Patent Application
20210331838
The present invention relates to the field of tamper-evident and reclosable plastic containers.
The rapid evolution of consumers' lifestyle and food consumption patterns derived from an increase in health and environmental awareness has resulted in a growing global demand for food safety.
Plastic containers have played a key role in this regard, allowing food to be transported and stored. In addition to protecting food from damage and minimizing food spoilage, plastic containers facilitate purchase decision by attractively displaying the product.
Despite these advantages, for most consumers and retailers of the food industry, malicious food tampering; that is, someone getting into the container to taste or smell the product prior to purchase, continues to be a major concern. Currently, with more and more food being packed in plastic containers, demand from consumers for confidence in the integrity of food is stronger than ever.
To overcome or at least minimize the above-discussed prior art concern, a reclosable container endowed with an easy-open tamper-evident closure is thus needed. A tampered-evident secured and reclosable container would help consumers detect whether the container has been opened prior to purchase, thereby giving them peace of mind that the packaged products have not been altered.
According to a first general aspect, there is provided a reclosable plastic container having a hinge longitudinal side and an opening longitudinal side. The container comprises a receptacle and a lid. The receptacle has, at least along the opening longitudinal side, a receptacle rim, a receptacle skirt extending downwardly from the receptacle rim, and a receptacle lip protruding outwardly from the downwardly-extending receptacle skirt. The lid is pivotally mounted to the receptacle at the hinge longitudinal side and selectively configurable between a closed configuration and at least one open configuration. The lid has, at least along the opening longitudinal side, a peripheral lid rim, a lid skirt extending downwardly from the lid rim, and a lid lip protruding outwardly from the lid skirt. The lid lip is superposable against the receptacle lip in the closed configuration. The lid lip comprises at least two tear line segments defined therein and extending at least partially therealong. The at least two tear line segments are located between a free edge of the lid lip and a junction with the downwardly-extending lid skirt with an outer lip region being defined between the at least two tear line segments and the free edge of the lid lip. The lid lip further comprises an opening tab outwardly protruding from the downwardly-extending lid skirt and between adjacent ones of the at least two tear line segments, wherein the lid lip is bonded to the receptacle lip in the outer lip region. The container is configurable into the at least one open configuration by pulling the opening tab to tear the lid lip along the at least two tear line segments with the outer lip region remaining bonded to the receptacle lip in the open configuration.
According to a first general aspect, there is provided a reclosable plastic container comprising: a receptacle and a lid. The receptacle has a bottom wall, a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall to define a storage compartment, and a receptacle rim at least partially circumscribing the peripheral wall along a portion of its periphery and outwardly therefrom. The peripheral wall has at least one longitudinal segment, at least two lateral segments, and at least two corner segments; the at least two corner segments being located at a junction of the at least one longitudinal segment and the at least two lateral segments. The peripheral wall comprises, in each one of the at least two corner segments, a receptacle engagement bulge protruding inwardly in an upper portion of the peripheral wall. The lid is engageable with the receptacle in a closed configuration preventing access to the storage compartment. The lid comprises a central closure, a peripheral lid rim at least partially circumscribing the central closure, and a lid inner wall connecting the central closure to the lid rim and having at least one longitudinal segment, at least two lateral segments, and at least two corner segments located at a junction of the at least one longitudinal segment and the at least two lateral segments, the at least two corner segments extending outwardly with respect to the at least one longitudinal segment and the at least two lateral segments to define at least two outwardly-extending lid corner portions. The lid inner wall comprises, in each one of the at least two corner segments, a lid engagement bulge protruding outwardly therefrom. In the closed configuration of container, the lid rim is superposed to the receptacle rim and, in the at least two corner portions, the lid engagement bulges are inserted below a respective one of the receptacle engagement bulges and engaged therewith. A least one of the lid engagement bulge and the receptacle engagement bulge is deformable to configure the container in an open configuration.
In an embodiment, the peripheral wall of the receptacle further comprises a receptacle inner wall and a lid-abutting inner shoulder connecting the receptacle rim to a lower portion of the peripheral wall, the lid-abutting inner shoulder extending outwardly from the lower portion of the peripheral wall and the receptacle inner wall extending upwardly from an outer edge of the lid-abutting inner shoulder and being connected to the receptacle rim, the receptacle engagement bulges protruding inwardly from the receptacle inner wall at the least in the at least two corner segments and above the lid-abutting shoulder.
In an embodiment, at least one of the lid engagement bulge and the receptacle engagement bulge is resilient.
According to another general aspect, there is provided a tamper-evident plastic container having at least one opening longitudinal side. The container comprises a receptacle and a lid engageable with the receptacle and selectively configurable between a closed configuration and at least one open configuration. The receptacle has, at least along the at least one opening longitudinal side, a receptacle rim, and a receptacle lip protruding outwardly with respect to the receptacle rim. The lid has, at least along at least one opening longitudinal side, a lid rim, and a lid lip protruding outwardly with respect to the lid rim. The lid lip is superposable against the receptacle lip in the closed configuration. The lid lip comprises at least two tear line segments defined therein and extending at least partially therealong. The at least two tear line segments are located inwardly of a free edge of the lid lip with an outer lip region being defined between the at least two tear line segments and the free edge of the lid lip. The lid lip further comprises an opening tab outwardly protruding from the lid rim and between adjacent ones of the at least two tear line segments, wherein the lid lip is bonded to the receptacle lip in the outer lip region. The container is configurable into the at least one open configuration by pulling the opening tab to tear the lid lip along the at least two tear line segments with the outer lip region remaining bonded to the receptacle lip in the open configuration.
In an embodiment, the tamper-evident plastic container further comprises a hinge longitudinal side and the at least one opening longitudinal side comprises one opening longitudinal side, wherein the lid is pivotally mounted to the receptacle at the hinge longitudinal side.
In an embodiment, the receptacle comprises a receptacle skirt extending downwardly from the receptacle rim, and wherein the receptacle lip protrudes outwardly from the receptacle skirt; and wherein the lid comprises a lid skirt extending downwardly from the lid rim, and a lid lip protruding outwardly from the lid skirt. The at least two tear line segments can be located between the free edge of the lid lip and a junction with the lid skirt and the opening tab can protrude outwardly from the downwardly-extending lid skirt and between adjacent ones of the at least two tear line segments.
In an embodiment, the receptacle lip has an indentation defined therein and extending inwardly from a free edge of the receptacle lip, the opening tab being superposed to the indentation in the closed configuration of the lid.
In an embodiment, the receptacle further comprises a lid-engagement portion including the receptacle rim and a receptacle skirt extending downwardly from an outer edge of the receptable rim; and wherein the lid further comprises: a central closure preventing access to the storage compartment in the closed configuration and a lid inner wall extending upwardly from the central closure at least partially along a periphery of the central closure, the lid rim extending outwardly from an upper portion of the lid inner wall along at least a portion of the lid inner wall, and a lid skirt extending downwardly from an outer end of the lid rim; the lid inner wall, the lid rim, and the lid skirt defining together a downwardly-opened engagement cavity receiving the lid-engagement portion in the closed configuration of the lid. The lid lip can be a peripheral lid lip extending outwardly from the lid skirt and the receptacle lip can be a peripheral receptacle lip extending outwardly from the receptacle skirt.
In an embodiment, the lid lip and the receptacle lip extend along a majority of a length of the at least one opening longitudinal side.
In an embodiment, the opening tab and the indentation are located substantially in a middle of the one of the lid lip and the receptacle lip.
In an embodiment, the lid lip further comprises an inner lip region extending inwardly from the at least two tear line segments, the inner lip region remaining unitary with the opening tab in the open configuration of the lid following tearing of the at least two tear line segments.
According to still another general aspect, there is provided a tamper-evident container comprising: a receptacle and a lid engageable with the receptacle. The receptacle includes: a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall, the bottom wall and the peripheral wall defining together a storage compartment having an open top in an upper portion of the peripheral wall; and a receptacle lip extending outwardly with respect to the peripheral wall along at least a portion thereof and having a free edge. The lid is configurable in a closed configuration to prevent access to the storage compartment. The lid has a central closure preventing access to the storage compartment in the closed configuration of the lid and a lid lip extending outwardly with respect to the central closure along at least a portion thereof. The lid lip is superposed to the receptacle lip in the closed configuration of the lid. The lid lip further comprises a tearing assembly including: at least one tear line extending at least partially along a length of the lid lip and between a free edge and an inner lid lip edge of the lid lip and dividing the lid lip into an inner lip region located between the inner lid lip edge and the at least one tear line and an outer lip region located between the at least one tear line and the free edge of the lid lip. One of the receptacle lip and the lid lip comprises an indentation defined therein and extending inwardly from a respective one of the free edge of the receptacle lip and the free edge of the lid lip. The other one of the receptacle lip and the lid lip comprises an opening tab superposed to the indentation in the closed configuration of the lid. The opening tab is graspable and connected to the at least one tear line to tear the at least one tear line when an opening force is exerted on the opening tab to separate the inner lip region from the outer lip region with the outer lip region remaining permanently bonded to the receptacle lip.
In an embodiment, the receptacle further comprises a lid-engagement portion including: a receptacle rim extending outwardly with respect to the peripheral wall at least partially along a periphery thereof; and a receptacle skirt extending downwardly from an outer edge of the receptable rim at least partially along a portion of the receptacle rim. The lid further comprises: a lid inner wall extending upwardly from the central closure at least partially along a periphery of the central closure; a lid rim extending outwardly from an upper portion of the lid inner wall along at least a portion of the lid inner wall; and a lid skirt extending downwardly from an outer end of the lid rim at least partially along a portion of the lid rim. The lid inner wall, the lid rim, and the lid skirt define together a downwardly-opened engagement cavity receiving the lid-engagement portion in the closed configuration of the lid. The lid lip can extend outwardly from the lid skirt and the receptacle lip extends outwardly from the receptacle skirt. The lid lip and the receptacle lip can extend at respective lower ends of the lid skirt and the receptable skirt.
In an embodiment, the lid further comprises a lid skirt located outwardly from the central closure along at least a portion thereof and wherein the lid lip extends outwardly from the lid skirt and from a lower end of the lid skirt.
In an embodiment, the lid is pivotally connected to the receptacle along a portion of a periphery of the container opposed to the tearing assembly. Each one of the receptacle and the lid can comprise two longitudinal sides with the tearing assembly of the lid extending along one of the two longitudinal sides and the lid and the receptacle are pivotally connected at the other one of the longitudinal sides. Each one of the receptacle and the lid can further comprise two lateral sides extending between and connecting the two longitudinal sides. The lid lip and the receptacle lip can extend along a majority of a length of a respective one of the longitudinal sides.
In an embodiment, the opening tab and the indentation are located substantially in a middle of the one of the lid lip and the receptacle lip. The at least one tear line can comprise at least two tear line segments, at least one of the at least two tear line segments extending on a respective side of a respective one of the opening tab and the indentation.
In an embodiment, the receptacle lip comprises the indentation and the lid lip comprises an opening tab.
The inner lip region can remain unitary with the opening tab in an open configuration of the lid following tearing of the at least one tear line.
The inner lip region can be spaced-apart from the receptacle and the outer lip region can remain superposed to the receptacle lip in an open configuration of the lid following tearing of the at least one tear line.
According to a further general aspect, there is provided a reclosable plastic container comprising: a receptacle and a lid engageable with the receptacle. The receptacle has a bottom wall, a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall to define a storage compartment, and a receptacle rim at least partially circumscribing the peripheral wall along a portion of a periphery of the receptacle and outwardly with respect to the peripheral wall. The peripheral wall has at least one longitudinal segment, at least two lateral segments, and at least two corner segments; the at least two corner segments being located at a junction of the at least one longitudinal segment and the at least two lateral segments. The peripheral wall comprises, in each one of the at least two corner segments, a receptacle engagement bulge protruding inwardly in an upper portion of the peripheral wall. The lid is engageable with the receptacle in a closed configuration to prevent access to the storage compartment. The lid comprises a central closure, a lid rim at least partially circumscribing the central closure, and a lid inner wall connecting the central closure to the lid rim. The lid inner wall has at least one longitudinal segment, at least two lateral segments, and at least two corner segments located at a junction of the at least one longitudinal segment and the at least two lateral segments. The at least two corner segments extend outwardly with respect to the at least one longitudinal segment and the at least two lateral segments to define at least two outwardly-extending lid corner portions. The lid inner wall comprises, in each one of the at least two corner segments, a lid engagement bulge protruding outwardly from a respective one of the outwardly-extending lid corner portions. In the closed configuration, the lid rim is superposed to the receptacle rim and, in the at least two corner segments, the lid engagement bulges are inserted below a respective one of the receptacle engagement bulges and engaged therewith. At least one of the lid engagement bulge and the receptacle engagement bulge is deformable to configure the container in an open configuration.
In an embodiment, the peripheral wall of the receptacle further comprises a receptacle inner wall and a lid-abutting inner shoulder connecting the receptacle rim to a lower portion of the peripheral wall, the lid-abutting inner shoulder extending outwardly from the lower portion of the peripheral wall and the receptacle inner wall extending upwardly from the lid-abutting inner shoulder and being connected to the receptacle rim, the receptacle engagement bulges protruding inwardly from the receptacle inner wall at the least in the at least two corner segments and above the lid-abutting inner shoulder.
In an embodiment, at least one of the lid engagement bulge and the receptacle engagement bulge is resilient.
In an embodiment, the at least one longitudinal segment comprises a hinge longitudinal side and an opening longitudinal side, opposed to the hinge longitudinal side, wherein the lid is pivotally mounted to the receptacle at the hinge longitudinal side. Each pair of the lid engagement bulges and the receptacle engagement bulges releasably interlocking together in the closed configuration can form a catch assembly and each one of the corner segments adjacent to the opening longitudinal side can comprise one of the catch assemblies.
In an embodiment, each one of the receptable and the lid is made of a plastic-based sheet having a thickness and the thickness of the plastic-based sheet of the lid is thinner than the thickness of the plastic-based sheet of the receptacle.
In an embodiment, the outwardly-extending lid corner portions are substantially arc-shaped, the lid engagement bulges and the receptacle engagement bulges are substantially crescent-shaped.
According to a further general aspect, there is provided a reclosable container having a plurality of sides meeting at corners. The reclosable container comprises: a receptacle, a lid engageable with the receptacle, and catch assemblies formed in at least two of the corners of the container. The receptacle has a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and defining together a storage compartment having an open top delimited by an upper perimeter of the peripheral wall. The lid is engageable with the receptacle and selectively configurable between a closed configuration and at least one open configuration. The lid has a central closure preventing access to the storage compartment in the closed configuration of the lid; an inner wall extending upwardly with respect to the central closure along at least a portion of a periphery of the central closure, the inner wall having an outward convexity in at least two of the corners, the outward convexities protruding outwardly from adjacent sides of the inner wall. Each one of the catch assemblies comprises a receptacle-engagement bulge protruding inwardly from the peripheral wall of the receptacle and a lid-engagement bulge protruding outwardly from a respective one of the outward convexities, wherein the receptacle-engagement bulge releasably interlocks with a corresponding one of the lid-engagement bulge in the closed configuration of the lid.
In an embodiment, the plurality of sides comprises a hinge longitudinal side and an opening longitudinal side, opposed to the hinge longitudinal side, wherein the lid is pivotally mounted to the receptacle at the hinge longitudinal side. Each one of the corners adjacent to the opening longitudinal side comprises at least one of the catch assemblies.
In an embodiment, the receptacle further comprises a receptacle rim at least partially circumscribing the peripheral wall along a portion of a periphery of the receptacle and outwardly with respect to the peripheral wall; and wherein, in the at least two corners of the container, the peripheral wall of the receptacle further comprises a receptacle inner wall and a lid-abutting inner shoulder connecting the receptacle rim to a lower portion of the peripheral wall, the lid-abutting inner shoulder extending outwardly from the lower portion of the peripheral wall and the receptacle inner wall extending upwardly from an outer edge of the lid-abutting inner shoulder and being connected, the receptacle engagement bulges protruding inwardly from the receptacle inner wall at the least in the at least two corners of the container and above the lid-abutting inner shoulder.
In an embodiment, each one of the receptable and the lid is made of a plastic-based sheet having a thickness and the thickness of the plastic-based sheet of the lid is thinner than the thickness of the plastic-based sheet of the receptacle.
In an embodiment, the outwardly-extending lid corner portions are substantially arc-shaped, the lid engagement bulges and the receptacle engagement bulges are substantially crescent-shaped.
In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar elements. Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not unduly burden the figures with several references numbers, not all figures contain references to all the components and features, and references to some components and features may be found in only one figure, and components and features of the present disclosure which are illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions shown in the figures or described in the present description are embodiments only, given solely for exemplification purposes.
Moreover, although the embodiments of the plastic container and corresponding parts thereof consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and illustrated herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential and thus should not be taken in their restrictive sense. It is to be understood, as also apparent to a person skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperation thereinbetween, as well as other suitable geometrical configurations, may be used for the plastic container, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred herefrom by a person skilled in the art. Moreover, it will be appreciated that positional descriptions such as “above”, “below”, “left”, “right” and the like should, unless otherwise indicated, be taken in the context of the figures and should not be considered limiting.
To provide a more concise description, some of the quantitative and qualitative expressions given herein may be qualified with the terms “about” and “substantially”. It is understood that whether the terms “about” and “substantially” are used explicitly or not, every quantity or qualification given herein is meant to refer to an actual given value or qualification, and it is also meant to refer to the approximation to such given value or qualification that would reasonably be inferred based on the ordinary skill in the art, including approximations due to the experimental and/or measurement conditions for such given value.
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to
As shown in
Hereinafter, the term “inwardly” is intended to mean towards or extending towards the storage compartment and the term “outwardly” is intended to mean towards or extending towards the outside of the container 20.
The container 20 has two longitudinal sides 34 and two lateral sides 36, the two lateral sides 36 converging with the two longitudinal sides 34 to define four corners 38, i.e. the two lateral sides 36 extend between and connect with the two longitudinal sides 34. The receptacle 22 and the lid 24 also have two longitudinal sides, two lateral sides, and four corners, which corresponds to the two longitudinal sides 34, the two lateral sides 36, and the four corners 38 of the container 20 and are substantially aligned therewith. For simplicity, the same reference numerals will be used to refer to the longitudinal sides 34, the lateral sides 36, and the four corners 38 of the container 20, the receptacle 22, and the lid 24.
It is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment, the shape of the container can vary from the embodiment shown. The container can have a polygonal cross-sectional shape such as a triangle, a rectangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, and the like.
Returning to
In the embodiment shown, each one of the peripheral lid rim 42, the lid inner wall 44, the lid skirt 46, and the lid lip 50 circumscribes the central closure 40 of the lid 24 along its entire periphery. However, it is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the peripheral lid rim 42, the lid inner wall 44, the lid skirt 46, and/or the lid lip 50 can partially circumscribe the central closure 40 of the lid 24 along a portion of its periphery, for instance along one or both of the longitudinal sides 34 and/or along one or both lateral sides 36.
In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the lid 24 can be free of lid inner wall 44, lid skirt 46, and lid rim 42 with the lid lip 50 extending substantially in a same plane than the central closure 40 and at least along a portion thereof. In still another alternative embodiment (not shown), the lid 24 can be free of lid skirt 46 and lid rim 42, with the lid lip 50 extending outwardly from the lid inner wall 44 at least along a portion thereof. In such embodiment, the lid lip 50 is spaced-apart vertically from the central closure 40. It is appreciated that the lid inner wall 44 can extend either upwardly from the central closure 40, as shown in the figures, or downwardly (not shown).
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the lid inner wall 44 and the lid skirt 46 have substantially a same height. However, their height can be different with the lid inner wall having a greater or a smaller height than the lid skirt 46. Furthermore, in the non-limitative embodiment shown, the lid inner wall 44 and the lid skirt 46 extend substantially parallel to one another. In an embodiment, they can converge towards one another in direction of the lid rim 42, i.e. the receptacle-engagement portion 48 having a substantially truncated V-shape in cross-section.
As the lid 24 includes two longitudinal sides 34, two lateral sides 36, and four corners 38, each one of the peripheral lid rim 42, the lid inner wall 44, the lid skirt 46, and the lid lip 50 can be divided into two longitudinal segments 52, two lateral segments 54, and four corner segments 56.
It is appreciated that the shape of the peripheral lid rim 42, the lid inner wall 44, the lid skirt 46, and the lid lip 50 in the two longitudinal segments 52, two lateral segments 54, and four corner segments 56 can vary. For instance, and without being limitative, the lid lip 50 is wider in the longitudinal segments 52 than in the lateral and corner segments 54, 56.
It is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the lid lip 50 can extend only along a portion of the lid periphery. For instance and without being limitative, the lateral and/or the corner segments 54, 56 can be exempt of lid lip. Only one of the longitudinal segments 52 can include a lid lip.
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the central closure 40 of the lid 24 includes a reinforcing/stiffening structure 96 defined in a periphery thereof. In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the reinforcing/stiffening structure 96 comprises a plurality of ribs protruding inwardly, i.e. into the storage compartment 30 in the closed configuration of the lid 24. In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the reinforcing/stiffening structure 96 is defined peripherally, adjacent to the junction with the lid inner wall 44. It is appreciated that the shape and the configuration of the reinforcing/stiffening structure 96 can vary from the embodiment shown. It is also appreciated that, in alternative embodiments, the lid 24 can be free of reinforcing/stiffening structure 96, as shown in
Referring now to
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the peripheral wall 28 of the receptacle 22 includes a receptacle inner wall 62 and a lid-abutting inner shoulder 63, in an upper portion thereof, connecting a lower portion of the peripheral wall 28 to the receptacle rim 58. More particularly, the lid-abutting inner shoulder 63 extends outwardly from an upper end of the lower portion of the peripheral wall 28 and the receptacle inner wall 62 extends upwardly from an outer edge of the lid-abutting inner shoulder 63 and connects to an inner edge of the receptacle rim 58. The receptacle inner wall 62 and the lid-abutting inner shoulder 63 can be provided along an entire periphery of the peripheral wall 28 or only in some portions thereof, such as some of the corners 38.
It is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the receptacle 22 can be formed without the receptacle inner wall 62 and the lid-abutting inner shoulder 63. In such embodiment, the peripheral wall 28 of the receptacle 22 can extend upwardly to the receptacle rim 58, without the receptacle inner wall 62 extending inbetween and outwardly from the lower portion of the peripheral wall 28. In other words, the receptacle rim 58 can extend outwardly directly from an upper end of the peripheral wall 28, along the periphery thereof or a portion of the periphery.
The receptacle rim 58, the receptacle inner wall 62, and the receptacle skirt 60 define together a lid-engagement portion 64, acting as a male member (
In the non-limitative embodiment shown (
In the embodiment shown, each one of the receptacle rim 58, the receptacle skirt 60, the receptacle inner wall 62, and the receptacle lip 66 circumscribes the peripheral wall 28 of the receptacle 22. However, it is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the receptacle rim 58, the receptacle skirt 60, the receptacle inner wall 62, and/or the receptacle lip 66 can partially circumscribe the peripheral wall of the receptacle 22 along a portion of its periphery, for instance along one or both of the longitudinal sides 34 and/or along one or both lateral sides 36.
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the receptacle inner wall 62 and the receptacle skirt 60 have substantially a same height. However, their height can be different with the receptacle inner wall 62 having a greater or a smaller height than the receptacle skirt 60. Furthermore, in the non-limitative embodiment shown, the receptacle inner wall 62 and the receptacle skirt 60 extend substantially parallel to one another. In an embodiment, they can converge towards one another in direction of the receptacle rim 58, i.e. the lid-engagement portion 64 having a substantially truncated V-shape in cross-section.
In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the receptacle 22 can be free of receptacle rim 58, receptacle skirt 60, receptacle inner wall 62 with the receptacle lip 66 extending outwardly from an upper edge of the peripheral wall 28 at least along a portion thereof.
As the lid 24, the receptacle 22 includes two longitudinal sides 34, two lateral sides 36, and four corners 38, each one of the receptacle rim 58, the receptacle skirt 60, the receptacle inner wall 62, the receptacle lip 66, and the peripheral wall 28, can be divided into two longitudinal segments 53, two lateral segments 55, and four corner segments 57.
It is appreciated that the shape of the receptacle rim 58, the receptacle skirt 60, the receptacle inner wall 62, and the receptacle lip 66 in the two longitudinal segments 53, two lateral segments 54, and four corner segments 57 can vary. For instance, and without being limitative, the receptacle lip 66 is wider in the longitudinal segments 53 than in the lateral and corner segments 55, 57.
As mentioned above and still referring to
In the embodiment shown wherein the lid 24 is pivotally mounted to the receptacle 22, along the opening longitudinal side 70, the lid lip 50 includes a tearing assembly 73. The tearing assembly 73 includes at least one tear line 75 extending at least partially along the lid lip 50 between a free edge 78 of the lid lip 50 (or an outer lid lip edge) and an inner lid lip edge 81, provided at a junction of the lid lip 50 with the downwardly extending lid skirt 46. The at least one tear line 75 divides the lid lip 50 into an inner lip region 77 located between the inner lid lip edge 81 and the at least one tear line 75 and an outer lip region 80 located between the at least one tear line 75 and the outer lid lip edge 78 (or free edge of the lid lip 50).
In the embodiment shown, the at least one tear line comprises at least two tear line segments 76 defined in the lid lip 50 and extending at least partially therealong. The tear line segments 76 extend on a respective side of the opening tab 82 and are located between the free edge 78 of the lid lip 50 and the inner lid lip edge 81, i.e. the junction of the lid lip 50 with the downwardly extending lid skirt 46. The portion of the lid lip 50 extending between the tear line segments 76 and the free edge 78 defines the outer lip region 80 (or lip marginal edge region). The lid lip 50 further includes an opening tab 82. The opening tab 82 outwardly protrudes from the downwardly extending lid skirt 46 and is located between two tear line segments 76.
In the embodiment shown, the receptacle lip 66 includes an indentation 88 (or recess) substantially aligned with the opening tab 82 provided on the lid lip 50. When the lid lip 50 and the receptacle lip 66 are superposed to one another and bonded together, the indentation 88 facilitates the prehension of the opening tab 82, i.e. the opening tab 82 may be more easily grasp and pull to configure the container 20 in the open configuration, as will be described in more details below. In the embodiment shown, indentations 88 are defined in the receptacle lip 66, along the longitudinal segments 53 extending along the hinge longitudinal side 68 and the opening longitudinal side 70 (
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the opening tab 82 and the indentation 88 are located substantially in a middle of the lid lip 50 and the receptacle lip 66 respectively. Furthermore, the lid lip 50 and the receptacle lip 66 extend along a majority of a length of the opening longitudinal side 70. In the embodiment shown, the lid lip 50 includes two tear line segments 76. However, it is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the lid lip 50 can include more than two tear line segments 76. Furthermore, in the non-limitative embodiment shown, the combination of the two tear line segments 76 covers most of a length of the lid lip 50 along the opening longitudinal side 70. However, it is appreciated, in alternative embodiment (not shown), that at least two tear line segments 76 can extend along a portion of the lid lip 50 along the opening longitudinal side 70.
In the embodiment shown, as shown in
Alternative embodiments can be foreseen. For instance and without being limitative, if the lid 24 is entirely detachable from the receptacle 22, tear line segments 76 can be provided on both longitudinal sides, i.e. both longitudinal sides are opening longitudinal sides 70. Furthermore, the indentation 88, if any, can be defined in the lip lip 50. Similarly, the opening tab 82 can be provided on the receptacle lip 66.
Thus, one of the receptacle lip 66 and the lid lip 50 can have the indentation 88 defined therein and extending inwardly from a respective one of a free edge of the receptacle lip 66 and the free edge 78 of the lid lip 50. The other one of the receptacle lip 66 and the lid lip 50 can include the opening tab 82 superposed to the indentation 88 in the closed configuration of the lid 24. The opening tab 82 can be graspable and connected to the at least one tear line 75 to tear the at least one tear line 75 when an opening force is exerted on the opening tab 82.
Furthermore, in the non-limitative embodiment shown, the tear line segments 76 are provided on one of the longitudinal sides of the container 20. However, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the tear line segments 76 can be provided on one or both lateral sides of the container 20.
As mentioned above, the lid 24 is pivotally mounted to the receptacle 22 and configurable in the closed configuration and a plurality of open configurations. In the closed configuration, wherein the central closure 40 covers the open top 32 of the receptacle 22 and prevents access to the storage compartment 30, the receptacle-engagement portion 48 of the lid 24 engages, in a male-female member engagement, the lid-engagement portion 64 of the receptacle 22 by at least partially covering same. In other words, the lid-engagement portion 64 is at least partially inserted into the receptacle-engagement portion 48 of the lid 24, i.e. the substantially U-shaped channel 49 defined by the peripheral lid rim 42, the lid inner wall 44, and the lid skirt 46. At least one of the peripheral lid rim 42, the lid inner wall 44, and the lid skirt 46 is superposed against and contacts a respective one of the peripheral receptacle rim 58, the receptacle inner wall 62, and the receptacle skirt 60.
It is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the container 20 can be free of engageable/disengageable lid-engagement portion 64 and receptacle-engagement portion 48 and the lid lip 50 can be only superposed to a portion of the receptacle lip 66 along at least a portion thereof in the closed configuration of the lid 24.
Following a first filling of the plastic container 20 with a given good (e.g., food, fasteners, etc.), the container 20 is configured in the closed configuration with the lid lip 50 and the receptacle lip 66, located on the opening longitudinal side 70, being superposed. Once superposed, they are bonded to one another, for instance by fusion/ultrasonic welding. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the lid lip 50 and the receptacle lip 66 can be bonded together, for example and without being limitative by solvent bonding, heat stacking, UV bonding, and/or suitable adhesive extending inbeween. In a non-limitative embodiment, the lid lip 50 and the receptacle lip 66 are bonded in the outer lip region 80 and, in some embodiments, permanently bonded. In practical terms, once the lid lip 50 is bonded to the receptacle lip 66 along the outer lip region 80, the container 20 is sealed (
To access the content of the sealed container 20, the tear line segments 76 are broken by grasping and pulling the opening tab 82 to separate the lid lip 50 in two portions along the tear line segments 76. Once the tear line segments 76 are broken, the lid 24 can be pivoted in the open configuration. Once the tear line segments 76 are broken, the outer lip region 80 of the lid lip 50 remains bonded (or affixed) to the receptacle lip 66, even when the lid 24 is configured in the open configuration.
In other words, on the opening longitudinal side 70, a portion of the lid lip 50 is detached from the remainder of the receptacle 22 by tearing along the tear line segments 76. The opening tab 82 is provided to help holing the lid lip 50 when detaching it partially from the remainder of the receptacle 22. Tearing the lid lip 50 along the tear line segments 76 leaves irreversible evidence of tampering.
Once the tear line segments 76 are broken, the lid 24 can be reconfigured into the closed configuration, i.e. the container 20 is reclosable. To ensure that the lid 24 remains engaged with the receptacle 22, the container 20 can include one or more catch assemblies 90 located in the corners 38 of the container 20 (or the corner segments 56, 57 of the lid 24 and the receptacle 22). More particularly, in the non-limitative embodiment shown, the catch assemblies 90 are located in the lid and the receptacle-engagement portions 64, 48, which, when engaged, maintain the lid 24 and the receptacle 22 in the closed configuration, wherein the lid and the receptacle-engagement portions 64, 48 are engaged together, independently of the breakage of the lid lip 50. In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the catch assemblies 90 are located in the corners 38 of the container 20 (or the corner segments 56, 57 of the lid 24 and the receptacle 22). However, it is appreciated that in alternative embodiments, the catch assembly(ies) 90 can be provided along the two longitudinal sides 34, the two lateral sides 36, the four corners 38 (or the two longitudinal segments 52, 53, the two lateral segments 54, 55, and the four corner segments 56, 57 of the lid 24 and the receptacle 22) or any suitable combination thereof. Furthermore, in the embodiment shown, the catch assemblies 90 are located in the four corner segments 56, 57 of the lid 24 and the receptacle 22. However, it is appreciated that in an alternative embodiment, the catch assembly(ies) 90 can be located solely in the corner segments located at opposed ends of the opening longitudinal side 70.
The catch assemblies 90 in the four corner segments 56, 57 being essentially identical, only one will be described in further details in reference to
As mentioned above, the container 20 can include one or more catch assemblies 90 to ensure that the lid 24 remains engaged with the receptacle 22 and prevent the access to the storage compartment 30, when the container 20 is in the closed configuration. In the non-limitative embodiment shown (
The receptacle engagement bulge 84 protrudes inwardly from the peripheral wall 28, in an upper portion thereof, adjacent to the receptacle rim 58. In the embodiment shown, the receptacle engagement bulge 84 protrudes inwardly from the receptacle inner wall 62. In the embodiment shown, in each one of the corners 38, the lid 24 comprises one lid engagement bulge 86 engageable with a complementary receptacle engagement bulge. However, it is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), each one of the lid 24 and the receptacle 22 can include more than one bulge in each corner 38 of the container. In other words, each catch assembly 90 can include more than two engagement bulges 84, 86.
Thus, each pair including one of the lid engagement bulges 86 with a corresponding one of the receptacle engagement bulges 84 releasably interlocks together in the closed configuration and form one of the catch assemblies 90. In a non-limitative embodiment, each one of the corner segments 56 adjacent to the opening longitudinal side 70 includes one of the catch assemblies 90.
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, referring to
Thus, the lid inner wall 44 has corner segments 56 located at a junction of one of the longitudinal segments 52 and one of the lateral segments 54. The corner segments 56 extend outwardly with respect to the adjacent longitudinal segment 52 and lateral segment 54 to define an outwardly-extending lid corner portions 59, substantially arc-shaped in the non-limitative embodiment shown. In the corner segment 56, the lid inner wall has a lid engagement bulge protruding outwardly from the outwardly-extending lid corner portion 59.
In the embodiment shown, the container 20 includes four catch assemblies 90, one in each corner. However, it is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the container can include two catch assemblies located at opposed ends of the opening longitudinal side 70.
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, it can be appreciated that the lid engagement bulge 86 and the receptacle engagement bulge 84 are U-shaped (or substantially crescent-shaped) and substantially follow a perimeter of the corner segments 56, 57 along a majority thereof. However, in an alternative embodiment, it is appreciated that the lid and the receptacle engagement bulges 86, 84 can have any suitable shape.
When the receptacle-engagement portion 48 and the lid-engagement portion 64 are engaged together, as shown in
To configure the container 20 in the open configuration (
Thus, the lid engagement bulges 86 and the receptacle engagement bulges 84 are engaged with one another when the lid 24 is closed on the receptacle 22 and thereafter maintained in engagement by a resilient effect due to the shape of the plastic container and the elasticity of the plastic it is made of. The catch assemblies 90 and, more particularly, the lid engagement bulges 86 and the receptacle engagement bulges 84, which serves to cause the resilient effect, maintains the lid 24 closed against the receptacle 22 independently of the eventual tearing of the lid lip 50 along the tear line segments 76.
Similarly, to reconfigure the container 20 in the closed configuration, a force sufficient to re-engage the lid engagement bulges 86 under the receptacle engagement bulges 84 is applied, while pivoting the lid 24 downwardly towards the receptacle 22. Once engaged together, the receptacle 22 and the lid 24 are interlocked through the catch assemblies 90 in a somewhat snapping resilient effect.
Thus, it is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the container 20 can be opened and closed more than once by the purchaser, and further offers a highly practical and easy grip due to the opening tab 82.
Thus, the catch assemblies 90 are designed to substantially prevent unintentional opening of the container 20, such as for instance and without being limitative, in case of accidental drop of the container 20.
In the embodiment shown, the receptable 22 and the lid 24 are made of a thin sheet of plastic, i.e. a plastic-based sheet. They can be manufactured by thermoforming or injection moulding from a wide variety of plastics, for instance. In some implementation, the plastic used to make the lid 24 is thinner than the one used to make the receptacle 22, providing thereby an increase flexibility and resilience to the lid 24 and its lid engagement bulges 86. In other words, in an embodiment, the plastic-based sheet has a thickness and the thickness of the plastic-based sheet of the lid 24 can be thinner than the thickness of the plastic-based sheet of the receptacle 22.
It will be understood that the embodiment described herein and illustrated are provided for illustrative purposes only and that the improvements can be embodied in a wide variety of alternate embodiments or realisations. For instance, alternate embodiments can include plastic containers made with injection moulding, plastic containers having distinct/unconnected lid and receptacle, or plastic containers without tamper-evident features. Where present, the hinge can alternately consist of a simple fold, for instance. Although the depicted container has a substantially rectangular horizontal cross-section, it can have other closed curved shape, ranging from closer to a circle, to closer to a rectangle, for instance. The wall portion, rims, ribs, handle lip and tear strip segments can be shaped to correspond with the alternate shape of the horizontal cross-section. Further, it is to be understood that the expressions up and down, vertical and horizontal, etc. are used herein for convenience and typically refer to the container when it is laid flat on a horizontal surface. The expressions inwardly/outwardly refer to the inside of the container, and often refer to a horizontal or vertical orientation relative to the inside of the container. The expression vertical in particular is to be interpreted with some breadth as encompassing features which are close to vertical. It will also be understood that reference is often made to the container in its closed configuration to discuss engaging and tamper-evident features, for instance. This thorough description provided for the convenience of the skilled reader is thus not intended to be interpreted in an unduly restrictive manner.
It is appreciated that combinations of the above-described embodiments can be foreseen and the above-described features of the container can be provided independently of others. For instance, it is appreciated that, in an embodiment, the container incudes the breakable lid lip 50 and be free of the above-described catch assemblies 90. Another container can include the above-described catch assemblies 90 and be free of the breakable lid lip 50.
Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and illustrated herein. The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be exemplary only. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the features of the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of the components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate that any of the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other embodiments disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention could be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the central characteristics thereof. The present examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind. The scope of the invention is therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
This application claims priority under 35 USC § 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application 63/014,755 filed on Apr. 24, 2020, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63014755 | Apr 2020 | US |
