U.S. patent application number 12/860641 was filed with the patent office on 2012-02-23 for container and closure assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to TECH II, INC.. Invention is credited to Brandon R. Roberts, David A. Shiffer.
Application Number | 20120043326 12/860641 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45593262 |
Filed Date | 2012-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120043326 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Shiffer; David A. ; et
al. |
February 23, 2012 |
Container and Closure Assembly
Abstract
A container and closure assembly includes a container and a
closure. The container defines an opening and includes a lip
positioned around the opening. The closure includes a top portion
defining a periphery, a skirt, a first and second blocking
structure, a tab, a plurality of spaced apart first ribs, a
plurality of spaced apart second ribs, and a plurality of first rib
extensions. The skirt defines an internal closure space and
including (i) a first skirt portion extending downwardly from the
periphery, and (ii) a second skirt portion extending downwardly
from a first part of the first skirt portion. 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 first blocking
structure is secured to the skirt. The tab extends downwardly from
a second part of the first skirt portion and is positioned in the
gap.
Inventors: |
Shiffer; David A.; (Irwin,
OH) ; Roberts; Brandon R.; (Springfield, OH) |
Assignee: |
TECH II, INC.
Springfield
OH
|
Family ID: |
45593262 |
Appl. No.: |
12/860641 |
Filed: |
August 20, 2010 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/315 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2251/0071 20130101;
B65D 2543/00564 20130101; B65D 43/0208 20130101; B65D 2543/00296
20130101; B65D 2251/0018 20130101; B65D 2205/02 20130101; B65D
2543/00842 20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/00796
20130101; B65D 17/4011 20180101; B65D 2543/00759 20130101; B65D
2543/00435 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/315 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/00 20060101
B65D051/00 |
Claims
1. A container and closure assembly, comprising: a container
defining an opening and having a lip positioned around said
opening; a closure configured to be attached to said container,
said closure including: a top portion defining a periphery, a skirt
defining an internal closure space and including (i) a first skirt
portion extending downwardly from said periphery, and (ii) a second
skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of said first
skirt portion, 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 first blocking structure secured to said skirt, a tab
extending downwardly from a second part of said first skirt portion
and positioned in said gap, a second blocking structure secured to
said tab, a plurality of spaced apart first ribs each of which is
misaligned with said first blocking structure and said second
blocking structure, each of said plurality of spaced apart first
ribs being (i) positioned in said internal closure space, and (ii)
attached to both said top portion and said skirt, a plurality of
spaced apart second ribs each of which is aligned with one of said
first blocking structure and said second blocking structure, each
of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs being (i) positioned
in said internal closure space, and (ii) attached to both said top
portion and said skirt, and a plurality of first rib extensions
each being (i) secured to a respective one of said plurality of
spaced apart first ribs, and (ii) spaced apart from said skirt,
wherein a plurality of first lip spaces is respectively defined
between said plurality of first rib extensions and said skirt, and
wherein said lip of said container is positioned in each of said
first lip spaces when said closure is attached to said
container.
2. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, the closure
further comprising: a plurality of second rib extensions each being
(i) secured to a respective one of said plurality of spaced apart
second ribs, and (ii) spaced apart from said skirt, wherein a
plurality of second lip spaces is respectively defined between said
plurality of second rib extensions and said skirt, and wherein said
lip of said container is positioned in each of said second lip
spaces when said closure is attached to said container.
3. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein: each of
said plurality of spaced apart second ribs includes (i) an
interiorly facing side, (ii) an exteriorly facing side secured to
said skirt, (iii) a lower side, and (iv) an upper side secured to
said top portion, and said lower side is configured as a flat edge
surface that extends from said exteriorly facing side to said
interiorly facing side.
4. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein: said lip
is interposed between said first blocking structure and one of said
plurality of spaced apart second ribs when said closure is attached
to said container, and said lip is interposed between said second
blocking structure and another of said plurality of spaced apart
second ribs when said closure is attached to said container.
5. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein each of
said plurality of spaced apart first ribs is interposed between
said lip and said top portion when said closure is attached to said
container.
6. The container and closure assembly of claim 5, wherein each of
said plurality of spaced apart second ribs is interposed between
said lip and said top portion when said closure is attached to said
container.
7. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein: said
closure is configured so that, when a plane is superimposed on the
closure so as to intersect both said first blocking structure and
said second blocking structure, the closure is divided into a first
closure portion and a second closure portion, and said first
closure portion and said second closure portion possess an equal
number of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs.
8. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein said
closure is configured so that, when a plane is superimposed on the
closure so as to intersect both said first blocking structure and
said second blocking structure, the closure is divided into a first
closure half portion and a second closure half portion.
9. The container and closure assembly of claim 8, wherein said
plane further intersects each of said plurality of spaced apart
second ribs.
10. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein: said
plurality of spaced apart first ribs includes a first lateral group
of spaced apart first ribs and a second lateral group of spaced
apart first ribs, said closure is configured so that, when a plane
is superimposed on the closure so as to intersect each of said
plurality of spaced apart second ribs, the closure is divided into
a first closure portion and a second closure portion, said first
closure portion includes said first lateral group of spaced apart
first ribs, and said second closure portion includes said second
lateral group of spaced apart first ribs.
11. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein: said
lip defines a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer surface, and
an inner surface, said closure is configured so that, when said
closure is attached to said container, (i) said top surface faces
each of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs and each of
plurality of spaced apart second ribs, (ii) said bottom surface
faces each of said first blocking structure and said second
blocking structure, (iii) said outer surface faces said skirt, and
(iv) said inner surface faces each of said plurality of first rib
extensions.
12. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein each of
said plurality of lip spaces is respectively defined by (i) an
exteriorly facing side of one of said plurality of first rib
extensions, (ii) a lower side of one of said plurality of spaced
apart first ribs, and (iii) an interiorly facing side of said
skirt.
13. The container and closure assembly of claim 12, wherein each of
said plurality of lip spaces is defined by a generally U-shaped
receptacle structure formed by (i) said exteriorly facing side of
one of said plurality of first rib extensions, (ii) said lower side
of one of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs, and (iii) said
interiorly facing side of said skirt.
14. A closure assembly adapted to be attached to a container,
comprising: a top portion defining a periphery, a skirt defining an
internal closure space and including (i) a first skirt portion
extending downwardly from said periphery, and (ii) a second skirt
portion extending downwardly from a first part of said first skirt
portion, 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 first blocking structure secured to said skirt, a tab
extending downwardly from a second part of said first skirt portion
and positioned in said gap, a second blocking structure secured to
said tab, a plurality of spaced apart first ribs each of which is
misaligned with said first blocking structure and said second
blocking structure, each of said plurality of spaced apart first
ribs being (i) positioned in said internal closure space, and (ii)
attached to both said top portion and said skirt, a plurality of
spaced apart second ribs each of which is aligned with one of said
first blocking structure and said second blocking structure, each
of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs being (i) positioned
in said internal closure space, and (ii) attached to both said top
portion and said skirt, and a plurality of first rib extensions
each being (i) secured to a respective one of said plurality of
spaced apart first ribs, and (ii) spaced apart from said skirt,
wherein a plurality of first lip spaces is respectively defined
between said plurality of first rib extensions and said skirt.
15. The closure assembly of claim 14, further comprising: a
plurality of second rib extensions each being (i) secured to a
respective one of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs, and
(ii) spaced apart from said skirt, wherein a plurality of second
lip spaces is respectively defined between said plurality of second
rib extensions and said skirt.
16. The closure assembly of claim 14, wherein: each of said
plurality of spaced apart second ribs includes (i) an interiorly
facing side, (ii) an exteriorly facing side secured to said skirt,
(iii) a lower side, and (iv) an upper side secured to said top
portion.
17. The closure assembly of claim 16, wherein: a first additional
lip space is defined between said first blocking structure and one
of said plurality of second ribs, and a second additional lip space
is defined between said second blocking structure and another of
said plurality of second ribs.
18. The closure assembly of claim 17, wherein: said one of said
plurality of spaced apart second ribs is interposed between said
first additional lip space and said top portion, and said other of
said plurality of spaced apart second ribs is interposed between
said second additional lip space and said top portion.
19. The closure assembly of claim 14, wherein each of said
plurality of spaced apart first ribs is respectively interposed
between said plurality of first lip spaces and said top
portion.
20. The closure assembly of claim 14, wherein: said closure is
configured so that, when a plane is superimposed on the closure so
as to intersect both said first blocking structure and said second
blocking structure, the closure is divided into a first closure
portion and a second closure portion, and said first closure
portion and said second closure portion possess an equal number of
said plurality of spaced apart first ribs.
21. The closure assembly of claim 14, wherein said closure is
configured so that, when a plane is superimposed on the closure so
as to intersect both said first blocking structure and said second
blocking structure, the closure is divided into a first closure
half portion and a second closure half portion.
22. The closure assembly of claim 21, wherein said plane further
intersects each of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs.
23. The closure assembly of claim 14, wherein: said plurality of
spaced apart first ribs includes a first lateral group of spaced
apart first ribs and a second lateral group of spaced apart first
ribs, said closure is configured so that, when a plane is
superimposed on the closure to intersect each of said plurality of
spaced apart second ribs, the closure is divided into a first
closure portion and a second closure portion, said first closure
portion includes said first lateral group of spaced apart first
ribs, and said second closure portion includes said second lateral
group of spaced apart first ribs.
24. The closure assembly of claim 14, wherein each of said
plurality of lip spaces is respectively defined by (i) an
exteriorly facing side of one of said plurality of first rib
extensions, (ii) a lower side of one of said plurality of spaced
apart first ribs, and (iii) an interiorly facing side of said
skirt.
25. The closure assembly of claim 24, wherein each of said
plurality of lip spaces is further defined by a generally U-shaped
receptacle structure formed by (i) said exteriorly facing side of
said one of said plurality of first rib extensions, (ii) said lower
side of said one of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs, and
(iii) said interiorly facing side of said skirt.
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 container
and closure assembly having a closure configured to securely engage
the container, but be readily removable therefrom.
BACKGROUND OF RELATED ART
[0002] Manufacturers commonly package and distribute foodstuffs in
assemblies, each of which includes a container and a removable
closure. Container and closure assemblies simplify the
transportation of packaged foodstuffs, provide surface space for
nutritional labeling, and in some instances function as the
receptacle from which a user consumes the foodstuff. The assembly
includes a generally bowl shaped portion and a removable lid. The
bowl portion defines a cavity suitable to contain a quantity of
dry, liquid, and/or semi-liquid product. The bowl portion typically
has a generally cylindrical shape and a generally flat bottom,
which stabilizes the container. The removable lid seals the cavity
formed by the bowl portion to preserve the freshness of the food
product and to prevent the food product from spilling out of the
bowl portion. A user may separate the lid from the bowl portion to
expose an opening through which the user may remove the product
stored within the container. The removable lid may include a
pull-tab or other similar device to assist a user in detaching the
lid from the bowl portion. After detaching the lid, a user may
place the bowl portion in a microwave oven to heat the product
before consumption. Accordingly, the bowl portion may be
manufactured from a microwave safe material. In general, users
place the closure over the opening formed by the removal of the lid
before heating the bowl portion in a microwave oven.
[0003] The container may further include a lip, which defines the
opening of the container. The lid and the lip may be an integral
structure, which is attached to the bowl portion. Alternatively,
the lip may be formed integrally with the bowl portion and the lid
may be removably connected to the lip. In each case, the lip
remains connected to the bowl portion after the lid has been
removed. A user may not reattach the lid to the lip after the user
has separated the lid from the lip.
[0004] The closure covers the opening of the container. A user may
remove and reattach the closure to the container. During
distribution and storage of the container and closure assembly, the
closure fits over the lip and the lid. Accordingly, the closure
provides a surface upon which a user may stack other container and
closure assemblies. During use by a user, the user removes the
closure from the container to expose the lid. After the user
removes the lid, the user may cover the opening by reattaching the
closure to the container. The closure may include vent openings,
which enable steam to escape the bowl portion during heating.
Additionally, the closure prevents the food product within the bowl
portion from splattering out of the container during heating.
[0005] The closure may distort and/or deform during heating of the
container filled with food and covered by the closure. In
particular, during heating the closure may expand or otherwise
change shape, such that the heated closure is no longer adequately
attached to the container. What is needed, therefore, is an
improved container and closure assembly, which includes a closure
that securely attaches to its associated container under various
thermal conditions including heating, yet is readily removable
therefrom.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a
container and closure assembly is provided. The container and
closure assembly includes a container and a closure. The container
defines an opening and includes a lip positioned around the
opening. The closure is configured to be attached to the container.
The closure includes a top portion defining a periphery, a skirt, a
first and second blocking structure, a tab, a plurality of spaced
apart first ribs, a plurality of spaced apart second ribs, and a
plurality of first rib extensions. The skirt defines an internal
closure space and includes (i) a first skirt portion extending
downwardly from the periphery, and (ii) a second skirt portion
extending downwardly from a first part of the first skirt portion.
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
first blocking structure is secured to the skirt. The tab extends
downwardly from a second part of the first skirt portion and is
positioned in the gap. The second blocking structure is secured to
the tab. The plurality of spaced apart first ribs is misaligned
with the first blocking structure and the second blocking
structure. Each rib of the plurality of spaced apart first ribs is
(i) positioned in the internal closure space, and is (ii) attached
to both the top portion and the skirt. The plurality of spaced
apart second ribs is aligned with one of the first blocking
structure and the second blocking structure. Each rib of the
plurality of spaced apart second ribs is (i) positioned in the
internal closure space, and is (ii) attached to both the top
portion and the skirt. The first plurality of first rib extensions
is (i) secured to a respective one of the plurality of spaced apart
first ribs, and is (ii) spaced apart from the skirt. A plurality of
first lip spaces is respectively defined between the plurality of
first rib extensions and the skirt, and the lip of the container is
positioned in each of the first lip spaces when the closure is
attached to the container.
[0007] According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a
closure assembly is provided, which is adapted to be attached to a
container. The closure assembly includes a top portion defining a
periphery, a skirt, a first and second blocking structure, a tab, a
plurality of spaced apart first ribs, a plurality of spaced apart
second ribs, and a plurality of first rib extensions. The skirt
defines an internal closure space and includes (i) a first skirt
portion extending downwardly from the periphery, and (ii) a second
skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of the first
skirt portion. 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 first blocking structure is secured to the skirt. The tab
extends downwardly from a second part of the first skirt portion
and is positioned in the gap. The second blocking structure is
secured to the tab. The plurality of spaced apart first ribs is
misaligned with the first blocking structure and the second
blocking structure. Each rib of the plurality of spaced apart first
ribs is (i) positioned in the internal closure space, and is (ii)
attached to both the top portion and the skirt. The plurality of
spaced apart second ribs is aligned with one of the first blocking
structure and the second blocking structure. Each rib of the
plurality of spaced apart second ribs is (i) positioned in the
internal closure space, and is (ii) attached to both the top
portion and the skirt. The plurality of first rib extensions is (i)
secured to a respective one of the plurality of spaced apart first
ribs, and is (ii) spaced apart from the skirt. A plurality of first
lip spaces is respectively defined between the plurality of first
rib extensions and the skirt.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0008] Features of the present invention should become apparent to
those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description
with reference to the figures, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container and closure
assembly according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the container and
closure assembly of FIG. 1, taken along the line II-II of FIG.
1;
[0011] FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary, cross sectional view of
the container and closure assembly of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the bottom side of the
closure of the container and closure assembly of FIG. 1;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an elevational view of the bottom side of the
closure of the container and closure assembly of FIG. 1; and
[0014] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a
closure that is configured to be used with the container of the
container and closure assembly of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] According to the present disclosure and referring now to
FIG. 1, a container and closure assembly 10 includes a container 14
and a closure 18. The container 14 is configured to hold a quantity
of dry, liquid, and/or semi-liquid product, such as a food product
for human consumption. As an example, the food product is chicken
noodle soup. The closure 18 is configured to attach to the
container 14 and be removable therefrom. A user may place the
container and closure assembly 10 in a microwave oven to heat the
food product contained within the container 14. The closure 18
remains securely attached to the container 14 during the heating
process.
[0016] As shown in FIG. 2, the container 14 includes a body 22 and
a rim structure 23 that defines a lip 26. The body 22 has a
generally cylindrical shape, which defines a cavity 32 suitable to
contain a food product or any other solid, liquid, or semi-liquid
product. Alternatively, the body 22 may be configured to have an
elliptical, rectangular, or polygonal cross-sectional shape. The
body 22 has a generally flat bottom portion to stabilize the
container 14. The bottom of the body 22 is closed to contain the
food product within the cavity 32. The rim structure 23 is secured
to an upper end portion of the body 22 to define an opening 30
through which the container 14 is filled and emptied. The lip 26
completely surrounds the opening 30. The body 22 may be formed from
materials that are conventionally used for the storage and
after-purchase heating of food products. For example, the body 22
is formed from an injection moldable thermoplastic.
[0017] The rim structure 23 is a metallic component that is coupled
to the body 22 in a manner well known to one of ordinary skill in
the art. Alternatively, the rim structure 23 may be integrally
formed with the body 22 through a thermoplastic molding process so
that both the lip 26 and the body collectively define a single
polymeric component.
[0018] As shown in FIG. 3, the lip 26 defines a top surface 38, a
bottom surface 42 opposed to the top surface, an inner surface 46,
and an outer surface 50 opposed to the inner surface. Each of the
inner surface 46, the outer surface 50, the top surface 38, and the
bottom surface 42 is configured to interface with a portion of the
closure 18 when the closure is coupled to the container 14. As an
alternative, the rim structure 23 may have a largely rounded shape
without prominent corners to define the surfaces 38, 42, 46, 50.
Accordingly, the top surface 38, bottom surface 42, outer surface
50, and inner surface 46 refers to respective top, bottom, inner,
and outer portions of the rim structure 23 regardless of whether
the surfaces are rigidly defined.
[0019] The container 14 includes a lid 52, a portion of which is
shown in FIG. 2, that a user may separate from the rim structure 23
of the container 14. When the lid 52 is connected to the rim
structure 23, the lid covers the cavity 32 of the body 22 and
provides an air-tight seal to enable the container 14 to store food
products for a substantial period of time without spoiling, as is
well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. A score line (not
illustrated) may be used between the rim structure 23 and the lid
52 to facilitate separation of the lid from the rim structure 23
and to allow easy opening and access to the product within the body
22 of the container 14. The lid 52 may include a pull-tab (not
illustrated) to enable a user to remove the lid from the rim
structure 23 without an additional tool, such as a can opener.
[0020] With reference again to FIG. 1, the closure 18 of the
container and closure assembly 10 surrounds the rim structure 23
and the upper portion of the body 22. A user may detach the closure
18 from the container 14 to expose the lid 52. After the user
removes the lid, the user may reattach the closure 18 to the
container 14, as shown in FIG. 2. The container and closure
assembly 10 (without the lid 52) may be placed in a microwave oven
for heating of the food product contained in the container 14. As
described below, features of the closure 18 ensure that the closure
remains securely fastened to the rim structure 23 of the container
14 during the heating process.
[0021] 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"), linear low-density polyethylene
("LLDPE"), and other injection moldable thermoplastics. In one
embodiment, the closure 18 is 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.
[0022] As shown in FIG. 1, the closure 18 includes a top portion 54
and a skirt 55. The skirt 55 includes an upper skirt portion 58 and
a lower skirt portion 62. A reference line 64 delineates the upper
skirt portion 58 from the lower skirt portion 62. The top portion
54 defines a periphery of the closure 18. The top portion 54, as
illustrated, defines a circular periphery; however, the top portion
may define a periphery of any shape as required by the shape of the
opening 30. In one embodiment, the top portion 54 is generally
circular, has a diameter between approximately 9.0 to 12.0
centimeters, and is formed of a material having a thickness of
approximately 0.20 to 0.60 millimeters. The top portion 54 includes
a plurality of vent holes 66 to allow steam to pass through the
closure 18.
[0023] The upper skirt portion 58 extends from the periphery of the
top portion 54 to form a cylindrical structure defining an internal
closure space 70 (FIG. 2). In a particular embodiment, the upper
skirt portion 58 extends downward from the top portion 54
approximately 0.30 to 0.70 centimeters and has a thickness of
approximately 0.4 to 0.8 millimeters. The lower skirt portion 62
extends downward from a portion of the upper skirt portion 58. In
one embodiment, the lower skirt portion 62 extends from the upper
skirt portion 58 approximately 0.7 to 1.2 centimeters. As shown in
FIG. 1, the lower skirt portion 62 includes a side edge 74 and a
side edge 78 that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap
82. When the closure 18 is connected to the container 14, the outer
surface 50 of the rim structure 23 faces the skirt 55.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the closure 18 further includes a
tab 86, which a user may move or pivot from a relaxed position to
an unrelaxed position. When the tab 86 is in the unrelaxed
position, a user may easily remove the closure 18 from the
container 14; however, when the tab is in the relaxed position, the
closure positively engages the container 14 and a user may not
easily remove the closure from the container. The tab 86 extends
downward from a portion of the upper skirt portion 58 and is
positioned in the gap 82 between the side edge 74 and the side edge
78 of the lower skirt portion 62, as shown in FIG. 1.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the closure 14 includes two
blocking structures 90 and 94, which facilitate securing the
closure 18 to the container 14. The blocking structures 90 and 94
may be configured as detents, protuberances, or vertex segments.
The blocking structure 90 is connected to an inside surface of the
lower skirt portion 62. The other blocking structure 94 is
connected to an inside surface of the tab 86. Both blocking
structures 90 and 94 extend toward the center of the closure 18. As
shown in FIG. 3, when the closure 18 is attached to the container
14, the blocking structure 90 contacts the bottom surface 42 of the
lip 26 to secure the closure 18 to the container 14. The blocking
structure 94 engages the lip 26 as shown in FIG. 2. The blocking
structures 90 and 94 overlap the bottom surface 42 between
approximately 0.8 to 1.5 millimeters. When the closure 18 is
connected to the container 14, the bottom surface 42 faces each of
the blocking structures 90 and 94.
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the closure 18 includes a
plurality of spaced apart ribs 98 positioned at least partially in
the internal closure space 70. The ribs 98 are attached to the
upper skirt portion 58 and the top portion 54, and are configured
to increase the rigidity of the closure 18. As shown in FIG. 3, the
rib 98 includes an interiorly facing side 102, an exteriorly facing
side 106 secured to the skirt portion 58, an upper side 110 secured
to the top portion 54, and a lower side 114. The ribs 98 are
interposed between the rim structure 23 and the top portion 54 when
the closure 18 is attached to the container 14, as shown in FIG.
2.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 5, the ribs 116 are aligned with the
blocking structures 90 and 94, while the remaining ribs 98 are
misaligned with the blocking structures 90 and 94. Accordingly, a
plane 118 superimposed on the top portion 54 of the closure 18 so
as to intersect both the blocking structure 90 and the blocking
structure 94, divides the closure into a first closure half portion
and a second closure half portion each having an equal number of
ribs 98 that are misaligned with the blocking structures 90 and 94.
As shown in FIG. 5, the plane 118 intersects each rib 116 aligned
with the blocking structures 90 and 94.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, the closure 18 includes rib
extensions 122, which are connected to the lower side 114 (FIG. 3)
of the ribs 98. Each rib 98 includes an extension 122. The
extensions 122 ensure that the closure 18 remains securely
connected to the container 14 as the food product within the
container is heated. As shown in FIG. 3, the extension 122 includes
an exteriorly facing side 126, an interiorly facing side 130, and a
lower side 134. The interiorly facing side 130 is flush with the
interiorly facing side 102 of the rib 98. When the closure 18 is
connected to the container 14, the top surface 38 of the rim
structure 23 faces each of the ribs 98 and the inner surface 46 of
the lip 26 faces the extensions 122.
[0029] A plurality of lip spaces 138, one of which is shown in FIG.
3, is respectively defined between the rib extensions 122 and the
skirt 55. Each lip space 138 has a width approximately equal to the
distance between the inner surface 46 and the outer surface 50 of
the lip 26, such that the lip may enter the lip space in response
to the closure 18 being attached to the container 14. In
particular, each lip space 138 is configured as a generally
U-shaped receptacle formed by the exteriorly facing side 126 of the
extension 122, the lower side 114 of the rib 98 to which the
extension 122 is connected, and the interiorly facing side of the
skirt 55. When the closure 18 is connected to the container 14, a
portion of each rib 98 becomes interposed between the lip spaces
138 and the top portion 54.
[0030] In operation, the container and closure assembly 10 contains
a food product and functions as a receptacle from which a user may
consume the food product. To prepare the food product for
consumption, a user begins by removing the closure 18 from the
container 14. To remove the closure 18, the user moves the tab 86
from the relaxed position to the unrelaxed position in the
direction of arrow 146 of FIG. 2. While holding the tab 86 in the
unrelaxed position, the user applies an upward force in the
direction of arrow 150 (FIG. 2) to the closure 18 to advance the
blocking structure 94 past the lip 26 and to separate the closure
from the container 14. The tab 86 returns to the relaxed state
after the user releases the force on the tab. Next, the user
separates the lid 52 from the rim structure 23 by pulling a
pull-tab away from the container 14, as is known to one of ordinary
skill in the art. Separation of the lid 52 from the rim structure
23 allows the food product to be withdrawn from the container
14.
[0031] If the user desires to heat the food product within the
container 14, the user reattaches the closure 18 to the container
after removing the lid 52. To reattach the closure 18, the user
places the closure on the top of the container 14 such that the
internal closure space 70 surrounds the rim structure 23. Next, the
user applies a downward force (opposite direction of arrow 150) to
the top portion 54. The downward force causes the blocking
structures 90 and 94 to slide along the rim structure 23 and then
advance under the lip 26 to their position shown in FIG. 2. In this
position, the bottom surface of each of the blocking structures 90
and 94 face the lip 26. Also in this position, when the closure 18
is attached to the container 14, the lip 26 is located in the lip
spaces 138.
[0032] Once the user has reattached the closure 18 to the container
14, the user then places the container and closure assembly 10 in a
microwave oven to heat the food product. During the heating
process, the closure 18 is subjected to heat. Nonetheless, the
closure 18 remains securely attached to the container 14. In
particular, even if the closure 18 exhibits a change in
configuration in response to the heat, the closure remains securely
connected to the container 14 due to physical interaction of the
lip 26, the extensions 122, and/or the skirt 55.
[0033] Another embodiment of the closure 18' of the container and
closure assembly 10 is illustrated in FIG. 6. For clarity, like
components of the closure 18 and the closure 18' are labeled with
like reference numerals except that the embodiment shown in FIG. 6
includes a prime symbol. The closure 18' is configured and operates
in the exact same manner as the closure 18, except that the closure
18' does not include extensions 122' on the ribs 116' that are
aligned with the blocking structures 90' and 94', as shown in FIG.
6.
[0034] Variations and modifications of the present disclosure are
possible; however, all variations and modifications, which are
obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present
disclosure pertains, are considered to be within the scope of
protection granted by this Letters Patent.
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