U.S. patent application number 10/773304 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-30 for non-plastic container for storing food.
Invention is credited to Kim, Chang-Ho.
Application Number | 20050139604 10/773304 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34567864 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050139604 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim, Chang-Ho |
June 30, 2005 |
Non-plastic container for storing food
Abstract
The present invention relates to an improved non-plastic
container for storing food in which a lid fabricated using plastic
based on an injection molding method is sealingly engaged to a
non-plastic container body formed of a heat resisting glass, a
stainless material, a heat resisting ceramic ware, etc. The food
storing container having a non-plastic container body comprises a
closed ring shaped plastic rim formed in an upper side of an
opening of the non-plastic container body wherein the closed ring
shaped plastic rim surrounds all outer surrounding portions of the
container body; and at least more than locking protrusion
integrally formed at the opposite sides of the plastic rim wherein
the locking protrusions are inserted into locking holes formed in
locking wings of the plastic lid.
Inventors: |
Kim, Chang-Ho; (Incheon,
KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BIRCH STEWART KOLASCH & BIRCH
PO BOX 747
FALLS CHURCH
VA
22040-0747
US
|
Family ID: |
34567864 |
Appl. No.: |
10/773304 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/788 ;
220/326 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 43/0218 20130101;
B65D 45/20 20130101; B65D 2543/0012 20130101; B65D 2543/00555
20130101; B65D 2543/005 20130101; B65D 1/40 20130101; B65D
2543/00564 20130101; B65D 2543/00537 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/788 ;
220/326 |
International
Class: |
B65D 041/18 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 30, 2003 |
KR |
10-2003-0101045 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A food storing container formed of a non-plastic container body
formed of glass, stainless, ceramic ware, etc., and a plastic lid
formed of plastic, a food storing container having a non-plastic
container body, comprising: a closed ring shaped plastic rim formed
in an upper side of an opening of the non-plastic container body
wherein the closed ring shaped plastic rim surrounds all outer
surrounding portions of the container body; and at least more than
locking protrusion integrally formed at the opposite sides of the
plastic rim wherein the locking protrusions are inserted into
locking holes formed in locking wings of the plastic lid.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the plastic rim is inserted
into and engaged to an outer portion of the container body with a
certain tensional force.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the plastic rim is formed
based on a double injection method in a state that the container
body is inserted into a plastic injection molding.
4. The container of either claim 2 or 3, wherein an engaging groove
is formed on an outer surface of the upper side of the opening of
the non-plastic container body for enhancing an engaging force with
the plastic rim.
5. The container of either claim 2 or 3, wherein when forming the
plastic rim in the container body based on the double injection
method, a plastic coating layer is integrally formed with the
plastic rim wherein the plastic coating layer surrounds the outer
surface and lower portions of the container body.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a non-plastic container for
storing food, and in particular to an improved non-plastic
container for storing food in which a lid fabricated using plastic
based on an injection molding method is sealingly engaged to a
non-plastic container body formed of a heat resisting glass, a
stainless material, a heat resisting ceramic ware, etc.
[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0004] Generally, a container body of a container capable of
storing foods is formed of a plastic material approved for storing
foods, a heat resisting glass, a heat resisting ceramic ware, a
stainless, etc. A lid detachably engaged to an opening of a
container body formed of the above material is generally formed of
a plastic material.
[0005] The plastic lid has a certain engaging structure capable of
sealing engaging an opening of a container body for stably storing
foods stored in the container body. Recently, a plastic lid capable
of storing foods stored in the container body in a sealed state
without any leakage has been developed. For example, in the case of
a food storing container with the Korean patent No. 335718
developed by the inventor of the present invention, locking wings
are formed at four sides of the plastic lid wherein the locking
wings are foldable. Each locking wing has at least more than one
locking hole. In addition at least more than one locking protrusion
engaged to the locking hole is formed in an outer side of the
container body. In the above storing container, in a state that the
lid is engaged to the opening of the container body, when each
locking wing is folded in the direction of the container body, the
locking protrusion of the container body is elastically inserted
into the locking hole of the locking wing. At this time, since the
locking wing operates to pull the lid itself in the direction of
the container body, the lid is strongly pulled in the direction of
the container body, so that the lid is very elastically engaged
closely to the opening of the container body for thereby enhancing
a sealing force of the lid.
[0006] In the case of the locking protrusion engaged to the locking
hole formed in the locking wing of the lid, the locking protrusion
is integrally formed in the container body by the injection molding
method. However, it is impossible to form any protrusion in the
container body formed of a heat resisting tempered glass, stainless
or heat resisting ceramic ware that is a non-plastic material, the
lid having the locking wing is not adapted to the non-plastic
container body.
[0007] Therefore, in the case of glass, it has a melting point
largely higher than the melting point of the plastic, and it is
impossible to obtain a desired flexibility in a melted state, the
injection molding is impossible as compared to the plastic product.
In addition, a mass production is impossible. In addition, a
product made of glass does not have a complicated shape and has a
small thickness difference. It is impossible to form a complicated
shape having a thin thickness at an outer surface of the product.
In the case that there is a large thickness difference in the glass
product, the product may be broken or may have cracks during a
cooling process after molding by a contraction difference during
the cooling process.
[0008] In the case of the stainless material, it has a very high
strength and does not have any rusts. However, a molding property
is very bad due to its high strength. It is impossible to form a
product having protrusions.
[0009] Therefore, in the cases of the non-plastic container body
formed of glass, stainless material or ceramic ware and the plastic
lid formed by the injection molding method, the engaging method of
the locking hole and the locking protrusion is not adapted. Namely,
the structure of FIG. 10 is adapted.
[0010] The construction of the conventional container will be
described. The non-plastic container body 100 includes an engaging
shoulder 101 having a small size and protruded from an outer
portion of the opening of the same. The plastic lid 200 includes a
cover part 201 for covering the container body 100, a contact part
202 contacting with the opening of the container body, a covering
part 203 for covering an outer side of the opening of the container
body, a plurality of extension parts 204 downwardly extending from
the portion opposite to the covering part 203 and flexibly
extending in the direction of the outer side, and an engaging
protrusion 205 protruded from the inner surfaces of the extension
parts 204 and elastically engaged and disengaged with the engaging
shoulder 101 of the container body 100.
[0011] However, in the above described storing container, when the
lid 200 is engaged to the opening of the container body 100, when
the engaging protrusions 205 protruded in the direction of the
opposite inner surfaces of the extension parts 204 are pressed and
get close in the direction of the container body 100, the engaging
protrusion 205 is elastically engaged to the engaging shoulder 101,
and the lid 200 is engaged to the container body 100. However,
since the engaging protrusion 205 is engaged to the engaging
shoulder by an elastic recovering force of the extension part 204
itself, the engaging force is weak, and the lid 200 is pulled in
the direction of the container body 100, so that it is impossible
to obtain a desired sealing force. Therefore, the lid is easily
disengaged. Therefore, the storing container formed of the
non-plastic container body 100 and the plastic lid 200 cannot
stably store the foods in the container body 100.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to
provide a non-plastic container for storing food that overcomes the
problems encountered in the constructions between the non-plastic
container body formed of glass, stainless or ceramic ware and the
plastic lid.
[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a
non-plastic container for storing food capable of enhancing an
engaging force between a non-plastic container body formed of
glass, stainless, ceramic ware, etc. and a plastic lid for thereby
largely increasing a sealing property therebetween. In addition, it
is possible to stably store foods based on a high strength and high
heat-resisting property of a container body.
[0014] To achieve the above objects, there is provided a food
storing container formed of a non-plastic container body formed of
glass, stainless, ceramic ware, etc., and a plastic lid formed of
plastic, a food storing container having a non-plastic container
body comprising a closed ring shaped plastic rim formed in an upper
side of an opening of the non-plastic container body wherein the
closed ring shaped plastic rim surrounds all outer surrounding
portions of the container body; and at least more than locking
protrusion integrally formed at the opposite sides of the plastic
rim wherein the locking protrusions are inserted into locking holes
formed in locking wings of the plastic lid.
[0015] The plastic rim is inserted into and engaged to an outer
portion of the container body with a certain tensional force.
[0016] The plastic rim is formed based on a double injection method
in a state that the container body is inserted into a plastic
injection molding.
[0017] An engaging groove is formed on an outer surface of the
upper side of the opening of the non-plastic container body for
enhancing an engaging force with the plastic rim.
[0018] When forming the plastic rim in the container body based on
the double injection method, a plastic coating layer is integrally
formed with the plastic rim wherein the plastic coating layer
surrounds the outer surface and lower portions of the container
body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The present invention will become better understood with
reference to the accompanying drawings which are given only by way
of illustration and thus are not limitative of the present
invention, wherein;
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a non-plastic
container for storing food according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating a non-plastic
container for storing food according to the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view illustrating a state of use
of a non-plastic container for storing food according to the
present invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view illustrating a non-plastic
container for storing food according to another embodiment of the
present invention;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating a non-plastic
container for storing food according to further another embodiment
of the present invention;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a construction that more than
at least one locking protrusion is selectively formed each side of
a container body according to the present invention;
[0026] FIGS. 7 through 9 are plane views of lids sealingly engaged
to a container body according to the present invention;
[0027] FIGS. 10 and 11 are a disassembled perspective view and a
cross sectional view of an engaged state of a conventional
container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] The preferred embodiment of the present invention will be
described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a non-plastic
container for storing food according to the present invention, FIG.
2 is a cross sectional view illustrating a non-plastic container
for storing food according to the present invention, FIG. 3 is a
cross sectional view illustrating a state of use of a non-plastic
container for storing food according to the present invention, FIG.
4 is a cross sectional view illustrating a non-plastic container
for storing food according to another embodiment of the present
invention, FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating a
non-plastic container for storing food according to further another
embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a view illustrating
a construction that more than at least one locking protrusion is
selectively formed each side of a container body according to the
present invention, and FIGS. 7 through 9 are plane views of lids
sealingly engaged to a container body according to the present
invention.
[0030] In the drawings, reference numeral 1 represents a
non-plastic container body, and 2 represents a plastic lid. Here,
the non-plastic container body 1 is formed of glass or stainless
having a low molding property and a high heat resisting property or
ceramic ware, and the plastic lid 2 is formed of a plastic
material. In addition, the container body 1 and the lid 2 are
fabricated separately from each other.
[0031] In the present invention, the non-plastic container body 1
is fabricated using glass or stainless or ceramic ware. The thusly
fabricated non-plastic body 1 is inserted into a plastic injection
molding. A plastic rim 3 is formed in such a manner that the outer
portions of the upper part 11 of the opening of the container body
1 is fully surrounded by a double injection method. A locking
protrusion 31 is integrally formed at the opposite portions in the
rim 3 in such a manner that at least more than one locking
protrusion in each portion or one locking protrusion in each
surface of the container body.
[0032] A closed ring shaped plastic rim 3 having the locking
protrusion 31 formed in the above manner is formed by an injection
molding method and is inserted into an outer portion of the
container body 1. At this time, the plastic rim 3 has a tension
force, so that it is not easily disengaged.
[0033] In addition, when forming the non-plastic container body 1,
an engaging groove 12 is formed at the upper portion 11 of the
opening. When engaging the plastic rim 3 is to the outer portion of
the container body 1 by the double injection method, the plastic
rim 3 is inserted into the engaging groove 12 for thereby enhancing
the engaging force of the plastic rim 3. The above construction
method is adapted to the method that the plastic rim 3 is inserted
and engaged.
[0034] In addition, when the plastic rim is processed by the double
injection method in a state that the non-plastic container body 1
is inserted into the plastic injection molding, a plastic coating
layer 32 may be integrally formed in such a manner that it
surrounds the outer surface and entire lower portions of the
container body 1 of the lower side of the rim 3. Therefore, it is
possible to maintain a desired strength and heat resisting
property. In addition, the outer construction of the container body
may have various different colors and shapes.
[0035] Here, the plastic lid 2 is formed by an injection molding
using a plastic material to correspond to the shape of the
container body 1. The lid 2 includes a cover part 21 formed in a
plane shape, and an engaging part 22 engaged to the opening of the
container body 1. A locking wing 23 is formed in a surrounding
portion of the lid 2 and is smoothly folded and unfolded along a
hinge line. At least one locking wing 23 is formed in the opposite
surfaces or the locking wing 23 is formed in each surface of the
container body 1. A locking hole 24 into which the locking
protrusion 31 is inserted is formed in each locking wing 23.
[0036] A sealing packing 4 formed of a silicon material is engaged
in the inner side of the engaging part 22 of the plastic lid 2.
[0037] The operation of the present invention will be described as
follows.
[0038] FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the plastic container body 1
formed in a rectangular shape wherein each side has a rounder
corner. In this embodiment of the present invention, the plastic
rim 3 having the locking protrusion 31 is formed in the outer
surface of the upper portion 11 of the opening of the container
body 1 by the double injection method.
[0039] The plastic rim 3 formed in the non-plastic container body 1
maintains engaged to the upper portion 11 of the container body by
an adhering force of the plastic itself and a contraction operation
after the double injection. Therefore, even when the plastic lid 2
is repeatedly engaged and disengaged for many times, the plastic
rim 3 is not separated from the container body 1.
[0040] In addition, when engaging the plastic lid 2 to the
non-plastic container body 1, as shown in FIG. 3, the surrounding
portion of the opening of the container body 1 contacts with the
sealing packing 4 engaged in the engaging part 22 of the lid 2, and
the locking wing 23 formed in the lid 2 is rotated in the direction
of the container body 1, and the locking wing 23 is pressed to the
container body 1, so that the locking hole 24 is engaged to the
locking protrusion 31. At this time, the protrusion position of the
locking protrusion 31 is at the portion in which the locking wing
24 of the locking wing 23 is slightly moved in the lower direction
and is elastically and rightly engaged. Therefore, when the locking
holes 24 of each locking wing 23 are inserted onto the locking
protrusions 31 and are engaged thereby, the lid 2 itself is
slightly moved down in such a manner that the lid 2 elastically
presses the surrounding portions of the opening of the container
body 1. Therefore, the sealing packing 4 engaged to the engaging
part 22 is elastically pressed for thereby sealing the opening of
the container body 1. Therefore, it is possible to engage the
plastic lid 2 to the non-plastic container body 1 in a sealed
state.
[0041] In addition, when separating the plastic lid 2 that is
engaged to the non-plastic container body 1 in a sealed state, each
locking wing 23 engaged to the locking wings 31 is disengaged, so
that the locking holes 24 are escaped from the locking protrusions
31 for thereby disengaging the lid 2.
[0042] As shown in FIG. 4, in the embodiment of the present
invention, when the non-plastic container body 1 is molded using
glass, stainless or ceramic ware as a source material, an engaging
groove 12 is formed in a concave shape on an outer surface of the
upper portion 11 of the opening, and the non-plastic container body
1 having the engaging groove 12 is inserted into the injection
molding, and the process is performed in a state that the plastic
rim 3 is engaged to the engaging groove 12 by the double injection
method, so that the plastic rim 3 is more stably engaged. When the
engaging groove 12 is formed in the container body 1, even when the
plastic rim 3 is engaged by a simple insertion and adhering method,
not by the double injection method, it is possible to obtain a
desired stability.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 5, in the embodiment of the present
invention, the non-plastic container body 1 is formed of glass,
stainless or ceramic ware, and the container body 1 is inserted
into the injection molding for engaging the plastic rim 3 based on
the double injection method. A plastic coating layer 32 is
integrally extended from the plastic rim 3 for thereby surrounding
the outer surface and lower (bottom) of the container body 1. In
the above embodiment of the present invention, the plastic lid 2 is
engaged in a sealed state, and the plastic coating layer 32
surrounds the entire portions of the non-plastic container body 1,
so that it is possible to protect the container body 1 from an
external impact. In addition, it is possible to express various
colors and shapes for thereby enhancing an outer look of the
container.
[0044] In addition, as it is not shown in the drawings, in the case
that the non-plastic container body 1 is formed in a circle shape,
the plastic rim 3 may be inserted and adhered or the plastic rim 3
and the locking protrusion 31 may be integrally formed at the upper
portions of the opening of the container body by the double
injection method using plastic. In addition, the plastic coating
layer 32 may be integrally formed and may surround the entire
portions of the container body.
[0045] As described above, the plastic rim having the locking
protrusions is inserted and engaged to the non-plastic container
body formed using glass (including heat resisting tempered glass),
stainless or ceramic ware (including heat resisting ceramic ware)
or the plastic rim is formed by the double injection method. In
addition, the lid is formed of plastic material, and the container
body is formed of a material having a high strength and heat
resisting property. Therefore, any scratches are not formed on the
surfaces of the container, and the products are stable. It is
possible to fabricate a container having a heat resisting property.
A stable and strong sealing state is achieved between the lid and
the container body. In a state that the lid is engaged, the lid is
not easily disengaged from the container body, so that it is
possible to stable store foods.
[0046] In addition, in the case of the container body formed of
transparent glass, the inner side of the container may be seen. It
is possible to fabricate the container body having various colors
and shapes. In the case that the outer side of the container body
is coated using plastic material, it is possible to achieve various
colors and shapes. The food storing container formed of the
non-plastic container body and the plastic lid may be fabricated in
various colors and shapes, so that the quality of the container is
enhanced.
[0047] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described
examples are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing
description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be
construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the
appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that
fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences of
such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the
appended claims.
* * * * *