A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent files or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. The following notice applies to the software and data as described below and in the drawings that form a part of this document: Copyright Tecnocap, LLC; 1701 Wheeling Avenue; Glen Dale, W.Va.. All Rights Reserved.
This document pertains generally, but not by way of limitation, to closures used with containers, vessels or the like.
Containers are filled with and store contents including fluids such as perishable foods and drinks, cleaning fluids, gases or the like. In some examples the containers store their contents with a relative negative pressure (e.g., a vacuum) to affirmatively engage a lid with the container and prevent the ingress of bacteria, contaminants or the like. The lid is pried away from the container, for instance with a knife or other instrument, to open the container.
In other examples, the container includes a disk captured within a skirt surrounding the disk. The skirt includes a lug within the portion of the skirt that captures the disk (between two curls). Rotation of the skirt engages the lug with the lid and biases the lid away from the container.
The present inventors have recognized, among other things, that a problem to be solved can include decoupling between a release ring and a lid coupled with a container. As described herein, in some examples a disk is captured within a skirt and the assembly of both is retained with a container until opening of the container is desired. Accordingly, the skirt remains with the disk and the container after sealing of the disk, during storage, and until the assembly is decoupled from the container.
The present subject matter can help provide a solution to this problem, such as by providing a seal releasing lid assembly including a lid and a retaining and release ring configured for coupling and decoupling from the lid while at the same time assisting with opening of the lid. In one example, the retaining and releasing ring includes a ring wall and a release ridge. The release ridge is slidably coupled along a lid wall of the lid from a lid surface to a lid edge in a decoupling configuration. Passage of the release ridge beneath the lid edge seats the release ridge beneath the lid edge in a release ready configuration. Thereafter, movement of the retaining and releasing ring (e.g., rotation in an opening direction, such as counter clockwise) engages the release ridge with the lid edge and biases the lid away from the container to break the seal.
Where decoupling of the retaining and release ring is desired (e.g., for use of the ring with another container and lid) the ring is unscrewed while the lid is held on the container, for instance with finger pressure. The release ridge of the ring readily slides over the lid edge and onto the lid wall (transitions the ring to the decoupling configuration). Continued movement of the release ridge moves the release ridge past the lid wall and decouples the retaining release ring from the lid while leaving the lid sealed to the container.
Conversely, a single retaining and release ring is optionally used to open a plurality of containers with sealed lids. The ring is coupled around the lid on a container with the release ridge slidably coupling along the lid wall and the ridge is then seated beneath the lid edge (and slidably disengaged from the lid wall). Movement of the retaining and releasing ring relative to the container and the Rd (e.g., rotation in an opening direction) engages the release ridge with the lid edge and biases the lid away from the container and breaks the seal.
Optionally, the retaining and release ring remains coupled with the lid sealing the container (e.g., the ring is not decoupled). Instead, the retaining and releasing ring remains with the lid to facilitate reuse of the lid, for instance, after opening and removing of some of the contents of the container. The retaining and releasing ring is used as described herein to bias the lid away from the container. The retaining and releasing ring is then used in combination with the lid to reclose and store the remainder of the contents.
This overview is intended to provide an overview of subject matter of the present patent application. It is not intended to provide an exclusive or exhaustive explanation of the disclosure. The detailed description is included to provide further information about the present patent application.
In the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, like numerals can describe similar components in different views. Like numerals having different letter suffixes can represent different instances of similar components. The drawings illustrate generally, by way of example, but not by way of limitation, various embodiments discussed in the present document.
The seal releasing closure assembly 110 described herein is removably coupled with the container 100. Referring again to
The retaining and releasing ring 130 can be coupled with the container 100. The retaining and releasing ring 130 can be coupled with the lid 120. Coupling the retaining and releasing ring 130 with the container 100 can prevent the lid 120 from separating de-mating) from the container 100.
In one example, the container 100 can is with a foodstuff or other perishable product. The container 100 including the seal releasing closure assembly 110 enclosing a perishable product therein is optionally placed in a cooking vessel (e.g., a stock pot, a canning pot, or the like) and heated for a period of time. After heating, the container 100 cools. The cooling of the container 100, and the perishable product such as food enclosed within the container 100 with the seal releasing closure assembly 110 creates a vacuum (low pressure relative to ambient) within the container 100. The pressure difference between interior and exterior of the container generates a vacuum seal between the lid 120 and the container 100. Establishing the seal prevents the contents (e.g., perishable products such as foods) in the container 100 from escaping the container 100 and further prevents the ingress of contaminants, such as bacteria or other micro-organisms.
The seal, in some examples, makes the lid 120 difficult to remove from the container 100. The retaining and release ring 130 of the seal releasing closure assembly 110 described herein facilitates the removal of the lid 120 with one or more of the lid 120 tightly sealed to the container 100 or by those with limited manual dexterity (e.g., due to arthritis, lack of strength or the like).
The seal releasing lid assembly 110 includes the retaining and releasing ring 130. Referring again to
The retaining and releasing ring 130 includes a release ridge 260. The ring flange 230 couples with (e.g., mates with, is in communication with, engages with, extends over, or the like) a portion of the lid surface 200, In another example, at least a portion of the ring flange 230 couples along the lid wall 210 of the lid 120. The ring wall 240 of the retaining and releasing ring 130 extends from the ring flange 230 to the release ridge 260. As further shown in
Referring again to
The threading bead 250 is optionally formed in the retaining and releasing ring 130. The threading bead 250 engages with corresponding threads on the container 100 (shown herein in
As described herein, the retaining and releasing ring 130 includes one or more of decoupled and release ready configurations. The decoupled configuration is exaggerated in
The seal releasing lid assembly 110 includes a release-ready configuration including the release ridge 260 seated beneath the lid edge 220, as shown in
The container 100 optionally includes container threading 500. The container threading 500 corresponds to, or is compatible with, the threading bead 250 of the retaining and releasing ring 130 (shown in
As the retaining and releasing ring 130 moves, the release ridge 260 engages the lid, such as the lid edge 220, and biases the lid 120 away from the container 100. In one example, biasing the lid 120 away from the container 100 includes separating the lid 120 from the container 100. In another example, biasing the lid 120 away from the container 100 includes breaking the seal (e.g., a vacuum seal) between the lid 120 and the container 100.
The biasing of the lid 120 away from the container 100 by the release ridge 260 eases the removal of the lid 120 from the container 100. Instead of prying the lid 120 from the container 100 (e.g., by hand or with a tool such as a screw driver or knife), the decoupling of the retaining and releasing ring 130 from the container is used to also break the seal and decouple the lid 120. Breaking the seal between the lid 120 and the container 100 reduces the effort required to separate the lid 120 from the container 100.
As previously discussed herein, the retaining and releasing ring 130 includes the decoupling configuration and the release-ready configuration. Decoupling of the retaining and releasing ring 130 is, in one example, used to decouple the lid 120 from the container 100, for instance by overcoming a seal through engagement and bias between the release ridge 260 and the lid (e.g., the lid edge 220). In another example, the release ridge 260 is optionally configured to slide over the lid edge 220 as the retaining and releasing ring 130 transitions from the release-ready configuration to the decoupling configuration. This allows for removal of the retaining and releasing ring 130 from the lid 120 and the container 100 while the seal between lid and the container are maintained. For instance, the release ridge 260 slides along the lid wall 210, such as along the slidable coupling surface 215 without breaking the seal between the lid 120 and the container 100. In some examples, interaction with the lid 120 (e.g., the application of a force to the lid surface 200, such as by hand) while the release ridge 260 transitions from the release-ready configuration to the decoupling configuration prevents the release ridge 260 from biasing the lid surface 200 away from the container 100 (e.g., breaking the seal). The release ridge 260 is biased away from the lid edge 220 with decoupling of the ring 130 (e.g., relative rotation between threading) and deflection of the ring wall 240. As the release ridge 260 slides over the lid edge 220 it is unseated from the lid edge and decoupling of the lid 120 from the container 100 is prevented. The retaining and releasing ring 130 is then readily used with other lids 120 and containers 100 in the manner of a tool. For instance, the ring 130 is selectively coupled with a container 100 and lid 120, and then transitioned from the decoupling configuration (with the release ridge 260 slid along the slidable coupling surface 215 of the lid) to the release-ready configuration (with the ridge 260 seated relative to the lid edge 220). Operation of the retaining and releasing ring 130 from the release-ready configuration is used to decouple the lid 120.
At operation 710 a release ridge 260 of a retaining and releasing ring 130 is slid along a lid wall 210 of a lid 120. At operation 720 the release ridge is seated beneath a lid edge 220 of the lid. The lid edge 220 is optionally configured to slidably disengage from the lid wall (e.g., during coupling of the ring 130 with the lid and container or during decoupling of the ring 130 from the lid and container).
At operation 730 the retaining and release ring is moved relative to the lid coupled with a container 100 at a seal (e.g., a portion of the container 100 that surrounds the container opening 105). At operation 740 the seal is released according to movement of the retaining and release ring. Release of the seal includes engaging the retaining and releasing ring 130 with the lid 120 and biasing the lid away from the container 100 using the ring. In one example, a release ridge 260 of the retaining and release ring 130 is engaged and presses against a lid edge 220 of the lid 120. Release of the seal optionally includes biasing the lid away from the container with movement of the retaining and release ring relative to the container. For instance, relative movement between threading of the ring 130 and the container 100 moves the ring 130 and its release ridge 260 into engagement with the lid edge 220, and continued movement biases the lid 120 from the container to release the seal.
Several options for the method 700 follow. In one example, the method 700 includes decoupling the retaining and releasing ring from the lid. In another example, decoupling the retaining and releasing ring includes sliding the release ridge of the retaining and releasing ring along the lid wall 210 toward a lid surface (e.g., the lid surface 200 of
In some instances, sliding the release ridge along the lid wall and seating the release ridge beneath the lid edge include biasing the release ridge 260 toward the lid wall with a ring wall (e.g., the ring wall 240 of
Example 1 can include a seal releasing closure assembly comprising: a lid configured for coupling across a container opening of a container, the lid includes: a lid surface, and a lid wall extending from the lid surface, the lid wall includes a lid edge and a slidable coupling surface between the lid edge and the lid surface; a retaining and releasing ring configured for coupling with the container and with the lid, the retaining and releasing ring includes: a ring flange extending over at least a portion of the lid surface, a release ridge, and a ring wall extending from the ring flange to the release ridge, the ring wall biases the release ridge inwardly toward the lid wall; and wherein the retaining and releasing ring include decoupling and release ready configurations: in the decoupling configuration the release ridge is slidably coupled along the lid wall, and in the release ready configuration the release ridge is seated beneath the lid edge and slidably disengaged from the lid wall.
Example 2 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Example 1, to optionally include wherein in the release ready configuration engagement of the release ridge with the lid edge is configured to bias the lid surface away from the container.
Example 3 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1 or 2 to optionally include wherein the retaining and releasing ring includes a threading bead, and the ring wall extends from the ring flange to the threading bead.
Example 4 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-3 to optionally include wherein the release ridge is between the ring flange and the threading bead.
Example 5 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of one or any combination of Examples 1-4 to optionally include wherein the lid edge includes a lid peak aligned with the lid wall.
Example 6 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-5 to optionally include wherein the release ridge is configured for engagement with the lid peak to bias the lid surface away from the container.
Example 7 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-6 to optionally include wherein the release ridge is configured to slide over the lid peak as the retaining and releasing ring transitions from the release ready configuration to the decoupling configuration.
Example 8 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-7 to optionally include wherein the release ridge is configured to slide over the lid edge as the retaining and releasing ring transitions from the release ready configuration to the decoupling configuration.
Example 9 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-8 to optionally include wherein the retaining and releasing ring includes a decoupled configuration, and in the decoupled configuration the release ridge is above the lid surface and slidably disengaged from the lid wall.
Example 10 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-9 to optionally include wherein the ring wall biases the release ridge toward the lid wall in the decoupling configuration, and the ring wall is configured to bias the release ridge to seat beneath the lid edge as the release ridge transitions from the decoupling configuration to the release ready configuration.
Example 11 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-10 to optionally include a method for releasing a container seal comprising: sliding a release ridge of a retaining and releasing ring along a lid wall of a lid; seating the release ridge beneath a lid edge of the lid, the lid edge slidably disengaged from the lid wall; moving the retaining and release ring relative to the lid coupled with a container at a seal; and releasing the seal according to movement of the retaining and release ring, releasing includes: engaging the release ridge of the retaining and release ring with the lid edge of the lid, and biasing the lid away from the container with movement of the retaining and release ring relative to the container with the release ridge engaged to the lid edge.
Example 12 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-11 to optionally include decoupling the retaining and releasing ring from the lid.
Example 13 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-12 to optionally include wherein decoupling the retaining and releasing ring includes: sliding the release ridge of the retaining and releasing ring along the lid wall toward a lid surface opposed to the lid edge, and disengaging the release ridge from the lid wall with the release ridge above the lid surface.
Example 14 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-13 to optionally include wherein sliding the release ridge along the lid wall and seating the release ridge beneath the lid edge includes biasing the release ridge toward the lid wall with a ring wall of the retaining and releasing ring.
Example 15 can include, or can optionally be combined with the subject matter of Examples 1-14 to optionally include wherein sliding the release ridge of the retaining and releasing ring along the lid wall includes sliding the release ridge of the retaining and releasing ring along the lid wall with the lid coupled with the container at the seal.
Each of these non-limiting examples can stand on its own, or can be combined in various permutations or combinations with one or more of the other examples.
The above description includes references to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of the detailed description. The drawings show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention can be practiced. These embodiments are also referred to herein as “examples.” Such examples can include elements in addition to those shown or described. However, the present inventors also contemplate examples in which only those elements shown or described are provided. Moreover, the present inventors also contemplate examples using any combination or permutation of those elements shown or described (or one or more aspects thereof), either with respect to a particular example (or one or more aspects thereof), or with respect to other examples (or one or more aspects thereof) shown or described herein.
In the event of inconsistent usages between this document and any documents so incorporated by reference, the usage in this document controls.
In this document, the terms “a” or “an” are used, as is common in patent documents, to include one or more than one, independent of any other instances or usages of “at least one” or “one or more.” In this document, the term “or” is used to refer to a nonexclusive or, such that “A or B” includes “A but not B,” “B but not A,” and “A and B,” unless otherwise indicated. In this document, the terms “including” and “in which” are used as the plain-English equivalents of the respective terms “comprising” and “wherein.” Also, in the following claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are open-ended, that is, a system, device, article, composition, formulation, or process that includes elements in addition to those listed after such a term in a claim are still deemed to fall within the scope of that claim. Moreover, in the following claims, the terms “first,” “second,” and “third,” etc. are used merely as labels, and are not intended to impose numerical requirements on their objects.
Geometric terms, such as “parallel”, “perpendicular” “round”, “round”, or “square”, are not intended to require absolute mathematical precision, unless the context indicates otherwise. Instead, such geometric terms allow for variations due to manufacturing or equivalent functions. For example, if an element is described as “round” or “generally round,” a component that is not precisely circular (e.g., one that is slightly oblong or is a many-sided polygon) is still encompassed by this description.
The above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-described examples (or one or more aspects thereof) can be used in combination with each other. Other embodiments can be used, such as by one of ordinary skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. The Abstract is provided to comply with 37 CFR. § 1.72(b), to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Also, in the above Detailed Description, various features can be grouped together to streamline the disclosure. This should not be interpreted as intending that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, inventive subject matter can lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and it is contemplated that such embodiments can be combined with each other in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.
This patent application claims the benefit of priority of Santini et al. U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/431,117 entitled “SEAL RELEASING CLOSURE ASSEMBLY,” filed on Dec. 7, 2016 (Attorney Docket No. 1975.013PRV), which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2017/065179 | 12/7/2017 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62431117 | Dec 2016 | US |