U.S. patent application number 11/223144 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-22 for locking container lid apparatus and method.
Invention is credited to Paul G. Bordner.
Application Number | 20070062949 11/223144 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37883032 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070062949 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bordner; Paul G. |
March 22, 2007 |
Locking container lid apparatus and method
Abstract
A container lid includes a permanently or elastically deformed
tamper evident feature that alerts the user that the container has
been accessed. Moreover, the tamper evident feature requires no
additional material and produces no extra waste.
Inventors: |
Bordner; Paul G.;
(Pickerington, OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
BAKER & HOSTETLER LLP
WASHINGTON SQUARE, SUITE 1100
1050 CONNECTICUT AVE. N.W.
WASHINGTON
DC
20036-5304
US
|
Family ID: |
37883032 |
Appl. No.: |
11/223144 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/268 ;
220/270; 220/780 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00629
20130101; B65D 2543/00694 20130101; B65D 2543/00805 20130101; B65D
2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/00527 20130101; B65D 2543/00842
20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D 2543/00731 20130101; B65D
43/0212 20130101; B65D 2543/00537 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/268 ;
220/270; 220/780 |
International
Class: |
B65D 17/34 20060101
B65D017/34; B65D 41/18 20060101 B65D041/18 |
Claims
1. A closure assembly for a container having a sidewall,
comprising: a top having a periphery; a skirt extending from the
periphery; a pull tab having an opening and disposed on the skirt;
a rib configured to detachably engage the container, disposed on
the pull tab extending inwardly and substantially in parallel with
the top; and a first groove and a second groove disposed on the
skirt on either side of the pull tab.
2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first groove and the second
groove are configured to tear.
3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the first groove and the second
groove are configured to deform elastically.
4. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the closure assembly has a
plurality of pull tabs disposed on the skirt.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the plurality of pull tabs are
circumferentially spaced around the skirt.
6. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the plurality of pull tabs
comprises two pull tabs.
7. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the plurality of pull tabs
comprises three pull tabs.
8. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the top is configured with a
stacking rib adjacent the periphery.
9. A closure assembly system for a container having a sidewall,
comprising: a top having a periphery; a skirt extending from the
periphery; a pull tab having an opening and disposed on the skirt;
a locking means configured to detachably engage the container,
disposed on the pull tab extending inwardly and substantially in
parallel with the top; and a first indicating means and a second
indicating means disposed on the skirt on either side of the pull
tab.
10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first indicating means and
the second indicating means are configured to tear.
11. The system of claim 9, wherein the first indicating means and
the second indicating means are configured to deform
elastically.
12. The system of claim 9, wherein the closure system has a
plurality of pull tabs disposed on the skirt.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein the plurality of pull tabs are
circumferentially spaced around the skirt.
14. The system of claim 9, wherein the top is configured with a
stacking locking means adjacent the periphery.
15. A method of indicating an open container having a sidewall
comprising: providing a top having a periphery; providing a skirt
extending from the periphery; providing a pull tab having an
opening and disposed on the skirt; locking the container via a rib
detachably engaging the container disposed on the pull tab
extending inwardly and substantially in parallel with the top; and
indicating via a first indicating means and a second indicating
means disposed on the skirt on either side of the pull tab.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the first indicating means and
the second indicating means are configured to tear.
17. The method of claim 15, wherein the first indicating means and
the second indicating means are configured to deform
elastically.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the closure method has a
plurality of pull tabs disposed on the skirt.
19. The method of claim 18, wherein the plurality of pull tabs are
circumferentially spaced around the skirt.
20. The method of claim 15, wherein the top is configured with a
stacking rib adjacent the periphery.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to containers. More
particularly, the present invention relates to tamper evident
container lids.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The food and pharmaceutical industries require the ability
to safely ship their products to various locations responsible for
the manufacturing of their products. Much of the raw materials are
shipped in bulk and may be dangerous if the contents are either
contaminated or spilled.
[0003] Although containers and lids may be used to alert the user
that the contents have been accessed, often it is not readily
apparent. The end user has to be aware of what the tamper evident
feature entails and examine the container and the lid to determine
whether the contents have been accessed. Also, tamper evident
features may often be more expensive in that they may require more
material. The removal of this material may cause excess waste that
becomes an additional source of cost when disposing the excess
waste.
[0004] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a re-usable tamper
evident lid where any tampering is obvious to the user without
undue examination and the tamper evident device does not produce
excess waste. Moreover it is desirable that the tamper evident
device minimizes manufacturing cycle time, uses less material and
is cost effective. It is also desirable that the tamper evident lid
contributes to the overall structural integrity of the enclosed
container, such that if the container is dropped or mishandled, it
does not open and spill its contents.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The foregoing needs are met, to a great extent, by the
present invention, wherein in one aspect an apparatus is provided
that in some embodiments provides a re-usable tamper evident lid
where any tampering is obvious to the user without undue
examination and the tamper evident device does not produce excess
waste. Further, in some embodiments the tamper evident device
minimizes manufacturing cycle time, uses less material and is cost
effective. Also, in some embodiments the tamper evident lid
contributes to the overall structural integrity of the enclosed
container, such that if the container is dropped or mishandled, it
will not open and spill its contents.
[0006] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention,
a closure assembly for a container having a sidewall, includes a
top having a periphery, a skirt extending from the periphery, a
pull tab having an opening and disposed on the skirt, a rib
configured to detachably engage the container, disposed on the pull
tab extending inwardly and substantially in parallel with the top,
and a first groove and a second groove disposed on the skirt on
either side of the pull tab.
[0007] In accordance with another embodiment of the present
invention, a closure assembly system for a container having a
sidewall, includes a top having a periphery, a skirt extending from
the periphery, a pull tab having an opening and disposed on the
skirt, a locking means configured to detachably engage the
container, disposed on the pull tab extending inwardly and
substantially in parallel with the top, and a first indicating
means and a second indicating means disposed on the skirt on either
side of the pull tab.
[0008] In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present
invention, a method of indicating an open container having a
sidewall includes providing a top having a periphery, providing a
skirt extending from the periphery, providing a pull tab having an
opening and disposed on the skirt, locking the container via a rib
detachably engaging the container disposed on the pull tab
extending inwardly and substantially in parallel with the top, and
indicating via a first indicating means and a second indicating
means disposed on the skirt on either side of the pull tab.
[0009] There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, certain
embodiments of the invention in order that the detailed description
thereof herein may be better understood, and in order that the
present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There
are, of course, additional embodiments of the invention that will
be described below and which will form the subject matter of the
claims appended hereto.
[0010] In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment
of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the
invention is not limited in its application to the details of
construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in
the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of embodiments in addition to those described
and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is
to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed
herein, as well as the abstract, are for the purpose of description
and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0011] As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the
conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be
utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods
and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present
invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded
as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not
depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cylindrical
container with a lid according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cutaway outside perspective view of an outside
of the lid.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a cutaway inside perspective view of an inside of
the lid.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of tear grooves, according to
an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of stretch grooves, according
to another embodiment of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a side view of the engagement of the lid with the
container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Some embodiments in accordance with the present invention
provide a re-usable tamper evident lid where any tampering is
obvious to the user without undue examination and the tamper
evident device does not produce excess waste. Further, in some
embodiments the tamper evident device minimizes manufacturing cycle
time, uses less material and is cost effective. Also, in some
embodiments the tamper evident lid contributes to the overall
structural integrity of the enclosed container, such that if the
container is dropped or mishandled, it will not open and spill its
contents. The invention will now be described with reference to the
drawing figures, in which like reference numerals refer to like
parts throughout. The numerals generally represent features while
the letter "a" beside the numeral represents the external aspect of
the item and the letter "b" represents the internal aspect.
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a cylindrical
container 10 with a lid 11 according to a preferred embodiment of
the invention. An embodiment of the invention includes a readily
apparent temper-evident feature that is inexpensive and produces no
excess waste. In particular, the lid's tamper evident feature
provides an easily recognizable indication that the container has
been opened. The container 10 may be any type of container as
discussed herein.
[0020] The present invention addresses a lid for closure over
conventional containers which advantageously may be formed with a
molded plastic material such as a polyolefin. A primary latching
feature is incorporated within the lid structure.
[0021] For utilization of the container on a day-to-day basis
following the removal of the primary latching assembly, a secondary
latching assembly is incorporated which remains intact and is
readily disengaged and engaged from the rim structure of the
container by hand and without tools. Thus, a lid structure is
provided which promotes the day-to-day proper closure of the lid
assembly by those accessing the contents of the associated
container. Preferably, this latter attachment of locking of the lid
by the filling entity is provided by a "tamper evident" technique
where any subsequent opening involves a readily apparent
destruction of the primary latching structure.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a cutaway outside perspective view of an outside
of the lid 11 while FIG. 3 is a cutaway inside perspective view of
an inside of the lid 11. The lid 11 has a center panel 12 that in
some embodiments is flat and circular. The lid 11 may be formed of
an integrally molded polyolefin form of plastic. At the center
panel's 12 peripheral edge is a chime 14 that facilitates stacking,
along with a stacking rib 16. Both the chime 14 and the stacking
rib 16 are generally perpendicular to the center panel 12.
Although, containers themselves are somewhat similar, lid
structures for containers vary.
[0023] Typically, containers are made of a fiber or cardboard
material depending on the substances they carry. However, metals
and plastics are also used to fabricate these containers. Cost
saving may be achieved by using fiber containers instead of plastic
or metal containers. However, fiber containers may still have metal
or plastic lids attached with two or more clips cleated to the
container body portion. In addition, once a conventional lid has
been opened once, it may be difficult to securely close it
thereafter. Thus, secondary closing features are valuable not only
to an end user but also during shipping of the container and lid to
the filling site.
[0024] Containers having capacities of eight gallons to fifty
gallons are referred to as drums, while intermediate size
containers having capacities between three and seven gallons are
referred to as pails. Smaller containers with capacities from four
ounces to two pounds are referred to as tubs.
[0025] Generally, the materials to fabricate these drums range from
about fifty to five hundred pounds per drum and when filled are
handled by personnel using hand carts or forklifts due to their
weight. Some of the containers may be tipped over or dropped during
such handling. Therefore, having secure lids is important to avoid
spillage of the contents.
[0026] To reinforce the lids, the rims of the containers may be
braced with annular metal chimes with a rim bead in an inwardly
extending region or groove just below the bead, the mounting of
which effects a deforming securement to the drum wall and which is
used to aid in securing lids to the drum. The lids may be formed as
stamped metal components which are secured over the rim-chime
assemblies with metal locking rings to assure the lid tight
security of the drums if tipped or dropped.
[0027] Conventionally, to open a container, a user released and
removed a locking ring. This removed the lid and exposed the
contents of the container. To close the container, the lid is
repositioned, the locking ring is remounted and tightened. This
open-close process may be tedious where the contents are repeatedly
accessed. Often the lids may be placed loosely on the container rim
and the locking ring feature ignored by the user who tires of
securing the lid each time the container is opened. This leaves the
container unsealed and may degrade its contents. In addition, this
may allow for dangerous aspects to be added to the contents.
[0028] Pails may be made of plastic, with container bodies of a
frusto-conical shape. The lids may be discoidal in shape and may
also be made of plastic. Usually, these lids may be locked in place
or opened with tools such as a screw driver. The use of such tools
may dissuade a user from properly securing the lid as the user
repeatedly opens and closes the lid. To retain lids on pails, the
pails include an integrally molded rim structure which contains an
upwardly disposed rim bead, as well as an engaging region formed
inwardly and below the bead.
[0029] Tubs are usually formed using thermoformed or injection
molded materials. The smaller tub structures are generally
configured of a vacuum formed, thermoformed, or injection molded
material and the lid considerations for them look to the provision
of a "tamper evident" feature. In the latter regard, it is
desirable for many products to provide an indication as to whether
any unauthorized opening of the lids of the tub has occurred
subsequent to their being filled, for example with edible products.
For the most part, the tamper evident procedures have been designed
for that feature alone and not with considerations of improving the
seal security of the lid-container combination in the first
instance.
[0030] Here, in one embodiment of the present invention, the lid
may also provide a tamper evident feature in that there is an
indication as to whether any unauthorized opening of the lid has
occurred. The tamper evident feature provides for a destruction of
the primary latching structure. This is very beneficial in both the
food industry and in the pharmaceutical industry.
[0031] Stacking considerations are finding importance in both
container and lid designs. Two aspects for such stacking occur, one
stemming from requirements for transporting the containers empty,
inasmuch as they maybe transported separately and the second
consideration concerns the warehousing of the filled containers
with lids attached.
[0032] Where lids are transported, it is desirable that they be
stackable in some form of nesting relationship to facilitate their
movement in the factory environment both where they are produced
and at such time as they are employed to close a filled container.
Particularly in the case of drums, the heavy weights involved
become considerations in terms of warehousing and the like. Where
pails and tubs are concerned, stacking requirements for both
warehousing and retail display are assuming higher levels of
importance. In some applications, it is preferred to pre-attach
lids to containers for the purpose of a stacked shipment of the
entire assembly. For such application the secondary latch is
received following filling of the container.
[0033] The ability to stack containers is also desirable. It
results in space savings as well as cost savings. Lid design is
therefore, an important consideration in stacking containers. One
aspect results from shipping containers and lids to the packing
manufacturer where the containers and lids may then be transported
separately. When the lids are transported separately, it is
desirable that they may be stacked to facilitate their movement
both when they are produced and when they are utilized at the
filling site to fill the containers. In some applications it may be
beneficial to ship the entire assembly with the lid attached to the
container.
[0034] Another aspect is the warehousing of the filled containers
with lids in place. When filled, the containers may be very heavy
and therefore structural integrity is an important consideration,
as is storage. Being able to stack filled containers allows for
space savings.
[0035] A lid for use with containers such as drums, pails, tubs and
cups which is formed as a singular unit from molded plastic and
which incorporates a peripherally disposed skirt configured along
with a rim structure to provide primary and secondary latching
features.
[0036] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the chime 14 and the stacking
rib 16 provide for the ability to stack the lids for ease of
storage during manufacturing and shipping. Both are integrally
molded with the lid assembly. Extending downwardly from and
substantially in parallel to the stacking rib 16 is a skirt 20 of
the lid 11. The skirt 20 is also integrally molded with the lid 11.
The skirt 20 and the chime 14 together form a gasket channel 18
that engages the rim portion (not shown) of a drum when the lid 11
seals the drum. The gasket channel 18 also engages the stacking rib
16 when one lid is stacked on another.
[0037] The skirt 20 has a stiffening rib 22 that adds strength to
the lid 11. Perpendicular to the stiffening rib 22 is a lower skirt
24 that is parallel to and is an extension of the skirt 20.
Attached to the skirt 20 is a pull tab 26. In another embodiment of
the present invention, several pull tabs may be formed on the lid
and may be circumferentially spaced about the lid. The number and
spacing, of the pull tabs may vary depending on the strengthening
requirements of the lid and container assembly.
[0038] The pull tab 26 has a finger hole 28 through which an user
can insert a finger (not shown) and grasp the pull tab 26. Above
the pull tab 26 and adjacent the skirt 20 is an indented upper
skirt 30. On either side of the indented upper skirt 30 are tear or
stretch grooves 36 and 38.
[0039] Between the finger hole 28 and the indented upper skirt 30
are mold core opening 32 and a locking rib 34. The locking rib 34
provides a locking function in that it detachably couples to the
container rim (not shown). The locking rib 34 engages the rim of a
container and secures the lid 11 to the container, ensuring that
the lid 11 is not easily removed from the container.
[0040] Pulling on the pull tab 26 releases the locking rib 34 from
its engagement with the container, allowing the lid 11 to be
removed from the container. This can be repeated as often as needed
to access the contents of the container. However, when the pull tab
26 is pulled for the first time and the locking rib 34 is
disengaged from the container, the tear grooves 36 on either side
of the indented upper skirt 30 and the pull tab 26 are torn.
Correspondingly, in another embodiment, the stretch grooves 38 on
either side of the indented upper skirt 30 are stretched, or
deformed elastically.
[0041] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of tear grooves 36, according
to an embodiment of the present invention. The tear grooves 36 rip
when the pull tab 26 is used and are permanently deformed. The tear
is an obvious indication to the user that the contents of the
container have been accessed already. The tearing of tear grooves
36 perform a function of indicating that the container has been
opened. The lid 11 cannot be removed without tearing the tear
groove 36. When there are multiple pull tabs 26 placed
circumferentially around the lid 11, each of the pull tabs 26 has
to be pulled and the tear grooves 36 ripped, for the lid 11 to be
removed from the container. This tear is readily apparent and
produces no excess waste.
[0042] Such a tear is an obvious indication to any one who requires
information as to whether the contents have been accessed. The tear
also does not require additional material. Conventional tamper
evident features involve tearing and discarding excess packaging.
Thus, a user who is not accustomed to this particular type of
feature may be unaware of it entirely and fail to recognize that
the container has been accessed. This can have adverse effects to
the manufacturer and consumer.
[0043] A conventional tamper evident feature may also produce
excess waste. Thus, as the container is accessed, it produces waste
that must be discarded. A manufacturer who uses a large number of
containers and accesses them will have to discard such a large
amount of waste that it becomes an expensive endeavor. The tamper
evident feature of the presently claimed invention has the
additional feature of being inexpensive to produce in that no
excess material is required to be discarded for the feature.
[0044] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of stretch grooves 38,
according to another embodiment of the present invention. The
locking mechanism has a stretch groove 38 on either side of the
indented upper skirt 30 and the pull tab 26, instead of the tear
groove. The stretch groove 38 will allow the locking rib to
disengage from the container by elastically deforming when the pull
tab 26 is pulled. The elastically deformed stretch grooves 38 also
indicate that the container 10 has been opened.
[0045] An advantage of the stretch groove 38 is that no remnants
from the tear groove 36, or loose particles from the tear groove 36
may contaminate the area or the contents of the container. This is
particularly useful when the contents of the container are of a
sensitive nature and must be completely free of any impurities. As
with the tear groove 36, no additional material is required to
produce the stretch groove.
[0046] In both instances, the pull tab 26 can be re-engaged with
the container by engaging the locking rib 34 to the container rim.
This secures the lid 11 to the container but the tear on the tear
groove 36 and deformation on the stretch groove 38 serve to make
evident that the primary locking mechanism has been tampered and
disengaged and that the contents may have been accessed.
[0047] FIG. 6 is a side view of the engagement of the lid 11 with
the container 10. The container 10 is configured to mate with the
lid 11 such that the container sidewall 42 has a ridge 44 that
mates with the mold core opening 32. Further, the container
sidewall 42 has a top edge 46 that rests within the chime 14 of the
lid 11. Thus, this lid 11 may preferably be used with containers 10
configured to mate with the lid 11 in a similar manner. In an
embodiment of the present invention, the lid 11 may assemble with a
twenty gallon drum used to house Teflon.
[0048] The many features and advantages of the invention are
apparent from the detailed specification, and thus, it is intended
by the appended claims to cover all such features and advantages of
the invention which fall within the true spirit and scope of the
invention. Further, since numerous modifications and variations
will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired
to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation
illustrated and described, and accordingly, all suitable
modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within
the scope of the invention.
* * * * *