GB2482507A

GB2482507A - Airtight container with lever assist opening

Info

Publication number: GB2482507A
Application number: GB201013104A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Angela Marsden
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-08-04
Filing date: 2010-08-04
Publication date: 2012-02-08
Also published as: GB201013104D0

Abstract

A container is disclosed comprising: a vessel lid 100 comprising at least one closure tab 102; a vessel comprising at least one closure tab receptor 106; and a lever. The lever comprises: a depressable arm 108; a tab-disengaging arm 110; and a fulcrum 112. The depressable arm enables the container to be opened with reduced force.

Description

Airtight container with lever to assist opening

Background of the Invention

[1] The present invention relates to means for opening airtight containers.

[21 Airtight containers with levers to facilitate opening and closing are known in the art. For example, Us 5284270 to Kusta discloses a lever latch ring for securing a cover panel having a plurality of tabs thereon to a container wherein the tabs extend beneath an outwardly extending rim forming an upper margin of the container and against an outer wall thereof. The lever latch ring includes an arcuate member having a lower horizontal portion that coextends the tabs. The lower horizontal portion is urged against the tabs by a lever latch connected to opposing ends of the arcuate member and when so urged confines the tabs against the outer wall and against a lower portion of the rim. A vertical portion is connected to the lower horizontal portion and extends upwardly therefrom in contact with an outermost portion of the cover panel extending intermediate the vertical portion and the rim. Engagement of the lever latch urges the vertical portion against the cover panel to press the cover panel against the rim. An upper horizontal portion is integrally connected to the vertical portion and extends over the rim and rests on the cover panel to support the lower horizontal portion subjacent the lower portion of the rim.

[3] US 2009301989 to Foster discloses a cap comprising a bore which allows the user to gain the advantage of leverage and control. Placing a cylindrical object through the bore of a tightly closed container such as a nail polish bottle lid, champagne cork, or the like, provides leverage and control while facilitating opening.

[4] WO 2006083606 to Walters discloses an container closure or lever cap which may comprise a repositioned lever handle and fulcrum to optimize function and mechanical advantage as well as a specialized vertical sloping sidewall at the container's distal end near the opening to improve the closure's vertical lift during operation.

[5] Dependent levers are known in the art. EP 1700551 to Arning, for example, discloses an airtight container comprising a bottom section and a lid connected to the bottom section by means of two grips and an encompassing seal which lies upon the upper edge of the bottom section. The lid incorporates an aeration and ventilation valve which is closed off by a sealing cap. The aeration and ventilation valve is located n the region of one of the grips which is provided with a release lever for the removal of the sealing cap from the valve through which the cap is removed before the release of the grip.

Brief Summary of the Invention

[6] It can be seen from the forgoing that airtight containers present problems with respect to opening and closing.

It would be advantageous to have an airtight container with easy opening and closing means.

[7] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide and airtight container which is easy both to open and to close. It is a further object of the invention to provide such a container which a child can open and close. It is a yet further object to provide such a container which is safe and hygienic for a child to use.

[8] To this end, a container is disclosed comprising: a vessel lid comprising at least one closure tab; a vessel comprising at least one closure tab receptor; and a lever. The lever comprises: a depressable arm; a tab-disengaging arm; and a fulcrum. The depressable arm enables the container to be opened with reduced force.

[9] An advantage of the present invention is that a child can open and close the container easily. A further advantage is that the lid can remain attached to the base preventing loss thereof. A yet further advantage of the invention is that it is hygienic for food use. A still further advantage of the invention is that the hinge design prevents a child's fingers from becoming trapped therein.

Brief Description of the Several Views of the Drawing [10] The invention can be better understood with reference to the following drawings, in which: [11] Figure 1 shows a frontal view of the container; [12] Figure 2 shows a side view of the container; and [13] Figure 3 shows a cross section of the container.

Detailed Description of the Invention

[14] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 1-3, a container is disclosed comprising: a vessel lid comprising at least one closure tab 102; a vessel 104 comprising at least one closure tab receptor 106; and a lever.

The lever comprises: a depressable arm 108; a tab-disengaging arm 110; and a fulcrum 112.

[15] The vessel may be any lidless, substantially hollow container of any shape although it preferably comprises a substantially cylindrical hollow vessel manufactured from low density polyethylene (LDPE) . An advantage of this material is that it is antimicrobial and can be used in a dishwasher.

[16] The vessel lid is shaped and sized to fit over the vessel in an airtight manner. The lid may be substantially flat as shown in the figures or may be substantially non-flat having a hollow area therein, giving the resulting container greater volume. Preferably the lid comprises LDPE although it may comprise any material. The lid preferably comprises an 0-ring seal 116 as known in the art which preferably comprises rubber although it may comprise silicon or other suitable materials. The lid may comprise any other sealing means known in the art.

[17] The lid further comprises at least one closure tab.

There may be several closure tabs however preferably the lid comprises one closure tab, preferably distal from the hinge as described below. The tab comprises a member, preferably smaller than the lid, attached to an edge of the lid, which can pivot (via a living hinge or other means) with respect to the lid such that it can be pressed against the vessel or lifted away from the vessel. The tab is preferably shaped as shown in the figures although it may comprise any shape. There may be more than one tab which may be the same as or different from each other.

[18] When pressed against the vessel the tab engages the closure tab receptor. The receptor comprises tab engagement means which may be any means known in the art for temporarily attaching the tab to the vessel, for example a multiple-snap annular or cantilever snap fit, a popper, a hook and loop fastener, or the like. Preferably the tab receptor comprises a multiple-snap cantilever snap fit as shown in the figures since this can be manufactured as part of the lid and does not require a separate part. This simplifies manufacture and provides a more streamlined, easy to clean product.

[19] Preferably the vessel and lid are joined by a hinge 114. An advantage of this is that the lid cannot become separated from the vessel and lost. This is particularly suitable for children who are liable to lose items in their possession.

[20J The hinge may be a living hinge or a pivoting hinge, or any hinge known in the art. An advantage of a living hinge is that there is a reduced possibility of food becoming trapped therein, increasing hygiene. Alternatively the vessel and lid may not be joined by a hinge and may be held temporarily together when closed by the at least one closure tab (Which may be several tabs) and/or by other known means.

[21] In the preferred embodiment, the vessel is of circular cross section and the closure tab is distal from the hinge, that is, diametrically opposite the hinge. If the vessel is another non-circular shape, the tab is preferably distal from the hinge.

Furthermore there may be more than one tab arranged at regular or irregular intervals around the perimeter of the vessel. An advantage of the preferred arrangement is that it secures the lid at regular intervals using the least number of securing points.

[22] The lever comprises a depressable arm, a tab-disengaging arm, and a fulcrum. These are preferably shaped as shown in the figures. The fulcrum is beneath the closure tab such that, when the depressable arm is pressed, the lever pivots at the fulcrum and the tab-disengaging arm pushes the closure tab away from the vessel and disengages it from the tab receptor, unsealing the lid from the vessel and enabling removal of the lid. In the case where there is more than one tab, there may be a lever beneath each tab or beneath some tabs. Preferably a fulcrum support 118 supports the fulcrum, having a hole or hollow therein enabling the lever to rotate. The support is preferably manufactured as part of the vessel.

[23] The depressable arm is preferably longer than the tab-disengaging arm, an advantage of this being that it takes advantage of the principle of leverage: lightly depressing the depressable arm with a weak force causes a stronger force to be exerted on the tab-disengaging arm, to open the lid. This is particularly useful in the case of children opening the container, since children are able to use only a weak force. This is also advantageous for elderly or disabled users.

[24] Alternatively the arms may be of substantially equal length or the tab-disengaging arm may be longer than the depressable arm. In these cases, the pushing action required to depress the depressable arm is easier and simpler than the lifting action that would be required to lift the closure tab in its absence, therefore the invention is still usable by children, the elderly, and disabled users.

[25] Within the scope of the invention, the tab, receptor and lever arrangement may be reversed such that the tab is attached pivotally to the vessel and the tab receptor is on the lid, with the lever directly above the receptor on the lid.

[26] It should be noted that an advantage of the invention is that it is simple for manufacturers to incorporate into existing designs, since it builds on a pre-existing common design. Containers comprising lids with closure tabs for engagement with receptors are known in the art, and the addition of the lever and fulcrum support is all that is required.

Claims

Claims 1. A container comprising: a vessel lid comprising at least one closure tab; a vessel comprising at least one closure tab receptor; and a lever comprising: a depressable arm; a tab-disengaging arm; and a fulcrum.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein said vessel and lid are joined by a hinge.
3. The container of claim 2 wherein said at least one closure tab is distal from said hinge.
4. The container of claim 1 wherein said depressable arm is longer than said tab-disengaging arm.