U.S. patent application number 10/497040 was filed with the patent office on 2005-09-01 for container fitment.
Invention is credited to Clarke, Peter Reginald.
Application Number | 20050189351 10/497040 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 9926770 |
Filed Date | 2005-09-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050189351 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Clarke, Peter Reginald |
September 1, 2005 |
Container fitment
Abstract
A fitment is described for a foodstuffs container having a mouth
with a surrounding rim that projects radially beyond the walls of
the container. The fitment comprises an injection moulded plastics
ring having a circumferentially continuous cylindrical inner wall
for making sealing contact with the radially outer surface of the
rim. At least one retaining portion projects radially inwards from
the ring to engage the underside of the rim and thereby hold the
fitment against the mouth of the container. The container is sealed
by adhering a foil seal to the upper surface of the ring or the rim
of the container.
Inventors: |
Clarke, Peter Reginald;
(West Sussex, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
SMITH-HILL AND BEDELL, P.C.
16100 NW CORNELL ROAD, SUITE 220
BEAVERTON
OR
97006
US
|
Family ID: |
9926770 |
Appl. No.: |
10/497040 |
Filed: |
August 27, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
November 28, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB02/05366 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/212 ;
220/254.1; 220/256.1; 220/266; 220/359.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 51/246 20130101;
B65D 51/145 20130101; B65D 77/20 20130101; B65D 2401/15
20200501 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/212 ;
220/266; 220/254.1; 220/256.1; 220/359.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 051/24 |
Claims
1-9. (canceled)
10. A tamper evident fitment for a foodstuffs container having a
base, side walls extending from the base, a mouth at the end of the
side walls remote from the base, a rim surrounding the mouth and
projecting radially beyond the walls of the container and a foil
sealingly secured to the mouth of the container, wherein the tamper
evident fitment comprises an injection moulded plastics ring for
fitting over the rim of the container to inhibit access to the edge
of the foil while permitting the central part of the foil to be
seen, the ring having a circumferentially continuous cylindrical
inner wall to contact the radially outer surface of the rim, and at
least one retaining portion projecting radially inwards from the
ring to engage the underside of the rim and hold the ring over the
mouth of the container:
11. A fitment as claimed in claim 10, wherein a weakened portion is
provided on the ring to assist in breaking of the inner wall
engaging the rim of the container when the fitment is to be
removed.
12. A fitment as claimed in claim 10, wherein the ring is formed
integrally with a utensil to facilitate the consumption of the
contents of the container.
13. A fitment as claimed in claim 12, wherein the utensil is
connected to the ring by means of a hinge.
14. A fitment as claimed in claim 13, wherein the hinge has an
over-centre or toggle action so that the utensil is biased into two
stable positions, the utensil being in the same plane as the ring
in the first stable position and being urged against the outer wall
of the container in the second stable position.
15. A fitment as claimed in claim 14 wherein a weakened portion is
provided on the ring to assist in breaking of the inner wall
engaging the rim of the container when the fitment is to be removed
and wherein the utensil is attached to the weakened portion of the
ring.
16. A tamper evident fitment for a foodstuffs container having a
base, side walls extending from the base, a mouth at the end of the
side walls remote from the base, and a rim surrounding the mouth
and projecting radially beyond the walls of the container, wherein
the fitment comprises an injection moulded plastics ring for
fitting over the rim of the container, the ring having a
circumferentially continuous cylindrical inner wall for making
sealing contact with the radially outer surface of the rim, and at
least one retaining portion projecting radially inwards from the
ring for engaging the underside of the rim and holding the ring
over the mouth of the container, and a foil formed separately from
the ring and sealingly secured to the ring to cover the open centre
of the ring.
17. A fitment as claimed in claim 16, wherein a weakened portion is
provided on the ring to assist in breaking of the inner wall
engaging the rim of the container when the fitment is to be
removed.
18. A fitment as claimed in claim 16, wherein the ring is formed
integrally with a utensil to facilitate the consumption of the
contents of the container.
19. A fitment as claimed in claim 18, wherein the utensil is
connected to the ring by means of a hinge.
20. A fitment as claimed in claim 19, wherein the hinge has an
over-centre or toggle action so that the utensil is biased into two
stable positions, the utensil being in the same plane as the ring
in the first stable position and being urged against the outer wall
of the container in the second stable position.
21. A fitment as claimed in claim 20, wherein a weakened portion is
provided on the ring to assist in breaking of the inner wall
engaging the rim of the container when the fitment is to be removed
and wherein the utensil is attached to the weakened portion of the
ring.
22. A method of sealing a foodstuff container which comprises
providing a foodstuff container having a mouth with a surrounding
rim that projects radially beyond the walls of the container,
fitting to the mouth of the container an injection moulded plastics
ring having a circumferentially continuous cylindrical inner wall
to make sealing contact with the radially outer surface of the rim
and having at least one retaining portion projecting radially
inwards from the ring to engage the underside of the rim, and
adhering a foil seal to the upper surface of the ring after the
foodstuff has been introduced into the container.
23. A method as claimed in claim 22, wherein the container is
filled after the step of fitting the ring.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a tamper evident fitment
for a container having a mouth with a surrounding rim that projects
radially beyond the walls of the container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] It is common for foodstuffs containers to be sealed in such
a manner that once they have been opened they cannot be resealed.
The contents are intended to be consumed as soon as the container
has been opened and not stored for use at a later time. Examples of
such foodstuffs are yoghurt, desserts and quick snacks such as
soups and noodles.
[0003] Conventionally, such containers are sealed by adhering a
foil seal directly to the upper surface of the rim. The foil seal
may be made of a metal, a plastics coated metal or a plastics
material. A replaceable cover is sometimes fitted over the foil
seal.
[0004] A disadvantage of such a container is that it does not at
the time of purchase provide clear proof of tampering as evidence
of tampering is disguised once the fitment has been replaced.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] With a view to mitigating the foregoing disadvantage, there
is provided, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention,
there is provided a tamper evident fitment for a foodstuffs
container having a base, side walls extending from the base, a
mouth at the end of the side walls remote from the base, a rim
surrounding the mouth and projecting radially beyond the walls of
the container and a foil sealingly secured to the mouth of the
container, wherein the tamper evident fitment comprises an
injection moulded plastics ring for fitting over the rim of the
container to inhibit access to the edge of the foil while
permitting the central part of the foil to be seen, the ring having
a circumferentially continuous cylindrical inner wall to contact
the radially outer surface of the rim, and at least one retaining
portion projecting radially inwards from the ring to engage the
underside of the rim and hold the ring over the mouth of the
container.
[0006] In this aspect of the invention, while the ring is in place,
the perimeter of the foil is inaccessible and it cannot therefore
be peeled away from the rim of the container. If the foil is
punctured to gain access to the contents of the container then this
will be immediately apparent at the time of purchase. The ring has
to be broken before it can be removed from the container and damage
to the ring will again be immediately apparent at the time of
purchase.
[0007] In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there
is provided A tamper evident fitment for a foodstuffs container
having a base, side walls extending from the base, a mouth at the
end of the side walls remote from the base, and a rim surrounding
the mouth and projecting radially beyond the walls of the
container, wherein the fitment comprises an injection moulded
plastics ring for fitting over the rim of the container, the ring
having a circumferentially continuous cylindrical inner wall for
making sealing contact with the radially outer surface of the rim,
and at least one retaining portion projecting radially inwards from
the ring for engaging the underside of the rim and holding the ring
over the mouth of the container, and a foil formed separately from
the ring and sealingly secured to the ring to cover the open centre
of the ring.
[0008] The second aspect of the invention differs from the first
only in that the foil is fitted to the ring rather than the rim of
the container. If the ring is broken or if the sealing foil is
damaged in any way, the tampering will be immediately evident at
the time of purchase.
[0009] A seal is formed in the second aspect of the present
invention by an interference fit between an inner wall of the ring
and the radially outer surface of the rim at the mouth of the
container. Because of the normal manner in which the containers are
formed (they are usually thermoformed and cut from a web) they tend
to have a sharp edge on their rim that bites into the ring of the
fitment to provide an effective seal.
[0010] The retaining portion may either be circumferentially
continuous or several retaining portions may be provided in close
proximity to one another, to prevent the ring from being separated
from the container without it being visibly damaged in the
process.
[0011] If the foil seal is adhered to the fitment rather than the
container, then because it presents a larger area to which the foil
seal can be adhered, it is possible to ensure that the entire
circumference of the foil seal is securely adhered to the fitment
so that no part of it can be gripped to enable the foil seal to be
peeled away without leaving clear evidence of tampering.
[0012] It is preferred to provide a weakened portion on the ring so
that its inner wall engaging the rim of the container can be
intentionally broken when the fitment is to be removed. Once the
wall ceases to be circumferentially continuous, the interference
fit with the rim is destroyed and the fitment can be raised with
relative ease.
[0013] It is possible to form the ring integrally with a utensil,
such as a spoon to facilitate the consumption of the contents of
the container.
[0014] The utensil may be connected to the ring by means of a hinge
so that it can lie against the wall of the container when in
storage.
[0015] The hinge preferably has an over-centre or toggle action so
that the utensil is biased into two stable positions, the utensil
being in the same plane as the ring in the first stable position
and being urged against the outer wall of the container in the
second stable position. In this way, the utensil and ring can
readily be moulded in the first position while still allowing the
utensil to be bent into the second position which is more
convenient for storage of the containers.
[0016] It is advantageous for the utensil to be attached to the
weakened portion of the ring so that it can be used to apply
leverage when breaking the seal between the container and the
fitment.
[0017] The invention additionally provides in accordance with a
third aspect a method of sealing a foodstuff container which
comprises providing a foodstuff container having a mouth with a
surrounding rim that projects radially beyond the walls of the
container, fitting to the mouth of the container an injection
moulded plastics ring having a circumferentially continuous
cylindrical inner wall to make sealing contact with the radially
outer surface of the rim and having at least one retaining portion
projecting radially inwards from the ring to engage the underside
of the rim, and adhering a foil seal to the upper surface of the
ring after the foodstuff has been introduced into the
container.
[0018] In the method aspect of the invention, the container may be
filled with the foodstuff either before or after the step of
fitting the ring but the filling must of course be completed before
the foil seal has covered the mouth of the container.
[0019] The invention offers the additional advantage that it
simplifies production when the lid carries printed matter in that
all the printing can now be carried out on the flat foil seal.
There is no need to load different lids when using different
foodstuffs and the same rings can be used regardless of the
contents of the containers. After the containers have been filled,
the foil seal bearing the appropriate printed matter may be adhered
to the ring to seal the contents of container.
[0020] By fitting the ring to the container after it has been
filled, it is possible to avoid any risk of the foodstuff splashing
on to, or otherwise coming into contact with, the surface to which
the foil seal is to be adhered thereby reducing any likelihood of
the foil seal not adhering properly to the plastics ring.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The invention will now be described further, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a container and a fitment
of present invention,
[0023] FIG. 2 is a partial section through the fitment,
[0024] FIG. 3 is a partial section through the container,
[0025] FIG. 4 is a partial section of the container with the
fitment in place,
[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view from above of a weakened
portion of the fitment,
[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view from below of the weakened
portion of the fitment,
[0028] FIG. 7 is a view similar to that of FIG. 2 through the
weakened portion of the fitment,
[0029] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a container fitted with an
alternative form of fitment incorporating an eating utensil,
[0030] FIG. 9 is a section through the hinge connecting the eating
utensil to the fitment in the embodiment of FIG. 8,
[0031] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the hinge of FIG. 9 shown
in an alternative position, and
[0032] FIG. 11 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing an
alternative embodiment of the invention in which the foil is
adhered to the container instead of the fitment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0033] FIGS. 1 to 7 show a container 10 having a rim 16 surrounding
its mouth. The rim 16 projects beyond the side walls of the
container 10 and is formed with a sharp edge 18. The sharp edge 18
results from the container normally having been formed by being
been cut from a thermoformed sheet.
[0034] The tamper evident fitment for the container comprises an
injection moulded ring 12. The term "ring" is used to signify an
annulus with an open centre, but it is not essential for it to be
circular, its shape being dependent upon the shape of the
container. The container is sealed by a foil 14 that is shown in
the drawings as being adhered to the ring 12 but it may
alternatively be adhered to the mouth of the container, as shown in
FIG. 11, so that only its perimeter is covered by the ring 12. The
foil seal 14 may be formed of metal, plastics or a plastics coated
metal.
[0035] The ring 12 has an inner wall 22 which is dimensioned to
form an interference fit with the outer circumference of the rim
16. As a result, when the fitment is fitted to the container 10, as
shown in FIG. 4, the sharp edge 18 of the rim 16 bites into the
wall 22 and forms an airtight seal.
[0036] To hold the fitment over the mouth of the container 10, the
skirt 26 of the ring 12 has a radially inwardly projecting
retaining portion 20 that engages under the rim 16. The retaining
portion 20 may be a single continuous projection but, for ease of
manufacture, it is preferred that it be discontinuous.
[0037] The fitment as so far described can only be removed from the
container 10 once fitted by breaking the ring 12 to destroy the
interference fit between the fitment 12 and the container 10. Such
breaking of the ring 12 would of course be readily perceived at the
point of sale.
[0038] To assist in the removal of the fitment, it is intentionally
provided with a weakened portion designated 30 in the drawings. The
weakened portion 30 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7. In
particular the skirt 26 has cut-outs 32 that define a flap 36. The
flap 36 is surrounded by a recess 34 which allows the flap 36 to be
hinged upwards, as viewed in FIG. 5, at the same time cracking the
wall 22 in two places where it mates with the rim 16 of the
container 10.
[0039] The embodiment of FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 differs from that
previously described in that the ring 12' has a weakened portion
which is formed integrally with a spoon 40. The spoon 40 is
connected to the skirt 26' at the weakened portion by means of a
hinge 42 that has an over centre action. In particular, the spoon
40 is connected at three different hinge lines 50, 52, 54 to the
ring 12'. An L-shaped hinge member 56 acts as the spring of a
toggle which is at its maximum extension when the three hinge lines
50, 52 and 54 all lie in the same plane.
[0040] The spoon 40 and the fitment 12' are moulded in the position
in which they are shown in FIG. 10, that is to say with the spoon
40 in the same plane as the ring 12'. After fitting the ring 12' to
the container 10, the spoon 40 is bent downwards into the position
shown in FIGS. 8 & 9, whereupon the resilience of the member 56
will bias the spoon 40 against the wall of the container.
[0041] Aside from providing a useful utensil to facilitate eating
of the contents of the container, the spoon 40 can be used as a
lever to assist in breaking the ring 12' at its weakened
portion.
[0042] The fitment may be applied to the container in two parts
during production. First the ring 12 or 12' is first fitted to the
container 10 and thereafter the foil seal 14 is adhered to the
ring. The ring 12, 12' may be fitted to the container 10 either
before or after it has been filled but the foil seal cannot of
course be applied until after the container has been filled. If the
ring 12, 12' is fitted after the filling operation, the risk of
contamination of the surface to which the foil seal 14 adheres is
avoided.
[0043] It will be seen that the invention provides a fitment that
cannot be removed from a container without leaving a tell-tale sign
of the tampering. Furthermore, the invention dispenses with the
need to print on individually formed fitments as the printing can
be applied to the foil seal while it is still in a continuous sheet
form, that is to say before it has been separated into separate
discs.
* * * * *