ZA200701601B - Container - Google Patents

Description

A r .

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many containers are subject to a degree of deformation during use or handling with the result that the lid loses its complete sealability. This can be a serious drawback for certain products and this is noticeable in products such as granular dried beverages and other hygroscopic products and many other food products subject to deterioration due to moisture and air.

Such problems can be overcome by resort to glass or metal containers that are not subject to deformation but these are considerably more expensive than plastic containers.

Many inventions and designs have been suggested to overcome the problems associated with plastic containers, but none to the knowledge of the applicant are really successful without resort to expensive concepts.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a container that avoids or at least greatly minimises the above problems without substantially increased costs.

A further object of the invention is to provide a container that also provides excellent possibilities for the incorporation of additional features such as tamper-evident and/or childproof devices.

THE INVENTION

According to the invention a container includes a surround adapted to prevent or reduce deformation of the container on the application of normal forces to the surround and to prevent or reduce deformation of the seal between the lid and the container due to normal pressure applied to the container and/or to the lid.

. 20077018 07

In a preferred form of the invention the lid is attached to the surround by means of a hinge. With conventional containers having hinged lids, the deformation of the container causes the hinge to deform with the result that the lid ceases to fit properly.

In another aspect of the invention tamper-evident or tamper-proof and/or childproof devices are located between the lid and the surround.

The container may be of any shape but it is preferred that it is cylindrical. The surround may take any of a number of shapes to suit the market and is preferably moulded together with the container as an integral item.

The lid is preferably formed with a formation adapted to engage the rim of the container in sealable relationship. In one form of the invention the lid has a circular channel adapted to receive the rim with a degree of force fit to ensure sealability. This arrangement allows the container to be presented without an induction seal for those products previously requiring such induction seal. This also is beneficial in reducing costs without risking damage to the product.

In so far as the present invention eliminates the need for an induction seal, the container will not require the peripheral flange on its rim that was necessary to support the induction seal. This also reduces the relative cost.

The absence of the peripheral flange also permits the contents of the container to be easily removed without collection behind the rim and accidental spillage due to a teaspoon or the like fouling with the underside of the flange during removal of contents.

EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of an example of a container according to the invention;

¥ . Figure 2 is a similar view from the bottom thereof;

Figures 3 and 4 are similar to Figures 1 and 2 but with the lid closed;

Figures 5 and 6 are exploded views of a container;

Figures 7 and 8 are views similar to Figures 1 and 2 of containers having hinged lids;

Figure 9 is a detailed view of a childproof device;

Figure 10 is a similar view of an alternative childproof device;

Figure 11 is a similar view of a tamperproof device;

Figure 12 is a sketch of a lid formation in place in relation to the rim of a container;

Figure 13 is a similar view of a tamperproof device; and

Figure 14 is a similar view of a childproof device.

In Figures 1 and 2 a container 10 has a surround 12 that protects the container from deformation due to normal pressure applied to the surround during use. The rim 14 of the container receives a channel 16 in the lid 20, thus providing an excellent seal.

Tamperproof and childproof devices 22 and 24 are located on the skirt 26 of the lid and are engageable in slots 30 and 32 respectively.

The childproof devices are on opposite sides of the lid and engage as shown in Figure 13 as described below. Both devices need to be released at the same time for release of the lid — an act not possible at an early age. The tamperproof devices are shown in

Figure 11 and in more detail in Figure 13.

Turning to Figures 5 and 6, the container 40 and surround 42 are shown as well as a lid 44, the lid having a formation 46 that engages the rim 50 in a manner shown in detail in

Figure 12; or may include threads corresponding with internal threads in the lid; or the lid may be hinged.

In Figures 7 and 8 the container 60 has a surround 62 and the lid 64 is hinged at 66 to the surround. A channel 68 is provide to engage the rim 70 of the container and only a tamperproof device 72 is provided since the container can be regarded as not requiring childproof devices.

v «8007/0 . Childproof devices are shown in Figure 9 and 10 in which flaps 74 (double flaps in

Figure 9) are cut from the surround, leaving a shoulder 76 (see Figure 14) that is engageable with a tongue 79 — again see Figure 14. This tongue is releasable only by depressing the flap/s and as there are corresponding flaps on the other side of the container, a child will not be able to depress the opposite flaps at the same time.

The tongue 79 of a tamperproof device is shown in Figure 11 and illustrated and described below with reference to Figure 13.

Turning now to Figure 12, the lid 80 has a downwardly-depending formation 82 that has a first portion 84 that seals with the upper surface of the rim 86 of the container and a second portion 88 that is a force fit in the slight depression 90 at the rim of the container.

Fitment of the lid causes the portion 88 to be deflected outwardly until it is opposite the depression when it springs inwardly into engagement. A peripheral bead 89 adds a further integer for the sealing action.

In Figure 13 a downwardly-depending tamper tongue 78 joined to the rim of the lid by means of perforations 90 is angled to be deflected inwardly when the lid is located in its closed position, the horizontal edge 92 (see also Figure 11) engaging below a shoulder 94 formed in the surround 12. When in position its elasticity of the tongue 78 ensures that it springs outwardly to be thus engaged. This action is enhanced by the abutment 81 in the lid.

In Figure 14 a flap or flaps 100 are cut from the side of the surround to leave a shoulder 76. A tongue 79 locates under the shoulder in much the same manner as the tongue does in Figure 13. Release of the tongue is achieved by depressing the flap/s as described above.

Claims (6)

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1. A container includes a surround adapted to prevent or reduce deformation of the container on the application of normal forces to the surround and to prevent or reduce deformation of the seal between the lid and the container due to normal pressure applied to the container and/or to the lid.

2. The container according to claim 1 in which the lid is attached to the surround by means of a hinge.

3. The container according to claim 1 or claim 2 in which tamper-evident or tamper-proof and/or childproof devices are located between the lid and the surround.

4, The container according to any of the above claims in which the lid formed with a formation adapted to engage the rim of the container in sealable relationship.

5. The container according to claim 4 in which the lid has a circular channel adapted to receive the rim with a degree of force fit to ensure sealability.

6. A container according to any of the above claims substantially as described with reference to the pertinent drawing/s.

ve . . / Dated this 20 day of February 2007 MORRISON FORSTER INC.

APPLICANTS’ PATENT ATTORNEYS