Container closure with integrated utensil

Abstract

A container closure with an integrated utensil. The closure is sized for sealable engagement with the container rim and has a flexible component that can move from a collapsed and relatively compact state to an expanded and relatively enlarged state. The utensil is operably attached to the flexible component.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to the field of container closures; more particularly, it relates to container closures including integrated utensils.

BACKGROUND

It is commonplace to reseal and store unused food in containers for later use. Unused portions of food sold in cans, for example, are typically resealed and stored in a refrigerator for later use. A utensil is typically used and soiled each time a portion of food is removed from the can. Washing multiple soiled utensils is an inconvenience and can result in waste of food that is adhering to the utensil when it is washed. Some varieties of food such as canned pet food, for example, may also produce unwanted odors in a cleaning area when a utensil is washed.

Resealable container closures that have utensils attached in some way and which may be stored in full or in part in a container have been proposed. U.S. Pat. No. 8,079,488 to Darflinger discloses a utensil that is attached to the underside of a container lid. The utensil is designed to be removed for use, and the use-end of the utensil remains in a fixed location relative to the lid when attached to the lid. U.S. Pat. No. 7,644,832 to Tsengas et al. discloses a lid with a flexible opening, or aperture, for gripping a removable utensil. The flexible aperture allows a user to alter the distance of a selected utensil's use-end from the lid by sliding the utensil's handle one direction or the other within the aperture. The utensil is a separate element and is not included as an integral part of the lid.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,725 to Delman et al. discloses a container closure with an integrated utensil in the form of a scoop, with one embodiment showing a “nesting” of several scoop components of diminishing size and which permits the scoop to form various “expanded” or “collapsed” states. These scoop components are a structure of discreet elements that may be easily separated, though they provide for a handle element that remains outside of a container when the container is sealed.

A need still exists for a container lid with an attached utensil that is integrated to function as a single device, with a means of forming a handle that is exterior to a container for operation of the utensil, a use end that may be stored inside a container, and a capacity to easily change the location of the utensil's use end relative to the lid to “collapse” the device to permit storage of the use-end inside the container or “expand” the device for improved access to food within the container. In addition, the integrated device should provide an airtight seal to help preserve, prevent spillage, and contain the odor of any unused contents within the container when attached to a container.

DISCLOSURE

A new type of container closure device, or lid, for food containers is disclosed. The device has an integrated utensil with a use-end (the scoop or tines, for example) that may be stored inside a container when the lid is attached. The utensil's handle projects upward from the top of the lid and remains outside of the container when the container is sealed. The utensil is desirably part of an expandable and collapsible feature of the lid. When the feature is in a collapsed state, the utensil's use-end is at a distance that is relatively closer to the lid. This allows the device to be used to reseal a food container with the utensil's use-end stored inside the container. When the feature is in an expanded state the utensil's use-end extends away from the lid, increasing the relative distance between the use-end and the lid for a wider range of maneuverability of the utensil and provides a user with better access to food within the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows views of the device in a collapsed state, from top and bottom perspectives

FIG. 2 shows views of the device in an expanded state, from top and bottom perspectives

FIG. 3 shows various views of the device in an expanded state

FIG. 4 shows a view of the device in a collapsed state and attached to a food can

FIG. 5 shows a view of the expanding and collapsing portion of the device in an expanded state

FIG. 6 shows various embodiments of the expanding and collapsing portion of the device in a collapsed state

FIG. 7 shows various embodiments of the expanding and collapsing portion of the device in an expanded state

FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of the device with a folding utensil

FIG. 9 shows a close-up view of the folding utensil mechanism of FIG. 8

FIGS. 10-12 show an embodiment of the expanding and collapsing portion of the device that is capable expanding in two different directions

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Advantageously, the disclosed container closure with an integrated utensil includes: a circular structure with means for gripping a container's rim; a flexible component that can move from a collapsed, and relatively compact, state to an expanded, or enlarged state; and a utensil operably attached to the flexible component.

In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the disclosed device is shown in a collapsed state and in an expanded state. FIG. 1 shows the device in a collapsed state, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show the device in an expanded state. Flexible component 2 is capable of moving from a collapsed state to an expanded state and is attached to circular structure 4 with means for gripping container rim 6 and sealing the container. These figures show a circular structure that is configured to fit two different sizes of cans; additional can-sizes are contemplated.

Utensil consists of a use-end 10 and a handle-end 12. When the device is in a collapsed state, the utensil's use-end is at a distance that is relatively closer to the lid (see FIG. 1). This allows the device to be used to reseal a food container with the utensil's use-end stored inside the container (see FIG. 4). When the device is in an expanded state the utensil's use-end extends away from the lid, increasing the relative distance between the use-end and the lid (see FIGS. 2 and 3). This allows for a wider range of maneuverability of the utensil and provides a user with better access to food within the container.

Another embodiment with a utensil capable of folding flat against the lid, is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. In this embodiment, the utensil's handle-end 12 and use-end 10, may pivot on a hub 14 that can be locked in an upright position when the utensil is being used. A sealing component 16 provides an airtight seal when the utensil is folded flat into a stored position.

Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 10, 11, and 12. In this embodiment, the flexible component can move from a collapsed state to an expanded state in two different directions. FIG. 10 shows the device in a collapsed state from a bottom perspective. FIG. 11 shows the device in an expanded state from a side view, with the flexible component expanded in a downward direction. FIG. 12 shows the device in an expanded state in a side view with the flexible component expanded in an upward direction (the dashed lines in FIG. 12 indicate the alternate direction in which the component may expand). Grooves 18 in the circular structure, shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, indicate that the device may be optimized to grip on to the rim and seal different sized containers in two different directions. Advantages of this design would include using the device to service different sized containers, including, if desired, the capacity to manipulate how far the flexible component expands in each direction to better optimize the utility of the device for use with different sized containers.

Other embodiments of the disclosed container closure with integrated utensil include, but are not limited to, the following variations:

The utensil may fold flat against the lid in other ways than those suggested in FIGS. 8 and 9. For example, the utensil may be compressed downward in a way that leverages the resiliency of the flexible material to maintain a constant seal, in both upright and stored positions. The utensil's handle-end may snap or clip on the circular structure to hold the utensil in a stored position.

To aid in folding and creating a more compact form, the utensil may have a hinge or pivot in one or more places. For example, the use-end and/or the handle-end of the utensil may pivot on a hinge to lay flat against the lid.

The flexible component that can move from a collapsed state to an expanded state need not comprise a form that integrates stepped-collapse zones, as shown in FIG. 5. For example, the flexible component could employ instead a radiused form, resembling a half-sphere, with the half-sphere capable of moving between two different, and opposite, half-spherical directions while holding its half-spherical form in both directions.

The circular structure with means for gripping a container's rim and the flexible component that can move from a collapsed state to an expanded state may be manufactured from multiple materials, as suggested in some of the drawings, or they may also be manufactured from a single, relatively flexible, material.

The utensil may be integrated with the expandable or collapsible feature of the lid in a way that allows the utensil to be removed from the feature. For example, the flexible feature may be designed to compress, and seat, on to a specific area of the utensil, such as around a grooved ring, or depression, located in the middle of the utensil. When the utensil is properly seated, the device may be moved easily into an expanded state or a collapsed state and maintain an airtight seal when attached to a container. This would allow the utensil to be removed and reseated into the expandable and collapsible feature and still function properly. FIG. 12 shows how a utensil could be flipped in its orientation and then reseated.

In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A closure for a container, the container having a rim, the closure having an integrated utensil, the closure comprising a rim operably sized for sealable engagement with the container rim; anda flexible component that can move from a collapsed and relatively compact state to an expanded and relatively enlarged state;the utensil operably attached to the flexible component.