GB2432823A

GB2432823A - Packet/ bag held within rigid container

Info

Publication number: GB2432823A
Application number: GB0623566A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Beena Madhavan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-12-07
Filing date: 2006-11-27
Publication date: 2007-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-27
Also published as: GB2432823B; GB0525019D0; GB0623566D0

Abstract

A container 1 comprises a hollow main body 2, a lid 4 arranged to fit on the body 2, and an aperture 26 in the lid 4. A first means 6 is provided for releasably attaching a packet 24 to the lid 4 so that the packet 24 is contained within the container 1. A benefit of the invention is that material 34 in the packet 24 may be dispensed from an interior 36 of the packet 24 through the aperture 26. The first means 6 is prefereably tubular, and provided with a taperered end 12, and groove or recess 14. The lid 4 may further comprise a resilient retention means, or latching means, which severs to retain the first means 6 in position. The retention means/ latching means may comprise a groove 16 provided on the lid 4, the groove 16 being defined by resilient walls 18, 20 and an inwardly projecting flange 22. In use the inwardly projecting flange 22 provided on the lid 4 cooperates with the groove or recess 14 provided on the first means 6 to hold the packet 24 in place. Alternatively the first means 6 may comprise an elastic o-ring (fig 4B, ref 490).

Description

Improvements in and relating to Containers This invention relates to

containers such as containers specifically arranged to be used as storage and pouring vessels for products supplied in packets.

Many products such as foodstuffs or cleaning materials are provided in packets wherein the packet must be cut or torn open to access the contents. Such packets are nonnally made of materials such as paper or a plastics film. The products may be supplied in just the packets, without any further protection or support, such as a bag of sugar or flour frequently is, or they may be supplied with a protective or decorative removable outer packaging such as a cardboard box. If it is not desired to use the entire contents of the packet at once, the packet must be closed and secured for future use.

This can be accomplished by use of wire closures and the like. However, such closures can be inconvenient, and application of the closure to the package may lead to unintentional damage of the packet such as tearing, and subsequent spillage of the contents.

Another option for storage of partially-used, open packets of foodstuffs is to place the packet into a container. However, a problem can occur when removing the packet for future use, as removal can be awkward and lead to spillages.

Alternatively, if the contents of the packet are emptied into a container and the bag discarded, it could still be difficult to remove the remaining foodstuff from the container, and also it may be difficult to identify the foodstuff or to ascertain the best before' date.

There is therefore a need for a container for a foodstuffs' packet wherein an opened packet can be stored and the contents conveniently accessed as required, without the requirement to empty the contents of the packet into the container.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a container comprising a hollow main body, a lid arranged to fit on the body and an aperture in the lid, wherein a first means is provided for releasably attaching a packet to the lid so that the packet is contained within the container.

A benefit of the invention is that a container is provided whereby a user may easily attach an open packet, for example of foodstuffs, to the container lid, such that when the foodstuffs packet is inserted in the container and the lid attached to the body of the container the user may conveniently hold the container and dispense the foodstuffs through the aperture from within the packet held inside the container.

A benefit of the releasable means is that an emptied packet may be removed from the container and replaced with a new full packet.

Preferably the first means is arranged to hold the packet open in or adjacent to the aperture in the lid.

A benefit of the packet being held open is that a user may dispense the packet contents directly from the packet through the aperture, when the container is picked up, without having to expend any further effort to open the packet.

Preferably the first means is a ring.

A benefit of the first means being a ring is that it may fully encircle the opening in the packet, eliminating a risk of spillage into the container.

Preferably the first means is elastic.

A benefit of the elastic first means is that the first means may easily accommodate thicker or stiff packaging, such as strong paper bags.

Preferably the first means is inelastic.

A benefit of the of the first means being inelastic is that it may easily be securely retained to the lid.

Preferably the first means is tubular.

A benefit of the first means being tubular is that it is easy for a user to grasp and push up against an inside of the lid to retain the packet to the lid.

Preferably the lid further comprises a resilient retention means arranged to resiliently retain the first means.

A benefit of the lid further comprises a resilient retention means arranged to resiliently retain the first means is that a packet may be securely retained to the lid and that the thickness of the packet where it is passed over the first means does not affect security of the retention.

Preferably the resilient retention means comprises a resilient latching means.

A benefit of the resilient latching means is that a user may remove a packet from the lid when required, without damage to the packet or the container.

Preferably the resilient latching means to attach the first means to the lid comprises a groove provided on the lid, the groove being defined by resilient walls and an inwardly projecting flange.

A benefit of the groove on an inside of the lid, the groove being defined by resilient walls is that the first means may be passed over an opening in an opened packet so that the packet may be folded down around an outside of the first means, such that when the first means is inserted into the co-operating groove the packet is securely retained, so as to prevent spillage of the contents of the packet within the container.

Preferably the resilient wall of the resilient latching means is a discontinuous wall.

A benefit of the resilient wall of the resilient latching means being a discontinuous wall is that a greater range of packet thicknesses may more easily be received and retained to the lid by the resilient latching means.

Preferably the first means has a tapered end having a recess arranged to co-operate with the inwardly projecting flange.

A benefit of the first means has a tapered end having a recess arranged to co-operate with the inwardly projecting flange is that a user may more easily locate and insert a first means and a packet into the resilient receiving portion of the lid.

Preferably the means to attach the lid to the body comprises at least a groove and an interacting projection.

A benefit of the retention of the lid to the body by means of a groove and an interacting projection arranged to co-operate with each other, is that the lid may be securely retained to the body.

Preferably in an embodiment the groove and interacting projection are arranged to resiliently interact.

A benefit of the resilient interaction is that the lid may be removed from the body when it is desired to replace the packet within the container. A further benefit of the lid being resiliently retained to the body is that an interfitting shape of the lid and body may be other than circular, for example ovoid.

Preferably the means to attach the lid to the body comprises screw threads.

A benefit of screw threads is that the lid may be both securely retained to the body, and yet easily removed from the body when desired.

Preferably a means is provided to selectively cover the aperture.

A benefit of a means being provided to selectively cover the aperture is that the container may be sealed for storage, and yet the aperture may be opened to dispense the foodstuff within the packet.

Preferably the means to selectively cover the aperture is a cap hingedly attached to the lid and a catch.

A benefit of the means to selectively cover the aperture being a cap hingedly attached to the lid and a catch, is that the catch may securely retain the cap in a closed position such that, for example, moisture from the atmosphere may be prevented from reaching a deliquescent foodstuff and causing deterioration of the foodstuff.

Alternatively, a foodstuff that must be kept slightly moist, may be prevented from drying out. A further benefit would be where the foodstuff was liquid, and hence would be at risk of spillage if not stored in such a securely closed container.

Preferably the means to selectively cover the aperture is a cap with a flange insertable into the aperture.

A benefit of the cap being arranged to be inserted at least partly into or through the aperture in the lid is that an openable and re-sealable aperture may be easily and conveniently provided.

Preferably the container further comprises at least a part or a portion that is made of a substantially clear plastics material.

A benefit of the part of portion being made of a substantially clear material is that the contents of the container may be ascertained by visual inspection through the substantially clear part or portion.

Preferably the first means is removable from the container and the packet.

A benefit of the first means being removable from the container and the packet is that a user may mount any suitably sized packet within the container.

Preferably the first means is a part or portion of the packet.

A benefit of the first means is a part or portion of the packet is that a manufacturer of a product may make the packaging so that the packet incorporates a first means, hence a user may then more easily attach the packet to a container.

An embodiment of the invention by way of example will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is an exploded cross sectional view of the components of a container according to a first embodiment the invention; Figure 1A is an alternative embodiment of a lid for the container shown in Figure!; Figure 2 is cross section of the first means of Figure 1 placed around a packet; Figure 2A is a alternative embodiment of first means and a packet for the container shown in Figure 1; Figure 3 is a cross section of the container of Figure 1 in an open stale with the packet shown in Figure 2 mounted within the container; Figure 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a container according to the invention, with some hidden lines visible to illustrate the arrangement of the inside parts or portions of the container Figure 4A is a perspective view of a lid of the second container shown in Figure with the cover in an open state and showing a packet attached to the lid; and Figure 4R is a cross-sectional view of the second container shown in Figure/ As illustrated in Figure 1, a container I can be seen to comprise a main body 2 andalid4anangedtofitonthebody. Theid4hasanaperture26andaflrstmeans6 which is arranged so that a packet 24 may be reJeasably attached to the lid, so that the packet 24 is contained within an inside space 40 of the container.

Main body 2 is provided with one or more projections 8 which arc arranged to co-operate with one or more recesses or grooves 10 provided in lid 4, so as to retain the lid to the container body when the container is assembled (as in Figures 3 and 4).

The projection 8 and groove 10 may be arranged so that the lid is screwed onto the container body as shown in Figures 1,2,3 and 4, or alternatively they may be arranged so that the lid is clipped onto the container body, according to the requirements of use, or the actual size and weight of the container and lid, or the shape of the lid, if for example, as shown in Figur3, where it is not circular.

The first means 6 is substantially tubular, and is provided with a sloping rim or tapered end 12, and groove or recess 14. Lid 4 is provided with a groove 16 defined by resilient walls 18 and 20. The groove 16 is on an inside surface 36 of the lid 4. The groove 16 faces downwardly in direction of arrow ID. Inwardly projecting flange 22 is provided on wall 18. Groove 16 is of a corresponding shape to rim 12 on first means 6.

In use, a packet 24 with a cut or torn open portion 25 having an edge 23 is passed upwards through a first means 6 in the direction of arrow 2U as shown in Figure 2.

Hence, first means 6 is placed around a packet 24, such that upper (open) section 25 of packet 24 is folded in the direction of arrows 2R, 2R over the sloped tapered rim 12 of the first means.

The first means 6 is then pushed upwardly in the direction of arrow 1 U into groove 16 of lid 4. The resilience of walls 18 and 20 allows sloping rim 12 to enter groove 16. Once rim 12 has fully entered groove 16, flange 22 enters groove 14, thus first means 6 is held in groove 16 thereby trapping packet 24 tightly between groove 16 and rim 12 as shown in Figure 3.

Aperture 26 is provided on lid 4 to allow contents 44 of the packet to be poured from an inside space 42 of the packet 24, via first means 6, from the container 1. A cap 28 is provided to cover aperture 26 when the container is not in use. Cap 28 is mounted to the lid by a hinge 29 which is arranged to allow the cap to be lifted as required to access the contents of the packet. A latch 31 with a release means 33 is provided to ensure that the cap 28 may be retained in a closed position when the container is stored.

As shown in Figure 3, the cap 28 is in an open state having been released by operating release means 33, and hence a when a user picks up the container, the contents 44 may be poured from the inside 42 of the packet 24 through the aperture 26 in the direction of arrow 3P.

Preferably the lid 4 is attached to the body 2, such that a good seal is formed between them at contact region 45. Hence as the container is emptied, the packet is prevented from collapsing by the seal preventing air from entering the space 46 between the packet and the container. This assists in emptying the contents 44 from the packet, and ensures that a user may easily ascertain the amount remaining within the packet by visual inspection through the aperture 26.

Once the contents of packet 24 have been exhausted, the packet can be removed from the container by pulling first means 6 out of from groove 16. Wall 18 is sufficiently stiff to retain the first means to the lid 4 (and thereby packet 24) in place, but sufficiently resilient to allow first means 6 to be removed from groove 16 on application of a manual pulling force.

An advantage of the invention is that a foodstuffs packet can be conveniently stored.

A further advantage is that the contents may easily be poured from the container as required, and the container can be closed when not in use, thus protecting the contents.

An advantage of the open end of the packet being held tightly between the lid groove and first means rim is that the likelihood of spillages from the packet is reduced.

However, if spillages do occur, for example as a result of the tearing of the packet, the spilt foodstuff will remain within the container. However, since the packet contents will normally be contained within the packet, only the lid and cap may require cleaning when a packet is changed. The container body should remain clean after use.

Part or all of the container may be made of a clear plastics material. An advantage of part or all of the container the container being made of a clear plastics material is that the packet which is being stored within the container may be readily identified.

Although in the given example, the lid fits onto the main body by a push fit, other methods of securing the lid to the main body could be used, such a screw thread, or latch.

Although a hinged cap which is attached via a catch is described with reference to Figure 1, an alternative embodiment of a lid 104 and a cap 128 could be used, such as shown in Figure 1A. The cap 128 has a downwardly projecting flange 133 arranged to fit into aperture 126 in lid 104 with a resilient interference fit. To ensure that the cap does not become detached and hence risk becoming lost, a peg 129 is provided to retain the cap to a hole 130 in the lid 104. A tab 132 is provided for a user to grasp when opening the cap.

The embodiment shown in Figure IA may be particularly useful for the storage of liquid materials, since the downwardly projecting flange 133 of the lid may be arranged to provide a liquid tight seal against the aperture 126.

Further alternative arrangements of a cap and lid, could include an extended rising above the surrounding lid, so that the aperture may facilitate easy pouring of a fine or liquid foodstuff, the aperture being arranged to be closed with a traditional bottle stopper or cork.

In a further embodiment 200 of a packet 224 and a first means 206 shown in Figure 2A, the packet is attached to an inside surface of the first means at 246, by, for example, means such as welding or adhesive, so that a manufacturer may supply packets containing contents 244 complete with a first means 206 ready for a user to insert into the groove 16 of a container 1 as shown in Figure 1. To ensure that the contents 244 do not spill prior to use, a membrane 250 closes an inside space 242.

When a user inserts the first means 206 into the groove of a lid, the membrane 250 torn opening the packet 224. To assist the user a chamfer 254 is provided on an inside of the first means 206, and a lip 252 is provided to ensure a cut end 225 of the packet 224 does not snag on 20 of the lid.

From Figures 4, 4A and 4B a second container 400 according a to second embodiment of the invention is shown to comprise a hollow main body 402 and a lid 404. Cap 428 is hingedly mounted to the lid by hinge 429 so that when open as shown in Figure 4A contents 444 within a packet 424 may be accessed by a user through aperture 426. Lower edge 431 of depending wall 427 is arranged to engage with a protruding lip 432 around a periphery 434 of the cap 428 so as to retain the cap in a closed position as shown in Figure 4. When closed the cap 428 closes the aperture 426.

The engagement of the lip 432 and edge 431 also provides a substantially airtight seal to prevent detenoralion of the contents 444 that are within the inside space 442 of the packet during storage. Depression 433 is provided to enable a user to lift the cap 428 from the closed position, when operated in the direction of arrow 4C, to the open position shown in Figure 4A.

From Figures 4 and 4B, it can be seen that the lid is retained to the body by means of a releasable engagement of an inwardly facing protrusion 410, which preferably extends continuously around an inside of a depending perimeter wall 460 of the lid, with a outwardly facing protrusion 408 adjacent to an upper edge 470 of the body 402. Hence in use a user may clip the lid to the body by moving the lid downwards in the direction of arrow 4D relative to the body. When the lid is clipped to the body it encloses a sealed inside space 440 within the container, so that when the packet is mounted to the lid as described below, a space 441 between an outside of the packet and inside the container is substantially sealed, so as to prevent the packet collapsing when the contents of the packet are emptied.

The packet 424 is retained to the lid 404 by an elastic member 490. The elastomeric member is a first means retaining the packet to the lid. To help prevent the packet becoming inadvertently detached from the lid, a retaining protrusion 491 is formed on an outwardly facing surface 495 of the lid, which preferably as in the embodiment shown in Figures 4, 4A and 4B, extends continuously around the depending wall 427. A space 492 is provided above the upper edge 470 to allow for a cut edge 493 of the packet to be accommodated without obstructing the fitting of the lid to the body. When the packet is retained to the lid as shown in Figure 4B, the inside space 442 of the packet is held open in or adjacent to the aperture of the lid. Hence when the lid 404 with the packet 424 mounted to it, is mounted to the main body 402, the packet is contained within the container 400.

A suitable readily available elastic member 490, would be for example an elastomeric "0-Ring". Alternatively the elastic member 490, could for example be made from a tubular length of elastomeric material, such as a rubber band is.

The groove 16 or the retaining protrusion 491 are each formed on an underside or inside surface of the respective lids, and arc arranged to receive a detachable means, that is the first means 6 or the elastic member 490 respectively in order to secure a packet in the respective containers 1 and 400. The packet is preferably sufficiently tear proof so that it can be secured to the lid. Particularly for the container 400, both the body 402 and the lid 404 are preferably made of a sturdy yet flexible plastics material.

Such a material should have sufficient resilience to permit a user to repeatably remove and replace the lid to the body.

Claims

Claims 1. A container comprising a hollow main body, a lid arranged to

fit on the body and an aperture in the lid, wherein a first means is provided for releasably attaching a packet to the lid so that the packet is contained within the container.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first means is airanged to hold the packet open in or adjacent to the aperture in the lid.

3. A container as claimed in claim I or 2 wherein the first means is a ring.

4. A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the first means is elastic.

5. A container as claimed in any of the claims I to 3 wherein the first means is inelastic.

6. A container as claimed in claim 5 wherein the first means is tubular.

7. A container as claimed in either of claims 5 or 6, wherein the lid further comprises a resilient retention means arranged to resiliently retain the first means.

8. A container as claimed in claim 7 wherein the resilient retention means comprises a resilient latching means.

9. A container as claimed in claim 8 wherein the resilient latching means comprises a groove provided on the lid., the groove being defined by resilient walls and an inwardly projecting flange.

10. A container as claimed in claim 9 wherein the first means further comprises a tapered end having a recess arranged to co-operate with the inwardly projecting flange.

11. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the means to attach the lid to the body comprises at least a groove and an interacting projection.

12. A container as claimed in any one of claims Ito 10, wherein the means to attach the lid to the body comprises screw threads.

13. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein a means is provided to selectively cover the aperture.

14. A container as claimed in claim 6 wherein the means to selectively cover the aperture is a cap hingedly attached to the lid and a catch.

15. A container as claimed in claim 13, wherein the means to selectively cover the aperture is a cap with a flange insertable into the aperture.

16. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein at least part of the container is made of a clear plastics material.

17. A container as claimed in any of the preceding claims wherein the first means is removable from the container and the packet.

18. A container as claimed in any of the claims Ito 16 wherein the first means is apart or portion of the packet.

19. A container substantially as herein described and with reference to the accompanying Figures.