GB2346365A

GB2346365A - Dispensing container

Info

Publication number: GB2346365A
Application number: GB9902756A
Authority: GB
Inventors: James Patrick Dale
Original assignee: RPC Containers Ltd
Current assignee: RPC Containers Ltd
Priority date: 1999-02-08
Filing date: 1999-02-08
Publication date: 2000-08-09
Also published as: GB9902756D0

Abstract

A container (10) for small articles comprises a main body (12) with an aperture (52) and a cover member (70) with an aperture (90). The apertures can be aligned to allow the contents to be dispensed. The aperture in the main body is provided in a flap (32) which folds over part of the main body before the cover is attached. The cover is provided with stop means limiting the range of movement of the cover, and the main body and the cover can be provided with formations for reducing the friction between them. Fingers (54) on the flap (32) may cooperate with a tongue on the cover member (70) to cause a buzzing sound as the latter is rotated.

Description

EZER The present invention relates to dispensing containers, and particularly, but not exclusively, to containers for dispensing discrete items such as tablets, items of confectionery and so on.

Dispensing containers are known in which apertures in first and second members must be aligned in order to gain access to the contents of the container, or to allow the contents to be dispensed. In one example, the container comprises a cardboard tube, closed at one end, with a closure inserted into the other end. The closure includes two relatively rotatable discs, each disc having an aperture therethrough. One of the discs is fixed relative to the container, and the other disc can be rotated to bring its aperture into and out of alignment with the aperture in the fixed disc. The opening and closing of such containers is therefore very straightforward. Such containers are commonly used for foodstuffs which need to be sprinkled, such as cake decorations, Parmesan cheese and so on.

In such containers, the closure consisting of the two discs is formed as two separate parts, normally of a plastics material. The two parts are then assembled together to form the closure. Once the closure is formed, it is then fixed to the cardboard tube in a further separate step. It will thus be appreciated that such containers require several distinct steps to assemble their various component parts.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container having a smaller number of component parts and a simpler method of assembly.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container comprising a main body part and a movable dispensing cover member, access to the contents of the container for dispensing being gained by aligning an aperture in said cover member with a fixed aperture, the fixed aperture being provided by a flap hingedly connected to said main body part.

The fixed aperture is defined by the flap, which is attached to the main body part of the container by means of a hinge. The fixed aperture is thus positioned relative to the main body part simply by folding the flap over the main body part around the hinge, and this considerably simplifies the assembly of the container.

In addition, connecting the flap to the main body part reduces the total number of parts used to form the container.

The flap can extend across the whole of the main body part. However, it is desirable to reduce the amount of material used to form the container as much as possible, and so it is preferred that the flap only extends partially across the main body part.

If the flap only extends partially across the main body part, then the aperture can be formed as a region of the main body part across which the flap does not extend, its extent thus being defined by the size of the flap. However, it is preferred that the aperture is formed as an opening in the flap.

Preferably, the flap and the main body part are integrally moulded from a plastics material. The hinge can then be formed as a live hinge during the moulding of the flap and the main body part, which further simplifies the manufacture of the container.

The container can be formed in a number of shapes.

However, in a particularly preferred embodiment, the main body part and the cover member are generally circular in plan view. In this case, it is preferable for the cover member to be rotatable relative to the main body part, with the cover member rotating about the axis of the container. The overall shape of the container is therefore unchanged as the cover member moves.

Of course, if the flap extends across the whole of the main body part, then the cover member can be rotated into any position on the main body part without dispensing the contents of the container, as long as the aperture in the cover member is not aligned with the opening in the flap. It should be understood in this regard that the cover member need not completely extend over a face of the container, merely sufficient of it to allow the selective dispensing and retention of the contents. In the preferred embodiment, however, the cover does extend over the complete upper face of the container.

If the flap does not extend across the whole of the main body part, then contents will be able to be dispensed from the container simply by rotating the cover member to a position where the aperture therein is not blocked by the flap. Of course, this may be desired if the fixed aperture is defined by the region of the main body part across which the flap does not extend.

However, if the fixed aperture is formed as an opening in the flap, then it may be desired to ensure that contents can only be dispensed when the aperture is in alignment with the opening. Thus, in a further preferred feature, rotation of the cover member is limited to movement between a position in which the aperture on the cover member is aligned with the fixed aperture on the flap and a position in which the aperture on the cover member is blocked by the flap.

Rotation of the cover member can be limited in any suitable manner. However, it is preferred that the rotation is limited by stops on the cover member which come into contact with the flap. In a preferred form, the stops are arranged on either side of the flap, so that, irrespective of the direction of rotation, one of the stops abuts against the edge of the flap when the cover member is rotated, thus limiting the range of motion of the cover member.

Preferably, at least one of said stops is formed by the end face of a ramp, the ramp being adapted to ride over the flap in one direction of motion of the cover member but not the other, to allow the cover member to be located in a desired position. The cover member can then be rotated into its desired position, irrespective of the position in which it is originally connected to the main body part. If, as is preferred, both stops are provided in this manner, then the cover can be brought into its correct orientation by rotation in either direction.

This is an advantageous arrangement in its own right and may be applied to assembly of containers other than those discussed above. From a further aspect of the invention, therefore, there is provided in broad terms a container comprising a dispensing opening selectively openable and closable by a movable cover, the container and/or the cover being provided with stop means arranged such that should the cover be assembled to the container in an incorrect position, the cover may be moved beyond the stop means in one direction to bring the cover into the correct mounting position, the stop then preventing movement of the cover back in the other direction.

As in the preferred embodiment as described above the stop means is in the form of a sloping ramp arranged on one of the parts and over which the other part may ride. Of course other arrangements can be envisaged, and this aspect of the invention is not limited, for example, to rotatable covers, but could equally apply to linearly reciprocable covers.

It is a further preferred feature that one of the main body part and the cover member is formed with a tongue and the other of the main body part and the cover member is formed with a plurality of fingers, the tongue contacting the fingers as the cover member is rotated on the main body part. The contact between the fingers and the tongue makes a buzzing noise as the cover member is rotated, which can add to the appeal of the container.

Preferably, the tongue and fingers are arranged such that they contact each other when the cover member is rotated between a position in which the aperture is aligned with the opening in the flap and a position in which the aperture is not aligned with the opening in the flap. The noise generated by the contact between the fingers and the tongue is then associated with the opening and closing of the container.

The cover member can be supported on the main body part in any suitable manner. However, in a preferred embodiment, the cover member is supported to slide on the main body part.

A plastics material sliding against another plastics material can generate a considerable amount of friction. Indeed, it is possible for plastics surfaces to jam together as they slide against each other. Thus, it is preferred that the main body part and the cover member are provided with mutually contacting formations, for reducing friction between the main body part and the cover member.

This feature of reducing the friction between the main body part and the cover member is considered to be of independent significance, and so according to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a container comprising a main body part and a movable dispensing cover member, said cover member being supported to slide on said main body part, and said main body part and said cover member being provided with mutually contacting formations, for reducing friction between said main body part and said cover member.

In a preferred form, one of these formations is an upstanding wall and the other of these formations comprises a plurality of blocks which contact said upstanding wall. Such formations can be formed relatively easily when the main body part and the cover member are formed, for example through moulding.

Furthermore, the idea of the flap only extending partially across the main body part, as discussed above, is considered to be of independent significance, and so according to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a generally circular container comprising a main body part and a movable cover member extending across substantially an entire face of the main body part, the cover member having an aperture therein, the container also comprising a flap positioned beneath the cover member and defining an aperture with which the aperture in the cover member can be brought in and out of alignment, the flap only extending partially across the face of the main body part.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a container according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an underside view of a first part of the container in its unassembled (as-moulded) form ; Figure 3 is a plan view of the first part of the container in its unassembled form; Figure 4 is a side view of the first part of the container in its unassembled form; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the first part of the container in its unassembled form, taken along its centreline; Figure 6 is a plan view of the first part of the container with the flap folded over the main body part; Figure 7 is an underside view of a second part of the container in its unassembled form ; Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the second part of the container in its unassembled form, taken along the line 8-8 in Figure 7 ; Figure 9 is a development of one of the ramps of the second part of the container ; and Figures 10A to 10E are cross-sectional views showing the assembly of an alternative embodiment of the invention.

As can be seen from Figure 1, container 10, which is intended to be used to contain small items of confectionery, comprises a main body part 12 and a cover member 70 which can be moved relative to the main body part. Both the main body part and the cover member are moulded from a flexible, resilient material such as polypropylene, and are formed as shallow circular dishes with generally upstanding rims. In the assembled state of the container, the rims are in contact with each other, so that the container is generally spheroidal.

The cover member 70 comprises a dispensing opening 90 which, as will be explained in further detail below, can be moved into and out of alignment with an opening in a flap connected to the main body part 12, to allow the contents to be dispensed.

To facilitate understanding, the terms"upper"and "lower"and related terms are here used with reference to the container in its assembled state with the cover member 70 uppermost, as illustrated in Figure 1. These terms are used here solely for the sake of convenience, and no limitations should be inferred from the use of such terms.

A hollow cylindrical spigot 14 projects upwardly from the centre of the main body part 12, and a socket 72 is formed projecting downwardly from the centre of the cover member 70. The spigot 14 engages in the socket 72 to hold the cover member 70 and main body part 12 together.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the end of the spigot 14 is formed with a projecting shoulder 16 and a tapered section 18. In addition, the end of the spigot is divided longitudinally into four sections 20,22,24,26 by two mutually perpendicular slits 28,30, and the sections can be bent towards each other thanks to the flexibility of the material from which the parts are formed. Similarly, the socket 72, which is in the form of a short hollow cylinder, has a shoulder 74 which projects radially inwardly and a tapered portion 76.

Further, the socket is divided into three segments 78, 80,82 by slits 84,86,88. Of course, other numbers of sections and segments can be used.

When the end of the spigot 14 is inserted into the socket 72, the tapered sections 18,76 slide over each other. As this happens, the sections of the end of the spigot are pressed towards each other, and the segments of the socket are spread apart. Once the shoulder 16 on the spigot has passed the inwardly-projecting shoulder 74 in the socket, the sections of the spigot and the segments of the socket spring back into their original position, as a result of the resilience of the material.

The shoulder 16 on the spigot is then located and held by the inwardly-projecting shoulder 74 on the socket, thus retaining the spigot 14 in the socket 72.

Integrally moulded with the main body part is a flap 32, as best shown in Figures 2 to 6. The flap is attached to the main body part through a live hinge 34.

The main body part and the flap are moulded in the position shown in Figures 2 to 5, with the main body part and the flap in generally the same plane. This allows the main body part and the flap to be moulded using a simple two-part mould.

The flap is generally in the shape of a sector of an annulus, whose outer radius is slightly smaller than the radius of the main body part 12. The included angle of the sector is around 1050. The edges of the sector are formed with depending flanges 36,38 to increase structural rigidity.

These depending flanges 36,38 project beyond the flap 32 towards the centre of the annulus of which the sector is a part, and are connected at their ends by a further wall 40. This further wall 40 is curved, and the radius of curvature of the further wall 40 is such that its radially inner surface has a very slightly greater radius than the spigot 14. Connected to the wall 40 and projecting from it is a fin 42, whose length is substantially equal to the diameter of the spigot 14, and whose height is substantially equal to the depth of the slits in the spigot.

In addition, projecting downwardly from near each edge of the flap 32 are locating lugs 44,46.

Projecting upwardly from the inner surface of the main body part 12 are two pairs of plates 48, 50, positioned so that each lug fits between a pair of plates when the flap 32 is folded over the main body part 12. The lugs 44,46 may be provided with barbs, and the pairs of plates 48,50 may have latches under which the barbs can engage.

The flap 32 also has a circular aperture 52 formed therethrough at one end of the sector, the purpose of which will become clear later. In addition, projecting from the central region of the sector are a series of fingers 54. In the preferred embodiment, there are five such fingers. Again, the purpose of these fingers will become clear later.

The periphery of the main body part is formed as a narrow channel 56, the radially inner wall 58 of which is higher than the radially outer one. The flap 32 is hinged to the main body part at the outermost edge of the main body part 12, and when the flap 32 is folded over the hinge forms part of the channel 56. A plan view of the main body part and the flap, showing the flap folded over the main body part, is shown in Figure 6.

Turning now to the cover member 70 of the container, shown in Figures 7 to 9, this also has a circular aperture 90 formed in it. The apertures 52,90 in the flap 32 and the cover member 70 have the same diameter. Further, when the flap is folded over the main body part, the distance between the centre of the main body part 12 and the centre of the aperture 52 is the same as the distance between the centre of the cover member and the centre of the aperture 90.

In addition, the cover member 70 has a depending tongue 92 projecting downwardly from its lower surface.

This tongue is arranged on a diameter of the cover member, and aligned with the centre of the circular aperture in the cover member. Further, the tongue 92 is at the same radial distance from the centre of the container as the fingers 54 on the flap 32, when the flap 32 is folded over the main body part 12.

The cover member also has two depending ramps 94, 98, which are symmetrically arranged about the diameter passing through the tongue 80 and the centre of the circular aperture 90. The ramps taper in height, and have their higher ends (ie the ends which project furthest from the lower surface of the cover member 70) nearer to the aperture 80, thus tapering away therefrom.

A developed view of one of the ramps is shown in Figure 9. Further, the ramps are generally T-shaped in plan view, with the crossbar of the T 96,100 being at the higher ends of the ramps.

Arranged around the circumference of the cover member 70, projecting inwardly from the rim, are a number of small blocks 102. The blocks are sized and positioned such that when the cover member 70 and main body part 12 are connected, the blocks 102 contact the upper surface of the inner wall 58 of the circumferential channel 56 of the main body part 12.

When the cover member 70 and main body part 12 are rotated relative to each other, the blocks 102 slide on the upper surface of the inner wall 58 of the channel 56. The circumferential contact area between the cover member 70 and main body part 12 is thus reduced to the contact area between the blocks 102 and the inner wall 58 (which effectively depends on the size of the blocks alone), and so the friction between the cover member 70 and main body part 12 is also reduced. This reduction in friction is an important advantage, as it enables much smoother rotation of the cover member 70 and main body part 12 relative to each other. It is also possible to further reduce the friction by forming the main body part 12 and the cover member 70 from two different grades of polypropylene.

To assemble the container, the flap 32 is first folded over the main body part 12 of the container. The flap 32 is located in its final position by the lugs 44, 46 engaging with the pairs of plates 48,50, by the further wall 40 engaging with the spigot 14, and by the fin 42 engaging in a slit in the spigot. The length of the portion of the spigot which projects above the further wall 40 is slightly greater than the depth of the socket 72. In addition, the radially outer edge of the flap 32 is chamfered, and the chamfered portion fits behind the radially inner wall 58 of the channel 56 as the flap is folded. This helps to retain the flap 32 in place during the remaining steps of assembly. The flap 32 may also be retained by the barbs and latches on the lugs 44,46 and the pairs of plates 48,50, if these are used.

It will be noted that the central region 64 of the fin 42 is wider than the rest of the fin. In the embodiment illustrated, this widening is in the form of a cylindrical portion; however, other forms of widening, such as a cruciform arrangement, can be used. The widened region of the fin 42 occludes a substantial portion of the hollow spigot 14. This helps to prevent any of the items of confectionery which the container is to hold from falling into the spigot 14 when the main body part 12 is filled with products, which takes place after the flap 32 is folded over.

The cover member 70 is then fitted on to the main body part 12 to close the container 10 and retain the products therein, and the end of the spigot 14 snaps into the socket 72 as described above. It should be noted that the thickness of the fin 42 is rather less than the width of the slit in the spigot 14, and so the sections at the end of the spigot can still be pushed towards each other as the spigot 14 enters the socket 72.

As a final step in the assembly, it is necessary to ensure that the cover member 70 and main body part 12 are arranged in the desired relative positions. In particular, it is necessary to ensure that the circular aperture 90 in the cover member 70 overlies the flap 32.

Of course, this could be done by simply ensuring that the cover member 70 and main body part 12 are aligned correctly when they are connected to each other.

However, this would require that the cover member 70 and main body part 12 be very accurately aligned prior to assembly, for example by hand. However, it is desirable to facilitate the assembly process as far as possible.

Thus, the container 10 is designed such that the cover member 70 and main body part 12 can be connected together in any orientation, and then rotated to the desired position.

The range of positions which the cover member 70 can take relative to the main body part 12 in use is defined by the T-shaped ramps 94,98 on the cover member 70. When the cover member 70 and main body part 12 are assembled with the flap 32 positioned in its desired position, between the crossbars 96,100 of the T-shaped ramps 94,98, it will be appreciated that the range of angular movement which the cover member 70 is capable of is limited by the ramps 94,98. In particular, as the cover member 70 is rotated, the crossbar 96,100 of one of the T-shaped ramps 94,98 will abut against one side of the flap 32, thus preventing further rotation in that direction. The ramps 94,98 are positioned such that in one extreme position, the circular apertures 52,90 in the flap 32 and the cover member 70 are aligned, and in the other extreme position the apertures 52,90 are completely out of register, with the aperture 90 being blocked by the flap 32, thus preventing access to the interior of the container 10. The cover member 70 is rotated between these positions to open and close the container 10 as desired.

However, as the containers are assembled with no regard to the relative angular positions of the cover member 70 and main body part 12, it will be appreciated that the cover member 70 will probably not be connected to the main body part 12 in a desired orientation. In this case, it is necessary to rotate the cover member 70 relative to the main body part 12 until it is in the desired position. Such rotation is possible because of the tapering of the T-shaped ramps 94,98.

As an example, the situation where the cover member 70 and main body part 12 are connected to each other with the flap 32 disposed between the shallow ends of the T-shaped ramps 94,98 will be considered. When the cover member 70 is rotated from this position, the shallow end of one of the ramps (say, 98) will contact the edge of the flap 32. Because of the resilience of the material, the flap 32 will be pushed downwardly slightly, and the cover member 70 will be pushed upwardly, as the ramp 98 rides up the edge of the flap 32. Continued rotation will cause the ramp 98 to ride all the way up the edge of the flap 32, until the lowermost part of the crossbar 100 of the T-shaped ramp 98 is resting on top of the flap 32. Further rotation of the cover member 70 now moves the crossbar 100 of the ramp 98 along the upper surface of the flap 32. Once the ramp has cleared the flap 32, the cover member 70 and the flap 32 snap back into their original positions as a result of the resilience of the material from which they are formed, with the flap 32 now positioned between the higher ends of the T-shaped ramps 94,98. It will be appreciated that the direction in which the cover member 70 is rotated to achieve this is immaterial.

Further, although the above assumed that the flap 32 was wholly disposed between the shallow ends of the ramps 94, 98, it will be appreciated that the same process can be used to correctly align the cover member 70 and main body part 12 from any initial position.

In addition, a latch member 60 is provided on the side of the flap 32 adjacent the circular aperture 52 therein. The latch member 60 is formed with a nose 62, behind which the end of the crossbar 98 of the T-shaped ramp 94 at that side of the flap 32 can engage. The engagement serves to retain the cover member 70 in the position where the apertures 52,90 are not aligned, and thus helps to prevent accidental opening of the container 10. The degree of engagement is relatively small, and little force is required to disengage the latch member 60 from the end of the crossbar 98 of the T-shaped ramp 94.

As mentioned above, the cover member 70 is rotated relative to the main body part 12 so as to bring the apertures 52,90 into and out of alignment to open and close the container 10. During the rotation, the tongue 92 on the cover member 70 moves past the fingers 54 on the flap 32. The dimensions of the tongue 92 and the fingers 54 are such that the tip of the tongue 92 just contacts each finger as it is rotated past them. The contact of the tongue 90 on each finger makes a clicking noise, and the repeated contacts as the cover member 70 is rotated from a closed to an open position (or vice versa) past all of the fingers in rapid succession makes a distinctive buzzing sound.

In addition, the engagement of the tongue with each of the fingers sequentially means that the movement of the cover member to open or close the container takes place in discrete steps, rather than being a single continuous slide. This makes the process of opening and closing the container more controllable.

Further, the noise produced by the tongue contacting the fingers can be of assistance during the assembly of the container. It will be appreciated that when the cover member is fitted onto the main body part, it is likely that the aperture 90 in the cover member will not be located above the flap 32, and so the person assembling the container will be able to see the inside of the main body part. However, in the situation where the cover member is fitted to the main body part with the apertures 52,90 in the cover member 70 and the flap 32 perfectly aligned, the view through the aperture 90 will also be of the inside of the main body part. It therefore may not be immediately obvious whether the main body part and the cover member are in their desired positions or not.

However, if the cover member is turned back and forth, then the production of the buzzing noise informs the person assembling the container that the parts are correctly assembled. If the parts are not correctly assembled, then the noise is not produced, and the assembler knows that the cover member needs to be rotated to its desired position.

The cover member 70 and the main body part 12 are held together by the engagement of the shoulder 16 on the spigot 14 and the internally-projecting shoulder 74 in the socket 72. However, these shoulders must be formed by undercuts in the moulds used to form the main body part 12 and the cover member 70, and so can only be of limited extent. As a result, it is possible to disassemble the container 10 by prising the cover member 70 and the main body part 12 away from each other. This may be undesirable in some circumstances, and so in an alternative embodiment, shown in Figures 10A to 10E, the upper end of the spigot 14 is provided with a number of petals 100 (eight in the embodiment shown). These petals 100 project upwardly and radially outwardly from the end of the spigot 14. It will also be noted that in this embodiment the spigot 14 does not have a shoulder.

The assembly of the cover member 70 and the main body part 12 is shown in detail in Figures 10A to 10E.

In Figure 10A, the socket 72 and the end of the spigot 14 are shown separated from each other. As they approach, the edge of the socket contacts the petals 100, as shown in Figure 10B, and bends them backwards, so that they lie flat against the side of the spigot 14 (see Figures 10C and 10D). The spigot is pushed further into the socket, until the petals 100 are located beneath the inwardly-projecting shoulder 76 in the socket 74. In this position, the petals 100 spring back, as a result of the resilience of the material, and lock behind the shoulder 76 (see Figure 10E). In this embodiment, it is more difficult to disassemble the cover member 70 from the main body part 12.

The invention has been described with reference to a particular shape of container. However, it will be appreciated that the invention can be applied to other forms of container. In particular, the cover member may be laterally slidable relative to the main body, rather than being rotatable as in the described embodiment.

It will be noted that there a number of inventive aspects to the container, and also a considerable number of advantageous features. It should be appreciated that the features can be combined with the inventive aspects in a very large number of ways, not all of which are expressly defined in the appended claims.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A container comprising a main body part and a movable dispensing cover member, access to the contents of the container for dispensing being gained by aligning an aperture in said cover member with a fixed aperture, the fixed aperture being provided by a flap hingedly connected to said main body part.
2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flap only extends partially across said main body part.
3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the aperture is formed as an opening in the flap.
4. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said flap and said main body part are integrally moulded from a plastics material.
5. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said main body part and said cover member are generally circular in plan view.
6. A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein said cover member is rotatable relative to said main body part.
7. A container as claimed in claim 6, wherein rotation of said cover member is limited to movement between a position in which the aperture on the cover member is aligned with the fixed aperture on the flap and a position in which the aperture on the cover member is blocked by the flap.
8. A container as claimed in claim 7, wherein rotation of said cover member is limited by stops on said cover member which come into contact with said flap.
9. A container as claimed in claim 8, wherein at least one of said stops is formed by the end face of a ramp, the ramp being adapted to ride over the flap in one direction of motion of the cover member but not the other, to allow the cover member to be located in a desired position.
10. A container as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9, where one of the main body part and the cover member is formed with a tongue and the other of the main body part and the cover member is formed with a plurality of fingers, the tongue contacting the fingers as the cover member is rotated on the main body part.
11. A container as claimed in claim 10, wherein the tongue and fingers are arranged such that they contact each other when the cover member is rotated between a position in which the apertures are aligned and a position in which the apertures are not aligned.
12. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein said cover member is supported to slide on said main body part.
13. A container as claimed in claim 12, wherein said main body part and said cover member are provided with mutually contacting formations, for reducing friction between said main body part and said cover member.
14. A container comprising a main body part and a movable dispensing cover member, said cover member is supported to slide on said main body part, and said main body part and said cover member are provided with mutually contacting formations, for reducing friction between said main body part and said cover member.
15. A container as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein one of said formations is an upstanding wall and the other of said formations comprises a plurality of blocks which contact said upstanding wall.
16. A container comprising a dispensing opening selectively openable and closable by a movable cover, the container and/or the cover being provided with stop means arranged such that should the cover be assembled to the container in an incorrect position, the cover may be moved beyond the stop means in one direction to bring the cover into the correct mounting position, the stop then preventing movement of the cover back in the other direction.
17. A generally circular container comprising a main body part and a movable cover member extending across substantially an entire face of the main body part, the cover member having an aperture therein, the container also comprising a flap positioned beneath the cover member and defining an aperture with which the aperture in the cover member can be brought in and out of alignment, the flap only extending partially across the face of the main body part.
18. A container substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.