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
  • B65D50/00—Closures with means for discouraging unauthorised opening or removal thereof, with or without indicating means, e.g. child-proof closures
• • 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
  • B65D43/14—Non-removable lids or covers
  • B65D43/18—Non-removable lids or covers pivoted for movement in plane of container 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
  • 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
• • 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
  • B65D51/247—Closures not otherwise provided for combined or co-operating with auxiliary devices for non-closing purposes provided with eating utensils or spatulas located between an inner and an outer 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
  • B65D2401/00—Tamper-indicating means
  • B65D2401/05—Tearable non-integral strips

Definitions

• This invention pertains to an improved, tamper evident container for storing and dispensing flowable products.
• granulated or powder products such as infant formula
• containers Consumers or users of such containers have often found that it is difficult to open the container and to locate and remove the scoop from the packaging upon the first use without experiencing spillage.
• the container lid is removed or opened, the granulated or powdered contents are often packed into parts of the interior of the lid or top of the container, which results in spillage as the contents fall away from the lid or top. While some of the falling powder may fall back into the interior of the container, much of it is wasted and contaminated as it spills onto the surrounding workspace.
• containers may not adequately seal the contents after the container has been opened for the first time, allowing the contents to become oxidized and/or contaminated.
• the design of such containers also may permit undesirable and inadvertent discharge of the contents from various poorly sealed areas of the container.
• the present invention provides a container comprising: a body having a bottom and a side wall defining a reservoir; a collar attached to the top end of the body; a removable seal to seal the top of the reservoir; and, a lid hingedly engaged with the collar.
• the underside of the lid provides a docking station for holding a measuring device, such as a scoop, suitable for measuring the contents of the container.
• the container may also have a leveling bar located at or near the top of the reservoir to allow the contents of the scoop to be leveled so that a consistent amount is dispensed by the scoop.
• the lid closes tightly against the collar to seal the can and prevent spillage of the contents.
• the docking station is inside the can so that any measuring device docked therein will be secure from loss or contamination.
• the container may also include a tamper evident band on a portion of the lid and/or collar to indicate if the container has been opened. It may also include a tamper strip on one side which will indicate the amount or condition of the contents.
• FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the infant formula container 100 in an open position with a scoop 107 held in the lid 104 by a docking station 106, with the removable seal 103 over the reservoir in a closed position.
• FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the infant formula container 100 with the lid 104 in an open position with the seal 103 over the reservoir 101 in a partially opened position.
• FIG. 3 shows a side view of the container 100, collar 102 and hingedly attached lid 104.
• FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a scoop 107.
• FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the infant formula container 100 in which the lid 104 is open, the seal 103 has been removed, and a scoop 107 is in contact with a leveling bar 108 at the top of the reservoir 101.
• the present invention provides a container suitable to hold flowable contents, such as a powdered or granular infant formula, which includes a removable seal to seal in the contents held in the reservoir of the container, a collar attached to the top of the container, and a lid hingedly attached to the collar.
• a container suitable to hold flowable contents such as a powdered or granular infant formula
• a removable seal to seal in the contents held in the reservoir of the container a collar attached to the top of the container, and a lid hingedly attached to the collar.
• the underside of the lid which is inside the container when the lid is closed, contains a docking station and sufficient space so that a measuring device, such as a scoop, may be stored securely within the can to prevent loss or contamination thereof.
• a leveling bar for leveling the contents removed by the scoop is located near the top of the reservoir.
• Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the infant formula container 100 in an open position.
• Infant formula container 100 includes a reservoir 101 configured to hold contents to be dispensed; a collar 102 affixed to a top end of the reservoir 101 ; the collar further comprising a removable seal 103 that seals the contents held in the reservoir 101 ; a lid 104, hingedly engaged with the collar 102, providing an open position wherein the contents of the container can be dispensed from the reservoir 101 or providing a closed position wherein the lid 104 is resealed to the collar 102.
• the lid 104 provides space and a docking station 106 for holding and storing a scoop 107.
• the container further comprises a leveling bar 108 for leveling the contents removed by the scoop 107.
• the reservoir 101 of the infant formula container 100 is designed to hold granulated infant powder, or the like.
• the body of the container 100 is constructed of a suitable metal or plastic material to be a unitary member of approximately uniform wall thickness.
• the body of the container 100 is constructed from a metal material, including but not limited to tin, metal plated tin, and aluminum.
• the body of the container 100 is constructed from a suitable plastic material that is recyclable or non-recyclable.
• Suitable plastics for forming the container 100 include, but are not limited to, polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitile, acrylonitile- butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleic anhydride, polycarbonate, high density polyethylene, polyethylene copolymers, polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and the like, and blends thereof.
• the container 100 will have a semi-transparent to transparent tamper evident strip as part of the side wall to allow one to see into the reservoir 101 and thus to visually indicate to a potential user the quality and/or volume of the granulated infant formula in the reservoir.
• containers of the invention are constructed to accommodate infant powder weights of: 100 to 2000g; more typically 500 to 1000g; for example 900g.
• the container 100 has a cylindrical body, providing a circular cross-section, and the collar 102 is circular.
• the body has a rectangular cross-section and the collar is likewise rectangular.
• the lid 104 is shaped to snugly mate with the collar 102.
• FIG. 2 there is shown a perspective view of the infant formula container 100 with the lid 104 in an open position with the removable seal 103 in the collar 102 in a partially opened position.
• the lid 104 will have a tamper evident band that is wrapped around the lid 104 of the infant formula container 100.
• the band there is a noticeable red strip between perforated lines to indicate to a user where to tear the tamper evident band off, and a container opening icon located in four places on the tamper evident band communicating to the user the best way to open the infant formula container.
• the tamper evident band also adds a level of security preventing the closure from opening during transporting, handling, shipping, shelf stocking and consumer handling.
• a removable seal 103 is attached to container 100 at the top of the reservoir 101 to vacuum seal the contents in the reservoir 101 .
• the removable seal 103 allows for vacuum packaging of the contents in the container 100 and acts as an anti-tamper inner liner.
• One skilled in the art of food packaging will be familiar with such releasably or removably attached packaging seals. Specifically, metal processing, adhesive or heat may be used to attach a seal formed of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, metal foil, plastic foil or other suitable material to form an airtight seal. Therefore, opening of the lid 100 will not disturb the seal 103 unless the seal 103 is cut or removed by the use.
• the lid and collar are constructed from a suitable plastic material that is recyclable or non- recyclable.
• Suitable plastics for forming the lid and collar include, but are not limited to, various polymers such as polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitile, acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleicanhydride, polycarbonate, high density polyethylene, polyethylene copolymers, polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and the like, and blends thereof.
• various polymers such as polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitile, acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleicanhydride, polycarbonate, high density polyethylene, polyethylene copolymers, polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and the like, and blends thereof.
• the lid 104 is dome shaped and hingedly attached to the collar 102, in a skirt and a sleeve type arrangement that allows them to snap together.
• the lid 104 and the collar 102 are connected together by a butterfly hinge and are molded as one piece.
• the lid 104 swings into the collar 102 to form a sleeve type seal.
• the outer diameter of the lid 104 and the inner diameter of the collar 102 are designed to have minimum clearance for air passing and to minimize air oxidation of the contents.
• a sealing rim (bead), which has an interference fit with the lid 104, so that when the lid is pushed down to pass the sealing bead and the skirt, air is forced out through the minimum space between lid 104 and the collar 102 and a tight seal is obtained.
• FIG 4 there is shown a perspective view of a scoop 107.
• the scoop 107 consists of a bifurcated handle attached to a scoop bowl.
• the scoop handle is bifurcated where it connects to the scoop bowl to allow the scoop 107 to efficiently collect infant powder and avoid powder build-up on the handle, so less powder spills on the preparation area.
• the scoop 107 is molded from a suitable plastic material, which may be blow molded, by extrusion or injection.
• suitable plastics for forming the scoop include, but are not limited to, various polymers such as polystyrene, polystyrene- acrylonitile, acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleic anhydride, polycarbonate, high density polyethylene, polyethylene copolymers, polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and the like, and blends thereof.
• the scoop has a small opening at the bottom of the bowl to allow air to exit while collecting infant powder so that the powder will pack better in the scoop.
• Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the leveling bar 108.
• the embodiments of the present invention are suitable for use in many applications that involve manufacture, distribution, storage, sale, and use of flowable substances such as powders, granular materials, or liquids.
• the configurations of the inventive container can be modified to accommodate nearly any conceivable type of such materials, and the shape, size, and arrangement of the features and components of the novel container can be modified according to the principles of the invention as may be required to suit a particular type or quantity of flowable material, as well as a preferred mode of use, storage, manufacture, distribution, and/or sales environment.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Closures For Containers (AREA)
• Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)

Priority Applications (12)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=45524892

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (14)

Cited By (10)

Families Citing this family (22)

Citations (2)

Family Cites Families (14)

• 2011
  • 2011-12-15 CA CA2822799A patent/CA2822799A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2011-12-15 EP EP11811387.7A patent/EP2655208B2/en active Active
  • 2011-12-15 CN CN201180065560.XA patent/CN103328341B/zh active Active
  • 2011-12-15 IN IN5893DEN2013 patent/IN2013DN05893A/en unknown
  • 2011-12-15 AU AU2011346625A patent/AU2011346625B2/en active Active
  • 2011-12-15 PH PH1/2013/501327A patent/PH12013501327A1/en unknown
  • 2011-12-15 US US13/997,032 patent/US20140299598A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2011-12-15 MX MX2013007377A patent/MX348885B/es active IP Right Grant
  • 2011-12-15 RU RU2013133993/12A patent/RU2596450C2/ru active
  • 2011-12-15 ES ES11811387T patent/ES2672649T5/es active Active
  • 2011-12-15 SG SG2013048772A patent/SG191333A1/en unknown
  • 2011-12-15 BR BR112013016251A patent/BR112013016251A2/pt not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 2011-12-15 WO PCT/IB2011/055719 patent/WO2012085783A1/en not_active Ceased
• 2013
  • 2013-06-21 CL CL2013001857A patent/CL2013001857A1/es unknown

Patent Citations (3)

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