MXPA06003032A - Disposable container with deformable brim. - Google Patents

Abstract

A container comprising at least one receptacle wall defining an opening. A brim is formed about the opening. The brim includes a brim curl in a first configuration. The brim curl is adapted to deform into a second configuration. The container may further comprise a lid removably and sealingly engaged to the receptacle. The lid is adapted to deform the brim curl upon removal of the lid from the receptacle. The lid cannot sealingly engage the deformed brim curl.

Description

DISPOSABLE CONTAINER WITH DEFORMABLE EDGE AND COVER FOR THE SAME FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the present invention are disposable containers, such as cups, bowls, plates and the like, for serving and storing edible products, in particular perishable products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION "Children's cups" or "trainers" are drinking devices used by children. Such devices are exemplary of the disadvantages that exist in the prior art related to disposable containers. Currently, a wide variety of non-disposable training cups are available, many of them have the strength and durability that is convenient for many consumers, improved resistance to pour-through-sealing-sealable-and retreatment, "a insulation 'suitable for hot drinks and an outer part that is' soft' to the touch.The removable lid allows the consumer to fill the cup with any drink.When such cups are filled with liquids that are high in sugar, such as juices or milk, and are not refrigerated, the cup becomes a very conducive environment for the colonization and propagation of bacteria.The children who use these cups are highly exposed to the seriously harmful effect of such bacteria.Therefore, what is desirable are cups that do not allow these harmful characteristics when filling cups and that do not offer a fertile soil for bacteria. or eliminate this practice is that the cups are disposable. However, many consumers use these "disposable" cups over and over again. Many of these cups are manufactured by an injection molding process in order to acquire sufficient strength and durability. Frequently, these cups include relatively thick walls and have a somewhat heavy construction. As such, even if the cup is manufactured to be discarded after a single use, the consumer may not consider the cup as disposable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to a disposable container. The container comprises at least one wall of the container defining an opening. A bank is formed around the opening and includes a bank loop in a first configuration. The bank loop can be deformed from the first configuration in a second configuration. The container may also include a lid that engages in a sealed and removable manner with the edge. When the cover is uncoupled from the shore, the shore becomes deformed. By deforming the edge, the lid causes the edge loop to deform from the first configuration in the second configuration. The lid and the edge loop are designed and configured so that the lid can not be sealed in a sealed manner with the deformed edge. Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved disposable container. Other objectives and advantages will be described below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings, like reference numbers refer to similar components: Figure 1 is a side plan view of a first embodiment of the lid. Figure 2A is a top plan view of the lid of Figure 1. Figure 2B is a sectional view of a tool and die for making a slot in the lid. Figure 3 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of the lid. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the lid of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of the lid. Figure 6 is a perspective view of the lid of Figure 5. Figure "7 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of the lid.

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the cap of the Figure 7. Figure 9 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of the lid. Figure 10 is a perspective view of the lid of the Figure 9. Figure 11 is a side sectional view of a cup having a bank loop with an arc angle of 135 °. Figure 12 is a side sectional view of a cup having a bank loop with an arc angle of 225 °. Figure 13 is a side plan view of the cup. Figure 14 is a side sectional view of the cup of Figure 13. Figure 15 is a perspective view of the cup of Figure 13. Figure 16 is a side sectional view of a cup coupled with a stamp top. Figure 17 is a side sectional view of the cup and lid of Figure 16 after coupling. Figure 18 is a side sectional view of a cup and a lid before coupling. Figure 19 is a side sectional view of a cup coupled with a lid with liquid in the cup. Figure 20 is a side plan view of an inclined cup coupled with seal to a lid with liquid in the bowl; and Figure 21 is a block diagram illustrating a method for implementing a disposable drinking device.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference in detail to the drawings, Figure 1 shows a lid 110. The lid 110 includes a crown 112, a nozzle 118 and a skirt 122. The nozzle 118 extends outward from the top 114 of the crown and includes at least one opening 120 which provides passage from the upper part 114 of the crown to the lower part 116 of the crown. The nozzle 118 and the associated opening 120 facilitate "sipping" by the user. The liquid can pass through the opening 120 when the lid 110 sits sealed on the edge of the cup (as shown in Figure 16). The skirt 122 includes ribs 121 projected inwardly and an annular edge 124. The skirt 122 of the lid, in general, is defined by the diameter of the skirt, to which it is approximately the same diameter as the edge of the cup to which the lid will be attached. The angular edge 124 includes an inner edge surface and is generally defined by the diameter ib of the edge, which is smaller than the diameter of the skirt a. The ribs 121 and the angular edge 124, in combination, are configured to securely engage the lid 110 with the edge of the cup. The lid 110 has a thickness m of approximately 0.0254 cm which advantageously allows the lid 110 to be relatively strong, durable and really disposable. Alternatively, the lid may have a thickness m of between 0.022 cm to 0.063 cm or greater. Preferably, the lid 110 is constructed with a thermoforming process with a plastic and / or translucent composite material. However, the lid 110 can be constructed of any material and / or combination of materials suitable for the final purpose, such as polyester (APET), polypropylene or polyethylene-alone- or as a coating on a cardboard substrate, which can be most appropriate from the point of view of safety for the child. Figure 2A illustrates an opening 120 in the nozzle 118, which generally allows the liquid to be sucked out of a coupled cup while providing some resistance to runoff. The opening 120 shown in Figure 2A is a self-closing groove (which is exaggerated for purposes of illustration). The self-sealing groove is flexible, deformable and elastic, and increases in size to dispense the liquid when it is sucked, that is, the pressure is less than the ambient pressure and is applied to the nozzle 118. After finishing the suction, the Self-locking groove returns to its original size and shapes to prevent liquid from coming out of the attached cup. Such a self-closing groove can be formed by making a single groove in the nozzle 118 of a thermoformed cover 110 with the use of a narrow knife without removing the material from the nozzle 118. A tool and die arrangement for making the groove in the nozzle 118 is shown in Figure 2B. The die 117 is positioned on an opposite side of the nozzle 118 of the blade 115 and includes a slot 119 for receiving the blade 115. The die 117 provides a support for the nozzle 118 as the blade 115 pierces and cuts the nozzle 118 to create slot.

This arrangement helps to minimize plastic deformation during the groove cutting process, which is important when creating the self-locking groove. Self-locking slots are not present in the injection molding caps since the injection molding caps are thicker and less elastic than the thermoformed caps. A self-closing groove provides a greater ability to resist runoff than is possible with injection molded covers that do not have elastomeric valves assembled or molded by insert. Figure 3 illustrates a lid 110a having a skirt 122a that does not include an angular edge. The ribs 121a and the upper portion 123a of the skirt 122a, in combination, are configured to securely associate the lid 110a with the edge of the cup. Figure 4 illustrates this alternative cover 110a in perspective. Figure 5 illustrates a lid 110b having a skirt 122b that includes an edge 124b, but does not include ribs. The angular edge 124b and the upper portion 123b of the skirt 122b, in combination, are configured to securely associate the lid 110b with the edge of the cup. Figure 6 illustrates this alternative cover 110b in perspective. Figure 7 illustrates a lid 110c having a conical nozzle 118c compared to the caps described above. As shown in Figure 8, a plurality of holes 120c serve as the opening of the nozzle 118c through which the liquid contained in the coupled cup can be dispensed. Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a lid 110d similar to that illustrated in Figure 3. The mouthpiece 118d of this lid 110d includes a plurality of holes 120d through which the liquid contained in the coupled cup can be dispensed. A disposable lid 128 is constructed with a thermoforming process, as shown in Figure 11. The disposable cup 128 is constructed to coincide with the lid described above. The wall 130 of the cup defines a cup opening 132 and a cup cavity 134. The edge 136 of the cup includes a partially formed edge loop 138, which extends completely around the edge 136 of the cup. Alternatively, the edge loop 138 may extend only partially around the edge 136 of the cup. The bank loop 136 is generally described by its arc angle ß, which is defined as the angle between the imaginary line I, arranged tangent to the wall 130 of the cup and the imaginary line extended from the end of the loop 138 of shore, as shown. The arc angle ß is preferably between about 1350 to 2250, but depending on the actual construction of the cap, it may be outside this range. Figure 11 shows a cup 128 having a bank loop 138 with an arc angle ß of about 135 °. Figure 12 shows a cup 128 having a bank loop 138 with an arc angle ß of about 225 °. Figures 13, 14 and 15 illustrate a side view, in cross-sectional view, and a perspective view, respectively, of a disposable cup 128 having a partially formed edge loop 138. The edge loop 138 of the disposable cup 128 can be placed in multiple configurations. For example, Figure 16 shows a disposable cup 128 with a lid 110 seated in a sealed manner on the edge 136. The edge loop 138 of this cup 128 extends around the edge 136 in a lip configuration 140. In the lip configuration 140, the edge loop 138 extends in an arcuate and concave manner away from the opening 132 of the cup to form a lip lip 144. In an alternative configuration, which is not illustrated, the shore loop extends only partially around the shore. When the lid 110 is removed from the cup 128, as shown in Figure 17, the lid causes the edge loop 138 to deform into a flared configuration 142. In the flared configuration 142, the edge loop 138 extends arcuately and concavely away from the opening 132 of the cup to form a flared bell 146. As shown, the lid 110 deforms the full edge loop 138. However, in practice, the lid 110 may be partially deformed, so that the flared configuration 142 extends only partially around the edge 136.

Referring again to Figure 11, the edge 136 of the cup has a shore loop diameter, c, with the appropriate dimensions relative to the diameter a of the lid skirt (as shown in Figure 1), for allowing the edge loop 138 to be sealedly associated with the lid skirt 122 as shown in Figure 16. The lip lip 144 has a lip diameter d having the dimensions relative to the lid edge diameter b to allow the lip 144 of the edge to be associated with the angular edge 124 (or ribs 121, depending on the configuration of the lid). With reference to Figure 16, the cup wall 130 preferably is constructed of a translucent plastic material and has a wall thickness n, which is preferably 0.038 cm. However, the wall thickness n can be between 0.022 cm and 0.063 cm. Furthermore, although the cup 128 is preferably constructed of a plastic and / or a composite material, it can be constructed of any suitable material and / or combination of materials, such as paper and / or polyester (APET), polypropylene or polyethylene, alone or as a coating on a cardboard substrate, all of them appropriate from the safety point of view for the child. In Figure 18 a disposable drinking device 148 is shown. A liquid 150 is contained in the cavity 134 of the cup and a lid 110 is loosely placed with the cup 128. Figure 19 shows the lid 110 press fit with the cup 128 containing the liquid 150. The cup 128 is shown with the edge loop 138 in a lip configuration 140, wherein the diameter c of the edge loop, has the dimensions relative to the diameter a of the skirt of the lid, to allow the edge loop 138 to be associated in a sealed manner with the skirt 122 of the lid in a first sealing location 152 and a second sealing location 154. In addition, the diameter d of the lid has the dimensions in relation to the edge diameter b, to allow the lip lip 144 to be associated with the angular edge 124 when the lid 110 is adjusted to pressure associated with the cup 128. In Figure 20 shows a disposable device 148 for drinking in an inclined shape. The lid 110 is associated with the cup 128 in such a way that the edge loop 138 is sealedly associated with the lid skirt 122 in a first sealing location 152 and in a second sealing location 154. In addition, the angular edge 124 is fixedly associated with the edge lip 144. By having the associated edge loop 138 sealed with the lid skirt and the associated angular edge 124 attached to the lip lip 144, it advantageously allows the disposable drinking device to be tilted without spilling the liquid 150 contained therein. in the cavity 134 of the cup. In addition, by having a nozzle opening 120 measured and / or shaped to contain liquid until suction is applied in the nozzle 118 of the lid to allow the disposable drinking device 148 to be tiltable without spilling the liquid 150 contained therein. in the cavity 134 of the cup. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, the lid 110 and the edge 136 of the bowl are round in shape and the angular edge 124 is disposed relative to the lip 144 of the edge to provide an adjustment closure feature that fits in an annular manner. around loop 138 of the shore. The lid 110 is novel and unique compared to the existing covers because: 1) it is built with the use of a thermoforming process, better than through an injection molding process; 2) the interaction between the angular edge 124 and the lip 144 of the edge make the lid 128 easy to compress over the cup 128, but when the lid is removed from the cup, the angular edge 124 is pushed against the lip 144 of shore, which forces the bank loop 138 at least partially toward a flared configuration 142, which destroys the seal and the ability to reseal; 3) is formed of a clear material that allows a clear identification of the type and level of the liquid 150 within the cup 128; 4) the nozzle opening 120 has the size and / or dimensions to minimize the liquid from leaking from the cup and; 5) the disposable nature of the lid 110 allows the disposable drinking device 142 to be completely disposable. The cup 128 is novel and unique compared to the existing cups because: 1) the cup 128 includes a cup edge 136 configurable for a single purpose; 2) cup 128 can be constructed of several truly disposable materials, such as paper or a thermoformed plastic; and 3) the cup 128 can be stacked, which facilitates its transportation and / or packing. Preferably, the cup 128 is a break-resistant cup and includes a coating such as a foam material, which provides a tactile effect for the child using the cup 128. Referring to FIG. 21, a pattern is shown and described. method 200 for implementing the disposable device for drinking. As shown in blocks 202 and 203, lid 110 and cup 128 are obtained and a liquid 150 is poured into cavity 134 of the cup. The lid 110 is then arranged to be somewhat loosened with the lid edge 136, to cover the cup cavity 134, as shown in block 204. The lid 110 is then compressed on the edge 136 of the cup, as shown in FIG. shows in block 206, so that the inner edge surface 126 of the angular edge 124 is associated with the edge lip 144. At this point, disposable drinking device 148 is ready to be used and discarded after use. According to an exemplary embodiment, although a disposable device 148 is described for drinking and a method, 200 for implementing the same, it should be understood that the method and device of the invention can be applied in other product containers, such as bowls of storage, plates and / or cups isolated. While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiment, persons skilled in the art will understand that changes can be made and equivalents of the elements can be substituted, without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, modifications can be made to suit a particular situation or material in accordance with the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention is not limited to the particular mode described as the best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention, rather, the invention will include all modalities that fall within the scope of the claims. annexes. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the use of the terms first, second, etc., does not indicate any order of importance, rather, the terms first, second, etc., are used to distinguish one element from another. .

Claims (10)

1. CLAIMS 1. A container characterized in that it comprises: a) at least one wall of the container defining an opening, wherein one edge is formed around the opening and the edge includes a shore loop in a first configuration, the edge loop is adapted to deform in a second configuration and wherein the edge loop is adapted to deform irreversibly in a second configuration during use. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the first configuration of the bank loop is generally arched, outward and downward, wherein in the second configuration the bank loop arches at least partially outward and upward. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the edge loop defines an arc angle between approximately 135 ° and 225 ° from a line tangent to the wall of the container when it is in the first configuration. 4. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a cover, wherein the cover is adapted to deform the edge after being detached, wherein the cover can not be coupled in sealed with the deformed edge. 5. The container according to claim 4, characterized in that the edge is irreversibly deformed after being detached. 6. The container according to claim 5, characterized in that the lid includes a lid skirt having an inwardly extended edge surface, adapted to abut against the distal end of the edge loop when the lid engages sealed on the edge. A method for producing a disposable container, characterized in that it comprises: providing a container having an opening and a rim formed around the opening, the rim includes a rim loop in a first configuration, and providing a lid having a rim with an edge surface extended inward; sealing the lid in a coupled manner with the edge, so that the inwardly extended edge surface rests against the edge loop, detaching the lid of the container, where the edge surface deforms at least partially, the loop of edge so that the lid can not be reattached sealed with the edge. 8. A cover for coupling with a container, the cover is characterized in that it comprises: a_corona_ ter.rrno.fP.r.mjada. having a skirt and a nozzle, wherein the skirt extends peripherally from the crown and is adapted to secure the cover with the container, and the nozzle includes a single slot, and wherein the nozzle is adapted to deform elastically around of a single slot after the application of a pressure differential. 9. The lid according to claim 8, characterized in that the single groove is formed at one end of the nozzle. The lid according to claim 8, characterized in that the single groove is formed by cutting the nozzle with a blade without removing the material from the nozzle.