U.S. patent application number 11/528050 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-19 for removable and reusable container closure with stiffening ring.
This patent application is currently assigned to Stull Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Robert Auer.
Application Number | 20070164027 11/528050 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38308751 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070164027 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Auer; Robert |
July 19, 2007 |
Removable and reusable container closure with stiffening ring
Abstract
A closure is provided for removably attached to the lip of a
container. The closure includes a top preferably having at least on
locking levers connected to the top with an elastically deformable
hinge. The locking levers operate to releasably secure the closure
to the container. The closure also includes a skirt with portions
of the skirt located on opposite sides of the locking lever. A
strap is located below the locking lever and defines a continuous
ring around the base of the closure, thereby stiffening the
closure.
Inventors: |
Auer; Robert; (East
Stroudsburg, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DRINKER BIDDLE & REATH;ATTN: INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY GROUP
ONE LOGAN SQUARE
18TH AND CHERRY STREETS
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103-6996
US
|
Assignee: |
Stull Technologies, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38308751 |
Appl. No.: |
11/528050 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60722105 |
Sep 30, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/254.3 ;
220/367.1; 220/784 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y02W 30/80 20150501;
B65D 81/3453 20130101; Y02W 30/807 20150501; B65D 50/046 20130101;
B65D 51/1611 20130101; B65D 47/0847 20130101; B65D 41/185
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/254.3 ;
220/784; 220/367.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/16 20060101
B65D041/16; B65D 51/16 20060101 B65D051/16; B65D 51/18 20060101
B65D051/18 |
Claims
1. A closure for removable attachment to a container, the container
including an opening and a lip, the closure comprising: a top
defining a cover and having a peripheral edge; at least one locking
lever including an upper actuation arm and lower locking arm, the
lower locking arm having an inwardly projecting locking wedge, the
locking wedge having an inclined retention surface defining a
locking angle; a deformable hinge connecting the top to the locking
lever, the hinge attaching to the locking lever at an intermediate
location between the upper and lower arms and providing a fulcrum
about which each of the locking levers can pivot, the locking
levers operative to releasably engage the container lip by radial
displacement of the actuation arms to engage and disengage the
locking wedges from the lip; a plug seal extending downwards from
the top radially inward from the locking levers, a sealing surface
of the plug seal adapted to contact a sealing surface on the inside
of the container lip when the closure is engaged with the
container; a skirt attached to the peripheral edge of the top and
extending downward from the top, the skirt having an upper edge and
a lower edge, the skirt comprising skirt portions located on
opposite sides of the locking lever; and a strap located below the
locking lever and connecting the lower edges of the skirt portions,
the strap forming in combination with the skirt portions a
continuous band around a bottom of the closure for providing
stiffening of the closure.
2. The closure of claim 1 wherein there are two locking levers on
opposite sides of the top.
3. The closure of claim 1 wherein there are a plurality of vent
holes located in the top.
4. The closure of claim 1, further comprising a container for
containing a microwavable food product, the container having a
container lip, the closure being removably engaged with the
container lip.
5. The closure of claim 1, wherein the hinge includes at least two
webs, each web separated from each other web by a slot.
6. The closure according to claim 1 wherein each of the locking
wedges has a guide surface defining a lead angle, the lead angle
being within a range of between about eight degrees to about thirty
degrees, the guide surface acting in combination with a container
lip to facilitate engagement of the locking wedges by radial
displacement of the lower locking arm.
7. The closure according to claim 1 wherein the cap includes a
spout for passing container contents and a hinged cover plate
integrally formed in combination with the cover.
8. The closure according to claim 1 wherein the top, deformable
hinge and locking lever are integrally formed from injection molded
thermoplastic.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is related to and claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Application No. 60/722,105 filed Sep. 30, 2005, the
disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to removable
closures for containers, and more particularly, to removable and
reusable closures for use with microwavable containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is known to provide a microwavable food container with a
lid to be secured to the container during the microwave heating
process. The lid functions to reduce the potential for contents of
the container spilling or boiling over during the heating
process.
[0004] Many existing lid designs have deficiencies in that they
tend to deform during microwave heating. As such, the contents can
boil over during cooking or spill when the user attempts to remove
the container from the microwave.
[0005] It would be desirable to provide a lid having features which
further reduce potential spilling or boiling over of the container
contents during the microwave heating process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In one aspect, the invention is a closure for a container
having an upper end and a lip proximate to the upper end. The
closure includes a top and a skirt connected to the peripheral edge
of the top. The skirt has a upper edge and a lower edge. At least
one locking lever is provided and includes an inwardly projecting
locking wedge. An elastically deformable hinge connects the locking
lever to the top. The hinge permits pivotal movement of the locking
lever between a latched position and an unlatched position. The
locking wedge is adapted to releasably engage the container lip in
the latched position and disengage the container lip in the
unlatched position. The skirt is separated into skirt portions
located on each side of a locking lever. A strap is located below
the locking lever and attached to the skirt portions so as to form
a substantially complete ring around the bottom of the closure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there is
shown in the drawings forms that are presently preferred; it being
understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the
precise arrangements and constructions particularly shown.
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container closure
according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention,
shown installed on a container.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the closure of FIG. 1 shown
removed from the container.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the closure of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the closure and upper
portion of the container of FIG. 1, taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3,
with the closure shown separated from the container.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the closure and upper
portion of the container of FIG. 1, taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3,
with the closure shown separated from the container.
[0013] FIG. 6A is the enlarged detail view of a locking lever of
the closure of FIG. 1, taken along line 6A-6A of FIG. 3, with the
closure shown separated from the container and showing the locking
lever rotated into a latched position.
[0014] FIG. 6B is an enlarged detail view of a locking lever of
FIG. 6A, with the closure shown connected to the container and
showing the locking lever rotated into an unlatched position.
[0015] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of an alternate closure that
includes a spout.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a front view of the closure of FIG. 7.
[0017] FIG. 9 is an cross-sectional view of the closure of FIG. 7
taken along lines 9-9.
[0018] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the cross-section of FIG. 9
illustrating the connecting strap.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference
numerals identify like elements, components and subassemblies, FIG.
1 depicts a container 4 in combination with a closure 10 according
to an embodiment of the present invention. The container 4 has an
upper end 6 having an open mouth. Preferably, the open mouth is
provided with a conventional frangible or removable seal 7, which
may be removed by a user to expose contents (not shown) of the
container 4. One example of a removable seal is a peel-off film
that is sealed to the rim of other edge of the container. With the
seal 7 removed, the closure 10 may be attached to the upper end 6
during heating of the container contents to reduce potential for
spillage or boiling over of the contents, while allowing heated
gases generated during the heating process to escape from the
container.
[0020] The container 4 may be of any size or shape and may be
fabricated from any one of a variety of materials. Preferably, the
container 4 contains food products which are heated in a microwave
oven prior to consumption. Therefore, the container 4 is preferably
fabricated from a material suitable for storage of food products
and for microwave use. The container 4 includes a raised lip 8, or
similar structure proximate to its upper end 6. The raised lip 8
may be disposed directly adjacent the upper end 6 of the container
4 or in close proximity thereto. For example, should the container
4 employ a threaded end, the raised lip 8 may be disposed above or
below the threaded connection. Furthermore, while the container 4
and closure 10 are illustrated as each having a substantially
circular cross-section, it will be appreciated that the teachings
of the invention are applicable to a variety of other
cross-sectional shapes including, for example, elliptical or
polygonal shapes. The following description and alternate
embodiments of the invention are not intended to describe all
closure/container combinations, but are merely illustrative of how
the teachings of the present invention may be employed in the
context of a variety of container configurations.
[0021] For the purposes of defining direction and/or angular
orientation, it will be useful to define a cylindrical coordinate
system, wherein a Z-axis is coincident with a longitudinal axis
4.sub.A of the container 4. Displacement in, or spatial orientation
relative to, the Z-axis is referred to as "axial" displacement or
position, while displacement or spatial orientation along a radius
R from the Z-axis will be referred to in terms of "radial"
displacement or position.
[0022] One closure or lid that is useful in combination with the
present invention is described in co-pending U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 11/075,788, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety. A brief description of that closure
follows.
[0023] With reference initially to FIGS. 1-3, the closure 10
includes a top 12, at least one, and preferably two or more locking
levers 14 disposed radially outboard of the top 12, and an
elastically deformable hinge 16 (best seen in FIG. 3) connecting
the top 12 and each of the locking levers 14. The hinge 16 includes
at least one and preferable two circumferentially spaced apart webs
16A, 16B which help to stabilize the locking levers 14 for
providing controlled locking of the closure to the container 4. The
use of two (or more) webs for each locking lever 14 helps to
dissipate or reduce the heat that passes to the locking lever 14.
The webs 16A, 16B are separated by a hole or slot 16C. Providing
slot 16C makes the hinge 16 more flexible, and reduces the amount
of force required to move the locking levers 14. Stated otherwise,
the slots 16C allow the locking levers 14 to extend through a
larger arc, while reducing the amount of force required to move the
locking levers 14 compared to the amount of force which would be
required if the hinge 16 had a continuous web.
[0024] In the described embodiment, the top 12 includes a sealing
ring or plug seal 22, which provides a seal between the top 12 and
the container lip 8 when the closure 10 is installed on the
container 4. Alternatively, sufficient sealing between the top 12
and container lip 8 could be provided by the hinge 16 and the
locking levers 14 such that the sealing ring 22 could be omitted.
That is, if the locking levers 14 develop a sufficiently robust
connection between the closure 10 and the container 4, an adequate
seal could be realized between a lower side of the top 12 and an
upper extent of the lip 8. The closure 10 includes a skirt 23,
preferably formed by multiple skirt segments 23a, 23b located on
opposite sides of the locking levers. The skirt 23 is preferably
connected to a periphery of the top 12.
[0025] With particular reference to FIGS. 3 and 4, one embodiment
of the closure is illustrated which includes a venting features.
The top 12 has a first portion 40 and a second portion 50.
Preferably, the first and second portions 40 and 50 are both
substantially planar, defining a first plane 42 and a second plane
52, respectively. The first and second planes 42, 52 are
non-coincident. Preferably, the first and second planes 42, 52 are
substantially parallel, and are displaced from one another by a
displacement or offset A (see FIG. 4). In the embodiment
illustrated, the first portion 40 has an outer extent 44, and the
second portion 50 has an inner extent 54 and an outer extent 56.
Furthermore, in the embodiment illustrated, the first and second
portions 40, 50 are concentric, with the second portion 50
surrounding the first portion 40. The second portion outer extent
56 preferably connects to the skirt 23. It should be readily
apparent that, although the first and second portions are planar in
the illustrated embodiment, it is contemplated that the portions
may be curvilinear or other contoured shape.
[0026] A transition section 70 is preferably provided between the
first and second portions 40, 50. The transition section 70
connects the first portion outer extent 44 to the second portion
inner extent 54. The transition section 70 may be shaped in various
ways, including a frustoconical shape as illustrated.
[0027] At least one vent hole 60, and preferably a plurality of
vent holes 60 are provided in the first portion 40. The total vent
area provided by the vent holes is not critical, with satisfactory
performance being realized with the total vent area ranging widely,
including a range from about 0.05 square inches up to about 0.50
square inches. As discussed herein below, the vent holes 60 operate
to relieve gas pressure within the container 4 and closure 10
generated during the heating process.
[0028] With particular reference now to FIG. 4, the skirt 23 has a
first, upper edge 80 and a second, lower edge 82. The upper edge 80
preferably defines an upper plane and is included for stackability.
As illustrated, the first plane 42 defined by the first portion 40
is preferably near the upper edge 80, while the second plane 52
defined by the second portion 50 is intermediate the upper edge 80
and lower edge 82. The first plane 42 could be substantially
coincident with the upper edge 80, or could lie slightly below the
upper edge 80.
[0029] With continued reference to FIG. 4 along with FIG. 6A, the
sealing ring 22 is illustrated to have a first, upper end which
connects to an underside surface of the top 12. When assembled with
the container 4, the sealing ring 22 projects toward the upper end
6. A portion of the sealing ring 22 defines a sealing surface 24
adapted to detachably mate or contact with an interior surface 28
of the container lip 8. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing
surface 24 and interior surface 28 lie along substantially parallel
planes. However, alternatively the contact surfaces 24, 28 could be
formed to lie along planes that are at an acute angle with respect
to one another to provide an interference fit and enhance sealing
between the sealing surface 24 and the interior surface 28.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 3 and 5, at least one and preferably two
or more locking levers 14 are disposed about the periphery of the
top 12. Preferably, if there are two levers, the levers 14 are
positioned to be substantially diametrically opposed about the
circumference (i.e., spaced approximately one-hundred and eighty
degrees apart). However, alternatively, the levers 14 may be spaced
in unequal increments depending upon the particular
application.
[0031] The locking levers 14 may have any of a number of various
shapes. For example the locking levers 14 may have a shape in the
circumferential direction that is either linear or arcuate
depending upon the desired top configuration. With reference to
FIG. 3, a top view of a locking lever 14 shows the curvature or
arcuate shape of the lever 14 conforming to the circumferential
periphery of the skirt 23. When employed with a circular closure
10, each locking lever 14 preferably has an arc length extending
over an included angle .phi.. The included angle .phi. is
preferably in the range of about 10 to about 15 degrees.
[0032] With reference now to FIGS. 6A and 6B, each locking lever 14
includes actuation and lower locking arms, 30 and 32, respectively.
The actuation arm 30 extends in one direction (upwardly, as
illustrated) from the deformable hinge 16, while the lower locking
arm 32 generally extends in the opposing direction, (downwardly, as
illustrated) from the hinge 16. The deformable hinge 16 is located
between or intermediate the actuation and lower locking arms 30, 32
and provides a pivotal connection about which each locking lever 14
may pivot.
[0033] Each locking lever 14 includes a locking wedge 36. The wedge
36 includes a sloped guide surface 36G and a retaining surface 36R.
The wedge 36 is sized, shaped, and positioned on the locking lever
14 to releaseably engage the container lip 8 when the closure 10 is
installed on the container 4 and to secure the closure 10 to the
container 4.
[0034] Operation of the latching levers 14 to attach the closure 10
to and to detach the closure 10 from the container 4 is now
described with particular reference to FIGS. 6A and 6B. The
description is applicable to the specific embodiment shown in the
figures, however, the fundamentals generally apply to the alternate
embodiments as well. Initially, the closure 10 of the present
invention is aligned with the upper end 6 of the container 4 such
that the lower locking arms 32 and sealing ring 22 are adjacent the
container lip 8. The closure 10 then is pressed axially downward
against the container lip 8 such that the guide surfaces 36G of the
locking wedges 36 ride over an external surface of the lip 8. The
deformable hinge 16 facilitates displacement of the lower locking
arms 32 of the levers 14 from a latched position 14A into an
unlatched position 14B, as each locking wedge 36 passes the
container lip 8. More specifically, the axial displacement of the
closure 10 effects radial displacement of the lower locking arms 32
until the vertex of the wedge 36 passes the lower edge 8LE of the
container lip 8. Once the vertex of each wedge 36 passes the
container lip 8, the inherent memory of the deformable hinge 16
causes the locking wedges 36 to displace radially inwardly, back
into the latched position 14A, toward the principle Z-axis of the
container 4. More specifically, the elasticity of the deformable
hinge 16 rotates the levers 14 into the latched position 14A to
cause the locking wedges 36 to engage the container lip 8. The
guide surfaces 36G facilitate engagement of the closure 10 without
the requirement to align the sealing surfaces 24, 28 or actuate the
locking levers 14. That is, the guide surfaces 36G are sloped
downward and away from the lower locking arm 32 to facilitate
self-actuation of the locking lever 14. Thus, engagement of the
closure 10 to the container 4 may be performed by one hand.
[0035] Disengagement of the closure 10 is effected by pressing the
actuation arms 30 of the locking levers 14 radially inwardly to
pivot the lower locking arms 32 into the unlatched position 14B.
The radially inward displacement of the actuation arms 30 causes
the locking arms 32 to disengage from the container lip 8. Movement
of the levers 14 into the unlatched position 14B can generally be
performed with the thumb and forefinger of the same hand, while the
container 4 is held in the other hand. With the locking wedges 14
disengaged from the container lip 8, the closure 10 may be axially
separated from the container 4.
[0036] Referring again to FIG. 2, the locking levers 14 preferably
include a textured surface 11, such as a series of protrusions or
dimples, that provide a gripping surface for the user's fingers.
The textured surface 11 assists in inhibiting the user's fingers
from slipping off the levers as they actuate the levers 14.
[0037] The closure 10 is preferably manufactured as an integral,
unitary structure from a polymeric material. That is, the top 12,
locking levers 14, and deformable hinges 16 are preferably
fabricated as a single unit to form a unitary structure.
Polypropylene is a particularly preferred material. Preferably, a
conventional, low-cost fabrication technique, such as injection
molding, is used to fabricate the closure 10.
[0038] In use, the container 4 is preferably provided to the
consumer/user with the closure 10 attached (see FIG. 1). When the
user is ready to heat the contents of container 4, the user first
removes the closure 10, and then removes the seal 7, creating an
open mouth at the container upper end 6. The closure 10 is then
re-installed on the container 4, and the assembly of the container
and closure is placed in a microwave oven for heating. During the
heating process, gases within the container expand. Without the
vent holes 60, the gases within the container could pressurize the
interior of the container 4 to such a level as to disengage the
closure 10 from the container 4. Additionally, without sufficient
heat dissipation, the temperature of the lid can rise, creating a
potentially hazardous condition when the user attempts to remove
the product form the microwave. Furthermore, with the closure 10
disengaged, the potential for boiling over or other spillage of
container contents both during and after the heating process is
increased. Thus, the vent holes 60 assist in maintaining engagement
of the closure 10 with the container 4 during heating process. With
the closure 10 engaged with the container 4, the potential for
spillage or boiling over of the contents being heated is
reduced.
[0039] Furthermore, locating the vent holes 60 in the first portion
40 of the top 12 also reduces potential for spillage and boiling
over of the contents while being heated. With the first portion 40
displaced from and elevated above the second portion 50, the
contents of the container 4 have farther to travel to reach the
vent holes 60. The elevated position of the vent holes 60 reduces
the probability of contents escaping through the vent holes. Also,
locating the vent holes 60 centrally reduces the potential for
spillage. If the vent holes 60 were positioned toward the periphery
of the top 12, a relatively minor tilting of the container 4 and
closure 10 would result in overflow of the contents through the
vent holes 60, while with the vent holes 60 positioned centrally, a
more pronounced tilting of the container 4 and closure 10 is
required for the contents to overflow through the vent holes 60.
Moreover, placement of the holes near the center provides a chimney
effect directing the pressure and heat in a single direction and
away from the actuation arms. This minimizes temperature increase
in the arms.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 7-10, another embodiment of a closure cap
200 is shown. The closure has two flexible locking levers 210
located on the sides of the skirt, 180 degrees across from each
other. A drinking spout 212 is formed in the top 214 and includes a
spout lid 216 that is hinged to the top and removable seals the
spout 212.
[0041] In both embodiments illustrates in FIGS. 1-10, straps 300
are located under the flexible locking levers, at or near the base
of the skirt. The straps 300 are attached to the skirt side
portions together so as to form an integral connection. The straps
create, in combination with the skirt, a continuous 360.degree.
type of belt around the entire base of the closure. The connecting
straps add strength and structure to the closure by creating rigid
circumferential continuity in the closure. The location of the
straps below the locking lever does not interfere with the
operation of the lever or the placement of the closure on the
container.
[0042] In one embodiment of the invention, the strap has a height
of approximately 0.100 inches, and a radial thickness of about 0.05
inches. This provides sufficient strength for a closure having a
diameter of approximately 2.8 inches.
[0043] The straps insure that the skirt side walls do not spread
apart under pressure. They also keep the inside plug seal from
being distorted when external or internal pressures are applied, by
keeping the sides from rising up.
[0044] Further, a variety of other modifications to the embodiments
will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure
provided herein. Thus, the present invention may be embodied in
other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential
attributes thereof and, accordingly, reference should be made to
the appended claims, rather than to the foregoing specification, as
indicating the scope of the invention.
* * * * *