U.S. patent application number 11/505622 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-27 for container closure system.
Invention is credited to William S. Shadrach.
Application Number | 20080073347 11/505622 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39223830 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080073347 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shadrach; William S. |
March 27, 2008 |
Container closure system
Abstract
A reusable closure assembly for attachment to a container
includes a slide assembly that includes a pair of lateral channel
portions; a slidable portion rupturably coupled to each of the
lateral channel portions between the lateral channel portions; and
a cover portion, extending laterally from one of the lateral
channel portions. The cover portion is sized and shaped to be
folded over the lateral channel portions and the slidable portion
to thereby form a top of a three-sided slide enclosure. The
slidable portion is slidable within the slide enclosure after being
ruptured from the lateral channel portions.
Inventors: |
Shadrach; William S.; (Salt
Lake City, UT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THORPE NORTH & WESTERN, LLP.
P.O. Box 1219
SANDY
UT
84091-1219
US
|
Family ID: |
39223830 |
Appl. No.: |
11/505622 |
Filed: |
August 16, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/254.9 ;
220/715; 220/719; 220/780 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/286 20130101;
Y02W 30/80 20150501; Y02W 30/807 20150501 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/254.9 ;
220/780; 220/715; 220/719 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/18 20060101
B65D051/18; A47G 19/22 20060101 A47G019/22; B65D 41/18 20060101
B65D041/18 |
Claims
1. A reusable closure assembly for attachment to a container,
comprising: a slide assembly, including: a pair of lateral channel
portions; a slidable portion rupturably coupled to each of the
lateral channel portions between the lateral channel portions; and
a cover portion, extending laterally from one of the lateral
channel portions, the cover portion being sized and shaped to be
folded over the lateral channel portions and the slidable portion
to thereby form a top of a three-sided slide enclosure; the
slidable portion being slidable within the slide enclosure after
being ruptured from the lateral channel portions.
2. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the slidable portion is
coupled to each of the lateral channel portions by material strands
defined by an array of perforations formed in the slide
assembly.
3. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the slide assembly
includes two arrays of perforations formed in the slide assembly,
the two arrays being substantially parallel to one another.
4. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the slide assembly is
formed from a unitary sheet of material.
5. The closure assembly of claim 1, wherein the three-sided
enclosure includes an internal cross section that substantially
matches an external cross section of the slidable portion.
6. The closure of claim 1, further comprising engagement structure,
associated with the slidable portion, the engagement structure
being configured to enable a user to engage the slidable portion to
manipulate the slidable portion.
7. The closure of claim 6, further comprising a receiving opening,
formed in the cover portion, the receiving opening operable to
receive or expose the engagement structure of the slidable portion
to enable the user to access the engagement structure through the
cover portion.
8. A lid for use on a container, comprising: a base, having
attachment structure associated therewith for attaching the base to
the container and having a material dispensing orifice formed or
formable therein; and a slide assembly, coupled to the base, the
slide assembly including: at least one lateral channel portion; a
slidable portion rupturably coupled to one of the lateral channel
portion and the base; and a cover portion, extending from the
lateral channel portion, the cover portion being operable to be
folded over the lateral channel portion and the slidable portion to
thereby form a slide enclosure for the slidable portion; the
lateral channel portion and the cover portion being attached to an
outer surface of the base with the slide assembly being positioned
on the base to be operable to selectively cover and uncover the
material dispensing orifice.
9. The lid of claim 8, wherein the attachment structure is operable
to form a substantially liquid-tight seal with the container.
10. The lid of claim 8, further comprising a pair of lateral
channel portions, each of the lateral channel portions bordering a
lateral edge of the slidable portion, and wherein the slidable
portion is rupturably coupled to each of the lateral channel
portions.
11. The lid of claim 10, wherein the lateral channel portions and
the slidable portion are substantially coplanar.
12. The lid of claim 8, wherein at least a section of the cover
portion is attached atop the lateral channel portion.
13. The lid of claim 8, wherein the lid includes a substantially
circular outer periphery.
14. The lid of claim 8, wherein the slide assembly is coupled to
the base on only one surface of the base.
15. The lid of claim 8, wherein the slide assembly is coupled over
a substantially uninterrupted, continuous surface of the base.
16. The lid of claim 15, wherein the slide assembly and the
substantially continuous, planar surface of the base are
substantially parallel.
17. The lid of claim 8, wherein the slide assembly and the base are
formed from separate materials.
18. The lid of claim 8, further comprising engagement structure,
formed on or in the slidable portion, the engagement structure
being configured to enable a user to engage the slidable portion to
move the slidable portion.
19. The lid of claim 18, further comprising a receiving opening,
formed in the cover portion, the receiving opening operable to
receive or expose the engagement structure of the slidable portion
to enable the user to access the engagement structure through the
cover portion.
20. A method of providing a container with a reusable closure,
comprising: disposing a slide assembly on the container adjacent a
portion of the container from which material will be dispensed from
the container, the slide assembly including: a pair of opposing,
lateral channel portions; a slidable portion rupturably coupled
between the lateral channel portions; and a cover portion,
extending over the lateral channel portions and the slidable
portion; attaching each of the lateral channel portions to the
container; and selectively coupling the cover portion to the
lateral channel portions or to the container to form a four-sided
enclosure in which the slidable portion can slide adjacent the
container after being ruptured from the lateral channel
portions.
21. The method of claim 20, wherein coupling each of the lateral
channel portions to the container comprises joining the lateral
channel portions with the container.
22. The method of claim 20, further comprising simultaneously
joining the lateral channel portions and the cover portion with the
container.
23. The method of claim 20, wherein coupling each of the lateral
channel portions to the container comprises bonding the lateral
channel portions to the container.
24. The method of claim 20, wherein coupling each of the lateral
channel portions to the container comprises coupling each of the
lateral channel portions to a substantially uninterrupted,
continuous surface of the container.
25. The method of claim 20, wherein coupling the cover portion to
the lateral channel portions or to the container includes aligning
a receiving opening formed in the cover portion with engagement
structure associated with the slidable portion.
26. A method of providing a reusable closure to a container lid,
the container lid having attachment structure associated therewith
for attaching the lid to the container and having a material
dispensing orifice formed or formable therein, the method
comprising: disposing a slide assembly on the container lid
adjacent the material dispensing orifice, the sliding assembly
including: at least one lateral channel portion; a slidable portion
rupturably coupled to the lateral channel portion; a cover portion,
foldably extending from the lateral channel portion; attaching the
lateral channel portion to the container lid; and selectively
attaching sections of the cover portion to the lateral channel
portion, or to the container lid, to form a four-sided enclosure in
which the slidable portion can slide adjacent the container lid
after being ruptured from the lateral channel portion.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein attaching the lateral channel
portion to the container lid comprises joining the lateral channel
portion with the container lid.
28. The method of claim 26, further comprising simultaneously
joining the lateral channel portion and the cover portion with the
container lid.
29. The method of claim 26, wherein coupling the lateral channel
portion to the container lid comprises bonding the lateral channel
portion to the container lid.
30. The method of claim 26, wherein coupling the lateral channel
portion to the container lid comprises coupling the lateral channel
portion to a substantially uninterrupted, continuous surface of the
container lid.
31. The method of claim 26, wherein coupling the cover portion to
the lateral channel portion or to the container lid includes
aligning a receiving opening formed in the cover portion with
engagement structure associated with the slidable portion.
32. A method of making a reusable closure assembly for use on a
container, comprising: obtaining a blank of material; forming
rupturable sections in the blank of material to delineate in the
blank of material: a pair of opposing, lateral channel portions;
and a slidable portion between the lateral channel portions; and
forming a cover portion in the blank of material, the cover portion
being sized so as to be foldable over each of the lateral channel
portions and the slidable portion.
33. The method of claim 32, wherein forming rupturable sections in
the blank of material includes forming a series of perforations in
the blank of material.
34. The method of claim 32, further comprising forming engagement
structure in the slidable portion, the engagement structure being
configured to enable a user to engage the slidable portion to move
the slidable portion.
35. The method of claim 34, further comprising forming a receiving
opening in the cover portion, the receiving opening operable to
receive or expose the engagement structure of the slidable portion,
when the cover portion is folded over each of the lateral channel
portions, to enable the user to access the engagement structure
through the cover portion.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Containers with which a reusable (or reclosable) dispensing
opening closure is attached abound in present society. For example,
packages, such as those in which powders (e.g., table salt,
detergents, bath salts, etc.) are sold to consumers are often
provided with a reusable closure in the form of an extendable spout
formed of paperboard or metal. The spout can be "opened" by
rotating a portion of the spout away from the container to allow
contents of the container to be poured through the spout. The spout
can be "closed" by rotating the portion of the spout to its
original position against or inside the container to prevent (or at
least limit) contents of the container from spilling from the
container.
[0002] Another widely used example of containers of this type is
the disposable cup utilized in selling beverage products such as
coffee, tea, hot chocolate, etc. Conventional containers such as
these often include a lid or cap that can be attached to the
container after it has been filled with the beverage. The lid or
cap often includes a reusable closure in the form of movable
structure that allows the consumer to expose (e.g., "open") a
dispensing orifice in the lid or cap to allow the consumer to
dispense (e.g., sip or drink) the beverage from the container. Many
of the more sophisticated designs of such lids or caps include
movable structure that can be "closed" after drinking the beverage
to at least partially seal the lid or cap to limit spillage of the
beverage.
[0003] While such reusable closure devices have been provided on
beverage containers, or lids or caps of such containers, with some
degree of success, conventional devices such as these often
significantly increase the cost of the container and/or its lid or
cap, and often do not provide a closure that can be repeatedly and
reliably used a number of times. For example, most such
conventional closures require that the container itself (or the lid
or cap of the container) be formed with some type of receiving
structure in order for the closure to be effectively integrated
with the container. This feature can not only negatively affect the
cost and effort required to manufacture the container or lid, it
can increase the cost and effort required to install the closure on
or in the container.
[0004] In addition, efforts to provide such containers with a
closure that can be used multiple times throughout the product life
of the container have resulted in closure systems that are overly
complex. Such overly complex systems can both increase the costs
associated with forming and attaching the closure systems and can
result in a closure system that is not intuitive to use. The
resulting closure system can confuse consumers, which might damage
the system in attempting to use it, or the consumer may not
appreciate and thereby enjoy the benefits of the system.
SUMMARY
[0005] It has been recognized that it would be advantageous to
develop a dispensing orifice closure that can be easily attached to
a wide variety of container designs, and that can be reliably and
easily reused during the life cycle of the container.
[0006] The present invention provides a reusable closure assembly
for attachment to a container, including: a slide assembly that can
include a pair of lateral channel portions, a slidable portion
rupturably coupled to each of the lateral channel portions between
the lateral channel portions, and a cover portion, extending
laterally from one of the lateral channel portions. The cover
portion can be sized and shaped to be folded over the lateral
channel portions and the slidable portion to thereby form a top of
a three-sided slide enclosure. The slidable portion can be slidable
within the slide enclosure after being ruptured from the lateral
channel portions.
[0007] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a
lid for use on a container is provided, including a base that can
have attachment structure associated therewith for attaching the
base to the container and that can have a material dispensing
orifice formed or formable therein. A slide assembly can be coupled
to the base. The slide assembly can include at least one lateral
channel portion, a slidable portion rupturably coupled to the
lateral channel portion, and a cover portion, extending from the
lateral channel portion. The cover portion can be operable to be
folded over the lateral channel portion and the slidable portion to
thereby form a slide enclosure for the slidable portion. The
lateral channel portion and the cover portion can be attached to an
outer surface of the base with the slide assembly being positioned
on the base to be operable to selectively cover and uncover the
material dispensing orifice.
[0008] In accordance with another embodiment of the invention, a
method of providing a container with a reusable closure is
provided, including: disposing a slide assembly on the container
adjacent a portion of the container from which material will be
dispensed from the container. The slide assembly can include: a
pair of opposing, lateral channel portions; a slidable portion
rupturably coupled between the lateral channel portions; and a
cover portion, extending over the lateral channel portions and the
slidable portion. The method can also include: attaching each of
the lateral channel portions to the container; and selectively
coupling the cover portion to the lateral channel portions or to
the container to form a four-sided enclosure in which the slidable
portion can slide adjacent the container after being ruptured from
the lateral channel portions.
[0009] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method
of providing a reusable closure to a container lid is provided, the
container lid having attachment structure associated therewith for
attaching the lid to the container and having a material dispensing
orifice formed or formable therein. The method can include:
disposing a slide assembly on the container lid adjacent the
material dispensing orifice, the sliding assembly including: at
least one lateral channel portion; a slidable portion rupturably
coupled to the lateral channel portion; and a cover portion,
foldably extending from the lateral channel portion. The method can
also include: attaching the lateral channel portion to the
container lid; and selectively attaching sections of the cover
portion to the lateral channel portion, or to the container lid, to
form a four-sided enclosure in which the slidable portion can slide
adjacent the container lid after being ruptured from the lateral
channel portion.
[0010] In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a method
of making a reusable closure assembly for use on a container is
provided, including: obtaining a blank of material; forming
rupturable sections in the blank of material to delineate in the
blank of material: a pair of opposing, lateral channel portions;
and a slidable portion between the lateral channel portions; and
forming a cover portion in the blank of material, the cover portion
being sized so as to be foldable over each of the lateral channel
portions and the slidable portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments
illustrated, and specific language will be used herein to describe
the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of
the scope of the invention is thereby intended.
[0012] FIG. 1A is a top, plan view of a closure assembly in
accordance with an embodiment of the invention;
[0013] FIG. 1B is a top, plan view of a closure assembly in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention;
[0014] FIGS. 2A through 2C are a series of side, sectional views
(taken along section 2-2 of FIG. 3A) showing a series of positions
of the closure assembly of FIG. 1A as it is attached to a portion
of a container;
[0015] FIG. 3A is a top, plan view of container lid or cap having
the closure assembly of FIG. 1A attached thereto;
[0016] FIG. 3B is a top, plan view of container lid or cap having
the closure assembly of FIG. 1B attached thereto;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side, sectional view (taken along section 4-4 of
FIG. 3A) of a container lid or cap with a closure assembly in
accordance with the present invention attached thereto; and
[0018] FIG. 5 is a top, plan view of a portion of a container
having the closure assembly of FIG. 1B attached thereto.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The following detailed description of exemplary embodiments
of the invention makes reference to the accompanying drawings,
which form a part hereof and in which are shown, by way of
illustration, exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be
practiced. While these exemplary embodiments are described in
sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may
be realized and that various changes to the invention may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the present
invention.
[0020] Thus, the following more detailed description of the
embodiments of the present invention, as represented in FIGS. 1A
through 5, is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, as
claimed, but is presented for purposes of illustration only and to
sufficiently enable one skilled in the art to practice the
invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is to be
defined solely by the claims.
[0021] In describing and claiming the present invention, the
following terminology will be used.
[0022] The singular forms "a" "an," and "the" include plural
referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for
example, reference to "a control" includes reference to one or more
of such controls, and reference to "an array" includes reference to
one or more of such arrays.
[0023] As used herein, two or more items or components that are
"rupturably coupled" to one another are coupled to one another, or
formed integrally with one another, in such a manner that the items
or components can be separated from one another to consistently
form two or more individual, operable components.
[0024] As used herein, relative terms, such as "upper," "lower,"
"upwardly," "downwardly," etc., are used to refer to various
components of containers, lids or caps of containers, or reusable
closures for containers. It is to be understood that such terms in
no way limit the present invention but are used to aid in
describing the components of the reusable closures, and containers
and/or lids and caps generally, in the most straightforward manner.
When such terms are used in connection with beverage containers, it
is to be understood that they are in reference to the generally
accepted orientation of beverage containers when positioned for
use. In such an orientation, the container is generally vertical
with a lid or cap attached to an upper portion of the
container.
[0025] As used herein, the term "substantially" refers to the
complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action,
characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For
example, when an object or group of objects is/are referred to as
being "substantially" liquid-tight, it is to be understood that the
object or objects are either completely liquid-tight or are nearly
completely liquid tight. The exact allowable degree of deviation
from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific
context. However, generally speaking the nearness of completion
will be so as to have the same overall result as if absolute and
total completion were obtained.
[0026] The use of "substantially" is equally applicable when used
in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete
lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure,
item, or result. For example, an opening that is "substantially
free of" material would either completely lack material, or so
nearly completely lack material that the effect would be the same
as if it completely lacked material. In other words, an opening
that is "substantially free of" material may still actually contain
some such material as long as there is no measurable effect as a
result thereof.
[0027] As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the present invention
provides a reusable closure assembly for attachment to a container.
The closure assembly can include a slide assembly, shown generally
at 12a, 12b that can include one or more lateral channel portions
14, 14', and a slidable portion 16a, 16b that can be rupturably
coupled to each of the lateral channel portions between the lateral
channel portions. A cover portion 18a, 18b can extend laterally
from one of the lateral channel portions. The cover portion can be
sized and shaped to be folded over the lateral channel portions and
the slidable portion to thereby form a top of a three-sided slide
enclosure (best appreciated in FIG. 2C, discussed in more detail
below). The slidable portion can be slidable within the slide
enclosure after being ruptured from the lateral channel
portions.
[0028] The slide assembly 12a, 12b can be utilized to provide a
reusable (e.g., reclosable) closure that can be used in connection
with a variety of containers to provide a method by which consumers
can "open" the container to dispense material from the container,
then "close" the container to prevent inadvertent dispensing of the
material from the container. In most cases, the reclosable closures
of the present invention will be positioned adjacent a dispensing
orifice (such as orifice 24 in lid or cap 22 of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4)
to allow a consumer to selectively cover and/or uncover the
orifice. Thus, when a container is referred to herein as "open," it
is to be understood that the condition being described is that in
which an orifice formed in the container is not completely covered
by any portion of the reusable closure. Similarly, when a container
is referred to herein as "closed," it is to be understood that the
condition being described is that in which the orifice formed in
the container is covered by some portion of the reusable closure,
and materials are restricted or prevented from flowing through the
orifice.
[0029] The reusable closures of the present invention can be
incorporated into a variety of known container configurations
including, without limitation, boxes, cylinders, cartons, bags, and
cups, etc., as well as lids, covers or caps that can be positioned
on the boxes, cylinders, cartons, bags, cups, etc. In one aspect of
the invention, the reusable closures can be configured for
attachment to a lid of a beverage cup. In such a situation, a
portion of the closure at issue (generally the "slide portion," as
discussed in more detail below) will be moveable into and out of
position over an orifice formed in the lid of the beverage cup to
"open" and "close" the orifice.
[0030] In other embodiments of the invention, the closures can be
attachable to portions of containers such as boxes, bags,
cylinders, in a variety of locations on the containers and a
portion of the closure can be moveable to open or close an orifice
formed (or formable) in the containers. The present closures can be
used in connection with containers configured to store and dispense
liquids, pastes, powders, granules, pellets, particles, etc. The
containers (or lids or caps of the containers) with which the
closures can be utilized can be formed from paper goods, polymers,
metals, etc., and can be relatively flexible or relatively
rigid.
[0031] In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, the
slidable portion 16a, 16b is coupled between the lateral channel
portions 14, 14' by material strands defined by an array of
perforations 20 formed in the slide assembly 12a, 12b. Thus, the
perforations 20 define a series of connecting threads that maintain
connection between the slidable portion and the lateral channel
portions during typical handling conditions. The array of
perforations can ensure that the slidable portion does not become
separated from the remainder of the slide assembly prior to the
time at which it is desired to move the slidable portion, which, as
discussed below, is generally after the container carrying the
closure has been acquired by a consumer.
[0032] The perforations 20 can be of a variety of sizes, shapes,
density, etc., and are not limited to the generally slit-like
geometry illustrated in the figures. In one embodiment of the
invention, the perforations include micro-perforations that can be
formed in the slide assembly by methods well known to those of
ordinary skill in the art. The perforations can be formed during
the process in which the overall shape of the slide assembly is
cut, punched or otherwise separated from a larger blank or sheet of
material (not shown).
[0033] The blank or sheet material (not shown) from which the slide
assembly can be formed can include a wide range of available
materials, including paperboard, paper, plastic, metals, and
similar materials capable of being formed and manipulated as
described herein. In one aspect of the invention, the slide
assembly is formed of material different than a material of the
container (or lid or cap of the container) on which the slide
assembly is to be attached. In other embodiments of the invention,
the slide assembly is formed from the same material as the
container or container lid.
[0034] While the embodiments of the invention illustrated in the
figures include a slidable portion 16a, 16b rupturably coupled to
one or more lateral channel portions 14, 14', in one embodiment of
the invention (not shown in the figures), the slidable portion need
not be coupled to the lateral channel portions. In this embodiment,
the slidable portion can be rupturably coupled to the container (or
lid or cap of the container) and can be disengaged from the
container or lid by a consumer when it is desired to move the
slidable portion into a particular position. The slidable portion
can be rupturably coupled to the container or lid, for example, by
way of a "spot" of adhesive that can maintain the slidable portion
in an initial position but that is not sufficiently robust to
prevent the slidable portion from later being released by a
consumer.
[0035] One advantage to rupturably coupling the slidable portion
16a, 16b to the lateral channel portions 14, 14' by way of a series
of perforations lies in the fact that, once ruptured, the
perforations create a series of finger-like projections (not shown)
on lateral sides of the slidable portion and the lateral channel
portions. Once created during the rupturing process, these
projections create an interference fit between the slidable portion
and the lateral channel portions that serves to at least partially
restrain movement of the slidable portion between the lateral
channel portions.
[0036] By only partially restraining movement of the slidable
portion, the slidable portion can be relatively easily manipulated
by a consumer, yet tends to remain in a desired position when not
being manipulated by the consumer. Thus, in one embodiment of the
invention, the slidable portion 16a, 16b includes an outer cross
section that substantially matches, or corresponds to, an internal
cross section of the slide enclosure. In this manner, the slidable
portion can be restrained from movement in directions other than
the slide path defined by the slide enclosure.
[0037] In addition to being rupturably coupled to the lateral
channel portions 14, 14' by way of a series of perforations, the
slidable portion 16a, 16b can be rupturably coupled to the lateral
channel portions in a number of alternate manners. For example, the
lateral channel portion can be removably bonded to the lateral
channel portions, can be removably attached to the lateral channel
portions by way of adhesive tape, etc., as would occur to one
having ordinary skill in the art having possession of the present
disclosure.
[0038] FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate stages of a typical
application of a closure 12a of the present invention to a
container 22. As shown in FIG. 2A, the closure can first be
disposed over the container (or a portion of the container, or a
lid or cap of the container) in the generally flat or planar
orientation illustrated in FIG. 1A. The cover portion 18a can then
be folded over each of the lateral channel portions 14, 14' and the
slidable portion 16a, as illustrated by FIG. 2B (a fold crease 39,
FIGS. 1A and 1B, can optionally be formed in the slide assembly to
aid in accurately or easily folding the cover portion near the
lateral channel portion 14'). Once the cover portion is in the
position illustrated in FIG. 2C, the lateral channel portions and
the cover portion can be attached to or joined with the container
22 to secure the closure 12a in position on the container (note
that the slidable portion of the closure will generally be
positioned adjacent a dispensing orifice (not shown in FIGS. 2A
through 2C) formed or formable in the container 22).
[0039] It will be appreciated that the cover portion 18a and the
lateral channel portions 14, 14' cooperate to form or define a
slide enclosure (shown generally at 33 in FIG. 2C) within which the
slidable portion 16a can slide. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2C,
the slide enclosure is an area defined by inner sides of the
lateral channel portions, cover portion and the upper surface of
the container 22 (the area that is shown substantially consumed by
the slidable portion 16a). Prior to attachment of the slide
assembly 12a to a container, the slide enclosure is essentially
three-sided, with the cover and each of the lateral channel
portions each comprising one side of the enclosure. Once the slide
assembly is attached to a container, the surface of the container
to which the slide assembly will be attached becomes the fourth
side of the slide channel. In this manner, the slidable portion is
nearly completely restricted from movement in directions other than
the direction corresponding to a path orthogonal to the plane of
FIG. 2C (e.g., "into" and "out of" FIG. 2C).
[0040] While the figures generally illustrate a slide assembly 12a,
12b that includes a pair of lateral channel portions 14, 14', it is
to be understood that the present invention can utilize only a
single lateral channel portion that borders the slidable portion on
one side, while the cover portion can be attached to the container
or container lid on the other side to thereby restrain movement of
the slidable portion on the other side. For example, in this
embodiment (which is not shown in the figures), the lateral channel
portion 14 of FIG. 2C could be omitted and the cover portion 18a
could be attached directly to the container 22 adjacent the
slidable portion 16a. In this manner, the cover portion would serve
essentially the same purpose as the lateral channel portion 14.
[0041] The slidable portion 16a, 16b, can remain attached to the
lateral channel portions 14, 14' (via material strands defined
between the array of perforations 20, for example) during the
entire folding and attaching process described immediately above.
Thus, in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 2C, the slidable
portion remains attached to the lateral channel portions until it
is desired that the slidable portion be disengaged from the
remaining portions of the closure 12a, 12b for use by a consumer.
For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the closure 12a
can be attached to a container lid 22 in the "open" position shown
in FIG. 3A. A consumer can attach the lid 22 to a beverage cup (not
shown) after filling the beverage cup with coffee, tea, hot
chocolate, etc. As is known in the art, the lid or cap 22 can
include sealing structure (31 in FIG. 4) to enable the lid or cap
to form a substantially liquid-tight seal over the beverage
cup.
[0042] The lateral channel portions 14, 14' and the cover portion
18a, 18b can be attached to the container 22 in a variety of
manners. In one aspect of the invention, shown in FIGS. 2A-2C and
3A, the slide assembly 12a and the container 22 can be formed of a
polymeric material. When it is desired to attach or join the slide
assembly to the container, the lateral channels and cover portion
can be attached to or joined with the container or container lid by
way of plastic welding, sonic welding, etc., illustrated
schematically by welds 37 (FIGS. 2C, 3A and 3B).
[0043] In addition to welding the slide assembly components to the
container, the components can be attached by way of adhesive,
cement, mechanical fasteners, etc., as would occur to one having
ordinary skill in such art and having possession of the present
disclosure. Also, in one embodiment, the cover portion 18a, 18b can
be attached over or to the lateral channel portions 14, 14'
simultaneously with the lateral portions, or the lateral portions
can be attached in a first operation, with the cover portion being
attached at a later time or procedure.
[0044] In one embodiment, the container lid or cap 22 can be
installed over the beverage container (not shown) with dispensing
orifice 24 covered by a portion of the slidable portion 16a (as
shown, for example in FIG. 4). At the point of sale, the consumer
can grasp engagement structure or nub 26a and separate (e.g.,
"tear") the slidable portion from the lateral channel portions 14,
14', at which point the slidable portion is free to slide within
the enclosure formed by the lateral channel portions and the cover
portion until at least a portion of the orifice 24 is not covered
by the slidable portion, allowing the consumer to dispense the
beverage through the at least partially "open" orifice (as
illustrated by the "open" position of the slidable portion in FIG.
3A). Of course, the container or cap can also be provided to the
end consumer with the slidable portion 16a initially in the "open"
position, and a consumer would separate the slidable portion from
the remainder of the closure system in order to "close" the
orifice.
[0045] As shown by directional indicators 28 (FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4),
once the slidable portion 16a, 16b has been disengaged from the
lateral channel portions 14, 14', the slidable portion can be moved
within the enclosure formed by the lateral channel portions and the
cover portion to selectively cover and uncover the dispensing
orifice 24. In this manner, the consumer can easily expose the
dispensing orifice to dispense the beverage when desired: then
cover the dispensing orifice to prevent inadvertent spillage of the
beverage.
[0046] The slidable portion 16a, 16b of FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 can
include one or more detents 30 that can aid in mechanically
"locking" the slidable portion in a "closed" position over the
dispensing orifice 24 to limit or prevent inadvertent opening of
the container 22. The detent can be formed in a variety of shapes
and sizes and in one embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 4, the detent
can be shaped substantially the same as the dispensing orifice 24
to provide a good seal when positioned over (and, in some
embodiments, partially within) the dispensing orifice.
[0047] In addition to the single detent 30 illustrated in FIG. 4,
it is contemplated that one or more additional detents (not shown)
can be included that provide a number of additional advantages. For
example, a second detent (not shown) can be provided that would
engage a dimple (not shown) in the upper portion of the container
or cap 22 to "lock" the slidable portion in an open configuration
(e.g., when the slidable portion is moved to uncover the orifice
24).
[0048] It is also contemplated that a vent hole (not shown) can be
formed in the upper surface of the container or cap 22 to allow the
beverage to flow easily through the orifice 24. In this embodiment,
the detent 30 shown in FIG. 4 can be positioned such that it will
"ride" along the upper surface of the container or cap 22 and
thereby create a gap between the slidable portion and the upper
surface of the container. This gap can aid in providing good
airflow to (and through) the vent opening when the slidable portion
is in the "open" position.
[0049] The engagement structure 26a of FIGS. 1B, 3B and 5 can take
a variety of forms and can be attached to or formed with the
slidable portion 16b in a number of manners. As discussed in more
detail below, the engagement structure can be a nub formed or
attached to the slidable portion near a middle portion of the
slidable portion and can extend through the cover portion 18b. The
engagement structure can also comprise an opening or detent (not
shown) formed in the slidable portion to enable a consumer to
manipulate the slidable portion. The engagement structure can
include frictional components (not shown) formed or attached
thereto to enhance a gripping interface between the engagement
structure and a consumer's finger. The frictional component can
include, without limitation, a series of ridges, bumps, dimples,
textural irregularities, and/or similar features that can increase
a consumer's "grip" on the engagement structure.
[0050] In the embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1B, 3B and
5, the slidable portion 16b includes engagement structure 26b and
the cover portion 18b includes a receiving opening 32 configured to
receiving the engagement structure 26b. Thus, as the cover portion
is folded, or otherwise positioned, over the slidable portion 16b,
the engagement structure 26b extends through (or is otherwise
accessible through) the receiving opening 32.
[0051] In this embodiment, a consumer can manipulate the slidable
portion by grasping or contacting the engagement structure and
sliding the engagement structure within the receiving opening. This
embodiment of the invention is advantageous in that the engagement
structure is centrally located relative to the closure assembly
12b, and in that the slidable portion is even further restrained to
a particular slide path relative to the remaining portions of the
closure once disengaged therefrom. This can aid in ensuring that
the slide portion, once positioned over the dispensing orifice, is
not subject to significant lateral movement, possibly resulting in
inadvertent spillage of the material contained within the
container.
[0052] FIG. 5 illustrates a generic container 22c on which slide
assembly 12b has been attached. It will be appreciated that the
present invention is adapted to be utilized with a variety of
container shapes and sizes, as the present closures do require
specialized structure be attached to or included in the container
22c in order to receive the components of the slide assembly 12b.
In other words, the present closure can be attached to nearly any
surface of a container, and need not be disposed adjacent edges of
the container (i.e., needn't "wrap-around" corners of the
container), as is the case with many conventional closure
systems.
[0053] In addition to the structural and procedural considerations
discussed above, the present invention also provides a method of
providing a container with a reusable closure, comprising:
disposing a slide assembly on the container adjacent a portion of
the container from which material will be dispensed from the
container, the slide assembly including: a pair of opposing,
lateral channel portions; a slidable portion rupturably coupled
between the lateral channel portions; and a cover portion,
extending over the lateral channel portions and the slidable
portion; attaching each of the lateral channel portions to the
container; and selectively coupling the cover portion to the
lateral channel portions or to the container to form a four-sided
enclosure in which the slidable portion can slide adjacent the
container after being ruptured from the lateral channel
portions.
[0054] Coupling each of the lateral channel portions to the
container can include joining the lateral channel portions with the
container, and can include simultaneously joining the lateral
channel portions and the cover portion with the container.
[0055] Coupling each of the lateral channel portions to the
container can include coupling each of the lateral channel portions
to a substantially uninterrupted, continuous surface of the
container.
[0056] The present invention also provides a method of providing a
reusable closure to a container lid, the container lid having
attachment structure associated therewith for attaching the lid to
the container and having a material dispensing orifice formed or
formable therein. The method can include disposing a slide assembly
on the container lid adjacent the material dispensing orifice, the
sliding assembly including: at least one lateral channel portion; a
slidable portion rupturably coupled to the lateral channel portion;
and a cover portion, foldably extending from the lateral channel
portion. The method can include attaching the lateral channel
portion to the container lid, and selectively attaching sections of
the cover portion to the lateral channel portion, or to the
container lid, to form a four-sided enclosure in which the slidable
portion can slide adjacent the container lid after being ruptured
from the lateral channel portion.
[0057] The method can include simultaneously joining the lateral
channel portion and the cover portion with the container lid.
[0058] The present invention also provides a method of making a
reusable closure assembly for use on a container, including:
obtaining a blank of material; forming rupturable sections in the
blank of material to delineate in the blank of material: a pair of
opposing, lateral channel portions; and a slidable portion between
the lateral channel portions; and forming a cover portion in the
blank of material, the cover portion being sized so as to be
foldable over each of the lateral channel portions and the slidable
portion.
[0059] Forming rupturable sections in the blank of material can
include forming a series of perforations in the blank of material.
The rupturable sections can be formed in the same procedure in
which the blank of material is formed, or during a different
procedure or a different time than the blank of material is
formed.
[0060] While the forgoing examples are illustrative of the
principles of the present invention in one or more particular
applications, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art that numerous modifications in form, usage and details of
implementation can be made without the exercise of inventive
faculty, and without departing from the principles and concepts of
the invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the invention
be limited, except as by the claims set forth below.
* * * * *