Patent Application
20090039051
This invention relates to molded plastic container assemblies comprising the combination of a generally rectangular container and a closure or lid which fits sealingly on the upper rim of the container to protect perishable such as food products or the like. Access to the lower of the lid for removal purposes provided by means of a tear strip in a radial outstanding collar adjacent the upper rim of the container.
The invention is a molded plastic container assembly comprising a generally rectangular container having a closed bottom and an open top defining a generally rectangular sidewall terminating in an upper rim. An integral collar surrounds the container sidewall in outwardly spaced relation thereto below the rim to define a continuous space between the collar and the sidewall which receives the lower edge of the closure when seated on the open top of the container thereby to prevent removal of the closure.
In accordance with the invention, the collar is provided with a frangible tear line which extends fully through and on opposite sides of one corner of the container and at least approximately halfway to the two adjacent corners such that a long upper portion of the collar may be removed to provide manual access to the lower edge of the closure. The benefits of the large removable tear strip include increased finger space for contacting and lifting the lower edge of the closure as well as to render the removed tear strip less likely to pose a choke hazard to infants or small children after it has been removed from the container.
As is hereinafter described the preferred form of the invention includes a starter tab on one edge of the tear strip and an irregular width wherein the tear strip is widest as it goes around the corner of the container the narrowest at its opposite ends. The invention is illustrated in connection with a 48 oz. generally rectangular food container intended for making retail sales of produce such as potato salad, pudding and the like. However, it is to be understood that the container in subject invention may be used in connection with any product with respect to which it is beneficial to provide an indication of container tampering or previous openings.
Other applications of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when the following description of the best mode contemplated for practicing the invention is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The description herein makes reference to the accompanying drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:
Referring now to the drawings there were shown container assembly 10 which is ejection molded of a suitable plastic such as polyethylene, polypropylene, or polystyrene. The container assembly 10 comprises generally rectangular tapered container 12 of the type having a closed bottom and an open top. The container assembly 10 further comprises generally rectangular plastic closure 14.
The container 12 is defined by a generally rectangular continuous sidewall 15 having four regularly spaced corners and terminating in a flangeless upper peripheral rim 18. An integral collar 20 fully and continuously surrounds the upper regions of the container sidewall 16 in radially outwardly spaced relationship as a result of the integral spacer ribs 22. The collar 20 is disposed below the top surface of the rim 18 and, as a result of the spacing ribs 22, defines a space 24 the purpose of which is hereinafter defined.
The closure 14 is also generally rectangular and made out of a slightly resilient plastic material by injection molding or other suitable forming process. The closure 14 comprises a generally rectangular center deck 26 and an integral inverted u-shaped peripheral channel 28 having an outer wall 30 or an outer wall or skirt 30 which terminates in a lower edge 32. When the closure 14 is sealing seated on the container sidewall 16 so that the lower edge 32 of the skirt 30 can not be access manually to remove the closure 14 from the container 12.
As shown best in FIGS. 1 and 3-5, a tear line 34 which is made frangible by perpetration or thinning extends fully through the corner 36 and at least halfway on opposite sides thereof toward the adjacent corners 38 and 40. In the particular example, the tear strip extends 4/5 of the way to the adjacent corner but it can be some what shorter. A starter tag 42 is formed on one end of the tear strip which is defined by the frangible tear line 34.
In operation one grasps the starter tab 42 and separates it from the collar 20 and then pulls it outwardly and around the container assembly 10 to fully release the tear strip 44 from the collar 20 as shown in
In show in
As will be apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art various modifications and additions to the preferred embodiment as shown herein are possible within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. For Example, the word “rectangular” may include square and odd shaped container.
