Patent Application
20150197363
The field of the invention relates to containers comprising paper or other fibrous materials having child resistant closures.
The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
Resealable bottles, jars, and other containers are useful in storing pills, powders, herbs, and other dry goods because the containers protect their contents with rigid, moisture-resistant containers. Once opened, these containers can be resealed to preserve the goods within the container by using a screw cap, a pressure-snap cap, or other closures. Typical containers are composed of glass, metals, or plastics, and have a metallic or plastic closure.
Although these moisture-resistant containers sufficiently protect their contents, these containers significantly add to landfills when discarded. Because the containers are generally composed of non-biodegradable materials including (e.g., glass, metal, plastic, etc.), the containers can persist in landfills for hundreds of thousands of years.
Many efforts have been put forth to make containers with biodegradable caps. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,901,881 to McElroy, U.S. Pat. No. 4,948,009 to Sawatani, U.S. Pat. No. 5,036,994 to McElroy, and U.K. Patent Appl. No. 2,238,270 to Hwang disclose paper containers with caps formed from latex rubber.
Many efforts also have been put forth to make child proof safety packages for storing and dispensing medicinal tablets, pills, capsules and the like. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,865,330 to Buono, U.S. Pat. No. 5,687,863 to Kusz, U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,784 to Wright, U.S. Pat. No. 4,895,282 to Robinson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,401,225 to Schwaikert, U.S. Pat. No. 4,020,965 to Northup, U.S. Pat. No. 4,109,785 to Berghahn, U.S. Pat. No. 4,609,121 to Ludwig, U.S. Pat. No. 3,871,662 to Hepp, U.S. Pat. No. 3,830,393 to Schaefer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,703,975 to Wittemer, U.S. Pat. No. 3,891,110 to Gach, Canadian Patent No. 2,369,765 to Dickie, and U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0109726 to Alley disclose various forms of child safety caps.
However, such child resistant caps are generally difficult to place on paper containers and often lead to deformation of the paper containers because of the typically low strength and stiffness of the paper containers when compared with plastic, glass, or metal containers.
Thus, there is still a need for resealable, biodegradable, moisture-resistant containers for dry goods with resealable child resistant closures.
The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems and methods in which a resealable jar, comprises: (1) a body having a rigid fibrous wall that at least partially defines a lumen, and an open end; and (2) a child resistant cap sized and dimensioned to engage the open end of the jar body, wherein the cap is configured to be deformable to releaseably engage the open end of the jar body.
In currently preferred embodiments, the child resistant cap can include: (1) a spring loaded removal device; (2) a slot configured to receive a prying member for disengagement of the cap from the open end of the jar body; (3) a deformable center section, wherein the cap is configured to disengage the open end of the jar body by application of a force to the deformable center section; (4) at least two pinch tabs, wherein the cap is configured to disengage the open end of the jar body by application of a force to the pinch tabs; and (5) a pull tab, wherein the cap is configured to disengage the open end of the jar body by application of a upward force to the pull tab while grasping the body of the container.
In some embodiments, the cap includes a downwardly-extending projection, which is configured to contact at least a portion of a circumference of the fibrous wall's interior. It is further contemplated that the at least one projection can be sized and dimensioned such that the projection contacts at least 10 degrees or 5% of a circumference of an interior of the wall, and more preferably at least 15 degrees or 10% of a circumference of the wall's interior. In other contemplated embodiments, the projection contacts at least 50% or 180 degrees of a circumference of the wall's interior. In still other contemplated embodiments, the projection contacts the entirety of a circumference of the wall's interior. Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints, and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary. As used herein, the phrases “a circumference of an interior of the wall” and “a circumference of the wall's interior” mean an interior surface of a horizontal cross-section of the wall.
Preferred containers are moisture-resistant, and are composed of a fibrous material or other biodegradable material(s). The body can be composed of one or more biodegradable material(s), and preferably comprises paper or other fibrous material(s). More preferably, the body's wall comprises a single piece of rolled paper, which forms at least three layers of the rolled paper.
As used herein “fibrous material” means materials characterized by a plurality of discrete fibers. The filaments can be plant or animal derived, synthetic, or some combination of these. In “plant-derived fibrous materials” the filaments are at least predominantly of plant origin, examples of which include wood, papyrus, rice, ficus, mulberry, fibers, cotton, yucca, sisal, bowstring hemp and New Zealand flax. Paper is generally a fibrous material that is usually made by pressing and de-watering moist fibers, typically cellulose pulp derived from wood, rags, or grasses.
As used herein, a “biodegradable” means a material or collection of materials that will break down to at least 90% H2O, CO2 and biomass within a period of six months from the action of naturally occurring micro-organisms (e.g., bacteria, fungi, algae, etc.) under favorable conditions. For example, meat, plants, wood, cotton, animal protein, paper, are all deemed herein to be biodegradable. Thus, while individual components of an object might not be deemed biodegradable, the object itself will be deemed biodegradable if the components are biodegradable overall.
As used herein, the term “pressure snap cap” means a closure having flexibility such that a horizontal cross-sectional area can be increased by at least 1 mm, while still allowing the closure to revert to its original size and dimension. In alternative contemplated embodiments, the flexibility is such that a horizontal cross-sectional area can be increased by at least 0.5 mm or 2 mm. As used herein the term “cap” is a component that fits around or otherwise encloses an opening, and includes caps, lids, and so forth, but excludes stoppers, plugs, and so forth.
Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.
The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.
As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.
As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.
In
Body 102 preferably comprises one or more biodegradable material(s) such that the body could be recycled or composted when no longer needed. Contemplated material(s) for the body 102 include, for example, kraft or other papers, strings, fibrous materials, or combination(s) thereof.
The body 102 can be formed from a single piece of material, although it is contemplated that the body 102 could include wall 104 and a separate bottom piece such as a paperboard disk or other material(s) (not shown) that fits around or within a portion of wall 104. In preferred embodiments, the wall 104 comprises a single piece of rolled kraft or other paper such that a wall 104 with at least three layers of the rolled paper is formed. In other contemplated embodiments, the jar 100 can comprise a rigid paper tube having a separate fitted paper closure permanently fixed to securely seal one end of the jar 100. In still other contemplated embodiments, the jar 100 can be composed of a molded fibrous material that forms a rigid vessel of any desirable size and dimension with an open end configured to receive snap cap 106.
Jar 100 can also include a biodegradable pressure snap cap 106, which is sized and dimensioned to releasably engage an open end of the body 102. The snap cap 106 can include a rim 130, and one or more downwardly-extending projections (not shown), which are configured to contact an inner surface of the wall 104. The projection(s) can advantageously facilitate a user with securing the snap cap 106 to the body 102 while preventing deformation of the body 102 and ensuring that the snap cap 106 is properly disposed on the body 102.
Contemplated snap caps 106 include any commercially suitable closure or combination of closures that (1) are biodegradable, (2) seal the container, and (3) provide for moisture and oxygen resistance. It is preferred that the snap cap 106 be at least partially composed of one or more flexible biodegradable material(s) such that limited deformation of the snap cap 106 is allowed. Contemplated materials include, for example, vulcanized natural latex rubber and polymerized vegetable oil, although any commercially suitable biodegradable material(s) could be used. Such flexibility advantageously allows the snap 106 to be used to repeatedly seal the jar 100 after use.
Advantageously, both the body 102 and snap cap 106 can be biodegradable such that jar 100 is 100% biodegradable. In this manner, the jar 100 can be recycled or composted when the jar 100 is no longer needed, and can thereby prevent additional waste from being disposed in ever-growing landfills.
Preferred jars 100 can have one or more moisture resistant films applied to at least a portion of the jar's interior, or can be composed of inherently moisture-resistant materials, or materials treated to have moisture-resistant properties such as by being coated or impregnated with a permeation barrier. For example, at least a portion of an inner surface of the jar 100 can advantageously include a permeation barrier that reduces the oxygen or moisture transfer rate of the jar 100. As used herein, a statement that a wall of a jar “includes a permeation barrier” means that the wall is treated with an additive that has a transfer rate of less than or equal to (a) 50 μl of water and/or sunflower oil per cm2 for each mm of wall thickness per six-month period of time, or (b) 10 ml to 100 ml, 10 ml to 200 ml, and less preferably 100 ml to 500 ml of oxygen per m2 per each 1 mm of wall thickness per 24 hour period of time, at room temperature and normal atmospheric pressure (STP).
Preferred permeation barriers comprise vegetable or petroleum wax, vulcanized latex, plant resins, and cellophane. Other suitable permeation barriers include, for example, those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,344,784 to Hodson, U.S. Patent Application 2005/0130261 to Wils, and any other commercially suitable barriers. Still other contemplated permeation barriers include, for example, non-biodegradable metalized oxygen barrier films and the use of metalized biodegradable films such as a gas disposition of aluminum on Polylactic Acid Polymer (PLA).
The jar 100 can be configured to receive vitamins, herbs, tea leaves, oatmeal, or other contents, and the specific composition of the jar 100 and its components will depend upon the expected contents to be contained within the lumen of the jar 100. For example, if the jar 100 contains vitamins, the jar 100 should be configured to reduce the oxygen transfer rate of the jar such that the vitamins do not prematurely spoil.
Preferred snap caps 206 are sized and dimensioned to engage a ridge of a jar or other container, and include a rim 230 that can be disposed about an exterior of a container. The snap cap 206 can be inherently moisture resistant, or rendered moisture resistant by a film or permeation barrier, and thereby help to preserve the contents of the container.
In
The body 302 is preferably coated with a permeation barrier material 334, although it is alternatively contemplated that the permeation barrier material 334 could be impregnated within or otherwise disposed on the body 302. In other contemplated embodiments, the body 302 could include a film that acts as the permeation barrier material 334.
The snap cap 306 includes a single projection 312 that extends downwardly from the snap cap 306, and is sized and dimensioned to be received within the open end 308 of body 302 such that the projection 312 can contact at least a portion of a circumference of an interior of wall 304. Alternatively, it is contemplated that the snap cap 306 could include two or more projections that each contacts a portion of a circumference of an interior of wall 304. An outer edge of the projection 312 can have an arc length of at least 45 degrees, and it is further contemplated that the projection 312 could contact all or almost all (e.g., 85%, 90%, 95%, etc.) of a circumference of an interior of wall 304. The snap cap 306 can also include a protruding tab 314 that facilitates removal of the snap cap 306 from the jar 300.
The snap cap 306 further includes a recess 336 that is sized and dimensioned to receive an upper portion 338 of body 302, and thereby effectively seals the lumen 320 from an external environment. With respect to the remaining numerals in
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It is also contemplated that other cap embodiments may accomplish child resistance by fitting securely to the container and allowing removal by the insertion of a separate prying member (not shown) in a corresponding slot (not shown) for disengagement of the cap from the open end of the jar body.
It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.
The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/927,933 filed Jan. 15, 2014. Where a definition or use of a term in a reference that is incorporated by reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein is deemed to be controlling.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 61927933 | Jan 2014 | US |
