CONSUMABLE PRODUCT PACKAGE WITH PIVOTING LID

Abstract

A package including a container having an open end defining an opening into a container interior adapted to hold consumable product. A closure is disposed on the container open end and has a base and a lid pivotally secured thereto. The lid is movable between an open position, wherein the container opening is uncovered to provide access to the container interior, and a closed position wherein the container opening is covered. The closure further includes a latch mechanism for selectively securing the lid in the closed position and releasing it therefrom, and a biasing device extending between the lid and the base and urging the lid to the open position. The biasing device has a first end slidably engagable with the base and a second end fixedly secured to the lid.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a container for consumable products. More particularly, the present invention relates to a container for consumable products having a lid which is pivotable between an open and closed position and urged toward an open position via a biasing device.

BACKGROUND

Comestible products such as gum and candy pieces are packaged in a variety of manners. One type of packaging includes a container having a pivoting lid. Pieces stored in such a container are typically unwrapped and can be efficiently stored. Containers with a pivoting lid, however, can include complicated closure mechanisms which are difficult and expensive to manufacture and also difficult to operate. The closures typically require a user to actuate a member to open a latch with one hand and then move the lid to the open position with the other hand, thus requiring two-hand operation.

Containers having lids operated upon by a biasing device to move them to the open position are known. However, such devices can be difficult to manufacture and have limited ability to fully open the lid.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a container having a pivoting lid which is easy and cost-effective to manufacture as well as easy to operate.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides a package including a container having an open end defining an opening into a container interior adapted to hold consumable product. A closure is disposed on the container open end and has a base and a lid pivotally secured thereto. The lid is movable between an open position, wherein the container opening is uncovered to provide access to the container interior, and a closed position wherein the container opening is covered. The closure further includes a latch mechanism for selectively securing the lid in the closed position and releasing it therefrom, and a biasing device extending between the lid and the base and urging the lid to the open position. The biasing device has a first end slidably engagable with the base and a second end fixedly secured to the lid.

The present invention further provides a package closure for a container of consumable products including a base having a perimeter wall defining an opening. The base is adapted to be secured to a container. A lid is pivotally secured to the base. The lid is movable between an open position wherein the base opening is uncovered and a closed position wherein the container opening is covered. The closure further includes a latch mechanism for selectively securing the lid in the closed position and releasing it therefrom, and a biasing device extending between the lid and the base urging the lid to the open position. The biasing device has a first end engagable with the base and a second end secured to the lid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the package of the present invention with a lid shown in the closed position.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a package of FIG. 1 with the lid shown in the opened position.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of a biasing device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view showing the lid in the open position.

FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing the lid in the closed position.

FIG. 6 is a detailed sectional view of the latch mechanism with the lid shown in the closed position.

FIG. 7 is a detailed sectional view of the latch mechanism with the lid shown in the open position.

FIG. 8 is a detailed sectional view of a closure with the lid shown in the closed position.

FIG. 9 is a detailed sectional view of a closure with the lid shown in the open position.

FIG. 10 is a detailed sectional view of a biasing device retaining portion of the closure base.

FIG. 10A is a detailed perspective view of the lid with the biasing device removed.

FIG. 11 is a partial top plan view showing the lid in the open position.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the package of the present invention with a lid shown in the closed position.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the package of FIG. 12 with the lid shown in the opened position.

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of the package of FIG. 12.

FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view showing the lid of FIG. 12 in the open position.

FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view showing the lid of FIG. 12 in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1-2, the present embodiment includes a package 10 for comestible products 12 such as gum pieces, candy, or other discrete pieces of product. The package 10 includes a container 14 having a closure 16 disposed thereon. The closure 16 includes a lid 18 which is movable between an open and closed position in order to selectively allow access to the product 12 within the container.

The container 14 may preferably be formed of a rigid material that retains its shape. The container may be formed of a plastic material such as high density polyethylene (HDPE) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). It is also contemplated that the container may be formed of flexible material that is deformable by a user. The container 14 has an open end 20 defining an opening 22 into a container interior 23 in which the product 12 is contained. The container may have a generally flat bottom surface 24 which permits the container to stand upright on a flat surface. It is also contemplated that the container 14 may be formed in any number of configurations.

With additional reference to FIG. 4, the closure 16 may be formed of a base 26 and the lid 18 is pivotally secured thereto. The closure 16 is securable to the container open end 20. The manner of securement may be via a threaded engagement between the closure 16 and container 14. To achieve this, the closure may include a perimeter wall 28 depending downwardly from a top surface 30. The wall 28 may have an inner surface including a thread structure 32. The upper end of the container 14 may include a complimentary thread structure (not shown) to engage the threaded structure 32 that of the closure. It is also contemplated that the closure 16 could be joined to the container 14 via a snap fit or other type of engagement known in the art. The closure 16 may be a one piece structure with all of its elements being integrally formed such as by a molding process. The closure 16 may be formed of a polymeric material such as polypropylene (PP).

The base perimeter wall 28 defines a dispensing opening 34, which aligns with the container opening 22, through which a user may access the product within the container 14. The dispensing opening 34 may be defined by two opposed generally straight walls 36 connected by arcuate end walls 38. The perimeter wall may be generally circular in order to accommodate the open end of the container. However, it is contemplated that the shape of the perimeter wall may be formed in a different shape in order to accommodate a different configuration of the container.

As shown in FIG. 2, the lid 18 is pivotally secured to the base 26 via a hinge 42. The hinge 42 may be in the form of a continuous piece of material forming a living hinge. In this embodiment, the base and lid may be formed as one integrally molded piece. The lid 18 is movable between an open position (FIG. 2), wherein the container opening 22 is uncovered to provide access to the container interior 23, and a closed position (FIG. 1), wherein the container opening 22 is covered, thereby restricting access to the interior and retaining the product 12 therein. The lid 18 may include a top surface 43 and a bottom surface 45. The bottom surface may include a perimeter wall 47 extending downwardly from the bottom surface 45. A pair of C-shaped inner walls 49 is disposed inwardly of the perimeter wall 47. The inner walls 49 may extend outwardly further than the perimeter wall 47. The perimeter wall and inner wall define a space 51 there between. When the lid 18 is in the closed position, a portion of the inner walls 49 extends into the access opening just below the top surface 30. A biasing device 40, which is further described below, extends between the lid 18 and the base 26, and urges the lid to the open position, and assists in maintaining the lid in the open position. Due to the action of the biasing device, the lid 18 will, therefore, remain in the open position, without action by the user even when the user tilts the package to dispense the product 12 out of the container 14.

With reference to FIGS. 4-7, the lid 18 may be releasably secured to the base 26 in the closed position by a latch mechanism 44. The latch mechanism 44 includes an actuator 46 pivotally secured to the base at a location opposed from the hinge 42. The actuator 46 is connected to the base 26 via a leg 48 extending upwardly from the perimeter wall of the closure to a bottom surface of the actuator 46. Leg 48 is a flexible web of material that extends along the width of the actuator. The leg 48 extends towards a medial portion of the actuator such that a portion of the actuator lies on either side of the leg. On one side of the leg, is an actuator tab 50 and on the opposed side is an L-shaped lifter 52. When a user presses down on the actuator tab 50, the lifter 52 will pivot upwardly from an initial position. The pivoting function is permitted due to the resilient nature of the leg 48. When the user releases the tab 50, the resilient leg will return the lifter 52 to the initial position.

Spaced from the distal end of the lifter and extending upwardly from the base 26 is a catch 54. The catch 54 includes an outwardly projecting lip 56. Lip 56 engages a retaining member 58 formed on the lid. The retaining member 58 may be in the form of an outwardly protruding ridge 59 which snaps over the lip when the lid is placed into the closed position. A groove 60 is disposed adjacent the ridge and the lip 56 sits within the groove 60. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 6, in the closed and latched position the interaction between the lip 56 and retaining member 58 maintains the lid 18 in the closed position and prevents the lid from being inadvertently opened.

When a user presses downwardly on the actuator tab 50, the lifter 52 engages a bottom of the retaining member and pushes the lid 18 upwardly toward the open position. The lip 56 and retaining member 58 are deformed such that the lip exits the groove 60 and the ridge moves clear of the lip. The lid 18 is therefore unlatched from the base 26. Accordingly, the actuator 46 both releases the lid from the latched position and also starts pivoting it upwardly toward the open position. The latch mechanism both secures the lid 18 in the closed position and also releases it from the closed position.

Unlatched from the base 26, the lid 18 is free to pivot toward the open position under the force of the biasing device 40. With reference to FIG. 3, the biasing device may include a flat resilient member having a first end 62 and second end 64. The biasing device may be formed of a polymeric material which is flexible and resilient. The material may be made of a material that is recyclable. It is also contemplated that the biasing device could be made of other resilient material such as metal. The length and width of the biasing device 40 do not change between when the biasing device is in a flexed or compressed state when the lid is pivoted to the closed position, or in a relaxed state such as when the lid is in the open position.

With reference to FIGS. 8-11, biasing device first end 62 is securable to the base 26 and the second end 64 is securable to the lid 18. The biasing device second end 64 may be fixedly secured to the lid. This may be achieved by including an aperture 66 in the biasing device second end 64 which receives a post 68 extending outwardly from an undersurface of the lid. The end of the post 68 may be deformed to increase its diameter to secure the biasing device thereto. In an alternative embodiment, a fastener (not shown) may be placed over the biasing device 40 and onto the post 68 to lock the biasing device in place.

The biasing device first end 62 is slidably secured to the base 26. As the lid 18 moves between the open and closed positions, the biasing device first end 62 will slide relative to the base. Biasing device first end 62 is disposed within a channel 72 formed in the base as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. The biasing device is free to move back and forth in the channel toward the dispensing opening 34 and away from the dispensing opening 34. The channel 72 is defined by a slanted base wall 74 and two opposed sides 76. The slanted base wall 74 guides the travel of the biasing device 40 as the lid 18 is moved between the open and closed positions. A stop 65 is formed on the first end 62 which limits the travel of the biasing device and helps to retain the biasing device first end 62 to the base.

In one embodiment, the stop 65 may be formed by two protruding arms 80 extending outwardly from the biasing member. Therefore, the biasing device first end has a generally T-shaped configuration. The protruding arms 80 may define V-shaped notches 82. With reference to FIG. 10, the sides of the channel each include slots 84 having ramped portions 85 which allow the biasing device arms 80 to slide with respect thereto. The arms 80 are guided in the slots by the ramped portions 85. The slots 84 include an abutment wall 86. When the biasing device 40 is moved away from the dispensing opening, such as when the lid 18 is rotated toward the open position, the arms 80 ride within the slots 84 and engage the abutment walls 86, thus limiting any further lid rotation.

Upon rotating the lid 18 toward the closed position, the biasing device 40 is flexed from an initial orientation toward a curved orientation and also will slide inwardly toward the dispensing opening 34 of the base as shown in FIG. 8. In the lid closed position, the biasing device 40 is loaded and exerts a force on the lid 18. When the lid 18 is moved to the open position, the biasing device will spring back toward its initial orientation and will also slide away from the dispensing opening until the stop arms 80 engage the abutment walls 86 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. The abutment walls 86 and stop 65, therefore, form a mechanical limit that defines a limited and fixed lid open position by preventing the lid 18 from pivoting beyond a predetermined position with respect to the base 26. In a preferred embodiment, this limited open position of the lid 18 may be at an angle between 85° and 120° to the base 26. However, it is contemplated that this angle may be varied.

The present embodiment permits a user to move the lid 18 beyond the limited open position. To do this, when the lid 18 is pivoted towards the closed position, the arms 80 move out of the slots 84. In this position, the biasing device first end 62 may be separated from the base by lifting the biasing device out of the channel 72. Thus, the biasing device is separated and free from the base 26. A user can then pivot the lid 18 with respect to the base even further since the stop 65 does not engage the abutment walls. The travel of the biasing device is therefore not restrained by its connection to the base.

However, when the user moves the lid to the closed position, the biasing device will move into the channel 72 such that the next time the lid 18 is opened the stops 65 will slide within the slots 84 and engage the abutment walls 86. Therefore, the travel of the lid 18 with respect to the base 26 will again be limited.

In an alternative embodiment, both the first end of the biasing device may be fixedly secured to the base such that it does not move relative thereto. When the lid is moved to the closed position the biasing device would flex to provide a force resisting the closing rotation.

In operation, when a user desires to open the package, the user may press down upon the actuator button 46. The lid 18 is then released from the base 26 and is simultaneously urged upwardly towards the open position by action of the lifting member 52. The action of the biasing device 40 continues to rotate the lid 18 toward the open position. The opening process is initiated by a manual action of the user and then completed by the automatic action of the biasing device. Accordingly, a user simply needs to press the actuator and the lid 18 will move to the open position. The biasing device 40 will hold the lid 18 in the open position while a user dispenses the product 12 from the container. Accordingly, the opening of the package and dispensing can be achieved with only one hand of the user. After the product 12 is dispensed, the user may pivot the lid 18 toward the closed position at which point the latch mechanism 44 will secure the lid in the closed position. The closing and securing of the lid 18 can also be achieved with one hand, thereby simplifying the operation.

In an alternative embodiment, the closure may be configured without a biasing device. In this embodiment, the opening of the lid 18 would be initiated by a user actuating the tab 50. This would unlatch the lid and move it upwardly; however, the dispensing opening 34 would still be covered. The user would then manually rotate the lid 18 from this initial open position toward a fully open position wherein the dispensing opening is uncovered.

With reference to FIGS. 12-16, an alternative embodiment of the package 100 is shown. The package container 102 is substantially the same as the container 14 described above. A closure 104 is secured to the container 102. The closure 104 includes a base 106 and lid 108 pivotally secured thereto. The lid 108 is held in a closed position by a latch mechanism 110 including an actuator 112. In the present embodiment, the lid 108 may be formed separately from the base 106. The lid 108 may be pivotally secured to the base 106 via a hinge pin 114 or via other type of pivotal connections known in the art as shown in FIG. 13. The lid 108 may include a pair of spaced lugs 124 each having an aperture therein to receive the hinge pin 114. The base 106 may include a recess 125 in which the lugs 124 are disposed.

In the present embodiment, the actuator 112 may be formed separate from the base 106 and include a central actuating tab 116 and a pair of spaced projections 118 extending therefrom. The projections are pivotally secured to complimentary apertures 120 formed on the base 106. The apertures 120 may be formed on sidewalls defining the slot 122. Accordingly, the actuator 112 is pivotable with respect to the base 106. The lid 108 is held in the closed position by engagement between a lid retaining member 130 extending from the lid 108 and a catch 132 disposed on the base 106. When a user depresses the actuator 112, it moves the lid 108 upwardly thereby urging the lid retaining member 130 past the catch 132. The resilient biasing device 120 can then drive the lid 108 toward the open position. In the lid open position, access to the inside of the container is permitted.

The biasing device 120 may have a C-shape and curve around the hinge pin 114 as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16. The lid may have a slot 122 adjacent the hinge elements to permit a first end portion 120a of the biasing device 120 to be slidably inserted therein. A second end portion 120b of the biasing device may sit within the recess 125 below the hinge pin 114. When the lid 108 is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 16, the biasing device 120 is deformed such that it is folded over itself and sits within the recess 125. Neither end of the biasing device is fixed in a set position and the ends may slide to help facilitate opening and closing of the lid.

As a further alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the lid 108 may have a cap 126 (shown in phantom) pivotally secured thereto. The cap 126 is movable to an open position to permit access to the container interior when the lid is in the closed position. The cap may cover an opening smaller than the accesses opening. The cap 126 may be integrally formed with the lid and be attached thereto by a living hinge.

Various changes to the foregoing described and shown structures would now be evident to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the particularly disclosed scope of the invention is set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A package comprising: a container having an open end defining an opening into a container interior adapted to hold consumable product; anda closure disposed on the container open end and having a base and a lid pivotally secured thereto, the lid being movable between an open position, wherein the container opening is uncovered to provide access to the container interior, and a closed position wherein the container opening is covered, the closure further including a latch mechanism for selectively securing the lid in the closed position and releasing it therefrom, and a biasing device extending between the lid and the base and urging the lid to the open position, the biasing device having a first end slidably engagable with the base and a second end fixedly secured to the lid.

2. The package as defined in claim 1, wherein the biasing device includes a flat resilient member having a stop extending from the first end thereof, the stop engaging an abutment surface disposed on the base to limit movement of the lid toward the open position.

3. The package as defined in claim 2, wherein the stop includes first and second stop members extending from the first end of the biasing device.

4. The package as defined in claim 3, wherein the lid has a pair of opposed slots, each slot accommodating one of the first and second stop members therein, the slots each having a wall forming the abutment surface.

5. The package as defined in claim 4, wherein the biasing device first end is slidable within the slots and wherein the stop is disposed away from the abutment surface when the lid is in the closed position and wherein the stop engages the abutment surface when the lid is in the open position.

6. The package as defined in claim 1, wherein the biasing device is formed of a polymeric material.

7. The package as defined in claim 1, wherein the biasing device is a T-shaped member.

8. The package as defined in claim 2, wherein the lid and base define an angle there between in the range of 85 to 120 degrees when the lid is in the open position.

9. The package as defined in claim 1, wherein the biasing device first end is separable from the base to permit the lid to pivot beyond the open position.

10. The package as defined in claim 1, wherein the closure is an integral member formed of one piece of material.

11. The package as defined in claim 1, wherein the closure is threadedly secured to the container.

12. The package as defined in claim 4, wherein the lid is pivotally secured to the base by a living hinge.

13. The package as defined in claim 1, wherein the latch mechanism includes an actuator pivotally secured to the base, and the lid has a retaining member disposed thereon, the actuator engaging the retaining member to secure the lid in the closed position.

14. The package as defined in claim 13, wherein the actuator includes a tab that urges the lid toward the open position upon movement of the actuator, wherein the lid is movable to the open position upon one-handed operation of a user.

15. The package as defined in claim 4, wherein the lid has a cap pivotally secured thereto and the cap is movable to an open position to permit access to the container interior when the lid is in the closed position.

16. A package closure for a container of consumable products comprising: a base having a perimeter wall defining an opening, the base being adapted to be secured to a container; anda lid pivotally secured to the base, the lid being movable between an open position wherein the base opening is uncovered and a closed position wherein the base opening is covered, the closure further including a latch mechanism for selectively securing the lid in the closed position and releasing it therefrom, and a biasing device extending between the lid and the base urging the lid to the open position, the biasing device having a first end movably engagable with the base and a second end secured to the lid.

17. The package as defined in claim 16, wherein the biasing device includes a flat resilient member having a stop extending therefrom, the stop being slidable with respect to the base and engaging an abutment surface disposed on the base to limit movement of the lid toward the open position.

18. The package as defined in claim 16, wherein the latch mechanism includes an actuator pivotally secured to the base, and the lid has a retaining member disposed thereon, the actuator engaging the retaining member to secure the lid in the closed position.

19. The package as defined in claim 18, wherein the actuator has a tab that pushes the lid toward the open position upon movement of the actuator.

20. The package as defined in claim 16, wherein the lid and base are formed of one piece and pivotally secured by a living hinge.

21. The package as defined in claim 16, wherein the lid and base are pivotally secured by a hinge pin extending through the lid and base.

22. The package as defined in claim 16, wherein the latch mechanism includes an actuator and movement of the actuator releases the lid, wherein the lid moves to the open position, such that the closure is opened upon one-handed operation of a user.

23. The package as defined in claim 16, wherein dimensions of the biasing device do not change when the lid is moved between the open and closed positions.

24. The package as defined in claim 16, wherein the biasing device maintains the lid in the open position when consumable product is dispensed.

25. The package as defined in claim 16, wherein the open position is fixed by engagement between the biasing device and the closure.

26. The package as defined in claim 16, wherein an opening process is initiated by manual actuation of the latch mechanism and completed by action of the biasing device.

27. The package as defined in claim 16, wherein the lid is secured to the base by a hinge and the biasing device extends around the hinge, the biasing device disposed in a recess formed in the base and the biasing device having a second end secured within a slot formed on the lid.