WO2015173536A1

WO2015173536A1 - A container for a product

Info

Publication number: WO2015173536A1
Application number: PCT/GB2015/000141
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mark Sheahan
Original assignee: Compgen Ltd
Priority date: 2014-05-14
Filing date: 2015-05-12
Publication date: 2015-11-19
Also published as: GB201408620D0; GB2540105A; GB2540105B

Abstract

A container (2) comprising: i (i) a body portion (4) for receiving a product; (ii) a top (6) for opening and closing the body portion (4); (iii) locking means (10) for locking the top (6) to the body portion (4); (iv) opening means for unlocking the locking means (10) and enabling the top (6) to be moved to open the body portion (4); and and the container (2) being such that: (v) the locking means (10) is a push-operated locking means (10) which operates by pushing the top (6) onto the body portion (4); (vi) the opening means (12) is a squeeze-operated opening means (12) which operates by squeezing of the top (6); and (vii) the push-operated locking means (10) and the squeeze- operated opening means (12) enable the body portion (4) to be closable and openable using only one hand on the top (6) and without having to rotate the top (6) relative to the body portion (4).

Description

A CONTAINER FOR A PRODUCT

This invention relates to a container for a product. The container may be for a wide range of products including liquids and solids such for example as beverages, liquid pharmaceutical preparations, creams, gels, powders and pills. The container may also be for items of manufacture such for example as paperclips, industrial products or consumer products.

Known containers for a product comprise a body portion for receiving the product, and a top for opening and closing the body portion. The top is often screwed to the body portion and this generally requires a person to use two hands. Often it is not convenient to use two hands to open and close a container.

It is an aim of the present invention to reduce the above mentioned problems.

Accordingly, in one non-limiting embodiment of the present invention there is provided a container comprising:

(i) a body portion for receiving a product;

(ii) a top for opening and closing the body portion;

(iii) locking means for locking the top to the body portion; and (iv) opening means for unlocking the locking means and enabling the top to be moved to open the body portion, and the container being such that:

(v) the locking means is a push-operated locking means which operates by pushing the top onto the body portion;

(vi) the opening means is a squeeze-operated opening means which operates by squeezing of the top; and

(vii) the push-operated locking means and the squeeze-operated opening means enable the body portion to be closable and openable by a person using only one hand on the top and without having to rotate the top relative to the body portion.

The container of the present invention is advantageous in that the combination of the locking means and the opening means is able to dispense with the need for screw threads for screwing the top onto and off the body portion in order to close the body portion and open the body portion. In addition, the push-operated locking means and the squeeze-operated opening means enable the body portion to be closable and openable using only one hand on the top and without having to rotate the top relative to the body portion.

The container may be one in which the locking means is a clip locking means. The clip locking means may be advantageous in that it is able to make an audible sound, indicating that the top has successfully been locked onto the base.

The clip locking means may comprise at least one clip formation on the top, and a bead on the body portion. The clip formation may be on the inner surface of a tab on the top. There may be one of the clip formations on each of two opposite sides of the top.

The clip locking means may alternatively comprise at least one abutment member on the top, and at least one recess in the body portion. In this case, the baby bottle may be one in which there is one of the abutment members on each of two opposite sides of the top, and in which there is one of the recesses in each of the two opposite sides of the body portion.

The squeeze-operated opening means operates by squeezing the top. The top may be a press fit on the body portion. The body portion may have a circumferential sidewall and a groove in an outer surface of the body portion. The top may have an upper portion and a circumferential sidewall. The upper portion may be made of a plastics material such that the circumferential sidewall of the top is pressable into the groove in the outer surface, thereby to cause the top to separate from the body portion with a sliding action.

The container may have circumferential spaced portions for releasably securing the top onto a cooperating raised surface on the body portion 4. The releasable securing may be in the form of a snap-in releasable arrangement.

The container may include sealing means for sealing the top on the body portion. The sealing means may be such that it causes automatic sealing when the top is closed due to a surface on the top meeting under pressure a surface on an open end of the body portion. The two mating surfaces form the sealing means.

The container of the present invention is advantageously in the form of a baby bottle. In the case of a baby bottle, the product will be a beverage such for example as milk or water, but it may be some other type of beverage such for example as a vitamin drink. The baby bottle will have a teat on which the baby sucks in order to obtain the beverage.

The known baby bottles are often less hygienic than is desirable. More specifically, the top in a known baby bottle will normally screw to the body portion. The screw threads comprise crevices which are difficult to clean properly, and which can harbour germs. It is known that the germs can cause baby deaths, especially to those babies in the age range of one - six months.

In addition, known baby bottles are often not user-friendly. They invariably require a two-handed operation, for example as occurs in the screwing of the top onto the body portion. Mothers and other persons caring for babies will invariably have their hands full. Often a baby will be carried by the mother or other person so that one hand and arm are simply not available for use with the baby bottle. Also, the top is sometimes not sufficiently tightened on the body portion, leading to the top coming off during use and the beverage being spilt.

The container may include a teat which is mounted on the top. The teat may be used to form part of the sealing means for the container.

The container may be one in which the teat is removably mounted on the top. Such an arrangement is advantageous in that the teat can be arranged to easily be replaceable, thereby avoiding the necessity of purchasing a completely new container in the form of a baby bottle, or alternatively a completely new top with the teat.

When the teat is removably mounted on the top, then the teat may have a rigidifying ring located at an open end of the teat opposite the closed end of the teat. Alternatively, the baby bottle may be one in which the teat has a rigidifying ring located over the teat and retained by the teat by an undercut in the teat. Both designs may be advantageous in enabling the teat to be located in the top in a simple and hygienic manner. More specifically, the teat can be simply pulled through a central aperture in the top by pulling on the closed teat end of the teat. This avoids the need for a person applying the teat to the top also having to touch the bottom open end of the teat, which in turn avoids an extra touching position on which the teat must be touched, which in turn helps to minimise the possible transfer of germs from the person's hands to the teat, and from the teat to the baby.

The container in the form of a baby bottle may alternatively be one in which the teat is permanently fixed to the top. In this case, if it is desired to provide a new teat, then both the top and the teat have to be replaced. The teat may be permanently fixed to the top by a two-shot moulding process. The teat may be permanently fixed to the top by other methods if desired, for example by an adhesive or ultrasonic welding.

Preferably, the container includes a cover for the teat. The cover may provide increased hygiene. The cover may be one which is simply provided on the container when purchased, and is removed and discarded for use of the container. Alternatively, the cover may be one which is intended for being repeatedly positioned on the container in order to protect the teat.

Preferably the cover is a cover which has at least one gripping formation which extends radially outwardly. Preferably there are two of the gripping formations positioned opposite each other. The or each gripping formation may be operated by one hand of the person caring for the baby, for example using their thumb to push upwards on the gripping formation to release the cover, and then holding the gripping formation still using one hand to remove the cover completely. The or each gripping formation may also be advantageous in being able to prevent the baby bottle from rolling if the baby bottle is on its side or if the baby bottle falls over. Preferably the or each gripping formation is a flap or a lug. Other gripping formations may be used.

The baby bottle may be one in which the body portion has a neck, and in which the top fits over the neck.

The top may be circular or elliptical in plan. If desired the top may be of other shapes in plan.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first container of the present invention;

Figure 2 is an exploded view of the container as shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is a side view of a top part of the container shown in Figure 1 ; Figure 4 is a view like Figure 3 but rotated through 90°; Figure 5 is a cross section through the top part of the container as shown in Figure 3 and with the locking means fully engaged;

Figure 6 is a cross section through the top part of the container as shown in Figure 4 but rotated through 90° , and shows the locking means fully engaged;

Figure 7 is an enlarged view of the part "A" shown in Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an enlarged view of the part "B" shown in Figure 6;

Figure 9 is an enlarged view like Figure 8 and shows the locking means having been released due to the top being squeezed;

Figure 10 is a side view of a teat;

Figure 11 is a side view of a rigidifying ring for the teat;

Figure 12 is a cross section through a top;

Figure 13 is a side view of the neck part only of the body portion as shown in Figure 4;

Figure 14 is a cross section like Figure 12 but rotated through 90°; Figure 15 shows the part "C" shown in Figure 12 and illustrates circular ramps;

Figure 16 is a side view of a circular ramp as shown in Figure 5;

Figure 17 is a side view of a bottom circular ramp as shown in Figure

15;

Figure 18 shows another version of a rigidifying ring and teat to that shown in Figure 10 and 11 ; Figure 19 is a section through the version shown in Figure 18, and is similar to what is shown in Figure 5 but designed to accommodate the change in the position of the rigidifying ring;

Figure 20 is an enlarged view of the part "D" shown in Figure 19;

Figures 21 and 22 are views like Figures 3 and 4 but show the top part of a second baby bottle of the present invention;

Figure 23 is a cross section through the top part of the baby bottle as shown in Figure 21 ;

Figure 24 is a cross section through the top part of the baby bottle as shown in Figure 22;

Figure 25 is a side view of the neck part only of the body portion as shown in Figure 21 ;

Figure 26 is a side view of the neck part only of the body portion as shown in Figure 22; and

Figure 27 is an enlarged view of the part Έ" shown in Figure 24.

Referring to Figures 1 - 17, there is shown a container in the form of a baby bottle 2 comprising a body portion 4 for receiving a beverage for a baby. The beverage may be milk or any other suitable and appropriate beverage. The baby bottle 2 also comprises a top 6 which is for opening and closing the body portion 4. The baby bottle 2 further comprises a teat 8 which is mounted on the top 6, and on which the baby sucks in order to obtain the beverage.

The baby bottle 2 has locking means 10 for locking the top 6 to the body portion 4. The baby bottle 2 also has opening means 12 for unlocking the locking means 10, and enabling the top 6 to be moved to open the body portion 4.

The baby bottle 2 is such that the locking means 10 is a push-operated locking means 10. The locking means 0 operates by pushing the top 6 onto the body portion 4.

The opening means 12 is a squeeze-operated opening means 12. The opening means 2 operates by squeezing the top 6.

The baby bottle 2 is such that the body portion 4 is openable and closable by a person caring for the baby using only one hand on the top 6. The baby bottle 2 is thus advantageous in that it is able to be operated with one hand, thereby enabling the person to cradle the baby in their other hand and arm. Still further, the baby bottle is advantageous in that the locking means 10 is a push-operated locking means 10 so that the top 6 is able to be secured on the body portion 4 without screw threads. Screw threads are traditionally employed on known baby bottles. The elimination of the screw threads eliminates a plurality of crevices which are formed by the screw threads and which can be difficult to clean and are available for harbouring germs. The germs may be any type of germs dangerous for babies, and the term "germs" is used herein broadly to cover all germs, infections, bacteria and viruses etc. likely to be found on a known baby bottle.

The locking means 10 is a clip locking means 10. The clip locking means 10 comprises at least one clip formation 14 on the top 6, and a bead 16 on the body portion 4 as shown in Figures 3 and 6. As can be appreciated from Figures 3 - 14, there are two of the clip formations 14, with one of the clip formations 14 being on each of two opposite sides of the top. Each clip formation 14 is on the inner surface of a tab 18 on the top.

The teat 8 is removably mounted on the top 6. As shown in Figures 2 and 11 the teat 8 has a rigidifying ring 20. The rigidifying ring 20 is located at an open end 22 of the teat 8 as shown in Figures 2 and 10. The open end 22 is opposite a closed end 24 of the teat 8. The rigidifying ring 20 is secured to the teat 8 during manufacture of the teat 8 by two-shot moulding. The rigidifying ring 20 may be secured to the teat 8 by other means if desired, for example by an adhesive or by ultrasonic welding. Alternatively, the rigidifying ring 20 may be retained by the teat 8 via an undercut in the teat 8 as shown in Figures 18, 19 and 20.

The baby bottle 2 includes a cover 26 for the teat 8. The cover 26 is used for initial packaging, and also repeated use during use of the baby bottle 2 in order to keep the teat 8 clean. The cover has two oppositely positioned gripping formations in the form of lugs 27 for helping one-handed positioning and removal of the cover 26 over the teat.

The body portion 4 has a neck 28. The top 6 fits over the neck 28.

Referring to Figures 12, 14, 15, 16 and 17, it will be seen that the baby bottle 2 has ramps 39 which are circular and smooth in construction in order to prevent a build-up of dirt and/or germs, and which can also easily be thoroughly cleaned. Referring now to Figures 21 and 27, there is shown a second baby bottle 30 which is elliptical in plan. Similar parts as in the baby bottle 2 have been given the same reference numerals for ease of comparison and understanding.

In the baby bottle 30, the locking means 10 is a clip locking means 10 but it comprises at least one abutment member 32 on the top 6, and at least one recess 34 formed in the outer surface of the neck 28 of the body portion 4. There is one of the abutment members 32 on each of two opposite sides of the top 6. There is one of the recesses 34 on each of the same two opposite sides of the body portion 4. Each recess 34 has an upper wall portion 36 over which the abutment members 32 clip.

In use, the baby bottles 2, 30 are operated to provide two different facilities. One facility is that of locking and unlocking. The other facility is that of opening and closing.

With regard to the facility of locking and unlocking, the locking is due to the fact that each clip formation 14 on the inner surface of the tab 18 on the top 6 has a draft angle 13 which corresponds with a similar draft angle 15 on the bead 16 on the body portion 4. When the top 6 is pressed down onto the body portion 4, the draft angle 13 on the top 6 meets the draft angle 15 on the bead 16 of the baby bottle 2 or the upper wall portion 36 of the baby bottle 30 on the body portion 4. This enables the two draft angles 3, 15 to meet and clip over each other. The top 6 is locked on to the body portion 4 by the flat side 17 of tab 18 on the top 6, and the flat side 23 of the bead 16 on the body portion 4 meeting and preventing the top 6 from moving upwards on the base 4 to open.

With regard to the facility of locking and unlocking, the top 6 is unlocked by squeezing the sides of the top 6 at the locations 19. The side walls 21 move inwardly into the recess 34 of the body portion 4. This distortion of the 6 side wall 21 will flare the opposing side walls outwards at the position of the tab 18, allowing the flat side 17 of tab 18 on the top 6 and the flat side 23 of the bead 16 on the body portion 4 to part. The top 6 can then move upwards on the base 4, as shown in Figure 9, to open the baby bottle 2, 30.

With regard to the facility of opening and closing, the top 6 is a press fit on the body portion 4. The body portion 4 has a circumferential sidewall 11 and a groove 29 in an outer surface 31 of the sidewall 11. The top 6 has an upper portion 33 and a circumferential sidewall 35. Each baby bottle 2, 30 is such that the sidewall 35 of the top 6 overlaps the sidewall 1 1 of the body portion 4 when the top is on the body portion 4, as best shown in Figures 5, 6, 7, 23 and 24. The body portion 4 and the top 6 are both made of a plastics material. The body portion 4 may be made of other materials such for example as glass or a metal. The body portion 4 and the top 6 are of a thickness such that the sidewall 35 of the top 6 is pressable into the groove 29 in the outer surface 31 of the sidewall 1 1 of the body portion 4. This is in order to cause the top 6 to separate from the body portion 4 with a sliding action. During the sliding action, the raised surface 41 slides over the part 45 on the body portion 4 to be released from the side 51 of the circumferential spaced portions 39 on the top 6.

As can best be seen from Figure 7, 8 and 23, the groove 29 is defined by a pair of sides 43, 45. The side 43 is the side of the groove 29 nearest the bottom of the body portion 4 . This side 43 is a concave side. However, if desired, the side 43 could also be a flat side, but angled in relation to the sidewall 35 on the top 6. The side 43 engages the sidewall 35 of the top 6 and forces the top 6 away from the body portion 4 as the sidewall 35 of the top 6 is pressed at the locations 19 into the groove 29 of the body portion 4.

With regard to the facility of opening and closing, the closing is effected when the top 6 is pressed onto the body portion 4. More specifically, when placing the top 6 on the body portion 4, the sidewall 53 on the spaced portions 39 of the top 6 rests against the sidewall 55 of the body portion 4. When downward pressure is applied to the surface 33 of the top 6 to effect closing of the baby bottle 2, 30, the sidewalls 53, 55 slide over each other and are captured as a snap over fit by the side wall 51 on the spaced portions 39 of the top 6 and the sidewall 45 of the body portion 4.

The baby bottles 2, 30 comprise sealing means for sealing the top 6 on the body portion 4. More specifically, the baby bottles 2, 30 are such that sealing occurs automatically when the top 6 is closed due to the surface 47 on the top 6 meeting under pressure the surface 49 on the open end of the body portion 4. The surfaces 47, 49 form the sealing means. As shown in Figure 20, the seal for the baby bottle 2, 30 additionally uses the teat 8 in order to add a softer plastics material and thereby help to create a liquid seal between the two surfaces 47, 49. The two surfaces 47, 49 meet under a constant pressure caused by the top-engaging part 51 of the circumferential spaced portions 39 of the top 6 and the defined side 45 in the groove 29 of the body portion 4 sliding together and being retained.

It is to be appreciated that the embodiments of the invention described above with reference to the accompanying drawings have been given by way of example only and that modifications may be effected. Thus, for example, the body portion 4 may be longer or shorter than shown. As shown in the drawings, the top 6 is circular in plan. However, the top 6 may be of other shape, for example elliptical as shown in the baby bottle 30. Providing the top 6 and the neck 28 of the body portion 4 are of complementary connecting shapes, the remainder of the body portion 4 can be of any suitable and appropriate cross section, including circular, oval, elliptical, square, rectangular, octagonal or other multi-sided formations as required. The body portion 4 can also be of any required suitable length. The container may be a container other than a baby bottle 2, in which case the teat will not be required, and the product may be other than a beverage, for example liquid product such for example as a body oil, lotion cream or gel, or a solid product such for example as a tablets. The container of the present invention may be child resistant due to its method of operation. Individual components shown in the drawings are not limited to use in their drawings and they may be used in other drawings and in all aspects of the invention.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

(i) a body portion for receiving a product;

(ii) a top for opening and closing the body portion;

(iii) locking means for locking the top to the body portion; and

(iv) opening means for unlocking the locking means and enabling the top to be moved to open the body portion, and the container being such that:

(vii) the push-operated locking means and the squeeze-operated opening means enable the body portion to be closable and openable using only one hand on the top and without having to rotate the top relative to the body portion.

2. A container according to claim 1 in which the locking means is a clip locking means.

3. A container according to claim 2 in which the clip locking means comprises at least one clip formation on the top, and a bead on the body portion.

4. A container according to claim 3 in which the clip formation is on the inner surface of a tab on the top.

5. A container according to claim 3 or claim 4 in which there is one of the clip formations on each of two opposite sides of the top.

6. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which the clip locking means comprises at least one abutment member on the top, and at least one recess in the body portion.

7. A container according to claim 6 in which there is one of the abutment members on each of two opposite sides of the top, and in which there is one of the recesses in each of the two opposite sides of the body portion.

8. A container according to any one of the preceding claims and including a teat which is mounted on the top.

9. A container according to claim 8 in which the teat is removably mounted on the top.

10. A container according to claim 9 in which the teat has a rigidifying ring located at an open end of the teat opposite a closed teat end of the teat.

11. A container according to claim 10 in which the rigidifying ring is secured to the teat during manufacture of the teat by a two-shot moulding process.

12. A container according to claim 9 in which the teat has a rigidifying ring located over the teat and retained by the teat by an undercut in the teat.

13. A container according to claim 8 in which the teat is permanently fixed to the top.

14. A container according to any one of the claims 8 - 13 and including a cover for the teat.

15. A container according to claim 14 in which the cover has at least one gripping formation which extends radially outwardly.

16. A container according to claim 15 in which the cover has two of the gripping formations positioned opposite each other.

17. A container according to any one of the preceding claims in which the body portion has a neck, and in which the top fits over the neck. 13

18. A container according to any one of the preceding claims in which the top is circular or elliptical in plan.