US20010013527A1 - Apparatus for covering a container - Google Patents
Apparatus for covering a container Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20010013527A1 US20010013527A1 US09/840,564 US84056401A US2001013527A1 US 20010013527 A1 US20010013527 A1 US 20010013527A1 US 84056401 A US84056401 A US 84056401A US 2001013527 A1 US2001013527 A1 US 2001013527A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cover
- top portion
- flap
- shaker
- disposed
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 abstract description 7
- 238000007373 indentation Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 3
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 3
- 210000004905 finger nail Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000000796 flavoring agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000019634 flavors Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000013618 particulate matter Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004278 EU approved seasoning Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000010411 cooking Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000011194 food seasoning agent Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003754 machining Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000013599 spices Nutrition 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
- B65D21/0209—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together one-upon-the-other in the upright or upside-down position
- B65D21/0217—Containers with a closure presenting stacking elements
- B65D21/0219—Containers with a closure presenting stacking elements the closure presenting projecting peripheral elements receiving or surrounding the bottom or peripheral elements projecting from the bottom of a superimposed container
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/04—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps
- B65D47/06—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages
- B65D47/08—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures
- B65D47/0804—Closures with discharging devices other than pumps with pouring spouts or tubes; with discharge nozzles or passages having articulated or hinged closures integrally formed with the base element provided with the spout or discharge passage
- B65D47/0833—Hinges without elastic bias
- B65D47/0847—Hinges without elastic bias located within a flat surface of the base element
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D2251/00—Details relating to container closures
- B65D2251/10—Details of hinged closures
- B65D2251/1016—Means for locking the closure in closed position
- B65D2251/1041—The closure having a part penetrating in the dispensing aperture and retained by snapping over integral beads or projections
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Abstract
A food products container is disclosed having a cover with two integrally formed flaps for covering a plurality of cover openings, in particular a spooning opening and shaker openings. Skirts extending downward from the flaps engage their respective openings in the cover to seal them. The skirts that engage the openings extend downward and outward from the flaps at an angle. By extending outward and downward, the skirts engage and lock into the holes. A lip is provided at an outer edge of the cover on the flaps and on the non-rotating part of the cover to retain a second, identical container placed on top by engaging an outer indent in the bottom of the second container.
Description
- This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/959,399, filed on Oct. 28, 1997, entitled “An Improved Integrally-Formed Container, which is hereby incorporated by reference therein.
- This invention generally relates to hand-held plastic containers for storing and dispensing particulate matter. More particularly, it relates to such containers with a cover having a plurality of flaps for enclosing, respectively, a plurality of openings in the cover. More particularly, it relates to containers for foodstuffs having a shaker opening with a plurality of holes and a spooning opening with a large opening adapted to receive a common household spoon.
- In the field of hand-held plastic containers for storing and dispensing particulate matter, particularly foodstuffs or seasonings such as those displayed and sold in supermarkets, designers have desired to create containers that are easily stackable, having several openings, particularly openings for both shaking and spooning that have flaps to seal these openings, yet are inexpensive to manufacture in large quantities and are inexpensive to assemble.
- These containers typically have a diameter of between 20 and 150 millimeters and are especially suitable for cooks who can spoon foodstuffs such as spices from a first opening and can shake the same foodstuffs from a second set of openings. Typically, the matter is spooned from the first opening and deposited into a bowl or other container for mixing food. The spooning opening is adapted to receive any one of a variety of common household spoons used for measuring foodstuffs. A second opening (or more accurately, several openings) on a second side of the cover are provided to allow the foodstuffs to be shaken out of the container. Typically, the shaker side of the container cover is used when the foodstuffs are shaken directly into food that is being served, or food that is being seasoned “to taste” while it is cooking.
- Manufacturers of these products must balance several conflicting goals. First, the container must seal tightly to prevent the foodstuffs from oxidizing, to prevent their flavors from evaporating and to prevent them from picking up any of the flavors of the adjacent foods. Second, the container must be inexpensive to manufacture, since the cost of the foodstuffs in the container is typically quite small. Third, the container must similarly be inexpensive to fill and assemble. Fourth, the container must easily and reliably stack on supermarket shelves to a typical height of three to five containers, since supermarket shelves are typically spaced several inches apart, and shelf space is at a premium.
- Manufacturers have had mixed results with their designs. In a typical recent example in the prior art, a cover is provided that has two flaps, one flap having a skirt extending down from its lower surface to seal a spooning opening, and another flap having three skirts extending down from its lower surface to seal three shaker openings. The skirts extend at right angles from the lower surface of their respective flaps and are sized to snap fit within their respective openings to secure their respective flaps in a closed position. A drawback of this design is that the flaps are formed separately from the rest of the cover and thus a separate joining process is required. In an alternative prior art design, a two-flap cover having one spooning opening and one shaker opening, avoids the thick skirts of the previous example, and provides slightly rounded bumps on the inner surface of the shaker flap that seal against the corresponding shaker openings. A drawback to this design is the limited sealing ability of the cover with bumps since the bumps do not lock into the holes they cover.
- What is needed, therefore, is an improved food products container having a cover formed integrally with a plurality of flaps that provides improved sealing. It is an object of this invention to provide such a cover.
- In accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, a cover for a food products container is disclosed including a cylindrical portion having a first and a second end, a means for coupling the cover to a container disposed on an inner surface of the cylindrical portion, a substantially planar and circular top portion coupled to and enclosing the first end of the cylindrical portion and having a plurality of shaker openings disposed on a first side of the top portion and a spooning opening disposed on a second side of the top portion, a shaker flap formed integrally with the top portion and having an outer edge with a downwardly extending skirt and hingably secured to the top portion to rotatingly open about a line adjacent to a diametral line of the top portion and disposed to selectively cover and uncover the plurality of shaker openings, and a spooning flap formed integrally with the top portion and having an outer edge with a downwardly extending skirt and hingably secured to the top portion to rotatingly open about a line adjacent to a diametral line of the top portion and disposed to selectively cover and uncover the spooning openings. The cylindrical portion may have a first recess disposed to receive the skirt extending from the spooning flap or a second recess disposed to receive the skirt extending from the shaker flap. The shaker flap and spooning flap may be recessed within the top portion at an outer edge of the top portion to provide in combination with the outer edge a container supporting surface or may have a raised lip with an outer diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion. The spooning flap skirt when in a closed position may extend both downward with respect to the spooning flap and outward with respect to a central axis of the cover. The raised lip on the shaker flap may be coupled to the shaker flap at a position disposed outwardly from a position at which the shaker flap skirt is coupled to the shaker flap. The raised lip on the spooning flap may be coupled to the spooning flap at a position disposed outwardly from a position at which the spooning flap skirt is coupled to the spooning flap. The top portion may include a raised lip disposed at an edge of the top portion adjacent to the cylindrical portion. The raised lip of the top portion may have substantially the same diameter as the raised lip of the shaker flap and the raised lip of the spooning flap.
- In accordance with a second embodiment of the invention, a closed-bottom receptacle with an otherwise open and cylindrical upper end coupled to and enclosed by the cover. The receptacle may have a first annular recess disposed at its upper end to receive the cylindrical portion of the cover. An outer surface of the receptacle may be substantially cylindrical and may have a diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of the cover. A raised lip may be provided extending from both the shaker flap and the spooning flap, and the receptacle may have a second annular recess disposed at a closed bottom of the receptacle to receive the shaker flap lip and the spooning flap lip. The shaker flap and the spooning flap may be recessed within the top portion at an outer edge of the top portion to provide in combination with the outer edge a container supporting surface. The shaker flap and spooning flap may have a raised lip with a diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion. The top portion may also include a raised lip disposed at an edge of the top portion adjacent to the cylindrical portion. The raised lip of the top portion may have substantially the same diameter as the raised lip of the shaker flap and the raised lip of the spooning flap.
- Other principal features and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon review of the following drawings, the detailed description and the appended claims.
- FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional side view of a container including a cover and receptacle in accordance with the current invention showing the flaps in an open position and as dashed lines in a closed position;
- FIG. 2 is an orthogonal view of the cover of FIG. 1, showing the flaps in an open position;
- FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1 showing the angled orientation of the flap skirts; and;
- FIG. 4 is a top view of the cover of FIG. 1 with the flaps in an open position.
- Before explaining at least one embodiment of the invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a
container 10 having areceptacle 12 and acover 14.Cover 14 includes ashaker flap 16, called a shaker flap because it covers (when closed)shaker openings 18 disposed in planartop portion 20 of the cover.Cover 14 also includes aspooning flap 22 that similarly covers a largerspooning opening 24 also disposed intop portion 20. - The cover as best seen in FIG. 2, is in the form of a substantially
cylindrical portion 26, andtop portion 20 which is coupled to an upper end ofcylindrical portion 26 to enclosecylindrical portion 26. Referring to FIG. 1, which shows a portion of the cover in cross-section with the receptacle attached,threads 28 are provided on the inner surface ofcylindrical portion 26 for couplingcylindrical portion 26 to the outside of the top ofreceptacle 12. As seen in FIG. 1, mating threads are disposed on an outer indented top portion ofreceptacle 12 to engagethreads 28. Alternatively,cylindrical portion 26 may be equipped with an inner detent or a raised ring to allow it to be snap connected to the top portion ofreceptacle 12. Referring to FIG. 2, anelongate recess 19 is provided in whichshaker flap 16 will fit whenflap 16 is in a closed position, to provide a substantially flat upper surface oftop portion 20 on which a similar container can be stacked. - Referring back to FIG. 1,
receptacle 12 includes a substantiallyplanar bottom portion 30 that is adapted to engage alip 32 ofcover 14. There is a significant advantage to this feature: since thebottom portion 30 is adapted to engagelip 32, then a plurality of containers identical to the one pictured in FIGS. 1 and 2 can be stacked one atop the other,lip 32 serving to orient the bottom of the next higher container and so keep the containers in proper alignment when stacked. In FIG. 1, two identical containers are shown in this stacked arrangement, the bottom of the upper container being shown as dashedline 34 engagingrim 32 when the flaps of the lower container are in a closed position (shown in FIG. 1 as dashed lines when in their closed positions). It can be seen that bottom portion 30 (and hence identical bottom portion 34) are adapted to engage one another.Lip 32 is disposed at an outer edge ofcover 14 to engage arecess 36 at the junction of bottom 30 andwall 38 ofreceptacle 12. By disposing bothlip 32 andrecess 36 to engage each other near the outer periphery of the container, study has shown that the containers, are more easily stacked, and when stacked tend to self-center. A portion oflip 32 is preferably disposed onshaker flap 16, spooningflap 22 as well as on the non-hinged sides oftop portion 20 as can be best seen in FIG. 4. Each of these portions is preferably disposed at an outer edge ofcover 14 and have substantially the same diameter. Other designs, provide orienting means disposed more closely to the center of the container, such as my providing an indentation at or near the center of the receptacle bottom that engages with an upwardly extending protrusion located near the center of the cover on which it is stacked, are more difficult to stack accurately and also tend to tip more easily. In addition, it is harder to hold tolerances on an inner indentation than an outer indentation as shown in FIG. 1. These designs have the added disadvantage of requiring an internal recess to be formed in the center of the receptacle bottom, requiring additional machining to manufacture. - Referring to FIG. 2, a plurality of
oval shaker openings 18, preferably substantially circular as shown here, are provided to allow foodstuffs within the container to be shaken out whenshaker flap 16 is opened. These openings are preferably arranged not along a straight line, but along an arc. Along the underside ofshaker flap 16 are a plurality ofskirts 40 adapted to engage and sealshaker openings 18 one for each ofshaker openings 18. Each of these skirts extends substantially completely around the periphery of its correspondingopening 18 when in a closed position. In this embodiment, since theshaker openings 18 are substantially circular, the shaker flap skirts 40 are therefore substantially circular also to provide complete peripheral sealing ofshaker openings 18. - As best seen in cross-section in FIG. 3, which shows cover14 in cross-section along a diametral line of the cover perpendicular to both the
shaker flap hinge 50 and the spooningflap hinge 58 with both the shaker and the spooning flap in a closed position, skirts 40 do not extend perpendicularly from the underside ofshaker flap 16. Indeed, skirts 40 extend at an angle phi of between 9 and 25 degrees, and more preferably of between 5 and 20 degrees, from the bottom ofshaker flap 16 with respect to a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis ofcontainer 10 and to hinge 50. This angle is particularly beneficial in that it allows the cover, including the flaps, to be readily and integrally molded as a single monolithic piece. In addition, this angle allowsskirts 40 to releasably lock into their closed position whenshaker flap 16 is closed.Shaker flap 16 also includes askirt 46 that extends downwardly fromshaker flap 16 at a similar angle phi.Skirt 46 extends fromshaker flap 16 near an outer edge ofshaker flap 16 and has an arcuate shape to define an outer substantially vertical surface ofcover 14 whenshaker flap 16 is in a closed position.Skirt 46 has anindentation 48 disposed at a central outer portion ofskirt 46 and is configured to receive a finger or fingernail of the user. This allows the user to graspshaker flap 16 and readilyopen container 10.Skirt 46 preferably extends aroundcover 14 for an angle theta of between 60 and 120 degrees (see FIG. 4). From an outward appearance, therefore,skirt 46 would appear to form between 60 and 120 degrees of the circumference of the upper part ofcover 14. This provides a significant advantage in the design ofcover 14. Sinceskirt 46 is arcuate, rather than straight, it is less likely to be bent over when the cover is grasped and opened, and further distributes the grasping load more evenly around the outer edge ofshaker flap 16. This allowsshaker flap 16 to be made thinner and therefore to require less plastic when manufactured. Referring to FIG. 4, when theshaker flap 16 is closed, an outer portion ofskirt 40 engages an outer portion ofshaker opening 18 to thereby releasablylock shaker flap 16 totop portion 20 in a closed position. While only asingle skirt 40 is shown in cross section in FIG. 4, the other shaker skirts for the other two shaker openings are identically configured to releasably locktop portion 20 toshaker flap 16.Shaker flap 16 is coupled totop portion 20 by a flexible and integrally formedhinge 50 preferably extending the entire length ofshaker flap 16. Spooningflap 22 is coupled totop portion 20 by a flexible and integrally formedhinge 58 preferably extending the length of spooningflap 22. Note that, unlike certain prior art covers with hingable flaps, hinges 50 and 58 are disposed adjacent to a diametral line ofcover 14 to allow the flaps to hinge upward and toward the middle ofcover 14. In prior art covers, the hinges were formed along an outer edge of the cover, which allowed the flaps to be opened upward and outward. This caused the flap to dangle in its open position and in the way of the material being shaken out of the container, causing it to be covered with the foodstuffs or other materials inside. The advantage of this prior art design, however, was that it allowed the top portion of the cover and its flap to be easily formed with a two piece mold as an integral unit. - Spooning
flap 22 similarly encloses spooningopening 24. Spooningflap 22 has askirt 52 depending from a lower surface of spooningflap 22 that includes anarcuate portion 54 and a substantiallystraight portion 56.Straight portion 56 extends substantially parallel to and disposed a short distance away fromhinge 58 that couples spooningflap 22 totop portion 20. As withskirts 40 on the shaker flap,straight portion 56 does not extend perpendicularly from the underside of spooningflap 22, but extends at an angle phi of between 9 and 25 degrees from the underside of spooningflap 22, more preferably between 5 and 20 degrees with respect to a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis ofcontainer 10 and to hinge 58. As withskirt 40 of the shaker flap, by disposingstraight portion 56 at this angle, cover 14 can be manufactured in a single piece with spooningflap 22 formed integrally withcover 14. Similarly,arcuate portion 54 ofskirt 52 also extends downward and at an angle phi of between 9 and 25 degrees, more preferably between 5 and 20 degrees, from the underside of spooningflap 22 with respect to a plan parallel to the longitudinal axis ofcontainer 10 and to hinge 58.Arcuate portion 54 preferably extends through an arc having an angle of between 120 and 180 degrees to provide a sufficiently large spooning opening.Arcuate portion 54 engages an outer lip of spooningopening 24 to releasablylock spooning flap 22 totop portion 22 when spooningflap 22 is in a closed position. Spooningflap 22 also includes askirt 60 that extends downwardly from spooningflap 22 near an outer edge of spooningflap 22 and has an arcuate shape to define an outer substantially vertical surface ofcover 14 when spooningflap 22 is in a closed position.Skirt 60 has anindentation 61 disposed at a central outer portion ofskirt 60 and is configured to receive a finger or fingernail of the user. This allows the user to grasp spooningflap 22 and readilyopen container 10.Skirt 60 preferably extends aroundcover 14 when in the closed position for an angle pi of between 100 and 150 degrees (see FIG. 4). From an outward appearance, therefore,skirt 60 would appear to form between 100 and 150 degrees of the circumference of the upper part ofcover 14. As withskirt 46 ofshaker flap 16, sinceskirt 60 is arcuate, rather than straight, it has greater structural strength and it is less likely to be bent over when its flap is grasped and opened, and further distributes the grasping load more evenly around the outer edge of spooningflap 22. This allows spooningflap 22 to be made thinner and therefore to require less plastic when manufactured. Note that the arcuate length ofskirt 60 is greater than the arcuate length ofskirt 46. This is desirable and provides additional support to spooningflap 22 given the greater length ofarcuate portion 54 which therefore provides a greater portion ofskirt 52 that is in locking contact with spooningopening 24 and hence requires a greater opening force. This additional arcuate length ofskirt 60 therefore provides additional strength to spooningflap 22 when the user attempts to open spooningflap 22. - A
recess 62 is provided in the cylindrical portion ofcover 14 to receiveskirt 46 ofshaker flap 16. By providingrecess 62,skirt 46 can be set into an outer surface ofcover 14 when shaker flap is closed, thereby reducing the risk that skirt 46 will be accidentally jostled and caught,shaker flap 16 opened and the contents ofcontainer 10 spilled. Similarly, arecess 64 is provided incover 14 on the opposite side ofcover 14 fromrecess 62 to similarly receiveskirt 60 of spooningflap 22 for the same reason. The effect ofskirts cover 14. - Thus, it should be apparent that there has been provided in accordance with the present invention an improved integrally-formed container that fully satisfies the objectives and advantages set forth above. Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
Claims (15)
1. A container comprising:
a cover including,
a cylindrical portion having a first and a second end,
cover threads disposed on an inner surface of the cylindrical portion,
a substantially planar and circular top portion coupled to and enclosing the first end of the cylindrical portion and having a plurality of relatively large shaker openings disposed on a first side of the top portion,
a shaker flap formed integrally with the top portion and having an outer edge with a downwardly extending skirt and hingably secured to the top portion to rotatingly open about a line adjacent to a diametral line of the top portion and disposed to selectively cover and uncover the plurality of shaker openings; and
a closed-bottom receptacle having an otherwise open and cylindrical upper end coupled to and enclosed by the cover, the upper end having external receptacle threads configured to engage the cover threads, wherein the receptacle has a first annular recess disposed at its upper end to receive the cylindrical portion of the cover, and further wherein an outer surface of the receptacle is substantially cylindrical, and further comprising a raised lip extending from the cover, and further wherein the receptacle has a second annular recess disposed at a closed bottom of the receptacle configured to receive a raised lip extending from an identical cover.
2. The container of , wherein the raised lip extending from the cover includes a raised lip extending from the shaker flap.
claim 1
3. The container of , wherein the raised lip extending from the cover includes a raised lip extending from the top portion.
claim 1
4. The container of , wherein the raised lip extends in an arc about the cover and is adjacent to the cylindrical portion.
claim 1
5. A container comprising:
a cover including,
a cylindrical portion having a first and a second end,
a substantially planar and circular top portion coupled to and enclosing the first end of the cylindrical portion and having a plurality of shaker openings disposed on a first side of the top portion and a spooning opening disposed on a second side of the top portion,
a shaker flap formed integrally with the top portion and hingably secured to the top portion and disposed to selectively cover and uncover the plurality of shaker openings,
a spooning flap formed integrally with the top portion and hingably secured to the top portion and disposed to selectively cover and uncover the spooning opening and a raised lip extending from both the shaker flap and the spooning flap; and a closed-bottom receptacle having an otherwise open and cylindrical upper end coupled to and enclosed by the cover, wherein the receptacle has a first annular recess disposed at its upper end to receive the cylindrical portion of the cover, and further wherein an outer surface of the receptacle is substantially cylindrical and has a diameter substantially the same as an outer diameter of the cover, and further wherein the receptacle has a second annular recess disposed at a closed bottom of the receptacle configured to receive a raised lip of an identical cover.
6. The container of , wherein the shaker flap and the spooning flap are recessed in the top portion.
claim 5
7. The container of , wherein the shaker flap and the spooning flap are recessed in the top portion at an outer edge of the top portion to provide in combination with the outer edge a container supporting surface.
claim 6
8. The container of , wherein the raised lip of the shaker flap and the spooning flap have a diameter substantially the same as the outer diameter of the cylindrical portion.
claim 7
9. The container of , wherein the top portion includes a raised lip disposed at an edge of the top portion adjacent to the cylindrical portion.
claim 8
10. The container of , wherein the raised lip of the top portion and the raised lip of the spooning flap are disposed at an outer edge of the cap.
claim 9
11. A cover for a container comprising:
a cylindrical portion having a first and a second end;
a means for coupling the cover to a container disposed on an inner surface of the cylindrical portion;
a substantially planar and circular top portion coupled to and enclosing the first end of the cylindrical portion and having a plurality of shaker openings disposed on a first side of the top portion and a spooning opening disposed on a second side of the top portion;
a shaker flap formed integrally with the top portion and having an outer edge with a downwardly extending skirt and hingably secured to the top portion to rotatingly open about a line adjacent to a diametral line of the top portion and disposed to selectively cover and uncover the plurality of shaker openings; and
a spooning flap formed integrally with the top portion and having an outer edge with a downwardly extending skirt and hingably secured to the top portion to rotatingly open about a line adjacent to a diametral line of the top portion and disposed to selectively cover and uncover the spooning openings, wherein the cylindrical portion, the top portion and the shaker flap and the spooning flap are integrally formed.
12. The cover of , wherein the cylindrical portion has a first recess disposed to receive the skirt extending from the spooning flap.
claim 11
13. The cover of , wherein the cylindrical portion has a second recess disposed to receive the skirt extending from the shaker flap.
claim 12
14. The cover of , wherein the shaker flap and the spooning flap are recessed within the top portion.
claim 13
15. The cover of , wherein the skirt extending from the spooning flap and the skirt extending from the shaker flap extend downwards and outwards away from a central axis of the cap.
claim 14
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US09/840,564 US6308870B2 (en) | 1997-10-28 | 2001-04-23 | Apparatus for covering a container |
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US08/959,399 US5971231A (en) | 1997-10-28 | 1997-10-28 | Integrally formed container |
US09/374,976 US6250517B1 (en) | 1997-10-28 | 1999-08-16 | Integrally-formed container |
US09/840,564 US6308870B2 (en) | 1997-10-28 | 2001-04-23 | Apparatus for covering a container |
Related Parent Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US09/374,976 Continuation US6250517B1 (en) | 1997-10-28 | 1999-08-16 | Integrally-formed container |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20010013527A1 true US20010013527A1 (en) | 2001-08-16 |
US6308870B2 US6308870B2 (en) | 2001-10-30 |
Family
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Family Applications (3)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/959,399 Expired - Lifetime US5971231A (en) | 1997-10-28 | 1997-10-28 | Integrally formed container |
US09/374,976 Expired - Lifetime US6250517B1 (en) | 1997-10-28 | 1999-08-16 | Integrally-formed container |
US09/840,564 Expired - Lifetime US6308870B2 (en) | 1997-10-28 | 2001-04-23 | Apparatus for covering a container |
Family Applications Before (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US08/959,399 Expired - Lifetime US5971231A (en) | 1997-10-28 | 1997-10-28 | Integrally formed container |
US09/374,976 Expired - Lifetime US6250517B1 (en) | 1997-10-28 | 1999-08-16 | Integrally-formed container |
Country Status (1)
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US (3) | US5971231A (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8985407B2 (en) * | 2012-03-06 | 2015-03-24 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | One-piece dispensing cap for a container |
US20170129658A1 (en) * | 2014-07-23 | 2017-05-11 | Innovative Molding | Dispensing closure |
Families Citing this family (41)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6460718B1 (en) * | 1997-10-28 | 2002-10-08 | Gateway Plastics Incorporated | Container with a threaded cap having a stepped sealing ring with a plurality of narrow sealing surfaces |
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-
1997
- 1997-10-28 US US08/959,399 patent/US5971231A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
1999
- 1999-08-16 US US09/374,976 patent/US6250517B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
-
2001
- 2001-04-23 US US09/840,564 patent/US6308870B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8985407B2 (en) * | 2012-03-06 | 2015-03-24 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | One-piece dispensing cap for a container |
US20170129658A1 (en) * | 2014-07-23 | 2017-05-11 | Innovative Molding | Dispensing closure |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US5971231A (en) | 1999-10-26 |
US6250517B1 (en) | 2001-06-26 |
US6308870B2 (en) | 2001-10-30 |
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