BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to the field of container constructions in general, and more particularly to a combination container and closure.
2. Description of the Related Art
As can be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,514,379, 1,768,771 2,738,900, 2,978,142, 4,844,263, 5,699,925, 5,706,974, and D416,438, the prior art is replete with various container constructions, including those that facilitate stacking of containers.
While various prior art constructions of containers and closures are known, the prior art fails to disclose a container that (1) allows a user to easily scoop the entire contents of the container and (2) provides adequate structure to easily stack the containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved container. This and other objects may be achieved by a container comprising a body portion having a first at least one wall and a recessed base that defines a circumferential channel, whereby the channel is adapted to receive a bucket of a scoop so that the bucket fits within the channel. The circumferential channel circumnavigates the perimeter of the recessed base. The container further comprises a closure that is adapted to be releasably sealed on the body portion.
The scoop has a handle coupled to a bucket. A radius of the bucket is substantially equal to the radius of the circumferential channel so that the bucket can be received by the channel and allow scooping of the container contents.
The closure can also comprise a second at least one side wall, a top wall coupled to the second at least one side wall, and an upwardly extending protrusion shaped and sized to be received by a recessed base of another container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which refers to the appended figures, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying the design of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the container shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a top view of the container shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectioned perspective view along line 4-4 of the container shown in FIG. 1, and illustrating a scoop fit in a circumferential channel in the base of the container;
FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view along line 5-5 of the container shown in FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a container embodying the design of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the container shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the container shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 9 is a top view of the container shown in FIG. 6;
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectioned perspective view along line 10-10 of the container shown in FIG. 6, and illustrating a scoop fit in a circumferential channel in the base of the container;
FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view along line 11-11 of the container shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a container embodying the design of the present invention;
FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of the container shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 14 is a top view of the container shown in FIG. 12;
FIG. 15 is a cross-sectioned perspective view along line 15-15 of the container shown in FIG. 12, and illustrating a scoop fit in a circumferential channel in the base of the container;
FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view along line 16-16 of the container shown in FIG. 14;
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a container embodying the design of the present invention;
FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of the container shown in FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a side cross-sectional view along line 19-19 of the container shown in FIG. 17 and having a scoop fit against the side and bottom of the container.
Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present invention, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary construction. A repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings represents the same or analogous features or elements of the invention.
With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, an embodiment of the new and improved container generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. The container 10 may be used for packaging granulated dry goods. The container is generally formed from two parts. The first part is a body portion 20 and the second is a closure 40 that is removably received on body portion 20. Body portion 20 and closure 40 may be molded of a suitable plastic material, which may be blow molded, by extrusion or injection, so that each may be a unitary member of uniform wall thickness. Non-uniform thicknesses may also be used. Suitable plastics for forming the container may include, but are not limited to, various polymers such as polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitile, acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleicanhydride, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and blends thereof.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, body portion 20 is formed from a bottom wall 22 and a generally cylindrical sidewall 24. The generally cylindrical sidewall 24 and bottom wall 22 are integrally formed and connect by a rounded edge 26 (FIG. 2). The rounded edge extends inwardly toward bottom wall 22 and forms a circumferential heel 28 on which the container rests when standing upright and which defines a recess 30 that opens downwardly and connects to heel 28. The recess defined by the bottom wall is generally circular in shape, but it may take on other shapes, such as square, oval, etc.
Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the inside surface 32 of the bottom wall projects upward from heel 28 and together with the heel and sidewall define a circumferential channel 34 around bottom wall 22. It should be understood that the cross-section of channel 34 may be formed in other shapes, for example square, rectangular, oval, etc.
Still referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, sidewall 24 also contains an inwardly recessed circumferential portion 41 on its outer circumference that is proximate a top edge 42. The inwardly recessed portion connects to the outer surface of the wall by an inwardly sloping shoulder 44 that forms a closure stop that receives a lower lip 46 of the closure wall. The recessed portion contains an outwardly projecting shoulder 48 that forms part of a locking mechanism for securing the closure to the body portion.
Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the closure comprises a horizontal top wall 50 joined to a generally cylindrical vertical sidewall 52 by a rounded corner 54. In some embodiments, ribs (not shown) may be coupled to the underside of top wall 50 and sidewall 52 to provide structural stability to the closure and to also prevent flexing of the closure, especially when multiple filled containers are stacked one upon the other as described below. A generally circular recessed portion 56 terminating in a horizontally flat circular surface 57 is centrally located in the horizontal top wall. Recessed portion 56 is sized and shaped to receive another box portion's heel so that multiple containers can be stacked (FIG. 5). The recessed portion defines a protrusion 58 in the under side of closure 40. It should be understood that recessed portion 56 may be formed in any shape so long as the mating container's heel is sized and shaped to be received by the recessed portion. Furthermore, the closure may also be formed without recessed portion 56 and still function to allow multiple containers to stack on each other. An inwardly extending flange 60, formed circumferentially on the inner circumference of closure sidewall 52, snaps over the outwardly projecting shoulder 48 so that closure 40 can be easily removed from and resealed on body portion 20.
A releasable seal (not shown) may be attached to lip 42 to seal the contents in the container. The releasable seal also allows for vacuum packaging of the contents in container 10 and provides an anti-tamper inner liner. One skilled in the art of food packaging will be familiar with such releasably attached packaging seals. Specifically, adhesive or heat may be used to attach a seal formed of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, foil, or other suitable material to lip 42 to form an airtight seal. Therefore, removal of closure 40 will not disturb the seal unless the releasable seal is cut or removed.
Referring to FIG. 4, a dispensing utensil 38 may be a scoop molded from a suitable plastic material, which may be blow molded, by extrusion or injection. Suitable plastics for forming the scoop include, but are not limited to, various polymers such as polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitile, acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleicanhydride, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and blends thereof. Dispensing utensil 38 has a generally flat handle 62 attached to or integrally formed with a cylindrical bucket 64. A rib (not shown) may be utilized and connected to the underside of the handle and the cylindrical bucket to provide structural stability to the scoop. The cylindrical bucket is closed at one end 66 and opened at a second end 68. Bucket 64 may also be formed in many other shapes, for example square, rectangular, oval, etc.
In addition to allowing containers to be stacked, heel 28 serves a second purpose. The heel and recessed bottom wall form circumferential channel 34 at the bottom of the body portion. The circumferential channel 34 circumnavigates the perimeter of the recessed bottom wall 22. The channel is sized and shaped to receive the scoop's cylindrical bucket 64. In particular, bucket radius R2 is approximately equal to or smaller than radius R1 of the inside surface 36 of circumferential channel 34. Channel 34 has a circular cross-section, however, it should be understood that channel 34 and bucket 64 may be formed in other shapes, for example square, oval or rectangular, so long as the shape of the scoop is substantially similar to that of the channel.
Recess 30 causes the granulated contents in the container to gravitate into the channel as the product is being used up. Therefore, the bucket of the scoop fits into the channel and allows the user to scoop out substantially all the granulated contents in the container with little effort. Such a channel/bucket arrangement would also allow the container to be utilized for liquid containment and dispensing if desired. No matter what shape channel 34 is, bucket 64 should be sized and shaped to be received in channel 34. For example, a square-shaped channel would require a square bucket that would fit in the channel. In particular, the scoop bucket should be shaped to facilitate scooping the contents of the container out of channel 34 and is most often the same shape as the channel.
In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, a new and improved container generally designated by the reference numeral 110 will be described. The container is generally formed from two parts: the first is a body portion 120 and the second is a closure 140 that is removably received on body portion 120. Body portion 120 and closure 140 may be molded of a suitable plastic material, which may be blow molded, by extrusion or injection, so that each may be a unitary member of uniform wall thickness. Non-uniform thicknesses may also be used. Suitable plastics for forming the container may include, but are not limited to, various polymers such as polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitile, acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleicanhydride, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and blends thereof.
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, body portion 120 is formed from a bottom wall 122 and a generally oval shaped sidewall 124. That is, body portion 120 has a major axis radius R10 and a minor axis radius R11 that is smaller than R10. The generally oval sidewall 124 and bottom wall 122 are integrally formed and connect by a rounded edge 126. The rounded edge extends inwardly toward bottom wall 122 and forms a circumferential heel 128 on which the container rests when standing upright and which defines a recess 130 that opens downwardly and connects to heel 128. The recess defined by the bottom wall is generally oval in shape, but it may take on other shapes, such as square, round, etc.
An inside surface 132 of the bottom wall projects upward from heel 128 and together with the heel and sidewall define an oval shaped circumferential channel 134 around bottom wall 122. It should be understood that the cross-section of channel 134 may be formed in other shapes, for example square, rectangular, round, etc. Sidewall 124 also contains an outwardly extending flange 141 (FIGS. 10 and 11) on its outer circumference that is proximate a top edge 142.
Referring to the figures, and in particular FIGS. 8-10, the closure comprises a horizontal top wall 150 joined to a generally cylindrical vertical sidewall 152 by a rounded corner 154. In some embodiments, ribs (not shown) may be coupled to the underside of top wall 150 and sidewall 152 to provide structural stability to the closure and to also prevent flexing of the closure, especially when multiple filled containers are stacked one upon the other as described below. It should be understood that sidewall 152 would be extended to accommodate such ribs.
A generally oval protrusion 156 terminating in a horizontally flat circular surface 157 is centrally located in the horizontal top wall. Protrusion 156 is sized and shaped to fit within another container's recessed portion 130 so that multiple containers can be stacked (FIG. 1). Protrusion 156 defines a recessed portion 158 in the under side of closure 140. It should be understood that protrusion 156 may be formed in any shape so long as the mating container's recessed bottom 130 is sized and shaped to receive the projecting portion. Furthermore, the closure may also be formed without recessed portion 158 and still function to allow multiple containers to stack on each other. An inwardly extending flange 160 (FIGS. 10 and 11), formed circumferentially on the inner circumference of closure sidewall 152, snaps over the outwardly projecting flange 141 so that closure 140 can be easily removed from and resealed on body portion 120.
A releasable seal (not shown) may be attached to lip 142 to seal the contents in the container. The releasable seal also allows for vacuum packaging of the contents in container 110 and provides an anti-tamper inner liner. One skilled in the art of food packaging will be familiar with such releasably attached packaging seals. Specifically, adhesive or heat may be used to attach a seal formed of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, foil, or other suitable material to lip 142 to form an airtight seal. Therefore, removal of closure 140 will not disturb the seal unless the releasable seal is cut or removed.
Referring to FIG. 10, a dispensing utensil 138 may be a scoop molded from a suitable plastic material, which may be blow molded, by extrusion or injection. Suitable plastics for forming the scoop include, but are not limited to, various polymers such as polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitile, acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleicanhydride, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and blends thereof. Dispensing utensil 138 has a generally flat handle 162 attached to or integrally formed with a generally cylindrical bucket 164. A rib (not shown) may be utilized and connected to the underside of the handle and the cylindrical bucket to provide structural stability to the scoop. The cylindrical bucket is closed at one end 166 and opened at a second end 168. Bucket 164 may also be formed in many other shapes, for example square, rectangular, oval, etc.
In addition to allowing containers to be stacked, recessed bottom portion 130 serves a second purpose. The recessed bottom portion, the rounded corner and sidewall form circumferential channel 134 at the bottom of the body portion. The circumferential channel 134 circumnavigates the perimeter of the recessed bottom wall 122. The channel is sized and shaped to receive the scoop's cylindrical bucket 164. In particular, bucket radius R20 is approximately equal to or smaller than radius R21 of the inside surface 170 of circumferential channel 134. Channel 134 has a circular cross-section, however, it should be understood that channel 134 and scoop bucket 164 may be formed in other shapes, for example square, oval or rectangular, so long as the shape of the scoop is substantially similar to that of the channel.
Recessed portion 130 causes the granulated contents in the container to gravitate into the channel as the product is being used up. Therefore, the bucket fits into the channel and allows the user to scoop out substantially all the granulated contents in the container with little effort (such a channel/bucket arrangement would also allow the container to be utilized for liquid containment and dispensing if desired.). No matter what shape channel 134 is, bucket 164 should be sized and shaped to be received in channel 134. For example, a square-shaped channel would require a square shaped bucket that would fit in the channel. In particular, the scoop bucket should be shaped to facilitate scooping the contents of the container out of channel 134 and is most often the same shape as the channel.
In yet another embodiment and with reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 12, an improved container generally designated by the reference numeral 210 will be described. The container 210 may be used for packaging granulated dry goods. The container is generally formed from two parts: the first part is a box portion 220 containing a recessed bottom wall and the second is a closure 240 containing a stacking member protruding from the top wall. Box portion 220 is adapted for the removable receipt of closure 240. Box portion 220 and closure 240 may be molded of a suitable plastic material, which may be blow molded, by extrusion or injection, so that each may be a unitary member of uniform wall thickness. Non-uniform thicknesses may also be used. Suitable plastics for forming the container may include, but are not limited to, various polymers such as polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitile, acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleicanhydride, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and blends thereof.
As shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 15, box portion 220 is formed from a bottom wall 212, front wall 214, back wall 216, and opposing side walls 218 and 219 (shown in FIG. 13). The front and back walls are connected to the side walls by rounded corners 222 (FIG. 12), and are integrally formed with the bottom wall and connected by a rounded edge 224 (FIG. 13). The rounded edge extends inwardly toward recessed bottom wall 212 and forms a circumferential heel 226 (FIG. 15) on which the container rests when standing upright. The bottom wall defines a recess 230 (FIGS. 15 and 16) that opens downwardly and connects to heel 226. The recess defined by the bottom is wall shown as being generally circular in shape, but it may take on other shapes, such as square, oval, rectangular, etc.
The inside surface 232 of the circular bottom wall projects upward from heel 226 and together with the heel, front, back, and side walls define a circumferential channel 234 around bottom wall 212. As shown in FIG. 16, channel 234 has a circular cross-section with a base 236 having a radius R30 (FIG. 16). Radius R30 is substantially equal to or greater than the radius R32 (FIG. 15) of a dispensing utensil 260 packaged in container 210. It should be understood that the cross-section of channel 234 may be formed in other shapes, for example square, rectangular, oval, etc. Dispensing utensil 260 is similar to the scoops shown in FIGS. 1-11 and will not be described again in detail herein.
The front, back, and side walls terminate at a circular top portion 238 (FIGS. 15 and 16) that releasably receives closure 240. The circular top portion connects to rounded corners 222 by an inwardly sloping shoulder 228. Circular top portion 238 contains an outwardly projecting circumferential flange 242 that forms part of a locking mechanism for securing the closure to the box portion.
Referring to FIGS. 13-15, the closure comprises a horizontal top wall 244 joined to a vertical side wall 246 by a rounded corner 248. In some embodiments, ribs (not shown) may be coupled to the underside of vertical wall 246 and horizontal top wall 244 to provide structural stability to the closure and prevent flexing of closure 40, especially when multiple filled containers are stacked one upon the other as shown in FIG. 16. It should be understood that if ribs are used, the height of vertical wall 246 would be increased to accommodate such ribs. A generally circular upwardly projecting portion 250 terminating in a horizontally flat top surface 252 is centrally located in the horizontal flat top surface. The horizontal flat top surface is sized and shaped to fit into another box portion's recessed bottom wall so that multiple containers can be stacked (FIG. 16). The upwardly projecting circular portion defines a recess 254 in the under side of closure 240. Closure 240 may also be formed without recess 254. It should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that upwardly projecting portion 250 may be formed in any shape so long as the mating container's recessed bottom is sized and shaped to receive the projecting portion.
Closure vertical wall 246 defines an inwardly pointing flange 256 that releasably secures closure 240 to circular top portion 238. That is, flange 256 is wedge-shaped with the wide part of the wedge closest to a bottom edge 258 of closure vertical wall 246. Thus, the wedge forms a locking member that snaps over the outwardly projecting circumferential flange 242 so that closure 240 can be easily removed from and resealed on box portion 220.
As with the above described embodiments, a releasable seal (not shown) may be attached to an upper lip 262 of circular top portion 238 to seal the contents in the container. The releasable seal also allows for vacuum packaging of the contents in container 210 and provides an anti-tamper inner liner. One skilled in the art of food packaging will be familiar with such releasably attached packaging seals. Specifically, adhesive or heat may be used to attach a seal formed of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, foil, or other suitable material to lip 262 to form an airtight seal. Therefore, removal of closure 240 will not disturb the seal unless the releasable seal is cut or removed.
In addition to allowing containers to be stacked, recessed bottom wall 212 serves a second purpose. As previously pointed out, the recessed bottom wall forms circumferential channel 234 at the bottom of the box portion. The circumferential channel 234 circumnavigates the perimeter of the recessed bottom wall 222. The channel is sized and shaped to receive a cylindrical bucket 264 of dispensing utensil 260. In particular, the radius R32 of cylindrical bucket 264 (FIG. 15) is approximately equal to or smaller than the radius of curvature R30 (FIG. 16) of the inside surface 236 of circumferential channel 234. Thus, because recess 230 causes the granulated contents to gravitate into the channel as the product is being used up, the channel bucket fit allows the user to scoop out substantially all the granulated contents in the container with little effort (such a channel/bucket arrangement would also allow the container to be utilized for liquid containment and dispensing if desired.). No matter what shape channel 234 is, bucket 264 should be sized and shaped to be received in the channel. For example, a square-shaped channel would require a square bucket. In particular, the scoop bucket should be shaped to facilitate scooping the contents of the container out of channel 234 and is most often the same shape as the cross-section of the channel.
In a further embodiment shown in FIGS. 17-19, a new and improved container generally designated by the reference numeral 310 will be described. Container 310 may be used for packaging granulated dry goods, and the container is generally formed from two parts. The first part is a body portion 320 and the second is a closure 340 that is removably received on body portion 320. Body portion 320 and closure 340 may be molded of a suitable plastic material, which may be blow molded, by extrusion or injection, so that each may be a unitary member of uniform wall thickness. Non-uniform thicknesses may also be used. Suitable plastics for forming the container may include, but are not limited to, various polymers such as polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitile, acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleicanhydride, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and blends thereof.
Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, body portion 320 is formed having a generally cylindrical first portion 312 and a generally cylindrical second portion 314, wherein the diameter of the second portion is smaller than that of first portion 312. Generally cylindrical first portion 312 connects to generally cylindrical second portion 314 by an inwardly sloping circumferential shoulder 316 and to a flat bottom wall 318 by a rounded corner 322. Generally cylindrical second portion 314 connects to a generally horizontal flange 324 by an outwardly sloping shoulder 326 that is used to releasably retain closure 340 on a mouth 328 (FIG. 19) of the container.
Referring to the figures, and in particular FIG. 19, the closure comprises a horizontal top wall 330 joined to a generally cylindrical vertical sidewall 332 by a rounded corner 334. An inwardly extending flange 336, formed circumferentially on the inner circumference of closure vertical wall 332, snaps over the outwardly projecting flange 324 so that closure 340 can be easily removed from and resealed on body portion 320.
A releasable seal (not shown) may be attached to a lip 342 to seal the contents in the container. The releasable seal also allows for vacuum packaging of the contents in container 310 and provides an anti-tamper inner liner. One skilled in the art of food packaging will be familiar with such releasably attached packaging seals. Specifically, adhesive or heat may be used to attach a seal formed of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, foil, or other suitable material to lip 342 to form an airtight seal. Therefore, removal of closure 340 will not disturb the seal unless the releasable seal is cut or removed.
A dispensing utensil 380 may be a scoop having a generally flat handle 382 attached to or integrally formed with a cylindrical bucket 384. A rib (not shown) may be utilized and connected to the underside of the handle and the cylindrical bucket to provide structural stability to the scoop. Scoop 380 is similar in design to that described in the previous embodiments and a detailed discussion of the scoop is not repeated herein.
Container first cylindrical portion, rounded corner 322 and bottom wall 318 are sized to generally form an arcuate inner surface having a radius R40 that is substantially similar to a portion of the bucket radius R42 to allow the user to scoop out the granulated contents in the container with little effort. Although bottom wall 318 does not form a circumferential channel, the similar radius of the container walls to that of the scoop bucket assists in scooping the contents of the container. While the embodiment depicts a flat bottom wall 318, it should be understood that bottom wall 318 may also define a recessed portion as shown and described in the previous embodiments. That is, container 320 may be formed with a recessed bottom wall portion and a protruding structure on closure 340 to assist in scooping and stacking of the container as described in previous embodiments.
These and other modifications and variations to the present invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part. For example the embodiment of FIGS. 6-16 may be formed with a closure having a recessed portion similar to that shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 instead of a protruding portion so that the recessed portion receives a heel of another container to aide in stacking. Furthermore, any one of the embodiments can be formed with or without a circumferential channel. It should also be understood that the container body portion can be formed in any number of shapes as desired by the market and as conducive for the product packaged in the container. For example, the container shape may include, but is not limited to, a square, polygonal or triangular, and may also include recessed wall portions that vary the cross-section area of the container body portion. Furthermore, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not intended to limit the invention so further described in such appended claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.
Patent Application
20060000841
