U.S. patent application number 11/137298 was filed with the patent office on 2006-01-05 for container.
Invention is credited to Hagins Fugate, Stuart R. Kipperman, George Nukuto, Joseph M. Paul, Cathy O. Smay, Robin Wiggins.
Application Number | 20060000841 11/137298 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34971062 |
Filed Date | 2006-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060000841 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Smay; Cathy O. ; et
al. |
January 5, 2006 |
Container
Abstract
A container for housing granulated products is disclosed. The
container has a body portion having a recessed base, at least one
wall, a closure adapted to be releasably sealed on the body
portion, and a circumferential channel which circumnavigates the
recessed base. The channel is adapted to receive a scoop bucket so
that the contents of the container can be easily removed.
Inventors: |
Smay; Cathy O.; (Newburgh,
IN) ; Kipperman; Stuart R.; (Evansville, IN) ;
Fugate; Hagins; (Newburgh, IN) ; Nukuto; George;
(Neenah, WI) ; Paul; Joseph M.; (Thomaston,
CT) ; Wiggins; Robin; (Newburgh, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NELSON MULLINS RILEY & SCARBOROUGH, LLP
MERIDIAN, SUITE 1700
1320 MAIN STREET
COLUMBIA
SC
29201
US
|
Family ID: |
34971062 |
Appl. No.: |
11/137298 |
Filed: |
May 25, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60574411 |
May 26, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/735 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 1/165 20130101;
B65D 2231/005 20130101; B65D 1/0223 20130101; B65D 21/0219
20130101; B65D 21/022 20130101; B65D 1/12 20130101; B65D 21/0222
20130101; B65D 51/246 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/735 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/40 20060101
B65D001/40 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: a. a body portion having a first at
least one wall and a recessed base; b. a closure adapted to be
releasably sealed on said body portion; c. a circumferential
channel defined by said body portion first at least one wall and
said recessed base, wherein the channel circumnavigates the
perimeter of said recessed base; and d. a scoop having a handle
coupled to a bucket, wherein said bucket is adapted to be received
by said circumferential channel.
2. The container in claim 1, wherein a radius of said bucket is
substantially equal to a radius of said channel.
3. The container in claim 1, wherein a radius of said bucket is
smaller than the radius of said channel.
4. The container in claim 1, wherein said body portion is generally
cylindrical in shape.
5. The container in claim 1, wherein said body portion is generally
oval in shape.
6. The container in claim 1, wherein said body portion has front,
back and side walls which connect to each other by rounded corners
and terminate at a circular top portion.
7. The container in claim 6, wherein said circular top portion
connects to said rounded corners by an inwardly sloping
shoulder.
8. The container in claim 1, wherein said body portion has a
generally cylindrically first portion and a generally cylindrical
second portion, and wherein the diameter of said second portion is
smaller than the diameter of said first portion.
9. The container in claim 8, wherein the cylindrical first portion
and the cylindrical second portion connect to each other by an
inwardly sloping circumferential shoulder.
10. The container in claim 8, wherein the cylindrical first portion
connects to said recessed base by a rounded corner.
11. The container in claim 1, said body portion further comprising
a heel intermediate said recessed base and said first at least one
wall.
12. The container in claim 1, said closure further comprising: a.
at least one closure side wall; b. a top wall coupled to said at
least one closure side wall; and c. an upwardly extending
protrusion extending from said top wall, said protrusion being
shaped and sized to be received by a recessed base of another
container.
13. The container in claim 12, said body portion further comprising
an outwardly extending circumferential first flange located
proximate a top edge of said first at least one side wall, and said
closure further comprising an inwardly extending second flange
located on an inner circumference of said second at least one side
wall that engages said first flange for releasably securing said
closure to said body portion.
14. The container in claim 1, said closure further comprising: a.
at least one closure side wall; b. a top wall coupled to said at
least one closure side wall; and c. a recessed portion shaped and
sized to receive a heel of another container.
15. The container in claim 14, said body portion further comprising
an outwardly extending circumferential first flange located
proximate a top edge of said first at least one side wall, and said
closure further comprising an inwardly extending second flange
located on an inner circumference of said second at least one side
wall that engages said first flange for releasably securing said
closure to said body portion.
16. The container in claim 1, wherein said recessed base is shaped
and sized to receive an upwardly extending protrusion of another
container.
17. A container comprising: a. a body portion having at least one
wall and a recessed base; b. a closure adapted to be releasably
sealed on said body portion; c. an arcuate inner surface defined by
said at least one wall and said recessed base, wherein the arcuate
inner surface circumnavigates the perimeter of said recessed base
and has a radius; and d. a scoop having a handle coupled to a
bucket, wherein said bucket has a radius that is substantially
equal to the radius of the arcuate inner surface.
18. The container in claim 17, wherein said body portion has a
generally cylindrically first portion and a generally cylindrical
second portion, and wherein the diameter of said second portion is
smaller than the diameter of said first portion.
19. The container in claim 18, wherein the cylindrical first
portion and the cylindrical second portion connect to each other by
an inwardly sloping circumferential shoulder.
20. The container in claim 19, wherein the cylindrical first
portion connects to said recessed base by a rounded corner.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENTS AND PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority back to U.S. Provisional
Application 60/574,411 filed May 26, 2004, which is incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to the field of container
constructions in general, and more particularly to a combination
container and closure.
[0004] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0005] As can be seen by reference to U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,514,379,
1,768,771 2,738,900, 2,978,142, 4,844,263, 5,699,925, 5,706,974,
and D416,438, the prior art is replete with various container
constructions, including those that facilitate stacking of
containers.
[0006] While various prior art constructions of containers and
closures are known, the prior art fails to disclose a container
that (1) allows a user to easily scoop the entire contents of the
container and (2) provides adequate structure to easily stack the
containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide an
improved container. This and other objects may be achieved by a
container comprising a body portion having a first at least one
wall and a recessed base that defines a circumferential channel,
whereby the channel is adapted to receive a bucket of a scoop so
that the bucket fits within the channel. The circumferential
channel circumnavigates the perimeter of the recessed base. The
container further comprises a closure that is adapted to be
releasably sealed on the body portion.
[0008] The scoop has a handle coupled to a bucket. A radius of the
bucket is substantially equal to the radius of the circumferential
channel so that the bucket can be received by the channel and allow
scooping of the container contents.
[0009] The closure can also comprise a second at least one side
wall, a top wall coupled to the second at least one side wall, and
an upwardly extending protrusion shaped and sized to be received by
a recessed base of another container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which refers to the
appended figures, in which:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying the
design of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the container shown in
FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a top view of the container shown in FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectioned perspective view along line 4-4
of the container shown in FIG. 1, and illustrating a scoop fit in a
circumferential channel in the base of the container;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view along line 5-5 of the
container shown in FIG. 3;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a container embodying the
design of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the container shown in
FIG. 6;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the container shown in
FIG. 6;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a top view of the container shown in FIG. 6;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectioned perspective view along line
10-10 of the container shown in FIG. 6, and illustrating a scoop
fit in a circumferential channel in the base of the container;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a side cross-sectional view along line 11-11 of
the container shown in FIG. 9;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a container embodying the
design of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a front elevation view of the container shown in
FIG. 12;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a top view of the container shown in FIG. 12;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectioned perspective view along line
15-15 of the container shown in FIG. 12, and illustrating a scoop
fit in a circumferential channel in the base of the container;
[0026] FIG. 16 is a side cross-sectional view along line 16-16 of
the container shown in FIG. 14;
[0027] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a container embodying the
design of the present invention;
[0028] FIG. 18 is a front elevation view of the container shown in
FIG. 17;
[0029] FIG. 19 is a side cross-sectional view along line 19-19 of
the container shown in FIG. 17 and having a scoop fit against the
side and bottom of the container.
[0030] Repeat use of reference characters in the present
specification and drawings is intended to represent same or
analogous features or elements of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0031] One of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the
present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only,
and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present
invention, which broader aspects are embodied in the exemplary
construction. A repeat use of reference characters in the present
specification and drawings represents the same or analogous
features or elements of the invention.
[0032] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to
FIG. 1, an embodiment of the new and improved container generally
designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described. The
container 10 may be used for packaging granulated dry goods. The
container is generally formed from two parts. The first part is a
body portion 20 and the second is a closure 40 that is removably
received on body portion 20. Body portion 20 and closure 40 may be
molded of a suitable plastic material, which may be blow molded, by
extrusion or injection, so that each may be a unitary member of
uniform wall thickness. Non-uniform thicknesses may also be used.
Suitable plastics for forming the container may include, but are
not limited to, various polymers such as polystyrene,
polystyrene-acrylonitile, acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene,
styrene-maleicanhydride, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate,
polyvinylcyclohexane, and blends thereof.
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, body portion 20 is formed from a
bottom wall 22 and a generally cylindrical sidewall 24. The
generally cylindrical sidewall 24 and bottom wall 22 are integrally
formed and connect by a rounded edge 26 (FIG. 2). The rounded edge
extends inwardly toward bottom wall 22 and forms a circumferential
heel 28 on which the container rests when standing upright and
which defines a recess 30 that opens downwardly and connects to
heel 28. The recess defined by the bottom wall is generally
circular in shape, but it may take on other shapes, such as square,
oval, etc.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the inside surface 32 of the
bottom wall projects upward from heel 28 and together with the heel
and sidewall define a circumferential channel 34 around bottom wall
22. It should be understood that the cross-section of channel 34
may be formed in other shapes, for example square, rectangular,
oval, etc.
[0035] Still referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, sidewall 24 also contains
an inwardly recessed circumferential portion 41 on its outer
circumference that is proximate a top edge 42. The inwardly
recessed portion connects to the outer surface of the wall by an
inwardly sloping shoulder 44 that forms a closure stop that
receives a lower lip 46 of the closure wall. The recessed portion
contains an outwardly projecting shoulder 48 that forms part of a
locking mechanism for securing the closure to the body portion.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the closure comprises a horizontal
top wall 50 joined to a generally cylindrical vertical sidewall 52
by a rounded corner 54. In some embodiments, ribs (not shown) may
be coupled to the underside of top wall 50 and sidewall 52 to
provide structural stability to the closure and to also prevent
flexing of the closure, especially when multiple filled containers
are stacked one upon the other as described below. A generally
circular recessed portion 56 terminating in a horizontally flat
circular surface 57 is centrally located in the horizontal top
wall. Recessed portion 56 is sized and shaped to receive another
box portion's heel so that multiple containers can be stacked (FIG.
5). The recessed portion defines a protrusion 58 in the under side
of closure 40. It should be understood that recessed portion 56 may
be formed in any shape so long as the mating container's heel is
sized and shaped to be received by the recessed portion.
Furthermore, the closure may also be formed without recessed
portion 56 and still function to allow multiple containers to stack
on each other. An inwardly extending flange 60, formed
circumferentially on the inner circumference of closure sidewall
52, snaps over the outwardly projecting shoulder 48 so that closure
40 can be easily removed from and resealed on body portion 20.
[0037] A releasable seal (not shown) may be attached to lip 42 to
seal the contents in the container. The releasable seal also allows
for vacuum packaging of the contents in container 10 and provides
an anti-tamper inner liner. One skilled in the art of food
packaging will be familiar with such releasably attached packaging
seals. Specifically, adhesive or heat may be used to attach a seal
formed of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, foil, or other suitable
material to lip 42 to form an airtight seal. Therefore, removal of
closure 40 will not disturb the seal unless the releasable seal is
cut or removed.
[0038] Referring to FIG. 4, a dispensing utensil 38 may be a scoop
molded from a suitable plastic material, which may be blow molded,
by extrusion or injection. Suitable plastics for forming the scoop
include, but are not limited to, various polymers such as
polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitile,
acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleicanhydride,
polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane,
and blends thereof. Dispensing utensil 38 has a generally flat
handle 62 attached to or integrally formed with a cylindrical
bucket 64. A rib (not shown) may be utilized and connected to the
underside of the handle and the cylindrical bucket to provide
structural stability to the scoop. The cylindrical bucket is closed
at one end 66 and opened at a second end 68. Bucket 64 may also be
formed in many other shapes, for example square, rectangular, oval,
etc.
[0039] In addition to allowing containers to be stacked, heel 28
serves a second purpose. The heel and recessed bottom wall form
circumferential channel 34 at the bottom of the body portion. The
circumferential channel 34 circumnavigates the perimeter of the
recessed bottom wall 22. The channel is sized and shaped to receive
the scoop's cylindrical bucket 64. In particular, bucket radius R2
is approximately equal to or smaller than radius R1 of the inside
surface 36 of circumferential channel 34. Channel 34 has a circular
cross-section, however, it should be understood that channel 34 and
bucket 64 may be formed in other shapes, for example square, oval
or rectangular, so long as the shape of the scoop is substantially
similar to that of the channel.
[0040] Recess 30 causes the granulated contents in the container to
gravitate into the channel as the product is being used up.
Therefore, the bucket of the scoop fits into the channel and allows
the user to scoop out substantially all the granulated contents in
the container with little effort. Such a channel/bucket arrangement
would also allow the container to be utilized for liquid
containment and dispensing if desired. No matter what shape channel
34 is, bucket 64 should be sized and shaped to be received in
channel 34. For example, a square-shaped channel would require a
square bucket that would fit in the channel. In particular, the
scoop bucket should be shaped to facilitate scooping the contents
of the container out of channel 34 and is most often the same shape
as the channel.
[0041] In another embodiment as shown in FIG. 6, a new and improved
container generally designated by the reference numeral 110 will be
described. The container is generally formed from two parts: the
first is a body portion 120 and the second is a closure 140 that is
removably received on body portion 120. Body portion 120 and
closure 140 may be molded of a suitable plastic material, which may
be blow molded, by extrusion or injection, so that each may be a
unitary member of uniform wall thickness. Non-uniform thicknesses
may also be used. Suitable plastics for forming the container may
include, but are not limited to, various polymers such as
polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitile,
acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleicanhydride,
polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane,
and blends thereof.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10, body portion 120 is formed from
a bottom wall 122 and a generally oval shaped sidewall 124. That
is, body portion 120 has a major axis radius R10 and a minor axis
radius R11 that is smaller than R10. The generally oval sidewall
124 and bottom wall 122 are integrally formed and connect by a
rounded edge 126. The rounded edge extends inwardly toward bottom
wall 122 and forms a circumferential heel 128 on which the
container rests when standing upright and which defines a recess
130 that opens downwardly and connects to heel 128. The recess
defined by the bottom wall is generally oval in shape, but it may
take on other shapes, such as square, round, etc.
[0043] An inside surface 132 of the bottom wall projects upward
from heel 128 and together with the heel and sidewall define an
oval shaped circumferential channel 134 around bottom wall 122. It
should be understood that the cross-section of channel 134 may be
formed in other shapes, for example square, rectangular, round,
etc. Sidewall 124 also contains an outwardly extending flange 141
(FIGS. 10 and 11) on its outer circumference that is proximate a
top edge 142.
[0044] Referring to the figures, and in particular FIGS. 8-10, the
closure comprises a horizontal top wall 150 joined to a generally
cylindrical vertical sidewall 152 by a rounded corner 154. In some
embodiments, ribs (not shown) may be coupled to the underside of
top wall 150 and sidewall 152 to provide structural stability to
the closure and to also prevent flexing of the closure, especially
when multiple filled containers are stacked one upon the other as
described below. It should be understood that sidewall 152 would be
extended to accommodate such ribs.
[0045] A generally oval protrusion 156 terminating in a
horizontally flat circular surface 157 is centrally located in the
horizontal top wall. Protrusion 156 is sized and shaped to fit
within another container's recessed portion 130 so that multiple
containers can be stacked (FIG. 1). Protrusion 156 defines a
recessed portion 158 in the under side of closure 140. It should be
understood that protrusion 156 may be formed in any shape so long
as the mating container's recessed bottom 130 is sized and shaped
to receive the projecting portion. Furthermore, the closure may
also be formed without recessed portion 158 and still function to
allow multiple containers to stack on each other. An inwardly
extending flange 160 (FIGS. 10 and 11), formed circumferentially on
the inner circumference of closure sidewall 152, snaps over the
outwardly projecting flange 141 so that closure 140 can be easily
removed from and resealed on body portion 120.
[0046] A releasable seal (not shown) may be attached to lip 142 to
seal the contents in the container. The releasable seal also allows
for vacuum packaging of the contents in container 110 and provides
an anti-tamper inner liner. One skilled in the art of food
packaging will be familiar with such releasably attached packaging
seals. Specifically, adhesive or heat may be used to attach a seal
formed of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, foil, or other suitable
material to lip 142 to form an airtight seal. Therefore, removal of
closure 140 will not disturb the seal unless the releasable seal is
cut or removed.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 10, a dispensing utensil 138 may be a
scoop molded from a suitable plastic material, which may be blow
molded, by extrusion or injection. Suitable plastics for forming
the scoop include, but are not limited to, various polymers such as
polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitile,
acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleicanhydride,
polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane,
and blends thereof. Dispensing utensil 138 has a generally flat
handle 162 attached to or integrally formed with a generally
cylindrical bucket 164. A rib (not shown) may be utilized and
connected to the underside of the handle and the cylindrical bucket
to provide structural stability to the scoop. The cylindrical
bucket is closed at one end 166 and opened at a second end 168.
Bucket 164 may also be formed in many other shapes, for example
square, rectangular, oval, etc.
[0048] In addition to allowing containers to be stacked, recessed
bottom portion 130 serves a second purpose. The recessed bottom
portion, the rounded corner and sidewall form circumferential
channel 134 at the bottom of the body portion. The circumferential
channel 134 circumnavigates the perimeter of the recessed bottom
wall 122. The channel is sized and shaped to receive the scoop's
cylindrical bucket 164. In particular, bucket radius R20 is
approximately equal to or smaller than radius R21 of the inside
surface 170 of circumferential channel 134. Channel 134 has a
circular cross-section, however, it should be understood that
channel 134 and scoop bucket 164 may be formed in other shapes, for
example square, oval or rectangular, so long as the shape of the
scoop is substantially similar to that of the channel.
[0049] Recessed portion 130 causes the granulated contents in the
container to gravitate into the channel as the product is being
used up. Therefore, the bucket fits into the channel and allows the
user to scoop out substantially all the granulated contents in the
container with little effort (such a channel/bucket arrangement
would also allow the container to be utilized for liquid
containment and dispensing if desired.). No matter what shape
channel 134 is, bucket 164 should be sized and shaped to be
received in channel 134. For example, a square-shaped channel would
require a square shaped bucket that would fit in the channel. In
particular, the scoop bucket should be shaped to facilitate
scooping the contents of the container out of channel 134 and is
most often the same shape as the channel.
[0050] In yet another embodiment and with reference now to the
drawings, and in particular to FIG. 12, an improved container
generally designated by the reference numeral 210 will be
described. The container 210 may be used for packaging granulated
dry goods. The container is generally formed from two parts: the
first part is a box portion 220 containing a recessed bottom wall
and the second is a closure 240 containing a stacking member
protruding from the top wall. Box portion 220 is adapted for the
removable receipt of closure 240. Box portion 220 and closure 240
may be molded of a suitable plastic material, which may be blow
molded, by extrusion or injection, so that each may be a unitary
member of uniform wall thickness. Non-uniform thicknesses may also
be used. Suitable plastics for forming the container may include,
but are not limited to, various polymers such as polystyrene,
polystyrene-acrylonitile, acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene,
styrene-maleicanhydride, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate,
polyvinylcyclohexane, and blends thereof.
[0051] As shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 15, box portion 220 is formed
from a bottom wall 212, front wall 214, back wall 216, and opposing
side walls 218 and 219 (shown in FIG. 13). The front and back walls
are connected to the side walls by rounded corners 222 (FIG. 12),
and are integrally formed with the bottom wall and connected by a
rounded edge 224 (FIG. 13). The rounded edge extends inwardly
toward recessed bottom wall 212 and forms a circumferential heel
226 (FIG. 15) on which the container rests when standing upright.
The bottom wall defines a recess 230 (FIGS. 15 and 16) that opens
downwardly and connects to heel 226. The recess defined by the
bottom is wall shown as being generally circular in shape, but it
may take on other shapes, such as square, oval, rectangular,
etc.
[0052] The inside surface 232 of the circular bottom wall projects
upward from heel 226 and together with the heel, front, back, and
side walls define a circumferential channel 234 around bottom wall
212. As shown in FIG. 16, channel 234 has a circular cross-section
with a base 236 having a radius R30 (FIG. 16). Radius R30 is
substantially equal to or greater than the radius R32 (FIG. 15) of
a dispensing utensil 260 packaged in container 210. It should be
understood that the cross-section of channel 234 may be formed in
other shapes, for example square, rectangular, oval, etc.
Dispensing utensil 260 is similar to the scoops shown in FIGS. 1-11
and will not be described again in detail herein.
[0053] The front, back, and side walls terminate at a circular top
portion 238 (FIGS. 15 and 16) that releasably receives closure 240.
The circular top portion connects to rounded corners 222 by an
inwardly sloping shoulder 228. Circular top portion 238 contains an
outwardly projecting circumferential flange 242 that forms part of
a locking mechanism for securing the closure to the box
portion.
[0054] Referring to FIGS. 13-15, the closure comprises a horizontal
top wall 244 joined to a vertical side wall 246 by a rounded corner
248. In some embodiments, ribs (not shown) may be coupled to the
underside of vertical wall 246 and horizontal top wall 244 to
provide structural stability to the closure and prevent flexing of
closure 40, especially when multiple filled containers are stacked
one upon the other as shown in FIG. 16. It should be understood
that if ribs are used, the height of vertical wall 246 would be
increased to accommodate such ribs. A generally circular upwardly
projecting portion 250 terminating in a horizontally flat top
surface 252 is centrally located in the horizontal flat top
surface. The horizontal flat top surface is sized and shaped to fit
into another box portion's recessed bottom wall so that multiple
containers can be stacked (FIG. 16). The upwardly projecting
circular portion defines a recess 254 in the under side of closure
240. Closure 240 may also be formed without recess 254. It should
be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art that upwardly
projecting portion 250 may be formed in any shape so long as the
mating container's recessed bottom is sized and shaped to receive
the projecting portion.
[0055] Closure vertical wall 246 defines an inwardly pointing
flange 256 that releasably secures closure 240 to circular top
portion 238. That is, flange 256 is wedge-shaped with the wide part
of the wedge closest to a bottom edge 258 of closure vertical wall
246. Thus, the wedge forms a locking member that snaps over the
outwardly projecting circumferential flange 242 so that closure 240
can be easily removed from and resealed on box portion 220.
[0056] As with the above described embodiments, a releasable seal
(not shown) may be attached to an upper lip 262 of circular top
portion 238 to seal the contents in the container. The releasable
seal also allows for vacuum packaging of the contents in container
210 and provides an anti-tamper inner liner. One skilled in the art
of food packaging will be familiar with such releasably attached
packaging seals. Specifically, adhesive or heat may be used to
attach a seal formed of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, foil, or
other suitable material to lip 262 to form an airtight seal.
Therefore, removal of closure 240 will not disturb the seal unless
the releasable seal is cut or removed.
[0057] In addition to allowing containers to be stacked, recessed
bottom wall 212 serves a second purpose. As previously pointed out,
the recessed bottom wall forms circumferential channel 234 at the
bottom of the box portion. The circumferential channel 234
circumnavigates the perimeter of the recessed bottom wall 222. The
channel is sized and shaped to receive a cylindrical bucket 264 of
dispensing utensil 260. In particular, the radius R32 of
cylindrical bucket 264 (FIG. 15) is approximately equal to or
smaller than the radius of curvature R30 (FIG. 16) of the inside
surface 236 of circumferential channel 234. Thus, because recess
230 causes the granulated contents to gravitate into the channel as
the product is being used up, the channel bucket fit allows the
user to scoop out substantially all the granulated contents in the
container with little effort (such a channel/bucket arrangement
would also allow the container to be utilized for liquid
containment and dispensing if desired.). No matter what shape
channel 234 is, bucket 264 should be sized and shaped to be
received in the channel. For example, a square-shaped channel would
require a square bucket. In particular, the scoop bucket should be
shaped to facilitate scooping the contents of the container out of
channel 234 and is most often the same shape as the cross-section
of the channel.
[0058] In a further embodiment shown in FIGS. 17-19, a new and
improved container generally designated by the reference numeral
310 will be described. Container 310 may be used for packaging
granulated dry goods, and the container is generally formed from
two parts. The first part is a body portion 320 and the second is a
closure 340 that is removably received on body portion 320. Body
portion 320 and closure 340 may be molded of a suitable plastic
material, which may be blow molded, by extrusion or injection, so
that each may be a unitary member of uniform wall thickness.
Non-uniform thicknesses may also be used. Suitable plastics for
forming the container may include, but are not limited to, various
polymers such as polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitile,
acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleicanhydride,
polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane,
and blends thereof.
[0059] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, body portion 320 is formed
having a generally cylindrical first portion 312 and a generally
cylindrical second portion 314, wherein the diameter of the second
portion is smaller than that of first portion 312. Generally
cylindrical first portion 312 connects to generally cylindrical
second portion 314 by an inwardly sloping circumferential shoulder
316 and to a flat bottom wall 318 by a rounded corner 322.
Generally cylindrical second portion 314 connects to a generally
horizontal flange 324 by an outwardly sloping shoulder 326 that is
used to releasably retain closure 340 on a mouth 328 (FIG. 19) of
the container.
[0060] Referring to the figures, and in particular FIG. 19, the
closure comprises a horizontal top wall 330 joined to a generally
cylindrical vertical sidewall 332 by a rounded corner 334. An
inwardly extending flange 336, formed circumferentially on the
inner circumference of closure vertical wall 332, snaps over the
outwardly projecting flange 324 so that closure 340 can be easily
removed from and resealed on body portion 320.
[0061] A releasable seal (not shown) may be attached to a lip 342
to seal the contents in the container. The releasable seal also
allows for vacuum packaging of the contents in container 310 and
provides an anti-tamper inner liner. One skilled in the art of food
packaging will be familiar with such releasably attached packaging
seals. Specifically, adhesive or heat may be used to attach a seal
formed of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, foil, or other suitable
material to lip 342 to form an airtight seal. Therefore, removal of
closure 340 will not disturb the seal unless the releasable seal is
cut or removed.
[0062] A dispensing utensil 380 may be a scoop having a generally
flat handle 382 attached to or integrally formed with a cylindrical
bucket 384. A rib (not shown) may be utilized and connected to the
underside of the handle and the cylindrical bucket to provide
structural stability to the scoop. Scoop 380 is similar in design
to that described in the previous embodiments and a detailed
discussion of the scoop is not repeated herein.
[0063] Container first cylindrical portion, rounded corner 322 and
bottom wall 318 are sized to generally form an arcuate inner
surface having a radius R40 that is substantially similar to a
portion of the bucket radius R42 to allow the user to scoop out the
granulated contents in the container with little effort. Although
bottom wall 318 does not form a circumferential channel, the
similar radius of the container walls to that of the scoop bucket
assists in scooping the contents of the container. While the
embodiment depicts a flat bottom wall 318, it should be understood
that bottom wall 318 may also define a recessed portion as shown
and described in the previous embodiments. That is, container 320
may be formed with a recessed bottom wall portion and a protruding
structure on closure 340 to assist in scooping and stacking of the
container as described in previous embodiments.
[0064] These and other modifications and variations to the present
invention may be practiced by those of ordinary skill in the art,
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention, which is more particularly set forth in the appended
claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the
various embodiments may be interchanged both in whole or in part.
For example the embodiment of FIGS. 6-16 may be formed with a
closure having a recessed portion similar to that shown in the
embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 instead of a protruding portion so that the
recessed portion receives a heel of another container to aide in
stacking. Furthermore, any one of the embodiments can be formed
with or without a circumferential channel. It should also be
understood that the container body portion can be formed in any
number of shapes as desired by the market and as conducive for the
product packaged in the container. For example, the container shape
may include, but is not limited to, a square, polygonal or
triangular, and may also include recessed wall portions that vary
the cross-section area of the container body portion. Furthermore,
those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not
intended to limit the invention so further described in such
appended claims. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended
claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred
versions contained herein.
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