KR100531627B1 - Container having cover with multi-sector seal - Google Patents

Abstract

The container of the present invention has an opening 26 that allows access to the contents of the container. The opening 26 is sealable with the cover 12. The cover 12 is sealable around the first sector 70 of the opening. Preferably, the first sector 70 of the opening corresponds to 360 °. The cover 12 may be sealed by manipulating the second sector 72 of the periphery of the opening. The second sector 72 is smaller than the first sector.

Description

CONTAINER HAVING COVER WITH MULTI-SECTOR SEAL}

The present invention relates to a container for storing an article, in particular a container sealable with a cover.

Sealable containers are known in the art. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,784,055, issued to Jan. 8, 1974, and U.S. Patent No. 3,967,756, issued July 6, 1976 to Barish, discloses a container with a plug seal. These patents are incorporated herein by reference. However, plug seals require significant manual operation to ensure reliable sealing. If the user is not careful, such a seal cannot close the opening at the periphery that allows access to the contents of the container. If full perimeter sealing is not achieved, perishable contents stored in the container may be rotting.

Other types of seals are disclosed in US Pat. No. 5,996,882, which is incorporated herein by reference and is issued December 7, 1999 to Randall. U. S. Patent No. 5,996, 882 discloses a container having a closure means operable by an externally applied force.

One attempt in the prior art to overcome the problem of manipulating a complete perimeter seal without a visual, tactile or auditory signal of a complete seal has been incorporated herein by reference to Gutman in May 1972. Using a slider such as that disclosed in US Pat. No. 3,660,875, issued on September 9. However, to date the slider could only work in one direction. The slider cannot be operated in the XY plane when used in combination with a rigid seal.

US Pat. No. 4,013,214, issued March 22, 1977 to Hansen et al, discloses a multi-plastic container with a cover hinged to the base. U.S. Patent No. 5,046,659, issued September 9, 1991 to Warburton, discloses a thermoformed plastic container with a locking lid and a base. US Patent No. 5,577,627, issued November 26, 1996, to Rich Doubler, discloses a thermoformed plastic container having a lid and base having an integral hinge. U.S. Patent No. 5,339,973, issued August 23, 1994 to Edwards et al, discloses a container having a seal flange comprising a curved surface interlocked over an arc of at least 180 °.

U.S. Patent No. 5,667,092 to Julius et al. On September 16, 1997, discloses a container comprising a cover having a lid tray and a peripheral flange. U. S. Patent No. 5,507, 407, issued April 16, 1996 to Peer et al, discloses a container lid having a peripheral flange sized to receive the rim of the container. The flange terminates in a skirt with a lever arm to enable removal of the lid from the container. Similarly, U.S. Patent No. 5,377,860, issued January 3, 1995 to Little John et al, discloses a food container having an integral base and an integral lid. US Patent No. 5,058,761, issued October 22, 1991 to William, discloses a reclosable package having a lid and base that are melt bonded and releasably sealed.

U.S. Patent No. 5,524,990, issued June 11, 1996 to Buck, discloses a flexible container having a flap for closing the container opening. The reinforcing element extends around the periphery of the flap. However, such a container is not sealable with a slider or is sealable by manipulating only a limited sector of the reinforcing element.

US Pat. No. 4,576,330, issued to Schiff on March 18, 1986, discloses a tray and hinged lid having a locking engagement inside the flange. US Patent No. 4,576,307, issued to Pradenberg on March 18, 1986, discloses a container having elements held together by a sliding latch. Sliding ratchets prevent opening of the container by preventing lateral movement of the pillar / rail combination. United States Patent No. 5,427,266, issued to June 27, 1995, discloses a lid with a visible seal indicator for proper closure. U.S. Patent 5,651,462, issued to Simonsen et al. On July 29, 1997, discloses a rigid reclosable package with a flexible cover.

The above-mentioned prior art document does not disclose a seal that can be brought into close contact by manipulating a sector of a container corresponding to an arc smaller than the arc of the seal.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention includes a container having an opening that can access the contents of the container. The opening is at least partially sealable upon closure with the cover. The cover has a seal that extends at least partially around it. The seal corresponds to the first sector of the periphery. The seal is fully operable by manipulating the second sector of the periphery. The second sector is smaller than the first sector and is included in the first sector.

The container may be completely sealed at the periphery by a complementary cover. The cover is in close contact with the seal by manipulating only a portion of the seal.

In another embodiment, the present invention includes a method of sealing the contents in a container. The method includes providing a container having an upright sidewall, an opening for accessing the contents of the container, and a seal around the opening. A cover complementary to the seal is provided. The contents to be received are located in the container. The cover is positioned on the opening so that the cover can be placed in parallel with the seal, thereby engaging it. The cover is in close contact with the peripheral seal by manipulating a portion thereof so that the cover is frictionally engaged by the seal.

1 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention in which the cover is in the open position and the slider is not engaged with the seal of the container;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the container shown in FIG. 1 showing the cover in a closed state and a slider moved from a position not engaged to the seal to a position engaged with the seal;

3 is a vertical sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG.

1 shows a preferred embodiment of a container 10 according to the invention. The container 10 preferably comprises a container body integrally formed of sheet material. The cover 12 is included in the container 10 and may be integrally formed with the container 10. The container 10 further includes a seal 14 for closing the cover 12 at the periphery on the seal 14.

The container 10 is reversibly deformable between two states, in which the cover 12 is removed from the container 10 to access the contents of the container 10 and vice versa. The contents of the container 10 can be accessed through the opening 26. When the cover 12 of the container 10 is in the open position, the contents can be inserted and removed into the container 10.

In another state, the container 10 is closed and the cover 12 is sealed on the container 10. The closed state prevents the inadvertent removal of the contents of the container 10 and, if not opened, without permission. If desired, a lock (not shown) may be included to prevent unauthorized access to the container 10 when the cover 12 is closed.

The cover 12 can be generally coincident with the circumference of the container 10 and have a width substantially the same as the circumference as shown. Optionally, the opening 26 and cover 12 may be sized and / or shaped to have a geometry that is different from the geometry of the opening 26 of the container 10. While the illustrated embodiment shows a container 10 having a cover 12 that allows access to the top of the container 10, the cover 12 is on one or more side walls 20 or even the container. It will be appreciated that it may include anything disposed on the bottom of 10. The container 10 may also be provided with multiple covers 12 if desired. For example, the top of the vessel 10 may have two smaller covers 12 instead of one large cover 12, or optionally the top of the vessel 10 may have one cover 12. And one or more sidewalls 20 of the container 10 may have an additional cover 12. In addition, the container 10 may preferably be divided inside.

The container 10 is at least partially sealable with the cover 12 when the cover 12 is in the closed position. In some embodiments, the seal 14 seals the container 10 at the periphery when the cover 12 is attached. Peripheral sealing of the seal 14 may be desirable when perishable contents are stored in the container or when sanitary purposes need to be kept free of dirt and contaminants in the container 10. Optionally, the partial seal 14 of the vessel 10 may be desirable if intake of the vessel 10 is desired. For example, if the container 10 is used for microwave heating of food contents, evacuation of the container 10 may be desirable.

The container 10 according to the present invention may be relatively small so that it can be stored in people pockets or handbags. Such a container 10 may be useful for storing pills, capsules, and the like. Optionally, the container 10 may be relatively large to have a size that fits into a flat bed semi-truck. Such a container 10 may be useful for carrying structural materials and the like. One exemplary use of the container 10 is to store perishable articles such as food.

The container 10 includes a bottom pan 22 and sidewalls 20 protruding outward from the bottom pan 22. Preferably, in use, the side wall 20 protrudes upward and terminates at the distal end forming the opening 26 of the container 10. The illustrated embodiment has four sidewalls 20. However, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the container 10 may have three or more side walls 20, or may be circular, elliptical, or the like.

The cover 12 may be generally flat as shown, or may preferably be inwardly convex or outwardly convex. In certain embodiments, the cover 12 is preferably substantially flat such that the container 10 is stackable.

The bottom pan 22 defines a first plane and lies within the first plane. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom pan 22 is defined by a vertex at four corners of the upstanding sidewall 20. The bottom pan 22 may be domed inwardly convex to increase strength as is known in the art. In particular, the domed bottom pan 22 provides increased strength to the load by the contents of the container 10 in the direction orthogonal to the bottom pan 22. Optionally, the bottom pan 22 may be convex outwardly, even if the vessel 10 is located on a horizontal plane, reducing stability. It will be appreciated and appreciated that the bottom pan 22 may be domed as is known in the art but may still define a plane.

The side wall 20 is shown generally perpendicular to the bottom pan 22 and protrudes outward from the pan 22. For example, the side wall 20 protruding outward in a non-vertical direction such as the diverging direction is known in order to make the cross-sectional area of the upper part of the container 10 larger than the cross-sectional area of the bottom pan 22 is known, It can be seen that.

The container 10 is preferably formed of a single sheet material, but need not be so. By shaping the container 10 from a single sheet material, there is no line of seal 14 in the body of the container 10, and the leakage path is reduced.

Various compositions suitable for constructing the storage container 10 of the present invention include polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), aluminum foil, coated (wax) Coatings, etc.) Papers may also comprise substantially non-permeable materials, such as uncoated papers, coated nonwovens, and scrims, meshes, fabrics, nonwovens, or perforated or porous films formed primarily in two- or three-dimensional structures. There is such a substantially permeable material. Such materials may comprise a single composition or layer, or may be a composition of multiple materials comprising a base material used as a carrier for the material. Materials known to be suitable for use in accordance with the present invention are commercially available under the manufacturer's trade name PE1122 from "Chevron" as low density polyethylene films 10 mils (0.25 mm) thick and under the trade name EOD96-28 from "Fina Corp." Commercially available products include 20 mils (0.5 mm) thick syndiotactic polypropylene. Other suitable materials include polyethylene / polypropylene blends. Wood and metal may be used for the larger sized container 10.

Optionally, the container 10 can be reversibly upright and collapsible. In particular, such a container 10 is reversibly deformable between a collapsed state and an upright state. The collapsible container 10 may be made to have a plurality of side walls 20 that are connected to each other to the bottom pan 22 and protrude outward from the pan 22. The at least one side wall 20 may have a hinge line disposed substantially parallel to the plane of the bottom pan 22. The hinge line divides the side wall 20 into an upper portion and a lower portion, each portion being segmentable about the hinge line as it deforms between the collapsed and upright states of the container 10. Preferably each side wall 20 has a hinge line and / or an optional gusset to effect collapse and uprights. Another type of collapsible container 10 is described in US Pat. No. 5,996,882, issued Randall, dated Dec. 7, 1999, as described above. If the elastically deformable container 10 is to be manufactured, the container 10 may be manufactured according to the gist of US Pat. No. 5,379,897, issued January 10, 1995 to Mercenfers, which is incorporated by reference. It is cited herein.

If desired, the container 10 may optionally be further reinforced, especially if the side wall 20 of the container 10 is collapsible. The side wall 20 may be reinforced with an upright strut that is removable from the side wall 20 without being separated from the container 10. The strut is deformable between a first position that reinforces the sidewall 20 and a second position that does not reinforce the sidewall 20. Such struts may be articulated and hingedly attached to the vessel 10 at the junction of the bottom pan 22 and each sidewall 20.

This reinforcement may further comprise a bottom pan 22 support. The bottom pan 22 support spans the bottom pan 22 and preferably over the major axis of the bottom pan 22. If desired, the bottom pan 22 may optionally be integrally formed with one or more struts that reinforce the sidewall 20.

Referring to FIG. 1 in more detail the opening 26, seal 14 and cover 12 of the container 10, the seal 14 may be disposed on the flange 52. The flange 52 is around the opening 26 of the container 10, but in a less preferred embodiment the seal 14 may be inside the opening 26 of the container 10.

Preferably the seal 14 is rigid, but the side wall 20 may be mushy, self supporting and / or reversibly collapsible and upright as described above. Rigid, though flexible, means that the seal 14 has a vector component that extends in both the X and Y directions when the container 10 is in its original uninhibited state. Thus, when the container 10 is empty, the seal 14 extends in both the X and Y directions. In addition, the openings 26 of this container 10 have the same geometry whether the container 10 is empty or filled in normal use.

The seal 14 is believed to be in close contact and functioning when the cover 12 is in the closed position, the seal 14 withstanding and containing at least 2.5 cm hydrostatic pressure of 20 ° C. distilled water. This seal 14 fills the vessel 10 to a suitable depth, and after the seal 14 is in close contact, tilts the vessel 10 to its side so that distilled water is applied at a height of 2.5 cm on the seal 14. Can be tested. If no leakage occurs within 15 seconds, the seal is considered to be tight and operable.

The seal 14 defines the XY plane and the Z direction orthogonal to the XY plane. The seal 14 extends in at least two directions, whereby the seal 14 defines a path with multiple vector components in each of the X and Y directions. The path of seal 14 may be a straight line, a curve or a combination thereof.

In one embodiment, the seal 14 is disposed in two mutually perpendicular directions, where one direction is substantially parallel to the X direction and the other direction is substantially parallel to the Y direction. These directions can be matched or even coincident with the upper edge of the side wall 20 of the container 10. The seal 14 then defines a vertex with a minimum radius of curvature that is determinable by the particular type of seal 14 to be used, as described below. The vertex defines the Z direction axis orthogonal to the above-described XY plane. The XY plane thus defined may be substantially parallel or is preferably parallel to the plane defined by the bottom pan 22 of the container 10, even if the inclined plane relationship is specifically expected. The seal 14 may lie in the XY plane and the cover 12 is removable in the direction with the Z direction vector component. The cover 12 may be articulated as shown or switchable in the axis of the vertex. In contrast to the slider 60 type geometry disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,660,875 to Gutman, issued May 9, 1972, as described and specified above, the seal 14 of the present invention is orthogonal to the axis of the vertex. .

If the slider 60 is used, the operation of the slider 60 in the closing direction compresses the seal 14. The seal 14 can be considered to have a longitudinal axis in the XY plane of the path of the seal 14. The slider 60 compresses the seal 14 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

If the cover 12 is to be removed from the container 10 without the need for a hinged joint as shown, the guide rail may be coupled to and protrude from the inner or outer surface of the side wall 20 of the container 10. The cover 12 may be coupled to the guide rail. The guide rail may have a slot extending perpendicular to the XY plane of the seal 14. Thus, the cover 12 is translatable perpendicularly to the XY plane by motion along the guide rail.

Regardless of whether the articulated cover 12 is selected or whether a cover 12 that is removably removable from the opening of the container 10 is selected, in both cases the cover 12 may be removed from the container 10 even though it is removable from the container. ) Does not necessarily have to be separated. The inseparability from the container 10 may include tearing of the material including the container 10, the cover 12, or any member that couples or attaches the container 10 to the cover 12. It means that it can not be permanently displaced from the container 10 without the overall deformation. By not removing the cover 12 from the container 10, the cover 12 is not misplaced, lost, or has a cover from a similarly sized container 10 having different health or sanitary requirements. 12) has the advantage of not mixing with.

Referring to FIG. 3, the seal 14 may include any type of reusable device known in the art. Suitable seals 14 include U.S. Patent No. 5,662,758 to Hamilton et al. On October 2, 1997; U.S. Patent No. 5,871,067 to Hamilton et al. On February 16, 1999; Fin seals 14 as disclosed in US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 745,339, filed May 8, and US patent application Ser. No. 08 / 745,340, filed November 8, 1996, by Hamilton et al., An adhesive seal 14, an adhesive seal 14, and optionally activatable adhesive, the seal 14 having a friction fit or a compression fit as shown. By reusable, it is meant that the cover 12 of the container 10 can be reversibly deformed at least twice between the open and closed positions, respectively, and still seal the container 10 functionally.

As shown, one suitable type of seal 14 utilizes complementary protrusions 54 and recesses 56. It is to be understood that the embodiment shown uses a flange 52 extending in the XY plane. The flange 52 is around the opening 26 of the container 10. The flange 52 has a protrusion 54 extending perpendicular to the XY plane. The cover 12 has a recess 56 extending perpendicular to the XY plane and complementary to the protrusion 54. The protrusion 54 is inserted into the recess 56 to provide a compression seal 14 that extends at least partially and preferably around the periphery 26 of the container 10.

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, this arrangement may be reversed so that the recess 56 is disposed on the flange 52 of the vessel 10. Moreover, the cover 12 of the container 10 may also have a flange 52 extending in the XY plane.

If desired, the container 10 may be sealable with an optional slider 60. In the present specification, the slider 60 is a device that moves along the above-described path of the seal 14 to open, close or preferably open or close the seal 14.

Referring to FIG. 2, if an optional slider 60 is included in the container 10 and the cover 12, the slide 60 may be movable in a path parallel to the periphery of the opening 26. As can be appreciated, the seal 14 need not be coincident with or parallel to the periphery of the opening 26 of the container 10.

Slider 60 may actuate seal 14 whereby slider 60 closely seals seal 14 when moved in the first direction and releases seal 14 when moved in the opposite direction. . Thus, activation of the seal 14 includes close contact of the seal 14, such as closing the container 10, release of the seal 14, such as opening the container 10, or both.

Slider 60 may be disposed within track 62, thereby distinguishing slider 60 of the present invention from conventional zippers, such that slider 60 of the present invention does not include conventional zippers. Can be. The track 62 is spaced apart from the seal 14. In the embodiment shown, the track 62 is on the outside of the seal, as well as the track 62 may be on the inside of the seal 14. The track 62 is in operative relationship with the seal 14 whereby a slider 60 can be placed in the track 62 and still activates the seal 14 in one or both of the close and release directions. Preferably, track 62 is matched with seal 14 as shown.

Preferably, the slider 60 is formed in a truncated cone shape. The inner side of the slider 60 closely seals the seal 14 when operated in the closing direction. The outer side of the slider 60 releases the seal 14 upon operation in the open direction. Slider 60 suitable for use in the present invention is described in US Patent Application No. 09, filed on January 11, 2000, Huff, entitled "Slider that applies a force to open or close a fastener that lies in a two-dimensional plane." / 480,909, which patent application is incorporated herein by reference.

It will be appreciated that there may be a variety of configurations, including suitable seal 14 / track 62 assemblies. In general, however, any geometry that friction or compression fits the seal 14 to the substrate of the container 10 or cover 12 and also provides a guide surface for the slider 60 may be suitable. It will be appreciated that the guiding surface, and thus the track 62, may be spaced apart from the seal 14.

The track 62 may include one or more auxiliary tracks 64, which are also preferred. The auxiliary track 64 is defined as part of the track 62 which is not operatively arranged in parallel with the seal 14. The optional slider 60 may enter the auxiliary track 64 after being mounted in the track 62 until it is no longer engaged with the seal 14. When the slider 60 is disposed in the auxiliary track 64, the slider 60 is not engaged with the seal 14 and thus does not actuate the seal 14. The auxiliary track 64 may be disposed radially outward of the seal 14 as shown, or may be disposed radially inward of the seal 14 if the track 62 is inside the seal 14. . Preferably, the auxiliary track 64 does not intersect the seal 14, and the peripheral seal is not formed unless engagement occurs at the top of the seal 14.

In the embodiment of the outer track 62, the container 10 is advantageously sealable at the periphery by the seal 14 and therefore cannot be achieved in the prior art with respect to the slider 60. The seal 14 is pressed and released circumferentially with or without the optional slider 60 around the periphery of the opening 26. The seal 14 starts in a first circumferential position and continues in a series of forms around the container 10 from a first position to a second position circumferentially spaced, either manually or by activation by a slider 60. It may be at least partially acted around the periphery of the opening 26. The cover 12 is attached to the container 10 in another third circumferential position. The third position is at least one of the first position and the second position and is preferably circumferentially parallel with both of these positions as shown.

With further reference to FIG. 2, two auxiliary tracks 64 are shown. The cover 12 is hingedly attached to the container 10 in a third position. The auxiliary track 64 limits the hinged attachment of the cover 12 to the container 10 in the circumferential direction. Thus, the container 10 preferably has two auxiliary tracks 64 as shown. According to this arrangement, the slider 60 can be settled on one auxiliary track 64 when switching in the opening direction, so that the slider 60 does not interfere with the opening of the container 10 or its contents. Similarly, the slider 60 can be anchored to another auxiliary track 64 upon activation of the seal 14 in the closing direction. Of course, the slider 60 may be anchored in the auxiliary track 64 in a position not parallel to the hinge or other means for attaching the cover 12 to the container 10.

In the auxiliary track 64, the end 66 of the slider 60 needs to be spaced from the seal 14 only a distance sufficient to allow the slider 60 to release the seal 14. Can be opened or closed as needed without interference from the slider 60. In the illustrated embodiment of the slider 60 having a width in the radial direction, the end 66 of the auxiliary track 64 is at a distance sufficient to accommodate the width of the seal 14 and the width of the slider 60. Spaced outward from the seal 14 in the radial direction.

The auxiliary track 64 does not necessarily have to have an end portion 66 for prepositioning in order to fix the slider 60 at a specific position. If necessary, the slider 60 is removed from the auxiliary track 64 and can thus be separated from the seal 14 and the container 10. This arrangement may be useful where it is desirable to clean the slider 60 independently, so that the slide is not lost or misused.

In a variant embodiment (not shown), the slider 60 may be settled in a position parallel or even coincident with the seal 14. In this arrangement, the cover 12 has a cutout to release the slider 60 so that the cover 12 can be opened without interference of the slider 60.

In operation, the container 10 is at least partially and preferably sealable at the periphery upon closure by the cover 12. The seal 14 subtends the first sector 70 in the periphery. Preferably, the first sector 70 corresponds to at least 270 °, more preferably 360 °. The seal 14 can act fully throughout the first sector 70 by activation in the closing direction of the second sector 72 of the seal 14. The second sector 72 is smaller than the first sector 70 and is included in the first sector 70. Preferably, the second sector 72 corresponds to an angle of 260 ° to 360 ° and preferably corresponds to at least 290 °. As shown, the hinge can be disposed circumferentially outward of the second sector 72. Thus, the slider 60 and all other manual manipulation or activation of the seal 14 do not block the hinge.

If desired, the container 10 and cover 12 may include two or more seals 14 arranged in series. This seal 14 may be radially offset such that multiple occurrences of leakage through the seal 14 are required before the cover 12 ruptures. Optionally, the individual seals 14 may include two or more sliders 60. In this arrangement, each slider 60 corresponds to a portion of the first sector.

Claims (23)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete A container body having an opening 26 having a periphery therein, a cover 12 having a periphery corresponding to the periphery of the periphery of the opening 26, a seal 14, and a slider 60. A container (10) comprising at least partially sealable upon closure with the cover (12), The seal 14 corresponds to a first sector of the periphery of the opening, the seal 14 is fully activatable by manipulating a second sector of the periphery, the second sector being smaller than the first sector, Contained within the first sector, the second sector of the periphery being manipulated with the slider 60; Vessel. delete The method of claim 11, The cover 12 is attached to the container 10 by a hinge Vessel. The method of claim 13, The seal 14 seals the container at the periphery when the cover 12 is attached. Vessel. The method of claim 14, The hinge is disposed circumferentially outside the second sector. Vessel. delete delete The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, The cover 12 is attached to the container 10 at a hinge line disposed radially outward of the seal 14. Vessel. delete The method of claim 18, The slider 60 moves in a predetermined path, which path intersects the hinge line. Vessel. A method of sealing the contents in the container 10, the method comprising: providing a container 10 having an upright sidewall, an opening 26, and a seal 14 around it, and a cover complementary to the seal 14 12), positioning the contents to be received within the container 10, and placing the cover 12 over the opening 26 so that the cover 12 is secured with the seal 14; A method of sealing contents in a container, comprising the step of allowing the seal 14 to be engaged by placing in parallel. The cover 12 is in close contact with the peripheral seal 14 by manipulating a portion of the seal 14, whereby the cover 12 is frictionally coupled by the seal 14 and the cover 12. ) Is pressed against the seal 14 by moving the slider circumferentially around a portion of the seal 14, the portion having a length less than the length of the periphery of the container 10. Method for sealing contents in a container. The method of claim 21, The slider compresses the seal 14, the seal 14 has a longitudinal axis, and the compression direction is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. Method for sealing contents in a container. delete