WO2003042525A9 - Container fitment - Google Patents

Container fitment

Info

Publication number
WO2003042525A9
WO2003042525A9 PCT/GB2002/005011 GB0205011W WO03042525A9 WO 2003042525 A9 WO2003042525 A9 WO 2003042525A9 GB 0205011 W GB0205011 W GB 0205011W WO 03042525 A9 WO03042525 A9 WO 03042525A9
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
annular portion
container
fitment
utensil
hinge
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2002/005011
Other languages
French (fr)
Other versions
WO2003042525A1 (en
Inventor
Peter Reginald Clarke
Susan Marie Barnes
David Peter Rickman
Original Assignee
Yew Tree Consultants Ltd
Peter Reginald Clarke
Susan Marie Barnes
David Peter Rickman
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Yew Tree Consultants Ltd, Peter Reginald Clarke, Susan Marie Barnes, David Peter Rickman filed Critical Yew Tree Consultants Ltd
Priority to AU2002339100A priority Critical patent/AU2002339100A1/en
Priority to GB0410029A priority patent/GB2397298B/en
Priority to US10/494,833 priority patent/US20050011854A1/en
Publication of WO2003042525A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003042525A1/en
Publication of WO2003042525A9 publication Critical patent/WO2003042525A9/en

Links

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
    • B65D77/00—Packages formed by enclosing articles or materials in preformed containers, e.g. boxes, cartons, sacks or bags
    • B65D77/22—Details
    • B65D77/24—Inserts or accessories added or incorporated during filling of containers
    • B65D77/245—Utensils for removing the contents from the package, e.g. spoons, forks, spatulas
    • 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
    • B65D51/24—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes
    • B65D51/246—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes provided with eating utensils or spatulas

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a fitment for a container and is particularly suitable for a foodstuff container having a mouth sealed by means of a foil adhered to the upper rim of the container.
  • Such containers are commonly used for foodstuffs that are consumed in their entirety as soon as the containers are opened so that there is no need for the containers to be resealed.
  • foodstuffs are yoghurt, desserts and quick snacks such as soups and noodles .
  • a disposable utensil such as a fork or a spoon.
  • a lid or cover having a weakened portion that allows a utensil moulded as an integral part of the lid to be pressed out.
  • the utensil cannot be formed in one piece. If it is to be able to reach into the bottom of the container, it needs to be moulded in two separate pieces that must somehow be clipped to one another. For this reason, such a solution is not entirely satisfactory.
  • a fitment for a foodstuff container which includes an annular portion for engaging the upper rim surrounding the mouth of the container so as to retain the fitment on the container and a utensil moulded integrally with the annular portion to project outwards from the annular portion, the utensil being connected to the annular portion by means of a hinge so as to permit the utensil to be pivoted to lie against one side of the container.
  • the utensil and the annular portion need to be moulded so that they initially lie in generally the same plane, this being the split plane of the two mould parts.
  • the hinge between the utensil and the annular portion then enables the utensil to be bent out of the horizontal plane of the mouth of the container into a generally vertical position in which it can lie against one side of the container and not interfere with stacking of the containers .
  • the hinge may include a toggle mechanism such that the utensil is biased towards stable horizontal and vertical positions.
  • a toggle mechanism may comprise an L-shaped resilient member that is hinged to the annular portion and to the utensil. If the points of attachment of the resilient member are correctly selected, then the utensil passes through an over-centre intermediate position as it pivots between its end positions.
  • the annular portion may if desired form part of a cover that overlies the entire mouth of the container. However, it is preferred to form it only as a ring that fits over the upper rim of the container.
  • annular portion in such a manner that it cannot be removed from the container while it remains intact. In this way, the annular portion can provide visible evidence in the event of tampering.
  • Figure 1 shows a section through a container on which a fitment of the invention may be mounted
  • Figure 2 is a perspective view of a fitment in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 3 is a similar view to that of Figure 2 showing a second embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 4 is a similar view of a third embodiment of the invention
  • Figure 5 is a detail of an alternative embodiment of the invention drawn to an enlarged scale showing a hinge that incorporates a toggle action.
  • Figure 1 shows a typical snack food container 10.
  • the container comprises a conically tapering cup 12 having a rim 14 surrounding its mouth The mouth is covered by means of a plastics or metal foil 16 that is sealed to the rim.
  • the cup 12 contains a snack, which may for example be yoghurt, soup or noodles, and for the convenience of the purchaser the invention provides a fitment that securely attaches to the container a suitable utensil, such as a fork or a spoon, to allow the snack to the consumed.
  • a suitable utensil such as a fork or a spoon
  • the fitment 20 shown in Figure 2 comprises a lid to cover the entire mouth of the container 10.
  • the lid has a lip 22 that engages under the rim 14 of the container to prevent it from being removed easily. Indeed, it is preferred that it should be necessary to damage the lid 20 before it can be removed from the container. The reason, for this is that the lid will then indicate any tampering with the contents of the container. Only by breaking the fitment and removing it would it be possible to peal back the foil 16 and tamper with the contents of the container 10.
  • a spoon 24 is connected by a hinge 26 to the edge of the annular portion 28 of the lid 20 that engages the rim 14 of the container 10. To enable it to be moulded in one piece with the lid 20, the spoon 24 is moulded an the position shown by a solid line in Figure 2
  • the hinge 26 however allows the spoon to be pivoted into the vertical position shown in dotted lines 2 ' in which it lies against the side of the container 10.
  • the fitment 120 shown in Figure 3 differs from that of Figure 2 in that the utensil 124 is designed as a fork. Furthermore, the annular portion 128 only overlies the rim 14 of the container and is not part of a lid that covers the entire mouth of the container. The foil 16 therefore remains visible through the centre of the annular portion 128.
  • a hinge 126 connects the utensil 124 to the annular portion 128 to allow the utensil 124 to be bent into a position 124' against the side of the container 10.
  • Figure 4 is similar to that of Figure 3 but the annular portion 228 in this case is moulded integrally with a handle 230 which can be used to carry the container.
  • the fitment need not be removed from the container when it is opened and the lid 16 may instead be punctured while the fitment continues to support the container 10.
  • the fitment may be pulled off the container and replaced after the foil cover has been removed.
  • the mechanism of the hinge of any of the previously described embodiments is preferably constructed in the manner shown to an enlarged scale in Figure 5.
  • the end of the utensil 24 is bifurcated to define two prongs 24a and 24b.
  • the two prongs are pivoted at the hinge 26 to the edge of the annular portion 28.
  • a resilient L-shaped member 32 is connected by a hinge 36 to an attachment point on the annular portion 28 that is higher than the axis of the hinge 26 while its other end is hinged to the end of the utensil 24 at 38 in between the two prongs 24a and 24b.
  • the utensil 24 is shown partially in each of its end positions in Figure 5 With the utensil raised, as shown to the right in Figure 5, the line joining the attachment points 36, 38 of the resilient member 32 lies above the hinge line 26. In the lowered position shown to the left in Figure 5, the same line joining the attachment points of the resilient member 32 lies below the hinge line 26. Thus as it is lowered, the member 32 is elongated until its length is sufficient to allow it to reach an unstable over-centre position in which the hinges 26, 36 and 38 all lie in the same plane. After passing through this over-centre position the member 32 once again contracts. Thus a toggle action is created with the resilience of the member 32 acting to bias the utensil towards its two end positions. Thus when fitted to a container and the lowered, the utensil will click down and be urged by the toggle action into a position tight against the side of the container.
  • a weakened line 34 is formed around the hinge. This allows the utensil to be separated readily from the annular portion 28. Furthermore, after the utensil has been detached, the annular portion ceases to be continuous and can therefore be removed readily from over the mouth of the container. In the embodiment of Figure 4, it would be possible to arrange for part of the lip 22 to be broken away while leaving the ring portion intact. The removal of part of the lip would in this case provide an indication of tampering but, as the annular portion remains circumferentially continuous, it can be separated from the container and replaced after the foil has been removed to allow access to the contents .

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Closures For Containers (AREA)
  • Cookers (AREA)

Abstract

A fitment is disclosed intended in particular for a foodstuff container of the type having a mouth sealed by means of a foil adhered to the upper rim of the container. The fitment (20) includes an annular portion (28) for engaging the upper rim of the container so as to retain the fitment on the container and a utensil (24) moulded integrally with the annular portion to project outwards from the annular portion. The utensil (24) is connected to the annular portion (28) by means of a hinge (26) so as to permit the utensil to be pivoted into a position (24') in which it lies against one side of the container.

Description

CONTAINER FITMENT
The present invention relates to a fitment for a container and is particularly suitable for a foodstuff container having a mouth sealed by means of a foil adhered to the upper rim of the container.
Such containers are commonly used for foodstuffs that are consumed in their entirety as soon as the containers are opened so that there is no need for the containers to be resealed. Examples of such foodstuffs are yoghurt, desserts and quick snacks such as soups and noodles .
Because the contents of the container are to be consumed once the container is opened, it is convenient to provide a disposable utensil, such as a fork or a spoon. To this end, it has already been proposed to provide a lid or cover having a weakened portion that allows a utensil moulded as an integral part of the lid to be pressed out. However, as the containers are usually deeper than they are wide, the utensil cannot be formed in one piece. If it is to be able to reach into the bottom of the container, it needs to be moulded in two separate pieces that must somehow be clipped to one another. For this reason, such a solution is not entirely satisfactory.
According to the present invention, there is provided a fitment for a foodstuff container which includes an annular portion for engaging the upper rim surrounding the mouth of the container so as to retain the fitment on the container and a utensil moulded integrally with the annular portion to project outwards from the annular portion, the utensil being connected to the annular portion by means of a hinge so as to permit the utensil to be pivoted to lie against one side of the container. In order for it to be feasible to mould the utensil with the annular portion in a two part mould, the utensil and the annular portion need to be moulded so that they initially lie in generally the same plane, this being the split plane of the two mould parts. The hinge between the utensil and the annular portion then enables the utensil to be bent out of the horizontal plane of the mouth of the container into a generally vertical position in which it can lie against one side of the container and not interfere with stacking of the containers .
It is preferred for the hinge to include a toggle mechanism such that the utensil is biased towards stable horizontal and vertical positions. Such a toggle mechanism may comprise an L-shaped resilient member that is hinged to the annular portion and to the utensil. If the points of attachment of the resilient member are correctly selected, then the utensil passes through an over-centre intermediate position as it pivots between its end positions.
The annular portion may if desired form part of a cover that overlies the entire mouth of the container. However, it is preferred to form it only as a ring that fits over the upper rim of the container.
It is also preferred to form the annular portion in such a manner that it cannot be removed from the container while it remains intact. In this way, the annular portion can provide visible evidence in the event of tampering.
It is desirable to provide a weakened region surrounding the hinge that connects the utensil to the annular portion. Such weakening will facilitate separation of the utensil and also break at least part of the annular portion to permit it to be removed from the container. The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : -
Figure 1 shows a section through a container on which a fitment of the invention may be mounted,
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a fitment in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention, Figure 3 is a similar view to that of Figure 2 showing a second embodiment of the invention, Figure 4 is a similar view of a third embodiment of the invention, and
Figure 5 is a detail of an alternative embodiment of the invention drawn to an enlarged scale showing a hinge that incorporates a toggle action.
Figure 1 shows a typical snack food container 10. The container comprises a conically tapering cup 12 having a rim 14 surrounding its mouth The mouth is covered by means of a plastics or metal foil 16 that is sealed to the rim. The cup 12 contains a snack, which may for example be yoghurt, soup or noodles, and for the convenience of the purchaser the invention provides a fitment that securely attaches to the container a suitable utensil, such as a fork or a spoon, to allow the snack to the consumed.
The fitment 20 shown in Figure 2 comprises a lid to cover the entire mouth of the container 10. The lid has a lip 22 that engages under the rim 14 of the container to prevent it from being removed easily. Indeed, it is preferred that it should be necessary to damage the lid 20 before it can be removed from the container. The reason, for this is that the lid will then indicate any tampering with the contents of the container. Only by breaking the fitment and removing it would it be possible to peal back the foil 16 and tamper with the contents of the container 10. In Figure 2, a spoon 24 is connected by a hinge 26 to the edge of the annular portion 28 of the lid 20 that engages the rim 14 of the container 10. To enable it to be moulded in one piece with the lid 20, the spoon 24 is moulded an the position shown by a solid line in Figure 2
The hinge 26 however allows the spoon to be pivoted into the vertical position shown in dotted lines 2 ' in which it lies against the side of the container 10.
The fitment 120 shown in Figure 3 differs from that of Figure 2 in that the utensil 124 is designed as a fork. Furthermore, the annular portion 128 only overlies the rim 14 of the container and is not part of a lid that covers the entire mouth of the container. The foil 16 therefore remains visible through the centre of the annular portion 128. Once again, a hinge 126 connects the utensil 124 to the annular portion 128 to allow the utensil 124 to be bent into a position 124' against the side of the container 10.
The embodiment of Figure 4 is similar to that of Figure 3 but the annular portion 228 in this case is moulded integrally with a handle 230 which can be used to carry the container. In this case, the fitment need not be removed from the container when it is opened and the lid 16 may instead be punctured while the fitment continues to support the container 10. Alternatively, the fitment may be pulled off the container and replaced after the foil cover has been removed.
The mechanism of the hinge of any of the previously described embodiments is preferably constructed in the manner shown to an enlarged scale in Figure 5. The end of the utensil 24 is bifurcated to define two prongs 24a and 24b. The two prongs are pivoted at the hinge 26 to the edge of the annular portion 28. A resilient L-shaped member 32 is connected by a hinge 36 to an attachment point on the annular portion 28 that is higher than the axis of the hinge 26 while its other end is hinged to the end of the utensil 24 at 38 in between the two prongs 24a and 24b.
The utensil 24 is shown partially in each of its end positions in Figure 5 With the utensil raised, as shown to the right in Figure 5, the line joining the attachment points 36, 38 of the resilient member 32 lies above the hinge line 26. In the lowered position shown to the left in Figure 5, the same line joining the attachment points of the resilient member 32 lies below the hinge line 26. Thus as it is lowered, the member 32 is elongated until its length is sufficient to allow it to reach an unstable over-centre position in which the hinges 26, 36 and 38 all lie in the same plane. After passing through this over-centre position the member 32 once again contracts. Thus a toggle action is created with the resilience of the member 32 acting to bias the utensil towards its two end positions. Thus when fitted to a container and the lowered, the utensil will click down and be urged by the toggle action into a position tight against the side of the container.
It will also be seen in Figure 5 that a weakened line 34 is formed around the hinge. This allows the utensil to be separated readily from the annular portion 28. Furthermore, after the utensil has been detached, the annular portion ceases to be continuous and can therefore be removed readily from over the mouth of the container. In the embodiment of Figure 4, it would be possible to arrange for part of the lip 22 to be broken away while leaving the ring portion intact. The removal of part of the lip would in this case provide an indication of tampering but, as the annular portion remains circumferentially continuous, it can be separated from the container and replaced after the foil has been removed to allow access to the contents .

Claims

1. A fitment for a foodstuff container which includes an annular portion for engaging the upper rim surrounding the mouth of the container so as to retain the fitment on the container and a utensil moulded integrally with the annular portion to project outwards from the annular portion, the utensil being connected to the annular portion by means of a hinge so as to permit the utensil to be pivoted to lie against one side of the container.
2. A fitment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the hinge includes a toggle mechanism such that the utensil is biased away from an over-centre position towards stable end positions.
3. A fitment as claimed in claim 2, wherein the toggle mechanism comprises an L-shaped resilient member that is hinged to the annular portion and to the utensil at points of attachment that are spaced from the hinge between the utensil and the annular portion.
4. A fitment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the annular portion forms part of a cover that overlies the entire mouth of the container.
5. A fitment as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the annular portion is constituted by a ring that fits only over the upper rim of the container.
6. A fitment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the annular portion is formed with a lip that engaged under the rim of the upper container in such a manner that annular portion cannot be removed from the container while the lip remains intact.
7. A fitment a claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the annular portion is formed with a handle.
8. A fitment as claimed in any of claims 1 to 7, wherein a weakened region is provided in the annular portion surrounding the hinge that connects the utensil to the annular portion.
9. A fitment as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the weakened region is shaped to permit part of the lip to be broken away while the remainder of the annular portion remains circumferentially continuous .
PCT/GB2002/005011 2001-11-10 2002-11-01 Container fitment WO2003042525A1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2002339100A AU2002339100A1 (en) 2001-11-10 2002-11-01 Container fitment
GB0410029A GB2397298B (en) 2001-11-10 2002-11-01 Container fitment
US10/494,833 US20050011854A1 (en) 2001-11-10 2002-11-01 Container fitment

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0127088A GB2381785A (en) 2001-11-10 2001-11-10 Container fitment having a utensil
GB0127088.3 2001-11-10

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003042525A1 WO2003042525A1 (en) 2003-05-22
WO2003042525A9 true WO2003042525A9 (en) 2003-07-10

Family

ID=9925585

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2002/005011 WO2003042525A1 (en) 2001-11-10 2002-11-01 Container fitment

Country Status (4)

Country Link
US (1) US20050011854A1 (en)
AU (1) AU2002339100A1 (en)
GB (2) GB2381785A (en)
WO (1) WO2003042525A1 (en)

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AT504228B1 (en) * 2006-09-19 2008-07-15 Frantes Christian MUG FOR HALF-LIQUID FOOD
US20110165039A1 (en) * 2008-07-15 2011-07-07 Jawkaumi Pty Ltd Specimen container
GB2475872B (en) 2009-12-03 2011-11-16 Bapco Closures Res Ltd Container closure with measuring spoon
EP2948747A4 (en) 2013-01-24 2016-07-27 Pbm Nutritionals Llc Apparatus and method for making canister and for detecting leaks for quality assurance
CH711542A2 (en) 2015-09-16 2017-03-31 Soudronic Ag Packaging with tear-open lid and dosing spoon.
WO2019036757A1 (en) * 2017-08-22 2019-02-28 Paul Mathis An integrated lid and utensil device for a wide mouthed jar and a method of utilisation thereof
US11104482B2 (en) * 2019-09-18 2021-08-31 Blue Buffalo Enterprises, Inc. Packaged food product and method of producing the packaged food product

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FR2806710A1 (en) * 2000-03-22 2001-09-28 Thierry Rohmer Moulded plastic food container has eating implement such as spoon, fork or knife moulded together with it and detachable for use

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20050011854A1 (en) 2005-01-20
WO2003042525A1 (en) 2003-05-22
GB0127088D0 (en) 2002-01-02
GB2381785A (en) 2003-05-14
GB0410029D0 (en) 2004-06-09
GB2397298A (en) 2004-07-21
GB2397298B (en) 2005-01-26
AU2002339100A1 (en) 2003-05-26

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