U.S. patent application number 12/429508 was filed with the patent office on 2010-10-28 for container and closure assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Tech II, Inc.. Invention is credited to David A. Shiffer.
Application Number | 20100270306 12/429508 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42991214 |
Filed Date | 2010-10-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100270306 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shiffer; David A. |
October 28, 2010 |
CONTAINER AND CLOSURE ASSEMBLY
Abstract
A container and closure assembly includes a container defining
an opening and having a lip positioned around the opening. The
assembly also includes a closure configured to be attached to the
container. The closure includes a top portion defining a circular
periphery, and a first skirt portion extending downwardly from the
circular periphery to form a cylindrical structure defining a first
internal closure space. The closure also includes a second skirt
portion extending downwardly from a first part of the cylindrical
structure. The second skirt portion has a first side edge and a
second side edge that form a gap. A tab extends downwardly from a
second part of the cylindrical structure and is positioned in the
gap. A first vertex segment is attached to the second skirt
portion, and a second vertex segment is attached to the tab.
Inventors: |
Shiffer; David A.; (Irwin,
OH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MAGINOT, MOORE & BECK, LLP;CHASE TOWER
111 MONUMENT CIRCLE, SUITE 3250
INDIANAPOLIS
IN
46204
US
|
Assignee: |
Tech II, Inc.
Springfield
OH
|
Family ID: |
42991214 |
Appl. No.: |
12/429508 |
Filed: |
April 24, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/315 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2205/02 20130101;
B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D 81/3453
20130101; B65D 2543/00564 20130101; B65D 2581/3428 20130101; B65D
43/0256 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/315 |
International
Class: |
B65D 45/00 20060101
B65D045/00 |
Claims
1. A container and closure assembly, comprising: a container
defining an opening and having a lip positioned around said
opening, said lip defining a top surface, a bottom surface, and an
outer surface therebetween; and a closure configured to be attached
to said container, said closure including: a top portion defining a
circular periphery, a first skirt portion extending downwardly from
said circular periphery to form a cylindrical structure defining a
first internal closure space, a second skirt portion extending
downwardly from a first part of said cylindrical structure, said
second skirt portion having a first side edge and a second side
edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap, a tab
extending downwardly from a second part of said cylindrical
structure and positioned in said gap, a first vertex segment
attached to said second skirt portion, a second vertex segment
attached to said tab, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs each
being (i) positioned at least partially in said first internal
closure space, and (ii) attached to both said top portion and said
cylindrical structure, wherein, when said closure is secured to
said container, (i) said top surface of said lip is positioned in
contact with said plurality of spaced apart ribs, (ii) said bottom
surface of said lip is positioned in contact with both said first
vertex segment and said second vertex segment, and (iii) said outer
surface of said lip is positioned in contact with said second skirt
portion.
2. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein: said
plurality of spaced apart ribs includes a first rib and a second
rib, said first rib has a first surface that defines a first plane
P1, said second rib has a second surface that defines a second
plane P2, and said tab is located completely between said first
plane P1 and said second plane P2.
3. The container and closure assembly of claim 2, wherein: a first
slit is defined between said first edge of said second skirt
portion and said tab, a second slit is defined between said second
edge of said second skirt portion and said tab, said first slit is
located between said first plane P1 and said second plane P2, and
said second slit is located between said first plane P1 and said
second plane P2.
4. The container and closure assembly of claim 3, wherein said
second vertex segment extends from said first slit to said second
slit.
5. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein: said
first vertex segment extends for a first distance D1, said second
vertex segment extends for a second distance D2, and said first
distance D1 is approximately equal to said second distance D2.
6. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein: said
plurality of spaced apart ribs define a plurality of bottom rib
edges that contact said top surface of said lip when said closure
is secured to said container, said plurality of bottom rib edges
defines a plane P, a first slit is defined between said first edge
of said second skirt portion and said tab, a second slit is defined
between said second edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,
said first slit defines a first closed slit end, said second slit
defines a second closed slit end, and both said first closed slit
end and said second closed slit end lie within said plane P.
7. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein said
plurality of spaced apart ribs are equally spaced apart along said
cylindrical structure.
8. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein said
plurality of spaced apart ribs are located completely within said
first internal closure space.
9. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein: said
second skirt portion and said tab lie within an annular space, said
annular space encircles a second internal closure space, and both
said first vertex segment and said second vertex segment are
located within said second internal closure space.
10. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein: a first
slit is defined between said first edge of said second skirt
portion and said tab, a second slit is defined between said second
edge of said second skirt portion and said tab, said tab includes a
bottom tab portion that defines a first ridge extending from said
first slit to said second slit, and said second skirt portion
includes a bottom skirt portion that defines a second ridge
extending from said first side edge to said second side edge.
11. A closure, comprising: a top portion defining a circular
periphery; a first skirt portion extending downwardly from said
circular periphery to form a cylindrical structure defining a first
internal closure space; a second skirt portion extending downwardly
from a first part of said cylindrical structure, said second skirt
portion having a first side edge and a second side edge that are
spaced apart from each other to form a gap; a tab extending
downwardly from a second part of said cylindrical structure and
positioned in said gap; a first vertex segment attached to said
second skirt portion; a second vertex segment attached to said tab;
and a plurality of spaced apart ribs each being (i) positioned at
least partially in said first internal closure space, and (ii)
attached to both said top portion and said cylindrical
structure.
12. The closure of claim 11, wherein: said plurality of spaced
apart ribs includes a first rib and a second rib, said first rib
has a first surface that defines a first plane P1, said second rib
has a second surface that defines a second plane P2, and said tab
is located completely between said first plane P1 and said second
plane P2.
13. The closure of claim 12, wherein: a first slit is defined
between said first edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,
a second slit is defined between said second edge of said second
skirt portion and said tab, said first slit is located between said
first plane P1 and said second plane P2, and said second slit is
located between said first plane P1 and said second plane P2.
14. The closure of claim 13, wherein said second vertex segment
extends from said first slit to said second slit.
15. The closure of claim 11, wherein: said first vertex segment
extends for a first distance D1, said second vertex segment extends
for a second distance D2, and said first distance D1 is
approximately equal to said second distance D2.
16. The closure of claim 11, wherein: said plurality of spaced
apart ribs define a plurality of bottom rib edges, said plurality
of bottom rib edges defines a plane P, a first slit is defined
between said first edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,
a second slit is defined between said second edge of said second
skirt portion and said tab, said first slit defines a first closed
slit end, said second slit defines a second closed slit end, and
both said first closed slit end and said second closed slit end lie
within said plane P.
17. The closure of claim 11, wherein said plurality of spaced apart
ribs are equally spaced apart along said cylindrical structure.
18. The closure of claim 11, wherein said plurality of spaced apart
ribs are located completely within said first internal closure
space.
19. The closure of claim 11, wherein: said second skirt portion and
said tab lie within an annular space, said annular space encircles
a second internal closure space, and both said first vertex segment
and said second vertex segment are located within said second
internal closure space.
20. The closure of claim 11, wherein: a first slit is defined
between said first edge of said second skirt portion and said tab,
a second slit is defined between said second edge of said second
skirt portion and said tab, said tab includes a bottom tab portion
that defines a first ridge extending from said first slit to said
second slit, and said second skirt portion includes a bottom skirt
portion that defines a second ridge extending from said first side
edge to said second side edge.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure generally relates to assemblies that
include a container and a removable closure associated therewith.
More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a closure
having a tab, which is configured to facilitate removal of the
closure from an associated container.
BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART
[0002] Container assemblies are useful for storing products
therein. In particular, container assemblies may be used to store
prepared food products, such as soups, pastas, and other
foodstuffs. Container assemblies may include a container and a
removable a closure. The container includes a removable top portion
that may be separated from the rest of the container to expose the
contents therein. In use, the container holds a quantity of dry,
liquid, or semi-liquid product, such as foodstuffs, therein. The
container may have a generally cylindrical shape and a generally
flat bottom. The cylindrical portion of the container defines a
cavity suitable to contain the product. The flat bottom stabilizes
the container when the container is placed on a flat surface, such
as a table. Users may withdraw the product within the container
through an opening in the top of the container. Some containers are
made of materials that may be placed in a microwave oven, enabling
users to heat the product within the container easily and
quickly.
[0003] The container may further include a lip that defines the
opening in the top of the container after the removable top portion
is separated from the lip. The lip may be part of a separate
structure that is attached to the generally cylindrical wall of the
container, or alternatively may be formed integral with the
cylindrical wall. The lip may cooperate with the closure to ensure
the closure remains secured to the container.
[0004] The removable top portion closes the opening in the top of
the container to prevent the product within the container from
spilling and/or leaking from the container through the opening.
Additionally, the removable top portion may form an air and liquid
impervious seal that preserves the freshness of a food product
stored within the container. When closing the opening of the
container, the removable top portion is connected to the lip. The
removable top portion may include a pull tab or other similar
device to assist a user in detaching the removable top portion from
the rest of the container. Once the removable top portion has been
detached from the container, it may not be reattached thereto.
[0005] The closure is configured to be removably connected to the
container. In particular, before use, the closure fits over the lip
and the removable top portion. Additionally, after the top portion
has been removed from the rest of the container, the closure may be
coupled to the container to prevent some of the food product within
the container from splattering out of the container while the food
product is being heated in a microwave oven.
[0006] The closure may define a space into which the lip of the
container is fitted when the closure is connected to the container
to ensure the closure remains coupled to the container. Removal of
the closure from the container does not require a separate tool;
however, removal of the closure from the container may be
relatively difficult since the closure may need to be temporarily
distorted and forced over the lip.
[0007] In order to securely engage the container, but be readily
removable therefrom, some closures incorporate movable locking
portions to facilitate removal of the closure from the container.
When in a first position the movable locking portions block removal
of the closure from the associated container; however, when moved
to a second position the locking portions allow removal of the
closure from the container. Such closures, nonetheless, may still
be difficult to remove from a container because the locking
portions may require use of a relatively large removal force or may
be inconveniently situated. Additionally, known locking portions
that do not require the use of a large removal force tend to only
lightly engage the container and may easily become undesirably
separated from the container.
[0008] What is needed, therefore, is an improved container
assembly. What is further needed is a closure that securely
attaches to an associated container when coupled to the container,
yet is readily removable therefrom.
SUMMARY
[0009] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a
container and closure assembly is provided. A container and closure
assembly includes a container defining an opening and having a lip
positioned around the opening. The lip defines a top surface, a
bottom surface, and an outer surface therebetween. The container
and closure assembly also includes a closure configured to be
attached to the container. The closure includes a top portion
defining a circular periphery, and a first skirt portion extending
downwardly from the circular periphery to form a cylindrical
structure defining a first internal closure space. The closure also
includes a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first
part of the cylindrical structure. The second skirt portion has a
first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from
each other to form a gap. The closure also includes a tab extending
downwardly from a second part of the cylindrical structure and
positioned in the gap. The closure further includes a first vertex
segment attached to the second skirt portion, a second vertex
segment attached to the tab, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs.
The plurality of spaced apart ribs are positioned at least
partially in the first internal closure space, and are attached to
both the top portion and the cylindrical structure. When the
closure is secured to the container, the top surface of the lip is
positioned in contact with the plurality of spaced apart ribs, the
bottom surface of the lip is positioned in contact with both the
first vertex segment and the second vertex segment, and the outer
surface of the lip is positioned in contact with the second skirt
portion.
[0010] According to yet another embodiment of the present
disclosure, a closure is provided. The closure includes a top
portion defining a circular periphery, and a first skirt portion
extending downwardly from the circular periphery to form a
cylindrical structure defining a first internal closure space. The
closure further includes a second skirt portion extending
downwardly from a first part of the cylindrical structure. The
second skirt portion includes a first side edge and a second side
edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap. The
closure further includes a tab extending downwardly from a second
part of the cylindrical structure and positioned in the gap. The
closure still further includes a first vertex segment attached to
the second skirt portion, a second vertex segment attached to the
tab, and a plurality of spaced apart ribs. The plurality of spaced
apart ribs are each positioned at least partially in the first
internal closure space and are attached to both the top portion and
the cylindrical structure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Features of the present invention will become apparent to
those skilled in the art from the following description with
reference to the drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container and closure
assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the container and
closure assembly of FIG. 1 taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 4;
[0014] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional view of
the container and closure assembly of FIG. 1;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the closure of the
container and closure assembly of FIG. 1;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the container and
closure assembly of FIG. 1 taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the
closure of the container and closure assembly of FIG. 1; and
[0018] FIG. 7 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the
closure of the container and closure assembly of FIG. 1, however,
showing an alternative shape of the top portions of the slits 126,
130.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] According to the present disclosure and referring now to
FIG. 1, a container and closure assembly 10 is shown. The container
and closure assembly 10 includes a container 14 and a closure 18.
The container 14 holds a quantity of dry, liquid, and/or
semi-liquid product. In particular, the container 14 may be used to
contain a food product for human consumption. Accordingly, the
container 14 may be made from materials that are conventionally
used for the storage and after-purchase heating of food products.
Specifically, the container 14 may be made from materials that
enable a user to heat the food product stored within the container
14 by placing the container 14 in a microwave oven, as described
below.
[0020] As shown in FIG. 2, the container 14 includes a body 22 and
a lip 26. The body 22 may have any shape that is suitable to
contain a food product. For instance, the body 22 may have an
approximately cylindrical, elliptical, rectangular, or other
polygonal shape. The bottom of the body 22 is closed to contain the
food product therein; however, an upper end 34 of the body 22
defines an opening 30 through which a product contained within the
container 14 may be withdrawn.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 3, the lip 26 includes surfaces that
cooperate with the closure 18 to secure the closure 18 to the
container 14. The lip 26 is connected to the upper end 34 of the
body 22, and is positioned completely around the opening 30. The
lip 26 may be separately made and connected to the body 22. For
instance, the lip 26 may be a metallic component that is coupled to
a polymeric body 22 as is conventional in the art of containers of
this type. Alternatively, the lip 26 may be integrally formed with
the body 22 by a thermoplastic molding process so that both the lip
26 and the body 22 collectively define a single polymeric
component.
[0022] The lip 26 defines a top surface 38 and a bottom surface 42.
The lip 26 further defines an outer surface 46 positioned between
the top surface 38 and the bottom surface 42. Each of the top
surface 38, the bottom surface 42, and the outer surface 46 are
configured to interface with a portion of the closure 18 when the
closure 18 is coupled to the container 14. Depending on the shape
of the lip 26 a distinct separation between the top surface 38,
bottom surface 42, and outer surface 46 may not be readily
discernable. For instance, the lip 26 may have a largely rounded
shape without sharp corners to define the surfaces. Accordingly,
the top surface 38, bottom surface 42, and outer surface 46 refer
to the top, bottom, and outer portions of the lip 26 regardless of
whether the surfaces are clearly defined.
[0023] A top portion (not illustrated) of the container 14 may be
removably connected to the lip 26 of the container 14. The top
portion may cover the opening 30 and provide an air-tight seal for
the container 14. Accordingly, food products may be stored in the
container 14 for a substantial period of time without spoiling. A
circular score line (not shown) may be defined in the top of the
container to facilitate separation of the top portion from the lip
so as to allow easy opening and access to the contained food
product without the need for an additional tool such as a can
opener. Additionally, the top portion may include a pull tab (not
shown) to facilitate separation of the top portion from the rest of
the container 14.
[0024] The closure 18 of the container and closure assembly 10 may
be detached from the container 14 to expose the top portion of the
container. After the closure 18 is detached from the container 14,
the top portion may be separated from the rest of the container 14
to create the opening 30 through which a food product may be
withdrawn from the container 14. Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 1,
the closure 18 may be reattached to the container 14. Then, the
container and closure assembly 10 (now without its container top
portion) may be placed in a microwave oven for heating of the food
product contained in the container 14.
[0025] The closure 18 may be made from materials conventionally
used for the storage and after-purchase heating of food products.
Exemplary, materials for making the closure 18 include, but are not
limited to, polypropylene ("PP") and other injection moldable
thermoplastics. Specifically, the closure 18 may be made from
nucleated PP having a density of approximately 0.800 to 1.00 grams
per cubic centimeter and a melt index of approximately 50 to 170
grams per 10 minutes.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the closure 18 includes a top portion
50, a skirt portion 54, and a skirt portion 58. The top portion 50
defines a periphery of the closure 18. In particular, the top
portion 50 may define a circular periphery 62; however, the top
portion 50 may define a periphery of any shape as required by the
shape of the opening 30. The top portion 50 may have a diameter
between approximately 9.0 to 12.0 centimeters and may be formed of
a material having a thickness of approximately 0.20 to 0.60
millimeters. Additionally, the top portion 50 may include a
plurality of vent holes 66 to allow steam to pass through closure
18.
[0027] Referring to FIGS. 1-3, the skirt portion 54 extends
downward from the circular periphery 62 of the top portion 50 to
form a cylindrical structure 70 defining an internal closure space
74. The skirt portion 54 may extend downward from the circular
periphery 62 approximately 0.30 to 0.70 centimeters. The skirt
portion 54 may have a thickness of approximately 0.4 to 0.8
millimeters.
[0028] Referring now to FIG. 1, the skirt portion 58 extends
downward from a part 78 of the cylindrical structure 70. In
particular, the skirt portion 58 may extend downward from the part
78 of the cylindrical structure 70 approximately 0.7 to 1.2
centimeters. The skirt portion 58 includes a side edge 82 and a
side edge 86 that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap
90. As shown most clearly in FIG. 5, the skirt portion 58 may also
include a bottom skirt portion 94 that defines a skirt ridge 98.
The skirt ridge 98 extends from the side edge 82 to the side edge
86. Additionally, when the closure 18 is secured to the container
14 the skirt portion 58 contacts the outer surface 46 of the lip
26.
[0029] The closure 18 further includes a plurality of spaced apart
ribs 102 that increase the rigidity of the closure 18. The ribs 102
are positioned at least partially in the first internal closure
space 74 and are attached to both the top portion 50 and the
cylindrical structure 70. The ribs 102 may be located completely
within the first internal closure space 74 as shown in FIG. 2. The
ribs 102 extend from the top portion 50 a distance approximately
equal to the distance the skirt portion 54 extends from the
circular periphery 62. As shown in FIG. 4, the ribs 102 have a
width W that is between approximately 3.0 to 10.0 millimeters.
Additionally, the ribs 102 may be approximately equally spaced
apart along the cylindrical structure 70 as shown in FIG. 4.
[0030] When the closure 18 is coupled to the container 14, the ribs
102 are configured to become seated upon the lip 26, as shown in
FIG. 5. In particular, the ribs 102 define a plurality of bottom
rib edges 106 configured to contact the top surface 38 of the lip
26 when the closure 18 is secured to the container 14.
Additionally, the bottom rib edges 106 define a plane P. The plane
P forms a boundary between the skirt portion 54 and the skirt
portion 58. In particular, the skirt portion 54 is located above
the plane P, and the skirt portion 58 is located below the plane
P.
[0031] Referring again to FIG. 1, the closure 18 includes a tab 110
that may be moved or pivoted from a default or relaxed position
(see FIG. 3--solid lines) to an unrelaxed position (see FIG.
3--phantom lines). When the tab 110 is located in the unrelaxed
position, the closure 18 is unlocked from the container 14 and may
be easily removed therefrom. On the other hand, when the tab 110 is
located in its relaxed position, the closure 18 is locked to (or
positively engaged with) the container 14.
[0032] The tab 110 extends downward from a part 114 of the
cylindrical structure 70 (see, e.g., FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 4,
the tab 110 is positioned in a gap 90 defined by a rib 118 and a
rib 122. In particular, the rib 118 has a surface that defines a
plane P1. Likewise, the rib 122 has a surface that defines a plane
P2. The tab 110 is located completely between the plane P1 and the
plane P2 to enable the tab 110 to move easily from its relaxed
position (solid in FIG. 3) to its unrelaxed position (phantom in
FIG. 3). Additionally, the tab 110 defines a width that extends
from the side edge 82 to the side edge 86. The width of the tab 110
is approximately 1.0 to 3.0 centimeters.
[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, the closure 18 defines a
slit 126 and a slit 130 that forms the tab 110. The slits 126, 130
separate the tab 110 from the skirt portion 58. The slit 126 is
defined between the side edge 82 of the skirt portion 58 and the
tab 110. Likewise, the slit 130 is defined between the side edge 86
of the skirt portion 58 and the tab 110. Additionally, the position
of the slits 126, 130 is also defined in relation to the plane P1
and the plane P2. In particular, the slit 126 may be located
between the plane P1 and the plane P2. Likewise, the slit 130 is
located between the plane P1 and the plane P2.
[0034] The slit 126 and the slit 130 each extends from the bottom
to the top of the skirt portion 58. The slits 126, 130 do not
extend into the first skirt portion 54. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7,
the slit 126 defines a closed slit end 134 and the slit 130 defines
a closed slit end 138. Both the closed slit end 134 and the closed
slit end 138 lie within the plane P. Note that the closed slit end
134 and the closed slit end 138 do not extend into the skirt
portion 54. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, the closed slit end
134' and the closed slit end 138' may have a rounded or radiused
shape.
[0035] The process used to form the slits 126, 130 may depend on
the process used to form the closure 18. For instance, if the
closure 18 is formed utilizing an injection molding machine, the
slits 126, 130 may be formed by a pair of contact points between
first and second mold components of the injection molding machine.
The contact points are points of physical contact between the first
and second mold components that define two regions in which molten
plastic cannot infiltrate, thereby creating a pair of voids in the
closure 18 corresponding to the slits 126, 130. Alternatively, the
slits 126, 130 may be cut into the closure 18 after the rest of the
closure 18 is formed. For example, a heated cutting instrument or a
traditional cutting instrument may be used to cut the slits 126,
130 into the closure 18.
[0036] As shown in FIG. 3, the tab 110 may include a bottom tab
portion 142 which defines a tab ridge 146. The tab ridge 146 may
frictionally engage a user's finger to enable the tab 110 to be
easily pivoted from the relaxed position (solid lines) to the
unrelaxed position (phantom lines). The tab ridge 146 may extend
from the slit 126 to the slit 130 as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.
[0037] The closure 18 further includes at least two detents
provided as protrusions, protuberances, or vertex segments 150, 154
configured to secure the closure 18 to the container 14. The vertex
segment 150 is attached to the skirt portion 58 (see FIGS. 2 and
4). The vertex segment 154, as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 6, and 7, is
attached to the tab 110. When the closure 18 is coupled to the
container 14, the vertex segments 150, 154 engage the lip 26 to
secure the closure 18 to the container 14. To remove the closure 18
from the container 14, the tab 110 is moved to the unrelaxed
position (as shown in phantom in FIG. 3) so that the vertex segment
154 is disengaged from the lip 26 thereby permitting the closure 18
to be easily removed from the container 14.
[0038] The vertex segment 150 has a length that extends for a
distance at least partially around the skirt portion 58. In
particular, the vertex segment 150 extends for a distance D1 as
shown in FIG. 4. Similarly, the vertex segment 154 has a length
that extends for a distance at least partially around the tab 110.
In particular, the vertex segment 154 extends for a distance D2 as
shown in FIG. 4. For example, the vertex segment 154 may extend
from the slit 126 to the slit 130. The distance D1 is approximately
equal to the distance D2.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 2, the vertex segments 150, 154 secure the
closure 18 to the container 14 by overlapping with the lip 26. In
particular, when the closure 18 is secured to the container 14 the
bottom surface 42 of the lip 26 is positioned in contact with the
vertex segments 150, 154. To this end, the vertex segments 150, 154
include an approximately flat upper surface 158, 162 configured to
extend below the bottom surface 42 of the lip 26 when the closure
18 is coupled to the container 14. The flat surfaces 158, 162 may
overlap the bottom surface 42 of the lip 26 between approximately
0.8 to 1.5 millimeters. A greater amount of overlap between the
flat surfaces 158, 162 and the bottom surface 42 of the lip 26 may
result in a closure 18 that is more securely coupled to the
container 14. For instance, when the tab 110 is in its relaxed
position (solid in FIG. 3), the flat surface 158 and the flat
surface 162 are configured to abut the bottom surface 42 of the lip
26. Accordingly, the flat surfaces 158, 162 prevent the closure 18
from being removed from the container 14 when the tab 110 is in the
relaxed position. As mentioned above, however, the tab 110 may be
moved to its unrelaxed position (phantom in FIG. 3) in which flat
surface 162 is spaced apart from the upper end 34 of the container
14 and does not overlap the bottom surface 42 of the lip 26. When
the tab 110 is in its unrelaxed position, the flat surface 162 is
spaced apart from the lip 26 thereby permitting the closure 18 to
be easily removed from the container 14.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the position of the vertex
segments 150, 154 may be defined in relation to an internal closure
space 166. In particular, the skirt portion 58 and the tab 110 lies
in an annular space 170. The annular space 170 encircles the
internal closure space 166. Both the vertex segment 150 and the
vertex segment 154 are located in the internal closure space
166.
[0041] In operation, the container and closure assembly 10 may be
used to contain a food product contained therein. Typically, a user
prepares the food product stored within the container 14 for
consumption by first removing the closure 18 from the container 14.
To remove the closure 18 from the container 14 the user grasps the
tab 110 and moves it from its relaxed position to its unrelaxed
position in the direction of arrow A shown in FIG. 3. While holding
the tab 110 in its unrelaxed position, the user applies an upward
force to the closure 18 in the direction of arrow B shown in FIG. 2
to lift the vertex segment 154 away from the lip 26. Once vertex
segment 154 has been lifted away from the lip, the closure 18 may
be easily removed from the container 14. Thereafter, pressure on
the tab 110 may be relaxed so that the tab 110 returns to its
relaxed state.
[0042] After removing the closure 18 from the container 14, a user
may separate the top portion from the rest of the container 14. The
top portion is separated by grasping a pull tab connected to the
top portion, and pulling the pull tab away from the container 14 as
is known in the art. Separation of the top portion from the
container 14 creates the opening 30 through which the food product
may be withdrawn from the container.
[0043] If the user desires to heat the food product stored in the
container 14, the user reattaches to the closure 18 to the
container 14 after removing the top portion. To reattach the
closure 18 to the container 14, a user places the closure 18 on top
of the container 14 such that the internal closure space 166
surrounds the upper portion of the container 14. Next, the user
applies a downward force to the top portion 50 in the direction of
arrow C shown in FIG. 2 thereby causing the vertex segments 150,
154 to engage the lip 26 of the container 14 as described above.
The downward force may also be applied to the circular periphery 62
until the upper surface 38 of the lip 26 is seated upon the bottom
rib edges 106.
[0044] Once the closure 18 has been reattached to the container 14,
the container and closure assembly 10 may be placed in a microwave
oven to heat the food product contained in the container 14. The
vertex segments 150, 154 ensure that the closure 18 remains
securely coupled to the closure assembly 10 during the heating
process. Additionally, the top portion 50 of the closure 18
prevents the food product from boiling over or spattering as the
microwave oven heats the food product. Additionally, the vent holes
66 permit steam to advance out of the container and closure
assembly 10. After the microwave oven has heated the food product
to the desired temperature, the closure 18 may be removed from the
container 14 as described above.
[0045] Variations and modifications of the present invention as
described above are possible; however, all variations and
modifications which are obvious to those skilled in the art to
which the present invention pertains are considered to be within
the scope of the protection granted by this Letters Patent.
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