U.S. patent application number 10/288305 was filed with the patent office on 2004-05-06 for container with peel-off cover.
Invention is credited to Shosheny, Haggai.
Application Number | 20040084455 10/288305 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32175882 |
Filed Date | 2004-05-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040084455 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shosheny, Haggai |
May 6, 2004 |
Container with peel-off cover
Abstract
A container comprising a plurality of side walls arranged in a
polygonal shape, a bottom surface and a top surface extending from
the side walls, a peel-off cover removable from the top surface
along a shear line, and a handle attached to the container.
Inventors: |
Shosheny, Haggai; (Kfar
Tavor, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DEKEL PATENT LTD., DAVID KLEIN
BEIT HAROF'IM
18 MENUHA VENAHALA STREET, ROOM 27
REHOVOT
76209
IL
|
Family ID: |
32175882 |
Appl. No.: |
10/288305 |
Filed: |
November 6, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/359.2 ;
220/254.1; 220/270; 220/359.1; 220/768; 220/774 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2517/0043 20130101;
B65D 2517/0041 20130101; B65D 17/4011 20180101; B65D 25/2858
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/359.2 ;
220/359.1; 220/254.1; 220/270; 220/768; 220/774 |
International
Class: |
B65D 025/32; B65D
041/00 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A container comprising: a plurality of side walls arranged in a
polygonal shape, a bottom surface and a top surface extending from
said side walls; a peel-off cover removable from said top surface
along a shear line; and a handle attached to said container.
2. The container according to claim 1, wherein said handle is
outside said an area bounded by said shear line.
3. The container according to claim 1, wherein said handle does not
significantly jut beyond an outer contour of said container.
4. The container according to claim 1, wherein said shear line is
at least partially arcuate.
5. The container according to claim 1, wherein at least a portion
of said shear line has a polygonal shape.
6. The container according to claim 5, wherein said polygonal shape
comprises a corner near a corner of said top surface.
7. The container according to claim 5, wherein said polygonal shape
comprises a corner near a side of said top surface.
8. The container according to claim 1, wherein said shear line
comprises an arcuate portion and a polygonal shape extending from
and continuous with said arcuate portion.
9. The container according to claim 1, wherein a fill hole is
formed on said top surface.
10. The container according to claim 9, wherein said fill hole is
formed within an area bounded by said shear line.
11. The container according to claim 9, wherein said fill hole is
formed outside an area bounded by said shear line.
12. The container according to claim 1, wherein said handle is
pivotally attached to said container.
13. The container according to claim 12, wherein said handle is
shaped such that when laying flat on said top surface said handle
lies outside an area bounded by said shear line.
14. The container according to claim 1, wherein said shear line is
arranged with respect to said top surface, such that after removal
of said cover, a remaining edge of said shear line is in a
non-injurious position.
15. The container according to claim 1, wherein said cover extends
from said top surface by means of a fold, and said shear line is
located on said fold.
16. The container according to claim 1, wherein a protective rim is
formed on said top surface adjacent said shear line.
17. The container according to claim 1, wherein said cover extends
from said top surface by means of an adhesive, and said shear line
is located at the adhesive.
18. The container according to claim 1, further comprising an
external cover adapted to seal the container after it has been
opened.
19. The container according to claim 18, wherein said external
cover is adapted to be fitted over the outer contour of said top
surface of said container.
20. The container according to claim 18, wherein said external
cover is adapted to be placed into an opening created after
removing said peel-off cover from said shear line.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to non-round
containers, and particularly to a non-round container with a
peel-off cover.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Paints, varnishes, whitewash, epoxies and other single,
dual- or multi-component substances generally are provided in round
cans with a removable cover. The cover is typically round and
press-fit onto the top of the can. The press fit forms a seal to
prevent the contents of the can from spilling or drying out. In
order to gain access to the contents, one generally pries open the
cover with a flat-blade tool, e.g., a screwdriver. After opening,
one may introduce a mixing tool into the contents and thoroughly
mix the contents before use. Once the contents are mixed, one
usually carries the can to the application site, pours the contents
to an application device (e.g., air/airless sprayer, floor
spreader, etc.), or uses the contents directly from the can (e.g.,
brush, trowel, etc.).
[0003] However, existing round cans may present some problems.
Transporting or storing cans naturally necessitates placing the
cans one next to the other. It is readily appreciated that
rectangular cans may be placed side-by-side with virtually no
wasted space therebetween. On the other hand, round cans placed
adjacent one another wastes a lot of valuable space. Nevertheless,
round cans are used to store such abovementioned substances largely
due to the need for a full top opening, which enables proper mixing
of the contents before use. In practice, rectangular cans are
normally placed right next to each other, with a small carry handle
at the middle of the top surface, and a filling/pouring hole near
one of the corners. A press-fit or screw-on lid normally seals the
filling/pouring hole.
[0004] However, a rectangular can may not provide the same degree
of "open-mix-carry" qualities of a round can, such as for the
following reasons:
[0005] a. Providing a lid on the entire top surface leaves no room
for the handle, which eliminates the ability to easily carry the
mixed can to the place of its use.
[0006] b. Providing a lid on the entire top surface cannot provide
the same degree of sealing, largely due to bowing or bending of the
sides of the rectangular can (such bending does not occur with a
round can).
[0007] c. Providing a side-hooked handle (like in round cans) will
cause the rectangular cans to stand apart, thus wasting valuable
space (in round cans the side handle fits easily into the voids
between the cans).
[0008] Due in part to the above reasons, rectangular cans are used
mainly for storing substances, which do not require mixing before
use, thus losing a significant potential market.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention seeks to provide improved non-round
containers, which may be used to store any kind of substance, such
as those which require thorough mixing before use. A handle may be
provided that does not jut out beyond the perimeter of the
container, and which may be used to carry the container before and
after it has been opened. The container may be made of any suitable
material, such as but not limited to, metal. plastic, or
cardboard.
[0010] There is thus provided in accordance with an embodiment of
the present invention a container comprising a plurality of side
walls arranged in a polygonal shape, a bottom surface and a top
surface extending from the side walls, a peel-off cover removable
from the top surface along a shear line, and a handle attached to
the container. The handle may be made of any suitable material,
such as but not limited to, metal or plastic.
[0011] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the handle may be outside the area bounded by the shear line. The
handle may not significantly jut beyond an outer contour of the
container.
[0012] Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention at least a portion of the shear line may have a
polygonal shape.
[0013] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the polygonal shape may comprise rounded corners.
[0014] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the polygonal shape may comprise a corner near a corner of the top
surface.
[0015] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the polygonal shape may comprise a corner near a side of the top
surface.
[0016] Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention the shear line may comprise an arcuate portion
and a polygonal shape extending from and continuous with the
arcuate portion.
[0017] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the shear line may be arranged with respect to the top surface,
such that after removal of the cover, a remaining edge of the shear
line may be in a non-injurious position.
[0018] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention a fill hole is formed on the top surface. The fill hole
may be formed within or outside of the area bounded by the shear
line.
[0019] Still further in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention the handle is pivotally attached to the
container.
[0020] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the handle may be shaped such that when laying flat on the top
surface the handle lies outside the area bounded by the shear
line.
[0021] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention the shear line may be located below, above, or flush with
the top surface.
[0022] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the cover may extend from the top surface by means of a fold, and
the shear line is located on the fold.
[0023] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention
the cover may extend from the top surface by means of an adhesive
connection, and the shear line is located at the adhesive.
[0024] Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present
invention a protective rim may be formed on or below the top
surface adjacent the shear line.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] The present invention will be understood and appreciated
more fully from the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the drawings in which:
[0026] FIG. 1 is a simplified illustration of a container,
constructed and operative in accordance with an embodiment of the
present invention;
[0027] FIGS. 2A, 2B and 3 are simplified top-view illustrations of
a container, constructed and operative in accordance with three
different embodiments of the present invention; and
[0028] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, are simplified illustrations of an
interface between a peel-off cover and the top surface of the
container of FIGS. 1-3, in accordance with different embodiments of
the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] Reference is now made to FIG. 1, which illustrates a
container 10, constructed and operative in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] Container 10 may comprise any polygonal configuration (i.e.,
any finite number of sides at any angles). In the illustrated
embodiment, there are four side walls 12, wherein adjacent side
walls 12 are generally perpendicular to one another. Container 10
may be rectangular or square, for example, with round corners.
(Alternatively, container 10 may be hexagonal or any other
polygonal shape.) A bottom surface 14 and a top surface 16 extend
from side walls 12, and may be sealed thereto by any suitable
method of manufacture.
[0031] Top surface 16 may comprise a peel-off cover 18 which is
removable along a shear line 20. For example, cover 18 may be
removed from top surface 16 by pulling upwards on a ring pull
opener 22 and shearing cover 18 off top surface 16 along shear line
20. In another example, shear line 20 may comprise an adhesive
connection between cover 18 and top surface 16, and cover 18 may be
removed from top surface 16 by breaking the adhesive bond and
pulling cover 18 off top surface 16. In the embodiment of FIG. 1,
shear line 20 is generally circular, but other shapes are also
possible, examples of which are described hereinbelow.
[0032] In general, shear line 20 may be formed on a structure which
may be mechanically broken, such as but not limited to,
mechanically shearing, stress cracking and rupturing, for example
(a peel-off sheet metal cover is such an example). Alternatively,
shear line 20 may be formed on adhesively bonded structures,
wherein the adhesive bond may be broken or otherwise disrupted or
destroyed along the shear line 20 (a peel-off, adhesively bonded
foil cover on an instant soup mix container is such an
example).
[0033] A handle 24 may be attached to container 10. Handle 24 may
be pivotally attached to top surface 16, wherein below top surface
16, handle 24 does not significantly jut beyond an outer contour of
container 10. In the illustrated embodiment, handle 24 does not
significantly jut beyond an outer contour of container 10 even
above top surface 16. Handle 24 may be shaped, such that when
laying flat on top surface 16, handle 24 lies outside the area
bounded by shear line 20, as seen in FIG. 1.
[0034] Handle 24 may be pivotally attached to two opposite corners
of the sidewalls of container 10. Alternatively, handle 24 may be
pivotally attached to two opposite sidewalls of container 10.
[0035] These are just some possibilities of attaching handle 24,
and the invention is not limited to these examples.
[0036] A fill/pour hole (26 or 28) may be formed on top surface 16.
It is noted that throughout the specification and claims, the term
fill hole encompasses both a fill hole and a pour hole. In the
embodiment of FIG. 1, fill hole 26 is outside the area bounded by
shear line 20, and fill hole 28 is within the area bounded by shear
line 20. The fill/pour holes may be identical to fill holes in use
in existing cans.
[0037] After removal of cover 18, the container 10 is open. One may
introduce a mixing tool into the contents and thoroughly mix the
contents before use. One may discard container 10 after it has been
opened. Alternatively, an external cover may be provided, which is
described more in detail with reference to FIG. 2A.
[0038] Reference is now made to FIG. 2A, which illustrates a
container 29, constructed and operative in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention, and which is a variation of
container 10 in FIG. 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 2A, at least a
portion of shear line 20 has a polygonal shape 30, such as but not
limited to, a triangular shape with a corner 32, which may be
rounded. In the illustrated embodiment, shear line 20 comprises an
arcuate portion 34 and the polygonal shape 30 extends from and is
continuous with arcuate portion 34. The corner 32 of the polygonal
shape 30, which may be rounded, may be near a corner 36 of top
surface 16. The contents of container 29 may be poured from the
corner 32 of the polygonal shape 30.
[0039] An external cover 52 (illustrated top-side up in FIG. 2A)
may be provided that may be placed over the top of container 10 to
seal the container after use. External cover 52 may be fitted over
the outer contour of top surface 16 of container 29. Alternatively,
an external press fit cover 53 (illustrated bottom-side up in FIG.
2A) may be provided that may be placed into the opening created
after removing cover 18 from shear line 20, in order to seal the
container 10 after use. External press fit cover 53 may accordingly
have an inner ridge 55 configured to that of shear line 20.
External cover 52 or 53 may or may not cover handle 24. For
example, as shown with external cover 52, the cover may be formed
with cutouts 73 that accommodate the pivots for handle 24 and allow
handle 24 to lie over the external cover. External covers 52 or 53
may be made of any suitable material, such as but not limited to,
metal, plastic or cardboard.
[0040] Reference is now made to FIG. 2B, which illustrates a
container 59, constructed and operative in accordance with another
embodiment of the present invention, and which is a variation of
container 10 in FIG. 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 2B, at least a
portion of shear line 20 has a polygonal shape 30, such as but not
limited to, a triangular shape with a corner 32, which may be
rounded. In the illustrated embodiment, shear line 20 comprises an
arcuate portion 34 and the polygonal shape 30 extends from and is
continuous with arcuate portion 34. The corner 32 of the polygonal
shape 30 may be near a side 37 of top surface 16. The contents of
container 29 may be poured from the corner 32 of the polygonal
shape 30.
[0041] Reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates a
container 39, constructed and operative in accordance with yet
another embodiment of the present invention, and which is another
variation of container 10 in FIG. 1. In the embodiment of FIG. 3,
shear line 20 again comprises a polygonal shape 40, wherein the
polygonal shape 40 comprises at least a portion of a rhombus having
corners 42, which may be rounded. Corners 42 of the polygonal shape
40 may be near corner 36 of top surface 16. The contents of
container 39 may be poured from either corner 42 of the polygonal
shape 40. In this embodiment, fill hole 26 is within the area
bounded by shear line 20.
[0042] Reference is now made to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D, which
illustrate four possible locations of shear line 20 in the
containers of the invention. It is emphasized that the invention is
not limited to these locations. In these embodiments, shear line 20
is arranged with respect to top surface 16 such that after removal
of cover 18, a remaining edge of shear line 20 is in a
non-injurious position. In both of the embodiments illustrated in
FIGS. 4A and 4B, cover 18 extends from top surface 16 by means of a
fold 48, and shear line 20 is located on fold 48. In FIG. 4A, shear
line 20 is flush with top surface 16. In FIG. 4B, shear line 20 is
located below top surface 16. In FIG. 4C, shear line 20 is flush
with top surface 16 and a protective rim 50 may be formed on (shown
in a solid line) or below (shown in a broken line) top surface 16.
Protective rim 50 may help prevent accidental injury from a sharp
edge after removal of cover 18. Protective rim 50 may be made of
any suitable material, such as but not limited to, plastic.
[0043] As mentioned hereinabove, shear line 20 may be formed on a
structure which may be mechanically broken, such as but not limited
to, mechanically shearing, stress cracking and rupturing, for
example. Alternatively, shear line 20 may be formed on adhesively
bonded structures, wherein the adhesive bond may be broken or
otherwise disrupted or destroyed along the shear line 20. FIG. 4D
illustrates the latter example, wherein shear line 20 is located
above top surface 16 by means of an adhesive 51, of any suitable
kind. The protective rim 50 may be formed below top surface 16,
adjacent to adhesive 51 and shear line 20. Protective rim 50 may
help prevent accidental injury from a sharp edge after removal of
cover 18. Protective rim 50 may be made of any suitable material,
such as but not limited to, plastic.
[0044] It will be appreciated by person skilled in the art that the
present invention is not limited by what has been particularly
shown and described herein above. Rather the scope of the present
invention is defined only by the claims that follow:
* * * * *