U.S. patent application number 11/964491 was filed with the patent office on 2008-07-03 for container with gasket seal.
Invention is credited to David Compeau, Jeremy McBroom, Craig A. McCardell, James P. Perry.
Application Number | 20080156805 11/964491 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39582411 |
Filed Date | 2008-07-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080156805 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Perry; James P. ; et
al. |
July 3, 2008 |
Container with Gasket Seal
Abstract
A container (210) for holding granular or powdered material and
formed by a top wall (212), a bottom wall (214), a front wall
(216), a rear wall (218), a first side wall (220), and a second
side wall (222). A rotatably removable lid (D) is interiorly
mounted with a scoop (32) and is pivotally hinged to a collar (300)
that includes a sealing gasket (330). The collar (300) mounts to
the walls of the container (210). A sealing wall 240 of the lid (D)
cooperates with the gasket 330 to prevent the contents from
spilling. The container (210) incorporates powder control features,
a container wall junction (50) preferred geometry and congruent
scoop (32) enabling convenient access to the contents, a tolerance
variation accommodating and strength improving, J-shaped collar
(300) and interlocking indentations (290) and flex clips (310), and
a pressure controlling portion (350) that prevents unwanted
deformation due to pressure differentials.
Inventors: |
Perry; James P.; (Gahana,
OH) ; McCardell; Craig A.; (Rochester Hills, MI)
; McBroom; Jeremy; (New Albany, OH) ; Compeau;
David; (Oxford, MI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PAUL D. YASGER;ABBOTT LABORATORIES
100 ABBOTT PARK ROAD, DEPT. 377/AP6A
ABBOTT PARK
IL
60064-6008
US
|
Family ID: |
39582411 |
Appl. No.: |
11/964491 |
Filed: |
December 26, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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11645887 |
Dec 27, 2006 |
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11964491 |
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61014595 |
Dec 18, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/361 ;
220/378; 220/735 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/2897 20130101;
B65D 43/169 20130101; B65D 43/22 20130101; B65D 43/164 20130101;
B65D 2251/20 20130101; B65D 51/247 20130101; B65D 2401/00 20200501;
B65D 51/20 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/361 ;
220/378; 220/735 |
International
Class: |
B65D 53/02 20060101
B65D053/02; B65D 25/00 20060101 B65D025/00 |
Claims
1. A sealable container, comprising: walls defining interior and
exterior surfaces and an interior space, the walls having an upper
portion near an upper end of the walls that defines a sealing
flange, the sealing flange having an internal edge that defines an
opening to the interior space; a collar having an interior surface
adapted to fit around the container near the upper portion and
defining a subcollar space between the exterior surface of the
container and the interior surface of the collar; a removable lid
attached to the collar and having an interior surface which, when
in a closed position, is adapted to cover and seal the opening, the
lid having a sealing wall depending from its surface and projecting
toward the sealing flange; a flexible gasket dimensioned to
removably rest against the sealing flange and carried from a
surface of a group that includes (a) the interior surface of the
collar, (b) the interior surface of the walls, and (c) the sealing
wall of the lid; and wherein when the lid is in the closed
position, the gasket, the sealing wall and the sealing flange are
dimensioned such that the sealing wall biases the flexible gasket
against the sealing flange to seal the subcollar space from the
container interior.
2. The sealable container according to claim 1, wherein the collar
includes a raised seat that carries the gasket so that it projects
inwardly to bias against and to extend beyond the internal edge of
the sealing flange.
3. The sealable container according to claim 1, wherein the gasket
is arranged to remain biased against the sealing flange when the
lid is in an open position.
4. The sealable container according to claim 1, wherein the gasket
attaches to and depends from the interior surface of the collar and
has an internal edge extending inwardly beyond the internal edge of
the sealing flange.
5. The sealable container according to claim 2, further comprising
a removable seal extending across the opening and attaching to the
sealing flange beneath the flexible gasket; and wherein the
flexible gasket flexes to enable removal of the removable seal and
thereafter flexes back to rest against the sealing flange.
6. The sealable container according to claim 1, wherein the walls
are arranged to form the container to have an approximately cuboid
shape.
7. The sealable container according to claim 1, further comprising:
a scoop holder attached to the interior surface of the lid for
holding a removable scoop having a bowl carried from a handle, the
scoop holder formed with a first bowl cover bracket and having a
retainer to immobilize the handle and a first projection extending
from the interior surface having a handle holding notch to hold the
handle away from the interior surface in a grasping position.
8. The sealable container according to claim 1, wherein the upper
end of the walls are formed with a plurality of indentations having
upper lug ledges that are spaced apart by strengthening bridges,
and wherein the collar is formed to have a substantially J-shaped
cross section and to carry a plurality of spaced apart flex clips
having retainer faces that are juxtaposed to engage the upper lug
ledges when the collar is assembled to the upper end of the
walls.
9. A sealable container, comprising: walls defining interior and
exterior surfaces and an interior space, the walls having an upper
portion near an upper end of the walls that defines a sealing
flange, the sealing flange having an internal edge that defines an
opening to the interior space; a collar having an interior surface
adapted to fit around the container near the upper portion and
defining a subcollar space between the exterior surface of the
container and the interior surface of the collar; a removable lid
carried on the collar and having an interior surface which, when in
a closed position, is adapted to cover and seal the opening, the
lid having a sealing wall depending from its surface and projecting
toward the sealing flange, the sealing wall having an inwardly
funneled lower edge; and wherein when the lid is in the closed
position, the sealing wall and the sealing flange are dimensioned
such that the sealing wall contacts the sealing flange to have the
inwardly funneling lower edge projecting below the internal edge of
the sealing flange to seal the subcollar space from the container
interior.
10. The sealable container according to claim 9, further
comprising: a flexible gasket dimensioned to removably rest against
the sealing flange and being carried from a surface of a group that
includes (a) the interior surface of the collar, (b) the interior
surface of the walls, and (c) the sealing wall of the lid; and
wherein when the lid is in the closed position, the gasket, the
sealing wall and the sealing flange are dimensioned such that the
sealing wall biases the flexible gasket against the internal edge
of the sealing flange to seal the subcollar space from the
container interior.
11. The sealable container according to claim 10, wherein the
collar includes a raised seat that carries the gasket so that it
projects inwardly to extend beyond the internal edge of the sealing
flange.
12. The sealable container according to claim 10, wherein the
gasket attaches to and depends from the interior surface of the
collar, and wherein when the lid is in an open position, the gasket
is arranged to remain biased against the sealing flange.
13. The sealable container according to claim 10, further
comprising a removable seal extending across the opening and
attaching to the sealing flange beneath the flexible gasket; and
wherein the flexible gasket flexes to enable removal of the
removable seal and thereafter flexes back to rest against the
sealing flange.
14. A sealable container, comprising: walls defining interior and
exterior surfaces and an interior space, the walls having an upper
portion near an upper end of the walls that defines a sealing
flange, the sealing flange having an internal edge that defines an
opening to the interior space; a collar having an interior surface
adapted to fit around the container near the upper portion and
defining a subcollar space between the exterior surface of the
container and the interior surface of the collar, the collar having
an integral gasket projecting inwardly and in a direction to be
biased against the sealing flange; a removable lid pivotable about
the collar and having an interior surface which, when in a closed
position, is adapted to cover and seal the opening, the lid having
a sealing wall depending from its surface and projecting toward the
sealing flange; and wherein when the lid is in the closed position,
the gasket, the sealing wall and the sealing flange are dimensioned
such that the sealing wall biases the integral gasket against the
internal edge of the sealing flange to seal the subcollar space
from the container interior.
15. The sealable container according to claim 14, wherein the
integral gasket extends inwardly beyond the internal edge of the
sealing flange.
16. The sealable container according to claim 14, further
comprising a removable seal extending across the opening and
attaching to the sealing flange beneath the integral gasket; and
wherein the integral gasket flexes to enable removal of the
removable seal and thereafter returns to the biased position
against the sealing flange.
17. The sealable container according to claim 14, wherein the
sealing wall funnels inwardly toward a lower edge.
18. The sealable container according to claim 17, wherein the
sealing wall funnels inwardly toward the lower edge with a geometry
selected from the group that includes (a) curving inwardly toward
the lower edge, (b) inclining inwardly towards the lower edge, and
(c) curving and inclining inwardly towards the lower edge.
Description
PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of the earlier filing
date of commonly owned and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser.
No. 11/645,887 filed Dec. 27, 2006, and No. 61/014,595 filed Dec.
18, 2007, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference in
their entirety as though fully set forth in the present
application.
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0002] This application is also related to three other commonly
owned and co-pending applications filed on Dec. 26, 2007,
concurrently with this application, each incorporated by reference.
The titles and inventors are: [0003] CONTAINER WITH SEALING WALL,
invented by James P. Perry, David Compeau, Craig A. McCardell, and
Jeremy McBroom and given Ser. No. ______. [0004] CONTAINER AND
CONGRUENT SCOOP ASSEMBLY, invented by James R Perry, Peter B.
Clarke, J. Kevin Clay, Marc A. Pedmo, Richard C. Darr, Katherine
Jordan, William J. Hook, Ashley A. Gohike, and Jack E. Elder and
given Ser. No. ______. [0005] CONTAINER AND COLLAR WITH ATTACHING
MEANS, invented by James P. Perry, Charles R. Schotthoefer, David
Compeau, Craig A. McCardell, Jeremy McBroom, Frank S. Walczak and
Jack E. Elder and given Ser. No. ______.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0006] 1. Field of the Invention
[0007] This invention relates to the field of packaging, and more
particularly, packaging containers for granulated products, such as
for example, a powder.
[0008] 2. Description of Related Art
[0009] Currently, products in granular or powdered form, such as,
for purposes of example without limitation, infant formula, flour,
coffee, sugar, are packaged in containers. Scoops are provided
within the package for measured dispensing of such contents.
Consumers or users of such containers have found that the current
packaging is difficult to handle with a single hand, and have found
that it is difficult to open the container and to locate and remove
the scoop from the packaging upon the first use without
experiencing spillage. Once the lid of the container is removed
and/or opened, the contents are often loosely caked or packed into
parts of the interior of the lid or top of the container, which
leads to spillage as the contents fall away from the lid or top.
While some of the falling powder may fall back into the interior of
the container, much of it is wasted and contaminated as it spills
onto the surrounding workspace. Additionally, prior containers do
not offer adequate sealing of the contents after the container has
been opened for the first time. This leads to the undesirable and
inadvertent leaking or escape of the contents from various poorly
sealed areas of the container.
[0010] When the user wishes to withdraw a portion of the product
from the container, she must first dig around in the interior of
the container with her fingers to find the scoop. This search and
locate process contaminates the contents and soils the hands of the
user, which can lead to more unwanted spillage as the powder-coated
fingers and hands are removed from the interior of the container.
Once located, the scoop is withdrawn so that it can be used, and
the scoop is also coated with the contents. The bowl of the scoop
is also caked or packed with the contents. As the coating of powder
and the packed bowl of powder loosen during the removal process,
more contents are contaminated and wasted as the coating falls away
from the hands, fingers, and scoop, and as any powder caked in the
bowl loosens and falls.
[0011] Additional problems have been experienced with scoops that
are positioned in a more convenient location, perhaps against an
interior or exterior wall. These additional problems include
difficulty in grasping the scoop, which may be tightly fastened
with adhesive against the wall and/or with a mechanical retainer or
fastener that leaves very little clearance between the scoop and
surrounding structure of the container for grasping the scoop.
These undesirable configurations typically will require more than
one free hand for removal and grasping of the scoop.
[0012] Once the scoop is located and gripped by the user, it can be
used to withdraw and dispense the desired amount of product.
Typically, the scoop is then placed back into the container and the
lid is replaced to close the container. The next time the product
is to be withdrawn from the container, the process of searching for
the buried and powder-coated scoop is repeated. U.S. Pat. No.
5,706,974, incorporated herein, discusses the problem of storage of
the scoop outside of the granular or powdered product.
[0013] Users have also found that it is difficult to remove the
last bit of powder from the nearly empty container because the
shape of the container includes tight and closed spaces that are
inaccessible to the scoop, and which has other areas having a shape
that is different than the shape of the scoop. As a result, a user
must resort to inverting the container to completely empty the
contents, which creates another instance of spillage and wasted
contents.
[0014] Manufacturers of such containers have also experienced a
number of challenges in fabricating the containers when using
various types of optionally preferred thermo-forming and polymeric
manufacturing processes and materials. In many prior art attempts
to manufacture such containers, various thermo-molding processes
are used. Those skilled in the relevant arts have long known about
the difficulty in producing various types of packaging containers
using thermo-formed polymeric materials.
[0015] Such materials are subject to many variables that adversely
and unexpectedly result in product components being produced that
can vary beyond acceptable dimensional tolerance limits, which
results in the need to scrap defective containers and components of
such container, and the need to produce replacements. Also,
polymeric materials can render mis-shaped component profiles due to
unexpected shrinkage and warping, and other thermo-forming
anomalies that leave entire production runs of containers and
components for containers destined for the scrap heap.
[0016] These types of manufacturing problems are especially
pronounced in containers formed from assemblies that incorporate
more than one component, such as where a top or lid and a collar
assembly are fastened to a bottom part of the container. Problems
in assembling such components can result if one or both of the
components are out of tolerance or otherwise mis-shaped. Even where
it is sometimes possible to assemble improperly dimensioned or
mis-shaped components, most polymeric container configurations have
long been in need of improved strength and rigidity characteristics
to overcome such anomalies and to render such containers more
durable for use in a wider array of environments.
[0017] Still other users experience problems with prior art
containers that are inadequate for use in circumstances where the
ambient air pressure external to the container changes drastically
so as to create a significant pressure differential between the
sealed interior space of the container and the external, ambient
atmosphere. This situation is most apparent in situations where a
manufacturer produces containers that are filled and sealed at a
factory located at an altitude at or near sea level.
[0018] When such sea-level pressure containers are shipped to
consumers located at higher altitudes or elevations, the container
packaging will have a higher internal pressure, which creates a
pressure differential that can be significant. If the pressure
differential is large enough, the container may become distended
making it difficult to stack and store, and may even experience a
breach, leading to contaminated and wasted product. The opposite
situation can occur when containers that are filled and sealed at a
higher altitude are shipped to lower altitude users. Upon opening,
ambient air can rush into the interior space of the container and
contaminate the contents.
[0019] When a container having a pressure differential is opened,
the contents may again spill due to the very rapid pressure
equalization ejecting a cloud of powdered or other type of product
contents. Attempts to overcome these disadvantages have included
thicker walled containers, which increases weight and material
costs, as well as round and cylindrical containers that may have
higher hoop stress strength, but which are less efficient and
convenient to stack and store on a shelf.
[0020] What has long been needed in the field of art is a container
that addresses the many issues surrounding prior art containers,
and which most importantly offers new and innovative ways to
prevent and/or minimize contamination, spillage, and waste of
product contained in such containers. A container has been sought
that better enables access to the last bit of powder in a nearly
empty container without the need to invert the container. It is
also advantageous to create a container that enables more
convenient access to a scoop for dispensing the powder. A container
package that can be easily manipulated by one hand while leaving
the other hand free for opening and dispensing is particularly
needed for a variety of applications. A container that is easy to
handle, grip, and to transport in quantity and to stack and store
on a shelf has also been needed for a long time.
[0021] Many attempts have still fallen far short of creating a more
durable container that incorporates improved rigidity and strength
characteristics that can expand the range of acceptable dimensional
tolerances and that can adapt to and more readily accommodate
unexpected mis-shaped container component profiles. The field of
art continues to have a need for a container that can better
withstand pressure differentials without compromise of the
container, and which can minimize the inconvenience of spillage and
wasted product due to a rapidly expelled cloud of product if the
container is opened while subjected to a pressure differential.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0022] Many of the problems of the prior art are addressed with the
innovative sealable containers of the invention, which enable
previously unavailable features including improved sealing
capabilities, new ways to control spillage of powdered contents,
new integrated dispensing scoops, and strengthened containers that
can protect against spillage and damage to product due to adverse
pressure differentials between the sealed product container and the
external environment. In one preferred configuration of the
invention, a sealable container includes walls defining interior
and exterior surfaces and an interior space. The walls can
preferably have an upper portion near an upper end of the walls
that defines a sealing flange that includes an internal edge, which
defines an opening to the interior space of the container. The
sealable container also incorporates a collar having an interior
surface which fits around the container near the upper portion,
which together define a subcollar space between the exterior
surface of the container and the interior surface of the
collar.
[0023] The preferred sealable container also includes a removable
lid that is pivotally or hingedly attached to the collar and which
has an interior surface that, when the lid is in a closed position,
covers and seals the opening of the interior space of the
container. The lid preferably has a sealing wall that depends from
the surface of the lid and projects toward the sealing flange of
the collar, and which is dimensioned or sized to remain inward of
the sealing flange when the lid is closed. In variations of any of
the embodiments of the invention, the sealing wall of the lid can
be used alone and in place of the optional contemplated integral or
flexible gaskets, and may also be used in combination
therewith.
[0024] Even more preferably, the container includes in certain
optionally preferred embodiments either an integrally formed gasket
carried from the collar and/or a separately formed flexible gasket,
either of which are preferably dimensioned to removably rest
against the sealing flange. The gasket can be carried from a
surface of the container such as the interior surface of the
collar, the interior surface of the walls, or the sealing wall of
the lid, as well as combinations thereof and wherein more than one
gasket may be preferred for use. When the lid is in the closed
position, the gasket, the sealing wall and the sealing flange are
arranged and dimensioned so that the sealing wall biases the
flexible gasket against the internal edge of the sealing flange to
seal the subcollar space from the container interior, which
prevents the contents of the container from spilling into the
subcollar space.
[0025] In variations of these embodiments, the sealable container
may also incorporate a modified collar that includes a raised seat
or similar feature that carries the gasket or to which the gasket
is affixed. As with other versions of the invention, the raised
seat is configured so that that gasket projects inwardly to bias
against and to extend beyond the internal edge of the sealing
flange, which also serves to control spillage of the contents of
the container. More preferably, the gasket can be arranged to
remain biased against the sealing flange when the lid is in an open
position.
[0026] In additionally preferred and optional embodiments of the
invention, the sealable container can also include a removable seal
that is substantially impervious to air, water, and even light if
desired. The impervious seal preferably extends across the opening
to seal the interior space and attaches to the sealing flange. In
variations where the flexible gasket is included, the impervious
seal preferably is situated underneath the gasket, and the flexible
gasket flexes to enable removal of the removable seal and
thereafter flexes back to rest against the sealing flange.
[0027] In most embodiments of the inventive container, the lid is
rotatably, hingedly, and/or pivotally connected to the container
with a live or mechanical hinge mounted between the lid and the
collar so that the lid can move between open and closed positions.
In certain preferred configurations of the invention, the novel
sealable container is arranged wherein its walls form the container
to have an approximately cuboid shape. However, the present
invention is susceptible for use in cylindrical, rectilinear,
obloid, and many other types of container packaging and for use
with all kinds of containerized substances including fluids as well
as powdered and granular materials.
[0028] Some modifications of the embodiments of the invention also
contemplate inclusion of a removable scoop and a scoop holder that
can be attached to the interior surface of the lid for holding a
scoop. The most typical scoops have a bowl that is carried from a
handle. The scoop holder of the invention is formed with a first
bowl cover bracket and has a retainer that immobilizes the handle.
A first projection is also included that extends from the interior
surface of the lid and which has a handle holding notch that holds
the handle away from the interior surface in a grasping position so
that it is easy for a user to grasp and remove the scoop from the
scoop holder.
[0029] In still other variations of any of the embodiments of the
inventive sealable container, the sealing wall of the lid can be
further modified to funnel inwardly toward a lower edge, either by
a curved inwardly directed tapering of a lower edge of the sealing
wall, or by a inwardly slanted or inclining tapering thereof, or by
a combination thereof.
[0030] The new and novel sealable container also contemplates
further modified lid arrangements that are compatible for use with
any of the embodiments, modifications, and variations of the
invention. Such lid configurations are directed at improving
control of powdered contents, and the improvements preferably or
optionally include the lid having a substantially domed central
section that is dimensioned to be smaller than the sealing wall of
the lid. More preferably, the substantially domed central section
is joined to the lid by either the sealing wall or an angled wall,
or both, wherein the angled wall tapers from the domed central
section down to the interior surface of the lid at a point that is
proximate to the sealing wall. The novel capability and benefits of
the substantially domed central section are evident upon righting a
disoriented container in that the angled wall and the sealing wall
cooperate to direct any powder contents that may have accumulated
within or become packed against the interior surface of the lid,
down into the interior space of the container, which prevents entry
into the subcollar space and other forms of spillage from the lid
upon opening the container. Preferably, the angled tapered wall can
have an angle relative to a vertical direction of between about 10
and 75 degrees, and more preferably between about 25 and 45
degrees, and even more preferably about 30 degrees.
[0031] Many variations of possible domed lid configurations
according to the principles of the invention are contemplated and
can include, for purposes of example without limitation, the
substantially domed central section extending to the sealing wall
to define an area between approximately 20 percent and
approximately 80 percent smaller than the entire area defined by
the removable lid. Still other variations of the domed lid can be
used with any of the inventive embodiments and include the
substantially domed central section to project upwardly with a
height dimension that is between approximately 10 percent and
approximately 60 percent of a cumulative lid height dimension. In
one embodiment, the domed area is dimensioned to contain a volume
sufficient for storing a scoop, as described later.
[0032] As before and as described elsewhere herein, the innovative
sealable container embodiments can be further modified to have the
walls joining each other and joining a bottom surface of the
container to define junctions that have a unique and/or
predetermined or a particular cross-sectional geometry. In these
variations of any of the embodiments of the invention, a modified
scoop is incorporated for removing contents from the interior space
of the container. The modified scoop includes a bowl that has a rim
that is substantially congruent to the particular cross-sectional
geometry of the junctions between the walls and between the walls
and the bottom surface of the container.
[0033] This arrangement enables a user conveniently to remove all
of the contents of the container, whether powder or fluid, without
the need to invert the container, which can result in unwanted
spillage. These variations contemplate the particular
cross-sectional geometry of the junctions between the walls and
between the walls and the bottom surface to include any one of a
number of geometries including, for purposes of example without
limitation, a right angle, multiple angles such as multiple obtuse
angles, and curvilinear geometries including a circular geometry
having a particular radius. For each of these respective
geometries, the rim of the scoop bowl includes a portion that is
substantially congruent to the respective geometry, and/or which is
flexible and/or deformable upon use to be made congruent
thereto.
[0034] The sealable container of the present invention also can
include many different strength and rigidity improving features
that can include the walls of the container having the upper
portion defining on the exterior surfaces a plurality of interiorly
projecting indentations or recesses that either form a continuous
groove or are spaced apart by intermittent stabilizing bridges. The
indentations preferably include a downwardly facing top surface or
upper lug ledge. The collar is also modified to include a plurality
of attachment means, such as fins or spaced apart flex clips or
engagement lugs that are formed with retainer faces or upwardly
facing surfaces. In a preferred variation, flex clips preferably
depend downwardly into the subcollar space and are positioned or
juxtaposed to align with a plurality of spaced indentations when
the collar is fitted over the upper portion of receptacle of the
container.
[0035] This arrangement enables the upwardly facing surfaces to
engage the downwardly facing top surfaces whereby the flex clips
hold the collar to the upper end of the container. The flex clips
may also preferably incorporate one or more stiffeners that
increase the strength and rigidity of the flex clips to optimize
engagement strength. The stiffeners also serve to improve an
alignment capability established by the flex clips, which
effectively center and align the collar about the upper portion of
the container as the collar is fitted onto the upper portion of the
walls of the container.
[0036] Additionally preferred variations of the flex clip and
indentation modification include the upwardly facing surfaces being
dimensioned to be smaller than the downwardly facing surfaces of
the indentations so that the collar and container can absorb
dimensional tolerance errors and enable the collar to fit around
the upper portion of the container even if they are not sized
exactly as may be desired for a perfect fit. Further preferable
modifications to the various embodiments of the inventive sealable
container include at least one of the collar and the upper portion
of the walls to be formed from a substantially flexible
material.
[0037] Using a flexible material such a polymeric material like
polypropylene and/or polyethylene will enable at least one of the
collar and the upper portion of the walls to flex to absorb
dimensional tolerance errors and enable the collar to fit around
the upper portion of the container. Either of these innovative
adaptations are suitable for use with all of the variations of the
embodiments of the invention and can, as a result, also accommodate
shape errors and mismatch between at least one of the collar and
the upper portion of the walls to enable the collar to fit around
the upper portion of the walls, even when unexpectedly or
undesirably misshaped collars and/or receptacles are encountered
during manufacture and assembly.
[0038] In yet another particularly preferred and optional
modification to the various embodiments of the invention described
herein, the sealable container employs a modified collar having a
substantially J-shaped and/or U-shaped, upside-down cross-section.
In this variation, the J or U shaped cross section includes an
outward projecting long wall, a substantially rounded, stiffening
top portion, and an inward short wall that cooperate to define the
subcollar space.
[0039] The invention is susceptible to still further optionally
preferred variations wherein the container is strengthened by
incorporating the plurality of indentations and the plurality of
spaced apart fins or flex clips to be positioned in an oppositely
paired relationship. In the application of a substantially cuboid
container shape, the opposite pairing is established across
opposite facing walls of the container, using generally 2-6 fins or
clips per side. However paired, a force vector coupling is
established between each of the pairs. This increases rigidity and
structural stability and strength of the sealable container, and
tends to absorb any tolerance mismatches when the collar is fitted
onto the upper portion. Additionally, this particular arrangement
of flex clips and indentations enables an aligning capability
between the collar and the upper portion of the walls, which can be
useful during assembly of the inventive sealable containers. The
flex clips can be further strengthen by including at least one
stiffening rib on one of more of the flex clips.
[0040] Still other contemplated modifications are suitable for use
with all of the modifications, variations, adaptations already
described, which include the bottom surface including pressure
control features that can prevent deformation of the container, and
which can also be adapted to enable controlled deformation to
relieve stress on the container due to internal pressure being
higher than an external ambient atmospheric pressure, which can
occur when a sealed container is subjected to pressure changes due
to altitude changes and/or other types of crushing forces that may
be experienced during manufacture, filling with product, and during
use and transit.
[0041] In this adaptation of the preferred embodiments of the
invention, the bottom surface includes a pressure control portion
that is otherwise referred to as a central raised stiffener
portion, which contrary to the plain meaning of the word stiffener,
may also incorporate a flexible and/or collapsible pressure relief
section. An outer planar portion that is substantially flat for
resting on a surface surrounds the central raised stiffener
portion. The central raised stiffener portion preferably projects
or is directed towards the interior space in a plurality of steps
having riser and tread portions, the riser portions generally
project in a direction substantially upward relative to the outer
planar portion and the tread portions are approximately parallel to
the outer planar portion. The plurality of these riser and tread
steps further contemplate multiple variations.
[0042] In one version, the steps are stiffened by thickening in a
cross-section to resist deformation due to pressure changes
relative to the pressure inside the sealed container. In another
complementary version that can be used alone or in combination with
the stiffened variation, an accordion or bellowed type arrangement
of the steps or series of steps are included, which flex or deform
in response to pressure changes external to the sealable container
so as to lessen the net pressure differential between the interior
of the sealable container and the ambient outside pressure.
[0043] In still other variations of the embodiments of the
invention, a sealable container includes a top wall, a bottom wall,
a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, and a second side
wall. Each of the walls has a substantially rectangular shape. The
rectangular shape of each wall enables the container to be stored
easily on a shelf or counter-top. The top wall and portions of the
front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, and the second side
wall form a lid. The lid is pivotally attached to the rear wall by
a hinge. The lid can be opened by rotation thereof about the hinge.
The front wall has at least one recess and the rear wall has at
least one recess. The at least one recess of the front wall and the
at least one recess of the rear wall are adjacent to the first side
wall. The recesses provide a grip feature, which enables the user
to manipulate the lid of the container with one hand when the
container rests on a flat surface, e.g., a tabletop or a counter
top. The container is preferably made of a polymeric material.
[0044] The container provided herein is suitable for holding
granular material or powdered material, the container having a
scoop furnished therewith. The scoop has a handle and a bowl. The
interior of the container is characterized by having corners that
are congruent with the bowl of the scoop furnished with the
container. The congruency of the bowl of the scoop with the corners
of the container enables the user to remove the last bit of powder
remaining in the container. A flexible seal can be applied to the
interior of the container to provide a substantially
moisture-impervious, oxygen-impervious seal for the granular
material or powdered material.
[0045] The lid is furnished with a scoop holder, whereby the scoop
can be stored outside the bulk of the contents of the container to
enable easy, clean access to the contents of the container. The
container can be opened and closed with a single hand.
[0046] These variations, modifications, and alterations of the
various preferred and optional embodiments may be used either alone
or in combination with one another and with the features and
elements already known in the prior art and also herein described,
which can be better understood by those with relevant skills in the
art with reference to the following detailed description of the
preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures and
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0047] Without limiting the scope of the present invention as
claimed below and referring now to the drawings and figures,
wherein like reference numerals, and like numerals with primes,
across the drawings, figures, and views refer to identical,
corresponding, or equivalent elements, methods, components,
features, and systems:
[0048] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
container described herein. In this figure, the lid of the
container is closed, and tamper resistance elements are shown; as
is a side of the container having a grip feature.
[0049] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of the
container shown in FIG. 1 that depicts sides of the container not
shown in FIG. 1, including a hinged side, and a side of the
container having a grip feature.
[0050] FIG. 3 is a perspective view, greatly enlarged, of the area
designated by the line 3-3 in FIG. 2. This figure shows a cut-away
view of a mechanical hinge.
[0051] FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view of an assembly
comprising a collar and a lid. The assembly of the collar and the
lid can be applied to a tub-shaped receptacle to form the container
described herein.
[0052] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a tub-shaped receptacle to
which the assembly comprising the collar and the lid, shown in FIG.
4, can be applied to form the container described herein.
[0053] FIG. 6 is a side view in elevation of the embodiment of the
container shown in FIG. 1. This figure shows the front wall of the
container, which has a grip feature.
[0054] FIG. 7 is an end view in elevation of the embodiment of the
container shown in FIG. 1. This figure shows the first side wall of
the container, which is adjacent to the grip features of the front
wall and the rear wall of the container.
[0055] FIG. 8 is an end view in elevation of the embodiment of the
container shown in FIG. 1. This figure shows the second side wall
of the container, which is not adjacent to the grip features of the
front wall and the rear wall of the container.
[0056] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the interior of the embodiment
of the container shown in FIG. 1. In this figure, the lid is
removed from the container.
[0057] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 10-10 in
FIG. 1. This figure illustrates the lid attached to the collar by
means of a living hinge to form an assembly thereof.
[0058] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 11-11 in
FIG. 1. This figure illustrates a latch that can be used to
maintain the lid in a closed position.
[0059] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 12-12 in
FIG. 4. This figure illustrates the lid attached (rather than
exploded as in FIG. 4) to the collar of the assembly comprising the
collar and the lid.
[0060] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the open lid attached to
the collar. This figure shows the interior surface of the lid
incorporating an attached scoop holder and a restraint and standoff
bracket for the handle of the scoop. This figure further shows a
substantially moisture-impervious, oxygen-impervious seal attached
to the rim or sealing flange of the tub-shaped receptacle.
[0061] FIG. 14 is cross-sectional view taken along line 14-14 in
FIG. 13. This figure illustrates attachment of the substantially
moisture-impervious, oxygen-impervious seal to the rim of the
tub-shaped receptacle, and a guide fin securing the collar to the
receptacle.
[0062] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of the interior
surface of the lid showing the scoop removed from the scoop holder
and the restraint for the handle of the scoop.
[0063] FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of another embodiment of
the container described herein. In this figure, the domed container
lid is closed and a side of the container includes grip
features.
[0064] FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of
the container of FIG. 16, and rotated to show rear and bottom sides
of the container that are not shown in FIG. 1.
[0065] FIG. 18 is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of the
container of FIGS. 16 and 17 showing features of the bottom wall of
the container that include stepped pressure compensating riser and
tread features.
[0066] FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of a first side wall of the
embodiment of the container of FIG. 16 showing the front and rear
gripping features.
[0067] FIG. 20 is a partial top perspective view of the embodiment
of the container of FIG. 16 having the lid removed for purposes of
illustrating the collar and the arrangement of the impervious seal
affixed and covering the opening of the container.
[0068] FIG. 21 is another partial perspective view of the
embodiment of the container of FIG. 23 also having the gasket and
impervious seal removed to illustrate the collar as it is retained
on the tub-shaped receptacle of the container by engagement of flex
clips in a plurality of oppositely facing indentations.
[0069] FIG. 22 is a partial perspective view of the embodiments of
the container shown in FIGS. 20 and 21 having the collar and the
impervious seal removed to show the collar engagement indentation
features of the upper portion of the receptacle.
[0070] FIG. 23 is a cross-section view of the upper end and sealing
flange of the tub-shaped receptacle of the embodiment of the
container of FIGS. 20-22, which is taken along section line 23-23
of FIG. 22. The impervious seal has been added for improved
illustration purposes.
[0071] FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the collar of the
embodiments of the container of FIGS. 16-22.
[0072] FIG. 25 is a cross-section view of the collar of the
embodiment of the container shown in FIG. 24 and taken along
section line 25-25.
[0073] FIG. 26 is a cross-section view of the collar of the
embodiment of the container shown in FIGS. 16-22 and taken through
a flex clip, i.e. along section line 26-26 of FIG. 24, but having
certain additional lid structure shown for illustration
purposes.
[0074] FIG. 27 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative
variation of the sealing wall illustrated in FIG. 26.
[0075] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view of another alternative
variation of the sealing wall illustrated in FIG. 26.
[0076] FIG. 29 is a top plan view of the embodiment of the
container of FIGS. 16-19 showing the top wall including the lid and
cover assembly.
[0077] FIG. 30 is a perspective view of the underside of the lid of
the embodiment of the container of FIGS. 16-19 and illustrating a
scoop holder retaining a scoop.
[0078] FIG. 31 is a perspective view of the underside of the lid of
FIG. 30 having the scoop removed for further illustration of the
scoop holder.
[0079] FIGS. 32 and 33 are perspective views of the scoop in
different orientations to show alternative variations of the
congruent rim of the bowl of the scoop.
[0080] FIG. 34 is a section view of the lid of the embodiment of
the container of FIG. 29 and taken along section line 34-34 to show
a laterally extending cross section of the domed and angled wall
lid variation.
[0081] FIG. 35 is a section view of the lid of the embodiment of
the container of FIG. 29 and taken along section line 35-35 with a
view directed towards retainer elements of the scoop holder.
[0082] FIG. 36 is a section view of the lid of the embodiment of
the container of FIG. 29 and taken along section line 36-36 with a
view directed towards the scoop holder bowl brackets.
[0083] FIG. 37 is a section view of the embodiment of the container
of FIG. 18, and taken along section line 37-37, which depicts the
bottom pressure control, centralized stiffener, and/or stepped
portion modification to the bottom of the receptacle.
[0084] FIGS. 38a and 38b are detail views taken about detail view
lines 38 in FIG. 37 and illustrate alternative flexible and
pressure responsive, decreased thickness cross-sectional
configurations of the centralized stiffener or stepped portion of
the bottom of the receptacle.
[0085] FIGS. 39a and 39b are detail views taken about detail view
lines 39 in FIG. 37 and illustrate another alternative flexible and
pressure responsive, bellows and/or pleated cross-sectional
configuration of the centralized stiffener or stepped portion of
the bottom of the receptacle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS AND VARIATIONS
[0086] As used herein, the expression "top wall" means the side of
the container exclusive of the bottom wall, the first side wall,
the second side wall, the front wall, and the rear wall of the
container. Although it is somewhat arbitrary which wall is
designated front or rear or side, for purposes of consistency,
"rear" is generally used for a wall with a hinge and "front" is
used for a wall with a latch mechanism. The term "lid" means a
hinged cover for a hollow receptacle and is intended to include
either an independently formed and removable lid and other
variations that can include the lid alone, the lid and collar
assembly, and other variations wherein the lid and/or collar are
formed from the top wall of the container plus the upper portion of
the first side wall, the upper portion of the second side wall, the
upper portion of the front wall, and the upper portion of the rear
wall of the container. As used herein, the term "bracket" means a
wall-anchored fixture adapted to support a load.
[0087] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 2, and 5-9, a container 10
includes a top wall 12, a bottom wall 14 with an interior bottom
surface 14a, a front wall 16, a rear wall 18, a first side wall 20,
a second side wall 22. The front wall 16 comprises an interior
major surface 16a, an exterior major surface 16b, an upper portion
16d, and a lower portion 16e. The rear wall 18 comprises an
interior major surface 18a, an exterior major surface 18b, an upper
portion 18d, and a lower portion 18e. The first side wall 20
comprises an interior major surface 20a, an exterior major surface
20b, an upper portion 20d, and a lower portion 20e. The second side
wall 22 comprises an interior major surface 22a, an exterior major
surface 22b, an upper portion 22d, and a lower portion 22e.
[0088] Although the container 10 and the later described variations
an modifications thereto are illustrated in the various
descriptions and figures to be substantially cuboid, a cuboid shape
is depicted only because such a shape is sometimes found by those
skilled in the relevant arts to be the more challenging type of
container to describe, manufacture, and to use. However, the
present invention is susceptible for use with all shapes and sizes
of containers including cylindrical, obloid, rectilinear, and other
shapes, and for use with containers adapted for fluids as well as
for the powdered materials and/or product described most often
herein. Furthermore, each of the optional and preferred embodiments
of the invention contemplate interchangeability with all of the
various features, components, modifications, and variations
illustrated throughout the written description and pictorial
illustrations.
[0089] As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, in an exemplary
embodiment of the invention, an assembly of a lid and a collar of
the container 10, which are discussed here and in the context of
other variations elsewhere herein, is formed from and/or includes a
part of the top wall 12 and the upper portion 16d of the front wall
16, the upper portion 18d of the rear wall 18, the upper portion
20d of the first side wall 20, and the upper portion 22d of the
second side wall 22. The lid and the collar variations contemplated
here may be formed integrally with the walls, may be formed as an
integral lid and collar assembly and/or combination, and may also
be provided as a separate lid and a separate collar that can be
joined with a hinge or another type of pivotally and/or removable
device or connection to one or more portions of the walls. As will
be described in more detail below, the lid and collar arrangements
can be attached and assembled to the inventive containers in a
variety of ways including clips, friction-fit configurations, and
using other equally desirable and optional components and
methods.
[0090] The lid is also described in more detail below in connection
with the various embodiments of the invention and will hereinafter
be referred to by the reference characters "L" and "D" (see FIGS.
1, 2, 4, and 29-31) to refer to the various embodiments and
variations thereof. Focusing initially on the lid "L" of the
version illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, lid "L" has an interior
surface, which will hereinafter be referred to by the reference
character "L.sub.i". The lid also has an exterior surface, which
will hereinafter be designated by the reference character
"L.sub.e". A hinge 24 attaches the lid "L" to the rear wall 18.
[0091] The front wall 16 has a recess 26a positioned to facilitate
gripping of the container 10 by the left thumb of the user. The
rear wall 18 also has a recess 26b positioned to facilitate
gripping of the container 10 by the fingers of the left hand of the
user. The recess 26a can further have an additional recess 27a to
indicate the precise location in the recess 26a for the placement
of the thumb of the user. The recess 27a is smaller in area than
the recess 26a. The recess 27a is preferably circular in shape, but
other shapes are also acceptable. The recess 26b can further have
an additional recess 27b to indicate the precise location in the
recess 26b for the placement of the desired finger of the user. The
recess 27b is smaller in area than the recess 26b. The recess 27b
is preferably circular in shape, but other shapes are also
acceptable. The recesses 26a and 26b are positioned adjacent to the
first side wall 20 of the container 10.
[0092] In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the recesses 26a,
27a, 26b, and 27b can be positioned to facilitate gripping of the
container 10 by the right thumb of the user and by the fingers of
the right hand of the user. In this alternative embodiment, the
recesses would be positioned adjacent to the second side wall 22 of
the container 10.
[0093] In still another alternative (not shown), the front wall 16
can have two recesses and the rear wall 18 can have two recesses,
one recess on the front wall 16 and one recess on the rear wall 18
positioned to facilitate gripping of the container 10 by the left
thumb and the fingers of the left hand of the user and one recess
on the front wall 16 and one recess on the rear wall 18 positioned
to facilitate gripping of the container 10 by the right thumb and
the fingers of the right hand of the user. In this embodiment,
pairs of recesses would be positioned adjacent to both the first
side wall 20 and the second side wall 22.
[0094] The hinge 24 is preferably designed in such a manner that
when the lid "L" of the container 10 is opened to enable the user
to obtain access to the contents of the container 10, the lid "L"
will not fall forward to the closed position. Further, the lid "L"
will not fall too far backward beyond the open position desired,
which would cause a container 10, when nearly empty, to tip over
onto the rear wall 18. The hinge 24 can be a living hinge or a
conventional mechanical hinge. A living hinge is a thin flexible
web of material that joins two rigid bodies together. In this case,
the living hinge connects two segments of an object, i.e., the lid
"L" and the rear wall 18 of the container 10, to keep the segments
together and allow the object to be opened and closed.
[0095] The material used to make a living hinge is preferably a
very flexible polymeric material, such as, for example,
polypropylene and polyethylene. Living hinges can be flexed
numerous times without failure. Living hinges are described in more
detail at
http://www.efunda.com/designstandards/plastic_design/hinge.cfm,
Nov. 6, 2006, pages 1-3 and at
http://engr.bd.psu.edu/pkoch/plasticdesign/living_hinge.htm, Nov.
6, 2006, pages 1-8, both of which are incorporated herein by
reference.
[0096] Conventional mechanical hinges include, but are not limited
to, hinge assemblies comprising a first panel having two or more
sockets mounted on an edge thereof and a second panel having two or
more pins mounted on an edge thereof, the aforementioned pins
mating with the aforementioned sockets to join the edge of the
first panel to the edge of the second panel, the pins and the
sockets allowing rotation of the first panel about the second
panel. Conventional mechanical hinges are described in more detail
in http://www.hardwaresource.com/index.asp, see "other hinges",
Dec. 26, 2006, incorporated herein by reference.
[0097] Another type of equally suitable mechanical hinge can be
seen with reference to FIGS. 16-21, 24, and 29-31, among other
figures and description discussed elsewhere herein.
[0098] The top wall 12, the bottom wall 14, the front wall 16, the
rear wall 18, the first side wall 20, and the second side wall 22
enclose a hollow interior space "H" (FIGS. 5, 9) into which a
product can be inserted. While the hollow interior space "H" can
hold any solid or liquid product, the particular product for which
the container 10 is designed is typically a flowable solid
material, such as, for example, a powdered product and/or a
granular product. Representative examples of such a powdered
product or granular product include, but are not limited to, infant
formula, flour, coffee, and sugar.
[0099] Referring now to FIGS. 13, 14, 20, 23, and 26, a
substantially moisture-impervious, oxygen-impervious seal 28 is
attached to the interior major surfaces 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a of the
front wall 16, the rear wall 18, the first side wall 20, and the
second side wall 22, respectively. The substantially
moisture-impervious, oxygen-impervious seal 28 can be formed from a
sheet of material substantially impervious to oxygen, moisture, and
light. A material suitable for use in preparing the substantially
moisture-impervious, oxygen-impervious seal 28 can be a sheet of
foil, such as, for example, aluminum foil, or a foil made of some
other metallic material, or a combination of a layer of materials
that can include a metallic, a polymeric, and other material
layers. Optionally, the substantially moisture-impervious,
oxygen-impervious seal 28 can also be impervious to light. A
pull-tab 28a on the substantially moisture-impervious,
oxygen-impervious seal 28 can be used to facilitate removal of the
seal 28 by the user.
[0100] In one embodiment, the substantially moisture-impervious,
oxygen-impervious seal 28 be applied at a position near the edges
of the upper portion 16d of the front wall 16, the upper portion
18d of the rear wall 18, the upper portion 20d of the first side
wall 20, and the upper portion 22d of the second side wall 22 on
the interior major surfaces 16a, 18a, 20a, 22a, of the front wall
16, the rear wall 18, the first side wall 20, and the second side
wall 22, respectively, of the container 10. The substantially
moisture-impervious, oxygen-impervious seal 28 can be removed by
pulling the pull-tab 28a of the seal 28 and removing the seal 28
from the positions of attachment to the interior major surfaces
16a, 18a, 20a, 22a, of the front wall 16, the rear wall 18, the
first side wall 20, and the second side wall 22, respectively, of
the container 10.
[0101] Referring now to FIGS. 13, 15, 30-31, 35, and 36, attached
to the interior surface "L.sub.i" of the lid "L" (and an interior
surface "D.sub.i" of later described lid "D") is a scoop holder 30.
The scoop holder 30 comprises a first bracket 30a and a second
bracket 30b. The scoop holder 30 is capable of retaining a scoop 32
in such a position so as to be separated from the product. The
scoop 32 comprises a handle 34 attached to a bowl 36 wherein the
handle may incorporate a stiffener 34b (FIG. 330, 32-33). Other
variations of equally preferred and optionally desirable scoops 30
are discussed below and can be seen with reference to FIGS. 30, 32,
and 33, and in other places elsewhere herein.
[0102] The scoop 32 is positioned in the first bracket 30a and the
second bracket 30b in such a manner that the user is induced to
remove the scoop 32 by the handle 34, rather than by the bowl 36.
Furthermore, the first bracket 30a and the second bracket 30b are
positioned so that the scoop 32 is held by the first bracket 30a
and the second bracket 30b in such a manner as to prevent the
powdered product or granular product from entering the bowl 36 of
the scoop 32.
[0103] As discussed elsewhere, this feature is of particular
benefit to users of the containers of the invention in view of the
fact that such containers are subjected to unpredictable amounts of
jostling, shaking, upside-down or inverted shipment by truck, car,
and mail carrier, and impacts during manufacture, distribution, and
daily use by consumers. Such a container is possibly subject to a
higher level of abuse in environments involving children and child
care, such as where a parent carries a powdered product in a
container such as those described herein in an automobile and/or in
a heavily-used diaper bag, both of which can experience the
ravaging abuse of curious children at play.
[0104] The first bracket 30a of the scoop holder 30 covers the
opening in the bowl 36 of the scoop 32, thereby preventing the
product in the container from entering the bowl 36 of the scoop 32,
which could lead to scattering product outside of the container
upon removal of the scoop 32 from the scoop holder 30. The bowl 36
of the scoop 32 does not interfere with substantially
moisture-impervious, oxygen-impervious seal 28 when the scoop 32 is
positioned in the scoop holder 30. The scoop holder 30 is
positioned in such a manner that the handle 34 of the scoop 32 is
prevented from contacting the substantially moisture-impervious,
oxygen-impervious seal 28 positioned over the contents of the
container, thereby protecting the integrity of the seal 28. In
addition, the scoop holder 30 prevents the handle 34 from being
dislodged and maintains the position of the scoop 32 during
shipping and storage.
[0105] As shown in FIGS. 13 and 15, the scoop 32 can be inserted
into the scoop holder 30 by sliding the bowl 36 of the scoop 32
into the opening 30c between the first bracket 30a and the second
bracket 30b. When inserted into the scoop holder 30, the scoop 32
is retained by the first bracket 30a and the second bracket 30b by
means of a friction fit. The scoop 32 can be attached to the lid
"L" by aligning the bowl 36 of the scoop 32 with the first bracket
30a and the second bracket 30b of the scoop holder 30 and sliding
the bowl 36 of the scoop 32 against the first bracket 30a and the
second bracket 30b of the scoop holder 30, thereby generating a
friction fit between the bowl 36 of the scoop 32 and the scoop
holder 30.
[0106] An optional, but desirable, feature of the lid "L" is a
restraint 38 for preventing the handle 34 of the scoop 32 from
rotating if the connection (i.e., the friction fit) between the
scoop holder 30 and the bowl 36 of the scoop 32 loosens
sufficiently to allow the bowl 36 of the scoop 32 to rotate in the
scoop holder 30, thereby allowing the handle 34 of the scoop 32 to
contact the substantially moisture-impervious, oxygen-impervious
seal 28 and possibly puncture the seal 28.
[0107] As shown in FIGS. 13, 15, and 30-31, the aforementioned
restraint 38 comprises a first projection 40 rising upwardly from
the interior surface "L.sub.i" of the lid "L" and having a notch 42
at one end thereof for receiving an edge 34a of the handle 34 of
the scoop 32. The aforementioned restraint 38 further comprises a
second projection 44 positioned between the scoop holder 30 and the
first projection 40 and rising upwardly from the interior surface
"L.sub.i" of the lid "L". The second projection 44, which is of
greater length than the first projection 40, has a keeper 46 formed
at one end thereof to prevent the handle 34 of the scoop 32 from
moving downwardly toward the substantially moisture-impervious,
oxygen-impervious seal 28 if the bowl 36 of the scoop 32 rotates in
the scoop holder 30.
[0108] The first projection 40 need not exhibit any level of
flexibility, but the second projection 44 should be sufficiently
flexible that it can be moved sufficiently by the handle 34 of the
scoop 32 when the scoop 32 is being returned to the scoop holder 30
and the restraint 38. As can be understood with continued reference
to FIGS. 15, 30, and 31, the upwardly rising first projection 40
cooperates with the second projection and restraint 44 to
releasably capture and hold the handle 34 of the scoop 32 at a
distance above the interior surface "L.sub.i" of the lid "L" (and,
the interior surface "D.sub.i" of the alternative lid "D"). In this
way, the user can easily grasp the handle 34 because a grasping
position is maintained to enable convenient removal by a user,
which is illustrating in FIGS. 15, 30, and 31, among other places.
The handle is maintained at a stand-off distance in the grasp
position, which is established by the height of first projection 40
between the handle 34 and the interior surfaces "L.sub.i" and
"D.sub.i".
[0109] The bowl 36 of the scoop 32 has a rim 36a with a
cross-sectional geometry that is shaped to be congruent with the
junctions or corners 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d, formed by the
junctions between the front wall 16 and the first side wall 20 and
the bottom wall 14, the front wall 16 and the second side wall 22
and the bottom wall 14, the rear wall 18 and the first side wall 20
and the bottom wall 14, and the rear wall 18 and the second side
wall 22 and the bottom wall 14, respectively. The corners or
junctions 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d are shown in FIG. 9 and are also
evident from the exterior views of FIGS. 1, 2, and 5-8. The shape
of the corners 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d and the shape of the rim 36a
of the bowl 36 of the scoop 32 enable the maximum quantity of
product to be removed from the container 10 by the scoop 32,
without having to invert or to turn the container 10 over to pour
out the product.
[0110] As shown in FIG. 9, the corners 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d have
a particular cross-sectional geometry and are preferably rounded,
and are more preferably formed with the radius of each corner 50a,
50b, 50c, and 50d being approximately equal to the radius of the
rim 36a of the bowl 36 of the scoop 32. In an alternative
embodiment (FIG. 32, corner 50f), the corners can have other
shapes, e.g., the corners 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d and the corners or
junctions between the bottom wall 14 and the walls 16, 18, 20, and
22 can meet to form right angles. The rim 36a of the bowl 36 can be
formed with a portion of the rim having a right angle (see, e.g.,
FIGS. 32 & 33) that is generally congruent to that of the
contemplated right angles of the corners or junctions between the
walls 16, 18, 20, and 22 themselves and between the bottom wall 14
and the walls 16, 18, 20, and 22.
[0111] In still another embodiment (see exemplary scoop variation
in FIG. 33), the corners 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d can have three
sides, with two 120.degree. angles forming each corner. In these
alternative embodiments, the bowl 36 of the scoop 32 would have a
shape and/or a rim portion 36c (FIG. 33) that would be congruent
with the shape of each corner 50a, 50b, 50c, and 50d. See also, for
example, the analogous variation of a right angle scoop rim and
wall junction illustrated in FIG. 32. In further optional or
preferred arrangements, the walls 16, 18, 20, 22 join the bottom
wall 14 to also have the particular cross-section geometry and are
also more preferably rounded, and are even more preferably formed
with radius similar to that of each corner 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d to be
approximately equal to the radius and/or to have a shape congruent
to that of the bowl 36 of the scoop 32. In any of these
illustrative embodiments, those skilled in the art may comprehend
from the discussion elsewhere herein that the material used to form
the container 10 and the scoop 32 and/or the bowl 36 of the scoop
may be of a flexible polymeric material that can enable the rim 36a
of the bowl 36 to flex and/or to deform either a small or a more
generous amount. In this way the cross-sectional geometry of the
rim 36a can, during use, be biased against the junctions or corners
in a way whereby the rim 36a more readily conforms to the
particular cross-sectional geometry to maximize the ease of removal
of the contents from the hollow interior space "H". In FIGS. 32 and
33 examples of congruently shaped bowls 36 are shown. In FIG. 32,
the rim has a portion 36b arranged to have a right angle that can
conform to and be congruent with a corner 50f of a container having
a similar right-angled wall junction. In FIG. 33, the rim has a
multi-angled rim 36c wherein multiple obtuse angles are formed to
be congruent with a similarly shaped wall junction (not shown, but
similar in concept to wall junction 50f of FIG. 32).
[0112] The shape of the bottom wall 14 of the container 10 and the
shape of the top wall 12 of the container 10 can be designed to
enable a plurality of containers 10 to be stacked, one upon
another, such as, for example, on a shelf in a grocery store. It is
preferred that the shape of the perimeter of the bottom wall 14 of
the container 10 be substantially similar to the shape of the
perimeter of the top wall 12 of the container 10. The top wall 12
can be flat or contoured and the bottom wall 14 can be flat or
contoured. Generally, if the top wall 12 is contoured, the bottom
wall 14 must also be contoured in such a manner as to be
substantially congruent with the top wall 12, so that a plurality
of containers 10 can be stacked one on top of another.
[0113] However, so long as the lid "L" is flat, the containers 10
will be stackable even if the bottom wall 14 of the container 10 is
not flat, provided that the bottom wall 14 of the container 10 is
designed so that the top wall 12 of the container 10 remains in a
horizontal orientation relative to a horizontal shelf. In FIGS. 1,
2, 4, 10-12, and in FIGS. 16, 19, 30-31, and 34-36, it can be seen
that the top wall 12 (or also top wall 212) of the container 10 (or
the container 210) is convex in shape. Accordingly, for the
embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bottom wall 14 of the
container 10 is preferably concave in shape, so that a plurality of
containers 10 can be stacked one upon another.
[0114] The rectangular shape of the container 10, in combination
with the recesses 26a and 26b for gripping, enables the user to
hold the container 10 with one hand, while using the scoop 32 with
the other hand. The shape of the container 10 enables ease of
access to the product during the act of removing the product from
the container 10 by means of the scoop 32.
[0115] The shape of the container 10 enables the lid "L" to be
securely fitted to the upper portions 16d, 18d, 20d, and 22d, of
the front wall 16, the rear wall 18, the first side wall 20, and
the second side wall 22, respectively, of the container 10.
[0116] Referring now to FIGS. 1, 4, and 11, (and to FIGS. 16 and 19
for illustrations of later discussed embodiments and variations
thereto) a container-locking feature 52 associated with the lid "L"
and the front wall 16 enables the lid "L" to be securely, and
robustly fitted to the edges of the upper portions 16d, 18d, 20d,
and 22d, of the front wall 16, the rear wall 18, the first side
wall 20, and the second side wall 22, respectively, of the
container 10 over a range of the dimensional tolerances of the
container 10. The container-locking feature 52 comprises a latch 54
having a tab or flap 56, a first edge 58a and a second edge
58b.
[0117] A first bridge 60a and a second bridge 60b project from the
first edge 58a and the second edge 58b of the latch 54,
respectively. The first bridge 60a comprises a small stem 62a at
one end of which is a knob 62b; the second bridge 60b comprises a
small stem 64a at one end of which is a knob 64b. The knobs 62b and
64b and portions of the small stems 62a and 64a fit into small
recesses (not shown) in the exterior surface "L.sub.e" of the lid
"L", which small recesses are congruent with the bridges 60a and
60b, and are prevented from being removed from the recesses (not
shown) by friction, until the latch 54 is opened for the first
time. The function of the bridges 60a and 60b is to indicate any
tampering with the latch 54. Referring now to FIG. 11, the tab or
flap 56 of the latch 54 is attached to the front wall 16 by a hinge
68, typically a living hinge, which connects the tab or flap 56 to
an element 70 projecting from the exterior major surface 16b of the
front wall 16.
[0118] When the latch 54 is in a non-tampered state, the first
bridge 60a and the second bridge 60b retain their integrity. Prior
to being used, the tab or flap 56 is maintained in a closed
position by gripping a keeper 72, which is formed into a recessed
portion 74 of the exterior major surface 16b of the front wall 16.
When the latch 54 is opened by rotating the tab or flap 56 from its
initial unopened position to a second position away from the keeper
72, the pull force breaks the small stems 62a and 64a, thereby
allowing the lid "L" of the container 10 to be lifted upwardly so
that the lid "L" can rotated about the hinge 24 (see FIG. 2) to
enable the user to obtain access to the interior of the container
10.
[0119] If the user finds that extremely little pulling force is
required to break the small stems 62a and 64a of the bridges 60a
and 60b, respectively, the consumer will suspect that tampering
with the latch 54 has taken place. After the small stems 62a and
64a are broken, the knobs 62b and 64b help to retain the remaining
portions of the broken bridges 60a and 60b in the recesses in the
exterior surface "L.sub.e" of the lid "L". In order to close the
lid "L" of the container 10 after a given use, the lid "L" is
rotated downwardly so that the edges of the lid "L" come into
contact with the edges of the upper portions 16d, 18d, 20d, and 22d
of the front wall 16, the rear wall 18, the first side wall 20, and
the second side wall 22, respectively, of the container 10,
whereupon the tab or flap 56 of the latch 54 can grip the keeper 72
to maintain the container 10 in a closed position until the user
desires to open the container 10 at a later time. Even more
preferably, the latch 54 engages and disengages with a click that
can be perceived both by tactile as well as auditory feedback,
which give the user additional cues regarding the open or closed
state of the lid "L" and the contained 10.
[0120] As shown in FIGS. 1 & 16, a tamper-indicating seal 76
can be adhered to the front or another place on the container to
present evidence of tampering, damage, or other circumstance. In
FIG. 1, the tamper seal 76 is affixed to wall 16 and the lid "L" of
the container 10 to provide a visual indication as to whether the
container 10 has been opened prior to being sold. In one
embodiment, the tamper-indicating seal 76 comprises a backing 76a
adhered to a layer of adhesive (not shown). The backing 76a can be
a sheet of tearable paper or tearable polymeric material. The
adhesive can be a moderately to highly aggressive adhesive. The
tamper seal 76 can be positioned in a number of equally effective
locations, including for purposes of example without limitation,
across the interface between the lids and walls as well as in
appropriate locations across the contemplated assemblies of collars
and lids.
[0121] It is preferred that a score line or a line of perforations
be present in the backing 76a of the tamper-indicating seal 76 at
the line where the lid "L" meets the upper portion 16d of the front
wall 16 of the container 10. An attempt the open the container 10
will result in tearing the backing 76a along the score line or the
line of perforation, thereby indicating visually an unauthorized
attempt to open or an actual opening of the container 10.
[0122] The dimensions of the container 10 and the components
thereof are not critical. However, for the purpose of illustration,
typical dimensions of the various components can be as follows:
[0123] Top wall 12 and bottom wall 14: 4 in. to 5 in..times.5.5 in
to 6.5 in.
[0124] Front wall 16 and rear wall 18: 5.5 in. to 7.5 in..times.5.5
in. to 6.5 in.
[0125] First side wall 20 and second side wall 22: 4 in. to 5
in..times.5.5 in. to 7.5 in.
[0126] Volume of container 10 to contain powder weights of: 10 to
60 oz.; more typically 20 to 40 oz.; for example 23 oz. to 34
oz.
[0127] There are numerous methods of making the container 10
described herein. However, in order to facilitate mass production
of containers having a variety of volumes, the container 10 can be
assembled in a variety of equally suitable ways and by using any of
a number of effective and optionally preferred mechanisms. For
purposes of illustration without limitation, the exemplary
configurations shown here contemplate friction-fit, clip, and
similar types of lid-collar-container assembly devices. Such
examples can be seen in the various figures including in FIGS. 4-8,
and later in other variations and modifications of the embodiments
of the invention depicted in FIGS. 16-28.
[0128] Referring now to FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8, a tub-shaped
receptacle 80 comprising the bottom wall 14, the lower portion 16e
of the front wall 16, the lower portion 18e of the rear wall 18,
the lower portion 20e of the first side wall 20, and the lower
portion 22e of the second side wall 22 can be provided by a
supplier. The lower portion 16e of the front wall 16, the lower
portion 18e of the rear wall 18, the lower portion 20e of the first
side wall 20, and the lower portion 22e of the second side wall 22
typically comprise about from about 60% to about 90% of the height
of the aforementioned front wall 16, rear wall 18 first side wall
20, and second side wall 22, respectively.
[0129] An assembly 82 comprising a collar 84 and the lid "L"
(alternatively referred to herein as "collar/lid assembly 82") can
be provided by a supplier. The collar/lid assembly 82 comprises the
top wall 12, the upper portion 16d of the front wall 16, the upper
portion 18d of the rear wall 18, the upper portion 20d of the first
side wall 20, and the upper portion 22d of the second side wall 22.
The upper portion 16d of the front wall 16, the upper portion 18d
of the rear wall 18, the upper portion 20d of the first side wall
20, and the upper portion 22d of the second side wall 22 typically
comprise from about 10% to about 40% of the height of the front
wall 16, rear wall 18 first side wall 20, and second side wall 22,
respectively.
[0130] The ratios for the lower portion 16e of the front wall 16,
the lower portion 18e of the rear wall 18, the lower portion 20e of
the first side wall 20, and the lower portion 22e of the second
side wall 22 and the ratios for the upper portion 16d of the front
wall 16, the upper portion 18d of the rear wall 18, the upper
portion 20d of the first side wall 20, and the upper portion 22d of
the second side wall 22 primarily depend upon the volume of the
container 10, which in turn depends upon the volume of the
tub-shaped receptacle 80. The size of the assembly 82 of the collar
and lid essentially remains constant, but the volume of the
tub-shaped receptacle 80 varies to provide containers of various
volumes.
[0131] Various attachment methods for securing the collar and lid
assembly to the receptacle are contemplated by the invention, and
combinations and variations may be found to be equally suitable and
can be interchanged as needed as can be better understood with
reference to FIGS. 3-4, 10-14, and 16-36. Referring first to FIGS.
3-4 and 10-14, those skilled in the art will see that in one
variation of the preferred embodiments of the invention, each
corner 84a, 84b, 84c, and 84d of the collar 84 has at least one
guide fin 86a, and preferably two guide fins 86a, 86b, to properly
align the collar 84 with the tub-shaped receptacle 80. The
tub-shaped receptacle 80 is made up of the bottom wall 14 and those
portions of the front wall 16, the rear wall 18, the first side
wall 20, and the second side wall 22 that are not made up of the
upper portions 16d, 18d, 20d, and 22d of the front wall 16, the
rear wall 18, the first side wall 20, and the second side wall 22,
respectively, which upper portions 16d, 18d, 20d, and 22d make up
the collar 84. FIGS. 5 though 8 show a plurality of indentations as
a continuous groove 90 about the receptacle 80.
[0132] The collar 84 is joined to the tub-shaped receptacle 80 by
aligning the guide fins 86a, 86b in each corner 84a, 84b, 84c, and
84d of the collar 84 with the corners 80a, 80b, 80c, and 80d
located at a sealing flange or rim 88 of the tub-shaped receptacle
80 and press-fitting the collar 84 to the tub-shaped receptacle 80,
such that the attaching means or fins 86a, 86b, etc., are secured
in the groove 90 of the receptacle 80. The sealing flange or rim 88
terminates in an internal edge 89 that defines an opening to the
hollow interior space "H".
[0133] The guide fins 86a, 86b in each corner 84a, 84b, 84c, and
84d of the collar 84 snugly fit into a groove 90 running around the
exterior periphery of the tub-shaped receptacle 80. The groove 90
has a downward facing surface that engages an upward facing edge of
the fins 86a, 86b, etc. After the collar 84 is joined to the
tub-shaped receptacle 80, the tamper-indicating seal 76 is applied
to the front wall 16 and the lid "L" of the container 10. The
later-described attachment means illustrated in FIGS. 16-29 are
also contemplated for use in the instant embodiments and
modifications thereto. The instant described attachment features
are similarly susceptible for use with the later described
embodiments discussed below.
[0134] The position of the substantially moisture-impervious,
oxygen-impervious seal 28 inside of the container 10 is a matter of
choice. In one embodiment, the substantially moisture-impervious,
oxygen-impervious seal 28 can be applied directly to the sealing
flange or rim 88, which is an attach surface running around the
periphery of the tub-shaped receptacle 80 by means of an adhesive,
typically a heat-sealable adhesive. See FIGS. 14, 20, 23, and 26.
In another embodiment, the seal 28 can be applied to the interior
walls 16a, 18a, 20a, and 22a of the front wall 16, the rear wall
18, the first side wall 20, and the second side wall 22,
respectively, of the container 10 at a position lower than the rim
88 running around the periphery of the tub-shaped receptacle 80 of
the container 10, such as, for example, at a point approximately
midway or lower on the groove 90 that runs around the periphery of
the tub-shaped receptacle 80. This embodiment (not shown) may call
for custom attaching equipment, but may be desirable because
movement of granular product into cracks and fissures between the
tub-shaped receptacle 80 and the collar 84 can be further
reduced.
[0135] The use of a living hinge or a mechanical hinge for
pivotally and/or hingedly joining the lid "L" to the collar 84 is
also a matter of choice. Referring now to FIGS. 2 and 3, in one
embodiment employing a mechanical hinge 100 (see FIG. 3 and also
FIGS. 16-19, 24, and 29-31), pins can be molded into projections
102a, 102b, respectively, rising upwardly from the upper rear edge
104 of the collar 84. These projections 102a, 102b can be molded so
as to be flush with the exterior surface of the collar 84. FIG. 3
shows the projection 102a in greater detail. The projection 102a
has a pin 106a formed thereon by molding. The projection 102b also
has a pin formed thereon by molding.
[0136] While the pin on the projection 102b is not shown, it is the
mirror image of the pin 106a. Sockets can be formed in the lid "L"
to receive and retain the pins of the projections 102a, 102b. FIG.
3 shows the socket 108a for receiving the pin 106a. While the
socket for receiving the pin of the projection 102b is not shown,
it is the mirror image of the socket 108a. The lid "L" can be
molded in such a manner that the sockets are not visible from the
exterior of the container 10. In addition, the lid "L" can be
molded in such a manner that recesses 110a, 110b are provided
therein so that the pin-bearing projections 102a, 102b can be flush
with the exterior surface of the lid "L".
[0137] In addition, the shape of the rear edge 112 of the lid "L"
and the shape of the upper rear edge 104 of the collar 84 can be
designed in such a manner that when the lid "L" is fully opened,
the lid "L" will be supported by the upper rear edge 104 of the
collar 84 at a specified angle, such as, for example, 120.degree.,
so that the user can obtain access to the contents of the container
10 without being restricted by the presence of the lid "L". In the
particular embodiment shown in FIG. 2, two projections, each
projection bearing a pin, and two sockets can be used.
[0138] Any and all of the preceding preferred embodiments and the
modifications and variations thereof may be incorporated in whole
or in part to many additionally contemplated configurations of the
container 10. Similarly, the many next to be discussed adaptations,
variations, and modifications, are contemplated for use with all of
the preceding embodiments, alone, in part, and in combination. With
continued reference to FIGS. 1-15, and referring now also to FIGS.
16 through 22, another configuration of a sealing container
according to the invention is shown and identified generally by
reference numeral 210, which is also susceptible for use and to
incorporate any or all of the previously described features,
components, and modifications and variations of the invention.
[0139] As with other embodiments, the sealing container 210
includes a top wall 212, a bottom wall 214, a front wall 216, a
rear wall 218, a first side wall 220, and a second side wall 222,
which together define an interior space "I". Similar to other
embodiments of the invention, the walls are defined with interior
and exterior surfaces and upper and lower portions. The front wall
216 includes an interior surface 216a, an exterior surface 216b, an
upper portion 216d, and a lower portion 216e. The rear wall 218 has
an interior surface 218a, an exterior surface 218b, an upper
portion 218d, and a lower portion 218e. The first side wall 220
defines an interior surface 220a, an exterior surface 220b, an
upper portion 220d, and a lower portion 220e. The second side wall
222 includes an interior surface 222a, an exterior surface 222b, an
upper portion 222d, and a lower portion 222e.
[0140] With reference now also to FIGS. 29-31 and 34-36, it may be
understood that a lid of the container 210 may be a separate
component, part of an assembly, and may also include and be formed
as a part of the top wall 212 and the upper portion 216d of the
front wall 216, the upper portion 218d of the rear wall 218, the
upper portion 220d of the first side wall 220, and the upper
portion 222d of the second side wall 222.
[0141] An alternative configuration of the lid depicted here is
referred to generally by reference character "D". The "domed" lid
"D" has an interior surface, which will hereinafter be referred to
by the reference character "D.sub.i" (FIGS. 30-31). The lid also
has an exterior surface, which will hereinafter be designated by
the reference character "D.sub.e". The lid "D" may also be shaped
to cooperate with the features of the bottom wall 214 to enable
stacking of the containers 210 as described in earlier descriptions
of the embodiments of the invention. As contemplated for use with
this and the other previously and later described embodiments of
the invention, the lid "D" is shown as a separate component that is
hingedly, rotatably, and/or pivotally connect to the containers of
the invention. Even more preferably, the lid "D" may be connected
to the later described collar for incorporation into the variations
of the embodiments of the invention.
[0142] An alternative hinge 224 may attach the lid "D" to the upper
portion 218d of the rear wall 218. While any of the previously
described hinges may be incorporated in the embodiment contemplated
by sealing container 210, the modified mechanical hinge 224 as
shown in the various figures may be incorporated to replace or work
in combination with any of the preceding hinges.
[0143] The modified variations of the sealing container 210 may
also incorporate gripping features such as those previously
described and as shown in FIGS. 16-19 and 21, wherein the front
wall 216 has a recess 226a arranged to enable grasping or gripping
of the container 210 by a left thumb of the user. The rear wall 218
also has a recess 226b positioned to facilitate gripping of the
container 210 by the fingers of the left hand of the user. The
recess 226a can further have an additional recess 227a to indicate
the precise location in the recess 26a for the placement of the
thumb of the user. The recess 227a is smaller in area than the
recess 226a. The recess 227a is preferably circular in shape, but
other shapes are also acceptable. The recess 226b can further have
an additional recess 227b to indicate the precise location in the
recess 226b for the placement of the desired finger of the user.
The recess 227b is smaller in area than the recess 226b. The recess
227b is preferably circular in shape, but other shapes are also
acceptable. In FIGS. 16-19, the recesses 226a and 226b are
positioned adjacent to the first side wall 220 of the container
210. However, variations (not shown) will incorporate the recesses
to be complemented by additional and/or replacement recesses
proximate the opposite second side 222.
[0144] With reference now also to FIGS. 13, 20-21, 23, and 26, the
substantially moisture-impervious, oxygen-impervious seal 28 having
a pull tab 28a is affixed to a position proximate to edges of the
upper portions 216d, 218d, 220d, 222d of the walls 216, 218, 220,
222 as explained in connection with previously described variations
of the preferred embodiments of the invention.
[0145] Referring now to FIGS. 30-33, attached to the interior
surface "D.sub.i" of the lid "D" is the previously described scoop
holder 30 and scoop 32. A variation to earlier embodiments of the
scoop 32 includes a stiffened handle 34 having a stiffener 34b
integrally formed thereon. Additionally, the first bracket bowl
cover 30a of the holder 30 may be projected outward to a
predetermined maximum dimension whereby multiple scoops 32 having
different volumes of bowl 36 can be incorporated to maximize
convenience when dispensing different volumes of the contents of
the containers 10, 210.
[0146] In another preferred or optional variation to any of the
preceding embodiments, and with reference to FIGS. 16-19, 20-22,
and 26, the container 210 may be formed from a tub-shaped
receptacle 280 similar in construction to earlier described
embodiments but may also incorporate upper portions 16d, 18d, 20d,
22d of walls 16, 18, 20, 22 having an upper end 282. The upper end
282 defines a sealing flange 284 having an internal edge 286 that
defines an opening to the interior space "I".
[0147] In further preferred arrangements, the impervious seal 28 is
seated around the upper end 282 to close and seal the opening and
is removably affixed to the sealing flange 284. To improve accuracy
and convenience during assembly and placement of the impervious
seal 28 on the sealing flange 284, an optional snap bead 288 (FIGS.
23 & 26) may be formed on the upper end 282 below the sealing
flange. Such a snap bead 288 can be used as a shelf and/or seat
that contacts the edges of the unattached impervious seal around
the periphery of the container to keep the impervious seal 28 in
place and centered so that it can be attached with adhesive, heat
sealing, or another means.
[0148] In the past, many containers were improperly sealed due to
incorrect placement of the seal before an adhesion step glues,
melts, or otherwise affixes the impervious seal 28 to the sealing
flange 284. Additional variations of any of the embodiments of the
invention may also include assembly improving features such as one
or more engagement recesses or indentations 290 defined laterally
separated by strengthening bridges 292, a lower seat rib 294, and
an upper lug ledge or downwardly facing top surface 296. The spaced
apart bridge 292 arrangement imparts improved strength and rigidity
capabilities to the upper end 282 of the receptacle 280, which, in
turn, improves the crippling strength of the container and the
rigidity of the upper end 282 when the collar 300 is fitted
together with the receptacle 280.
[0149] Further preferred or optional variations to any of the
preceding embodiments may include a modified collar 300 that can be
best illustrated with specific reference to FIGS. 16-21, 24, -28.
The collar 300 may be formed with a substantially J-shaped and/or
U-shaped cross-sectional configuration. With reference to FIGS. 25
and 26, it can be seen that the exemplary collar 300 has an
upside-down U-shape and/or J-shape, depending on the location of
the section; U-shaped if sectioned through a flex clip 310
(described below) as in FIG. 26, but U-shaped if sectioned
elsewhere, as in FIG. 25.
[0150] The collar 300 includes an exteriorly or outwardly facing
long wall 302 that extends upward to join a substantially rounded
portion 304 that may have an increased thickness if needed for
stiffening the collar 300. The small relative radius of the
J-shaped section shown in the illustrations enables excellent
stress distribution and force load path communication by way of a
higher cross-sectional moment of inertia, which results in a
stiffened and stronger collar. The long wall 302 also forms a part
of the upper portions 216d, 218d, 220d, 222d of the walls 216, 218,
220, 222.
[0151] The rounded portion 304 extends further and downwardly to
form an interiorly or inwardly facing short wall 306. More
preferably, the rounded portion 304 will be formed to have a lip
seat 305 that enables alignment and improved engagement of the
outermost edge 348 of lid "D" when it is closed onto the collar
300. See, for example, FIGS. 25-26.
[0152] The collar may also preferably incorporate engagement lugs
or flex clips 310 that are laterally spaced apart to correspond to
the lateral spacing of the indentations 290. The flex clips 310
will incorporate an upwardly facing surface and/or a retainer face
312 and may also optionally include a stiffening rib 314. During
assembly, the collar 300 will be centered and secured to the
receptacle 280 by the flex clips 310 engaging a downward facing
surface of the groove or plurality of indentations 290; and thus
arranged to fit on, overcap, and/or be installed upon the upper end
282 of the tub-shaped receptacle 280 so that the flex clips 310
will bend outwardly slightly as the collar 300 descends over the
upper end 282.
[0153] Once the flex clips 310 are moved into a juxtaposition
relationship with the indentations 290, the flex clips 310 return
to the nominal orientation and snap into position so that the
retainer faces 312 contact the downwardly facing top surfaces 296
to interlock the collar 300 onto the receptacle 280. In this way,
the collar 300 is aligned and captured and in a friction-fit and
flex clip 310 engaged relationship with the tub-shaped receptacle
280. A bottom end 303 (FIG. 26) of the outwardly facing long wall
302 will generally come into contact with and rest against the
lower seat rib 294 of the receptacle 280, which in combination with
the other features of the invention enables increased strength and
rigidity.
[0154] The laterally spaced apart indentations 290 and bridges 292
establish a well-distributed load interface between the collar 300
and the receptacle 280 having good rigidity properties when
subjected to nominal applications. Additionally, the laterally
spaced apart bridges 292 have been found to greatly improve the
crippling strength of the assembled collar 310 and receptacle 280
combination. These features combine with the aligning, capturing
and retaining capability of the flex clips 310 to hold the collar
300 to the upper portion or upper end 282 of the container 210 and
thereby laterally stabilize the collar 300 so that the collar 300
remains in a substantially fixed position relative to the container
opening.
[0155] In additionally preferred and optional modifications to any
of the embodiments of the invention, the plurality of indentations
292 and the plurality of spaced apart flex clips 310 are further
positioned to be oppositely paired across the receptacle 280 to
establish force load coupling between the pairs to increase
rigidity and structural stability of the sealable containers 10,
210 when the collar 300 is fitted onto the upper end or portion
282. This opposite or confronted pairing establishes a series of
coupled moment arm vectors having a distance equal to the diameter,
width, and/or depth dimension of the container, which greatly
improves load distribution across the container 10, 210 and
increase the structural stability thereof.
[0156] Furthermore, it has been found that these novel features
have resulted in an unexpected configuration that overcomes
otherwise unacceptable tolerance anomalies and part mismatch
between the collar 300 and the upper portion or upper end 282 of
the receptacle 280, which greatly reduces rejected parts and which
significantly lowers manufacturing costs. More specifically, it is
optionally preferred to utilize upwardly facing surfaces or
retainer lugs 312 that are dimensionally smaller (in at least a
width or lateral dimension) than the downwardly facing surfaces or
upper lug ledges 296 of the receptacle 280.
[0157] In one aspect, this dimensional arrangement can enable the
retainer lugs or upwardly facing surfaces 312 to move within the
engagement recesses or indentations 290 and about the upper lug
ledges or downwardly facing surfaces 296. This can enable the
combination of these components to absorb dimensional tolerance
errors and enable the collar to fit around the upper portion of the
container. Even more preferably, at least one of the collar 300 and
the upper end or portion of the walls 282 are formed from a
substantially flexible material such as a polymeric material like
polyethylene or polypropylene to enable at least one of the collar
and the upper portion of the walls to flex.
[0158] Flexibility enables absorption of dimensional tolerance
errors, which enables the collar to fit around the upper portion of
the container. Also, this can enable at least one of the collar 300
and the upper portion or end 282 of the walls to flex to
accommodate shape mismatch between at least one of the collar and
the upper portion of the walls to enable the collar to fit around
the upper portion of the walls.
[0159] When assembled, the collar 310 and the upper end 282 of the
receptacle 280 form a subcollar space 320 (FIG. 26). In other
optionally preferred arrangements of the collar 300, a raised seat
325 may be formed on the inwardly facing short wall 306 to
establish a greater thickness of the short wall 306 for
applications where other elements may be attached to the short
wall. In one particularly preferred optional embodiment, a
flexible, polymeric gasket or seal 330 may be affixed to the short
wall 306, and more preferably may be attached to the raised seat
325. Even more preferably, the flexible gasket 330 may be either
affixed by adhesive to the short wall 306 and/or the raised step
325, or may be directly injection molded onto the short wall 306
and/or the raised step 325.
[0160] In this particular example, the raised seat 325 may be also
thermoformed as the collar 310 is formed or molded, or the raised
seat 325 may be formed in a second and/or separate thermoforming
step that may occur before the gasket 330 is attached.
Additionally, the raised seat 325 may be formed in the step at the
same time or nearly the same time the gasket 335 is attached. The
flexible gasket preferably extends inwardly and interiorly with an
internal edge 332.
[0161] Preferably, the flexible gasket is dimensioned to project
inwardly or interiorly and to removably rest against the sealing
flange 284 as depicted in FIGS. 20, 25 and 26. More preferably, the
flexible gasket 330 projects slightly downwardly to be biased
against the sealing flange 284 for an improved sealing
configuration. Even more preferably, the flexible gasket 330
extends interiorly or inwardly to project the internal edge 332
beyond the internal edge 286 of the sealing flange 284. With this
arrangement, the subcollar space 320 is sealed from the interior
space "I" to prevent contents of the interior space "I" from
entering the subcollar space 320. If such is not prevented, an
inconvenience is presented wherein contents that have spilled into
the subcollar space 320 may further spill outside the container 210
by moving through any interstice that may exist between the lower
end of the outwardly facing long wall 302 and the lower seat rib
294 (FIG. 26).
[0162] With specific reference to FIGS. 20, 23, and 26, those
skilled in the art may comprehend that the impervious seal 28 is
removably sandwiched between the gasket 330 and the sealing flange
284 (and beneath the gasket 330). Upon initial use, when pull tab
28a is grasped and the impervious seal 28 is removed to expose the
contents of the container 210, the flexible gasket 330 flexes away
from its rest position against the sealing flange 284 to enable
removal of the impervious seal 28. As the impervious seal 28 is
removed, the flexible gasket 330 returns to its rest position
against the sealing flange 284. This configuration permits a more
robust hermetic, impervious seal 28 for distribution to the end
user, who removes the seal 28 upon first use, yet still enjoys the
benefits of the sealing wall and gasket 330 to prevent or minimize
content leakage out of the interior space, I.
[0163] Many possible types of material are suitable for use in
fabricating the gasket 330. One illustrative example of a suitable
material includes a thin polymeric material such as a
thermo-plastic elastomer having a durometer strength of
approximately 50 or other similar Shore A grade material so that
the impervious seal 28 may be easily removed while the flexible
gasket is still able to retain some shape memory so that it returns
to a biased, sealing rest position against the sealing flange 284.
For optionally preferred applications, Shore A grade material such
as a Santoprene and similar compounds have been found to be
satisfactory and can be readily thermoformed or injection molded
directly onto the inwardly facing short wall 306 and/or the raised
seat 325.
[0164] In other equally preferred and optional variations to any of
the embodiments of the invention, the gasket 330 may be integrally
formed as part of the collar 300 wherein the gasket 330 is a flap
of flexible and thin material that is molded from and that extends
from the interior surface of the collar 300. In this contemplated
modification to any of the embodiments, among other options, the
raised seat 325 can be formed to project inwardly as does the
gasket 330.
[0165] Other modifications to the preferred embodiments of the
containers 10, 210 may incorporate a modified removable lid such as
domed lid "D" shown in FIGS. 30 through 36. The new variation
contemplated by removable lid "D" preferably defines the interior
surface "D.sub.i" to be sized to cover and seal the opening to the
interior space "I" when the lid "D" is closed. The lid "D"
incorporates a sealing wall 340 depending from its interior surface
"D.sub.i" and that projects toward the sealing flange 284 and which
is centered and aligned by including optionally preferred alignment
and/or wall ribs 341 (FIG. 30-31).
[0166] With this configuration, when the lid "D" is closed on the
collar 300 to seal the container 210, the gasket 330, the sealing
wall 340, and the sealing flange 284 are dimensioned and positioned
so that the sealing wall 340 depresses and biases the flexible
gasket 330 against the internal edge 286 of the sealing flange 284
to seal the subcollar space 320 from the container interior "I".
The flexibility and shape memory and strength of the flexible
gasket 330 must also withstand repeated opening and closing of the
lid "D" and biasing and unbiasing of the gasket 330 by the moving
sealing wall 340, so that the flexible gasket remains biased and at
rest against the sealing flange 384. These optionally preferred
variations of the position of the sealing wall 340 are contemplated
as shown with the solid and dashed line representations of sealing
wall 340 shown in FIG. 26.
[0167] In any of the possibly preferred positions of sealing wall
340, the length and/or location of the downwardly projecting lower
edge 342 is adjustable as preferred so that the lower edge 342 can,
when lid "L" or "D" is in the closed position, terminate just
above, bias against, and/or bias against and depress gasket 300
downward so that gasket 330 is in turn biased against sealing
flange 284. In further alternative variations to the preceding
embodiments, the flexible gasket 330 may be attached to the sealing
wall 340 instead of the raised seat 325. In further variations, a
second gasket (not shown) may be attached to the sealing wall 340
either alone and/or in addition to and to cooperate with the
flexible gasket 330 that is attached to the raised seat 325.
[0168] In still other modifications to any of the variations of the
preferred embodiments, the sealing wall 340 may be implemented to
function with or without the use of a gasket 330 and may include a
funneled lower edge 342 such as those shown in FIGS. 27 and 28. In
FIG. 27, the funneled lower edge 342 includes an inwardly curved
and/or inwardly tapering sealing wall 340a. In FIG. 28, the
funneled lower edge 342 incorporates an inwardly slanted and/or
tapering sealing wall 340b. A combination of a slanted and/or
curved and tapering wall 340a and 340b is also contemplated, which
can be used either alone and/or in combination with the flexible
and/or integral gasket 330 illustrated elsewhere herein.
Particularly in embodiments not using the gasket 330, the sealing
wall 340 may be dimensioned so that when the lid "D" is closed, the
sealing wall 340 remains inward of the sealing flange 284.
[0169] In further preferred variations to the preceding
embodiments, the lid "D" more preferably includes a substantially
domed central section 344 that has dimensions less than the sealing
wall 340. The domed central section is joined to the lid either by
the sealing wall, by an angled wall 346, and by a combination
thereof, wherein the angled wall 346 tapers from the domed central
section down to the interior surface "D.sub.i" proximate to the
sealing wall 340 (FIGS. 34-36). As with earlier discussed
embodiments and modifications thereto, the modified lid "D" is
configured with an overall shape that cooperates with the shape of
the bottom wall 14 to enable easy stacking of the containers 210.
Proximate to the junction of the sealing wall 340 and the angled
tapered wall 346, a collar engagement member projects generally
downward to a lip edge 348 that seats into and engages with lip
seat 305 of the collar 300, so that when the lid "D" is closed, a
more rigid and tightly closed assembly of collar 300 and lid "D" is
established.
[0170] In the adaptation wherein the substantially domed central
section 344 is connected only by the sealing wall 340, essentially
the tapered angled wall 346 merges with the sealing wall 340 to
have an angle relative to the vertical direction of approximately
90 degrees. The tapered angled wall 346 is in other variations
arranged to have an angle relative to a vertical direction of
between approximately 10 and approximately 75 degrees, and
preferably between about 15 and 60 degrees, and more preferably
between about 25 and 45 degrees, and even more preferably
approximately 30 degrees. The substantially domed central section
344 extending to the sealing wall preferably is dimensioned to
define an area between approximately 20 percent and approximately
80 percent smaller than an entire area defined by the removable
lid. Further, the substantially domed central section 344 projects
upwardly with a height dimension that is between approximately 10
percent and approximately 60 percent of a cumulative lid height
dimension; ideally to house the scoop above the impervious seal
28.
[0171] These variations of the substantially domed lid have been
found to be of significance when the sealable container 210 is in
use with powdered contents contained therein. When the container
210 is jostled about and inverted during transit, such as when
being transported in the diaper bag of a parent or when being
shipped from a warehouse to a retail location while being
upside-down and inverted, the powdered contents may collect and
become packed into a small mountain resting against portions of the
interior surface "D.sub.i" of the lid "D". When such a disoriented
container is righted, the angled wall 346 and the sealing wall 340
cooperate to more readily and effectively disengage the collected
and/or packed contents from the interior surface "D.sub.i" of the
lid "D" so that the packed or collected contents fall freely down
into the interior space "I" of the container 210.
[0172] Many factors can contribute to creating an inconvenient
accumulation of powder packed into the lid "L" or "D". Those
skilled in the relevant arts often characterize the flowability of
a powdered material to be a function of many variables that include
particle size and distribution, cohesivity, static charge, surface
coating, ability to recover from packing or compaction,
temperature, humidity, aeration, transportation experience, and
container surface effects. Even with so many powder flowability
characteristics confronting the manufacturer and the user of
container according to the principles of the invention, it has been
found that the new and novel angled and/or tapered wall 346 of the
invention, alone and in combination with the other powder control
features described herein, have established a new and previously
unseen means of directing powdered contents back into the interior
space "H" upon righting of the containers 10, 210.
[0173] The arrangement of the flexible gasket 330 biased at rest
against the sealing flange 284 further cooperates to mostly if not
entirely prevent the contents from entering the subcollar space 320
while directing the contents back into the interior space "I".
Additionally, the arrangement of the flexible gasket 330 and its
internal edge 332 extending inwardly beyond the internal edge 286
of the sealing flange 284 also serves to better direct the contents
away from the subcollar space 320 and into the interior space "I".
Also, the powder directing capabilities can be further implemented
with any combination of the flexible and integral gaskets 330,
whether used alone and/or in combination with the straight,
funneled, curved, and slanted sealing wall 340 variations described
above.
[0174] In any of the embodiments of the invention where a powder
control feature is implemented as described here, significant
advantages are achieved by ensuring that powdered and granular
contents are dropped into the interior space "H" and away from the
interior surfaces "L.sub.i" and "D.sub.i" of lids "L" and "D", and
are prevented from entering the subcollar space 320
[0175] As previously described in connection with earlier
embodiment and variations thereof, a living hinge or a mechanical
hinge can be used to hingedly and/or pivotally attach the lid "D"
to the collar 300. Referring to FIGS. 17, 18, 20 and 30, among
others, it can be seen that the mechanical hinge adaptation can
include the hinge 224 having a hinge separation or wheel base that
is farther apart than earlier described embodiments, which can
improve the strength thereof. Another possibly preferred mechanical
hinge can include a pinned hinge having cooperative detentes and
engagement ridges that enable a frictional ratcheting of the lid
"D" between the open and closed positions, which prevents the lid
"D" from falling closed while contents are being removed from the
interior space 320.
[0176] In another contemplated variation of the preferred
embodiments of the invention, the receptacle 280 of the container
210 is further modified to incorporate a means to compensate for
changing external pressures due to altitude changes of the sealed
container 210. Ordinarily, the container 210 is sealed with
impervious seal 28 whereby the pressure in the interior space "I"
remains unchanged. However, distribution of container 210 after
filling with salable contents creates the probability that the
filled containers 210 will experience widely varying pressure
changes. Such changes may lead to breach or rupture of the
impervious seal 28. A stronger, pressure resistant seal 28 may be
undesirable because the user may not have enough strength to open
the impervious seal 28.
[0177] Accordingly, as can be seen with reference to FIGS. 17-18,
and 37-39, the bottom surface 214a of the bottom wall 214 of the
receptacle 280 may incorporate a pressure control portion formed
from a stepped or central raised stepped or stiffener portion 350
formed with an outer planar portion 352 adapted to enable the
container 210 to rest in a level position on a flat surface such as
a table or counter-top.
[0178] The pressure control portion is also referred to as the
central raised stiffener portion 350. Contrary to the plain meaning
of the word "stiffener", this phrase refers to features that may be
incorporated and which include, for purposes of example without
limitation, a flexible and/or collapsible pressure relief
section.
[0179] Extending towards the interior space "I", the central raised
stepped or stiffener portion 350 includes a plurality of steps 354
having riser portions 356 and tread portions 358. The riser
portions 356 preferably project in a direction substantially upward
relative to the outer planar portion 352 with the tread portions
358 being approximately parallel to the outer planar portion
352.
[0180] More preferably, the steps 354 that are formed from the
riser and tread portions 356, 358 can form 3, 4, 5 or more or less
steps that together can enable an incremental reduction in pressure
by the incremental collapse of one or all of the steps so that
pressure in the interior space "I" may be lowered to compensate for
unequal pressure and to lessen any pressure between the interior
space "I" and the external atmosphere. In this way, when a
container such as containers 10, 210 are filled with contents at a
sea level factory, and the containers are shipped via aircraft or
over high-altitude land routes, the impervious seal 28 of the
containers 10, 210 may remain intact despite varying external
pressures. Alternatively, the steps 354 may be adapted to have a
thickness and or a bellows and or an accordion cross-sectional
structure similar to that shown in FIGS. 17-18 and FIGS. 37, 38a-b,
and 39a-b, and that establishes a material strength that prevents
collapse and that resists deformation of the bottom wall 214 when
exposed to such pressure differentials. Even more preferably, the
steps 354 include a combination of steps that resist collapse and
or deformation when exposed to a pressure differential as well as
steps that are formed with a reduced cross-sectional thickness
(FIGS. 38a-b) or with a type of flexible bellows or accordion or
pleated section (FIGS. 39a-b) that exaggerates the undulations of
or that is combined with the steps as shown in FIGS. 17-18, and 37,
38a-b and 39a-b. Although shown in FIGS. 39a-b to have a generally
undulating bellows type of profile, and more triangular or pleated
undulation arrangement may also be optionally incorporated.
[0181] Most preferably, the undulating bellows arrangement (FIGS.
39a-b) may retain the stackable capability by preserving the
cooperative shapes between the lids "D" or "L" and the recess
defined by the bottom wall 14. This flexible and/or bellows
adaptation of the steps 354 preferably retains the stackability
clearance and spacing of earlier configurations by generally
following the curvature of inclination line 360 (FIGS. 39a-b),
which extends inwardly towards the interior space "I" or "H" so
that any flexure or collapse of a portion of the steps 354 relieves
some or all of the pressure differential without detriment to
stackability. These stepped arrangements may be used alone or in
combination with one or more of the arrangements of FIGS. 17-18 as
well as the more flexible reduced thickness variation of FIGS.
38a-b. With any of these alternative configurations, the steps 354
may be optionally or preferably adapted to collapse and or flex in
response to the contemplated pressure differential in a way that
accommodates and/or reduces any stress on the containers 10, 210
due to pressure changes.
[0182] With the multiple stepped arrangement illustrated here, the
collapse of one or more steps 354 will preferably not result in the
central stepped portion 350 distending beyond the generally level
outer planar portion 352. Such pressure differentials may be
experienced even without altitude changes. For example, and as
discussed elsewhere herein, the containers of the invention may be
subjected to external crushing pressures during shipment with a
commercial carrier as well as during movement by a parent carrying
the inventive container in a diaper bag.
[0183] The materials of the components of the containers 10 and 210
are not critical. However, certain materials for the components of
the container are preferred on account of, for example, such
considerations as manufacturing considerations, economic
considerations, and consumer considerations. The tub-shaped
receptacle typically comprises a multiple-layer material, wherein
the multiple-layer material comprises an inner layer, an outer
layer and a regrind layer between the inner layer and the outer
layer.
[0184] Such a multiple-layer material is described in U.S. Patent
Application Publication No. 2004/0161558, published Aug. 19, 2004,
incorporated herein by reference. The assembly comprising the
collar 84 and the lid "L" typically comprises a polymeric material,
such as, for example, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene. The
scoop typically comprises a polymeric material, such as, for
example, polypropylene, high-density polyethylene.
Operation
[0185] In use, the container 10 or 210 is grasped with a single
hand using the enhanced gripping recesses 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b, 226a,
226b, 227a, 227b. The containers 10, 210 are then opened by
actuation of the latch 54 and, if necessary for a new container,
the impervious seal 28 is removed by grasping the pull tab 28a and
pulling the seal 28 away from the sealing flange 284. Next, the
user uses his or her free hand to retrieve the scoop 32 from the
lid "L" or "D" of the containers 10, 210 to scoop and dispense the
contents. The user avoids the inconvenience of powder spilling from
the scoop 32 because the bowl 36 was covered by bracket 30a.
Furthermore, any powdered contents that may have come to rest in
the lid "L" or "D" prior to opening, was directed away from the
subcollar space 320 and into the interior space "H" where it
remains ready for dispensing. The container 10 and the scoop 32
together cooperate as a system that enables the user to
conveniently use the scoop 32 to remove a predetermined volume or
portion of the contents of the container.
[0186] After the scoop 32 has been used, the scoop 32 can be
reattached to the scoop holder 30 on the lid "L" for all subsequent
times the scoop is to be used. The lid is then closed, securing the
powder therein. Accordingly, the granular or powdered product will
not be spilled, wasted, or contaminated by contact with the hand of
the user.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
[0187] The embodiments of the present invention are suitable for
use in many applications that involve manufacture, distribution,
storage, sale, and use of flowable substances such as powders and
granular materials. The configurations of the inventive container
can be modified to accommodate nearly any conceivable type of such
materials, and the shape, size, and arrangement of the features and
components of the novel container can be modified according to the
principles of the invention as may be required to suit a particular
type or quantity of flowable material, as well as a preferred mode
of use, storage, manufacture, distribution, and/or sales
environment.
[0188] Such modifications and alternative arrangements may be
further preferred and/or optionally desired to establish
compatibility with the wide variety of possible applications that
are susceptible for use with the inventive and improved containers
for containing flowable materials are described and contemplated
herein. Accordingly, even though only few such embodiments,
alternatives, variations, and modifications of the present
invention are described and illustrated, it is to be understood
that the practice of such additional modifications and variations
and the equivalents thereof, are within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined in the claims.
* * * * *
References