U.S. patent application number 11/083871 was filed with the patent office on 2005-10-27 for nestable containers with hingedly attached closures.
Invention is credited to Herbert, Curtis B., Kolar, James C..
Application Number | 20050236294 11/083871 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34577656 |
Filed Date | 2005-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050236294 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Herbert, Curtis B. ; et
al. |
October 27, 2005 |
Nestable containers with hingedly attached closures
Abstract
Embodiments include retail displays of reusable containers and
coverings for the containers. For example, materials and methods
are described for making and using a retail display for showing a
food storage or general purpose storage apparatus having reusable
containers and coverings for the containers, the apparatus
including a plurality of nested containers each having an opening,
and a plurality coverings for the containers, with the containers
being nestable with each other and having the covers disposed
inside the containers while the containers are nested, whereby an
advantageously compact and readily manageable display system is
deployed.
Inventors: |
Herbert, Curtis B.; (Saint
Paul, MN) ; Kolar, James C.; (Saint Paul,
MN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Curtis Herbert
Aquinas Properties LLC
205 Stevens St West
Saint Paul
MN
55107
US
|
Family ID: |
34577656 |
Appl. No.: |
11/083871 |
Filed: |
March 18, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11083871 |
Mar 18, 2005 |
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10974553 |
Oct 27, 2004 |
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60514956 |
Oct 28, 2003 |
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60514940 |
Oct 28, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
206/518 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02W 30/80 20150501;
B65D 21/0233 20130101; Y02W 30/807 20150501 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/518 |
International
Class: |
B65D 006/12 |
Claims
1-20. (canceled)
21. A display for a storage apparatus comprising: a retail display
unit comprising a plurality of reusable shape stable storage
containers that each have an opening, with each of the plurality of
the containers being nested with each other and each of the
plurality of the containers having a detachable hinged cover stored
inside the container, with the cover being movable by articulation
of the hinge between a first position for covering the opening and
a second position that allows for the containers to be nested with
each other, wherein the openings each have the same dimensions.
22. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the edges of the covers
interact with edges of the containers when the containers are not
nested so as to make a substantial seal so that contents of the
containers are substantially isolated within the containers.
23. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the substantial seal is
water tight.
24. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of
containers is a general purpose storage container.
25. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of
containers is a food storage container.
26. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein at least one of the
coverings or at least one of the containers comprises an elastic
material.
27. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of
coverings has a surface area of less than about one half square
foot when disposed over one of the openings.
28. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein at least one of the hinges
comprises an elastic material.
29. The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the retail display unit
comprises a shelf, rack, or table.
30. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein the retail display unit is
located in KMART, WAL-MART, or TARGET.
31. A method comprising: placing a display unit in a retail sales
area and providing the retail display unit with a plurality of
reusable shape stable storage containers that each have an opening,
with each of the plurality of the containers being nested with each
other and each of the plurality of the containers having a
detachable hinged cover stored inside the container, with the cover
being movable by articulation of the hinge between a first position
for covering the opening and a second position that allows for the
containers to be nested with each other, wherein the openings each
have the same dimensions.
32. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the edges of the covers
interact with edges of the containers when the containers are not
nested so as to make a substantial seal so that contents of the
containers are substantially isolated within the containers.
33. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the substantial seal is
water tight.
34. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein each of the plurality of
containers is a general purpose storage container.
35. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein each of the plurality of
containers is a food storage container.
36. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein at least one of the
coverings or at least one of the containers comprises an elastic
material.
37. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein each of the plurality of
coverings has a surface area of less than about one half square
foot when disposed over one of the openings.
38. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the retail display unit
comprises a shelf, a rack, or a table.
39. The method of claim 29, comprising placing the plurality of the
containers on display at KMART, WAL-MART, or TARGET.
40. The method of claim 29, further comprising removing one of the
plurality of the containers from the display unit and then removing
the cover from within the container.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent
Ser. No. 10/974,553, filed Oct. 27, 2004, which claims priority to
U.S. Patent Ser. Nos. 60/514,956, filed Oct. 28, 2003, and
60/514,940, filed Oct. 28, 2003, each of which are hereby claimed
as priority documents and are all hereby incorporated by reference
herein. The application is also related to U.S. Patent Ser. No.
______, entitled "Nestable Containers with Coverings Having a Fold"
which has been filed the same day as the present application.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The technical field is related to nestable containers having
hingedly attached coverings for the containers.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Food storage containers are popularly used to store food
that is left over after a meal. The food is packed into the storage
container, sealed, and placed into a refrigerator. Such food
containers may be reusable and made of plastic and have a lid. The
lid seats snugly on the container to help preserve the food and
isolate it from the environment. A plastic used for a food storage
container is carefully selected for its properties in contact with
food.
SUMMARY
[0004] Many consumers own a variety of types of reusable food
containers. Each type has its own lid. As a result, there is often
a need to search through a variety of lids and containers to
identify ones that match. The searching process is often
inconvenient and frustrating. This application identifies this
problem, which is a long-felt unmet need, and provides certain
inventive embodiments that address these difficulties.
[0005] One solution to this problem is to store the containers with
the coverings that fit them. Storage of the coverings with the
containers, however, is difficult because conventional containers
can not be nested with each other while the covering is on the
container. Therefore containers having hingedly attached coverings
are described herein that can be moved from a first covering
position during use for food containment to a second storage
position while the containers are nested. The coverings are in a
first position while covering the containers, and are movable to
another position so that the containers may be nested with each
other. Thus the coverings can be stored with the containers so that
they are not separated during storage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0006] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a plurality of nestable
containers having hingedly attached coverings;
[0007] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1A
with the containers being nested with the coverings in a storage
position that allows for the nesting;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a plurality of nestable
containers having hingedly attached coverings that have folds;
[0009] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a plurality of nestable
containers having elastic coverings;
[0010] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3A
with the containers being nested with the elastic coverings in a
position that allows for the nesting;
[0011] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
a nestable container having a hingedly attached covering;
[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
a nestable container having a hingedly attached covering;
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
a nestable container having a hingedly attached covering
[0014] FIG. 7A is a plan view of a hinge for hingedly attaching
closures with containers;
[0015] FIG. 7B is a plan view of a reversibly connectable hinge for
hingedly attaching closures with containers;
[0016] FIG. 7C is a cross-sectional view of a living hinge for
hingedly attaching closures with containers; and
[0017] FIG. 7D is a cross-sectional view of a ball and socket type
hinge for hingedly attaching closures with containers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Containers having hingedly attached coverings may be stored
in association with the coverings even when the containers are
nested with other containers. This method of storage conveniently
keeps the containers and coverings together. An embodiment is a
covering, e.g., a lid, for a container, the covering having a hinge
that attaches the covering to the container. The covering may be
moved from a first position to a second position so that the
covering to be used/stored in a first position and stored/used in a
second position. The Figures depict various embodiments having a
covering hingedly attached to a container.
[0019] The hinge on a container having hingedly attached coverings
refers to device that allows the turning or pivoting of a closure
or covering relative to the container, e.g., by a jointed or
flexible mechanism of action. The hinge may be, for example, a
living hinge. A living hinge is typically formed by creating a thin
portion of a plastic in a relatively thicker plastic member. The
living hinge allows for repeated folding and unfolding. Various
hinges are known to persons of ordinary skill, included those
referred to as butt, door, strap, concealed, take-apart &
two-pin hinges. Other hinge types are, for example:
ball-and-socket, and mortise-and-tenon. Additional hinges are, for
example: projection hinge, parliament hinge, tee hinge, and bands
& gudgeons. And a hinge may be made, for example, from at least
one piece of a flexible material that joins two other members that
are to be pivoted relative to each other.
[0020] The containers and coverings may be reusable. Reusable
refers to a structure that allows a user to use a container to hold
items a first time, to place empty containers into a storage
position, and to again use the container to store an item. In the
case of food storage, the containers will typically be cleaned by a
user after a food storage use to remove residue from the food.
[0021] Reusable food storage containers are distinct from
single-use containers. A variety of single-use food containers are
known that are intended to be used once, and thrown away. An
example of such a container is a polystyrene foam or clear
polystyrene container having a base and a lid that both have a
concave shape and are joined with a hinge. These types of
containers are favored by, for example, fast-food establishments
that dispense hamburgers for consumption off site. Some single-use
containers are made of a transparent, thin, and rigid polystyrene
material, with this material being familiar to persons of ordinary
skill in these arts; embodiments described herein may exclude such
polystyrenes, or exclude all polystyrenes, or exclude plastic
materials made of at least 50%, 75%, or 90% polystyrene by weight.
Another type of disposable container has a base and a covering made
of a single folded piece of paper having a coating for contact with
the food. Many consumers are accustomed to receiving Chinese
take-out food in these containers.
[0022] Although it might be argued that it is possible for
consumers to "reuse" such containers, that reuse is not intended by
the makers of such products. Such single-use products are made of
materials and with methods intended to make them last for only
about one use and without consideration of design features that are
helpful for reuse. Makers and users of these products can
distinguish between reusable and disposable containers.
Distinguishing features may be, for example, the physical
properties of the material (e.g., strength, hardness, tactile feel,
brittleness, durability), the durability of a coating, the
aesthetic appeal of the product, and the intended use based on the
source of the container. For instance, such containers are often
advertised or marketed in the basis of their single-use
disposability. A "reusable" container is thus distinct from
single-use products. Moreover, some embodiments are a reusable
container and/or a lid made of materials that do not include paper,
or have less than 50%, 75%, or 90% paper by weight. The term paper
is intended to include, for example, materials processed to include
wood or plant portions.
[0023] Container is a term that includes a container that fully
encloses a space, or partially encloses a space. Certain
embodiments involve the use of containers that have a shape that
encloses a space on all sides except for an opening. For example, a
bowl, box, carton, envelope, bottle, or jug may be enclosed on all
sides except for an opening. Alternatively, a container may be
prepared with multiple openings. Certain embodiments relate to a
container that is fully or partially enclosed. Certain embodiments
relate to a container that has multiple detachable sections. A
container may be reusable or disposable after a single use. While a
food storage container is described as a preferred embodiment,
other types of containers are also contemplated. A closure refers
to a structure or device designed to close off the opening of a
container and prevent loss of its contents. Closures may involve
various means of securing the closure to the container, e.g.,
fasteners, friction fit, threads, ribs, force-fit, and other means
known to artisans in these fields. The term cover or covering
refers to a closure for the largest opening in a container.
[0024] Containers, closures, and sections of the containers may be
assembled from materials that are used for conventional containers.
Such materials include, for example, woods, plastics, ceramics,
cloths, textiles, fabrics, weaves, and metals. Plastics include,
for example, polyethylene, polycarbonate, polyvinylchloride, high
density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene,
polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane, silicones, and various
elastomers. Containers for food storage should be made of food
grade materials that do not undesirably contaminate the food with
undesirable substances. Some materials for containers or coverings,
however, are suitable for single-use and not reuse; such materials
would be excluded from application to a reusable container or
covering. There are many types of plastics available for use with
containers, including combinations of these and other plastics as
blends, copolymers, thermosets, and thermoplastics.
[0025] In some embodiments, the cover and the nestable container
are made of a class of material(s) that consist essentially of
polyethylene, polycarbonate, polypropylene, polyurethane,
thermoplastic elastomer, or a combination thereof. Alternatively,
such container may be made of at least about 50%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or
95% w/w of particular materials, e.g., polyethylene, polycarbonate,
polypropylene, polyurethane, thermoplastic elastomer, or a
combination thereof. One reason for using these materials in the
weight or combination specified is to make a reusable
container.
[0026] Containers and closures, and sections thereof, may be made
with materials that are reversibly deformable, for example, from
natural or synthetic rubbers, or rubbery materials. Examples of
materials for deformable sections include neoprene, nitrile,
polyisoprenes, fluoroelastomers, ethylene/acrylics, silicones,
butyl rubbers, SBR, EPDM, VITON, combinations and derivatives
thereof, and other materials, e.g., as in the Handbook of Plastics
and Elastomers. Liquid silicone rubbers are expensive, but are
useful materials that are highly elastic, food-compatible, and
suitable in a range of temperatures from freezing to boiling. Other
specific materials that may be suitable, depending upon specific
designs and uses, are DYNAFLEX, SANTOPRENE, KRAYTON, ENGAGE,
ESTANE, and DOW CORNING SILASTIC. Sources for materials include,
for example, American Cyanamid Company, B. F. Goodrich Chemical
Company, Copolymer Rubber & Chemical Corporation, Dow Corning
Corporation, E. I. Dupont de Nemours, Federal Mogul Corporation,
Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, Malaysian Rubber Bureau, Parker
Seal Company, Polysar Limited, Precision Rubber Products
Corporation, Sargent Industries, Thiokol Corporation, 3 M Company,
Dow, and Uniroyal Industries Products.
[0027] An alternative to reversibly deformable elastic material is
a reversibly deformable material or structure that is not elastic.
For example, a structure or material that is deformed by a first
mechanical force and requires a second mechanical force to restore
the material to its first configuration is reversibly deformable.
Such structures may be, e.g., a corrugated plastic that has a first
shape and is stretched to achieve a second shape, such as a
substantially flat shape. Alternative structures are telescoping,
nested, stacked, folded, and layered structures.
[0028] For example, a closure may be prepared that is folded in a
storage position so that it has a relatively small projected area
relative to its unfolded state. Thus a user may fold a closure,
dispose it in or under a container, and nest the container with
other containers of a similar or substantially identical size and
shape. Then the closure may be unfolded and used as a lid for the
container. Or, for example, a closure may be prepared that is
collapsed in a storage position so that it occupies a relatively
small volume relative to its uncollapsed state. Thus a user may
expand the closure, dispose it in or under a container, and nest
the container with other containers of a similar or substantially
identical size and shape. Then the closure may be expanded and used
as a lid for the container. The collapsing and expanding may be
accomplished, for example, by use of corrugations in the closure.
Alternatively, a telescoping or layering structure may be used to
accomplish the same.
[0029] For example, a covering may be made that has a fold so that
the covering is disposable essentially on the interior bottom of a
container while the container is nested with other containers. The
projected area of the cover is less than the area of the interior
bottom of the container. When the cover is unfolded, it has a
projected area that is greater than the interior bottom of the
container.
[0030] A cover that is stored between nested containers may be
designed to occupy a specified height. The height of a container
would be the vertical distance between a cover and an opposing
bottom of the container. The height of a cover would be measured
parallel to the height of the container when the cover is disposed
inside the container. Thus a cover may be made so that, when folded
and placed approximately parallel to the bottom of the container,
it has a height that is less than about 50%, 40%, 33%, 20%, 10%, or
less than 10% of the container's height; a person of ordinary skill
in these arts will appreciate that all ranges and values from more
than 0% to less than 50% are intended although they are not
explicitly set forth.
[0031] Alternatively, elastic materials may be joined with less
elastic materials, or rigid materials to make a reversibly
deformable closure. For example, two essentially rigid portions of
a closure may be joined by an elastic portion. In use, the closure
is expanded by pulling in the rigid portions and fastened to the
container to cover it. The closure is removed, and the elastic
portion causes it to contract to a shape with a smaller surface
area. The closure is then stored in the container, and the
containers may be nested with each other. Alternatively, the
elastic portion may serve as a hinge to allow folding of the
closure to achieve a smaller projected surface area. Or these
embodiments may be combined. For example, a cover made of a central
inelastic portion surrounded by an elastic portion may have a hinge
that crosses both the elastic portion and the inelastic portion. In
use, the cover is folded along the hinge and placed into the
container, which, if nestable, may be nested with other containers.
Then the cover may be removed, unfolded, and placed over the
opening of the container, optionally by stretching the elastic
portion to change the surface area of the cover to fit over the
opening.
[0032] Alternatively, two or more essentially rigid portions of a
closure may be joined by an elastic or resilient portion that
functions as a hinge. In one embodiment, two rigid portions are
joined by a resilient hinge that allows for folding and storage
with containers, including nestable containers. Or four rigid
portions are joined by two intersecting resilient members to create
two hinges at approximately right angles. In use, the hinges may be
used to fold the covers. In some embodiments, the resilient members
serve as points for collapsing or otherwise deforming the cover,
e.g., to fold the portions to create angle(s) between them at about
15 to about 60 degrees.
[0033] One measure of the change in the state of a closure between
two positions is the change in surface area. A measurement of a
surface area is accomplished by adding up the entire area of the
surface, and is not to be confused with the projected surface area
of an object. For example, a stretchable rubber sheet increases its
surface area when it is stretched. In contrast, an essentially
unstretchable material bounded by an elastic band of rubber
material can have its projected area changed by stretching the band
over an object, but the band's stretching essentially does not
change the surface area of the object because the unstretchable
material remains the same size. A projected surface area is the
projection of an object onto a two-dimensional surface. For
example, a corrugated closure has substantially no change in its
surface area as the corrugations are flattened, but the projected
surface area is changed.
[0034] Elastic materials for the reversibly deformable closure
embodiments are those materials that can have their surface area
appreciably changed using the manual force generated by an average
man or woman. It is appreciated that most materials have some
measurable elasticity, especially if the appropriate machine is
harnessed to stretch the material. Suitable materials, however, are
those that can be stretched using manual force. To determine a
range for manual force, a digital, spring scale (0 to 50 pounds)
was attached to one of the narrow ends of a rectangular food
storage container. A standard cover that had been cut in half
across the width was placed onto the container to restrain the
sides and to make the area that would be held by the user during
application of the closure more realistic. The load applied was
measured at peak applied load and at steady applied load
approximately 15 seconds after the person began to pull the scale.
A steady state load would be a comfortable load for most persons
and the peak load would approach the amount of force that would not
be comfortable. Four persons were tested two or three times each.
and an average steady applied load was measured as being 8.6, 7.0,
14.9, and 8.4 pounds, for an average of about 9.7 pounds. The
average peak values were 11.5, 9.2, 17.3, and 10.2 pounds, for an
average of 12.1 pounds. These values serve as benchmarks to
indicate the approximate range of some values for some typical
users. A resilient material is a material that is deformable by a
force generated by an average man or woman, but returns to its
original shape thereafter; many thermoplastic elastomers are
resilient, e.g., many grades of silicone, DYNAFLEX, or KRAYTON.
[0035] The closures, if they apply a compressive force to a
container, should not exceed the crush strength of the container. A
GLADWARE polypropylene food storage container was tested using an
INSTRON mechanical tester, and determined in compression to deform
at about 109 lbf. with a stress of about 9.6 ksi. In tension, the
container was determined to have a maximum wall strength of about
104 lbf at 2.25 inches. Although only one container was tested,
these values are benchmarks for the tensile and compressive
strength of this category of container.
[0036] Some embodiments are food storage containers for home use,
e.g., for meal leftovers. Although food storage containers for home
use have a multiplicity of uses that are not limited to storage of
food or use at a home, such containers are made to comply with
certain requirements for food safety. Some embodiments are directed
to using food-grade materials, microwaveable materials, materials
resistant to deformation in the conditions typically encountered in
automatic dishwashers, freezable materials, materials for use in a
household oven, and/or materials that do not give off harmful
substances in normal use.
[0037] Moreover, food storage containers for home use have limited
dimensions so that a plurality of them may be accommodated within a
home storage space, e.g., a refrigerator or pantry. Sizes and
suitable ranges of sizes are may be described volumetrically in
terms of the number of ounces of water that they hold: from about
one ounce to about 512 ounces, and every size therebetween, every
range of sizes therebetween, and ranges from any size therebetween
to almost zero. Such sizes therefore include, for example: about
one half-pint, about one pint, about one quart, about two quarts,
and about one gallon. Such ranges therefore include, for example,
from about one quarter pint to about one gallon or to about two
quarts. Such ranges therefore include, for example about 5 ounces
to about 20 ounces.
[0038] Various features may be incorporated into containers for
food uses. For example, a vent for microwaving may be present on a
cover or a container to allow gas from the container interior to
escape after being heated. And, for example, indicia for a day of
the week may be added, e.g., as semispherical buttons or bulges on
a cover that may be depressed to indicate a day of the week, or
other date.
[0039] Other embodiments are directed to containers for general
purpose storage. While food grade plastics may advantageously be
used to provide for maximum potential uses, other materials may be
used, e.g., engineering plastics, or non-plastics. Such containers
may be provide in a range of sizes, e.g., from 8 ounces to 50
gallons, or even more. Such containers may have detachable covers
that are storable on the sides or bottom of the containers, as
described herein, or may have detachable covers that are storage
inside the containers while the containers are nested. The
association between the covers and the containers advantageously
minimizes logistical challenges for sellers that must shelve both
the containers and covers. For example, large retailers such as
KMART, WALMART, and TARGET carry general purpose storage containers
that are shelved in proximity to their covers. The user must find a
suitable cover and match it to the container, and the retailer must
stock the cover and the container separately on the shelves.
[0040] In one embodiment, a retail display unit is provided with a
plurality of nested or nestable containers that have cover stored
inside and/or under each container and/or between containers. In
use, for example, a consumer chooses a container, removes the
container from the shelf or other display unit, and finds the cover
inside or otherwise attached to the container. The consumer may
take the container from a nested stack of containers. Or, for
example, a retailer may place a set of nested containers that each
have a covering associated with the container on a support surface
of a display unit, e.g., a shelf, rack, or table for retail
display, with the cover-container association being a cover place
under each container, a cover placed inside each unit, or at least
some of the covers being placed between the containers while they
are nested.
[0041] In another embodiment, a storage area is used to store a
plurality of nested or nestable containers that have a cover stored
inside and/or under each container and/or between containers. In
use, for example, a user chooses a container, removes the container
from the storage area, and finds the cover inside or otherwise
attached to the container. The user may take the container from a
nested stack of containers. Or, for example, a user may place a set
of nested containers that each have a covering associated with the
container on a storage unit, e.g., a shelf, rack, or table for
storage, with the cover-container association being a cover place
under each container, a cover placed inside each unit, or at least
some of the covers being placed between the containers while they
are nested. For example, warehousing operations, order fulfillment
centers, and other business storage applications will benefit from
the easy association of the lids and containers. The advantages of
such a process are particularly realized when a variety of
containers and coverings are used.
[0042] Examples of containers include containers used for general
purpose storage. Some containers are plastic, while others are,
e.g., metal, steel, glass, tempered glass, PYREX-style glass, wood,
wood-plastic composites. Indeed, the use of closures disposable
between nesting containers is applicable to wide varieties of
containers. Reversible expandable coverings may be plastic or other
materials, e.g., metal, steel, glass, tempered glass, PYREX-style
glass, wood, wood-plastic composites.
[0043] Industrial containers are also contemplated. Many containers
are known for various shipping, storage, warehousing, picking, and
packing purposes. The use of foldable or otherwise reversibly
expandable coverings is generally applicable to containers in a
wide variety of circumstances. The container/closure combinations
may be sold with or without other contents. Various items may be
placed in the containers, including food, drink, crafts, office
supplies, and industrial goods.
[0044] Containers include shape stable containers. A shape stable
container essentially maintains its shape when items are placed
within-it; for example, a bucket, a carton, a milk jug, or a box. A
shape stable container does not typically to tend to conform its
shape to accommodate the items placed within it. A shape stable
container may have an elastic portion but still retain its
classification as a shape stable container because the elastic
member does not typically conform to the items within it, even
though the elastic member may sometimes bend or be displaced. For
example, many consumers are familiar with plastic food storage bags
dispensed from rolls that are not shape stable, e.g., those bags
popularly referred to as sandwich bags or freezer bags.
[0045] Another embodiment is a storage device having a closure and
a container comprising an opening, with the closure being securable
over the opening and comprising a reversibly deformable portion
having a surface area or a projected surface area that is increased
by at least about 15%, e.g., by at least about 25%, by at least
about 50%, or by at least about 100%, when the closure is secured
over the opening.
[0046] In some embodiments, the closure may be stored on the bottom
or a side of the container without occluding the opening. In
general, an increase in surface area in a reversibly deformable
covering is associated with convenience in storage, since a small
covering may be conveniently stored. This increase, however, is, in
general, often offset by an increased force for use, which is less
convenient for a user. Further, an increase in elasticity is often
accompanied by changes to other material properties, such as
hardness, tackiness, and toughness. The balancing of these factors
can be achieved by using design principles described herein in
association with consideration of the properties of the materials
that are chosen.
[0047] Embodiments include a container that comprises a nestable
shape wherein a plurality of the containers occupy less space when
nested as compared to the space occupied when the plurality of
containers are not nested. Some nestable containers have openings
that receive the bottom of another container, e.g., a nested stack
of reusable/disposable food containers that are commonly available
at retail stores. The nesting may be essentially complete or
partially complete. Essentially complete refers to containers that
are nested so that the interior volume of one container is
essentially filled by another. Partially complete refers to nesting
wherein a first container fits inside a second container but leaves
a portion of the second container's interior volume unfilled, e.g.
between about 1% and about 75% of the volume of the container
(i.e., 99% to 25% of the container is filled); persons of ordinary
skill in these arts will immediately appreciate that all values and
ranges between the explicitly stated range are contemplated.
[0048] Closures may be made to have a surface area or projected
surface area that is increased when placed over an opening of a
container. The increase of the surface area or projected surface
area may be, for example, at least about 5%, e.g., at least about
15%, at least about 25%, at least about 50% and at least about
100%. Ranges of increased surface area may be, e.g., 5%-1000%, and
all ranges therebetween, e.g., 5%-500%, and 15%-350%; persons of
ordinary skill in these arts will immediately appreciate that all
values and ranges between the explicitly stated ranges are
contemplated. As already described, embodiments include containers
with a volume in the range between about 1 ounce and about 512
ounces, and coverings or containers made of plastic that is at
least about one sixteenth of an inch thick. A sampling of reusable
food container designs in the range from 4 ounces to 56 ounces
shows approximate dimensions for the interior bottom compared to
the exterior top edge of the containers, see Table 1. The ratio of
the outside top to inside bottom circumference ranged from about
1.3 to about 2.0, and the ratio of the top opening size to interior
bottom ranged from about 1.6 to 3.1. These ratios provide some
indication of some closure dimensions from a manufacturing and
end-user applications perspective, and provide insight into the
amount of stretch or change in area that is required when using a
reversibly deformable closure as described herein.
1TABLE 1 Dimensions of some commonly available reusable food
containers Size Oz. Shape Source Di Do Do/Di Do.sup.2/Di.sup.2 4
Round GLAD 2 3.25 1.6 2.6 8 Round ZIPLOC 2.75 4.25 1.5 2.4 32 Round
DIXIE 4.125 5.25 1.3 1.6 20 Square ZIPLOC 4.125 5.5 1.3 1.8 14
Round ZIPLOC 3.5 5.5 1.6 2.5 32 Square ZIPLOC 4 5.625 1.4 2.0 32
Round GLAD 3.5 6 1.7 2.9 24 Round GLAD 3.25 6.375 2.0 3.8 25 Square
GLAD 5 6.625 1.3 1.8 56 Round ZIPLOC 4 7 1.8 3.1 Note for Table: Do
is outer diameter or length of a side; Di is inner diameter or
length of a side at interior bottom; measurements performed using a
ruler and are approximate.
[0049] Embodiments of closures include those having a surface area
of any size suitable for the intended container. For example, the
closure, when placed in a position to cover an opening, may have a
surface area that is a range of about 1 to about 1,000 square
inches, including all ranges therewithin, e.g., about 4 to about 64
square inches, about 9 to about 36 square inches, and about 9 to
about 36 square inches; persons of ordinary skill in these arts
will immediately appreciate that all values and ranges between the
explicitly stated ranges are contemplated.
[0050] In certain embodiments, a storage apparatus may have a
plurality of containers and coverings, e.g., two, three, four,
five, six, or between 3 and 20, or more. The coverings and
containers may be joined by hinges. The containers may have
openings defined by sides joined to a bottom 120. Edges of the
coverings interact with edges of the containers to make a
substantial seal so that contents of the containers are
substantially isolated within the containers. Persons of ordinary
skill in these arts will immediately appreciate that various
structures may be incorporated in the coverings and containers to
accomplish a substantial sealing even if the "edges" in the very
strictest sense of that term are not directly involved. In use,
containers may be nested with each other with the coverings in a
storage position wherein the coverings do not cover the openings.
The containers may be removed from a nesting position, and
coverings may be pivoted about a hinge, or a plurality of hinges,
to cover the openings.
[0051] Many options for making the substantial seal between the
edges of the coverings and containers are known to persons of
ordinary skill in these arts. Users may use the containers by, for
example, storing food in them. The food may be removed and then the
containers may be washed or otherwise cleaned. After cleaning, the
containers may be nested. The coverings advantageously remain
attached to the containers throughout all of these processes.
Alternatively, the containers and coverings may be reversibly
attachable to each other by separating them at the hinge: the hinge
allows pivoting of the covering and container relative to each
other and also allows the reversible detachment of the covering and
the container. Persons of ordinary skill in these arts are able to
make hinges for this type of reversible attachment and
detachment.
[0052] Various fasteners and seals may be used to join a closure to
a container. Further, the degree of sealing may be controlled and
varied, so that some seals are water tight while others merely
provide a snug seating arrangement to generally isolate the
container contents from the outside environment. For example,
flanges, grooves, beads, and various means for establishing a seal
between a container and a closure, as known to persons in these
arts, may be used. For example, means for joining a lid to a
container as employed in food containers sold under the GLADWARE,
ZIPLOC, RUBBERMAID, LOCK AND LOCK, SNAPWARE, CLICK AND CLACK, or
DIXIEWARE brands may be used.
[0053] In some embodiments, latching mechanisms may be employed to
enhance a seal between a closure and a container. For example, see
WO 2004/035411 or U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,793,096, 5,775,483, and U.S.
Pat. Pub. Nos. 20040099669 and 20030015534, which are hereby
incorporated by reference herein. For example, plastic latches that
pivot between a storage position for sealing the container and an
open position for removing a cover from the container may be used.
A plurality of latches may be used, e.g. between one and four.
Alternatively, a combination of latch(es) and living hinges may be
used to affix a covering to a container, e.g., a closure affixed to
a container by a living hinge with latch(es) to provide additional
sealing action.
[0054] Gaskets may be employed between a closure and a container.
An elastic or a resilient material is preferred for the gasket so
that it may be deformed at least slightly during sealing to assure
a high quality seal. For example, silicones and thermoplastic
elastomers, e.g., KRAYTON, DYNAFLEX, are suitable. A latch may be
used in combination with the gasket to provide a further enhanced
seal.
[0055] The opening of the containers may be located in the top,
side, or bottom of the container and the closure may be placed over
the opening in such embodiments. In one embodiment, the containers
and the coverings may be made of polypropylene, polycarbonate, or
polyethylene and a thermoplastic elastomer or a silicone may be
introduced to interface between them, with the thermoplastic
elastomer or silicone being affixed to the covering, the container,
or both.
[0056] Referring to FIG. 1, storage apparatus 100 has containers
110, coverings 112, and hinges 114. Containers 110 have openings
116 defined by sides 118, which are joined to bottom 120. Edges 122
of coverings 112 interact with edges 124 of containers 110. In use,
containers 110 may be nested with each other as shown in FIG. 1B.
When nested, coverings 112 are placed in a storage position wherein
the coverings do not cover openings 116. Containers 110 may be
removed from a nesting position, and coverings 112 may be pivoted
about hinges 114 to cover openings 116. Edges 122 of coverings 112
interact with edges 124 of containers 110 to make a substantial
seal so that contents of containers 110 are substantially isolated
within the containers.
[0057] FIG. 2 shows nestable apparatus 200 with containers 210,
coverings 212, and hinges 214. Containers 210 have openings 216
defined by sides 218, which are joined to bottom 220. Edges 222 of
coverings 212 interact with edges 224 of containers 210. Coverings
212 have hinges or folds 250. In use, containers 210 may be nested
with each other (as shown in FIG. 1B for the embodiment of FIG.
1A). When nested, coverings 212 are placed in a storage position
wherein the coverings do not cover openings 216. Containers 210 may
be removed from a nesting position, and coverings 212 may be
pivoted about hinges 214 to cover openings 216. Folds 250
advantageously allow the coverings to be reduced in projected area
for a more compact storage of the containers; for instance. Edges
222 of coverings 212 interact with edges 224 of containers 210 to
make a substantial seal so that contents of containers 210 are
substantially isolated within the containers.
[0058] Referring to FIG. 3, storage apparatus 300 has containers
310, coverings 312, and hinges 314. Containers 110 have openings
116 defined by sides 118, which are joined to bottom 120. Edges 122
of coverings 112 interact with edges 124 of containers 110. In use,
containers 110 may be nested with each other as shown in FIG. 3B.
When nested, coverings 312 are placed in a storage position wherein
the coverings do not cover openings 316. Containers 310 may be
removed from a nesting position, and coverings 312 may be pivoted
about hinges 314 to cover openings 316. Edges 322 of coverings 312
interact with edges 324 of containers 310 to make a substantial
seal so that contents of containers 310 are substantially isolated
within the containers. The covering 312 may be a flexible material
or elastic so that storage of the containers is facilitated. A
reversibly deformable, e.g., corrugated or elastic covering may be
used that requires stretching to cover the opening, with the
elastic covering having a surface area in a stored position that is
less than its surface area when stretched.
[0059] FIG. 4 depicts a storage system 400 having nestable
container 410 being nestable with other containers of substantially
identical configuration (not shown). A covering is provided by
covering members 412, 413, which are each hingedly attached to the
container by hinges 414, 415. Edges 422, 423 of covering members
412, 413 interact with each other and edges 424 of the container to
provide a substantial seal.
[0060] FIG. 5 depicts a storage system 500 having nestable
container 510 and covering 512 joined by hinge 514. Container 510
is nestable with other containers of substantially the same size
and shape (not shown). Container 510 has flanges 520 that mate with
flanges 522 on covering 512. Covering 512 has a raised surface 524
(raised by a thickness 525) that frictionally engages the interior
faces of sides 526 so that flanges 520, 522 are held together and
substantially seal.
[0061] Referring to FIG. 6, storage apparatus 600 with nestable
containers 610 that are nestable with each other (only one is
shown), each with covering 612, and hinge 614. Containers 610 each
have opening 616 defined by sides 618, which are joined to form
bottom 620 Edge 622 of coverings 612 interacts with edges 624 of
containers 610. In use, containers 610 may be nested with each
other (not shown). When nested, coverings 612 are placed in a
storage position wherein the coverings do not cover openings 616.
Containers 610 may be removed from a nesting position, and
coverings 612 may be pivoted about hinges 614 to cover openings
616. Edges 622 of coverings 612 interact with edges 624 of
containers 610 to make a substantial seal so that contents of
containers 610 are substantially isolated within the
containers.
[0062] FIGS. 7A-&d show various embodiments of hinges. The
hinges join a covering or a closure to a container by having a
first member on a covering and a second member on a container. One
or more hinges may be used. FIG. 7A shows hinge 710 having pin 712
joining members 714 and 715, with member 714 having portions 716
and 718 for engaging pin 712 and member 715 having portions 717 and
719 for engaging pin 712, which may be permanently or reversibly
affixed within hinge 712. FIG. 7B shows a reversibly detachable
hinge 720 having members 722 and 724 with pins 726 and 728 that
interact to engage each other to form a hinge. A user may
reversibly assemble and disassemble hinge 720 by forcing member 722
and 724 apart or together. FIG. 7C depicts a cross section of a
living hinge 730 with plastic members 732 and 734 being connected
by relatively thinner hinge portion 736, with the thinner portion
being dimensionable by persons of ordinary skill in these arts.
FIG. 7D depicts hinge 740 having ball member 742 and socket member
744. Ball member 742 has ball 746 that is received by socket 748,
with the ball 748 being pivotable in socket 748; optional ears 750
for limiting the direction of rotation are shown.
[0063] In some embodiments, non-identical containers are nested
with each other, with covers between them. For example, containers
of different heights are made that are nestable with each other.
Then the coverings for at least one of the containers are disposed
between them for storage.
[0064] Sets of containers having hingedly closures (e.g.,
coverings) and/or hingedly attached closures may be assembled. The
closures may be disposed between the containers while the
containers are nested with each other. The number of containers in
such a set may be, e.g., at least 2, at least 3, at least 4, or at
least 5. Or, for example, the number of such containers may be
between 2 and 10, or between, e.g., 3 and 8. The set may have one
closure per container. Alternatively, the number of closures may be
more or less than the number of containers, e.g., as when providing
a closures that fits many sizes of containers. The containers may
be similar to each other in size and shape, e.g., essentially
identical, or essentially identical for nesting purposes. The
containers may all have openings that are essentially the same
size, e.g., having the same dimensions, e.g., length, width, or
diameter. Alternatively, variously sized containers may be used in
the set. The closures may be essentially identical to each other,
e.g., having essentially the same dimensions, e.g., length, width,
or diameter, or may be variously sized. Sets of nested containers
may be packaged with the containers in a nested position. Many
types of packaging may be used, e.g., cardboard or shrink-wrap.
[0065] Embodiments with various features have been described
herein. Other embodiments may combine these features. The various
embodiments are intended to convey the spirit of the invention so
that persons of ordinary skill in the art can practice the
invention in its full scope without being limited to the particular
embodiments herein. Further, all publications and patent
applications described herein are hereby incorporated by
reference.
* * * * *