Patent Application
20180327150
The present invention relates generally to containers, and more particularly to a reclosable container for storing edible substances that can be extracted from the container by dipping or squeezing.
Disposable containers are commonly used to store condiments and other foodstuffs. The disposable containers generally assume two basic designs: tearable packets and disposable cups with removable lids. Tearable packets are small pouches generally formed from plastic or foil and contain single-use quantities of a condiment, such as ketchup, mustard, or soy sauce. The condiment stored within the packets are accessed by tearing one end of the packet and squeezing the contents out onto an item of food, or onto a surface to form a sufficiently large mass that food items can be dipped into. Disposable cups, as it relates to containers for storing condiments and other similar foodstuffs, are generally formed from plastic and have a relatively rigid body with a thin, flimsy lid that can be removed to expose a reservoir that food items can be dipped into. Most recently, the disposable plastic cups have evolved to permit access to the condiment via the traditional reservoir or by squeezing the condiment out from an integrated spout. The spout is exposed by tearing away a portion of the container.
Irrespective of whether traditional foil packets or plastic cups are used, these condiment containers are single-use containers ill-suited for saving an unused portion for later reuse, and in the case of disposable plastic cups that permit either dipping or squeezing, conventional designs do not permit a user to transition between dipping and squeezing. For example, once the reservoir is exposed, the squeezing capability is eliminated.
In a first embodiment, the disclosure describes a container that includes a body shaped to define a reservoir. The body has a body flange coupled to a sidewall. The body flange forms a perimeter around an opening in the body, and the opening includes a spout and a dipping area. The container also includes a hinge region fixedly adhered to the body flange to form a hinge. The hinge region separates the lid into a first lid portion sealing the spout and a second lid portion sealing the dipping area, and the first lid portion rotates at the hinge to expose the spout and wherein the second lid portion rotates at the hinge to expose the dipping area.
In a second embodiment, the disclosure describes a method for opening a container having a lid coupled to a body at a hinge region, wherein the hinge region separates the lid into a first lid portion and a second lid portion. The method includes separating a lid flange of the first lid portion from a body flange at a first end of the container; rotating the first lid portion in an arced path away from the body and towards a second end of the container; and securing the first lid portion to the second lid portion to achieve an opened state.
Other aspects, embodiments and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The accompanying figures are schematic and are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the figures, each identical, or substantially similar component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a single numeral or notation. For purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure. Nor is every component of each embodiment of the invention shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention.
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Novel aspects of the illustrative embodiments disclosed herein recognize the need for disposable containers that can offer access to its contents via squeezing or dipping, but also allow a user to transition between squeezing and dipping after the container has already been opened. Further, novel aspects of the container described herein also include design features that permit the disposable container to be securely reclosed to preserve an unused portion of the container's contents for subsequent reuse.
To facilitate the discussion and description of the various embodiments of the reclosable container, certain descriptive conventions may be used to describe the relative position or location of container features. For example, the reclosable container described herein is formed from a body shaped to define a reservoir. Attached to the body is a lid that seals the reservoir to preserve and maintain the contents of the container. The lid may be described as the top of the container or located above or upwardly from another part of the container, such as the body. In addition, the body may be described as the bottom of the container, or located below, underneath, or downwardly from another part of the container, such as the lid. Thus in some embodiments the body has a planar bottom surface and a sidewall extending upwardly from the bottom surface to a body flange that is adhered to a lid flange.
The reclosable container has a spout and a dipping area that provides access to the container's contents via squeezing or dipping, respectively. In a non-limiting embodiment, the spout is accessed from one end of the container and the dipping area is accessed from the opposite end of the container.
In this illustrative embodiment, the lid 102 is depicted as having an oblong shape that is characterized by a length 104 longer than a width 106. The lid 102 also has a first end 108 and a second end 110 opposite to the first end 108. The longitudinal sides are curved outwardly so that the lid is generally the widest halfway between the first end 108 and the second end 110. Extending across the width of the lid 102 is a hinge region 112, which is a planar area that permits the lid 102 to flex along a predetermined axis. For example, the first end 108 of the lid 102 may rotate in an arced path in a direction towards the second end 110. Likewise, the second end 110 of the lid 102 may rotate in an arced path in a direction towards the first end 108. The rotation of the lid 102 is limited to the hinge region 112 by other three-dimensional structural features, which provide rigidity that opposes flexation and rotation, as described in more detail below.
The hinge region 112 separates the lid 102 into a first lid portion 114 and a second lid portion 116. The first lid portion 114 corresponds with the first end 108 of the lid 102 and seals the spout of the container 100. The second lid portion 116 corresponds with the second end 110 of the lid 102 and seals the dipping area of the container 100. In this illustrative embodiment in
In this illustrative embodiment, the first latching feature 118 is a square-shaped protrusion projecting upwardly from the lid 102, away from the body, and the second latching feature 120 is a recessed trough aligned with its ends pointing towards the first end 108 and the second end 110. The trough has dimensions that permit the trough to securely, but removably engage the protrusion located on the first lid portion 114. The trough-like shape of the second latching feature 120 should have a length that is sufficiently long so that the first latching feature 118 and the second latching feature 120 can engage each other regardless of which lid portion is being opened. For example, when the first lid portion 114 is opened and rotated toward the second lid portion 116, the first latching feature 118 engages the second latching feature 120 at an end closest to the hinge region 112. Likewise, when the second lid portion 116 is opened and rotated toward the first lid portion 114, the first latching feature 118 engages the second latching feature 120 at an opposite end of the trough.
However, in other embodiments, the first latching feature 118 and the second latching feature 120 may have different shapes or modes of operation. For example, the first latching feature and the second latching feature may have an analogous form and function as traditional snap buttons used for clothing.
Lid flange 122 is a generally planar area defining a perimeter around the lid 102. In one embodiment, the lid flange 122 is coextensive with the body flange 132 so that the lid flange 122 may be adhered to a body flange 132 to seal the contents inside a reservoir of the container 100. In one embodiment, selected portions of the lid flange 122 are fixedly adhered to the body flange 132 so that the lid 102 cannot be removed without deforming or destroying the container 100. Other portions of the lid flange 122 are removably adhered to the body flange 132 of the body so that the lid 102 can be partially detached from the body 130 to expose either the spout or the dipping area. As can be seen in
The lid flange 122 may be fixedly adhered to the body along the hinge region 112 using any conventional means. In a preferred embodiment, the hinge region 112 is adhered to the body flange 132 by an ultrasonic weld. Likewise, the lid flange 122 may be removably adhered to the body flange 132 at the removably adhered regions 124a and 124b by conventional means, including but not limited to food grade adhesives, pressure sensitive adhesives, or heat seals. In one embodiment, the adhesive adhering the lid flange 122 to the body flange at the removably adhered regions 124a and 124b should have sufficient adhesive properties to form a hermetic seal that preserves the integrity of the contents stored within the container 100, but should not prevent a user from being able to detach the lid 102 from the body. Thus, in one embodiment, the reclosable container 100 has a first hermetic seal securing the first lid portion 114 to the body flange 132 and a second hermetic seal securing the second lid portion 116 to the body flange 132.
The placement of the hinge region 112 dictates the relative sizes of the spout and the dipping area. A smaller spout results in a more controlled release of the contents and a larger dipping area facilitates dipping of food pieces into a reservoir of the container 100. Thus, in this illustrative embodiment of
To facilitate the task of detaching the lid 102 to expose either the dipping area or the spout, portions of the lid flange 122 may be un-bonded to the underlying body flange at specifically located regions. A first non-bonded region 126a may be located at the first lid portion 114 and a second non-bonded region 126b may be located at the second lid portion 116. Each of the non-bonded regions should have an area sufficiently large to enable a user to peel back a corresponding portion of the lid flange 122 and to grasp the non-bonded region to initiate the process of detaching the lid 102 from the body 130. The location of the non-bonded regions 126a and 126b should be deemed exemplary and non-limiting. For example, second non-bonded region 126b at the second end 110 of the lid 102 is depicted along one of the curved edges. In another embodiment, the second non-bonded region 126b may be located on the opposite edge of the lid 102. In yet another embodiment, the second non-bonded region 126b may be oriented along the second end 110 to span the width 106 of the lid 102 so that the lid 102 is symmetric.
Although it is not evident from
The lid 102 is generally rigid, a characteristic that may be attributed at least in part due to the various structural features incorporated thereon. For example, the first latching feature 118 and the second latching feature 120 should be sufficiently rigid so that they can be secured together and allow the container to be maintained in an open configuration. Likewise, the recessed sidewall imparts further rigidity. Manufacturing techniques may also result in portions of the lid 102 being thicker, and thus more rigid than others. For example, the lid 102 may be created by extruding or thermoforming a flat, plastic blank to achieve a three-dimensional form factor. The lid flange 122 and the second latching feature 120 may be exposed to less stretching and deformation, resulting in surfaces that may be thicker and more rigid. In contrast, sunken surfaces 128a and 128b may be formed by stretching the plastic blank, resulting in areas that are comparatively thinner and less rigid. The sunken surfaces 128a and 128b can be seen in more detail in the perspective view of
In one embodiment, the lid 102 is formed from food grade plastic using conventional manufacturing techniques. For example, the lid may be formed from HDPE or PET/PETE, and formed by thermoforming or injection molding.
Projecting upwardly from the lid 102 and away from the body 130 is a first latching feature 118. The second latching feature 120, which is recessed below the plane of the lid flange 122, is obscured in this side view of
The lid 102 includes a hinge region 112 that divides the lid into a first lid portion 114 and a second lid portion 116. In this illustrative embodiment, the hinge region 112 is located closer to the first end 108 to form an appropriately sized spout and dipping area. In addition, the lid 102 is fixedly attached to the body 130 at the hinge region 112.
In this illustrative embodiment in
In this illustrative embodiment, a non-bonded region is located at or associated with each end of the container 100 to facilitate the task of detaching the lid 102 from the body 130. As can be seen, non-bonded region 126a is located at the first end 108 of the container 100 and another non-bonded region 126b is located along one of the curved sides of the container 100 and adjacent to the second end 110.
In this illustrative embodiment in
The first lid portion 114 includes a first latching feature 118 and the second lid portion 116 includes a second latching feature 120 configured to receive the first latching feature. In this illustrative embodiment, the first latching feature 118 is a protrusion extending upwardly from the lid 102, and the second latching feature 120 is a trough projecting upwardly to receive the protrusion, but which is recessed below a plane defined by the lid flange 122. In one embodiment, the trough is recessed into a platform 138 that has a base connected to the sunken surface 128b and an upper surface that corresponds with the plane defined by the lid flange 122. The shape of the platform 138 is exemplary and should not be interpreted as limiting. Thus, in another embodiment, the platform 138 may have rounded edges, or may lack the gradual taper at the distal end.
The spout 140 may be exposed by peeling back the first end 108 of the lid 102 and detaching the lid flange 122 of the first lid portion 114 from the corresponding portion of the body flange 132. In some embodiments, the detaching process is facilitated by the presence of the first non-bonded region 126a which is easily separated from the body flange 132 and usable as a graspable tab. Sufficient force should be applied by pulling the lid 102 at the first end 108 of the lid 102 to break the hermetic seal, but also to overcome the sealing forces imparted by the mechanical seal that also seals the spout 140. A mechanical seal is formed when an operative surface of the lid 102 engages an operative surface of the sidewall 136 to provide a seal that secures the lid 102 to the body 130. The opposing operative surfaces, when brought together, form a mechanical seal that prevents the stored foodstuff from seeping out. In this illustrative embodiment, the operative surface of the first lid portion 114 is an interior surface of the recessed sidewall 142 that engages an interior surface of the sidewall 136 when the first lid portion 114 is in the closed configuration. Likewise, the operative surface of the sidewall 136 is the portion of the interior surface of the sidewall 136 which engages the recessed sidewall 142 when the first lid portion 114 is in the closed configuration. In addition, each of the operative surfaces may include a sealing structure that allows the operative surfaces to be secured together. For example, in one embodiment, the operative surface of body 130 includes a continuous, convex projection 144a around a perimeter of the opening, below the body flange 132. The operative surface of the first lid portion 114 includes a horizontal recess 144b sized to receive the convex projection 144a. In operation, the mechanical seal at the first end of the container is engaged by pressing the first lid portion 114 against the body 130 with sufficient force to cause the convex projection 144a to engage with the horizontal recess 144b in recessed sidewall 142.
The first lid portion 114 may be secured in the open position by causing the first latching feature 118 and the second latching feature 120 to engage each other. In this illustrative embodiment where the first latching feature 118 is a protrusion and the second latching feature 120 is a trough that is shaped and sized to receive the protrusion, the protrusion is pressed into the trough. In some embodiments, frictional forces are sufficient to securely engage the first latching feature 118 and the second latching feature 120. In another embodiment, the first latching feature 118 and the second latching feature 120 may have complementary shapes or features that promote latching. For example, in the embodiment where the first latching feature 118 is a protrusion and the second latching feature 120 is a trough, the first latching feature 118 may be tapered so that the base is smaller than its distal end. Additionally, the trough may be sized oppositely so that the trough has two opposing sides that are closer together the top and wider apart at the base. In either embodiment, with the spout 140 exposed, the contents within the container 100 may be squeezed out by applying a compressive force to the lid 102 and the bottom surface 134 of the body 130.
The second lid portion 116 may be detached from the body 130 to expose the dipping area 148 by grasping a portion of the lid flange 122 at the second non-bonded region 126b and peeling the second lid portion 116 away from the body 130 in an arced trajectory so that the second end 110 of the lid 102 is brought in a direction towards the first end 108 of the lid 102. Sufficient force is required to break the hermetic seal if the container has not yet been opened, and also to uncouple the mechanical seal that secures the lid 102 to the body 130 to seal the dipping area 148.
The mechanical seal is formed when an operative surface of the lid 102 engages an operative surface of the sidewall 136. In this illustrative embodiment, the operative surface of the second lid portion 116 is an interior surface of the recessed sidewall 142 that engages an interior surface of the sidewall 136 when the second lid portion 116 is in the closed configuration. Likewise, the operative surface of the sidewall 136 is the portion of the interior surface of the sidewall 136 which engages the recessed sidewall 142 when the second lid portion 116 is in the closed configuration. In addition, each of the operative surfaces may include a sealing structure that allows the operative surfaces to be secured together. For example, in one embodiment, the operative surface of body 130 includes a continuous, convex projection 144a around a perimeter of the opening, below the body flange 132. The operative surface of the second lid portion 116 includes a horizontal recess 144c sized to receive the convex projection 144a. In operation, the mechanical seal at the second end 110 of the container is engaged by pressing the second lid portion 116 against the body 130 with sufficient force to cause the convex projection 144a to engage with the horizontal recess 144c in recessed sidewall 142.
The second lid portion 116 may be maintained in the open configuration to continuously expose the dipping area 148. The open configuration may be achieved by securing the second lid portion 116 to the first lid portion 114 by pressing the second latching feature 120 against the first latching feature 118 to cause the protrusion to engage the trough.
The first lid portion 114 seals the dipping area 148 and the second lid portion 116 seals the spout 140. In this illustrative embodiment, the first lid portion 114 and the second lid portion 116 are shown in the partially open configuration to illustrate the manner in which the hinge region 112 allows the opposing ends of the lid 102 to rotate to open and close the container 100. Rotation of the first lid portion 114 and the second lid portion 116 to open the container 100 obviates the need to tear through any portion of the container 100, which is required to open prior art containers.
The dipping area 148 may be sealed by rotating the second lid portion 116 downward to cause the lid flange 122 to engage the body flange 132. Sufficient force is applied to the second lid portion 116 to cause the operative surface of the recessed sidewall 142 to engage the operative surface of the sidewall 136. In particular, the closing force should be sufficient to cause the convex projection 144a to engage with the horizontal recess 144c, forming a mechanical seal that secures the second lid portion 116 to the body 130.
Similarly, the spout 140 may be sealed by rotating the first lid portion 114 downward to cause the lid flange 122 to engage the body flange 132. Sufficient force is applied to the first lid portion 114 to cause an operative surface of the recessed sidewall 142 to engage the operative surface of the sidewall 136. In particular, the closing force should be sufficient to cause the convex projection 144a to engage with the horizontal recess 144b, forming a mechanical seal that secures the first lid portion 116 to the body 130.
In one exemplary embodiment, a single-serve container 100 that holds between 2-3 ounces of foodstuff has a length 104 that is between 3-4 inches, a width 106 between 2-3 inches, and a height of 0.5-1.5 inches, as measured from the bottom surface 134 and the lid flange 122. In a preferred embodiment, the single-serve container 100 holds 2.5 ounces of foodstuff, and has a length 104 of 3.5 inches, a width 106 of 2.5 inches, and a height of 1 inch.
In another exemplary embodiment, a multi-serve container 100 that holds between 8-10 ounces of foodstuff has a length 104 between 4-5 inches, a width 106 between 3-4 inches, and a height between 1.5-2.5 inches. In a preferred embodiment, the multi-serve container 100 holds 9 ounces of foodstuff and has a length 104 of 4.5 inches, a width 106 of 3.5 inches, and a height of 2 inches.
The following clauses are offered as further description of the disclosed invention:
In a first embodiment, novel aspects of the invention are directed to a container comprising a body shaped to define a reservoir, wherein the body comprises a body flange coupled to a sidewall, wherein the body flange forms a perimeter around an opening in the body, and wherein the opening comprises a spout and a dipping area; a lid having a hinge region, wherein the hinge region is fixedly adhered to the body flange to form a hinge, wherein the hinge region separates the lid into a first lid portion sealing the spout and a second lid portion sealing the dipping area; and wherein the first lid portion rotates at the hinge to expose the spout and wherein the second lid portion rotates at the hinge to expose the dipping area.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, wherein the hinge region divides the opening into the spout and the dipping area.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, wherein the body further comprises a bottom surface; and wherein the sidewall extends from the bottom surface to the body flange.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, further comprising a first hermetic seal securing the first lid portion to the body flange; and a second hermetic seal securing the second lid portion to the body flange.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, further comprising one or more removably adhered regions around the perimeter of the opening.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, further comprising a mechanical seal securing at least one of the first lid portion and the second lid portion.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, wherein the mechanical seal is coextensive with at least one of a first hermetic seal securing the first lid portion to the body flange and a second hermetic seal securing the second lid portion to the body flange.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, wherein the lid further comprises a lid flange around a perimeter of the lid, wherein the lid flange is coextensive with the body flange, and wherein the lid flange defines a plane that is an upper surface of the container.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, wherein the first lid portion includes a first latching feature, wherein the second lid portion includes a second latching feature configured to receive the first latching feature.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, wherein the first latching feature is a protrusion extending outwardly from the upper surface of the container, away from the body.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, wherein the second latching feature is recessed below the plane.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, wherein the second latching feature is trough sized to receive the first latching feature.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, wherein the lid further comprises at least one recessed sidewall orthogonal to the lid flange, wherein the at least one recessed sidewall connects the flange to at least one sunken surface.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, wherein the at least one recessed sidewall engages an interior surface of the sidewall of the body when the container is in a closed configuration.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, wherein the at least one recessed sidewall comprises a first operative surface, wherein the interior surface of the sidewall comprises a second operative surface, and wherein the first operative surface and the second operative surface are secured together to form a mechanical seal.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, further comprising at least one unbonded region between the body flange and a lid flange.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, wherein the hinge region spans a width of the container.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, wherein the hinge region is located closer to one end of the container.
In a second embodiment, novel aspects of the invention are directed to a method for opening a container, the container having a lid coupled to a body at a hinge region, wherein the hinge region separates the lid into a first lid portion and a second lid portion, the method comprising: separating a lid flange of the first lid portion from a body flange at a first end of the container; and rotating the first lid portion in an arced path away from the body and towards a second end of the container.
In another embodiment including any one or more elements of a previous embodiment disclosed above, further comprising securing the first lid portion to the second lid portion to achieve an opened state.
Although embodiments of the invention have been described with reference to several elements, any element described in the embodiments described herein are exemplary and can be omitted, substituted, added, combined, or rearranged as applicable to form new embodiments. A skilled person, upon reading the present specification, would recognize that such additional embodiments are effectively disclosed herein. For example, where this disclosure describes characteristics, structure, size, shape, arrangement, or composition for an element or process for making or using an element or combination of elements, the characteristics, structure, size, shape, arrangement, or composition can also be incorporated into any other element or combination of elements, or process for making or using an element or combination of elements described herein to provide additional embodiments. For example, it should be understood that the method steps described herein are exemplary, and upon reading the present disclosure, a skilled person would understand that one or more method steps described herein can be combined, omitted, reordered, or substituted.
Additionally, where an embodiment is described herein as comprising some element or group of elements, additional embodiments can consist essentially of or consist of the element or group of elements. Also, although the open-ended term “comprises” is generally used herein, additional embodiments can be formed by substituting the terms “consisting essentially of” or “consisting of.”
While this invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
