WO2011094174A1 - A container having adjustable vented cover - Google Patents
A container having adjustable vented cover Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2011094174A1 WO2011094174A1 PCT/US2011/022320 US2011022320W WO2011094174A1 WO 2011094174 A1 WO2011094174 A1 WO 2011094174A1 US 2011022320 W US2011022320 W US 2011022320W WO 2011094174 A1 WO2011094174 A1 WO 2011094174A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- cover
- container
- engagement portion
- venting
- base
- Prior art date
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
- B65D51/00—Closures not otherwise provided for
- B65D51/16—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas
- B65D51/1672—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby venting occurs by manual actuation of the closure or other element
- B65D51/1683—Closures not otherwise provided for with means for venting air or gas whereby venting occurs by manual actuation of the closure or other element by actuating a separate element in the container or closure
-
- 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
- B65D43/0208—Removable lids or covers without integral tamper element secured by snapping over beads or projections on both the inside and 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
- B65D81/00—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents
- B65D81/34—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within the package
- B65D81/3446—Containers, packaging elements, or packages, for contents presenting particular transport or storage problems, or adapted to be used for non-packaging purposes after removal of contents for packaging foodstuffs or other articles intended to be cooked or heated within the package specially adapted to be heated by microwaves
- B65D81/3453—Rigid containers, e.g. trays, bottles, boxes, cups
-
- 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
- B65D2543/00027—Stackable lids or covers
-
- 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
- B65D2543/00074—Shape of the outer periphery curved
- B65D2543/00092—Shape of the outer periphery curved circular
-
- 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
- B65D2543/00296—Plastic
-
- 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
- B65D2543/00342—Central part of the lid
- B65D2543/00351—Dome-like
-
- 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
- B65D2543/00342—Central part of the lid
- B65D2543/00398—Reinforcing ribs in the central part of the closure
- B65D2543/00416—Reinforcing ribs in the central part of the closure circular
-
- 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
- B65D2543/00509—Cup
-
- 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
- B65D2543/00481—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container
- B65D2543/00555—Contact between the container and the lid on the inside or the outside of the container on both the inside and the outside
-
- 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
- B65D2543/0062—Groove or hollow 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
- B65D2543/00685—Totality
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to a plastic container having a cover and a base, which when sealingly engaged together form a sealed storage area, and, more particularly, to container covers that have an adjustable venting feature. Slots or holes in the cover are variably exposed by rotating a secondary venting cover which attaches to the top of the container cover.
- Rigid, thermoplastic food containers are generally known. These containers are substantially airtight, which can present a variety of problems during consumer use. When the contents of the container are micro-waved, the contents may heat up and expand with the evolution of steam causing the cover to violently pop off the container and resulting in a potential mess. In other storage applications, it may be desirable to adjustably vent the container. For example in the storage of fruits and vegetables, it may be desirable to adjustably control the ventilation and moisture transmission within the container.
- the present invention provides a container comprising a cover having a first closure portion, said first closure portion being sealingly engageable with a second closure portion of a base so that when said first closure portion and said second closure portion are engaged with each other, said cover and said base define a substantially sealed storage area; an engagement portion; and a venting cover adjustingly attached to the engagement portion; and the base having a bottom; a peripheral sidewall extending from said bottom; an open top; and said second closure portion.
- the container comprises a cover having a first closure portion, said first closure portion being sealingly engageable with a second closure portion of a base so that when said first closure portion and said second closure portion are engaged with each other, said cover and said base define a substantially sealed storage central engagement portion; and a circular venting cover rotationally attached to the engagement portion; and the base having a bottom; a peripheral sidewall extending from said bottom; an open top; and said second closure portion.
- Figure 1 is an perspective view of a container with a cover and a base according to an embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 2 is an perspective view of the base of Figure 1 ;
- Figure 3 is a partial sectional perspective view with the engagement portion of the cover of Figure 1 locking engaged with and engagement portion of a second cover;
- Figure 4 is a top plan view of a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 5 is a top plan view of a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 6 is a top plan view of a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention
- Figure 7 is a top plan view of a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 8 is a top plan view of a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 9 is a top plan view of a venting cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 10 is a top plan view of a venting cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 11 is a top plan view of a cover with a secondary venting cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 12 is a top plan view of a cover with a secondary venting cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 13 is a top plan view of a cover with a secondary venting cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 14 is a top plan view of a cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Figure 15 is a top plan view of a secondary venting cover according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- FIG. 1 Figures illustrating the components of this invention show some conventional mechanical elements that are known and that will be recognized by one skilled in the art. The detailed descriptions of such elements are not necessary to an understanding of the invention, and accordingly, are herein presented only to the degree necessary to facilitate an understanding of the novel features of the present invention.
- the term “comprising” is inclusive or open- ended and does not exclude additional unrecited elements, compositional components, or method steps. Accordingly, the term “comprising” encompasses the more restrictive terms “consisting essentially of and “consisting of.
- a container is meant to mean and include any storage container for storing food in a refrigerator.
- a container may be made of any suitable material, depending upon the product therein.
- a container may be made of plastic.
- a container 100 includes a flexible cover 102 sealingly engaged to a base 104.
- the container 100 is depicted as substantially circular in top plan view. In other embodiments of the present invention, the container 100 has other shapes such as rectangular, square, or elliptical.
- the cover 102 includes a central engagement portion 106 that is lockingly engageable with the central engagement portion of a second cover (shown in Figure 3). Circumscribing the engagement portion 106 of the cover 102 can be at least one articulation element 108.
- the engagement portion 106 of the Figures is depicted as circular but, as with the shape of the container 100 itself, other shapes are possible. In some embodiments, a standard shape and configuration of the engagement portion 106 is used with covers 102 of various shapes and sizes. This enhances storage flexibility by allowing different types of covers 102 to be stored together in a locked stack.
- the cover 102 includes a first closure portion 1 10 on the outer portion of the base.
- the first closure portion 1 10 is sealingly engageable with a second closure portion 210 of the base 104.
- the first closure portion 110 of the cover 102 can be sealingly engaged with a second closure portion 210 of the base 104 to provide a leak- resistant, re-sealable closure.
- the cover 102 and the base 104 define a substantially sealed storage area within container 100 ( Figure 1).
- the base 104 of the container 100 includes a bottom 202 and a peripheral sidewall 204 extending upwardly from the peripheral edge of the bottom 202.
- the top of the base 104 is open.
- the second closure portion 210 of the base 104 which, as noted above, is adapted to sealingly engage with the first closure portion 1 10 of the cover 102, is positioned at the open end of the peripheral sidewall 204 of the base 104.
- the second closure portion 210 of the base 104 is a raised locking ring that extends from an upper edge of the peripheral sidewall 204 of the base 104.
- the cover 102 illustrated in Figures 1 and 3 includes the engagement portion 106 that allows the cover 102 to lockingly engage with the engagement portion 306 of a second cover 302 to form a locked stack of covers (Figure 3).
- This locking feature makes the resultant stack of covers more structurally rigid and thus less precarious than a traditional, non- interlocked, stack of covers.
- the cover 102 is locked together with the second cover 302 by their central engagement portions 106 and 306 respectively.
- the engagement portion 106 of the cover 102 includes an upper protrusion 1 18 (see also Figure 1) and a lower protrusion 120.
- the engagement portion of the second cover 302 likewise includes an upper protrusion 318 and a lower protrusion 320.
- Each protrusion 1 18, 318, 120, and 320 is convex on one side and concave on the other.
- the lower protrusion 120 of the cover 102 fits over and receives the upper protrusion 318 of the second cover 302, thus locking the covers 102 and 302 together. In this manner, the covers 102 and 302 are held together and form a structurally stable cover stack.
- a third cover (not shown) may be lockingly engaged with the second cover 302, a fourth cover with the third and so on to form a stack of any number of covers.
- the engagement portion 106 can also be chosen to have a shape or otherwise include elements that provide an aligned or locked stack of covers 102 with rotational alignment.
- Rotation as used herein, is defined about an axis A ( Figure 1) normal to the plane formed by orthogonal midlines, i.e., first midline 405A and second midline 405B at the top surface of the cover 102 as shown in Figure 4.
- the origin of the rotational axis is at the center point 407 at which the orthogonal midlines intersect.
- shapes that inherently require alignment prior to engagement or that may be self-aligning during the process of connecting engagement portions would be shapes with linear or curvilinear sides, vertices or lobes such as triangular, square, rectangular, or multi-petal shapes.
- the cover may have one or more elements on or about the engagement portion that require alignment prior to connection of engagement portions or elements that may be self-aligning during the process of connecting engagement portions.
- engagement portion may include one or more of the following features to enable engagement: convex portions or ribs, concave portions or ribs, linear or curvilinear undercuts, discrete snap elements or buttons, interference fits, textured surfaces, or elements that modify surface friction or tackiness at or around the point of engagement.
- the engaging areas that create a locking condition can be continuous about the engagement portions or discretely segmented about the engagement portions.
- the force required to connect the cover and the second cover may differ substantially from the force required to disengage the covers. For instance, it may be beneficial during manufacturing that the force needed to connect the covers is less than the force required to separate the covers.
- the covers are relatively easy to connect during manufacturing, yet they will lock securely and not undesirably separate during the manufacturing process.
- the protrusions on the engagement portion may be designed where, for a given protrusion, the upper protrusion edge comprises a gradual taper whereas the lower protrusion edge comprises a more abrupt shape.
- the shape of the protrusion may be similar to a barbed hook with gradual taper on the upper edge of the barb that would impart little resistance during engagement and with an abrupt shape on the lower edge of the barb that would impart relatively high resistance during disengagement.
- the engagement portion may be designed so that the force that needs to be applied to connect the covers is more than the force required to separate the covers, since the user may perceive that a high connecting force equates to satisfactory locking integrity, whereas a weak connecting force may lead the user to perceive that the cover stack lacks the integrity required to insure the expected organizational benefit.
- the high connecting force provides the perceived benefit, yet a lower disengagement force does not require that the user untowardly struggle during separation of covers.
- the protrusions on the engagement portion may be designed where, for a given protrusion, the upper protrusion edge comprises an abrupt shape whereas the lower protrusion edge comprises a more gradual taper.
- the shape of the protrusion may be a reversed barb with an abrupt shape on the upper edge of the barb that would impart relatively high resistance during engagement and with a gradual taper on the lower edge of the barb that would impart little resistance during disengagement.
- the engagement portion can provide tactile or audible feedback upon locking. In this way, the user would sense that the covers are connected and that no further force need be applied.
- first closure portion 410 and the second closure portion 210 forms the sealing engagement of the cover 102 and the base 104.
- the present invention can be embodied with a variety of closure designs including outer closures and/or inner closures.
- Related U.S. Patent Application 2009/0166369 co-owned with the present invention and incorporated in its entirety herein by reference, further describes the closure portions.
- the closure portions described therein are examples only, and many other types of closure portions could be used with the present invention.
- the central engagement portion 106 of the cover 502 may contain one or more openings 504 of various shapes, for example slits, allantoids, rounded openings, etc that are useful for venting.
- Figure 6 shows cover having a central engagement portion 106 having several smaller openings 504 and one large opening 506.
- Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the cover 502 having circular openings 508 that fan out from the center.
- Figure 8 shows an embodiment of the cover 502 having allantoid openings 510 that fan out from the center.
- Figure 9 shows a venting cover 902 that can fit over a central engagement portion 106 of a cover 502 of Figures 5, 6, 7, and 8.
- the venting cover 902 has curved slits 904.
- Figure 10 shows a venting cover 1002 having one large opening 1004.
- the venting cover 902 is rotationally attached over the central engagement portion (not shown) of the cover 502.
- the curved slits 904 are not ventingly connected to openings (not shown) on the cover 502.
- Figure 12 shows the cover 502 with the venting cover 902 rotated to expose the openings 504.
- Figure 13 shows the venting cover 1002 rotationally attached over the central engagement portion (not shown) of the cover 502 of Figure 6 so that the large opening 1004 of the venting cover 1002 exposes the large opening 506 of the cover 502.
- Figure 14 shows an example of a cover 1402 having a rectangular central engagement portion 1406 with venting openings 1404.
- Figure 15 shows a venting cover 1410 slideably attached to the central engagement portion 1406 and partially exposing the venting openings 1404 of the cover 1402.
- the base 104 can be made from any suitable plastic with sufficient thickness to withstand without deforming the heat of microwave cooking and of top-shelf dishwashing. It should also remain sturdy during lifting while laden with hot food.
- the base 104 can be made from any suitable plastic and can be made by any suitable technique, such as co-extrusion, lamination, injection molding, vacuum thermo forming, or overmolding.
- the base 104 is formed from polypropylene.
- the nominal wall thickness of the base 104 can vary somewhat due to the manufacturing process.
- the cover 102 can be constructed with a wall thickness thinner than that of a base 104.
- the cover 102 can be made from any suitable plastic and can be made by any suitable technique, such as vacuum thermoforming processes described herein.
- the cover 102 can be formed from polypropylene. Due to the vacuum thermoforming process, the wall thickness of the cover 102 can vary slightly over its nominal thickness. A cover 102 with a nominal thickness less than the nominal thickness of the base 104, however, reduces the cost of material for the container 100. Further, with a thinner cover 102, increased cover flexibility more easily accommodates the removal of the cover 102 from, and the sealing engagement with, the base 104. The cover 102 can maintain adequate flexibility for proper sealing even during typical freezer temperatures.
- the cover 102 can be made by various plastic molding processes, including but not limited to vacuum thermo forming and injection molding. Vacuum thermoforming of the cover 102 is typically the most economical means for forming the cover 102. As is well know in the art, vacuum thermoforming involves heating a suitable plastic sheet of material to a temperature at which the sheet becomes formable into a shape that is set as the plastic sheet cools. As used herein, a suitable plastic sheet is a plastic sheet that may be readily used by the vacuum thermoforming process. The heated plastic sheet is made to conform to the surface features of a single surface "male" tool by drawing the heated sheet of plastic to the surface of the tool by the force of a vacuum applied to the tool. In vacuum thermoforming, the sealed air space between the heated plastic and mold is evacuated to draw the heated plastic to contact the single male surface of the mold.
- the thickness of the finished article formed by the process is nominally uniform.
- a side cross-section view through the vacuum thermoformed article reveals a substantially uniform thickness profile.
- the "bottom” surface of the heated plastic sheet that contacts the tool surface conforms to its shape.
- the "top” surface of the plastic element formed in the vacuum thermoforming process does not contact a tool surface and generally resides at a uniform distance from the bottom surface of the plastic article. Only nominal thinning of the plastic material occurs when it bends and stretches around curved mold features to conform to the path of the curved surfaces of these features.
- a substantially uniform thicknesses in side cross-sectional profile is a thickness in a plastic article that is not sufficiently variable to preclude its manufacture with typical prior art single male surface vacuum thermoforming techniques.
- a non-uniform thickness is a profile thickness in an article that varies enough to preclude the manufacture of the article with standard prior art vacuum thermoforming techniques requiring instead other plastic molding techniques such as injection molding.
- injection molding of a plastic article involves heating suitable plastic material in the form of pellets or granules until a melt is obtained. The melt is next forced into a split-die mold, sometimes referred to as a split-die tool, where it is allowed to "cool" into the desired shape.
- both the bottom surface and the top surface of the plastic article are formable by the split-die mold.
- articles may by formed by the injection molding process that have side cross-sectional profiles of varying non-uniform thickness.
- the split-die mold is opened and the article is ejected. Since, the mold is separable, undercut surface on the plastic article may be relieved from the split-die mold when it is opened.
- Injection molding well know in the art, is typically used to form plastic articles that have large undercuts and substantially varying thicknesses in side cross-sectional profile. As used herein undercuts are said to be large if a molded plastic article having undercut features is difficult or impossible to remove from a single-surface vacuum thermoforming mold after it is formed and cooled.
- cover 102 contains significant undercuts, such as included in upper protrusion 1 18 and lower protrusion 120 ( Figures 1 and 3) on the engagement portion 106 of the cover 102, injection molding would typically be required to form cover 102. Further, injection molding would typically be required to form articulation elements 108 that are significantly thinner than the rest of cover 102.
- the container 100 can be reusable, but it can also be constructed cheaply enough that consumers see it as a disposable item, with replacement covers 102 and bases 104 available separately for retail sale.
- the base 104 and the cover 102 can be fabricated by vacuum thermoforming a clarified polypropylene homopolymer material.
- the container 100 may be fabricated by vacuum thermoforming a clarified random copolymer polypropylene material.
- the container 100 may include a visual indication of closure between the cover 1 102 and the base 104.
- the visual indication may be a color change in the area where the cover 102 engages the base 104.
- the first closure portion 310 on the cover 102 may be a first color and the second closure portion 416 on the base 104 may be a second color.
- the first and second colors produce a third color which is visible to the user to indicate that the container 100 is sealed.
- the container 100 may include a rough exterior surface to reduce slipping and to improve grasping by the user, especially if the user's hands are wet or greasy.
- the container 100 may be divided to separate foods in the container.
- a divider may be integral with the container 100 or may be a separate component.
- Either the base 104 only may include a divider or both the base 104 and the cover 102 may each include a divider.
- the divider located in the cover 102 may only partially engage the divider in the base 104 so as to provide splash protection, or it may fully engage the divider in the base 104 to provide varying degrees of inter-compartmental leak resistance.
- the container 100 may include a strip indicating the temperature of the container 100 and its contents.
- the venting cover could be injection molded or thermo formed.
- the venting cover could be made of a number of plastic materials as indicated above, for example polypropylene.
- the venting cover can be removably attached to the central engagement portion. An interference fit between the venting cover and the central engagement portion can provide a sealing engagement when the venting cover is in the closed position. If the cover or venting cover is made from a softer durometer material, the venting could be more easily closed off in the closed position.
- Suitable materials are impact copolymer polypropylene, polyolefin plastomer, polyolefin elastomer and styrene butadiene rubber.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
HK13100498.2A HK1177092A2 (en) | 2010-01-28 | 2011-01-25 | A container |
CN201190000367.3U CN202924058U (en) | 2010-01-28 | 2011-01-25 | Container |
AU2011209812A AU2011209812A1 (en) | 2010-01-28 | 2011-01-25 | A container having adjustable vented cover |
CA2788285A CA2788285A1 (en) | 2010-01-28 | 2011-01-25 | A container having adjustable vented cover |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US12/695,275 US20110180543A1 (en) | 2010-01-28 | 2010-01-28 | Container Having Adjustable Vented Cover |
US12/695,275 | 2010-01-28 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2011094174A1 true WO2011094174A1 (en) | 2011-08-04 |
Family
ID=44308186
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/US2011/022320 WO2011094174A1 (en) | 2010-01-28 | 2011-01-25 | A container having adjustable vented cover |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20110180543A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN202924058U (en) |
AU (1) | AU2011209812A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2788285A1 (en) |
HK (1) | HK1177092A2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2011094174A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8550290B1 (en) | 2012-06-26 | 2013-10-08 | Robert L. Davis | Portable storage system comprising a means for adjustable ventilation |
USD747933S1 (en) * | 2013-09-27 | 2016-01-26 | Van M. Kassouni | Container |
US9897378B2 (en) | 2015-10-08 | 2018-02-20 | Nyc Designed Inspirations Llc | Cosmetic makeup sponge/blender container |
USD784776S1 (en) | 2015-12-10 | 2017-04-25 | Van M. Kassouni | Container |
CN209983684U (en) | 2016-01-25 | 2020-01-24 | 雷亚迪明碧提公司,以碧提布兰德公司名义营业 | Cosmetic applicator instrument system |
JP6496768B2 (en) * | 2016-08-15 | 2019-04-03 | アテナ工業株式会社 | Microwave oven food container |
USD857497S1 (en) | 2018-02-22 | 2019-08-27 | Stolle Machinery Company, Llc | Push button closure |
USD871159S1 (en) | 2018-08-01 | 2019-12-31 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Bowl |
USD869241S1 (en) | 2018-08-01 | 2019-12-10 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Bowl |
US11432634B2 (en) | 2018-08-07 | 2022-09-06 | Rea.Deeming Beauty, Inc. | Container for cosmetic sponge applicator |
US10729261B2 (en) | 2018-09-28 | 2020-08-04 | Yeti Coolers, Llc | Bowl and method of forming a bowl |
WO2020163810A1 (en) | 2019-02-08 | 2020-08-13 | Rea.Deeming Beauty, Inc. Dba Beautyblender | Container for cosmetic sponge applicator |
US20230047406A1 (en) * | 2021-08-13 | 2023-02-16 | Natthawat Kityanyong | Kitchen Storage System with Stackable Canisters |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20020134010A1 (en) * | 2001-03-22 | 2002-09-26 | Rohrborn Robert C. | Vented plant dome |
US20060261068A1 (en) * | 2004-10-08 | 2006-11-23 | Fort James Corporation | Reclosable cup lid |
US20090166369A1 (en) * | 2006-06-01 | 2009-07-02 | Savicki Alan F | Container having an articulated cover |
US7594594B2 (en) * | 2004-11-17 | 2009-09-29 | International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. | Multi-compartment storage and delivery containers and delivery system for microencapsulated fragrances |
Family Cites Families (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US315198A (en) * | 1885-04-07 | Saxo wilhblm august wiegell | ||
US3362565A (en) * | 1965-10-15 | 1968-01-09 | Dow Chemical Co | Container lid |
US4000830A (en) * | 1975-12-15 | 1977-01-04 | Grace Allson French | Lid for a cooking utensil |
US5449085A (en) * | 1994-03-14 | 1995-09-12 | Electra Form, Inc. | Recyclable container and rotatable closure of plastics material |
FR2718111B1 (en) * | 1994-03-31 | 1996-07-05 | Grandi Rene | Safety valve device for packaging products to be cooked, cooled, reheated or degassed. |
US5750967A (en) * | 1996-06-19 | 1998-05-12 | Sprauer, Jr.; Joseph E. | Microwavable container with steam vent valve |
US6029843A (en) * | 1998-07-10 | 2000-02-29 | Newell Operating Company | Cookware lid |
US7017775B2 (en) * | 1999-08-10 | 2006-03-28 | S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. | Container lid including venting and denesting features, and container having such a lid |
AU2001294662A1 (en) * | 2000-09-25 | 2002-04-08 | Nouri E. Hakim | Feeding dishes for children |
US7097063B2 (en) * | 2002-01-29 | 2006-08-29 | The Glad Products Company | Plate container with detachable cover |
US7299941B2 (en) * | 2003-04-15 | 2007-11-27 | Dart Industries Inc. | Container seal with flexible central panel |
US7264135B2 (en) * | 2004-03-04 | 2007-09-04 | The Glad Products Company | Stackable container lid |
US8333299B2 (en) * | 2009-05-22 | 2012-12-18 | Handi-Craft Company | Leak resistant drinking cup |
-
2010
- 2010-01-28 US US12/695,275 patent/US20110180543A1/en not_active Abandoned
-
2011
- 2011-01-25 WO PCT/US2011/022320 patent/WO2011094174A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-01-25 AU AU2011209812A patent/AU2011209812A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-01-25 CA CA2788285A patent/CA2788285A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-01-25 CN CN201190000367.3U patent/CN202924058U/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 2011-01-25 HK HK13100498.2A patent/HK1177092A2/en not_active IP Right Cessation
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20020134010A1 (en) * | 2001-03-22 | 2002-09-26 | Rohrborn Robert C. | Vented plant dome |
US20060261068A1 (en) * | 2004-10-08 | 2006-11-23 | Fort James Corporation | Reclosable cup lid |
US7594594B2 (en) * | 2004-11-17 | 2009-09-29 | International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. | Multi-compartment storage and delivery containers and delivery system for microencapsulated fragrances |
US20090166369A1 (en) * | 2006-06-01 | 2009-07-02 | Savicki Alan F | Container having an articulated cover |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
AU2011209812A1 (en) | 2012-08-16 |
CN202924058U (en) | 2013-05-08 |
HK1177092A2 (en) | 2013-08-09 |
CA2788285A1 (en) | 2011-08-04 |
US20110180543A1 (en) | 2011-07-28 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US20110180543A1 (en) | Container Having Adjustable Vented Cover | |
US20120138608A1 (en) | Storage device having an articulated cover fitting inner and outer containers | |
US20090166369A1 (en) | Container having an articulated cover | |
US8118190B2 (en) | System of releasably interlocking container covers | |
CA2596400C (en) | A container | |
US20080041850A1 (en) | Container | |
US20090084796A1 (en) | Containers with interlocking covers | |
US7097063B2 (en) | Plate container with detachable cover | |
AU2005267371B2 (en) | Container | |
US7097066B2 (en) | Plate container with detachable cover | |
NZ560383A (en) | A container with stackable and lockable lids | |
WO2007001749A1 (en) | Venting container | |
EP1899237A1 (en) | Venting container | |
US20060000076A1 (en) | Method of using a container assembly | |
CA2425353C (en) | Plate container with detachable cover |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 201190000367.3 Country of ref document: CN |
|
121 | Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application |
Ref document number: 11737494 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |
|
WWE | Wipo information: entry into national phase |
Ref document number: 2011209812 Country of ref document: AU |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2788285 Country of ref document: CA |
|
NENP | Non-entry into the national phase |
Ref country code: DE |
|
ENP | Entry into the national phase |
Ref document number: 2011209812 Country of ref document: AU Date of ref document: 20110125 Kind code of ref document: A |
|
122 | Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase |
Ref document number: 11737494 Country of ref document: EP Kind code of ref document: A1 |