of human and non-human foodstuffs.
  • Human foodstuffs such as jellies and the like are particularly suitable, but others are also suitable including gelatinous foodstuffs incorporating a second phase, such as food for pet or other animals.
  • Dog and cat food commonly consists of a gelatinous binder with a suspended meaty phase.
  • Gelatinous foodstuffs include both those manufactured using gelatine or gelatine substitutes such as certain seaweed extracts, and also foodstuffs of a similar nature.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Food-Manufacturing Devices (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Glass Compositions (AREA)

Abstract

A container for gelatinous food stuffs materials has a pair of inwardly directed blades (30, 32) formed on the inner surface of the lid (10). As the lid (10) is rotated to remove it from the receptacle (12), the blades (30, 32) cut through the food stuff and release it from the interior walls of the receptacle (12).

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a container, in particular one that is suitable for gelatinous food stuffs.
BACKGROUND ART
Gelatinous food stuffs such as jelly in various flavours are commonly available. Typically, they are sold in a concentrated form which must be made up as required. This is mainly due to the short shelf life of the made up food stuff, but also since the made up jelly adheres tightly to the container in which it is formed. As a result, it is difficult to extract the jelly from the container and some form of cutlery is usually required. Whilst this is not a problem in a domestic environment, this does hinder commercialisation of jelly-based food products in a retail environment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention seeks to provide a container for gelatinous food stuffs such as jelly which can enable retail sale in an easy and convenient package, preferably one that does not require bundling of disposable cutlery.
The present invention therefore provides a container comprising a receptacle and a lid, the lid comprising at least one cutter extending therefrom, so as to project into the container when closed as specified in claim 1.
Thus, upon removing the lid, typically employing a rotary action relative to the receptacle, the cutters will be drawn through the gelatinous food stuff within the receptacle, releasing it from the side walls thereof. This will enable the food stuff to be removed easily for consumption.
It is preferred that, when the lid is fitted, the cutters contact the inner faces of the receptacle.
It is preferred that there are at least two cutters, ideally spread circumferentially around the lid. The cutters can be in the shape of a blade, such as including a bevel edge. Alternatively, for retail sales aimed at children the cutters could employ a novelty shape such as the profiles of popular characters. In general, the hardness and toughness of gelatinous food stuffs does not require a sharp edge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:
  • Figure 1 is a view from one side of the lid;
  • Figure 2 is a section on II-II of Figure 1;
  • Figure 3 is a view of the lid from beneath;
  • Figure 4 is a view of the receptacle from above; and
  • Figure 5 is a section on V-V of the receptacle.
    • DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXAMPLES
    Referring to the figures, the lid 10 of Figures 1 to 3 co-operates with the pot-shaped receptacle 12 of Figures 4 and 5. The lid 10 is generally circular in shape to match a generally circular opening 14 on the receptacle 12.
    The outer perimeter of the lid 10 has a rim 16 which is adapted to fit snuggly around the outside circular profile of the receptacle 12. Concentric with the rim 16 is a circular trench 18, spaced inwardly therefrom, which provides additional rigidity to the lid 10 and sandwiches the opening 14 of the receptacle 12 between the rim 16.
    The outside face of the receptacle 12 has a pair of diametrically opposed outwardly extending ridges 20, 22. A corresponding pair of inwardly directed ridges 24,26 are provided in a diametrically opposed relationship on the inner face of the lip 16 of the lid 10. These extend through an angle of about 110° To close the container, therefore, the lid 10 is placed over the receptacle 12 such that the ridges 22,24 pass through gaps between the ridges 24, 26 of the lid, and the lid is then rotated such that the ridges 20,22 are retained behind the ridges 24, 26. The ridges, 20,22 have an upwardly directed portion 28 to assist in pulling the lid 10 home on the receptacle 12. To open the container, the reverse procedure is followed involving rotating the lid 10 until the ridges 20,22 of the receptacle 12 are no longer retained by the ridges 24,26 of the lid, and the lid 10 is then removed by pulling it from the receptacle 12.
    A pair of blades 30,32 project inwardly of the receptacle 12 from the inner surface of the lid 10, between the trench 18 and the lip 16. The two blades 30,32 are diametrically opposed and project from the inner surface of the lid 10 by a distance between 90% and 95% of the internal depth of the receptacle 12. Typically, a depth of at least 60%-80% is advisable. The depth should be sufficient to release a significant amount of material, yet not so large as to prompt difficulties in the event of excessive manufacturing tolerances.
    The blades are located such that as the lid 10 is rotated relative to the receptacle 12 to remove it therefrom, the blades 30, 32 each describe an arc close to or preferably at the inner surface of the receptacle 12, releasing gelatinous food stuff material contained within the receptacle 12 from the walls thereof. This results from the blades being located on the lid in a position which is offset from the centre thereof. As shown in Figures 1-3, two blades are provided which, when rotated during release of the lid, will make a sufficient cut in foodstuffs to allow easy release. A single blade could be provided, but this would require a correspondingly greater rotation of the lid. Equally, more blades could be provided, but at a cost of additional manufacturing complexity.
    The blades, 30,32 are tilted slightly inwardly such that their tips are closer to each other than their roots. This matches the sectional profile of the receptacle 12 as is apparent in figure 5. The angle should not be too large else the blades may lose contact with the inner faces of the receptacle.
    The profiles of the blades are similar to those of a knife, but with a bevelled edge 34 and a gentle curve of the forward cutting edge 36 to a point 38 at the tip of the blade 30,32. However, other shapes can be adopted as gelatinous food stuffs are not typically of a hard or necessarily tough nature. For example, the shape of the blade could be a novelty shape such as the silhouette of popular figures or personalities.
    The container described herein can be used for a variety of human and non-human foodstuffs. Human foodstuffs such as jellies and the like are particularly suitable, but others are also suitable including gelatinous foodstuffs incorporating a second phase, such as food for pet or other animals. Dog and cat food commonly consists of a gelatinous binder with a suspended meaty phase. Gelatinous foodstuffs include both those manufactured using gelatine or gelatine substitutes such as certain seaweed extracts, and also foodstuffs of a similar nature.
    It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that many variations may be made to the above-described embodiments, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

    Claims (6)

    1. A container for foodstuffs, comprising a receptacle and a lid, the lid comprising at least one cutter extending therefrom, so as to project into the container when closed, in which the lid is rotateable with respect to the receptacle thereby to draw the cutter through an arc within the container and separate foodstutt within the receptable from walls thereof.
    2. A container according to claim 1 in which, when the lid is fitted, the cutters contact the inner faces of the receptacle.
    3. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2, in which there are at least two cutters.
    4. A container according to claim 3 in which the cutters are distributed circumferentially around the lid.
    5. A container according to any preceding claim in which the or each cutters are in the shape of a blade.
    6. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 4 in which the cutters are shaped with the silhouette of a character or object.
    EP02715581A 2001-02-01 2002-01-28 Container Expired - Lifetime EP1358114B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (3)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    GB0102898 2001-02-01
    GB0102898A GB2371799A (en) 2001-02-01 2001-02-01 Container lid having cutters
    PCT/GB2002/000349 WO2002060778A1 (en) 2001-02-01 2002-01-28 Container

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1358114A1 EP1358114A1 (en) 2003-11-05
    EP1358114B1 true EP1358114B1 (en) 2004-10-20

    Family

    ID=9908183

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP02715581A Expired - Lifetime EP1358114B1 (en) 2001-02-01 2002-01-28 Container

    Country Status (8)

    Country Link
    US (1) US20040074905A1 (en)
    EP (1) EP1358114B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE280097T1 (en)
    CA (1) CA2436527A1 (en)
    DE (1) DE60201656D1 (en)
    GB (2) GB2371799A (en)
    NZ (1) NZ527217A (en)
    WO (1) WO2002060778A1 (en)

    Families Citing this family (3)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    US20040056033A1 (en) * 2002-09-19 2004-03-25 Guy Bohlman Beverage can opening device and method
    US20130140310A1 (en) * 2011-12-02 2013-06-06 Khoa T. Lien Lid Piercer and Kit
    CN106536368A (en) * 2014-07-29 2017-03-22 三州经销公司 Child proof closure

    Family Cites Families (21)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    GB391013A (en) * 1932-08-30 1933-04-20 Ida Henniker Wilson Improvements in tea-pots
    US2203911A (en) * 1938-01-15 1940-06-11 Thomas M Krafty Sanitary can cover
    US2601939A (en) * 1949-01-06 1952-07-01 Merle L Grob Can holder and punch
    GB739533A (en) * 1953-04-02 1955-11-02 Benjamin Bernard Banowitz Improvements in or relating to detachable lid for cooking vessels
    US3402855A (en) * 1967-05-16 1968-09-24 Gillette Co Mixing container
    DE2152589A1 (en) * 1971-10-22 1973-04-26 Pmd Entwicklungswerk Sealed plastics container - esp thin bottle has cap with piercing spike used for reclosing
    GB1584061A (en) * 1978-02-27 1981-02-04 Abbott G Milk bottle cap piercer and cover
    GB2142322A (en) * 1983-07-02 1985-01-16 David Mark Lapworth Combination lid and spoon
    DE3622298A1 (en) * 1986-07-03 1988-01-07 Eau De Cologne & Parfuemerie Fabrik 4711 Container for pasty substances with a metering device
    US4709822A (en) * 1986-08-11 1987-12-01 Wynn Oil Company Bottle cap with seal cutter in top recess
    US4747501A (en) * 1987-07-08 1988-05-31 National Plastics Limited Container closure method
    DE3828496A1 (en) * 1988-08-23 1990-03-01 Hein Josef Container for pasty substances with a removal device
    JPH0471457A (en) * 1990-07-11 1992-03-06 Nippon Kuresento Kk Boiled rice mixer
    US5082136A (en) * 1991-02-06 1992-01-21 Enviro-Packaging Corp. Container and cap construction
    US5149506A (en) * 1991-08-09 1992-09-22 Sage Products, Inc. Stool collection and transport device
    SE469025B (en) * 1991-09-04 1993-05-03 Tetra Alfa Holdings OPENING DEVICE FOR A PACKAGING CONTAINER
    US5251774A (en) * 1992-08-07 1993-10-12 Engle Willis S Lid with utensil and handle
    US5505326A (en) * 1994-05-27 1996-04-09 Junko; Theodore P. Closure device for membrane-sealed container
    GB2305655B (en) * 1995-09-27 1999-05-05 Francis Clark Opening device
    US5709311A (en) * 1995-11-03 1998-01-20 Valent Usa Corporation Method and apparatus for removing and storing a container seal
    SE9700159L (en) * 1997-01-21 1998-07-22 Wilho Eriksson Hose type packaging

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    DE60201656D1 (en) 2004-11-25
    CA2436527A1 (en) 2002-08-08
    WO2002060778A1 (en) 2002-08-08
    US20040074905A1 (en) 2004-04-22
    GB2371793A (en) 2002-08-07
    NZ527217A (en) 2005-04-29
    ATE280097T1 (en) 2004-11-15
    EP1358114A1 (en) 2003-11-05
    GB2371799A (en) 2002-08-07
    GB0102898D0 (en) 2001-03-21
    GB0201799D0 (en) 2002-03-13
    AU2002225228A2 (en) 2002-08-12

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