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
  • B65D25/54—Inspection openings or windows
• • 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
  • B65D77/04—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another
  • B65D77/0446—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section not formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks
  • B65D77/0453—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section not formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks the inner container having a polygonal cross-section
  • B65D77/046—Articles or materials enclosed in two or more containers disposed one within another the inner and outer containers being rigid or semi-rigid and the outer container being of polygonal cross-section not formed by folding or erecting one or more blanks the inner container having a polygonal cross-section and being a tray or like shallow container
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
  • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
  • B65D2543/00064—Shape of the outer periphery
  • B65D2543/0012—Shape of the outer periphery having straight sides, e.g. with curved corners
  • B65D2543/00129—Shape of the outer periphery having straight sides, e.g. with curved corners two straight sides and at least one curved side
  • B65D2543/00148—Shape of the outer periphery having straight sides, e.g. with curved corners two straight sides and at least one curved side with two curved sides
• • 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
  • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
  • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D2543/00018—Overall construction of the lid
  • B65D2543/00259—Materials used
  • B65D2543/00277—Metal
• • 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
  • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
  • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
  • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
  • B65D2543/0049—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the inside, or a part turned to the inside of the mouth of the container
  • B65D2543/00527—NO contact
• • 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
  • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
  • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
  • B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
  • B65D2543/00537—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
  • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
  • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
  • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
  • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
  • B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
  • B65D2543/00611—Profiles
  • B65D2543/00629—Massive bead
• • 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
  • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
  • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
  • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
  • B65D2543/00601—Snapping means on the container
  • B65D2543/00675—Periphery concerned
  • B65D2543/00694—Segments
• • 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
  • B65D2543/00—Lids or covers essentially for box-like containers
  • B65D2543/00009—Details of lids or covers for rigid or semi-rigid containers
  • B65D2543/00444—Contact between the container and the lid
  • B65D2543/00592—Snapping means
  • B65D2543/00712—Snapping means on the lid
  • B65D2543/00722—Profiles
  • B65D2543/00759—Flange or lip

Definitions

• the present invention relates generally to a closable storage container for holding small items, and more particularly, to a container adapted to closely hold a nestable sealed packet, with the container closed by a tightly fitting lid.
• closable storage containers or packages are in use at the present time to hold consumer product items such as smokeless tobacco, breath mints, medication, throat lozenges, candy, and the like.
• One form of package is a formed metal "tin" comprising a bottom enclosure and a tightly fitting lid. Such a package may be expensive to make, and may not provide a perfectly air-tight seal. Furthermore the metal construction does not provide any view of the contents of the "tin.”
• the present disclosure is directed to a package for holding product items including a top or lid with a close fit to a bottom or housing.
• the housing is adapted to receive and retain a container liner.
• the container liner is at least partly transparent.
• the housing comprises a display aperture
• FIGURES IA and IB are perspective views of a container for holding product items, comprising a metal housing and a metal lid;
• FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a container comprising a plastic housing and a metal lid;
• FIGURE 3 is a cross section detail of a fit between the plastic housing and metal lid
• FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of another container comprising a plastic housing and a metal lid;
• FIGURE 5A is a perspective view of a housing and an insertable liner;
• FIGURE 5B is a side elevation view of the housing and liner of FIGURE 5A;
• FIGURE 5C is a cross section detail of portions of housing and liner of FIGURE 5A;
• FIGURE 5D is a cross section detail of the same portions of housing and liner shown in FIGURE 5C, joined together as an assembly;
• FIGURES 6A and 6B are bottom perspective views of containers having a display aperture in the housing.
• the present invention overcomes many of the prior art problems associated with all-metal "tins" for holding small product items.
• the advantages, and other features of the package disclosed herein will become more readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the drawings which set forth representative embodiments of the present invention and wherein like reference numerals identify similar structural elements whenever possible.
• All relative descriptions herein such as left, right, up, down, topside, underside and the like are with reference to the Figures, and not meant in a limiting sense.
• Smokeless tobacco pouches are used as exemplary contents of the package.
• the illustrated embodiments can be understood as providing exemplary features of varying detail of certain embodiments, and therefore, unless otherwise specified, features, components, modules, elements, and/or aspects of the illustrations can be otherwise combined, interconnected, sequenced, separated, interchanged, positioned, and/or rearranged without materially departing from the disclosed systems or methods. Additionally, the shapes and sizes of components are also exemplary and unless otherwise specified, can be altered without materially affecting or limiting the disclosed technology to holding tobacco products.
• the package comprises a top or lid and a housing or bottom.
• FIGURES IA and IB show, in closed and open configuration respectively, a prior art container 10 that for product items such as tobacco pouches 1.
• Container 10 comprises a lid 20 and housing 30, both being metal.
• Lid 20 typically has a tight friction fit onto housing 30.
• Lid 20 may have a slightly rounded or domed top, main surface 22.
• Lid walls 24 are substantially vertical and fit closely around and over housing upper walls 34, also substantially vertical.
• the housing may have a circumferential ledge 32 that stops the lid walls 24 from being pressed too far down over housing upper walls 34, which might otherwise make it difficult to reopen the container.
• circumferential ledge 32 there may be a circumferential ridge around housing 30. Below the circumferential ledge 32 there may extend a housing lower wall 31.
• FIGURE 2 shows a novel container 11, which may comprise the same lid 20, but a different housing such as molded plastic housing 40 that may be made, for example, by injection molding.
• Plastic housing 40 may have a floor 45 and sides comprising a lower wall 41 extending upward to circumferential ledge 42 and continuing upward as housing upper wall 44.
• the lid walls 24 may fit around and over housing upper wall 44.
• Circumferential ledge 42 may provide an abutment stop to prevent lid walls 24 from being pressed too far down over housing upper walls 44, which might otherwise make it difficult to reopen the container.
• circumferential ledge 42 there may be a circumferential ridge (not shown) around housing 40.
• FIGURE 3 shows a cross sectional view of lid wall 24 engaging housing upper wall 44.
• the lower end of lid wall 24 may have an inwardly directed edge such as inward rolled edge 25,.
• the inward rolled edge 25 rides over detent 46 which engages the inwardly directed edge and helps hold the lid on the housing.
• the lower end of lid wall 24 may then be supported from below by circumferential ledge 42, and held from above by one or more detents 46.
• the consumer may press inwardly (as denoted by arrow "A") upon housing lower wall 41, causing the housing wall to flex inward and increasing the clearance between detent 46 and inward rolled edge 25 so that the lid may be lifted off the housing.
• FIGURE 4 shows another novel container 12, which may comprise the same lid 20, but a different housing such as molded plastic housing 50.
• Plastic housing 50 may have a floor 55 and sides comprising a lower wall 51 extending upward to circumferential ledge 52 and continuing upward as housing upper wall 54.
• the lid walls 24 may fit around and over housing upper wall 54.
• Circumferential ledge 52 may provide an abutment stop to prevent lid walls 24 from being pressed too far down over housing upper walls 54, which might otherwise make it difficult to reopen the container.
• circumferential ledge 52 there may be a circumferential ridge (not shown) around housing 50. While being described as “circumferential" it will be understood that the ledge or ridge may be discontinuous and may not extended entirely around the housing.
• one or more detents 56 may be provided on the outer surface of housing upper wall 54.
• One or more of detents 56 may be provided upon more flexible portions of the housing, for example on leaf 57.
• the periphery of leaf 57 may be partially separated from housing 50.
• the periphery of leaf 57 may define an opening through housing upper wall 54.
• leaf 57 may also be provided without an opening through housing upper wall 54, for example as a thin, plate-like protrusion molded into or onto housing 50.
• Housing 50 may comprise a top flange 58 at the top surface of housing upper wall 54.
• product contents within the container may be sealed for freshness or safety, for example by sealing a foil or film (not shown) onto top flange 58. If the container is sealed in this fashion, then to preserve the effectiveness of the seal, leaf 57 may preferably be provided without defining an opening through housing upper wall 54.
• FIGURE 5 A shows a liner, such as tub 70 that may be inserted into housing 60 and then sealed with overseal 80.
• Housing 60 is in certain aspects similar to housings 40 and 50, and a description of the component parts will not be repeated.
• Housing floor 65 may be provided with an opening such as display window 63, by which product contents may be seen through tub floor 75, provided tub 70 is made of a transparent material.
• Tub 70 may be formed with tub flange 78, and tub retaining projections 79 that engagingly fit complementary indentations on the inside of housing 60.
• tub retaining projection 79 may snap-fit into the housing, for example into a recess such as overhanging ledge 69 inside the housing. Such engagement features may securely retain the tub and help protect its contents.
• a projection inside the housing may fit into an indentation in the tub.
• FIGURE 5B shows a front elevation view of tub 70 aligned over housing 60.
• FIGURE 5C shows detail cross sections of the tub showing tub flange 78 and tub retaining projection 79, along with housing top flange 68 and housing overhanging ledge 69.
• Overhanging ledge 69 may be formed in various shapes and locations. In the example of FIGURE 5C, overhanging ledge 69 may be the inside of circumferential ledge 62.
• tub retaining projection 79 engages overhanging ledge 69 to hold the tub securely in the housing.
• Tub flange 78 may rest loose upon housing top flange 68, or it may be sealed thereto.
• An overseal 80 may be sealed onto the top of tub flange 78, preferably right after filling the tub with product items.
• Tub 70 may be made of vacuum- formed plastic and overseal 80 may be made of foil; both materials may be chosen to provide barrier properties (such as moisture or oxygen barrier properties) and sufficient structural strength.
• the items may include such products as smokeless tobacco pouches, tea bags, breath mints, medication, throat lozenges, candy, chewing gum, and the like.
• FIGURES 6A and 6B show containers where products such as tobacco pouches 1 or breath mints 2 may be seen through display window 63 (on the bottom of housing 60 as seen in FIGURE 5A). These products will be visible provided the tub floor 75 is transparent. Thus it is possible to determine how much of the contents remain, without opening the container.
• the tub may be made of non-transparent material. In any case the tub could be used in a housing with or without a display window.
• the new container provides a lid 20 that fits snugly on housing 30 or other housings shown herein.
• the side walls of the housing may be designed to engage the lid with a flexing action so that the side walls must be squeezed in order to release the lid.
• a plastic housing may more readily provide such flexing action than a metal housing.
• the snug flex fit may be designed to create a "popping" noise when the lid is removed.
• the lid and housing as described herein are particularly suitable for forming a package sized as is common for a tobacco, medication, or candy container, that is, a substantially rectangular package sized to be held conveniently in the hand.
• Other sizes and shapes of container may be produced according to same principles.
• an elongated container might be made which may be more useful for holding pencils, candy sticks, drinking straws, or cigars.
• An oval-shaped container might be made which may be considered more fashionable and used for holding cosmetics, for example.

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

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=41263946

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (4)

Cited By (2)

Families Citing this family (23)

Citations (7)

Family Cites Families (12)

• 2009
  • 2009-08-24 US US13/060,956 patent/US20110186579A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2009-08-24 CN CN2009801336318A patent/CN102131712B/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 2009-08-24 WO PCT/US2009/054751 patent/WO2010027730A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2009-08-24 EP EP09791836A patent/EP2337745B1/de not_active Not-in-force

Patent Citations (7)

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