Patent Application
20240199271
This application relates to a closure apparatus for containers and, more particularly, to disc-shaped, plug-type closure apparatus that are recyclable and useful with recyclable paperboard containers (e.g., rigid boxes).
Many paperboard boxes in the rigid board packaging field utilize embedded magnets as a means to hold a lid or flap in place and keep the box in a closed position. Drawbacks to current designs include recyclability of the packaging. At the end of its lifecycle, a rigid board box must be disassembled to remove the embedded magnets before the box can be recycled. This adds time and wasted material, and thus is not an environmentally-friendly practice.
Accordingly, those skilled in the art continue research and development in the field of recyclable packaging.
Disclosed is a container.
In one example, the container includes a plurality of wall panels that define an internal volume. The plurality of wall panels include a front wall panel that defines an opening. The container further includes a lid connected to one of the plurality of wall panels. The lid includes a cover panel and a front flap panel. The front flap panel is defined by a flap fold line and has a first surface and an opposing second surface. The container further includes a closure apparatus affixed to the second surface of the front flap panel. The closure apparatus is sized and shaped to be closely received with the opening in the front wall panel. The closure apparatus includes a cellulosic material.
In another example, the entire container in recyclable. The recyclable container includes a plurality of wall panels that define an internal volume. The plurality of wall panels include a front wall panel that defines an opening. The container further includes a lid connected to one of the plurality of wall panels. The lid includes a cover panel and a front flap panel. The front flap panel is defined by a flap fold line and has a first surface and an opposing second surface. The container further includes a closure apparatus affixed to the second surface of the front flap panel. The closure apparatus is sized and shaped to be closely received with the opening in the front wall panel. The closure apparatus includes a cellulosic material.
Also disclosed is a closure apparatus, such as a container having a lid (e.g., a recyclable container having a lid).
In one example, the closure apparatus includes a three-dimensional body of cellulosic material. The three-dimensional body is monolithic and includes a plug portion.
The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate specific examples of the disclosed containers and closure apparatus. It will be understood that the disclosed examples are merely exemplary embodiments of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Other examples having different structures and operations do not depart from the scope of the present disclosure. Like reference numerals may refer to the same feature, element, or component in the different drawings. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Throughout the present disclosure, any one of a plurality of items may be referred to individually as the item and a plurality of items may be referred to collectively as the items. Moreover, as used herein, a feature, element, component, or step preceded with the word “a” or “an” should be understood as not excluding a plurality of features, elements, components, or steps, unless such exclusion is explicitly recited.
Illustrative, non-exhaustive examples, which may be, but are not necessarily, claimed, of the subject matter according to the present disclosure are provided below. Reference herein to “example” means that one or more feature, structure, element, component, characteristic, and/or operational step described in connection with the example is included in at least one aspect, embodiment, and/or implementation of the subject matter according to the present disclosure. Thus, the phrases “an example,” “another example,” “one or more examples,” and similar language throughout the present disclosure may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same example. Further, the subject matter characterizing any one example may, but does not necessarily, include the subject matter characterizing any other example. Moreover, the subject matter characterizing any one example may be, but is not necessarily, combined with the subject matter characterizing any other example.
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The container 100 may be formed from or may include a cellulosic material. Various cellulosic materials may be used to manufacture the disclosed container 100 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Examples of appropriate cellulosic materials useful as or in the container 100 include, but are not limited to, corrugated medium, liner board, solid bleached sulfate (SBS), unbleached kraft, cardboard, fiberboard, paperboard, foamboard and folding boxboard (FBB).
Furthermore, the container 100 may have a caliper (thickness) ranging, for example, from about 4 points to about 30 points (0.004 inch to 0.030 inch). In one example, the caliper range is from about 8 points to about 16 points. In another example, the caliper range is from about 10 points to about 13 points.
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The at least one closure apparatus 130 is manufactured from a cellulosic material. Various cellulosic materials may be used as the disclosed at least one closure apparatus 130 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. General examples of appropriate cellulosic materials useful as or in the at least one closure apparatus 130 include, but are not limited to, fiberboard, pressed pulp, corrugated medium, liner board, solid bleached sulfate (SBS), unbleached kraft, cardboard, fiberboard, paperboard, foamboard and folding boxboard (FBB). As one specific, non-limiting example, the disclosed closure apparatus 130 is manufactured from a paper pulp slurry. As another specific, non-limiting example, the disclosed closure apparatus 130 is manufactured from injection molded paper fiber.
The at least one closure apparatus 130 is aligned with the opening 120 of the front wall panel 112 and is sized and shaped to be closely received within the opening 120 of the front wall panel 112. The at least one closure apparatus 130 comprises a three-dimensional body 130a. The three-dimensional body 130a is approximately 1 mm thick to approximately 10 mm thick and has a circumference of approximately 18 mm to approximately 24 mm. In one example, the three-dimensional body 130a is approximately 4 mm thick to approximately 6 mm thick and has a circumference of approximately 20 mm to approximately 22 mm. The three-dimensional body 130a includes a plug portion 134. The plug portion 134 protrudes about a central axis 139 relative to the second surface 114b. The plug portion 134 has a circumference that extends laterally along a lateral axis 137.
In one example, the plug portion 134 is substantially hollow, see
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In one example, the base portion 152 has a larger circumference than the plug portion 154 along a lateral axis 157. In another example, the base portion 152 has a circumference that is substantially the same as the circumference of the plug portion 154. The plug portion 154 is substantially hollow such that an internal volume 156a is defined. A plurality of ribs 156 extend radially from the central axis 159 along the lateral axis 157. In one example, the plurality of ribs 156 have a ramped configuration such that they are flush with the height of the plug portion 154 where they abut the plug portion 154 and slope to a shallower height where they meet along the central axis 159.
In one example the plug portion 154 along the outer surface 154b is substantially beveled along its perimeter. In another example, the plug portion 154 along the outer surface 154b is substantially rounded along its perimeter. Similarly, in one example, the base portion 152 is substantially beveled along its perimeter. Alternatively, the base portion 152 is substantially beveled along its perimeter.
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The closure apparatus 150 comprises a cellulosic material and is made from either a paper pulp slurry or injection molded paper fiber such that it is biodegradable. Various cellulosic materials may be used as the disclosed closure apparatus 150 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Examples of appropriate materials useful as the closure apparatus 150 include, but are not limited to, corrugated medium, liner board, solid bleached sulfate (SBS), unbleached kraft, cardboard, fiberboard, paperboard, foamboard and folding boxboard (FBB).
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In one example, the plug portion 164 is substantially hollow such that a plug internal volume 168a is defined. The plug internal volume 168a extends along the central axis 169 between the base portion 162 and the lip portion 166. The plug portion 164 comprises a plurality of protrusions 168. The plurality of protrusions 168 are equidistantly spaced apart around a circumference of the plug portion 164 and extend along a lateral axis 167.
In one example the lip portion 166 is substantially beveled along its perimeter. In another example, the lip portion 166 is substantially rounded along its perimeter. Similarly, in one example, the base portion 162 is substantially beveled along its perimeter. Alternatively, the base portion 162 is substantially beveled along its perimeter.
The closure apparatus 160 comprises a cellulosic material and is made from either a paper pulp slurry or injection molded paper fiber such that it is biodegradable. Various cellulosic substrates may be used as the disclosed closure apparatus 160 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Examples of appropriate materials useful as the closure apparatus 160 include, but are not limited to, corrugated medium, liner board, solid bleached sulfate (SBS), unbleached kraft, cardboard, fiberboard, paperboard, foamboard and folding boxboard (FBB).
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The plug portion 174 extends laterally along a lateral axis 177. In one example, the plug portion 174 is substantially hollow such that a plug internal volume 178 is defined. The plug internal volume 178 extends along the central axis 179 between the base portion 172 and the lip portion 176.
In one example the lip portion 176 is substantially beveled along its perimeter. In another example, the lip portion 176 is substantially rounded along its perimeter. Similarly, in one example, the base portion 172 is substantially beveled along its perimeter. Alternatively, the base portion 172 is substantially beveled along its perimeter.
In one example, the closure apparatus 170 comprises advertising indicia 178a. The advertising indicia 178a may be located within the plug internal volume 178 of the plug portion 174. In one example, the advertising indicia 178a is embossed. In another example, the advertising indicia 178a is printed.
The closure apparatus 170 comprises a cellulosic material and is made from either a paper pulp slurry or injection molded paper fiber such that it is biodegradable. Various cellulosic substrates may be used as the disclosed closure apparatus 170 without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Examples of appropriate materials useful as the closure apparatus 170 include, but are not limited to, corrugated medium, liner board, solid bleached sulfate (SBS), unbleached kraft, cardboard, fiberboard, paperboard, foamboard and folding boxboard (FBB).
Although various examples of the disclosed container and closure apparatus have been shown and described, modifications may occur to those skilled in the art upon reading the specification. The present application includes such modifications and is limited only by the scope of the claims.
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/GB2022/051100 | 4/29/2022 | WO |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63182009 | Apr 2021 | US |
