CONTAINER

Abstract

A container (100) for scoopable material including a container body (102) defining a reservoir to hold the scoopable material, a collar (106) attached to the container body, a lid (108) hingedly attached to the collar, and a leveler (114) extending from the underside of the lid.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention related to the field of packaging, and more particularly, packaging for scoopable material, such as for example, granulated or powdered products.

BACKGROUND

Granular or powdered products, such as, for purposes of example without limitation, infant formula, flour, coffee, sugar, may be packaged in containers. Scoops are often provided within the container for dispensing the product from the container. When dispensing the product, users may have concerns regarding contaminating the contents of the container, soiling their hands with the container contents, and dispensing the correct amount of the granular or powdered product. Therefore, it is advantageous for the container to allow a user access to the measuring scoop without contamination of the contents and to ensure a user to can accurately measure the amount of product to be dispensed.

SUMMARY

The present application describes a container for scoopable material. In one exemplary embodiment, the container for scoopable material includes a container body defining a reservoir to hold the scoopable material, a collar attached to the container body, and a lid hingedly attached to the collar. The lid includes a leveler extending from the underside of the lid to define a leveling edge for leveling a scoop of scoopable material. In one exemplary embodiment, the leveling edge is an elongated straight edge.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the general inventive concepts will become apparent from the following detailed description made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side section view of an exemplary embodiment of a container;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a collar and lid assembly and a scoop of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the lid assembly and the scoop of the container of FIG. 1 showing the top end of the collar and the underside of the lid with the scoop installed;

FIG. 4 is a section view of the collar and lid assembly and the scoop of the container of FIG. 1 illustrating use of a leveler;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container;

FIG. 6 is a side section view of the container of FIG. 5; and

FIG. 7 is a side section view of the collar and lid assembly and the scoop of the container of FIG. 5 illustrating use of a leveler.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This Detailed Description merely describes exemplary embodiments in accordance with the general inventive concepts and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention or the claims in any way. Indeed, the invention as described by the claims is broader than and unlimited by the exemplary embodiments set forth herein, and the terms used in the claims have their full ordinary meaning.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a container 100 for scoopable material. In the illustrated embodiment, the container 100 includes a body 102 defining a reservoir 104 configured to hold contents to be dispensed, a collar 106 affixed to a top end of the reservoir 104, and a lid 108 hingedly engaged with the collar 106 and moveable between an open position (as shown in FIG. 1) wherein the contents of the container 100 can be dispensed from the reservoir 104 and a closed position wherein the lid 108 is resealed to the collar 106. The lid 104 includes a scoop holder 110 for holding and storing a scoop 112 (FIG. 2) and a leveler 114 for leveling the contents removed by the scoop 112. The container 100 may also include a removable, substantially moisture-impervious, oxygen-impervious seal (not shown) between the lid 108 and the reservoir 104.

The container 100 may be constructed from any suitable material. In one embodiment, the container 100 is constructed from a polymeric material, such as, for example, polypropylene and/or high-density polyethylene.

The body 102 may be configured in a variety of ways. Although the body 102 of the exemplary embodiment of the container 100 is described and illustrated to be substantially cylindrical, the present invention is susceptible for use with all shapes and sizes of containers including cuboid, obloid, rectilinear, and other shapes. Furthermore, each of the optional and preferred embodiments of the invention contemplate interchangeability with all of the various features, components, modifications, and variations illustrated throughout the written description and pictorial illustrations.

In the illustrated embodiment, the body 102 is substantially cylindrical with a cylindrical side wall 122 having an inner surface 124 and an outer surface 125 opposed to and generally parallel to the inner surface 124. The body 102 includes a closed bottom end 126 and an open upper end 128 having an upper circumferential edge 130. The upper end 128 of the body 102 has an outer diameter D₁.

The collar 106 and the lid 108 may be configured in a variety of ways. The collar 106 and the lid 108 may be formed integrally with the cylindrical side wall 122, may be formed as an integral collar and lid assembly and/or combination, and may also be provided as a separate collar 106 and a separate lid 108 that can be joined with a hinge or another type of pivotally and/or removable device or connection to one or more portions of the sidewall 122. The collar 106 and lid 108 arrangements can be attached and assembled to the container 100 in a variety of ways including clips, friction-fit configurations, threaded connection, snap-on arrangements and other equally desirable and optional components and methods.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the collar 106 and the lid 108 are formed as an assembly that attaches to the upper end 128 of the body 102. The collar 106 is connected to the lid 108 by a hinge 132 that allows the lid 108 to pivot relative to the collar 106 about a hinge axis A. The collar 106 is generally ring-shaped with a cylindrical side wall 134 having an inner surface 136 and an outer surface 138 opposed to and generally parallel to the inner surface 136. The collar 106 has an open lower end 140 having a lower circumferential edge 142 and an open upper end 144 having an upper circumferential edge 146.

As shown in FIG. 4, the lower end 140 may be configured to be attached to the upper end 128 of the body 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower end 140 has an inner diameter D₂ and the upper end 144 has an inner diameter D₃ that is less than the inner diameter D₂ of the lower end 140. A shoulder 148 connects the lower end 140 to the upper end 144.

The lower end 140 may be adapted to receive the upper end 128 of the body 102. For example, the inner diameter D₂ of the lower end 140 may be slightly larger than the outer diameter D₁ of the upper end 128 of the body 102 such that the lower end 140 may slide over top of the upper end 128. In one embodiment, the inner diameter D₂ of the lower end 140 and the outer diameter D₁ of the upper end 128 are sized to create a friction fit between the lower end 140 and the upper end 128. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper circumferential edge 130 of the upper end 128 engages the shoulder 148 of the collar 106 when the collar 106 is properly seated onto the upper end 128.

The lid 108 is generally cylindrical with a cylindrical side wall 150 having an inner surface 152 and an outer surface 154 opposite of and generally parallel to the inner surface 152. The lid 108 has an open lower end 156 having a lower circumferential edge 158 and an closed upper end 160 having a top wall 162 with an inner surface 164 and an outer surface 166. The lid 108 has an inner diameter D₄.

Referring to FIG. 3, in the illustrated embodiment, the hinge 132 that connects the lid 108 to the collar 106, and allows the lid 108 to pivot relative to the collar 106, is a living hinge. A living hinge is a thin flexible web of material that joins two rigid bodies together. In this case, the living hinge 132 connects the lid 108 and the collar 106 to keep them together and allow the lid 108 to be opened and closed.

The material used to make a living hinge is preferably a very flexible polymeric material, such as, for example, polypropylene and/or polyethylene. Living hinges can be flexed numerous times without failure.

In other embodiments, however, the lid 108 may be connected to the collar 106 by a conventional mechanical hinge. Conventional mechanical hinges include, but are not limited to, hinge assemblies comprising a first panel having two or more sockets mounted on an edge thereof and a second panel having two or more pins mounted on an edge thereof, the aforementioned pins mating with the aforementioned sockets to join the edge of the first panel to the edge of the second panel, the pins and the sockets allowing rotation of the first panel about the second panel.

Referring to FIG. 2, the lid 108 and the collar 106 may have a cooperating container-locking feature 180 to securely retain the lid 108 in the closed position. The container-locking feature 180 may be configured in a variety of ways. In the illustrated embodiment, the container-locking feature includes a latch 182 on the lid 108 and a keeper 184 on the collar 106. The latch 182 is positioned on or extending from the outer surface 154 adjacent the open lower end 156 of the lid 108. The keeper 184 is positioned on the outer surface 138 of the open upper end 144 of the collar 106. In the closed position, the latch 182 grips the keeper 184 to hold the lid 108 in the closed position. The latch 182 can be manipulated, such as for example, by bending outward, to disengage the keeper 184 and allow the lid 108 to be opened.

In the illustrated embodiment, the scoop holder 110 is positioned on the inner surface 164 of the top wall 162 of the lid 108. The scoop holder 112 may be configured in a variety of ways. Any structure capable of cooperating with the scoop 112 to hold the scoop in place when not in use may be used. For example, the scoop holder 112 may be configured similar to the scoop holder embodiments disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,857,645 to Perry, et al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The scoop 112 may also be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the shape and size of the bowl and handle may vary in different embodiments of the scoop. Any configuration suitable for dispensing the contents of the container 100 in appropriate quantities may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the scoop 112 includes a bowl 200 and a handle 202. Referring to FIG. 4, the bowl 200 is generally cylindrical having a cylindrical side wall 204 with an outer surface 206. The bowl 200 includes a closed bottom end 208 and an open upper end 210 having an upper circumferential edge 212. The bowl 200 has an outer diameter D₅. The handle 202 is generally elongated and adapted to be gripped by a user of the scoop 112. The handle 202 extends outward from the outer surface 206 of the bowl 200 adjacent the open upper end 210. The scoop 112 has a total length L_S (FIG. 3) that is less than the inner diameter D₄ (FIG. 4) of the lid 108 such that the scoop 112 fits inside the cylindrical sidewall 150 (i.e., between opposing inner surfaces 152 of the sidewall 150).

In the illustrated embodiment, the scoop holder 110 comprises a first bracket 220 and a second bracket 222 separated from the first bracket 220 by an opening 224. The scoop holder 110 is capable of retaining a scoop 112 in such a position so as to be separated from the contents in the container 100.

The scoop 112 can be inserted into the scoop holder 110 by sliding the handle 202 into the opening 224 between the first bracket 220 and the second bracket 222. When inserted into the scoop holder 110, the scoop 112 is retained by the first bracket 220 and the second bracket 222 by means of projections 225 (FIG. 4) on the brackets 220, 222 that engage the handle 202. When held by the scoop holder 110, the scoop 112 is positioned internally from the cylindrical side wall 150 of the lid 108.

In the illustrated embodiment, the scoop leveler 114 is positioned on the inner surface 164 of the top wall 162 of the lid 108. The scoop leveler 114 is positioned as to not interfere with the scoop holder 110 or with access to the scoop by a user. The scoop leveler 114 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the size, shape, and location of the scoop leveler 114 on the lid may differ in different embodiments. Any suitable size, shape, and location of the scoop leveler 114 may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the scoop leveler 114 includes a projection 230 extending downward from the inner surface 164 (underside) of the lid 108 and defining a leveling edge 232 against which the upper circumferential edge 212 of the bowl 200 may be rubbed or scrapped across to level the scoop 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the projection 230 extends generally perpendicular to the inner surface 164. In other embodiments, however, the projection 230 may extend at an angle other than 90 degrees from the inner surface 164.

The projection 230 is relatively elongated and thin and defines a leveling edge 232 that is a relatively elongated, continuous straight edge. In other embodiments, however, the leveling edge 232 used to level the scoop 112 may be other than straight, such as for example, may be curved. In the illustrated embodiment, the leveling edge 232 extends parallel to the hinge axis A. In other embodiments, however, the leveling edge 232 may extend traverse to the hinge axis A. The projection 230 includes a first side edge 234 and a second side edge 236 spaced apart from and generally parallel to the first side edge 234. The leveling edge 232 is generally perpendicular to and extends between the first side edge 234 and the second side edge 236. The leveling edge 232 has a length L_E (FIG. 3).

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the leveler 114 is positioned internally and separate from the cylindrical sidewall 150 of the lid 108. In one exemplary embodiment, the first side edge 234 and a second side edge 236 are spaced apart from the cylindrical side wall 150. Thus, the entire length L_E of the leveling edge 232 is less than the inner diameter D₄ of the lid 108. In other embodiments, however, one or both of the first side edge 234 and a second side edge 236 may be contiguous with the cylindrical side wall 150.

In the illustrated embodiment, the length L_E of the leveling edge 232 is longer than the outer diameter D₅ of the bowl 200 of the scoop 112. Thus, the entire bowl 200 of the scoop 112 may be leveled in a single pass across the leveling edge 232.

To level a scoop 112 using the leveler 114, a scoop 112 overfilled with a scoopable material may be brought into contact with the leveling edge 232 and the upper circumferential edge 212 of the bowl 200 may be rubbed or scraped across the leveling edge 232. In doing so, the excess scoopable material from the scoop 112 (i.e., material that is within the bowl 200) is pushed from the scoop into an area or cavity between the leveler 114 and the top wall 162 of the lid 108 and, as the scoop continues to move across the leveling edge 232, falls by gravity back into the container 100.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another exemplary embodiment of a container 600 for scoopable material. The container 600 is may be similar to the container 100 of FIG. 1 but is illustrated having a cuboid shape rather than a cylindrical shape. The container 600, may be configured similar to or the same as the containers disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,857,645 to Perry, et al., the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, except the container 600 includes a leveler 614 for leveling the contents removed from the container.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the container 600 includes a body 602 defining a reservoir 604 configured to hold scoopable material, a collar 606 affixed to a top end of the reservoir 604 and a lid 608 hingedly engaged with the collar 606 and moveable between an open position (as shown in FIG. 5) wherein the contents of the container 600 can be dispensed from the reservoir 604 and a closed position wherein the lid 608 is resealed to the collar 606. The lid 604 includes a scoop holder 610 for holding and storing a scoop 612 and a leveler 614 for leveling the material removed by the scoop 612. The container 600 may also include a removable, substantially moisture-impervious, oxygen-impervious seal (not shown) between the lid 608 and the reservoir 604.

The container 600 may be constructed from any suitable material. In one embodiment, the container 600 is constructed from a polymeric material, such as, for example, polypropylene and/or high-density polyethylene.

The body 602 may be configured in a variety of ways. Although the body 602 of the exemplary embodiment of the container 600 is described and illustrated to be substantially cuboid, the present invention is susceptible for use with all shapes and sizes of containers including cylindrical, obloid, rectilinear, and other shapes, and for use with containers adapted for fluids as well as for the powdered materials and/or product described most often herein. Furthermore, each of the optional and preferred embodiments of the invention contemplate interchangeability with all of the various features, components, modifications, and variations illustrated throughout the written description and pictorial illustrations.

Referring to FIG. 6, in the illustrated embodiment, the body 602 is substantially cuboid and includes a closed bottom end 620 having a bottom wall 622 and an open upper end 624 having an upper edge 626. The body 602 includes a front wall 628 having an inner surface 630 and an outer surface 632, a rear wall 634 having an inner surface 636 and an outer surface 638, a first side wall 640 (FIG. 5) extending between the front wall and the rear wall and including an inner surface (not shown) and an outer surface (not shown), and a second side wall (not shown) extending between the front wall and the rear wall and including an inner surface (not shown) and an outer surface (not shown). The body 602 has a width W_B (not shown) and a length L_B.

The collar 606 and lid 608 may be configured in a variety of ways. The collar 606 and lid 608 may be formed integrally with walls of the container 600, may be formed as an integral collar and lid assembly and/or combination, and may also be provided as a separate collar 606 and a separate lid 608 that can be joined with a hinge or another type of pivotally and/or removable device or connection to one or more of the wall. The collar 606 and lid 608 arrangements can be attached and assembled to the inventive container 600 in a variety of ways including clips, friction-fit configurations, threaded connection, snap-on arrangements and other equally desirable and optional components and methods.

In the illustrated embodiment, the collar 606 and the lid 608 are formed as an assembly that attaches to the upper end 624 of the body 602. The collar 606 is connected to the lid 608 by a hinge 654 that allows the lid 608 to pivot relative to the collar 606 about a hinge axis A (extending out of the page with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7). The collar 606 has a generally rectangular cross section that generally matches the shape of the upper end 624 of the body 602. The collar 606 has a front wall 656, a rear wall, a first side wall 668 (FIG. 5) extending between the front wall and the rear wall and a second side wall (not shown) extending between the front wall and the rear wall.

The collar 606 has an open lower end 680 having a lower edge 682 (FIG. 7) and an open upper end 684 having an upper edge 686. The lower end 680 may be configured to be attached to the upper end 624 of the body 602 in a similar manner as the collar 106 and body 102 of the container of FIG. 1.

The lid 608 has a generally rectangular cross section the generally matches the rectangular cross-section of the collar 606. The lid 608 has a front wall 690 having an inner surface 692 and an outer surface 694, a rear wall 696 having an inner surface 698 and an outer surface 700, a first side wall 702 extending between the front wall and the rear wall and including an inner surface 704 and an outer surface (not shown), and a second side wall 708 (FIG. 5) extending between the front wall and the rear wall and including an inner surface 710 and an outer surface 712.

The lid 608 has an open lower end 714 having a lower edge 716 and a closed upper end 718 having a top wall 720 with an inner surface 722 and an outer surface 724. The lid 608 has a width W_L (not shown) and a length L_L.

Referring to FIG. 7, the lid 608 and the collar 606 may have a cooperating container-locking feature 730 to securely retain the lid 608 in the closed position. The container-locking feature 730 may be configured similar to the container-locking feature 180 of the container 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the container-locking feature 730 may a latch 732 on the lid 608 that engages a keeper 734 on the collar 606 such that the latch 732 grips the keeper 734 to hold the lid 608 in the closed position.

The scoop 612 may be configured similar to the scoop 112 of the container 100 of FIG. 1. For example, the scoop 612 may include a bowl 740 and a handle 742. The bowl 740 has an outer diameter D₅, an open upper end 743 having an upper circumferential edge 744, and a closed bottom end 745. The scoop 612 has a total length L_S that is less than at least one of the L_L or W_L of the lid 608 such that the scoop 612 fits inside the sidewalls 690, 696, 702, 708 of the lid 608.

In the illustrated embodiment, the scoop holder 610 is configured similar to the scope holder 110 of the container 100 of FIG. 1. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, the scoop holder 610 is positioned on the inner surface 722 of the top wall 720 of the lid 608. The scoop holder 610 may include a first bracket 746 and a second bracket 748 separated from the first bracket 746 by an opening 749. The scoop 612 can be inserted into the scoop holder 610 by sliding the handle 742 into the opening 749 between the first bracket 746 and the second bracket 748. When inserted into the scoop holder 610, the scoop 612 is retained by the first bracket 746 and the second bracket 748. When held by the scoop holder 610, the scoop 612 is positioned internally from the side walls 690, 696, 702, 708 of the lid 608.

In other embodiments, however, the scoop holder 610 may be configured, for example, similar to the scoop holder disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 8,857,645 to Perry, et al. where the first bracket 746 and the second bracket 748 are configured to engage the bowl 740 of the scoop 612.

The illustrated embodiment, the scoop leveler 614 is positioned on the inner surface 722 of the top wall 720 of the lid 608. The scoop leveler 614 is positioned as to not interfere with the scoop holder 610 or access to the scoop by a user. The scoop leveler 614 may be configured in a variety of ways. For example, the size, shape, and location of the leveler on the lid may differ in different embodiments. Any suitable size, shape, and location may be used. In the illustrated embodiment, the scoop leveler 614 includes a projection 750 extending downward from the inner surface 722 of the top wall 720 of the lid 608. The projection 750 defines a leveling edge 752 against which the upper circumferential edge 744 of the bowl 740 may be rubbed or scrapped across to level the scoop 612. In the illustrated embodiment, the projection 750 extends generally perpendicular to the inner surface 722. In other embodiments, however, the projection 750 may at an angle other than 90 degrees from the inner surface 722.

The projection 750 is relatively elongated and thin and defines a leveling edge 752 that is a relatively elongated, continuous straight edge. In other embodiments, however, the leveling edge 752 may be other than straight, such as for example, may be curved. In the illustrated embodiment, the leveling edge 752 extends parallel to the hinge axis A. In other embodiments, however, the leveling edge 752 may extend traverse to the hinge axis A. The projection 750 includes a first side edge 754 and a second side edge 756 spaced apart from and generally parallel to the first side edge 754. The leveling edge 752 is generally perpendicular to and extends between the first side edge 754 and the second side edge 756. The leveling edge 752 has a length L_E.

In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the leveler 614 is positioned internally and separate from the sidewall 690, 696, 702, 708 of the lid 608. In one exemplary embodiment, the first side edge 754 and a second side edge 756 are spaced apart from the sidewalls 690, 696, 702, 708 of the lid 608. Thus, the entire length L_E of the leveling edge 752 of the leveler 614 is less than the distance between two opposing sidewalls 690, 696, 702, 708 of the lid 608. In other embodiments, however, one or both of the first side edge 754 and a second side edge 756 may be contiguous with one or more sidewalls 690, 696, 702, 708 of the lid 608.

In the illustrated embodiment, the length L_E of the leveling edge 752 is longer than the diameter D₆ of the bowl 740 of the scoop 612. Thus, the entire bowl 740 of the scoop 612 may be leveled in a single pass across the leveling edge 752.

To level a scoop 612 using the leveler 614, a scoop 612 that is overfilled with a scoopable material may be brought into contact with the leveling edge 752 and the upper circumferential edge 744 of the bowl 740 may be rubbed or scrapped across the leveling edge 752. In doing so, the excess scoopable material from the scoop (i.e., material not in the bowl) is pushed from the scoop 612 into an area or cavity between the leveler 614 and the top wall 720 of the lid 608 and, as the scoop 612 continues to move across the leveling edge 752, falls by gravity back into the container 600.

While various inventive aspects, concepts, and features of the general inventive concepts are described and illustrated herein in the context of various exemplary embodiments, these various aspects, concepts, and features may be used in many alternative embodiments, either individually or in various combinations thereof. Unless expressly excluded herein all such combinations are intended to be within the scope of the general inventive concepts. Still further, while various alternative embodiments as to the various aspects, concepts, and features of the inventions (such as alternative materials, structures, configurations, methods, devices and components, alternatives as to form, fit and function, and so on) may be described herein, such descriptions are not intended to be a complete or exhaustive list of available alternative embodiments, whether presently known or later developed. Those skilled in the art may readily adopt one or more of the inventive aspects, concepts, or features into additional embodiments and uses within the scope of the general inventive concepts even if such embodiments are not expressly disclosed herein. Additionally, even though some features, concepts or aspects of the inventions may be described herein as being a preferred arrangement or method, such description is not intended to suggest that such feature is required or necessary unless expressly so stated. Still further, exemplary or representative values and ranges may be included to assist in understanding the present disclosure; however, such values and ranges are not to be construed in a limiting sense and are intended to be critical values or ranges only if so expressly stated. Moreover, while various aspects, features, and concepts may be expressly identified herein as being inventive or forming part of an invention, such identification is not intended to be exclusive, but rather there may be inventive aspects, concepts, and features that are fully described herein without being expressly identified as such or as part of a specific invention. Descriptions of exemplary methods or processes are not limited to inclusion of all steps as being required in all cases, nor is the order that the steps are presented to be construed as required or necessary unless expressly so stated.

Claims

1. A container for scoopable material, the container comprising: a container body defining a reservoir to hold the scoopable material;a collar attached to the container body; anda lid hingedly attached to the collar, the lid having a leveler extending from the underside of the lid;wherein the leveler defines an elongated straight edge.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the leveler is positioned internally from an outside edge of the lid.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein an entire length of the elongated straight edge is non-contiguous with an outer edge of the lid.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein an entire length of the elongated straight edge of the leveler is less than a distance from a first outer edge of the lid to a second outer edge of the lid.

5. The container of claim 1, wherein the elongated straight edge does not extend from a first outer edge of the lid to a second outer edge of the lid.

6. The container of claim 1, further comprising a scoop.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein a length of the elongated straight edge of the leveler is longer than a diameter of the scoop.

8. The container of claim 6, wherein a scoop overfilled with a scoopable powder may be leveled off by manually scrapping a top edge of the scoop across the elongated straight edge.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the leveler defines a cavity into which excess scoopable material may migrate from the scoop when the scoop is rubbed against the leveler.

10. The container of claim 8, wherein excess scoopable material removed from the scoop when the scoop is rubbed against the leveler falls by gravity within the container.

11. The container of claim 6, wherein the scoop is removably attached to the underside of the lid in an initial position.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the leveler extends generally perpendicular to the underside of the lid.

13. The container of claim 1, wherein the base is cylindrical or obloid.

14. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid is pivotable relative to the collar about a hinge axis, and wherein the elongated straight edge extends parallel to the hinge axis.

15. A cover for attachment to a container of scoopable material, the cover comprising: a collar; anda lid hingedly attached to the collar, the lid having a leveler extending from the underside of the lid;wherein the leveler defines an elongated straight edge.

16. The cover of claim 15, wherein the leveler extends generally perpendicular to the underside of the lid.

17. The cover of claim 15, wherein the leveler wherein an entire length of the elongated straight edge is non-contiguous with an outer edge of the lid.