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
  • B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D43/14—Non-removable lids or covers
  • B65D43/16—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement
  • B65D43/163—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement the container and the lid being made separately
  • B65D43/169—Non-removable lids or covers hinged for upward or downward movement the container and the lid being made separately the lid, the hinge and the element connecting them to the container being made of one piece
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
  • B65B69/00—Unpacking of articles or materials, not otherwise provided for
• • 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
  • B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
  • B65D43/0202—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element
  • B65D43/0204—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections
  • B65D43/0212—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth
• • 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
  • B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
• • 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
  • B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
  • B65D51/20—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing
• • 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
  • B65D51/246—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes provided with eating utensils or spatulas
• • 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
  • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
  • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
  • B65D2543/00064—Shape of the outer periphery
  • B65D2543/00074—Shape of the outer periphery curved
  • B65D2543/00101—Shape of the outer periphery curved square-like or rectangular-like
• • 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
  • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
  • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
  • B65D2543/00222—Hollow and made of one piece
• • 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
  • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
  • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
  • B65D2543/00259—Materials used
  • B65D2543/00296—Plastic
• • 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
  • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
  • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
  • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
  • B65D2543/00537—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
• • 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
  • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
  • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
  • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
  • B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
  • B65D2543/00611—Profiles
  • B65D2543/0062—Groove or hollow bead
• • 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
  • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
  • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
  • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
  • B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
  • B65D2543/00675—Periphery concerned
  • B65D2543/00685—Totality
• • 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
  • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
  • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
  • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
  • B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
  • B65D2543/00722—Profiles
  • B65D2543/0074—Massive bead
• • 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
  • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
  • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
  • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
  • B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
  • B65D2543/00787—Periphery concerned
  • B65D2543/00796—Totality

Definitions

• the invention relates to dispensing containers. More particularly, the invention relates to dispensing containers for powdered food product.
• Powdered food product is sold in a variety of containers.
• One exemplary product is infant formula.
• Other products include adult meal replacement mixes.
• such food products have been sold in containers along with a measuring scoop.
• the container is a metal can and the scoop is initially packed as loosely within the can.
• the can is typically sold along with a plastic snap-on cover which is used to close the can once the metal lid is removed (e.g., via can opener).
• Such cans have largely been replaced by molded plastic jars with screw-on plastic closures (but also loosely containing a measuring scoop).
• dedicated containers have been proposed.
• US2006/000840 discloses a molded plastic container having a rounded rectangular planform.
• the lid includes features for mounting the scoop.
• the scoop has a round bowl of profile (e.g., radius selected to be complementary to a radius of corner junctions between the sidewall and the base of the container) so as to allow clean scooping of material from the bottom of the container.
• a container assembly has: a container body having a mouth; and a container closure member having a mounting portion mounted to the body.
• the closure member mounting portion has a lower portion having an inward barb projection which engages an underside of a hollow annular flange of the body.
• a closure member mounting portion includes an additional annular projection above the barb projection and engaging an underside of an outwardly projecting portion of the container body.
• FIG. 1 is a view of a container in a closed condition.
• FIG. 2 is a top view of the container of FIG. 1.
• FIG. 3 is a front view of the container.
• FIG. 4 is a right side view of the container (right being arbitrarily defined from the point of view of a person facing the front of the container and further reference thereto should not be regarded as being limiting).
• FIG. 5 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the container, taken along line 5-5 of
• FIG. 5 A is an enlarged view of a closure-to-body junction of the container of FIG. 5.
• FIG. 6 is a view of the container in an open condition.
• FIG. 7 is a top view of the container of FIG. 6.
• FIG. 8 is a front view of the container of FIG. 6.
• FIG. 9 is a right side view of the container of FIG. 6.
• FIG. 10 is a view of the body of the container.
• FIG. 11 is a top view of the body of FIG. 10.
• FIG. 12 is a rear view of the body of FIG. 10 (a front view being a mirror image thereof)
• FIG. 12A is an enlarged view of a mouth area of the body of FIG. 12.
• FIG. 13 is a left end view of the body.
• FIG. 14 is a bottom view of the body.
• FIG. 15 is a view of the closure in an as-molded/open condition.
• FIG. 16 is a top view of the closure of FIG. 15.
• FIG. 17 is a front view of the closure ("front" being associated with a base/mounting portion of the closure rather than a lid portion).
• FIG. 18 is a right end view of the closure.
• FIG. 19 is a top view of the closure in the closed condition.
• FIG. 20 is a transverse vertical sectional view of the closure, taken along line 20-20 of FIG. 19.
• FIG. 20A is an enlarged view of a lid-base interface of the closure.
• FIG. 21 is a view of a second container in an open condition.
• FIG. 22 is a top view of the container of FIG. 21.
• FIG. 23 is a front view of the container of FIG. 21.
• FIG. 24 is a right side view of the container of FIG. 21.
• FIGS. 1-5 show an exemplary container assembly 20 having a body (tub) 22 and a closure 24.
• the exemplary body is an extrusion blow-molded multi-layered tub for beneficial moisture and light blocking.
• the exemplary closure 24 is unitarily-molded as a single piece (e.g., injection molded polypropylene).
• the closure 24 comprises a base or frame 26 mounted to the tub and a lid/cover 28 connected to the frame by a living hinge 29 (FIG. 2).
• a latch 30 may be formed on the lid and frame (e.g., including a button 32 of the frame and a clasp 34 of the lid).
• FIG. 6 shows the exemplary container interior 38 as containing a body of powdered food product 40 (shown below a cutaway seal 274 (discussed below)).
• FIGS. 10-14 show the tub/body 22 in an as-molded condition (but after removal of molding gates, flash, and the like).
• the exemplary tub has a base 50 and a sidewall 52 extending upward from the base to a rim 54 which defines/bounds a mounting.
• the exemplary tub is of slightly rounded rectangular planform so that, for ease of reference, the four sides are a front 56, a back 58, a left side/end 60, and a right side/end 62 (from the point of view of the container rather than someone facing the container).
• the sides meet at generally vertical junctions/corners 64, 66, 68, and 70.
• the exemplary sidewall has a pair of finger reliefs 72 and 74 extending inward from the front and back near the right side 62. These allow gripping by the user (e.g., between thumb and forefinger).
• the body further includes a neck portion 80 extending to the rim 54 from a main portion 82 of the sidewall. As is discussed further below, the closure frame 26 mounts to the neck.
• FIGS. 15-18 show the closure 24 in an as-molded condition (but after removal of molding gates, flash, and the like).
• the frame planform is complementary to the rounded rectangular planform of the neck of the body and has a front portion 90, a rear portion 92, a left portion 94, and a right portion 96.
• the hinge 29 is formed along the rear portion 92.
• an enlarged web 100 spans between the rear portion and right portion. As is discussed further below, the web 100 forms a
• FIG. 15 further shows a scoop 120 having a bowl 122 which includes a bottom or base 124 and a sidewall 126 extending from the base 124 to a rim 128 of the bowl.
• a handle 130 extends from a root at a proximal end 132 of the bowl to a handle end 134.
• the handle is joined to the web via a frangible connection 140.
• the exemplary connection 140 is along a facet or edge portion 142 of the web.
• the exemplary facet 142 is between respective facets or edge portions 144 and 146 which extend between the opposite ends of the portion 142 and the respective frame rear portion 92 and right portion 96.
• the exemplary facet 142 is longer than the facets 146 and 144 and asymmetrically positioned (i.e., at a different angle to those facets or not centered on or orthogonal to the centerline/centerplane 520 of the associated corner).
• the bowl has an exemplary distal portion 150 which has/defines a profile (e.g., cross-section) shaped complementary to at least one of the vertical edges of the tub (e.g., to closely accommodate the interior surface along such vertical edge to allow thorough scooping of material from such vertical edge) (e.g., the edge 70).
• a profile e.g., cross-section
• the profile e.g., cross-section
• the desired edge e.g., the edge 70
• the distal profile of the scoop may be asymmetrical to the proximal profile.
• the exemplary distal profile is a shallow arc
• the exemplary proximal profile is a tighter rounded corner (e.g., a rounded right angle corner). This asymmetry keys the scoop when the scoop bowl is fit into a complementary aperture 160 in the web after initial use.
• the exemplary bowl planform is thus like a modified rounded corner square or rhomboid where two adjacent sides and their corner junction are replaced by an arc, so as to resemble a baseball field, diamond where the arc is the beginning of the outfield grass and the intact portions of the square are the first and third base lines (or, the overall field where the arc would be a continuously curving outfield wall).
• FIGS. 19&20 show the closure in a closed condition. In situations where the closure is installed in its closed condition, this may represent such pre-installation condition after closing from the as-molded/open condition. Otherwise, this may merely represent suppressing of the container body from in the assembled condition.
• FIGS. 20&20A further details of the cross-sectional profile of the closure.
• the frame extends upward from a lower rim 180.
• a lower wall portion 182 extends upward from the rim 180 to a shoulder portion 184.
• An upper portion 186, inward of the lower portion extends upward from the shoulder to an upper rim 188.
• a structurally reinforcing flange 190 extends inward to define a mouth opening 192.
• the cover extends upward from a lower rim 200.
• the cover includes a lower portion 202 extending upward from the rim 200 to a shoulder 204.
• a further portion 206 extends upward from the shoulder to a second shoulder 208.
• An upper portion 210 extends upward from the shoulder 208 to a top web 212.
• a flexible sealing gland 214 extends downward and inward and seals against the portion 216 of the frame above the flange 190 when the cover is in its closed position.
• the tapered outside surface of the gland provides a lead-in action to guide closing of the cover. In the closed condition, the radiused rim area of the portion 216 seals with a radiused root area of the gland outer surface to prevent product from getting between the outside of the frame and the inside of the cover.
• the frame has an exemplary three inward projections 220, 222, and 224.
• the exemplary projection 220 is along the inner surface along the lower portion 182 and also serves to retain the closure to the tub.
• the exemplary projections 222 and 224 are along the inner surface of the upper portion 186 and essentially serve only sealing functions.
• FIGS. 5&5A show the snap-fit assembly junction of the closure to the tub.
• a portion 240 of the sidewall extends inward to form a channel 242 that receives the frame projection 220.
• the frame projection 220 has a gradually sloping lower surface portion 244 and a less sloping (more radial) upper surface portion 246.
• the lower portion allows a camming action when the frame is assembled to the tub (e.g., via downward translation to allow the frame to snap over an outwardly projecting portion 250 of the body above the channel).
• the relatively shallow portion 246 serves as a barb to resist extraction of the frame.
• inference fit along the portion 246 and along the inner surface of the frame lower portion 182 provides a first sealing area.
• the tapering portion 260 extends upward from a shoulder junction.
• a portion 262 also extends upward and tapers inward (e.g., at about a 5° half angle) but is separated by a slight outward step 264.
• the underside of the step 264 engages the upper projection 224 to form a second sealing region/zone.
• there is sealing contact between the portion 260 and the projection 222 which provides a third sealing region/zone.
• interference is shown via overlap; whereas
• the exemplary system thus provides three inwardly-directed sealing projections from the frame and may avoid the need to add additional separate sealing material (e.g., there is no additional elastomeric seal over molded to the frame to intervene between the primary plastic material of the frame and the tub).
• an uppermost/terminal portion 270 extends at a shallow upward angle (e.g., about 10° off-radial) to an annular vertical mouth surface 272 at the rim 54.
• the portion 270 may bear an induction foil or other seal (e.g., for pre-use sealing or preservation and/or for tamper-evidence ruptured or peeled away by the consumer at first use).
• the exemplary seal 274 is shown schematically of exaggerated thickness. After filling of the tub and before closure installation, the seal may be applied (e.g., via pressing and heating). The slight upward/inward taper of the portion 270 provides a springback-resistance when the seal is pressed in place so as to facilitate good bonding between the seal and the tub.
• FIGS. 21-24 show an alternate container 300 having a tub 320 and a closure 322, differing from the container 20 only in latch configuration.
• the cover 302 has a barbed latch tab 304 that is received in a clasp 306 on the frame 308.
• a lower/distal portion 310 of the tab engages in internal rib 312 in the clasp.
• a user can press on a forwardly protruding intermediate portion 314 of the tab to allow the barb to release from the clasp and retract upward through the clasp to open.
• the tub 320 front has a complementary protruding profile.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (2)

Family

ID=44763520

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (27)

Citations (5)

Family Cites Families (4)

• 2011
  • 2011-04-06 WO PCT/US2011/031364 patent/WO2011127133A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2011-04-06 US US13/639,861 patent/US20130081364A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2011-04-06 EP EP11766630.5A patent/EP2555993A4/de not_active Withdrawn

Patent Citations (5)

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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