US20170166367A1 - Package - Google Patents
Package Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20170166367A1 US20170166367A1 US14/966,673 US201514966673A US2017166367A1 US 20170166367 A1 US20170166367 A1 US 20170166367A1 US 201514966673 A US201514966673 A US 201514966673A US 2017166367 A1 US2017166367 A1 US 2017166367A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- brim
- closure
- container
- endless
- peelable film
- 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.)
- Abandoned
Links
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
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
- B65D43/0202—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element
- B65D43/0204—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections
- B65D43/0212—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth
-
- 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
- B65D25/00—Details of other kinds or types of rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D25/28—Handles
- B65D25/2802—Handles fixed, i.e. non-swingable, handles
- B65D25/282—Handles fixed, i.e. non-swingable, handles provided on a local area near to or at the upper edge or rim
-
- 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
- B65D43/00—Lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
- B65D43/02—Removable lids or covers
- B65D43/0202—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element
- B65D43/0204—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections
-
- 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
- B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D51/18—Arrangements of closures with protective outer cap-like covers or of two or more co-operating closures
- B65D51/20—Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing
-
- 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
- B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
- B65D77/10—Container closures formed after filling
- B65D77/20—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers
- B65D77/2024—Container closures formed after filling by applying separate lids or covers, i.e. flexible membrane or foil-like covers the cover being welded or adhered to the container
- B65D77/2028—Means for opening the cover other than, or in addition to, a pull tab
- B65D77/2032—Means for opening the cover other than, or in addition to, a pull tab by peeling or tearing the cover from the container
- B65D77/2036—Means for opening the cover other than, or in addition to, a pull tab by peeling or tearing the cover from the container the seal having a stress concentrating portion
-
- 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
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
- B65D2251/0018—Upper closure of the 43-type
-
- 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
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0006—Upper closure
- B65D2251/0028—Upper closure of the 51-type
-
- 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
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
- B65D2251/009—Lower closure of the 51-type
-
- 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
- B65D2251/0003—Two or more closures
- B65D2251/0068—Lower closure
- B65D2251/0093—Membrane
Definitions
- the present disclosure relates to a package, and particularly to a package including a container and a closure for mounting on a brim of the container. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a package including a reclosable closure.
- a package includes a container, a peelable film, and a closure.
- the container includes a bowl formed to include an interior product-storage region and a brim coupled to an upper portion of the bowl and arranged to border a mouth opening into the interior product-storage region.
- the brim illustratively includes an endless upwardly facing top surface.
- the peelable film is bonded temporarily to the brim to close the mouth and block access to the interior product-storage region.
- the closure is configured to mount on the brim in a closed position to block access to the peelable film.
- the closure includes a sheet-support ring and a membrane sheet.
- the membrane sheet is coupled to the sheet-support ring to move therewith relative to the brim of the container when the closure is separated from the brim to gain access to the peelable film.
- the ring-shaped middle portion includes a downwardly facing surface.
- the downwardly facing surface is arranged to overlie and face an endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone on an endless inner perimeter region of the endless upwardly facing top surface of the brim.
- the downwardly facing surface confronts an upwardly facing surface of the peelable film.
- the package further comprises means for bonding a downwardly facing surface of the peelable film temporarily to the temporary peelable film-bonding zone on the endless inner perimeter region of the upwardly facing top surface of the brim to establish an endless hermetic seal therebetween that remains until the peelable film is removed from the brim by a consumer for a first time to gain access to product stored in the interior product-storage region after removal of the closure from the brim.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package in accordance with the present disclosure showing that the package includes a container having a bowl and a brim coupled to a top edge of the bowl, a peelable film bonded temporarily to an inner perimeter region of the container brim, and a closure mounted on the brim of the container and configured to include a membrane-support ring and a substantially flat membrane sheet bonded permanently to an upwardly facing top surface of the membrane-support ring, and further showing portions of the membrane sheet broken away to reveal the peelable film and a portion of the membrane-support ring setting on an outer portion of the container brim, and suggesting that the membrane-support ring includes a pivotable sheet-separator lever arm at each end and a central brim-mounted platform arranged to interconnect the two pivotable sheet-separator lever arms;
- FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective assembly view of the package of FIG. 1 showing (from bottom to top) the container including the bowl and the container brim coupled to the bowl, the peelable film adapted to be bonded temporarily to a temporary sheet-bonding zone provided on the inner perimeter region of the container brim, the membrane-support ring including a central brim-mounted platform comprising two spaced-apart curved strips, the first pivotable sheet-separator lever coupled pivotably to a left end of each of the curved strips, and the second pivotable sheet-separator lever coupled pivotably to a right end of each of the curved strips, and the membrane sheet comprising a thin film and adapted to be bonded permanently to a permanent sheet-bonding zone provided on the upwardly facing top surface of the membrane-support ring;
- FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the package of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the location of a first sheet-lift point (P 1 ) of the peelable film on the left end of the package and a second sheet-lift point (P 2 ) of the peelable film on the right end of the package and further showing that the peelable film includes peel-initiation sections in communication with each sheet-lift point and portions of the closure are broken away to reveal the upwardly facing top surface of the container brim and the peelable film positioned between the membrane sheet and the top surface;
- P 1 first sheet-lift point
- P 2 second sheet-lift point
- FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the container of FIGS. 1-3 showing that the inner perimeter region of the container brim includes an unbonded zone and a temporary sheet-bonding zone enclosed by the unbonded zone and showing that the outer perimeter region of the container brim includes a ring-support zone configured to support the peelable film and the sheet-support ring on the top surface of the container brim;
- FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective assembly view of the package of FIG. 1 showing (from bottom to top) the container including the bowl and the container brim coupled to the bowl, the peelable film bonded to the temporary sheet-bonding zone provided on the inner perimeter region of the top surface of the container brim, and the closure including the sheet-support ring and the membrane sheet;
- FIGS. 6-8 are a series of views showing the removal of the closure from the container for the first time while the peelable film remains coupled to the upwardly facing top surface of the container brim;
- FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6 - 6 of FIG. 1 showing the closure in a closed position on the container brim and suggesting that the peelable film is coupled to the container brim along the temporary sheet-bonding zone which is shown in phantom;
- FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the closure after the first pivotable sheet-separator lever included in the sheet-support ring of the closure has been pivoted by a consumer about a first bend line through an angle of about 15 degrees to cause initial separation of a middle portion of the membrane sheet from the container brim while the peelable film remains coupled to the container brim along the temporary sheet-bonding zone;
- FIG. 8 is a view similar to FIG. 7 showing the closure and the container after the first pivotable sheet-separator lever has been pivoted by a consumer through an angle of about 45 degrees to cause further separation of the middle portion of the membrane sheet from the container brim while the peelable film remains coupled to the container brim along the temporary sheet-bonding zone.
- FIG. 1 A package 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 1 .
- Package 10 includes a container 12 , a closure 14 , and a peelable film 16 as shown in FIGS. 1-3 .
- Container 12 includes a bowl 18 formed to define a product-storage region 22 configured to receive and store products such as food and a brim 20 that defines a mouth 11 that opens into product-storage region 22 .
- Peelable film 16 is configured to bond temporarily to an endless upwardly facing top surface 36 of brim 20 to form an endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 on container 12 as shown in FIG. 1 .
- the contents of container 12 are sealed hermetically to block access to interior product-storage region 22 by a consumer as suggested in FIG. 5 .
- Closure 14 is adapted to mate with container 12 to block access to peelable film 16 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 3 .
- Closure 14 includes a membrane support ring 30 , a membrane sheet 32 , and a first pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- Membrane support ring 30 is arranged to engage brim 20 when closure 14 is mated with container 12 .
- Membrane sheet 32 is coupled to membrane support ring 30 to move therewith when closure 14 is separated from brim 20 .
- First pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 is coupled to an end of membrane support ring 30 to assist a consumer in seperating closure 14 from container 12 .
- a consumer may pivot first pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 upwardly relative to brim 20 in a first step to remove closure 14 from container 12 .
- Peelable film 16 remains coupled to brim 20 of container 12 after closure 14 is removed from container 12 so that peelable film covers open mouth 11 .
- a consumer may separate peelable film 16 from container 12 to access the contents therein through open mouth 11 or, at the consumer's option, reattach closure 14 to container 12 and discard peelable film 16 .
- Membrane support ring 30 illustratively includes a curved first strip and a curved second strip 402 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- Curved first strip 401 is arranged to mate with an underlying portion of an outer perimeter region 42 of brim 20 .
- Curved second strip 402 is arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to curved first strip 401 and mate with an underlying portion of outer perimeter region 42 when closure 14 is mounted on brim 20 as suggested in FIGS. 2 and 7 .
- a first end of each strip 401 , 402 is coupled to first pivotable sheet-separator lever arm 34 .
- An opposite second end of each strip 401 , 402 is coupled to a second pivotable sheet separator lever arm 35 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- Container 12 includes bowl 18 and brim 20 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- Bowl 18 is formed to define interior product-storage region 22 .
- bowl 18 includes a floor 18 F and a side wall 18 W as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 .
- Brim 20 is coupled to a top portion of bowl 18 and arranged to extend radially outward away from bowl 18 to form open mouth 11 as shown, for example, in FIG. 2 .
- Brim 20 includes an upwardly facing top surface 36 that faces peelable film 16 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- Upwardly facing top surface 36 of brim 20 is formed to include an endless inner perimeter region 40 and an outer perimeter region 42 that surrounds endless inner perimeter region 40 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- Outer perimeter region 42 of upwardly facing top surface 36 is arranged to provide a ring-support zone 44 arranged to engage and support an underside of membrane support ring 30 of closure 14 when closure 14 is mated to brim 20 .
- membrane support ring 30 of closure 14 overlies directly outer perimeter region 42 of brim 20 in ring-support zone 44 when closure 14 is mounted on brim 20 .
- Endless inner perimeter region 40 of endless upwardly facing top surface 36 includes an inner unbonded zone 25 .
- Inner unbounded zone 25 is arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to ring-support zone 44 to locate an endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 therebetween as suggested in FIGS. 3 and 5 .
- Brim 20 cooperates with peelable film 16 to form unbonded regions 24 , 25 , a first peel-initiation section 26 , and endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 as shown in FIG. 4 .
- Endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 includes an endless band 38 having a uniform thickness as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 .
- Endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 is located along inner perimeter region 40 of brim 20 .
- first peel-initiation section 26 is arranged to overlap a portion of endless band 38 .
- First peel-initiation section 26 is located between endless band 38 and outer perimeter region 42 of brim 20 as suggested in FIGS. 2-4 .
- first peel-initiation section 26 is curved and the curved shape is configured to concentrate force applied by the consumer to peelable film 16 during removal of peelable film 16 from container 12 .
- Peelable film 16 is configured to bond temporarily to endless upwardly facing top surface 36 of brim 20 to form endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 on container 12 as shown in FIG. 1 . As a result, the contents of package 10 are sealed hermetically to block access to interior product-storage region 22 by a consumer. In the illustrative embodiment, peelable film 16 is substantially flat.
- Peelable film 16 includes a central portion 16 A, a ring-shaped middle portion 16 B surrounding central portion 16 A, and a ring-shaped outer portion 16 C surrounding ring-shaped middle portion 16 B as shown, for example, in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5 .
- Central portion 16 A is arranged to cover open mouth 11 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 5 .
- Ring-shaped outer portion 16 C is arranged to overlie outer unbonded region 24 of brim 20 .
- Ring-shaped middle portion 16 B is bonded temporarily (using an adhesive, weld, or other suitable coupling means) to endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 provided on inner perimeter region 40 to create a hermetic seal therebetween until peelable film 16 is removed from brim 20 by a consumer for a first time to access the contents of interior product-storage region 22 formed in container 12 .
- Central portion 16 A of peelable film 16 includes a center segment 16 A′′ arranged to close the open mouth 11 into interior product-storage region 22 and an outer segment 16 A′ arranged to surround the center segment 16 A′′ as shown in FIG. 5 .
- Outer segment 16 A′ is arranged to interconnect center segment 16 A′′ and ring-shaped middle portion 16 B of peelable film 16 .
- Outer segment 16 A′ is positioned to overlie inner unbonded zone 25 established on endless inner perimeter region 40 of endless upwardly facing top surface 36 of brim 20 .
- Radially outer portion 16 A′ of central portion 16 A of peelable film 16 is not bonded to brim 20 in illustrative embodiments.
- Outer portion 16 A′ lies on an inner unbonded region 25 provided on first inner section 40 A of inner perimeter region 40 of brim 20 as suggested in FIGS. 3 and 5 .
- Second section 40 B of endless inner perimeter region 40 of brim 20 provides endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 for peelable film 16 as suggested in FIGS. 3-5 .
- Second section 40 B of inner perimeter region 40 of top surface 36 of brim 20 is arranged to mate with and to be sealed hermetically to endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 provided on middle portion 16 B of peelable film 16 to mate with and seal to brim 20 at a package-closing factory. It is the temporary hermetic seal established at the package-closing factory between the middle portion 16 B of peelable film 16 and second section 40 B of endless inner perimeter region 40 of brim 20 that is broken by a consumer to access the interior product-storage region 22 of the package 10 .
- a first peel-initiation section 26 of peelable film 16 is bonded temporarily to endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 provided on inner perimeter region 40 on brim 20 of bowl 18 as shown in FIG. 3 .
- Such temporary bonding of first peel-initiation section 26 of peelable film 16 to inner perimeter region 40 on brim 20 of bowl 18 establishes a sheet-lift point P 1 at a tip provided on an outer edge 260 of first peel-initiation section 26 of peelable film 16 .
- First peel-initiation section 26 is located in spaced-apart relation to an endless outer perimeter region 42 of the upwardly facing top surface 36 of brim 20 between the endless band of uniform thickness 38 and endless outer perimeter region 42 .
- Endless band of uniform thickness 38 is ring shaped and surrounds inner perimeter region 40 to provide an endless seal around open mouth 11 until peelable film 16 is removed from bowl 18 .
- First peel-initiation section 26 includes an inner edge 261 that overlaps a portion of endless band of uniform thickness 38 and a curved outer edge 260 located between inner edge 261 and a portion of endless outer perimeter region 42 of upwardly facing top surface 36 of brim 20 as suggested, for example in FIGS. 1 and 3-5 .
- a consumer can apply a lifting force at a first sheet-lift point P 1 to start to break the temporary hermetic-sealing bond established between a first peel-initiation section 26 of peelable film 16 and endless inner perimeter region 40 of brim 20 .
- first peel-initiation section 26 may concentrate the lifting force applied by the consumer to minimize the amount of required force to remove peelable film 16 from brim 20 to access interior product-storage region 22 formed in container 12 .
- Closure 14 is adapted to mate with container 12 to block access to peelable film 16 as suggested in FIGS. 1 and 3 .
- Closure 14 mounts selectively to brim 20 and includes a membrane support ring 30 , a membrane sheet 32 , and a first pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- Membrane support ring 30 is arranged to engage ring-support zone 44 on outer perimeter region 42 of endless upwardly facing top surface 36 of brim 20 when closure 14 is mated with brim 20 .
- Membrane sheet 32 is coupled to membrane support ring 30 to move therewith when closure 14 is separated from brim 20 .
- First pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 is coupled to an end of membrane support ring 30 to assist a consumer in seperating closure 14 from container 12 .
- Membrane support ring 30 of closure 14 includes a central brim-mount platform 54 and a snap-fit connector 30 A as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 .
- Brim-mount platform 54 is mated to perimeter side portions of an outer portion 32 A′ of membrane sheet 32 .
- Brim-mount platform 54 is adapted to overlie and set on a ring-support zone 44 provided on outer perimeter region 42 of brim 20 when closure 14 is coupled to brim 20 , as shown in FIG. 5 .
- Central brim-mount platform 54 illustratively includes a curved first strip 401 arranged to mate with an underlying portion of outer perimeter region 42 of top surface 36 of brim 20 and a separate curved second strip 402 arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to curved first strip 401 and mate with an underlying portion of outer perimeter region 42 of top surface 36 of brim 20 when closure 14 is mounted on brim 20 as suggested in FIGS. 2 and 7 .
- a first end of each strip 401 , 402 is coupled to first pivotable sheet-separator lever arm 34 as suggested in FIG. 2 .
- An opposite second end of each strip 401 , 402 is coupled to second pivotable sheet separator lever arm 35 as also suggested in FIG. 2 .
- Snap-fit connector 30 A is coupled to a handgrip 405 included in each of lever arms 34 , 35 .
- Snap-fit connector 30 A is configured to provide closure retainer means for engaging a perimeter lip 20 L included in brim 20 to retain membrane support ring 30 in a mounted container-closing position on brim 20 as suggested, for example, in FIGS. 1 and 6-8 .
- Membrane sheet 32 is bonded permanently to an endless outer perimeter 48 of membrane support ring 30 to move therewith during a closure removal step performed by a consumer as shown in FIG. 5 .
- a downward facing surface 46 of membrane sheet 32 faces peelable film 16 as shown in FIG. 1 .
- membrane sheet 32 is substantially flat.
- Membrane sheet 32 of closure 14 includes a central portion 32 A, and a ring-shaped outer portion 32 B surrounding central portion 32 A, as shown, for example, in FIGS. 2 and 5 .
- Central portion 32 A is arranged to cover peelable film 16 when closure 14 is mounted on peelable film 16 and container 12 .
- central portion 32 A is arranged to cover open mouth 11 that opens into interior product-storage region 22 formed in bowl 18 of container 12 .
- Ring-shaped outer portion 32 B is bonded permanently to a permanent sheet-bonding zone 30 Z provided on an endless upwardly facing top surface 30 T of membrane support ring 30 .
- Membrane sheet 32 is made of a thin film and is adapted to be bonded permanently to a permanent sheet-bonding zone 30 Z provided on upwardly facing top surface 30 T of the membrane support ring 30 and to be bonded temporarily to endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 provided on inner portion of an upwardly facing top surface 36 of brim 20 .
- Permanent sheet-bonding zone 30 Z on top surface 30 T of membrane support ring 30 is shown, for example, in FIG. 2 .
- Endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 on inner perimeter region 40 of the brim 20 is shown, for example, in FIG. 2 .
- First pivotable sheet-separator lever arm 34 is coupled to a left end of brim-mount platform 54 as shown in FIG. 2 .
- First pivotable sheet-separator lever arm 34 is configured to pivot relative to brim-mount platform 54 about a fulcrum provided on first bend line 52 in a clockwise direction.
- First pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 is configured to snap onto a handle 50 located on brim 20 until a consumer pivots first pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 relative to brim 20 and along first bend line 52 to initiate the closure removal step as shown in FIGS. 6-8 .
- First pivotable sheet-separator lever arm 34 is configured to be pivoted by a consumer about first bend line 52 relative to a stationary central brim-mount platform 54 of membrane support ring 30 during a first-time opening of package 10 from an initial position shown, for example, in FIG. 6 to a pivoted removal-initiation position shown, for example, in FIG. 7 .
- first pivotable sheet-separator lever arm 34 By pivoting first pivotable sheet-separator lever arm 34 upwardly about the fulcrum on a first bend line 52 as suggested in FIG. 8 , a consumer can apply a lifting force to remove closure 14 and access peelable film 16 .
- first pivotable sheet-separator lever arm 34 is provided at one end of closure 14
- second pivotable sheet-separator lever arm 35 is provided at an opposite end of closure 14 as suggested in FIGS. 3 and 4 . This makes it easy for a consumer to open package 10 from either end 34 or 42 .
- container 12 is oval shaped and includes a major axis that is generally perpendicular to a minor axis.
- the major axis bisects container 12 along a plane.
- the major axis has a length that is greater than a length of the minor axis.
- Container 12 includes first handle 50 located on brim 20 along the major axis in spaced-apart relation to temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 .
- the major axis extends through first peel initiation section 26 and is located in spaced-apart relation to first handle 50 .
- FIGS. 6-8 show a series of views of the removal of the closure from the container for the first time while the peelable film remains coupled to the upwardly facing top surface of the container brim.
- closure 14 is in a closed position on container brim 20 .
- Peelable film 16 is coupled to container brim 20 along temporary sheet-bonding zone 28 which is shown in phantom.
- first pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 included in sheet-support ring of closure 14 has been pivoted by a consumer about first bend line 52 through an angle of about 15 degrees to cause initial separation of a middle portion of membrane sheet 32 from container brim 20 while peelable film 16 remains coupled to container brim 20 along temporary sheet-bonding zone 28 .
- first pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 has been pivoted by a consumer through an angle of about 45 degrees to cause further separation of the middle portion of membrane sheet 32 from container brim 20 while peelable film 16 remains coupled to container brim 20 along temporary sheet-bonding zone 28 .
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
Abstract
A package includes a container, a closure, and a peelable film for mating on the brim of the container. The peelable film is hermetically sealed to the container brim at a factory. The seal is broken the first time a consumer removes the peelable film from the container brim.
Description
- The present disclosure relates to a package, and particularly to a package including a container and a closure for mounting on a brim of the container. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a package including a reclosable closure.
- According to the present disclosure, a package includes a container, a peelable film, and a closure. The container includes a bowl formed to include an interior product-storage region and a brim coupled to an upper portion of the bowl and arranged to border a mouth opening into the interior product-storage region. The brim illustratively includes an endless upwardly facing top surface. The peelable film is bonded temporarily to the brim to close the mouth and block access to the interior product-storage region. The closure is configured to mount on the brim in a closed position to block access to the peelable film.
- In illustrative embodiments, the closure includes a sheet-support ring and a membrane sheet. The membrane sheet is coupled to the sheet-support ring to move therewith relative to the brim of the container when the closure is separated from the brim to gain access to the peelable film.
- In illustrative embodiments, the membrane sheet includes a ring-shaped outer portion, a central portion, and a ring-shaped middle portion. The ring-shaped outer portion is bonded permanently to the membrane-support ring to form an endless seal therebetween. The central portion is surrounded by the ring-shaped outer portion and arranged to cover the mouth opening into the interior product-storage region when the closure is mated with the brim. The ring-shaped middle portion is arranged to interconnect the central portion and the ring-shaped outer portion.
- In illustrative embodiments, the ring-shaped middle portion includes a downwardly facing surface. The downwardly facing surface is arranged to overlie and face an endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone on an endless inner perimeter region of the endless upwardly facing top surface of the brim. The downwardly facing surface confronts an upwardly facing surface of the peelable film.
- In illustrative embodiments, the package further comprises means for bonding a downwardly facing surface of the peelable film temporarily to the temporary peelable film-bonding zone on the endless inner perimeter region of the upwardly facing top surface of the brim to establish an endless hermetic seal therebetween that remains until the peelable film is removed from the brim by a consumer for a first time to gain access to product stored in the interior product-storage region after removal of the closure from the brim.
- Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.
- The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a package in accordance with the present disclosure showing that the package includes a container having a bowl and a brim coupled to a top edge of the bowl, a peelable film bonded temporarily to an inner perimeter region of the container brim, and a closure mounted on the brim of the container and configured to include a membrane-support ring and a substantially flat membrane sheet bonded permanently to an upwardly facing top surface of the membrane-support ring, and further showing portions of the membrane sheet broken away to reveal the peelable film and a portion of the membrane-support ring setting on an outer portion of the container brim, and suggesting that the membrane-support ring includes a pivotable sheet-separator lever arm at each end and a central brim-mounted platform arranged to interconnect the two pivotable sheet-separator lever arms; -
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective assembly view of the package ofFIG. 1 showing (from bottom to top) the container including the bowl and the container brim coupled to the bowl, the peelable film adapted to be bonded temporarily to a temporary sheet-bonding zone provided on the inner perimeter region of the container brim, the membrane-support ring including a central brim-mounted platform comprising two spaced-apart curved strips, the first pivotable sheet-separator lever coupled pivotably to a left end of each of the curved strips, and the second pivotable sheet-separator lever coupled pivotably to a right end of each of the curved strips, and the membrane sheet comprising a thin film and adapted to be bonded permanently to a permanent sheet-bonding zone provided on the upwardly facing top surface of the membrane-support ring; -
FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the package ofFIGS. 1 and 2 showing the location of a first sheet-lift point (P1) of the peelable film on the left end of the package and a second sheet-lift point (P2) of the peelable film on the right end of the package and further showing that the peelable film includes peel-initiation sections in communication with each sheet-lift point and portions of the closure are broken away to reveal the upwardly facing top surface of the container brim and the peelable film positioned between the membrane sheet and the top surface; -
FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the container ofFIGS. 1-3 showing that the inner perimeter region of the container brim includes an unbonded zone and a temporary sheet-bonding zone enclosed by the unbonded zone and showing that the outer perimeter region of the container brim includes a ring-support zone configured to support the peelable film and the sheet-support ring on the top surface of the container brim; -
FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective assembly view of the package ofFIG. 1 showing (from bottom to top) the container including the bowl and the container brim coupled to the bowl, the peelable film bonded to the temporary sheet-bonding zone provided on the inner perimeter region of the top surface of the container brim, and the closure including the sheet-support ring and the membrane sheet; -
FIGS. 6-8 are a series of views showing the removal of the closure from the container for the first time while the peelable film remains coupled to the upwardly facing top surface of the container brim; -
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 6-6 ofFIG. 1 showing the closure in a closed position on the container brim and suggesting that the peelable film is coupled to the container brim along the temporary sheet-bonding zone which is shown in phantom; -
FIG. 7 is a view similar toFIG. 6 showing the closure after the first pivotable sheet-separator lever included in the sheet-support ring of the closure has been pivoted by a consumer about a first bend line through an angle of about 15 degrees to cause initial separation of a middle portion of the membrane sheet from the container brim while the peelable film remains coupled to the container brim along the temporary sheet-bonding zone; and -
FIG. 8 is a view similar toFIG. 7 showing the closure and the container after the first pivotable sheet-separator lever has been pivoted by a consumer through an angle of about 45 degrees to cause further separation of the middle portion of the membrane sheet from the container brim while the peelable film remains coupled to the container brim along the temporary sheet-bonding zone. - A
package 10 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown inFIG. 1 .Package 10 includes acontainer 12, aclosure 14, and apeelable film 16 as shown inFIGS. 1-3 .Container 12 includes abowl 18 formed to define a product-storage region 22 configured to receive and store products such as food and abrim 20 that defines a mouth 11 that opens into product-storage region 22.Peelable film 16 is configured to bond temporarily to an endless upwardly facingtop surface 36 ofbrim 20 to form an endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 oncontainer 12 as shown inFIG. 1 . As a result, the contents ofcontainer 12 are sealed hermetically to block access to interior product-storage region 22 by a consumer as suggested inFIG. 5 . Closure 14 is adapted to mate withcontainer 12 to block access topeelable film 16 as suggested inFIGS. 1 and 3 . - Closure 14 includes a
membrane support ring 30, amembrane sheet 32, and a first pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 as shown inFIG. 2 .Membrane support ring 30 is arranged to engagebrim 20 whenclosure 14 is mated withcontainer 12.Membrane sheet 32 is coupled tomembrane support ring 30 to move therewith whenclosure 14 is separated frombrim 20. First pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 is coupled to an end ofmembrane support ring 30 to assist a consumer inseperating closure 14 fromcontainer 12. - A consumer may pivot first pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 upwardly relative to
brim 20 in a first step to removeclosure 14 fromcontainer 12.Peelable film 16 remains coupled tobrim 20 ofcontainer 12 afterclosure 14 is removed fromcontainer 12 so that peelable film covers open mouth 11. After removingclosure 14, a consumer may separatepeelable film 16 fromcontainer 12 to access the contents therein through open mouth 11 or, at the consumer's option,reattach closure 14 tocontainer 12 and discardpeelable film 16. -
Membrane support ring 30 illustratively includes a curved first strip and a curved second strip 402 as shown inFIG. 2 . Curvedfirst strip 401 is arranged to mate with an underlying portion of anouter perimeter region 42 ofbrim 20. Curved second strip 402 is arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to curvedfirst strip 401 and mate with an underlying portion ofouter perimeter region 42 whenclosure 14 is mounted onbrim 20 as suggested inFIGS. 2 and 7 . A first end of eachstrip 401, 402 is coupled to first pivotable sheet-separator lever arm 34. An opposite second end of eachstrip 401, 402 is coupled to a second pivotable sheetseparator lever arm 35 as shown inFIG. 2 . -
Membrane sheet 32 ofclosure 14 includes acentral portion 32A, and a ring-shapedouter portion 32B surroundingcentral portion 32A, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 2 and 5 .Central portion 32A is arranged to coverpeelable film 16 whenclosure 14 is mounted onpeelable film 16 andcontainer 12. After a consumer has removedpeelable film 16 and reattachedclosure 14,central portion 32A is arranged to cover open mouth 11 that opens into interior product-storage region 22. Ring-shapedouter portion 32B is bonded permanently to a permanent sheet-bonding zone 30Z provided on an endless upwardly facingtop surface 30T ofmembrane support ring 30. -
Container 12 includesbowl 18 andbrim 20 as shown inFIG. 2 .Bowl 18 is formed to define interior product-storage region 22. Illustratively,bowl 18 includes a floor 18F and aside wall 18W as shown inFIGS. 2 and 4 .Brim 20 is coupled to a top portion ofbowl 18 and arranged to extend radially outward away frombowl 18 to form open mouth 11 as shown, for example, inFIG. 2 . -
Brim 20 includes an upwardly facingtop surface 36 that facespeelable film 16 as shown inFIG. 2 . Upwardly facingtop surface 36 ofbrim 20 is formed to include an endlessinner perimeter region 40 and anouter perimeter region 42 that surrounds endlessinner perimeter region 40 as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 . -
Outer perimeter region 42 of upwardly facingtop surface 36 is arranged to provide a ring-support zone 44 arranged to engage and support an underside ofmembrane support ring 30 ofclosure 14 whenclosure 14 is mated tobrim 20. As suggested inFIGS. 1 and 2 ,membrane support ring 30 ofclosure 14 overlies directlyouter perimeter region 42 ofbrim 20 in ring-support zone 44 whenclosure 14 is mounted onbrim 20. - Endless
inner perimeter region 40 of endless upwardly facingtop surface 36 includes an innerunbonded zone 25. Innerunbounded zone 25 is arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to ring-support zone 44 to locate an endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 therebetween as suggested inFIGS. 3 and 5 . -
Brim 20 cooperates withpeelable film 16 to formunbonded regions initiation section 26, and endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 as shown inFIG. 4 . Endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 includes anendless band 38 having a uniform thickness as shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 . Endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 is located alonginner perimeter region 40 ofbrim 20. first peel-initiation section 26 is arranged to overlap a portion ofendless band 38. First peel-initiation section 26 is located betweenendless band 38 andouter perimeter region 42 ofbrim 20 as suggested inFIGS. 2-4 . Illustratively, first peel-initiation section 26 is curved and the curved shape is configured to concentrate force applied by the consumer topeelable film 16 during removal ofpeelable film 16 fromcontainer 12. -
Peelable film 16 is configured to bond temporarily to endless upwardly facingtop surface 36 ofbrim 20 to form endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 oncontainer 12 as shown inFIG. 1 . As a result, the contents ofpackage 10 are sealed hermetically to block access to interior product-storage region 22 by a consumer. In the illustrative embodiment,peelable film 16 is substantially flat. -
Peelable film 16 includes acentral portion 16A, a ring-shapedmiddle portion 16B surroundingcentral portion 16A, and a ring-shapedouter portion 16C surrounding ring-shapedmiddle portion 16B as shown, for example, inFIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 5 .Central portion 16A is arranged to cover open mouth 11 as suggested inFIGS. 1 and 5 . Ring-shapedouter portion 16C is arranged to overlie outerunbonded region 24 ofbrim 20. Ring-shapedmiddle portion 16B is bonded temporarily (using an adhesive, weld, or other suitable coupling means) to endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 provided oninner perimeter region 40 to create a hermetic seal therebetween untilpeelable film 16 is removed frombrim 20 by a consumer for a first time to access the contents of interior product-storage region 22 formed incontainer 12. -
Central portion 16A ofpeelable film 16 includes acenter segment 16A″ arranged to close the open mouth 11 into interior product-storage region 22 and anouter segment 16A′ arranged to surround thecenter segment 16A″ as shown inFIG. 5 .Outer segment 16A′ is arranged to interconnectcenter segment 16A″ and ring-shapedmiddle portion 16B ofpeelable film 16.Outer segment 16A′ is positioned to overlie innerunbonded zone 25 established on endlessinner perimeter region 40 of endless upwardly facingtop surface 36 ofbrim 20. Radiallyouter portion 16A′ ofcentral portion 16A ofpeelable film 16 is not bonded to brim 20 in illustrative embodiments.Outer portion 16A′ lies on an innerunbonded region 25 provided on first inner section 40A ofinner perimeter region 40 ofbrim 20 as suggested inFIGS. 3 and 5 . - Second section 40B of endless
inner perimeter region 40 ofbrim 20 provides endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 forpeelable film 16 as suggested inFIGS. 3-5 . Second section 40B ofinner perimeter region 40 oftop surface 36 ofbrim 20 is arranged to mate with and to be sealed hermetically to endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 provided onmiddle portion 16B ofpeelable film 16 to mate with and seal to brim 20 at a package-closing factory. It is the temporary hermetic seal established at the package-closing factory between themiddle portion 16B ofpeelable film 16 and second section 40B of endlessinner perimeter region 40 ofbrim 20 that is broken by a consumer to access the interior product-storage region 22 of thepackage 10. - A first peel-
initiation section 26 ofpeelable film 16 is bonded temporarily to endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 provided oninner perimeter region 40 onbrim 20 ofbowl 18 as shown inFIG. 3 . Such temporary bonding of first peel-initiation section 26 ofpeelable film 16 toinner perimeter region 40 onbrim 20 ofbowl 18 establishes a sheet-lift point P1 at a tip provided on anouter edge 260 of first peel-initiation section 26 ofpeelable film 16. - First peel-
initiation section 26 is located in spaced-apart relation to an endlessouter perimeter region 42 of the upwardly facingtop surface 36 ofbrim 20 between the endless band ofuniform thickness 38 and endlessouter perimeter region 42. Endless band ofuniform thickness 38 is ring shaped and surroundsinner perimeter region 40 to provide an endless seal around open mouth 11 untilpeelable film 16 is removed frombowl 18. - First peel-
initiation section 26 includes aninner edge 261 that overlaps a portion of endless band ofuniform thickness 38 and a curvedouter edge 260 located betweeninner edge 261 and a portion of endlessouter perimeter region 42 of upwardly facingtop surface 36 ofbrim 20 as suggested, for example inFIGS. 1 and 3-5 . To removepeelable film 16, a consumer can apply a lifting force at a first sheet-lift point P1 to start to break the temporary hermetic-sealing bond established between a first peel-initiation section 26 ofpeelable film 16 and endlessinner perimeter region 40 ofbrim 20. first peel-initiation section 26 may concentrate the lifting force applied by the consumer to minimize the amount of required force to removepeelable film 16 frombrim 20 to access interior product-storage region 22 formed incontainer 12. -
Closure 14 is adapted to mate withcontainer 12 to block access topeelable film 16 as suggested inFIGS. 1 and 3 .Closure 14 mounts selectively to brim 20 and includes amembrane support ring 30, amembrane sheet 32, and a first pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 as shown inFIG. 2 .Membrane support ring 30 is arranged to engage ring-support zone 44 onouter perimeter region 42 of endless upwardly facingtop surface 36 ofbrim 20 whenclosure 14 is mated withbrim 20.Membrane sheet 32 is coupled tomembrane support ring 30 to move therewith whenclosure 14 is separated frombrim 20. First pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 is coupled to an end ofmembrane support ring 30 to assist a consumer in seperatingclosure 14 fromcontainer 12. -
Membrane support ring 30 ofclosure 14 includes a central brim-mount platform 54 and a snap-fit connector 30A as shown inFIGS. 2 and 5 . Brim-mount platform 54 is mated to perimeter side portions of anouter portion 32A′ ofmembrane sheet 32. Brim-mount platform 54 is adapted to overlie and set on a ring-support zone 44 provided onouter perimeter region 42 ofbrim 20 whenclosure 14 is coupled to brim 20, as shown inFIG. 5 . - Central brim-mount platform 54 illustratively includes a curved
first strip 401 arranged to mate with an underlying portion ofouter perimeter region 42 oftop surface 36 ofbrim 20 and a separate curved second strip 402 arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to curvedfirst strip 401 and mate with an underlying portion ofouter perimeter region 42 oftop surface 36 ofbrim 20 whenclosure 14 is mounted onbrim 20 as suggested inFIGS. 2 and 7 . A first end of eachstrip 401, 402 is coupled to first pivotable sheet-separator lever arm 34 as suggested inFIG. 2 . An opposite second end of eachstrip 401, 402 is coupled to second pivotable sheetseparator lever arm 35 as also suggested inFIG. 2 . - Snap-
fit connector 30A is coupled to ahandgrip 405 included in each oflever arms fit connector 30A is configured to provide closure retainer means for engaging aperimeter lip 20L included inbrim 20 to retainmembrane support ring 30 in a mounted container-closing position onbrim 20 as suggested, for example, inFIGS. 1 and 6-8 . -
Membrane sheet 32 is bonded permanently to an endlessouter perimeter 48 ofmembrane support ring 30 to move therewith during a closure removal step performed by a consumer as shown inFIG. 5 . A downward facingsurface 46 ofmembrane sheet 32 facespeelable film 16 as shown inFIG. 1 . Illustratively,membrane sheet 32 is substantially flat. -
Membrane sheet 32 ofclosure 14 includes acentral portion 32A, and a ring-shapedouter portion 32B surroundingcentral portion 32A, as shown, for example, inFIGS. 2 and 5 .Central portion 32A is arranged to coverpeelable film 16 whenclosure 14 is mounted onpeelable film 16 andcontainer 12. After a consumer has removedpeelable film 16 and reattachedclosure 14,central portion 32A is arranged to cover open mouth 11 that opens into interior product-storage region 22 formed inbowl 18 ofcontainer 12. Ring-shapedouter portion 32B is bonded permanently to a permanent sheet-bonding zone 30Z provided on an endless upwardly facingtop surface 30T ofmembrane support ring 30. -
Membrane sheet 32 is made of a thin film and is adapted to be bonded permanently to a permanent sheet-bonding zone 30Z provided on upwardly facingtop surface 30T of themembrane support ring 30 and to be bonded temporarily to endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 provided on inner portion of an upwardly facingtop surface 36 ofbrim 20. Permanent sheet-bonding zone 30Z ontop surface 30T ofmembrane support ring 30 is shown, for example, inFIG. 2 . Endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28 oninner perimeter region 40 of thebrim 20 is shown, for example, inFIG. 2 . - First pivotable sheet-
separator lever arm 34 is coupled to a left end of brim-mount platform 54 as shown inFIG. 2 . First pivotable sheet-separator lever arm 34 is configured to pivot relative to brim-mount platform 54 about a fulcrum provided onfirst bend line 52 in a clockwise direction. First pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 is configured to snap onto ahandle 50 located onbrim 20 until a consumer pivots first pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 relative to brim 20 and alongfirst bend line 52 to initiate the closure removal step as shown inFIGS. 6-8 . - A closure-opening sequence is also shown, for example, in
FIGS. 6-8 . First pivotable sheet-separator lever arm 34 is configured to be pivoted by a consumer aboutfirst bend line 52 relative to a stationary central brim-mount platform 54 ofmembrane support ring 30 during a first-time opening ofpackage 10 from an initial position shown, for example, inFIG. 6 to a pivoted removal-initiation position shown, for example, inFIG. 7 . By pivoting first pivotable sheet-separator lever arm 34 upwardly about the fulcrum on afirst bend line 52 as suggested inFIG. 8 , a consumer can apply a lifting force to removeclosure 14 andaccess peelable film 16. The consumer can then re-mountclosure 14 oncontainer 12 by, for example, engaging snap-fit connector 30A included inmembrane support ring 30 with aperimeter lip 20L ofbrim 20 as suggested inFIGS. 1 and 6 to reclosepackage 10. While first pivotable sheet-separator lever arm 34 is provided at one end ofclosure 14, a similar second pivotable sheet-separator lever arm 35 (carrying another snap-fit connector) is provided at an opposite end ofclosure 14 as suggested inFIGS. 3 and 4 . This makes it easy for a consumer to openpackage 10 from either end 34 or 42. - Illustratively,
container 12 is oval shaped and includes a major axis that is generally perpendicular to a minor axis. The major axis bisectscontainer 12 along a plane. The major axis has a length that is greater than a length of the minor axis.Container 12 includesfirst handle 50 located onbrim 20 along the major axis in spaced-apart relation to temporary peelable film-bonding zone 28. The major axis extends through firstpeel initiation section 26 and is located in spaced-apart relation tofirst handle 50. -
FIGS. 6-8 show a series of views of the removal of the closure from the container for the first time while the peelable film remains coupled to the upwardly facing top surface of the container brim. As shown inFIG. 6 ,closure 14 is in a closed position oncontainer brim 20.Peelable film 16 is coupled to container brim 20 along temporary sheet-bonding zone 28 which is shown in phantom. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , first pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 included in sheet-support ring ofclosure 14 has been pivoted by a consumer aboutfirst bend line 52 through an angle of about 15 degrees to cause initial separation of a middle portion ofmembrane sheet 32 fromcontainer brim 20 whilepeelable film 16 remains coupled to container brim 20 along temporary sheet-bonding zone 28. As shown inFIG. 8 , first pivotable sheet-separator lever 34 has been pivoted by a consumer through an angle of about 45 degrees to cause further separation of the middle portion ofmembrane sheet 32 fromcontainer brim 20 whilepeelable film 16 remains coupled to container brim 20 along temporary sheet-bonding zone 28.
Claims (17)
1. A package comprising
a container including a bowl formed to include an interior product-storage region and a brim coupled to an upper portion of the bowl and arranged to border a mouth opening into the interior product-storage region, the brim including an endless upwardly facing top surface,
a peelable film bonded temporarily to the brim to close the mouth and block access to the interior product-storage region, and
a closure configured to mount on the brim in a closed position to block access to the peelable film, the closure including a sheet-support ring and a membrane sheet coupled to the sheet-support ring to move therewith relative to the brim of the container when the closure is separated from the brim to gain access to the peelable film,
wherein the membrane sheet includes a ring-shaped outer portion bonded permanently to the membrane-support ring to form an endless seal therebetween, a central portion surrounded by the ring-shaped outer portion and arranged to cover the mouth opening into the interior product-storage region when the closure is mated with the brim, and a ring-shaped middle portion arranged to interconnect the central portion and the ring-shaped outer portion, the ring-shaped middle portion includes a downwardly facing surface arranged to overlie and face an endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone on an endless inner perimeter region of the endless upwardly facing top surface of the brim and confront an upwardly facing surface of the peelable film, and the package further comprising means for bonding a downwardly facing surface of the peelable film temporarily to the temporary peelable film-bonding zone on the endless inner perimeter region of the upwardly facing top surface of the brim to establish an endless hermetic seal therebetween that remains until the peelable film is removed from the brim by a consumer for a first time to gain access to product stored in the interior product-storage region after removal of the closure from the brim.
2. The package of claim 1 , wherein the endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone includes a first peel initiation section and an endless band of uniform thickness located on the upwardly facing top surface of the brim.
3. The package of claim 2 , wherein the first peel initiation section is located in spaced-apart relation to an endless outer perimeter of the upwardly facing top surface of the brim and located between the endless band of uniform thickness and the endless outer perimeter.
4. The package of claim 3 , wherein the first peel initiation section includes an inner edge overlapping a portion of the endless band of uniform thickness and a curved outer edge located between the inner edge of the first peel initiation section and a portion of the endless outer perimeter of the upwardly facing top surface of the brim.
5. The package of claim 4 , wherein the curved outer edge of the first peel initiation section is curved.
6. The package of claim 1 , wherein the endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone includes a first peel initiation section and an endless band of uniform thickness located on the upwardly facing top surface of the brim, the first peel initiation section is located in spaced-apart relation to an endless outer perimeter of the upwardly facing top surface of the brim and located between the endless band of uniform thickness and the endless outer perimeter, the first peel initiation section includes an inner edge overlapping a portion of the endless band of uniform thickness and a curved outer edge located between the inner edge of the first peel initiation section and a portion of the endless outer perimeter of the upwardly facing top surface of the brim, and the container is oval shaped and includes a major axis that is generally perpendicular to a minor axis, the major axis bisects the container along a plane, and the major axis has a length that is greater than a length of the minor axis.
7. The package of claim 6 , wherein the container includes a first handle located on the brim along the major axis in spaced-apart relation to the temporary peelable film-bonding zone.
8. The package of claim 7 , wherein the major axis extends through the first peel initiation section and is located in spaced-apart relation to the first handle.
9. The package of claim 1 , wherein the brim of the container includes a ring support zone, the temporary peelable film-bonding zone, and an inner unbonded zone, the ring support zone is located on an exterior edge of the endless upwardly facing top surface of the brim, the inner unbonded zone is located on an interior edge of the endless upwardly facing top surface of the brim, and the temporary peelable film-bonding zone is located on an interior edge of the endless upwardly facing top surface of the brim between the inner unbonded zone and the ring support zone.
10. The package of claim 9 , wherein the sheet-support ring includes a central brim-mounted platform and a first pivotable sheet-separator lever arm coupled to a first end of the central brim-mounted platform to pivot relative to the central brim-mounted platform about a fulcrum provided on a first bend line upwardly in a clockwise direction away from the brim of the container during a closure-removal activity carried out by a consumer from an initial position associated with the closed position of the closure on the brim of the container to a closure-lifting position associated with separating the closure from the peelable film mounted on the brim of the container.
11. The package of claim 10 , wherein the sheet-support ring further includes a second pivotable sheet-separator lever arm coupled to the central brim-mounted platform to locate a top aperture between the first and second pivotable sheet-separator lever arm for pivotable movement relative to the central brim-mounted platform about a second bend line upwardly in a counterclockwise direction away from the brim of the container during the closure-removal activity carried out by a consumer from an initial position associated with the closed position of the closure on the brim of the container to the closure-lifting position associated with the closed position of the closure on the brim of the container to the closure-lifting position associated with separating the closure from the peelable film mounted on the brim of the container.
12. The package of claim 1 , wherein the brim includes a ring support zone, the temporary peelable film-bonding zone, and an inner unbonded zone, the ring support zone is located on an exterior edge of the endless upwardly facing top surface of the brim, the inner unbonded zone is located on an interior edge of the endless upwardly facing top surface of the brim, and the temporary peelable film-bonding zone is located on an interior edge of the endless upwardly facing top surface of the brim between the inner unbonded zone and the ring support zone, the sheet-support ring includes a central brim-mounted platform and a first pivotable sheet-separator lever arm coupled to a first end of the central brim-mounted platform to pivot relative to the central brim-mounted platform about a fulcrum provided on a first bend line upwardly in a clockwise direction away from the brim of the container during a closure-removal activity carried out by a consumer from an initial position associated with the closed position of the closure on the brim of the container to a closure-lifting position associated with separating the closure from the peelable film mounted on the brim of the container, the sheet-support ring further includes a second pivotable sheet-separator lever arm coupled to the central brim-mounted platform to locate a top aperture between the first and second pivotable sheet-separator lever arm for pivotable movement relative to the central brim-mounted platform about a second bend line upwardly in a counterclockwise direction away from the brim of the container during the closure-removal activity carried out by a consumer from an initial position associated with the closed position of the closure on the brim of the container to the closure-lifting position associated with the closed position of the closure on the brim of the container to the closure-lifting position associated with separating the closure from the peelable film mounted on the brim of the container, and the central brim-mounted platform of the sheet-support ring includes a first strip arranged to mate with an first underlying portion of the outer perimeter region located on one side of the brim in the ring-support zone provided thereon and a second strip arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to the first strip to locate the top aperture therebetween and to mate with a second underlying portion of the outer perimeter region located on an opposite second side of the brim in the ring-support zone provided thereon, and a first shelf is coupled to first ends of each of the first and second strips.
13. The package of claim 12 , wherein the first pivotable sheet-separator lever arm is coupled to one end of each of the first and second strips and the sheet-support ring further includes the second pivotable sheet-separator lever arm coupled to an opposite second end of each of the first and second strips of the central brim-mounted platform to locate the top aperture between the first and second pivotable sheet-separator lever arm for pivotable movement relative to the central brim-mounted platform about the second bend line upwardly in a counterclockwise direction away from the brim of the container during the closure-removal activity carried out by a consumer from an initial position associated with the closed position of the closure on the brim of the container to a sheet-lifting position associated with the closed position of the closure on the brim of the container to the closure-lifting position associated with separating the closure from the peelable film mounted on the brim of the container.
14. The package of claim 13 , wherein the first pivotable sheet-separator lever arm includes the first shelf bonded permanently to the ring-shaped outer portion of the membrane sheet and a handgrip appended to the first shelf.
15. The package of claim 1 , wherein the container is oval shaped and includes a major axis that is generally perpendicular to a minor axis, the major axis bisects the container along a plane, the endless temporary peelable film-bonding zone comprises an endless band of uniform thickness located on the upwardly facing top surface of the brim and a first peel initiation section, the first peel initiation section is located in spaced-apart relation to an endless outer perimeter of the upwardly facing top surface of the brim and located between the endless band of uniform thickness and the endless outer perimeter, the first peel initiation section includes an inner edge overlapping a portion of the endless band of uniform thickness and a curved outer edge located between the inner edge of the first peel initiation section and a portion of the endless outer perimeter of the upwardly facing top surface of the brim, and the major axis extends through the first peel initiation section.
16. The package of claim 15 , wherein the brim includes a ring support zone, the temporary peelable film-bonding zone, and an inner unbonded zone, the ring support zone is located on an exterior edge of the endless upwardly facing top surface of the brim, the inner unbonded zone is located on an interior edge of the endless upwardly facing top surface of the brim, and the temporary peelable film-bonding zone is located on an interior edge of the endless upwardly facing top surface of the brim between the inner unbonded zone and the ring support zone, the sheet-support ring includes a central brim-mounted platform and a first pivotable sheet-separator lever arm coupled to a first end of the central brim-mounted platform for pivotable movement relative to the central brim-mounted platform about a fulcrum provided on a first bend line upwardly in a clockwise direction away from the brim of the container during a closure-removal activity carried out by a consumer from an initial position associated with the closed position of the closure on the brim of the container to a closure-lifting position associated with separating the closure from the peelable film mounted on the brim of the container, the central brim-mounted platform of the sheet-support ring includes a first strip arranged to mate with a first underlying portion of the outer perimeter region located on one side of the brim in the ring-support zone provided thereon and a second strip arranged to lie in spaced-apart relation to the first strip to locate a top aperture therebetween and to mate with a second underlying portion of the outer perimeter region located on an opposite second side of the brim in the ring-support zone provided thereon, and a first shelf is coupled to first ends of each of the first and second strips, and the first pivotable sheet-separator lever arm is coupled to one end of each of the first and second strips and the sheet-support ring further includes a second pivotable sheet-separator lever arm coupled to an opposite second end of each of the first and second strips of the central brim-mounted platform to locate the top aperture between the first and second pivotable sheet-separator lever arm for pivotable movement relative to the central brim-mounted platform about a second bend line upwardly in a counterclockwise direction away from the brim of the container during the closure-removal activity carried out by a consumer from an initial position associated with the closed position of the closure on the brim of the container to the closure-lifting position associated with the closed position of the closure on the brim of the container to the closure-lifting position associated with separating the closure from the peelable film mounted on the brim of the container.
17. The package of claim 1 , wherein the peelable film is heatsealed to the temporary peelable film-bonding zone.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/966,673 US20170166367A1 (en) | 2015-12-11 | 2015-12-11 | Package |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US14/966,673 US20170166367A1 (en) | 2015-12-11 | 2015-12-11 | Package |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20170166367A1 true US20170166367A1 (en) | 2017-06-15 |
Family
ID=59018953
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/966,673 Abandoned US20170166367A1 (en) | 2015-12-11 | 2015-12-11 | Package |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20170166367A1 (en) |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20160310253A1 (en) * | 2015-04-23 | 2016-10-27 | Sofradim Production | Flat package for a surgical mesh and a method of packaging a surgical mesh in said package |
US10266286B2 (en) * | 2016-11-07 | 2019-04-23 | The Hillshire Brands Company | Framed packaging lid |
EP3838789A1 (en) * | 2019-12-20 | 2021-06-23 | Stefan Eylert | Reclosable container and method of manufacturing same |
US11401059B2 (en) | 2016-11-07 | 2022-08-02 | The Hillshire Brands Company | System and method for framed lid |
Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030183540A1 (en) * | 2002-03-28 | 2003-10-02 | Meisei Sansho Co., Ltd. | Packaging container and method of making same |
-
2015
- 2015-12-11 US US14/966,673 patent/US20170166367A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20030183540A1 (en) * | 2002-03-28 | 2003-10-02 | Meisei Sansho Co., Ltd. | Packaging container and method of making same |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20160310253A1 (en) * | 2015-04-23 | 2016-10-27 | Sofradim Production | Flat package for a surgical mesh and a method of packaging a surgical mesh in said package |
US11376109B2 (en) * | 2015-04-23 | 2022-07-05 | Sofradim Production | Flat package for a surgical mesh and a method of packaging a surgical mesh in said package |
US10266286B2 (en) * | 2016-11-07 | 2019-04-23 | The Hillshire Brands Company | Framed packaging lid |
US10501216B2 (en) * | 2016-11-07 | 2019-12-10 | The Hillshire Brands Company | System and method for framed lid |
US11401059B2 (en) | 2016-11-07 | 2022-08-02 | The Hillshire Brands Company | System and method for framed lid |
EP3838789A1 (en) * | 2019-12-20 | 2021-06-23 | Stefan Eylert | Reclosable container and method of manufacturing same |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
EP2991913B1 (en) | Container closure | |
US9630762B2 (en) | Package with peelable closure | |
US20170166367A1 (en) | Package | |
CA2336389C (en) | Dual function overcap | |
JPS6222871B2 (en) | ||
ES2756651T3 (en) | Can lid | |
US20060266750A1 (en) | Container lid adapted for resealing of container | |
CN108602585B (en) | Can lid | |
JPH0242747B2 (en) | ||
JPS5882860A (en) | Closing structure of vessel | |
KR20180125951A (en) | Re-sealable can lid | |
US9914576B2 (en) | Package with tamper-evident feature | |
JPS5940704B2 (en) | container lid | |
JP2004509817A (en) | Container closure structure | |
JP5848937B2 (en) | Hinge cap | |
CN112512933B (en) | Metal can end | |
JPH02242740A (en) | Can edge | |
KR200400578Y1 (en) | Food vessel | |
JP6481893B2 (en) | Container with lid | |
US4195748A (en) | Closure membrane | |
JPS6217385Y2 (en) | ||
KR102027137B1 (en) | Sealing cap of powder container | |
JPH08151042A (en) | Pull tab for liquid container | |
JPH1024955A (en) | Easy-to-open container lid | |
EP2627584A1 (en) | Container with repositionable closure device |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: BERRY PLASTICS CORPORATION, INDIANA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MINNETTE, JEFFREY C;REEL/FRAME:037383/0594 Effective date: 20151216 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |