U.S. patent application number 12/303688 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-22 for container with release engagement member.
Invention is credited to Ryan J. Coonce, Rebecca S. Reuhs.
Application Number | 20100181317 12/303688 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38846369 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100181317 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Reuhs; Rebecca S. ; et
al. |
July 22, 2010 |
Container With Release Engagement Member
Abstract
Container having a cover and a base that may be engaged with
each other with the help of a releasable engagement member is
provided. The cover includes a leash as the releasable engagement
member. The leash comprises a protrusion. The base comprises a
depression located at a position corresponding to the position of
the leash on the cover. When the cover is placed over the base, the
protrusion of the leash of the cover may be lockingly engaged with
the depression of the base. In addition, a protrusion of the leash
of one cover may be engaged with a depression of the leash of a
second cover, when it is desired to stack the covers together,
separate from their bases.
Inventors: |
Reuhs; Rebecca S.; (Chicago,
IL) ; Coonce; Ryan J.; (Palatine, IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE CLOROX COMPANY
P.O. BOX 24305
OAKLAND
CA
94623-1305
US
|
Family ID: |
38846369 |
Appl. No.: |
12/303688 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2007 |
PCT Filed: |
May 15, 2007 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US07/68976 |
371 Date: |
December 5, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60805774 |
Jun 26, 2006 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/375 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00768
20130101; B65D 43/0208 20130101; B65D 2543/00101 20130101; B65D
2543/00796 20130101; B65D 55/16 20130101; B65D 2543/00657 20130101;
B65D 2543/00685 20130101; B65D 2543/00509 20130101; B65D 2543/00027
20130101; B65D 2543/00555 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/375 |
International
Class: |
B65D 55/16 20060101
B65D055/16 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: a base comprising a peripheral sidewall
extending from the base, and an open top, the base further
comprising at least one base engagement portion; and a cover
engageable with the open top of the base, the cover comprising at
least one leash having a first end coupled to the cover and a
second end, the second end of the leash having a leash engagement
portion, wherein the leash engagement portion of the leash is
releasably engageable with the base engagement portion of the base
when it is desired to tether the cover to the base, and wherein the
leash engagement portion of the leash is releasably engageable with
a leash engagement portion of a leash coupled to a second cover
when it is desired to tether the cover to the second cover.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the base and the cover are
made from a process selected from the group consisting of
thermoforming, blow molding, injection molding, and combinations
thereof.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the base and the cover are
made from a material selected from the group consisting of
polystyrene, Crystalline Polyethylene Terephthalate (CPET),
Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthalate (APET), Low Density
Polyethylene (LDPE), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl
Chloride (PVC), Polycarbonate (PC), and foamed polypropylene.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the first end of the leash is
formed as an integral component of the cover.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the first end of the leash is
fixedly coupled to the cover as a separate component by a technique
selected from the group consisting of adhesive bonding,
thermo-bonding, riveting, plastic welding, heat-staking, and
ultrasonic bonding.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the leash is removably coupled
to the cover by a coupling technique selected from the group
consisting of snap-fitting and friction-fitting.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein the cover further comprises a
second leash coupled to the cover, and the base further comprises a
second base engagement portion.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein the base engagement portion
comprises a protrusion, and the leash engagement portion comprises
a depression.
9. The container of claim 1, wherein the base engagement portion
comprises a depression, and the leash engagement portion comprises
a protrusion.
10. A system of container covers, the system comprising: a first
cover comprising a first leash, the first leash of the first cover
having a first end coupled to the first cover and a second end, the
second end of the first leash of the first cover having a leash
engagement portion; and a second cover comprising a first leash,
the first leash of the second cover having a first end coupled to
the second cover and a second end, the second end of the first
leash of the second cover having a leash engagement portion,
wherein the leash engagement portion of the first leash of the
second cover is engageable with the leash engagement portion of the
first leash of the first cover when it is desired to tether the
second cover to the first cover.
11. The system of claim 10, wherein the first cover and the second
cover are made from a process selected from the group consisting of
thermoforming, blow molding, injection molding, and combinations
thereof.
12. The system of claim 10, wherein the first cover and the second
cover are made from a material selected from the group consisting
of polystyrene, Crystalline Polyethylene Terephthalate (CPET),
Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthalate (APET), Low Density
Polyethylene (LDPE), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl
Chloride (PVC), Polycarbonate (PC), and foamed polypropylene.
13. The system of claim 10, wherein the first leash of the first
cover is formed as an integral component of the first cover.
14. The system of claim 10, wherein the first end of the first
leash of the first cover is fixedly coupled to the first cover as a
separate component by a technique selected from the group
consisting of adhesive bonding, thermo-bonding, riveting, plastic
welding, heat-staking, and ultrasonic bonding.
15. The system of claim 10, wherein the first end of the first
leash of the first cover is removably coupled to the first cover by
a coupling technique selected from the group consisting of
snap-fitting and friction-fitting.
16. The system of claim 10, wherein the first cover further
comprises a second leash, the second leash of the first cover
having a leash engagement portion, and the second cover comprises a
second leash, the second leash of the second cover having a leash
engagement portion.
17. The system of claim 10, wherein the leash engagement portion of
the first leash of the first cover comprises a depression, and the
leash engagement portion of the first leash of the second cover
comprises a protrusion.
18. The system of claim 10, wherein the leash engagement portion of
the first leash of the first cover comprises a protrusion, and the
leash engagement portion of the first leash of the second cover
comprises a depression.
19. The system of claim 10 further comprising a third cover, the
third cover comprising a first leash, the first leash of the third
cover having a first end coupled to the third cover and a second
end, the second end of the first leash of the third cover having a
leash engagement portion, wherein the leash engagement portion of
the first leash of the third cover is engageable with the leash
engagement portion of the first leash of the second cover.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to containers, and
more particularly, to containers having engaging features.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Thermoplastic containers having bases and covers as
components are generally known in the art. A cover engages with a
base to define a storage volume into which food items or other
articles can be placed. However, it is important that the
engagement between the cover and the base is sufficiently secure in
order to prevent the accidental spillage of the contents of the
container.
[0003] Further, it is generally required to organize the bases and
covers to utilize storage space and to avoid misplacement of these
components of the containers. While the bases of the containers
usually nest with each other and therefore take up less storage
space, the covers generally do not stack together and are difficult
to organize
[0004] Therefore, in light of the above, there is a need for an
arrangement that provides additional security for the engagement
between a cover and a base of a container. Further, there is a need
for a method that allows the organization of container covers in a
more organized and space saving manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] In view of the foregoing, the present invention provides a
container having engaging features for securing the contents of the
container. The container comprises a cover and a base. The cover
comprises a leash, which may be an integral part of the cover or
may be fixedly or removably coupled to the cover. The leash
comprises a protrusion and the base comprises a depression on the
bottom surface of the base. When the cover is placed over the base,
the protrusion of the leash may be engaged with the depression of
the base. The engagement may be in the form of a friction-fit
arrangement or a snap-fit arrangement. This engagement provides the
required security to the container. The cover can be attached to or
detached from the base by applying force.
[0006] In another embodiment of the invention, the container may
have more than one leash and a corresponding number of depressions
on the base, in order to enhance the engagement between the cover
and the base. In yet another embodiment, the leash of the cover may
comprise a living hinge to facilitate bending of the leash so as to
allow the leash to reach the bottom surface of the base and get
engaged with the base. Any number of living hinges may be provided
as appropriate.
[0007] In another embodiment of the invention, the leash may
comprise a depression in place of the protrusion and the bottom
surface of the base may comprise a protrusion in place of the
depression.
[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, multiple
covers may be engaged with each other, separate from their bases,
in order to stack the covers in a convenient way. A protrusion of a
first leash of a first cover may be engaged with a depression of a
second leash of a second cover, and so on, for additional covers.
This arrangement helps in avoiding misplacement of the covers and
also saves storage space.
[0009] The features of the present invention will become apparent
to one of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the detailed
description, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
provided herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a container, in accordance
with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the base of the container of
FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 3a is an isometric view of the cover of the container
of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 3b is an isometric view of a cover of a container, in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a cover of a container, in
accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1
depicting a friction-fit engagement between the cover and the base
of the container;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1
depicting a snap-fit engagement between the cover and the base of
the container;
[0017] FIG. 7a is an isometric view of a stack of two covers,
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 7b is a cross-sectional view of the two covers of FIG.
7a depicting a friction-fit engagement between the two covers;
and
[0019] FIG. 7c is a cross-sectional view of the two covers of FIG.
7a depicting a snap-fit engagement between the two covers.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates an isometric view of a container 100, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In an
embodiment of the invention, the container 100 is made of a plastic
material. Examples of the plastic material include, but are not
limited to, polystyrene, Crystalline Polyethylene Terephthalate
(CPET), Amorphous Polyethylene Terephthalate (APET), Low Density
Polyethylene (LDPE), High Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl
Chloride (PVC), Polycarbonate (PC), and foamed polypropylene.
However, suitable materials other than plastic may also be used to
manufacture the container 100. Examples of processes employed for
manufacturing the container 100 include, but are not limited to,
thermoforming, blow molding, injection molding, and combinations
thereof.
[0021] FIG. 1 depicts the container 100 as substantially square
with rounded corners. However, the container 100 may have other
shapes, such as rectangular, circular, or elliptical. The container
100 comprises a base 102 and a cover 104, as shown in FIG. 1. The
cover 104 engages with the base 102 to define a storage volume. The
storage volume can be used to store food items and other
articles.
[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates an isometric view of the base 102 of the
container 100 of FIG. 1. The base 102 comprises a bottom surface
202, an upright sidewall 204 extending from the bottom surface 202,
and an open top 206. The bottom surface 202 of the base 102
comprises a depression 208. In this embodiment of the invention,
the depression 208 is located near an edge of the bottom surface
202.
[0023] FIG. 3a illustrates an isometric view of the cover 104 of
the container 100 of FIG. 1. The cover 104 comprises a leash 302.
In this embodiment of the invention, one end of the leash 302 is
located on an edge of the cover 104. The leash 302 is located on
the cover 104 such that when the cover 104 is placed on the base
102, the position of the leash 302 corresponds to the location of
the depression 208 on the bottom surface 202. The other end of the
leash 302, which is farthest from the point of coupling of the
leash 302 and the cover 104, comprises a protrusion 304 as seen
from the underside of the leash 302 (not visible in FIG. 3a). The
shape of the leash 302 shown in FIG. 3a is substantially
rectangular. However, the leash 302 can have any other suitable
shape. For example, the leash 302 may be wing-shaped or elliptical.
The leash may also be configured as a string or tape.
[0024] FIG. 3b illustrates an isometric view of a cover 306, in
accordance with another embodiment of the invention. The cover 306
comprises a first leash 308 and a second leash 310. In other
embodiments of the invention, the cover 306 may have any number of
leashes as appropriate. In such embodiments, a base corresponding
to the cover 306 will have an equal number of depressions at
corresponding locations on its bottom surface.
[0025] In an embodiment of the present invention, a leash may be
manufactured as an integral part of a cover. In another embodiment,
the leash may be manufactured independently as a separate component
and then be fixedly coupled to the cover at one end, using
techniques such as, adhesive bonding, thermo-bonding, riveting,
plastic welding, heat-staking, or ultrasonic bonding. In yet
another embodiment, the leash may be manufactured as a separate
component and then be removably coupled to the cover at one end in
a friction-fit or a snap-fit arrangement. In such arrangements, a
user is able to detach and attach the leash to the cover, as
desired. Further, these arrangements help in convenient stacking of
leashes separate from their covers.
[0026] In conjunction with FIGS. 1 through 3a, when the cover 104
is engaged with the open top 206 of the base 102, the protrusion
304 of the leash 302 can be releasably engaged with the depression
208 of the base 102 to improve and secure the engagement between
the cover 104 and the base 102. The leash 302 can be engaged with
and released from the depression 208 by applying force. The leash
302 is flexible enough to allow the protrusion 304 on the leash 302
to bend and engage with the depression 208 located on the bottom
surface 202 of the base 102. Examples of the suitable plastic
material include, but are not limited to, polystyrene, Crystalline
Polyethylene Terephthalate (CPET), Amorphous Polyethylene
Terephthalate (APET), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), High Density
Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polycarbonate (PC),
and foamed polypropylene
[0027] The protrusion 304 and the depression 208 are about the same
size and configuration to provide for a strong and releasably
locking engagement. In an embodiment of the invention, the
protrusion 304 and the depression 208 are engaged with each other
in either a friction-fit or a snap-fit arrangement as illustrated
in conjunction with FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 described later.
[0028] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a cover 400 of a container,
in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The
cover 400 comprises a leash 402 and a protrusion 404. According to
this embodiment, the leash 402 comprises a living hinge 406,
preferably near the point of coupling of the cover 400 and the
leash 402, as shown in FIG. 4. The living hinge 406 is provided for
easy bending of the leash 402 and thereby, facilitating the
engagement of the protrusion 404 on the leash 402 with a
corresponding depression on the bottom surface of a base
corresponding to the cover 400. In other embodiments of the
invention, more than one living hinge may be provided on the leash
402. Further, the leash 402 may additionally comprise an overhang
tab 408 as depicted in FIG. 4. In this embodiment of the invention,
the overhang tab is located along an edge of the leash 402,
farthest from the point of coupling of the leash 402 to the cover
400. The overhang tab 408 facilitates a user to release the leash
402 engaged with the bottom surface of the base corresponding to
the cover 400, by applying a small amount of force using a
finger.
[0029] As mentioned earlier, the engagement between the protrusion
304 of the leash 302 of the cover 104 and the depression 208 of the
base 102 can have either a friction-fit or a snap-fit arrangement
as illustrated in the following FIGS. 5 and 6.
[0030] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the container 100 of
FIG. 1 depicting a friction-fit engagement between the cover 104
and the base 102 of the container 100. In this embodiment, the
friction-fit engagement between the protrusion 304 and the
depression 208 is depicted. The depression 208 is a part of a
sphere and the circular cross-section of the depression 208 is
depicted in FIG. 5. The protrusion 304 has a similar spherical
configuration to frictionally engage with the depression 208 and to
provide a secure engagement. However, in other embodiments, the
protrusion 304 and the depression 208 may have other configurations
and sizes. For example, they can be a part of a cuboid or a
trapezoid, instead of a sphere.
[0031] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the container of FIG. 1
depicting a snap-fit engagement between the cover 104 and the base
102 of the container 100. In this embodiment, the snap-fit
engagement between the protrusion 304 and the depression 208 is
depicted. The depression 208 has two parts: one part is a taper
602, and the second part is a curvature 604 that is a part of a
sphere, as shown in FIG. 6. The taper 602 can have any value
ranging from 1.degree. to 75.degree.. The protrusion 304 has a
similar configuration and size in order to be snap-fitted into the
depression 208 and to provide a releasable locking engagement
between the leash 302 and the bottom surface 202 of base 102.
[0032] FIG. 7a illustrates another aspect of the present invention.
The embodiment of the invention depicted in FIG. 7a comprises the
cover 104 and a second cover 702. As mentioned earlier, the cover
104 comprises the leash 302. The leash 302 comprises the protrusion
304, as best seen from a section of a cross-section of the leash
302 in FIG. 7b or FIG. 7c. The second cover 702 comprises a second
leash 704. The second leash 704 comprises a depression 706, as best
seen from the section of the cross-section of the second leash 704
in FIG. 7b or FIG. 7c. The protrusion 304 and the depression 706
can be engaged with each other, when it is desired to stack the
cover 104 and the second cover 702 together. The engagement helps
in stacking covers independent of their respective bases in a
convenient way and also in saving storage space. Further, the
engagement can help in avoiding misplacement of covers. In other
embodiments of the present invention, additional covers can be
engaged to the stack of covers illustrated in FIG. 7a, 7b or 7c,
wherein a depression of a third leash of a third cover engages with
the protrusion 708 (as best seen from the section of the
cross-section of the second leash 704 in FIG. 7b or FIG. 7c) of the
second leash 704 of the second cover 702, and so on for yet
additional covers. The engagement between the protrusion 304 and
the depression 706 can be either a friction-fit engagement or a
snap-fit engagement, similar to the leash-base engagements
described earlier in conjunction with the description of FIG. 5 and
FIG. 6.
[0033] FIG. 7b illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cover 104
and the second cover 702 of FIG. 7a, depicting the friction-fit
engagement between the leash 302 and the second leash 704, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The
protrusion 304 and the depression 706 are about the same size and
configuration to frictionally engage with each other, similar to
the leash-base engagement as described for FIG. 5. In this way, the
covers can be attached to and detached from each other as desired,
by applying force.
[0034] FIG. 7c illustrates a cross-sectional view of the cover 104
and the second cover 702 of FIG. 7a, depicting the snap-fit
engagement between the leash 302 and the second leash 704, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The
protrusion 304 and the depression 706 are about the same size and
configuration to snap-fit into each other, similar to the
leash-base engagement as described for FIG. 6. Any number of covers
can thus be lockably attached to each other to facilitate the
stacking of covers.
[0035] In other embodiments of the invention, when the leashes are
removably coupled to the covers, the leashes can be removed and
separately stacked. These kinds of arrangements can further help in
saving storage space.
[0036] In various embodiments of the present invention, a leash of
a cover has been shown to comprise a protrusion and a base to
comprise a depression. However, in other embodiments, the leash may
comprise a depression in place of the protrusion, and the base may
comprise a protrusion in place of the depression. The depression of
the leash can then be engaged with the protrusion of the base using
engagement techniques similar to those described earlier.
[0037] The present invention provides the required additional
security between a cover and a base of a container by providing a
leash on the cover as a releasable engagement member. The leash may
be designed in any suitable manner so as to facilitate the
attaching and detaching of the leash with the base of the container
by applying minimum force. Moreover, the covers can be stacked and
organized in a convenient way using the leashes of the covers. The
organized stack consumes less storage space in a kitchen or a
drawer, and also avoids misplacement of the covers. Further, when
the leashes are coupled to the covers in a removable arrangement,
the leashes may be separated from their covers and the covers may
be engaged with the bases in the conventional way. Further, when
additional security between the base and the cover is required, the
leash of the cover may again be attached to the cover and be
engaged with the base of the container. Also, the removable leashes
may be stacked separately when not in use.
[0038] While the invention is described herein in connection with
certain preferred embodiments; there is no intent to limit the
present invention to those embodiments. On the contrary, it is
recognized that one of ordinary skill can make various changes and
modifications to the described embodiments without departing from
the scope and spirit of the invention.
* * * * *