U.S. patent application number 10/581825 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-10 for container assembly.
Invention is credited to Peter Booth, Martin Christopher Bunce, Wil John Davis, Carl Edward Fordham, Alexander James Peacop.
Application Number | 20080006631 10/581825 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34655234 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080006631 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Booth; Peter ; et
al. |
January 10, 2008 |
Container Assembly
Abstract
A container assembly comprising a container (2) and a cover (4),
wherein the container has a peripheral wall defining a rim (8)
enclosing an opening at one end thereof, and wherein the cover is
provided for releasably closing the opening, the assembly being
provided with at least one locking member (12) that is hingeable
between an unlocked position and a locked position, the at least
one locking member having a locking member engagement feature which
engages with a corresponding engagement feature (20) on the cover
and/or the container in the locked position to lock the cover to
the container, in which the locking member passes over the rim of
the container and/or a rim of the cover as the locking member
hinges between the unlocked and locked positions such that the
locking member locks onto the container rim.
Inventors: |
Booth; Peter; (Wilts,
GB) ; Bunce; Martin Christopher; (Wiltshire, GB)
; Davis; Wil John; (Camden, GB) ; Fordham; Carl
Edward; (Essex, GB) ; Peacop; Alexander James;
(Wiltshire, GB) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE GLIDDEN COMPANY
15885 WEST SPRAGUE ROAD
STRONGVILLE
OH
44136
US
|
Family ID: |
34655234 |
Appl. No.: |
10/581825 |
Filed: |
December 3, 2004 |
PCT Filed: |
December 3, 2004 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB04/05103 |
371 Date: |
June 28, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/263 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00685
20130101; B65D 43/0212 20130101; B65D 2543/00629 20130101; B65D
2543/00296 20130101; B65D 43/022 20130101; B65D 2543/00555
20130101; B65D 45/20 20130101; B65D 2543/00537 20130101; B65D
2543/00546 20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/0074
20130101; B65D 2543/00805 20130101; B65D 2543/00509 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/263 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/26 20060101
B65D043/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 4, 2003 |
GB |
0328160.7 |
Mar 31, 2004 |
GB |
0407375.5 |
Claims
1. A container assembly comprising a container and a cover, wherein
the container has a peripheral wall defining a rim enclosing an
opening at one end thereof, and wherein the cover is provided for
releasably closing the opening, the assembly being provided with at
least one locking member that is hingeable between an unlocked
position and a locked position, the at least one locking member
having a locking member engagement feature which engages with a
corresponding engagement feature on the assembly in the locked
position to lock the cover to the container, in which the locking
member passes over the rim of the container or a rim of the cover
as the locking member hinges between the unlocked and locked
positions such that the locking member locks onto the container
rim.
2. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the locking
member hinges upwardly from the unlocked to the locked
position.
3. A container assembly according to claim 2 wherein the cover has
a closing surface for closing the opening and the or each locking
member hinges onto the closing surface of the cover.
4. A container assembly according to claim 3 in which the at least
one locking member hinges so as to dispose their free ends within
the area defined by the rim.
5. A container assembly according to claim 4 in which the free ends
of the at least one locking member lie substantially flush with the
upper or outer surface of the cover, or at least disposed below the
level of the rim or inside the outer surface of the cover.
6. A container assembly comprising a container and a cover, wherein
the container has a peripheral wall defining a rim enclosing an
opening at one end thereof, and wherein the cover is provided for
releasably closing the opening, the assembly being provided with at
least one locking member that is hingeable between an unlocked
position and a locked position, the at least one locking member
having a locking member engagement feature which engages with a
corresponding engagement feature on the cover the container, or
both of the assembly in the locked position to lock the cover to
the container, in which the locking member hinges upwardly from the
unlocked to the locked position.
7. A container assembly according to any one of claim 2 in which
the cover has a closing surface for closing the opening of the
container, and a skirt depending from the closing surface, the at
least one locking member being hingeably connected to the skirt,
preferably the or each locking member is integrally formed with the
skirt, more preferably the or each locking member is integrally
formed with the skirt by a live hinge.
8. A container assembly according to claim 7 in which the at least
one locking member is hinged to the skirt at a lower free edge of
the skirt.
9. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the at least
one locking member is hingeably connected to the container.
10. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the locking
member is hingeably connected to the cover at a position which is
radially inward of the rim.
11. A container assembly according to claim 10 in which the at
least one locking member is integrally formed with the cover.
12. A container assembly according to claim 10 in which the at
least one locking member hinges downwardly from the unlocked to the
locked position.
13. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the locking
member locks onto the container rim directly by engaging with the
container rim.
14. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the cover
includes a sealing surface which engages with an inside surface of
the peripheral wall of the container to form a seal
therebetween.
15. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the at least
one locking member is arranged to snap-fit onto the assembly cover
or the container.
16. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the at least
one locking member is arranged to snap-fit over a rim of the
container or over a rim of the cover.
17. A container assembly according to claim 7 in which a window is
formed in a or the skirt at the peripheral location of the at least
one locking member whereby the at least one locking member fits
into the window in the locked position.
18. A container assembly according to claim 17 in which the locking
member fits into the window such that it lies substantially flush
with the outer peripheral surface of the skirt in the locked
position.
19. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the at least
one locking member includes an engagement feature which engages
over a rim of the cover and/or the rim of the container in the
locked position.
20. A container assembly according to claim 19 in which the rim of
the cover is arranged to lie within the peripheral wall of the
container adjacent the rim of the container.
21. A container assembly according to claim 20 in which the
thickness of the rim of the cover is locally increased in the
region of the or each locking member.
22. A container assembly according to claim 1 comprising two or
more of said locking members.
23. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the
container and the cover are of generally circular
configuration.
24. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the surface
of the cover for closing the opening of the container comprises a
channel that is arranged to receive the rim of the container.
25. A container assembly according to claim 24 in which the or each
locking member lies substantially flush with the outer surface of
the channel when in the locked position.
26. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the locking
member includes an aperture, and an edge of the aperture defines
the engagement feature at least one of the or each locking
member.
27. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the at least
one locking member is provided with at least one locking member
engagement feature, and the cover is provided with at least one
corresponding cover engagement feature, such that the corresponding
at least one engagement features engage with each other when the
locking member is in the locked position.
28. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the at least
one locking member is provided with an engagement feature at a
position radially inward of the rim, for engagement with an inside
surface of the container peripheral wall, or an inside surface of a
rim of the cover in the locked position.
29. A container assembly according to claim 1 wherein the cover has
a closing surface for closing the opening and the surface of the
cover for closing the container lies substantially flush with the
top of the at least one locking member when in the locked
position.
30. A container assembly according to claim 7 in which the at least
one engagement feature of the container is provided on the
peripheral wall of the container in the form of an outwardly
directed projection extending at least partially around the outer
surface of the peripheral wall adjacent the opening, and the
corresponding engagement feature on the at least one locking member
is an inwardly directed projection provided on the skirt for
cooperating with the outwardly directed projection of the
container, the projections engaging with each other in the locked
position.
31. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the cover,
the container, or both is plastic.
32. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the
container is a paint container.
33. A container assembly according to claim 1 in which the
engagement features comprise inwardly or outwardly directed
projections.
34. Closure arrangement for a container, wherein the container has
a peripheral wall defining a rim enclosing an opening at one end
thereof, the peripheral wall having at least one outwardly-directed
projection extending at least partially around the outer surface of
the wall adjacent the opening, and wherein a cover is provided for
releasably closing the opening, the cover having a surface for
closing the opening of the container and a skirt depending
therefrom to enclose the projection of the container, the skirt
being provided with at least one hinged locking member that has (a)
an inwardly-directed projection for co-operating with the
outwardly-directed projection of the container, and (b) a lip for
passing over the rim of the container at the opening thereof and
engaging onto the cover, thereby to lock the cover to the
container, with the respective inwardly- and outwardly-directed
projections engaging with each other.
35. A container assembly substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
36. A closure arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
37. A container assembly according to claim 3 in which the at least
one locking member hinges so as to dispose their free ends within
the area defined by the rim.
38. A container assembly according to claim 6 in which the cover
has a closing surface for closing the opening of the container, and
a skirt depending from the closing surface, the at least one
locking member being hingeably connected to the skirt.
39. A container assembly according to claim 38 wherein each locking
member is selected from locking members that are integrally formed
with the skirt, or locking members integrally formed with the skirt
by a live hinge.
40. A container assembly according to claim 6 in which the at least
one locking member is hingeably connected to the container.
41. A container assembly according to claim 6 in which the locking
member is hingeably connected to the cover at a position which is
radially inward of the rim.
42. A container assembly according to claim 41 in which the at
least one locking member is integrally formed with the or each
locking member integrally formed with the cover by a live
hinge.
43. A container assembly according to claim 6 in which the locking
member locks onto the container rim directly by engaging with the
container rim.
44. A container assembly according claim 6 in which the cover
includes a sealing surface which engages with an inside surface of
the peripheral wall of the container to form a seal
therebetween.
45. A container assembly according to claim 6 in which the at least
one locking member is arranged to snap-fit onto the assembly cover
or the container or both.
46. A container assembly according to claim 6 in which the at least
one locking member includes an engagement feature which engages
over a rim of the cover, the rim of the container or both in the
locked position.
47. A container assembly according to claim 6 comprising three of
said locking members.
48. A container assembly according to claim 6 in which the surface
of the cover for closing the opening of the container comprises a
channel that is arranged to receive the rim of the container.
49. A container assembly according to claim 6 in which the cover,
the container, or both is plastic comprised of molded plastic or
injection molded plastic.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to a container assembly including a
cover for releasably closing a container of the assembly. The cover
is conveniently relockable. The invention finds particular, though
not exclusive application to closing containers of liquids, for
example paint.
[0002] Cans of paint, for example, are often simply closed with a
lid that has an outwardly-directed rim that is press-fitted into
the top of the container. Removal of the lid may be made by means
of insertion of the blade of a screwdriver and twisting to prise
off the lid. The lid can subsequently be replaced to re-close the
container, but usually the mating surfaces of the lid and container
become damaged, and can become coated with dried contents of the
container, with the result that a significant effort has to be
exerted to re-close the container, and even then a seal may not be
effected, which can cause spillage and/or deterioration of the
contents
[0003] More complex closure arrangements are also known. WO
03/062081 A1 discloses a relockable closure for a container,
comprising a cover and a skirt that is foldable to lock the cover
onto the container. The closure requires a convoluted curl shape to
be formed on the outside of the container at its rim. A metal cover
for the container is provided with a separate peripheral skirt
attached thereto that depends downwardly therefrom and has a fold
point that allows a curved rib to be deployed downwards so as to
engage beneath the curl of the container. A sealing compound is
provided between the metal cover and the rim of the container. The
skirt may be separated into a plurality of sections by slits to
facilitate its folding down around the outside of the container so
as releasably to lock the cover thereon. It will be appreciated
that this closure requires several components and complex shaping
in order to be effective.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 3,688,942 discloses a simpler form of
container and closure combination, in which the body of the
container at its open end is shaped to provide a radially-outwardly
and downwardly directed peripheral skirt portion. The closure is
also provided with a peripheral skirt portion with a plurality of
locking members attached thereto by integral flexible hinge walls.
The locking member members engage the free edge of the container
skirt portion in a cam and cam follower manner so as to secure the
closure to the container, with a compressible seal being provided
therebetween.
[0005] Whilst each of WO 03/062081 A1 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,688,942
provides a relockable closure for a container, release of the cover
from the container is effected by a part thereof that extends
beyond the periphery of the container, which can give rise to
unintentional freeing of the closure and risk of spillage of the
contents of the container.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 1,482,931 discloses a covered receptacle in
which a can has a rolled-over rim and is closed by a cover having
an annular depending flange. A pair of spring-mounted levers are
secured to the lower end of the flange diametrically opposite
eachother, and are shaped to engage beneath the rim of the can to
lock the cover thereon.
[0007] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention
there is provided a container assembly comprising a container and a
cover, wherein the container has a peripheral wall defining a rim
enclosing an opening at one end thereof, and wherein the cover is
provided for releasably closing the opening, the assembly being
provided with at least one locking member that is hingeable between
an unlocked position and a locked position, the at least one
locking member having a locking member engagement feature which
engages with a corresponding engagement feature on the cover and/or
the container in the locked position to lock the cover to the
container, in which the locking member passes over the rim of the
container and/or a rim of the cover as the locking member hinges
between the unlocked and locked positions such that the locking
member locks onto the container rim.
[0008] In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a closure arrangement for a container, wherein
the container has a peripheral wall defining a rim enclosing an
opening at one end thereof, and wherein a cover is provided for
releasably closing the opening, the cover having a surface for
extending over the opening with a periphery of the cover sitting on
the rim of the container, and a skirt depending from the periphery
to pass over the rim and to extend around the outside of the
peripheral wall of the container, the arrangement comprising at
least one hinged locking member that passes over the rim of the
container to lock the cover thereonto.
[0009] Advantageously, and in contrast to the prior art described
above, hinging the locking member such that it passes over and
locks onto the container rim, ensures the cover is locked onto the
container with a greater degree of security, and is therefore less
likely to be accidentally released.
[0010] The cover of the closure arrangement thus comprises (i) a
surface that closes the opening of the container and preferably
with a periphery sitting on, and advantageously sealing onto, the
rim of the container, and (ii) a skirt depending from the closing
surface.
[0011] Preferably, the or each hinged locking member is profiled so
as to interengage with a complementarily-shaped profile on the
container or on the cover so as to effect the locking of the cover
onto the container. The profiling may comprise interengaging
projections, or interengaging projections and recesses. The
profiling may be provided on the inner and/or the outer surface of
the container and/or the cover.
[0012] The hinging of the or each locking member may be located
outside or inside the region defined by the peripheral wall of the
container.
[0013] The or each locking member may be formed integrally with the
cover or the container, being hinged thereto by a living hinge.
[0014] The hinging of the locking members, avoiding any permanent
deformation thereof, permits repeated opening and reclosing of the
container.
[0015] Preferably, the closing surface of the cover is arranged, at
least upon closure of the locking member(s), to provide a seal onto
the container.
[0016] Advantageously, the locking members are hinged so as to
close upwardly over the rim of the container so as to dispose their
free ends within the area defined by the rim, thereby to reduce the
risk of unintentional release. To this end, the free ends of the
locking members may lie substantially flush with the upper surface
of the cover, or at least be disposed below the level of the
rim.
[0017] It is envisaged, however, that the locking members may be
hinged within the periphery of the container rim so as to close
downwardly around the outside of the container, preferably with
their free ends lying closely adjacent thereto.
[0018] In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a closure arrangement for a container, wherein
the container has a peripheral wall defining a rim enclosing an
opening at one end thereof, the peripheral wall having at least one
outwardly-directed projection extending at least partially around
the outer surface of the wall adjacent the opening, and wherein a
cover is provided for releasably closing the opening, the cover
having a surface for closing the opening of the container and a
skirt depending from the closing surface to enclose the projection
of the container, the skirt being provided with at least one hinged
locking member that has (a) an inwardly-directed projection for
co-operating with the outwardly-directed projection of the
container, and (b) a lip for passing over the rim of the container
at the opening thereof and engaging onto the closing surface,
thereby to lock the cover to the container, with the respective
inwardly- and outwardly-directed projections engaging with each
other.
[0019] Advantageously, the at least one projection of the container
is longitudinally spaced apart from the rim thereof in a direction
away from the container opening.
[0020] In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention,
there is provided a container assembly comprising a container and a
cover, wherein the container has a peripheral wall defining a rim
enclosing an opening at one end thereof, and wherein the cover is
provided for releasably closing the opening, the assembly being
provided with at least one locking member that is hingeable between
an unlocked position and a locked position, the at least one
locking member having a locking member engagement feature which
engages with a corresponding engagement feature on the cover and/or
the container in the locked position to lock the cover to the
container, in which the locking member hinges upwardly from the
unlocked to the locked position
[0021] In contrast with U.S. Pat. No. 1,482,931 referred to above,
it will be appreciated that the closure arrangement of the present
invention provides a positive engagement of the locking member(s)
onto the cover thereof.
[0022] With locking of the container being brought about by an
upward movement of the or each locking member to effect, preferably
a snap-fit connection, there is less likelihood of the locking
member being inadvertently moved to the unlocked position when a
user picks up the paint container, since usually the user will pick
up the container in an upwards movement which contrasts to the
downwards movement required to unlock the locking member, and
therefore release the cover from the container. If the snap-fit
connection is over the rim of the container onto itself or onto the
rim of the container, the free ends of the or each locking member
may be safely and visibly contained within the periphery of the
container, thus further mitigating against accidental release.
[0023] The closure arrangement of the present invention requires
comparatively few components, comprising in its most basic form, a
suitably-shaped rim of a container, and a cover that serves to
close the container and to effect locking thereonto by one, or
more, integral hinged locking members.
[0024] It is also pointed out that the locking members in their
locked position are in a relaxed configuration rather than being
held in tension. This avoids the potential problem of creep of the
plastics material, whilst maintaining vertical pressure on the
outwardly directed projection of the container.
[0025] It will be appreciated that the audible snap-fitting of the
locking members will provide an indication to the user that they
are securely in place.
[0026] The cover and the skirt are preferably formed integrally
with one another, and the or each locking member is preferably
formed integrally with the skirt, preferably being hinged thereto
by a live hinge. Alternatively, the or each locking member may be
secured to the skirt by a respective separate hinge.
[0027] Preferably, a window is formed in the skirt at the
peripheral location of the or each locking member, whereby upon
locking the cover onto the container, the locking member fits into
its window and the respective inwardly- and outwardly-directed
projections engage each other directly.
[0028] Since the cover and the container, in the absence of any
liner, will be in contact with the contents of the container, they
will be made from a relatively inert material. For example, they
may be made of a plastics material, preferably by moulding. These
parts may be made by a comparatively inexpensive blow moulding
process using polyethyleneteraphthalate, for example. However, it
is also envisaged that metal may be used in appropriate
circumstances.
[0029] The or each locking member may be recessed into an otherwise
substantially planar top surface of the cover, to provide further
protection against accidental release of the closure arrangement
from the container.
[0030] Preferably three locking members are provided for a closure
arrangement of generally circular configuration, being equi-spaced
around the cover, although two, or four or more, may be used if
required. Where the configuration is rectilinear, then it is
envisaged that at least one locking member would be provided for
each side of the arrangement, or alternatively, a locking member
may be provided at each corner of the container.
[0031] Whilst preferably the outwardly-directed projection on the
surface of the container extends continuously therearound, thus
allowing the cover to be fitted thereto in any orientation, it is
envisaged that it may be provided by a plurality of discrete
sections. In the latter case, the number of sections would
advantageously be the same as the number of locking members, thus
requiring the cover to be appropriately positioned on the container
in order to effect locking therebetween.
[0032] Advantageously, the exterior of the base of the container is
provided with one or more recesses to facilitate gripping thereof
by a user.
[0033] It should be noted that protection is also sought for the
cover and those features described in relation to the cover,
independently of the container onto the which the cover is to be
used.
[0034] A container assembly will now be described, by way of
example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0035] FIG. 1 is a plan view of the assembly with two locking
members thereof in the locked position and a third locking member
in the unlocked position,
[0036] FIG. 2 is a sectional elevation on the line A-A of FIG. 1
showing the cover in the unlocked position,
[0037] FIG. 3 is a sectional elevation on the line B-B of FIG. 1,
showing the cover in the locked position,
[0038] FIG. 3A is a sectional elevation on the line B-B of FIG. 1,
showing the cover in the locked and unlocked position,
[0039] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the top of another embodiment of
the container assembly,
[0040] FIG. 5 is a sectional elevation on the line C-C of FIG. 4,
showing the assembly in the locked position,
[0041] FIGS. 6 to 15 are sectional elevations of alternative
embodiments showing the container assembly in the locked and
unlocked positions, and
[0042] FIG. 16 is an underneath view of a container of the
container assemblies of FIGS. 1 to 15.
[0043] Referring to the Figures, a cylindrical container 2, made of
a plastics material for containing paint, is closed by a moulded
plastics cover 4. The container 2 has a projection 6 extending
circumferentially therearound on its outer surface, adjacent a rim
8 at its open end.
[0044] The cover 4 has a planar dished upper surface 10 that sits
within the container rim 8, and has three hinged locking members 12
equi-spaced therearound which are set into a downwardly depending
skirt 14 of the cover 4. The cylindrical inner surface of the skirt
14 is of such a diameter as to form a sliding fit over the
circumferential projection 6 on the outside of the container 2.
[0045] Each locking member 12 is formed integrally with the skirt
14 and can be hinged away from the lower circumferential edge 16
thereof by means of a live hinge 18 (FIG. 2) exposing a window 15
in the skirt 14. The hinged portion of the locking member 12 is of
generally L-shape, having a lower part 13 extending away from the
hinge 18 that is provided adjacent thereto with an
inwardly-directed projection 20, of generally the same size and
shape as the container projection 6. The projections 6 and 20 are
longitudinally displaced from the upper ends of the container 2 and
cover 4 respectively, such that when the locking member 12 is moved
from its unlocked position (FIG. 2) to its locked position (FIG.
3), the locking projection 20 engages the outer wall of the
container 2 immediately below its projection 6.
[0046] In the locked position, the upper part 22 of the locking
member 12 passes over the container rim 8 with its free hooked end
24 snap-fitting over a locally-thickened wall portion 26 of the
raised rim 27 of the cover 4. This engagement of the locking member
12 onto the upper rim of the cover 4, whilst simultaneously
bringing the projections 6 and 20 into engagement, is effected as a
snap action, thus providing an audible indication that the cover 4
has been properly secured onto the container 2. Thus, the locking
member 12 is locked onto the rim 8 of the container, and therefore
retained in the locked position by virtue of the snap-fit between
the hooked end 24 and the thickened wall portion 26, and with the
locking member in the locked position, the cover is retained on the
container by virtue of the engagement between the projection 20 on
the locking member 12 and the projection 6 on the container
rim.
[0047] FIG. 3A shows in more detail the interaction between the
locking member 12 as it moves upwards from the unlocked position
(shown dotted) to the locked position. It can seen from a
comparison of the locked and unlocked positions that the locking
member 12 passes over the rim 8 of the container and locks onto the
rim of the container 8 due to the engagement between the thickened
wall portion 26 of the raised rim 27 of the cover and the hooked
end 24 of the locking member 12. It should be noted that in this
embodiment the raised rim 27 of the cover is between the container
rim and the locking member 12, and that the locking member 12 locks
onto the container rim indirectly by locking onto the raised rim 27
which then locks onto the container rim 8. By locking the locking
member onto the container rim in this way, the cover is retained
with a greater degree of security onto the container.
[0048] It will be appreciated, that, in the locked configuration,
upward pressure on the free ends 24 of the locking members 12, will
force the hinges 18 open so that the cover 4 can be removed from
the container 2. Sealing and opening of the container 2 can be
effected repeatedly.
[0049] It will also be noted, that the hinging of the locking
members 12 on the cover skirt 14 is on the outside of the container
2, and thus is not, in normal use, contacted by the container
contents. Thus there is no interference of the locking members 12
by the contents of the container 2.
[0050] FIG. 4 shows a top plan view and FIG. 5 shows a sectional
elevation along line C-C of a modification of the assembly of FIGS.
1 to 3A. A circular cover 30 for the container (not shown) has
three hinged locking members 32 equi-spaced therearound, shown in
the locked position. However, in contrast to the previously
discussed embodiment, the central cover surface 34 is not dished,
but is substantially flush with the upper surface 33 of the locking
members 32. The surface 34 is, however, provided with a scalloped
region 36 adjacent each locking member 32, with the locking member
32 extending partially over the scalloped region 36 so as to
facilitate lifting thereof for hinging the locking member 32
towards the unlocked position such that the cover 30 can be removed
from the container. The planar top to the cover, with the recessing
of the locking members, further mitigates against accidental
opening of the container. The cover is retained on the container in
the same manner as described in relation to the assembly of FIGS. 1
to 3A.
[0051] With reference to FIG. 6 there is shown an alternative
assembly which is identical to the assembly of FIGS. 1 to 5 except
that the container rim 227 is not locally thickened. The cover is
retained on the container in the same manner as described in
relation to the assemblies of FIGS. 1 to 5 except that the locking
member 232 is locked onto the container by engagement of the
locking member projection 224 with the inside surface 235 of the
container rim 227.
[0052] With reference to FIG. 7, there is shown an alternative
assembly which is identical to, and operates in the same way as the
assembly of FIG. 6 except that in this embodiment the live hinge
318 is positioned at a lower edge of the skirt 314 as opposed to
being spaced from the lower edge. By hinging the locking member
about the lower edge of the skirt, as opposed to spaced above the
skirt, a greater moment is generated about the hinge to retain the
locking member in the locked position.
[0053] With reference to FIG. 8 there is shown an alternative
assembly, which is identical to, and operates in the same way as
the embodiment of FIG. 7 except that the cover rim inside surface
435 and the locking member projection 424 are profiled such that
the projection 424 snaps into a recess 436 defined by the cover rim
inside surface 435. This arrangement provides a more pronounced
snap-fit, and thus a greater force is required to disengage the
locking member projection 424 from the container rim recess 436
when moving the locking member 432 from the locked position to the
unlocked position in comparison to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 to 7.
Thus, the cover is secured to the container with a greater degree
of security.
[0054] With reference to FIG. 9 there is shown an alternative
assembly which is identical to the embodiment of FIG. 8 except that
firstly, the recess 536 is defined in the container rim and not in
the cover rim, and secondly, no projections are provided on the
skirt and on the outside of the container rim. The locking member
projection 524 snaps into the recess 536 to retain the locking
member 532 in the locked position. Thus it can be seen from the
assembly of FIG. 9 that the cover is locked to the container by
direct engagement of the locking member 532 onto the container as
opposed to the cover. This is advantageous if the container is made
of a material which is more rigid than the cover. To enable the
locking member to engage directly onto the container rim, the cover
rim 527 is modified such that it does not extend upwards greater
than the projection 524 extends downwards.
[0055] It can also be seen that the engagement between the
projection 524 and the recess 536 prevents the cover from being
removed from the container when the locking member 532 is the
locked position. For this reason, there is no requirement for
projections on the skirt and the outside of the container rim.
However, in an alternative embodiment projections can be included
on the skirt and on the outside of the container rim as already
described in relation to the assemblies of FIGS. 1 to 8 if it is
desirable to provide an even more secure retention of the cover
onto the container.
[0056] In an alternative embodiment, the recess could be provided
on the locking member projection, for cooperation with a
corresponding projection on the inside surface of the container
wall. It would also be possible to provide corresponding engagement
features on the cover and the container by profiling the rim
sections such that they engage in the locked position.
[0057] With reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, there is shown an
alternative assembly which is identical to the embodiment of FIG. 7
except that the locking member 632 includes an aperture 650 which
defines an inside edge 651 and an outside edge 652, and allows a
corresponding portion 653 of the cover rim to extend therebetween.
The aperture is sized such that it forms a close fit with the
portion 653 of the cover rim, but does not prevent the locking
member 632 from hinging between the locked and unlocked positions.
The inside edge 651 is positioned such that when the locking member
632 is in the locked position there is engagement between the
inside edge 651 of the locking member 632 and the inside surface
657 of the corresponding portion 653 of the cover rim. Thus, in
this embodiment, it is the inside edge 651 of the aperture which is
acting as the engagement feature, and the locking member 632 is
retained in the locked position by the snap-fit between the inside
edge 651 of the aperture and the corresponding portion 653 of the
cover. The provision of the outside edge 652 of the aperture also
provides a more secure locked position of the locking member 632
since movement of the locking member is prevented by engagement of
the cover portion 653 with the outside edge 652.
[0058] With reference to FIG. 12 there is shown an alternative
assembly which is identical to the assembly of FIGS. 10 and 11
except that in addition to the inside edge 751 of the aperture 750
engaging with the cover, a projection 724 is provided on the cover
adjacent to the aperture so as to provide a greater engagement
area, and therefore a more secure retention of the locking member
onto the cover. Thus the assembly of FIG. 12 can be considered as a
combination of the embodiments of FIGS. 7 and 11.
[0059] With reference to FIG. 13 there is shown an alternative
assembly which is identical to the embodiment of FIG. 7 except that
an additional projection 860 is provided on the locking member 832,
and the cover inside rim 827 is extended radially outwardly such
that it can engage with the additional projection 860 when the
locking member is in the locked position. The provision of the
additional projection 860 provides a more secure locked position in
the same way as described in relation to the embodiment of FIGS. 11
and 12, except that in this embodiment edge 652 is replaced by the
projection 860, and edge 651 is replaced by projection 824.
[0060] With reference to FIG. 14 there is shown an alternative
assembly which is identical to the assemblies of FIGS. 6 and 7
except that the hinge 918 is provided on the cover surface 934 and
not on the skirt 915. Thus it can be seen by the position of the
locking member 932 in the unlocked (dotted) and locked positions
that the locking member hinges downwards as it moves from the
unlocked to the locked position. It can also be seen that the hinge
918 is provided radially inward of the rim 908 of the container.
The locking member is locked onto the cover, and the cover locked
onto the container in the same manner as described in relation to
the assemblies of FIGS. 6 and 7, except that it is the projection
920 on the locking member skirt which snap-fits below the
projection 906 on the outside of the container rim. By providing
the hinge inward of the container rim it is possible, in an
alternative embodiment, to remove the projection 924 altogether
such that the locking member 932 is locked onto the container rim
due to the snap-fit generated by engagement of projection 906 and
projection 920 as the locking member hinges downwards about hinge
918 to the locked position. The cover is retained on the container
due to the engagement between projection 906 and projection 920.
Thus it can be seen that in this embodiment, the provision of the
hinge 918 inside the container rim enables the projections 906,920
to both lock the locking member onto the rim, without the need for
projection 924, and retain the cover on the container. As
previously described, the provision of projection 924 on the
locking member 932 will lock the locking member onto the container
with a greater degree of security.
[0061] With reference to FIG. 15 there is shown an alternative
assembly which is identical to that of FIG. 14 except that the
locking member 1032 engages directly onto the container rim 1008
and not onto the cover rim.
[0062] It is possible to modify this embodiment in the same manner
as that of FIG. 14 by removing projection 1024, and relying on the
snap-fit between projection 1006 and projection 1020.
[0063] It is also possible to modify this embodiment by removing
projections 1006,1020, and configuring the projection 1024 on the
locking member and the container rim 1008 as described in relation
to the embodiment of FIG. 9 such that the locking member is
retained on the container by a snap-fit between the locking member
projection 1024 and the container rim 1008.
[0064] It can be seen from the embodiments of FIGS. 14 and 15 that
it is the provision of the hinge radially inward of the container
rim which enables the locking member to hinge such that it passes
over the rim of the container, and allows the locking member to
lock onto the container rim.
[0065] FIG. 16 shows the underside of a container 40 in which a
scalloped region 42 is moulded or otherwise indented into the base
to facilitate gripping of the container by a hand during use.
* * * * *