Display Container

Abstract

A display container includes an enclosure having a container body and a lid mounted to the container body for enclosing an interior chamber of the enclosure. The lid has an integrated lens positioned over the interior chamber and a plurality of ports extending through the lid adjacent the lens. The display container further includes a slide valve assembly for selectively opening and closing the ports. The slide valve assembly includes a track fixed relative to the lid in alignment with the ports, and a slide plate slidably received in the track. The slide plate is slidable back and forth along the track between a first position in which the slide plate blocks the ports and a second position in which the ports are unblocked.

Description

FIELD

The specification relates to display containers.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. 9,630,747 B2 (Smith et al.) discloses a container for displaying, visualizing, and aroma sampling botanical materials—such as tea, cannabis, and the like including a container body, lid, and lens. The container body and the lid form an airtight seal. A sample may be visualized through the lens. In a preferred embodiment, the lid is shaped to define scent openings permitting aroma sampling of a sample contained within.

U.S. Pat. 9,334,086 B2 (Bean et al.) discloses a locking sample case used for displaying high-valued aromatic materials. The sample case has a stage for holding the material, a cover configured to mate with the stage, and a base to mate with the mated stage and cover assembly. The base has a lock mechanism to lock the stage to the base. The cover has tabs that secure the cover to the stage. The sample case is configured so that when the stage is mated to the base, the tabs cannot disengage from the base, so the cover cannot be removed from the stage when the stage is mated with the base. The cover has windows and closable vents to allow a potential buyer to see and smell the aromatic material. The sample case is configured to have a tether that can only be detached when the base is decoupled from the stage.

SUMMARY

The following summary is intended to introduce the reader to various aspects of the applicant’s teaching, but not to define any invention.

According to some aspects, a display container includes: (a) an enclosure including a container body and a lid mounted to the container body for enclosing an interior chamber of the enclosure The lid has an integrated lens positioned over the interior chamber and one or more ports extending through the lid adjacent the lens. The display container further includes (b) a slide valve assembly for selectively opening and closing the one or more ports. The slide valve assembly includes a track fixed relative to the lid in alignment with the one or more ports, and a slide plate slidably received in the track. The slide plate is slidable back and forth along the track between a first position in which the slide plate blocks the one or more ports and a second position in which the one or more ports are unblocked.

In some examples, the slide valve assembly includes a tab fixed to and projecting transversely from the slide plate for operating the slide valve assembly.

In some examples, the tab extends through a slot fixed relative to the lid, the slot having at least one stop surface for engagement with the tab to limit movement of the slide plate past at least the second position.

In some examples, the tab projects from the slide plate to a distal end positioned outboard the lid for engagement by a user.

In some examples, the lid includes a generally planar top wall and a sidewall extending downwardly from a periphery of the top wall to a lower peripheral edge of the lid, and wherein the lens and the one or more ports are in the top wall.

In some examples, the lens is off centered toward a first side of the lid, and the slide valve assembly is between the lens and a second side of the lid, the second side opposite the first side.

In some examples, each of the container body and the lid is formed of a generally transparent material.

In some examples, the slide plate is formed of a generally transparent material.

In some examples, the lens is generally circular, and the track and slide plate are generally arcuate and curve in a direction generally about the lens.

In some examples, the track defines a channel in which the slide plate is received.

In some examples, the slide valve assembly includes a spring biasing the slide plate toward the first position.

In some examples, the slide plate is clear of the one or more ports when in the second position.

In some examples, the slide valve assembly is on an exterior of the lid overtop the one or more ports.

In some examples, the one or more ports comprise a plurality of ports.

According to some aspects, a display container includes: (a) an enclosure including a container body and a lid mounted to the container body for enclosing an interior chamber of the enclosure. Each of the container body and the lid is formed of a generally transparent material. The lid has an integrated lens positioned over the interior chamber, and a plurality of ports extending through the lid adjacent the lens. The display container further includes (b) a slide valve assembly for selectively opening and closing the ports. The slide valve assembly includes: (i) a track fixed relative to the lid in alignment with the ports, and (ii) a slide plate slidably received in the track. The slide plate is slidable back and forth along the track between a first position in which the slide plate blocks the ports and a second position in which the ports are unblocked. The slide valve assembly further includes (iii) a tab fixed to the slide plate for operating the slide valve assembly. The tab projects transversely from the slide plate, through a slot fixed relative to the lid, and to a distal end of the tab for engagement by a user. The slot has at least one stop surface for engagement with the tab to limit movement of the slide plate past at least the second position.

In some examples, the distal end of the tab is outboard the lid.

In some examples, the lid includes a generally planar top wall and a sidewall extending downwardly from a periphery of the top wall to a lower peripheral edge of the lid. The lens and the one or more ports are in the top wall.

In some examples, the lens is generally circular and off centered toward a first side of the lid, and the slide valve assembly is between the lens and a second side of the lid. The second side is opposite the first side. In some examples, the track and slide plate are generally arcuate and curve in a direction generally about the lens.

In some examples, the slide plate is formed of a generally transparent material.

In some examples, the track defines a channel in which the slide plate is received.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example display container, with a slide valve assembly of the container shown in a closed configuration;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the display container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is another perspective view of the display container of FIG. 1, but showing the slide valve assembly in an open configuration;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the display container of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the display container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the display container of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another example display container, with a slide valve assembly of the container shown in a closed configuration;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the display container of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is another perspective view of the display container of FIG. 7, but showing the slide valve assembly in an open configuration;

FIG. 10 is a top view of the display container of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another example display container, with a slide valve assembly of the container shown in a closed configuration;

FIG. 12 is a top view of the display container of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the display container of FIG. 11, but showing the slide valve assembly in an open configuration; and

FIG. 14 is a top view of the display container of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various apparatuses or processes will be described below to provide an example of an embodiment of each claimed invention. No embodiment described below limits any claimed invention and any claimed invention may cover processes or apparatuses that differ from those described below. The claimed inventions are not limited to apparatuses or processes having all of the features of any one apparatus or process described below or to features common to multiple or all of the apparatuses described below. It is possible that an apparatus or process described below is not an embodiment of any claimed invention. Any invention disclosed in an apparatus or process described below that is not claimed in this document may be the subject matter of another protective instrument, for example, a continuing patent application, and the applicants, inventors, or owners do not intend to abandon, disclaim, or dedicate to the public any such invention by its disclosure in this document.

Referring to FIG. 1, an example display container 100 is shown. In the example illustrated, the display container 100 includes an enclosure 102 having a container body 104 and a lid 106 mounted to the container body 104 for enclosing an interior chamber of the enclosure 102. In the example illustrated, each of the container body 104 and the lid 106 is formed of a generally transparent material.

In the example illustrated, the lid 106 has an integrated lens 108 positioned over the interior chamber. Referring to FIG. 2, in the example illustrated, the lens 108 is generally circular, and is off centered toward a first side 109a of the lid 106.

Referring to FIG. 4, in the example illustrated, at least one port 110 extends through the lid 106 adjacent the lens 108. In the example illustrated, the lid 106 has a plurality of ports 110. Referring to FIG. 3, in the example illustrated, the lid 106 includes a generally planar top wall 112 and a sidewall 114 extending downwardly from a periphery of the top wall 112 to a lower peripheral edge of the lid 106. The lens 108 and the ports 110 are in the top wall 112. In the example illustrated, the top wall 112 is generally circular.

In the example illustrated, the display container 100 further includes a slide valve assembly 116 for selectively opening and closing the ports 110. In the example illustrated, the slide valve assembly 116 is on an exterior of the lid 106 overtop the ports 110.

In the example illustrated, the slide valve assembly 116 includes a track 118 fixed relative to the lid 106 in alignment with the ports 110 and a slide plate 120 slidably received in the track 118. In the example illustrated, the track 118 defines a channel in which the slide plate 120 is received.

In the example illustrated, the slide plate 120 is slidable back and forth along the track 118 between a first position and a second position. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, when in the first position, the slide plate 120 blocks the ports 110. In the example illustrated, the slide plate 120 extends across the ports 110 when in the first position. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, when the slide plate 120 is the second position, the ports 110 are unblocked. In the example illustrated, the slide plate 120 is clear of the ports 110 when in the second position. Referring to FIG. 2, in the example illustrated, the ports 110 and the slide valve assembly 116 are between the lens 108 and a second side 109b of the lid 106. The second side 109b is opposite the first side 109a of the lid 106. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the example illustrated, the track 118 and the slide plate 120 are generally arcuate and curve in a direction generally about the lens 108.

In the example illustrated, the slide valve assembly 116 includes a tab 122 fixed to and projecting transversely from the slide plate 120 for operating the slide valve assembly 116. In the example illustrated, the tab 122 extends through a slot 124 fixed relative to the lid 106. The slot 124 has at least one stop surface 126 for engagement with the tab 122 to limit movement of the slide plate 120 past at least the second position. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the example illustrated, the tab 122 projects from the slide plate 120 to a distal end 128 of the tab 122. The distal end 128 is positioned outboard the lid 106 for engagement by a user.

Referring to FIGS. 7-10, another example display container 1100 is illustrated. The display container 1100 has similarities to the display container 100, and like features are identified using like reference characters, incremented by 1000. In the example illustrated, the display container 1100 includes an enclosure 1102 having a container body 1104 and a lid 1106 mounted to the container body 1104. Referring to FIG. 10, the lid 1106 has an integrated lens 1108 and a plurality of ports 1110. The display container 1100 further includes a slide valve assembly 1116 having a slide plate 1120 slidable back and forth along a track 1118, between a first position (FIG. 8) in which the slide plate 1120 blocks the ports 1110 and a second position (FIG. 10) in which the ports 1110 are unblocked. In the example illustrated, the slide valve assembly 1116 includes a spring 1130 biasing the slide plate 1120 toward the first position. In the example illustrated, the slide plate 1120 is formed of a generally transparent material.

Referring to FIGS. 11-14, another example display container 2100 is illustrated. The display container 2100 has similarities to the display container 1100, and like features are identified using like reference characters, incremented by 1000. Referring to FIG. 11, in the example illustrated, the display container 2100 includes an enclosure 2102 having a container body 2104, a lid 2106 with an integrated lens 2108 and a plurality of ports 2110, and a slide valve assembly 2116. In the example illustrated, the lid 2106 has a generally rectangular shape.

Claims

1. A display container, comprising: a) an enclosure including a container body and a lid mounted to the container body for enclosing an interior chamber of the enclosure, the lid having an integrated lens positioned over the interior chamber and one or more ports extending through the lid adjacent the lens; andb) a slide valve assembly for selectively opening and closing the one or more ports, the slide valve assembly including a track fixed relative to the lid in alignment with the one or more ports, and a slide plate slidably received in the track, the slide plate slidable back and forth along the track between a first position in which the slide plate blocks the one or more ports and a second position in which the one or more ports are unblocked.

2. The display container of claim 1, wherein the slide valve assembly includes a tab fixed to and projecting transversely from the slide plate for operating the slide valve assembly.

3. The display container of claim 2, wherein the tab extends through a slot fixed relative to the lid, the slot having at least one stop surface for engagement with the tab to limit movement of the slide plate past at least the second position.

4. The display container of claim 2, wherein the tab projects from the slide plate to a distal end positioned outboard the lid for engagement by a user.

5. The display container of claim 1, wherein the lid includes a generally planar top wall and a sidewall extending downwardly from a periphery of the top wall to a lower peripheral edge of the lid, and wherein the lens and the one or more ports are in the top wall.

6. The display container of claim 1, wherein the lens is off centered toward a first side of the lid, and the slide valve assembly is between the lens and a second side of the lid, the second side opposite the first side.

7. The display container of claim 1, wherein each of the container body and the lid is formed of a generally transparent material.

8. The display container of claim 7, wherein the slide plate is formed of a generally transparent material.

9. The display container of claim 1, wherein the lens is generally circular, and the track and slide plate are generally arcuate and curve in a direction generally about the lens.

10. The display container of claim 1, wherein the track defines a channel in which the slide plate is received.

11. The display container of claim 1, wherein the slide valve assembly includes a spring biasing the slide plate toward the first position.

12. The display container of claim 1, wherein the slide plate is clear of the one or more ports when in the second position.

13. The display container of claim 1, wherein the slide valve assembly is on an exterior of the lid overtop the one or more ports.

14. The display container of claim 1, wherein the one or more ports comprise a plurality of ports.

15. A display container, comprising: a) an enclosure including a container body and a lid mounted to the container body for enclosing an interior chamber of the enclosure, the container body and the lid formed of a generally transparent material, and the lid having an integrated lens positioned over the interior chamber, and a plurality of ports extending through the lid adjacent the lens; andb) a slide valve assembly for selectively opening and closing the ports, the slide valve assembly including: i) a track fixed relative to the lid in alignment with the ports,ii) a slide plate slidably received in the track, the slide plate slidable back and forth along the track between a first position in which the slide plate blocks the ports and a second position in which the ports are unblocked; andiii) a tab fixed to the slide plate for operating the slide valve assembly, the tab projecting transversely from the slide plate, through a slot fixed relative to the lid, and to a distal end of the tab for engagement by a user, the slot having at least one stop surface for engagement with the tab to limit movement of the slide plate past at least the second position.

16. The display container of claim 15, wherein the distal end of the tab is outboard the lid for engagement by a user.

17. The display container of claim 15, wherein the lid includes a generally planar top wall and a sidewall extending downwardly from a periphery of the top wall to a lower peripheral edge of the lid, and wherein the lens and the one or more ports are in the top wall.

18. The display container of claim 17, wherein the lens is generally circular and off centered toward a first side of the lid, and the slide valve assembly is between the lens and a second side of the lid, the second side opposite the first side, and wherein the track and slide plate are generally arcuate and curve in a direction generally about the lens.

19. The display container of claim 15, wherein the slide plate is formed of a generally transparent material.

20. The display container of claim 15, wherein the track defines a channel in which the slide plate is received.