U.S. patent application number 13/139888 was filed with the patent office on 2012-01-05 for lid part for a container.
This patent application is currently assigned to N.V. NUTRICIA. Invention is credited to Merijn Dols, John Boyet Stevens.
Application Number | 20120000925 13/139888 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40756570 |
Filed Date | 2012-01-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120000925 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dols; Merijn ; et
al. |
January 5, 2012 |
LID PART FOR A CONTAINER
Abstract
A lid part for a container, the lid part is substantially made
from a thermoplastic material and includes a connection portion for
connection to a rim of a container part and a lid which is
pivotably connected to the connection portion. The connection
portion includes an access opening and a circumferential first
flange surrounding the access opening, the lid including a
circumferential lid flange extending towards the connection
portion, perimeters of the lid flange and of first flange mutually
adapted to allow the lid to close in a sealing manner on the first
flange of the connection portion, and an area of the access opening
is at least about 50 cm.sup.2.
Inventors: |
Dols; Merijn; (Den Haag,
NL) ; Stevens; John Boyet; (Mason, OH) |
Assignee: |
N.V. NUTRICIA
Zoetermeer
NL
|
Family ID: |
40756570 |
Appl. No.: |
13/139888 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
December 15, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/NL2009/050766 |
371 Date: |
September 8, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/810 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00796
20130101; B65D 2543/00537 20130101; B65D 2543/00435 20130101; B65D
51/246 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D 2401/25 20200501;
B65D 2543/00027 20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/00759
20130101; B65D 2543/00685 20130101; B65D 43/169 20130101; B65D
2543/00648 20130101; B65D 2543/00148 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/810 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/04 20060101
B65D051/04 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 15, 2008 |
NL |
PCT/NL2008/050800 |
Claims
1. A lid part for a container, said lid part substantially made
from a thermoplastic material and comprising a connection portion
for connection to a rim of a container part and a lid which is
pivotably connected to said connection portion, said connection
portion comprising an access opening and a circumferential first
flange surrounding said access opening, said lid comprising a
circumferential lid flange extending towards said connection
portion, perimeters of said lid flange and of first flange mutually
adapted to allow said lid to close in a sealing manner on said
first flange of said connection portion, and an area of said access
opening is at least about 50 cm.sup.2.
2. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein said circumferential
first flange has a first perimeter near said connection portion and
a second perimeter near the rim of said flange at an end of said
flange away from said connection portion, said second perimeter of
circumferential first flange is larger than its first perimeter,
and said lid has a first internal perimeter near said lid and a
second internal perimeter near the rim of said lid flange, said
second, internal perimeter of said lid is smaller than said first
perimeter near the rim of said lid flange, said perimeters of said
lid flange and of first flange mutually adapted to allow said lid
to close in a sealing manner on said first flange of said
connection portion with its lid flange surrounding said first
flange.
3. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein said area is at least
about 75 cm.sup.2.
4. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein said area is less
than about 200 cm.sup.2.
5. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein said first flange
bounds said access opening.
6. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein said first flange
fans or flares out away from said access opening, thus increasing a
perimeter of said first flange.
7. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein said circumferential
first flange circumferentially at its outer periphery thickens near
or at said rim of said first flange.
8. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein said second internal
perimeter of said lid flange is about 2-7% smaller than said first
perimeter of said connection portion.
9. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein said access opening
is substantially round or substantially elliptic.
10. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein an area of said
access opening is at least 50% of the area of the connection
portion.
11. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein an inner diameter of
the access opening is about 9-13 cm, in an embodiment a diameter of
the connection portion is about 10-13 cm.
12. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein said lid flange is
of a thermoplastic material allowing its perimeters to expand when
placing said lid on said first flange, and wherein said first and
second perimeter of said lid flange, if said lid is not closing
said opening, is smaller than the perimeters of said first
flange.
13. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of
said first flange in view of its thermoplastic material is selected
to provide a stiff flange.
14. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein said lid part is
made of a thermoplastic polymer selected from the group consisting
of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).
15. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein said lid is of a
thermoplastic material having an elasticity such that it allows
hermetic sealing of said lid on said flange of said connection
portion via said lid flange and said first flange.
16. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein said connection
portion comprises a wall provided with said access opening, and
said first flange extends from said wall, said wall and said lid
when closing said access opening provide closure for a top of said
container part.
17. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein said connection
portion comprises a circumferential rim which has a circumferential
groove for receiving said rim of said container part.
18. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein said connection
portion comprises stacking cams.
19. The lid part according to claim 18, wherein a circumscribed
area of said circumferential rim is larger than the area of the
access opening.
20. The lid part according to claim 1, wherein said circumferential
first flange has a first perimeter near said connection portion and
a second perimeter near the rim of said flange at an end of said
flange away from said connection portion, said second perimeter of
circumferential first flange is smaller than its first perimeter,
and said lid has a first internal perimeter near said lid and a
second internal perimeter near the rim of said lid flange, said
second, internal perimeter of said lid is larger than said first
perimeter near the rim of said lid flange, said perimeters of said
lid flange and of first flange mutually adapted to allow said lid
to close in a sealing manner on said first flange of said
connection portion with said first flange surrounding said lid
flange.
21. A container comprising the lid part of claim 1 and a container
part, wherein said container part comprises a bottom and connected
to said bottom a circumferential container wall ending in a rim for
receiving said lid part.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to a lid part for a
container.
[0002] WO2007/142522 from the current applicant discloses a such a
lid part. In the container assembly disclosed in that application,
a container part has a circumferential wall which can be made
substantially from cardboard coated with a material for sealing the
circumferential wall from the contents of the container, and a lid
part attached to a rim of the container part. Applicant uses the
container for baby food powder milk. The lid part has a connection
portion and a lid which is hingedly or pivotably coupled to the
connection portion. The lid rests on the connection portion. The
closing of the lid on the connection portion can be improved.
[0003] WO2008/034172 discloses a resealable flexible container lid
with pivotable second portion. The second portion closes around a
rim surrounding an opening of the container. The disclosure calls
it "hoop tension". The rim forms an integrally formed part of the
container wall. The second portion should pivot around, or flip up
with respect to, a first portion connected to the lid. This may
require an almost rubbery behaviour. This construction puts a
burden on the lid, in particular when frequent opening and closing
is required whilst maintaining a good sealing. Furthermore, the lid
is not coupled to a further part via a hinge.
[0004] EP-1.625.948 discloses a packaging for liquid paint which
has a plastic wall with an integrally formed peripheral flange. It
has a plastic lid having a wall with groove for receiving the
flange and an inward circumferential ledge locking under said
peripheral flange, providing a snap-action. The lid is not
pivotably connected to the rest of the packaging.
[0005] JP-2004-001815 discloses a plastic container having a
separate lid. The disclosed embodiments have several interlocking
rims and circumferential projections and corresponding recesses
which make these lids too cumbersome to open in daily use.
[0006] JP-2006-282199 discloses a container for powdered milk, for
instance. The container has a separate lid. This lid has a second,
circumferential, skirt attached to the outer wall of the container
and a first, circumferential, skirt connected to the lid. A
circumferential, removable, band connects the first and second
skirt. The first skirt has an inward projection hooking behind a
circumferential projection part on the outside of the container
wall.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,889,867 discloses a plastic container which
comprises a lid with a closing flap for sealingly closing the
container for preventing moisture loss, i.e. moisture leaving the
container. The lid is placed over the rest of the container and
rotated resulting in mating threads. Sealing of the lid on the rest
of the container is achieved using a ridge. The lid further has a
relatively small, circular dispensing port having a wall with slots
through which cleaning wipes can pass and leave the container. The
dispensing port has a circumferential wall for sealingly receiving
a circumferential wall of the closing flap. The lid is designed to
keep moisture inside the container. To that end, the opening is
round and is kept as small as possible.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 4,284,200 discloses a child-resistant
dispensing closing. The lid has a rim and the opening is surrounded
by a rim. Both rims have an extending lip such the lid snaps the
opening surrounding rim. The lid has an ear which is closely spaced
to a fulcrum such that a pry-means is needed to pry off the lid,
thus providing a child-resistant closure.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,761,279 discloses a package for viscous
foodstuff The package has a container and a closure fitting onto
the container. The closure as a base and a lid. The base has
specific provisions for cooperating with provisions on the
container for attaching the base to the container in such a way
that the rim of the container is left free for sealing a seal
membrane on the rim. The attachment provisions make this package
relatively complex. Furthermore, the sealing of the lid may be
improved. Furthermore, stacking these packages may jeopardize the
sealing of the lid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention aims to provide a lid part for a container
which is easy to open and close in daily use.
[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a lid part
which provides a good, preferably hermetic, sealing of a container,
preferably also after frequent daily use.
[0012] Another object of the invention is to provide a lid part
which allows a container which produces minimal amount of
waste.
[0013] According to a first aspect of the invention this is
realized with a lid part for a container, said lid part
substantially made from a thermoplastic material and comprising a
connection portion for connection to a rim of a container part and
a lid which is pivotably connected to said connection portion,
[0014] said connection portion comprising an access opening and a
circumferential first flange surrounding said access opening,
[0015] said lid comprising a circumferential lid flange extending
towards said connection portion,
[0016] perimeters of said lid flange and of first flange mutually
adapted to allow said lid to close in a sealing manner on said
first flange of said connection portion,
[0017] and an area of said access opening is at least about 50
cm2.
[0018] In one embodiment the present invention related to a
packaging for powdered infant nutrition. In such packaging, it is
important that foreign objects do not enter into the packaging and
contaminate the powder. On the other hand the packaging needs to be
opened repetitively.
[0019] Powdered baby milk formula is normally retrieved from the
container using a metering spoon. The metering spoon is often
included in the packaging. Hence, to be able to properly retrieve
powder from the container, the access opening should be as large as
possible.
[0020] All these demands seem to be difficult to bring together in
one single container. For example, the easiest way of providing a
good sealing of the contents, however, is to make the access
opening as small as possible. Additionally, a better sealing is
usually achieve with (semi-) permanent closure means.
[0021] The lid part of the invention, however, makes it possible.
The present invention provides a lid part for a container with an
access opening that is sufficiently big so that the contents (e.g.
powder) can be scoped out of the container, while having a sealing
which effectively reduces entrance of foreign objects. It was
surprisingly found that the present lid part with a big access
opening could be repetitively closed while maintaining a good
sealing.
[0022] The lid part of the current invention provides a good
sealing which prevents foreign objects from getting into a
container which it covers. And yet, the lid of the lid parts needs
to be opened and closed frequently more times a day, and provide a
good sealing after frequent use. Preferably, the sealing is
achieved in an easy way. In fact, it was found that in an
embodiment, about 2-5 N for opening force would be acceptable. For
closing force, in an embodiment a force of about 6-15 N would be
acceptable.
[0023] As the container it covers needs to be disposable, it
preferably is cheap to produce in large quantities and provide
minimal waste. Furthermore, it would be beneficial if the lid part
is easy to handle in production as well as in production of a
complete container. Additionally, a good sealing is particularly
desired if the content of the packaging is hygroscopic. A better
closure will reduce the exchange of air (with high water content)
between inside and outside the packaging, thereby reducing the
formation of lumps in hygroscopic material, e.g. baby milk powder.
Hence, the present invention is particularly useful for storage of
baby milk powder in an environment with a tropical climate.
[0024] The lid part of the invention can be used for containers
with for instance a cardboard wall, but is not limited to such a
use. Usually, such a cardboard wall is covered or coated with one
or more sealing layers for sealing contents of the container from
environmental influences. An example of such a packaging is
disclosed in WO2005075314 and WO2007142522 of applicant. For
jurisdictions in which this is meaningful, these documents are
incorporated by reference as if fully set forth in this
document.
[0025] The lid part is particularly suited is use with a container
for storing powder. In fact, it is well suited for storing
hygroscopic powder, in particular food products like baby milk. The
manual opening and closure preferably requires a very limited
effort and/or strength. Preferably, the lid can be opened manually
with one hand. This is particularly relevant for packaging of baby
milk powder, as the mother preferably is able to open and close the
pack while carrying the baby.
[0026] In order to avoid a hand coming into intense contact with
the contents, the lid is preferably provided with clamping
provisions for clamping and holding the metering spoon of scoop.
This further limits the choice of dimensions.
[0027] The dimensions of the stem of such a spoon are therefore
limited. On the other hand, this may also limit the dimensions of
the packaging container. The stem of the spoon in an embodiment is
long enough to enable a person to reach the bottom of the
container. In an embodiment, said circumferential first flange has
a first perimeter near said connection portion and a second
perimeter near the rim of said flange at an end of said flange away
from said connection portion, said second perimeter of
circumferential first flange is larger than its first perimeter,
and
[0028] said lid has a first internal perimeter near said lid and a
second internal perimeter near the rim of said lid flange, said
second, internal perimeter of said lid is smaller than said first
perimeter near the rim of said lid flange, said perimeters of said
lid flange and of first flange mutually adapted to allow said lid
to close in a sealing manner on said first flange of said
connection portion with its lid flange surrounding said first
flange. This allows easy closing and opening, especially for a
daily use. Furthermore, by sealing the lid flange around the first
flange, it is easier to free the lid part after moulding.
[0029] The first flange on the connection portion together with the
lid flange in an embodiment provide a snap locking seal. The
corresponding lid flange (seal bead on the lid) thus interlocks
with the other, first flange such that proper seal interference.
This seal interference can provide suitable seal pressure to
prevent moist air from entering or exiting the container or it may
be implemented so as to guarantee a maximum gap small enough to
prevent the entry of foreign objects in the container. These
features also allow for providing seal performance using
conventional engineering plastics and may help to avoid additional
cost of bi-injected elastomeric materials.
[0030] Further, in a embodiment the flange and lid flange, which
may also be referred to as chimney and snap bead features,
respectively, could be interchanged to affect the same mechanism
and/or two "chimney" features could be used instead. Note that the
chimney feature may have similar curvature on the inside and
outside wall, which allows it to be injection moulded such that the
feature can be stripped from the mould without special floating
cores and therefore allows for faster cooling, lower cycle time and
therefore lower cost. Further the arrangement of these seal
features allows for a robust snap seal performance for relatively
large diameter apertures
[0031] Further, the arrangement of the flanges or snap seal
features can be tuned to allow for sufficient seal performance,
suitable opening force and suitable closing force. Also, the
retention provided by the snap-seal prevents the lid from opening
partially or fully or appearing to be partially open when the
package is disturbed by external forces.
[0032] The specific curvature, angle and undercut geometry of the
flanges (chimney and seal bead features) and their assembled
interference can be tuned to vary the seal pressure, opening and
closing force as may be required.
[0033] In an embodiment, the area of the access opening is at least
about 60 cm.sup.2. This allows an even better access of a hand. In
an embodiment, the area of the access opening is at least about 75
cm.sup.2.
[0034] In an embodiment, the area of the access opening is less
than about 250 cm.sup.2. Thus, it is possible to provide an easy
access for an adult hand, and still allow the lid to be closed
sealingly in a simple action. In an embodiment, the area of the
access opening is less than about 200 cm.sup.2. These upper and
lower limits provide a good trade off between easy access for a
human hand, sufficient stiffness, a good closure, and the
possibility of providing a scoop or spoon which can be held in the
lid and reach the bottom of a container assembly.
[0035] In an embodiment of the invention, said first flange bounds
said access opening. This can further increase rigidity to the lid
part.
[0036] In an embodiment, said first flange fans or flares out away
from said access opening, thus increasing a perimeter of said first
flange.
[0037] In an embodiment, said circumferential first flange
circumferentially at its outer periphery thickens near or at said
rim of said first flange. Alternatively, or additionally, the inner
periphery of the lid flange thickens near or at said rim.
[0038] In an embodiment, said second internal perimeter of said lid
flange is about 2-7% smaller than said first perimeter of said
connection portion. Especially when made from a thermoplastic
material, it was found that this provide a good sealing, but
remained easy enough to open.
[0039] In an embodiment, said access opening is substantially round
or substantially elliptic. This will in most cases provide a
moisture-tight sealing. In some applications, even a rectangular
opening with rounded corners might be acceptable with respect to
degree of sealing. These shapes allows a good sealing. In order to
provide a moisture proof sealing for hygroscopic powders, it is
preferred if large (in view of the dimensions discussed) straight
parts are avoided in the access opening or first flange and the
lid.
[0040] In an embodiment, an area of said access opening is at least
50% of the area of the connection portion. This allows enough room
to allow a hand to pass with a scoop to retrieve the contents. On
the other hand, it allows proper sealing, and allows a suitable
scoop or spoon to be clamped inside the lid.
[0041] In an embodiment, an area of said access opening is about
60-70% of the area of the connection portion. This seems to be a
proper trade off.
[0042] In an embodiment, an inner diameter of the access opening is
at least 9-13 cm. In an embodiment a diameter of the connection
portion is at least 10-13 cm. These dimensions provide good sealing
and sufficient contents of the container
[0043] In an embodiment, said lid flange is of a thermoplastic
material allowing its perimeters to expand when placing said lid on
said first flange, and wherein said first and second perimeter of
said lid flange, if said lid is not closing said opening, is
smaller than the perimeters of said first flange.
[0044] In an embodiment, said the thickness of said first flange in
view of its thermoplastic material is selected to provide a stiff
flange.
[0045] In an embodiment, said lid part is made of a thermoplastic
polymer selected from the group consisting of polyethylene (PE) and
polypropylene (PP). These materials are easy to obtain and to
process. Furthermore, these materials provide a amount of
flexibility and elasticity which allows a good sealing and daily
use. If desired, some of the parts of the lid part may be from a
more elastic, rubbery material in a co-moulding process. A lid
flange closing around the first flange may for instance be moulded
from a more elastic polymer material, which material as such is
known in the art. Alternatively, an end part of the lid flange can
be made from a more ellastic, rubbery material. This may be
produced in a co-moulding process.
[0046] In an embodiment, said lid is of a thermoplastic material
having a elasticity such that it allows hermetic sealing of said
lid on said connection portion via said lid flange on said first
flange.
[0047] In an embodiment, said connection portion comprises a wall
provided with said access opening, and said first flange extends
from said wall, said wall and said lid when closing said access
opening provide closure for a top of said container part.
[0048] In an embodiment, said connection portion comprises a
circumferential rim which has a circumferential groove for
receiving said rim of said container part. In an embodiment, a
circumscribed area of said circumferential rim is larger than the
area of the access opening.
[0049] In an embodiment, said connection portion comprises stacking
cams. In a further embodiment, said stacking cams are provided at
positions around the first flange. These cams allow stacking of lid
parts during production of the containers, and also allow
containers to be stacked. The position of the cams prevent loads on
the lid, and forces from the side direction.
[0050] The invention further relates to a container assembly
comprising a container part with a circumferential wall and a
bottom wall, and a lid part comprising a connection portion for
connection to a rim of said circumferential wall and a lid which is
pivotably connected to said connection portion, said connection
portion comprising an upper wall provided with an access opening
which can be sealed with said lid, and said connection portion is
provided with stacking provisions which enclose said access opening
and which are complementary with stacking provisions at the bottom
of said container part.
[0051] In an alternative, the invention aims to improve the closure
of a container assembly.
[0052] According to that aspect of the invention, this is realized
with a container assembly comprising a container part with a
circumferential wall and a bottom wall, and a lid part comprising a
connection portion for connection to a rim of said circumferential
wall and a lid which is pivotably connected to said connection
portion, said connection portion comprising an upper wall provided
with an access opening which can be sealed with said lid, and said
connection portion is provided with stacking provisions which
enclose said access opening and which are complementary with
stacking provisions at the bottom of said container part.
[0053] The invention furthermore provides a lid part for a
container assembly, said lid part comprising a connection portion
for connection to a rim of a container part and a lid which is
pivotably connected to said connection portion, said connection
portion comprising a circumferential U-shaped rim for receiving an
upper edge of a side wall of a container part, wherein an inner
wall of said U-shaped rim comprises reinforcement ribs extending
beyond the legs of said U-shaped rim, and said connection portion
comprising a circumferential abutment surface bordering an upper
surface of said lid part, said reinforcement ribs and said abutment
surface mutually positioned such that when said lid part is stacked
on a second said lid part, extending lower ends of said
reinforcement ribs rest on said circumferential abutment surface of
said second lid part while keeping the legs of said U-shaped rim of
said lid part free from said circumferential abutment surface of
said second said lid part.
[0054] The inventions describe all relate to improving the closure
of a container. In fact, they all relate to improving the
reliability of this closure. In this invention, stacking provisions
are provided in such a way that they enclose the lid when it seals
the access opening. The stacking provisions on the connection
portion are thus arranged around the access opening. In this way,
when container assemblies are stacked on t of one another, they do
not load the lid with forces which may compromise the sealing. As
the containers are often used for milk powder for babies and
infants, for instance, it is very important that the container
assembly is sealed and remains sealed.
[0055] In an embodiment, said stacking provisions on said
connection portion comprise cams. These cams can be produced in an
easy way, for instance as extended wall parts. Alternatively, one
or more rims may be provided around the access opening. Such rims
are positioned in such a way that they allow opening and access to
the lid for opening and closing.
[0056] In an embodiment, said cams are positioned at corners of a
rectangle which encloses said lid when sealing said access opening.
In positioning the stacking provisions on the connection part in
this way, rotation-free stacking can be made possible.
[0057] In an embodiment, the height of said cams is at least the
height of said lid when sealing said access opening. In fact, when
the stacking provisions on the connection part are at least as high
as the lid, they prevent the bottom of a next container assembly
stacked on top of this container assembly from even touching the
lid.
[0058] In an embodiment, said connection portion comprises a
circumferential rim for receiving an upper edge of a side wall of
said container part in a groove, the inner perimeter of said rim
being complementary to the perimeter enclosing said stacking
provisions of said lid part for providing complementary stacking
means for stacking a series of lid parts. Thus, the stacking
provisions on the connection part have a function during
production, i.e. keeping lid parts stacked and positioned, and
afterwards in keeping container assemblies securely stacked without
loading the lids.
[0059] In an embodiment of the lid with U-shaped rim, said abutment
surface is connected to said U-shaped rim and defines an access
opening which is closed by said lid.
[0060] The invention further relates to a container comprising the
lid part as described above, and a container part, wherein said
container part comprises a bottom and connected to said bottom a
circumferential container wall ending in a rim for receiving said
lid part.
[0061] The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined
in order to provide additional advantages. Several aspects
described in this description, shown in the drawings or described
in the claims may form part of a divisional application.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0062] The invention will be further elucidated referring to an
embodiment of a lid part and a container assembly using this lid
part shown in the attached drawings, showing in:
[0063] FIG. 1 use of the lid part on a container assembly;
[0064] FIG. 2 a perspective top view on a lid part with open
lid;
[0065] FIG. 3 a perspective view of FIG. 2 from below;
[0066] FIG. 4 a bottom view of a lid part with closed lid;
[0067] FIG. 5 a cross section as indicated in FIG. 4;
[0068] FIG. 6 a detail of a cross section of the lid flange,
and
[0069] FIG. 7 stacked lid parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
[0070] In FIG. 1, a container assembly 1 with a lid part 2 of the
invention is presented. The container has a container part 3. The
container part 3 can be made of cardboard, coated with a synthetic
coating layer known in the art for making it suitable for
containing food or liquids. The container part can also be made of
plastic or metal. Preferably, it is used for holding food or
liquids. In an embodiment, the container part 3 can have a
synthetic coating layer on its inner surface, and a sealing foil of
sealing membrane is attached below the rim or edge of the container
part 3, in an embodiment about 1-3 cm below the edge. The sealing
foil can be attached to the inner surface of the container part 3,
for instance through heat sealing. Thus, some space can be provided
between the lid and the seal for storing for instance a measuring
scoop or spoon.
[0071] Lid part 2 is further elaborated in FIGS. 2 and 3, showing a
3D view of the lid part 2 with opened lid 4 from above (FIG. 2) and
from below (FIG. 3). Lid part 2 comprises a connection portion 5, a
(living) hinge 9 and a lid 4. Lid 4 is thus pivotably connected to
connection portion 5. Connection portion 5 defines an access
opening 6. In this embodiment, a first flange 7 bounds the access
opening 6. Lid 4 is provided with a lid flange 8 which fits on the
first flange 7 to close off access opening 6 and to hermetically
seal a container assembly 1. In this embodiment, the access opening
is almost elliptic. The access opening 6 can also be round.
Alternatively, it can be rectangular with rounded corners.
Important in all there embodiments, however, is that the lid flange
8 fits around the flange 7 to hermetically seal the access opening
6.
[0072] Connection portion 5 further comprises a wall 11 which is
provided with said access opening 6. On the wall 11, cam elements
14 are provided. The use of such cams 14 as such also explained in
WO2007142522 of the current applicant. These cams 14 provide part
of stacking means for stacking lid parts in production.
Furthermore, these cams 14 provide part of stacking means for
stacking complete container assemblies for instance in stores. In
this embodiment, the cams 14 are provided on the connection portion
5. An advantage of this is that the lid 4 is not loaded. Thus, the
quality of closure is can not be compromised. Yet, the height of
the lid 4 in closed position is equal or substantially equal to the
height of the cams 14. Thus, when container assemblies are stacked,
the load of the containers will keep the lids pressed close, while
preventing loads from other directions.
[0073] Connection portion 5 is further provided with a
circumferential rim 12, which may be called a U-shaped rim. It has
a groove 13 to receive an upper edge of the side wall of the
container part 3. Fixation of the connection portion 5 to the
container wall can be effected through any means known in the art.
In an embodiment, a hot melt adhesive is provided in the groove
13.
[0074] FIG. 4 shows a view bottom up, of a lid part 2 with closed
lid. In this drawing, a cross section is indicated. This cross
section is further shown in FIG. 5. This cross section shows more
clearly how lid flange 8 of lid 4 closes on flange 7 of the
connection portion 5. In FIG. 7, this is shown in more detail.
[0075] FIG. 5 also shows the connection portion rim 12 more
clearly. In the view of FIG. 5, reinforcement ribs 20 indicated
which provide additional rigidity to rim 12.
[0076] FIG. 6 shows a detail of the lid flange 8 closing on the
flange 7 of the container part 5. Lid flange 8 fits clampingly
around flange 7 of connection portion 5. In the situation of FIG.
7, where the lid is closed on the connection part 5, the perimeter
23 at the edge 15 of flange 7 is identical to the (internal)
perimeter of lid flange 8 at position 22. At position 16, the lid
flange 8 is thickened. Flange 7 flares out. It is shaped in such a
way that its outer circumferential surface fits against the inner
circumferential surface of the lid flange 8. The lid flange 8 is
made from a thermoplastic material. This allows some degree of
elasticity. Especially, here the lid flange has a thickness in view
of the elasticity of the used thermoplastic material. The lid
flange 8 fits somewhat elastically around the relatively stiff
flange 7. In order to close the lid and to make it easy to do this
frequently, the lower end of lid flange 8 has a bevelled off edge.
This makes it easy to flip the edge of lid flange 8 over the edge
of flange 7. When not fitted on flange 7, the lid and in particular
the lid flange 8 is dimensioned such that the smallest internal
perimeter of lid flange is smaller than the smallest
(circumscribing or outer) perimeter of the flange 7. Preferably,
the outer perimeter of flange 7 at the edge 15 is larger than the
inner perimeter of lid flange 8 at position 22. In this way, the
lid 4 cannot flip off spontaneously. In an embodiment, the flange 7
flares out. The shape of the lid flange follows this shape or
follows it when stretched a little. The lid flange 8 is stretched a
little to elastically fit around flange 7. This makes a hermetic
sealing possible. In practice, for instance in the embodiment shown
in the drawings, the smallest diameter of the flange 7 is 101.89
mm, the largest diameter is 112.65 mm. In an embodiment, the
thermoplastic material is polypropylene (PP). In this case, the
inner diameters of the lid are for instance 101.36 mm and 112.12
mm. The outer diameters are for instance 104.0 mm and 114.8 mm. For
this material, the thinnest part of lid flange 8, D1, can be about
0.7-0.8 mm and the thickest part D2 is about 1.1-1.2 mm. The height
of the lid flange is about 3.9-4.5 mm, and the height of a
corresponding flange 7 is about 2.9-3.1 mm. In practice, the
diameter of the lid flange will be about 3-7% smaller than the
corresponding diameter of the flange 7. In practice, the lid flange
8 will taper inwardly a little, with an angle of about 2-5 degrees.
Due to its elasticity, the lid flange 8 when closed around the
first flange 7, will stretch a little and the lid flange 8 will
taper no longer, and fits closely around the first flange 7. In the
drawing, the cooperating tapered shapes of the lid flange 8 and the
flange 7 pull the lid onto the outer surface of wall 11 of the
connection portion in order to provide an additional seal of the
edge of the lid flange 8 and the wall surface 11.
[0077] In order to provide the lid flange 8 with a certain amount
of elasticity while on the same time provide a connection portion
and in particular its flange 7 with sufficient rigidity, and to
allow the lid part to be made cheap and in large quantities, in an
embodiment the lid part is made from thermoplastic material. In
particular, it is made of polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP).
The material in an embodiment is supple and elastic enough to allow
the lid flange 8 to be stretched around the flange 7. Thus, an
hermetic seal is possible.
[0078] In an embodiment, the volume of a container having the lid
part is about 0.5-2 litre. This volume is determined by depth,
width and height of the container. In order to be able to provide a
metering scoop having a length long enough to reach the bottom of
the container inside the container, one of dimensions of the
diagonal cross section or the width or depth is preferably in the
same order of magnitude as the height of the container.
Furthermore, it is preferred if the scoop can be clamped to the
inside of the lid. In practise, the container may have a depth of
about 9-13 cm, a width of about 11-16 cm, and a height of about
10-18 cm. The scoop or spoon will have a total length of about 9-11
cm. The access opening will thus need to have a largest diameter of
at least about 9-11 cm, depending on the total length of the spoon
or scoop used. The area of the access opening 6 will be at least
about 50% of the cross section area of the container fitted with
the lid part. An upper limit which can be attained will be about
85%. In the example presented, this number will be about 60-70%.
This will allow the lid to be large enough, both in area as well as
in maximum diameter. At the same time, it will leave enough room
for allowing the stacking cams 14 on the connection portion 5.
[0079] A big access opening is preferred for easy entrance with a
scope. Furthermore, for hygiene reasons when offering a filled
container to the public in a store, the scope can be provided
clamped in clamps provided in the inside of the lid or between the
lid and the product seal which is additionally provided in the
container below the lid (i.e., in the space provided between lid
and product seal). In an embodiment, the lid has at least minimal
dimensions so as to fit the scope.
[0080] For easy opening, said lid 4 comprises an opening lip 21,
here attached to the rim of lid flange 8. The opening lip 21 is at
its edge blocked by tamper evident strip 22. This strip 22 has cams
gripping the edge of opening lip 21. The strip 22 is attached to
the connection portion 5 via thin bridges of material. These
bridges should be thin enough to break if the opening lip 21 passes
the cams of strip 22.
[0081] FIG. 7 shows two stacked lid parts 2, 2'. The cams 14 on the
connections portion 5 provide a secure stacking for defining the
position of the lid parts in producing container assemblies, while
preventing loading the lid 4. Here, the stacking cams are provided
on wall 11. In fact, as is already indicated in FIG. 1, a first use
of cams 14 is to provided one part of stacking means which work
together with complementary stacking provisions at the lower part
of the container part, in particular in the bottom. This allows
secure stacking of several containers in top of one another.
Furthermore, as the stacking provisions on the lid part are
provided on the connection portion around the lid (in closed
position), when stacking container assemblies provided with the lid
parts, the closure of the lid is not compromised. In fact, in the
embodiment shown, the stacking provisions on the lid part extend a
little above the lid in order to further secure closure or in order
to not compromise closure.
[0082] A second use of the stacking provisions on the lid part is
possible if the positioning of these stacking provisions is adapted
to the dimension of the connection portion. Thus, the effect and
use of stacking lid parts described above is realized.
[0083] The positioning of the stacking provisions 14 on the
connection portion is such that a container assembly stacked on to
of the lid part cannot rotate. I.e., it cannot rotate about an axis
normal to the access opening. To that end, the cams 14 are in this
embodiment provided at corners of a (virtual) rectangle. The
complementary stacking provisions at the bottom of the container
part provide abutment at sides of the rectangle against the
stacking provisions 14 on the lid part 2.
[0084] In this embodiment, the stacking provisions on the container
part are provided by a circumferential rim at the bottom of the
container part as indicated in FIG. 1.
[0085] It will also be clear that the above description and
drawings are included to illustrate some embodiments of the
invention, and not to limit the scope of protection. Starting from
this disclosure, many more embodiments will be evident to a skilled
person which are within the scope of protection and the essence of
this invention and which are obvious combinations of prior art
techniques and the disclosure of this patent.
* * * * *