U.S. patent application number 13/884053 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-03 for vial with lid attachment mechanism.
The applicant listed for this patent is John Belfance, Ronald Supranowicz. Invention is credited to John Belfance, Ronald Supranowicz.
Application Number | 20130256329 13/884053 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46245052 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130256329 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Belfance; John ; et
al. |
October 3, 2013 |
VIAL WITH LID ATTACHMENT MECHANISM
Abstract
A re-sealable container is disclosed having a lid, a body, an
attachment mechanism, and a seal. The seal may extend from, or be
attached to, the lid and engage at least a portion of the body,
such as the side wall, including the body sealing surface and/or
the lip. The engagement of the seal and body creates a seal that
prevents the ingress of moisture and ambient conditions into an
interior space of the body. The attachment mechanism may retain the
lid in a seated, closed position on the body. The configuration of
the seal and attachment mechanism accommodate a degree of error in
the joining and placement of the lid and body while allowing for
both the formation of a seal between the lid and body and the
locking of the lid when the lid is in a closed position.
Inventors: |
Belfance; John; (Phenix
City, AL) ; Supranowicz; Ronald; (Lenox, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Belfance; John
Supranowicz; Ronald |
Phenix City
Lenox |
AL
MA |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46245052 |
Appl. No.: |
13/884053 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
December 2, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US11/63017 |
371 Date: |
June 3, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61422287 |
Dec 13, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/833 ;
156/69 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 81/266 20130101;
B65D 53/04 20130101; B29D 22/003 20130101; G01N 33/4875 20130101;
B65D 2251/20 20130101; B65D 2251/1066 20130101; B65D 2251/1058
20130101; B65D 2251/01 20130101; B65D 43/162 20130101; B65D 43/22
20130101; B65D 2251/1016 20130101; A61J 1/03 20130101; B65D
2543/00833 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/833 ;
156/69 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/22 20060101
B65D043/22; B29D 22/00 20060101 B29D022/00 |
Claims
1. A resealable container comprising: a body having a sidewall, a
base, and an opening, the base and the opening being disposed at
opposite ends of the body, the sidewall being configured to provide
an interior space in the body, the interior space being generally
disposed between the opening and the base, at least a portion of an
inner surface of the sidewall having a body sealing surface; a lid
having a seal, the lid being pivotably joined to the body to allow
the lid to be moved between an open position and a closed position,
the lid being configured to be seated on the body when the lid is
in the closed position and allow access to the interior space when
the lid is in the open position, the seal configured to extend into
a least a portion of the interior space of the body and engage at
least a portion of the body sealing surface when the lid is in the
closed position to form a seal between the body sealing surface and
the seal, wherein, when the lid is in the open position, the width
across the seal is larger than the width across the body sealing
surface to which the at least a portion of the seal abuts when the
lid is in a closed position; and an attachment mechanism configured
to secure the lid in the closed position and retain the seal
between the body sealing surface and seal when the lid is seated on
the body.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the seal and the attachment
mechanism are separate, distinct elements.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the body has a first
extension, and wherein the lid has a second extension, the lid and
body being joined together by the hinge at the first and second
extensions.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the seal is an inner ring, and
wherein when the lid is in the open position the width across at
least a portion of inner ring has a diameter that is larger than
the diameter across the body sealing surface to which the at least
a portion of the inner ring abuts when the lid is in the closed
position.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the body
sealing surface has a chamfered surface that engages a tapered
surface of the seal when the lid is in the closed position to
provide a substantially moisture tight seal.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism
includes a claw disposed on the body, the claw having a protrusion
that engages the lid when the lid is in the closed position.
7. The container claim 6, wherein the lid includes an aperture and
a recess, wherein, when the lid is in the closed position, at least
a portion of the claw is located in the aperture and at least a
portion of a protrusion of the claw is located in the recess.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein the attachment mechanism
includes a claw disposed on the lid, the body having an aperture,
at least a portion of the claw being located in the aperture when
the lid is in the closed position.
9. The container of claim 8, wherein the opening is bounded by a
rim and the aperture is located in the rim.
10. A resealable container comprising: a body having a sidewall, a
base, and an opening, the base and the opening being disposed at
opposite ends of the body, the sidewall being configured to provide
an interior space in the body, the interior space being generally
disposed between the opening and the base; a lid pivotably joined
to the body to allow the lid to be moved between an open position
and a closed position, the lid being configured to be seated on the
body when the lid is in the closed position and allow access to the
interior space when the lid is in the open position; a seal
operably connected to the lid, the seal having a sealing surface
that engages a portion of the body adjacent to the opening when the
lid is in the closed position to form a seal between the body and
the lid; and an attachment mechanism configured to secure the lid
in the closed position and retain the seal between the body and the
lid when the lid is seated on the body.
11. The container of claim 10, wherein the seal and the attachment
mechanism are separate, distinct elements.
12. The container of claim 11, wherein the seal is elastomeric.
13. The container of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of the
seal is biased toward the body.
14. The container of claim 10, wherein the seal includes a seal
base and an orifice, the orifice configured to engage a pin that
extends from the lid that retains the seal in connection with the
lid.
15. The container of claim 10, wherein the body includes a rim, the
rim being positioned about the opening, and wherein the seal
engages at least a portion of the sidewall that extends beyond the
rim when the lid is in the closed position.
16. The container of claim 15, wherein the attachment mechanism
includes a claw having a protrusion, the claw being disposed on the
rim, and wherein the protrusion engages the lid when the lid is in
the closed position.
17. The container of claim 16, wherein the lid includes an aperture
and a recess, at least a portion of the claw being located in the
aperture when the lid is in the closed position, the recess being
configured for the placement of at least a portion of the
protrusion when the lid is in the closed position.
18. The container of claim 10, wherein the attachment mechanism
includes a claw disposed on the lid, the claw having a protrusion,
and wherein the protrusion engages a recess in the body when the
lid is in the closed position.
19. The container of claim 18, wherein the body includes a rim
positioned about the opening, wherein the seal engages at least a
portion of the sidewall that extends beyond the rim when the lid is
in the closed position, the rim having an aperture configured for
the placement of at least a portion of the claw when the lid is in
the closed position.
20. The container of claim 10, wherein the body has a first
extension, and wherein the lid has a second extension, the lid and
body being joined together by the hinge at the first and second
extensions.
21. The container of claim 10, wherein the seal has a first sealing
surface and a second sealing surface, the first sealing surface
configured to engage an inner surface of the sidewall, the second
sealing surface configured to engage an outer surface of the
sidewall.
22. The container of claim 21, wherein the seal further includes a
sealing region between the first and second sealing surfaces, at
least a portion of the sealing region configured for engagement
with a lip at the top of the sidewall when the lid is in the closed
position.
23. A method of producing a resealable container comprising:
molding a body having a sidewall, a base, and an opening, the base
and the opening being disposed at opposite ends of the body, the
sidewall being configured to provide an interior space in the body,
the interior space being generally disposed between the opening and
the base; molding a lid; connecting a seal to the lid, the seal
having a sealing surface; and attaching the lid to the body, the
lid being attached to the body to allow the lid to be pivotably
moved between an open position and a closed position, the lid being
configured to be seated on the body when the lid is in the closed
position and allow access to the interior space when the lid is in
the open position, the sealing surface being configured to engage a
portion of the body adjacent to the opening when the lid is in the
closed position to form a seal between the body and the lid;
wherein at least one of the body or lid includes an attachment
mechanism configured to secure the lid in the closed position and
retain the seal between the body and the lid when the lid is seated
on the body.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to containers that can be used
to house glucose test strips, tablets, pills, solid dose
pharmaceutical products, or other objects or moisture sensitive
materials. More specifically, the present invention relates to
resealable containers, such as, for example, vials, having a
closeable lid, a body, and seal that controls the ingress and/or
egress of moisture into/out of an interior space of the container,
and which may be used to control the conditions in the interior
space.
[0002] A container, such as a vial for example, typically includes
a cap that is attached to a portion of the vial. With such devices,
when the container is closed, the cap comes into contact with an
upper lip of the vial, and through such contact may form a seal.
However, because the upper lip of the vial of the container often
has a relatively thin wall thickness, a degree of precision is
typically required with respect to the positioning and connection
between the cap and the vial to ensure a proper fit between the cap
and upper lip of the vial so that the container properly
closes.
[0003] To overcome issues relating to the limited permissible
degree of error in the alignment and positioning of the cap
relative to the vial, such containers are typically molded as a
single, integral unit. Such an integral construction allows for the
cap to remain attached to the vial when the container is open.
Further, such an integral construction may alleviate potential
problems with the container not properly closing due to an improper
fit or misalignment between the attached cap and the vial, as
integrally molding the components together may control the
positioning and alignment of the cap relative to the vial. However,
integrally molding both the cap and vial is typically more
expensive than if the parts were molded separately.
SUMMARY
[0004] An aspect of the invention is a resealable container. The
container includes a body having a sidewall, a base, and an
opening. The base and the opening are disposed at opposite ends of
the body. The sidewall is configured to provide an interior space
in the body. Further, the interior space may be generally disposed
between the opening and the base. Additionally, at least a portion
of an inner surface of the sidewall may be a body sealing
surface.
[0005] The lid includes a cap and a seal. The lid may be pivotably
joined to the body to allow the lid to be moved between an open
position and a closed position. Further, the lid may be configured
to be seated on the body when the lid is in a closed position. When
in an open position, the lid may allow access to the interior
space. The seal may be configured to extend into at least a portion
of the interior space of the body and engage at least a portion of
the body sealing surface when the lid is in a closed position to
form a seal between the body sealing surface and the seal.
[0006] The container also includes an attachment mechanism
configured to secure the lid in a closed position and retain the
seal between the body sealing surface and seal when the lid is
seated on the body.
[0007] Another aspect of the invention is a resealable container
that includes a body having a sidewall, a base, and an opening. The
base and the opening may be disposed at opposite ends of the body.
The sidewall may be configured to provide an interior space in the
body. The interior space may be generally disposed between the
opening and the base.
[0008] The lid may be pivotably joined to the body to allow the lid
to be moved between an open position and a closed position. The lid
may also be configured to be seated on the body when the lid is in
a closed position and allow access to the opening when the lid is
in an open position.
[0009] The container also includes a seal that is connected to the
lid. The seal may have a sealing surface that engages a portion of
the body adjacent to the interior space when the lid is in a closed
position to form a seal between the body and the lid.
[0010] The container may also include an attachment mechanism
configured to secure the lid in a closed position and retain the
seal between the body and the lid when the lid is seated on the
body.
[0011] Another aspect of the invention is a method of producing a
resealable container. The method includes producing a body having a
sidewall, a base, and an opening. The base and the opening may be
disposed at opposite ends of the body. The sidewall may be
configured to provide an interior space in the body. The interior
space is generally disposed between the opening and the base.
Further, at least a portion of an inner surface of the sidewall may
have a body sealing surface.
[0012] The invention also includes producing a lid having a seal
and attaching the lid to the body. The lid may be attached to the
body to allow the lid to be pivotably moved between an open
position and a closed position. Additionally, the lid may be
configured to be seated on the body when the lid is in a closed
position and allow access to the interior space when the lid is in
an open position. The seal may be configured to extend into a least
a portion of the interior space of the body and engage at least a
portion of the body sealing surface when the lid is in a closed
position to form a seal between the body sealing surface and the
seal.
[0013] Additionally, at least one of the body or the lid includes
an attachment mechanism configured to secure the lid in a closed
position and retain the seal between the body sealing surface and
seal when the lid is seated on the body.
[0014] Another aspect of the present invention is a method of
producing a resealable container. The method includes producing a
body having a sidewall, a base, and an opening. The base and the
opening may be disposed at opposite ends of the body. The sidewall
may be configured to provide an interior space in the body. The
interior space may be generally disposed between the opening and
the base. The method also includes producing a lid and connecting a
seal to the lid. The seal may have sealing surface.
[0015] The method also includes attaching the lid to the body to
allow the lid to be pivotably moved between an open position and a
closed position. The lid may be configured to be seated on the body
when the lid is in a closed position and allow access to the
interior space when the lid is in an open position. The sealing
surface may be configured to engage a portion of the body adjacent
to the opening when the lid is in a closed position to form a seal
between the body and the lid. Additionally, at least one of the
body or lid includes an attachment mechanism configured to secure
the lid in a closed position and retain the seal between the body
and the lid when the lid is seated on the body.
[0016] The configuration of the seals and attachment mechanisms of
the present invention accommodate a degree of error in the joining
and placement of separate, or individual, lid and body components
of the container, while still providing for both the formation of a
seal between the lid and body and the locking of the lid in a
closed position.
[0017] According to another exemplary embodiment, the attachment
mechanism may include a claw having a protrusion.
[0018] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention,
the container includes a desiccant material.
[0019] According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention,
the desiccant material is attached or adhered to an inner surface
of the sidewall.
[0020] According to another exemplary embodiment, the sidewall
includes a desiccant material.
[0021] According to another exemplary embodiment, the claw of the
attachment mechanism is part of or connected to the body. According
to such an embodiment, when the lid is in the closed position, the
protrusion engages the lid to retain together the lid and the body.
Further, the lid may include an aperture that houses at least a
portion of the claw when the lid is in a closed position. The
aperture may include a recess configured for the placement of the
protrusion to facilitate the engagement of the protrusion with the
lid to secure the lid to the body.
[0022] According to another exemplary embodiment, the claw of the
attachment mechanism is part of or connected to the lid. According
to such an embodiment, when the lid is in the closed position, the
protrusion engages the body to retain together the lid and the
body. Further, the body may include an aperture that houses at
least a portion of the claw when the lid is in a closed position.
The aperture may include a recess configured for the placement of
the protrusion to facilitate the engagement of the protrusion with
the body to secure the lid to the body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container shown with the
lid in a closed position.
[0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
container, shown with a lid in an opened position.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an embodiment of a container
having a non-round configuration and with the lid in an open
position.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a rear view of an embodiment of a container having
a non-round configuration and with the lid in an open position.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the container
illustrated in FIG. 2 with the lid in the opened position.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the container
illustrated in FIG. 2 with the lid in a closed position.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the
container illustrated in FIG. 2 with the lid in a closed
position.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a container shown with the
lid in a closed position.
[0031] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the container illustrated in
FIG. 8, shown with a lid in an opened position.
[0032] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of the container
illustrated in FIG. 9 with the lid in an open position.
[0033] FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of the container
illustrated in FIG. 9 with the lid in a closed position.
[0034] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the
container illustrated in FIG. 9 with the lid in a closed
position.
[0035] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
container, shown with a lid in an opened position.
[0036] FIG. 14 is a cross sectional view of the container
illustrated in FIG. 13 with the lid in an opened position.
[0037] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional view of the container
illustrated in FIG. 13 with the lid in a closed position.
[0038] FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of a portion of the
container illustrated in FIG. 13 with the lid in a closed
position.
[0039] FIG. 17 is a cross sectional view of a portion of a
container having a seal and a lid in the closed position.
[0040] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of certain embodiments, will be better understood when
read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of
illustrating the invention, there is shown in the drawings, certain
embodiments. It should be understood, however, that the present
invention is not limited to the arrangements and instrumentalities
shown in the attached drawings.
[0041] The following reference characters are used in the
specification and figures:
TABLE-US-00001 100 Container 102 Lid 104 Body 106 Sidewall 108 Base
110 Opening 112 Body sealing surface 113 Inner surface 114 Interior
space 115 Outer surface 116 Desiccant material 118 Cap 120 Seal 122
Skirt 123 Seating surface 124 Upper interior region 126 Tab 127
Upper surface 128 Hinge 130 First extension 132 Second extension
134 Rim 136 Aperture 138 Recess 140 Claw 142 Protrusion 144 Tapered
surface 146 Chamfered surface 148 Attachment mechanism 200
Container 202 Lid 204 Body 234 Rim 235 Lower surface 236 Aperture
238 Recess 240 Claw 242 Protrusion 248 Attachment mechanism 250
Orifice 300 Container 302 Lid 304 Body 320 Seal 350 Seal base 352
Sealing surface 354 Orifice 356 Pin 358 Shoulder 360 Lip 400
Container 420 Seal 462 First sealing surface 464 Second sealing
surface 466 Sealing region
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0042] The present invention will now be described more fully with
reference to the accompanying drawings, in which several
embodiments are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in
many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the
embodiments set forth here. Rather, these certain embodiments are
examples of the invention, which has the full scope indicated by
the language of the claims. Like numbers refer to like elements
throughout.
[0043] FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of an embodiment of a
container 100, shown with the lid 102 in closed and open positions,
respectively. The container 100 may include a lid 102 and a body
104. The body 104 has a sidewall 106, a base 108, and an opening
110. At least a portion of the sidewall 106 adjacent to the opening
110 includes a body sealing surface 112. The base 108 and opening
110 may be positioned at opposing ends of the body 104.
[0044] The sidewall 106 may include an inner surface 113 and an
outer surface 115. At least a portion of the inner surface 113 of
the sidewall 106 may form or define at least a portion of an
interior space 114 in the body 104 that may receive the insertion
of an item(s) or product(s). The interior space 114 may be at least
partially disposed between the base 108 and the opening 110. The
opening 110 provides access to the interior space 114. According to
an embodiment of the present invention, the opening 110 may be
bound by a rim 134 that extends around at least a portion of the
periphery of the opening 110. According to such an embodiment, when
the lid 102 is in a closed position, at least a portion of the lid
102 may be seated upon at least a portion of the rim 134.
[0045] The body 104 may also include or house a desiccant material
116. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the desiccant material 116
may be disposed within the interior space 114, such as, for
example, being a liner or sleeve that may be positioned adjacent to
and/or attached or adhered to the sidewall 106 and/or base 108.
According to an embodiment, the desiccant material 106 may
generally follow the shape of at least a portion of the inner
surface 113 of the sidewall 106. Further, the desiccant material
116 may at least partially define the interior space 114.
Alternatively, at least a portion of the body 106, such as, for
example, the sidewall 106 and/or base 108, may be made from a
desiccant material or a material containing a desiccant material.
Further, the desiccant material 116 may be provided in the interior
space 114 in the form of one or more sachets, canisters, or
pellets, or in other particulate forms.
[0046] Suitable desiccant material 116 include injection-moldable
thermoplastic desiccant polymeric material described in one or more
of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,911,937; 6,214,255; 6,130,263; 6,080,350;
6,174,952; 6,124,006; and 6,221,446, all to Hekal, and which are
incorporated herein by reference. Silica gel, a molecular sieve,
calcium oxides, or clay may also or instead be used directly as
desiccants or incorporated into a desiccant material. In
alternative embodiments, different types of absorbing materials, or
alternatively, releasing materials, may be employed, including, for
example, a material that can release a gas, such as an inert gas
that prevents oxidation of an enclosed product, item, or
medicament. Further, the releasing material may release a flavoring
or fragrance, or moisture, in case of a product, item, or
medicament housed in the interior space 114 should not be allowed
to dry out.
[0047] As shown in FIG. 1, the body 104 may have a generally
tubular or cylindrical configuration, with a round cross section.
However, as illustrated by FIGS. 3 and 4, the body 104' may have a
variety of other cross-sectional configurations, including, for
example, a non-round cross-sectional shape, such as rectangular,
square, polygonal, or oval, among others. Further, the lid 102' may
have a cross sectional configuration that mates that of the body
104, and which allows for a seal between the lid 102' and body
104', and more specifically, allows for the sealing of the interior
space 114' of the body 104' when the lid 102' is in a closed
position.
[0048] The lid 102 comprises a cap 118 and a seal 120. The lid 102
is configured to close the opening 110 of the body 102 when the lid
102 is seated on the body 104 in a closed position. The seal 120
may extend from the cap 118 and beyond the seating surface 123 of
the lid 102 so that when the lid 102 is seated on the body 104, at
least a portion of the seal 120 extends into the interior space 114
of the body 104. The lid 102 may also include a tab 126, such as a
thumb tab, that may be pressed or pulled to assist with moving the
lid 102 from a closed or opened position, and vice versa.
[0049] According to an embodiment of the present invention, at
least a portion of the seal 120 is an inner ring. According to such
an embodiment, the inner wall of the seal 120 may define an upper
interior region 124. Therefore, when the lid 102 is in a closed
position, the upper interior region 124 may be adjacent to the
opening 110 of the body 104 and may provide additional space for
products that extend beyond the interior space 114. Thus, according
to an embodiment of the present invention, when the lid 102 is in a
closed position, the container 100 may sealably house items or
products generally between the base 108 of the body and the cap 118
of the lid 102.
[0050] The lid 102 may also include a skirt 122 that extends away
from the cap 118. As shown in FIG. 2, at least a portion of the
skirt 122 may have a generally tubular configuration, among others.
The skirt 122 may surround at least a portion of the seal 120.
Additionally, the skirt 122 may be offset from the seal 120 so that
a gap is present between at least a portion of the inner walls of
the skirt 122 and the outer walls of the seal 120.
[0051] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lid
102 and body 104 are separate, individual components that are not
integrally molded together. For example, the lid 102 and body 104
may be separately injection molded from thermoplastic material,
such as, for example, a polypropylene, such as a moisture blocking
polymeric material. Additionally, an active agent, such as a
desiccating agent, and channeling agent may be blended into the
polymer. Examples of such active materials are disclosed in one or
more of U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,130,263, 6,080,350, 6,221,446, 6,124,006,
6,214,255, 6,194,079, 6,316,520, 6,465,532, 5,911,937, 6,174,952,
6,177,183, 6,486,231, 6,696,002, 6,460,271, 6,613,405, 6,852,783,
RE40,941, and 7,005,459, which are incorporated herein by reference
as if fully set forth.
[0052] Additionally, according to embodiments of the present
invention in which the body 104 and/or lid 102 contain a desiccant
material 116, the desiccant material 116 may be separately
injection molded and assembled or formed in two shots in one
injection mold.
[0053] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the lid
102 and body 104 are attached together by a hinge 128. The hinge
128 may be formed by a variety of mechanisms, including, for
example, a mechanical fastener such as a pin, bolt, or screw, a
plastic weld, or an adhesive, among others. In embodiments where
the body 104 and lid 102 are integral, such as where these
components are molded together or where they are molded separately
and subsequently joined in an integral manner, by for example,
plastic welding, the hinge 128 may be formed by an area joining the
two where the material is thin enough to permit bending. The hinge
128 may allow the lid 102 to be pivotably moved from a closed
position, as shown in FIG. 1, to an open position, as shown in FIG.
2, and vice versa. Further, the hinge 128 may be formed by joining
a first extension 130 from the body 104 with a second extension 132
from the lid 102. For example, as shown in FIG. 2, the body 104 may
include a rim 134 about the opening 110 of the body 104 from which
the first extension 130 extends, while the second extension 132 may
extend from the from the skirt 124 of the lid 102.
[0054] FIGS. 5-7 illustrate cross sectional views of the container
100 illustrated in FIG. 1. The seal 120 is configured to assist in
creating a seal between the lid 102 and the body 104 when the lid
102 is seated on the body 104. Moreover, when the lid 102 is in a
closed position, at least a portion of the seal 120 extends into
the interior space 114 and abuts against at least a portion of the
body sealing surface 112 on the inner surface 113 of the sidewall
106. The size and configuration of the seal 120 and the body
sealing surface 112 may create a compressive force or a tension
force between the seal 120 and the body sealing surface 112 that
creates a seal or plug that controls the ingress and/or egress of
moisture into the interior space 114 and isolates the interior
space 114 from ambient conditions.
[0055] For example, according to an embodiment of the present
invention, at least a portion of the body sealing surface 112 may
have an inner diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of
at least a portion of the mating surface of the seal 120 of the lid
102. Such differences in diameters may result in pressure being
asserted by the sealing surface 112 against the mating surfaces of
the seal 120, and/or vice versa, that may create a seal between
those abutting surfaces. Moreover, depending on the material used
to construct the seal 120 and its size and configuration, such
differences in diameters may result in at least a portion of the
seal 120 being bent, deflected, compressed, and/or deformed by the
pressures asserted thereon by the abutting engagement with the body
sealing surface 112, which may cause the formation of a seal
between the abutting surfaces of the seal 120 and the body sealing
surface 112.
[0056] As shown in FIGS. 5-7, at least a portion of the seal 120
may include a tapered surface 144. Such a tapered surface 144 may
assist with positioning the seal 120 inside the interior space 114
and against a portion of the body sealing surface 112 as the lid
102 is moved to a closed position. More specifically, the tapered
surface 144 of the seal 120 may have a smaller diameter(s) than the
inner diameter at the mouth of the opening 110 of the body 104 that
allows the tapered surface 144 to initially enter into the interior
space 114 with minimal or no interference from the sidewall 106,
and specifically from the body sealing surface 112 so that the seal
120 may be properly positioned in the interior space 114. Such
differences in the diameters at the tapered surface 144 of the seal
120 and the body sealing surface 112 at the mouth of opening 110,
as well as the ability of the seal 120 to deflect, bend, or deform,
may allow for leeway in the degree of accuracy required in the
alignment and/or positioning of the lid 102 relative to the body
104 for the lid 102 to properly be closed and form a seal with the
body 104.
[0057] Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 5-7, the at least a portion
of the body sealing surface 112 may also include a tapered or
chamfered surface 146 that mates with, and abuts against, the
tapered surface 144 of the seal 120 when the lid 102 is in a closed
position. The angle of the chamfer surface 146 may be selected to
mate the angle or degree of taper of the tapered surface 144. Like
the abutment of other portions of the body sealing surface 112 and
seal 120, the diameters of these mating tapered and chamfer
surfaces 144, 146 may be configured to assist in creating a
sealable engagement between the lid 102 and body 104 that prevents
the ingress and/or egress of moisture into/out of an interior space
114 of the container 100 and may be used to control the conditions
in the interior space 114.
[0058] The container 100 may also include an attachment mechanism
148 that may assist in retaining or locking the lid 102 seated on
the body 104 in a closed position. Further, the locking of the
attachment mechanism 148 may maintain the seal 120 and body sealing
surface 112 in compressive and/or tension engagement when the lid
102 is closed, and thereby maintain or lock the seal between the
lid 102 and body 104. According to an embodiment of the invention,
the subsequent unlocking of the attachment mechanism 148 and
movement of the lid 102 from being seated in the body 104 to an
opened position may break the seal between the lid 102 and body
104, and particularly the seal between the seal 120 and body
sealing surface 112, which may result in an audible "popping"
sound.
[0059] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the
attachment mechanism 148 may include a claw 140 having a protrusion
142 that lockingly engages the lid 102. As shown in FIGS. 2 and
5-7, the lid 102 may include an aperture 136 and recess 138 that
house or mate with at least a portion of the claw 140 and/or
protrusion 142 when the lid is in a closed position. At least a
portion of the aperture 136 and recess 138 may be located in the
skirt 122 and/or tab 126 of the lid 102, or any combination
thereof. The aperture 136 is sized to receive the insertion of at
least a portion of a claw 140 that may extend away from the body
104, such as extending away from the rim 134. As shown in FIGS. 6
and 7, when the lid 102 is in a closed position, at least a portion
of the claw 140 may be located in the gap between the inner wall of
the skirt 122 and the outer wall of the seal 120. The positioning
of the protrusion 142 in the recess 138 may create an interference
and/or frictional engagement between the protrusion 142 and the lid
102 that maintains or locks the lid 102 in a closed position seated
on the body 104, and thereby maintain a seal about the interior
space 114. Furthermore, rather than engaging the lid 102 through a
recess 138, a through hole may be formed in the lid 102 for passage
of the claw 140, such that the protrusion 142 engages an outer
surface of the lid 102, such as, for example, an upper surface 127
of the tab 126. Additionally, the tab 126 may assist with moving
the lid 102 to/from a closed position so that the protrusion 142
engages/disengages with the recess 138.
[0060] The claw 140 may be configured to be resilient so that the
claw 140 may bend or deflect when the protrusion 142 is pressed
against the lid 102 as the lid 102 is being moved to or from a
closed position. For example, as the lid 102 is being moved to a
closed position and the claw 140 enters the aperture 136, the
protrusion 142 may come into sliding contact with a surface of the
lid 102 as the recess 138 is being moved closer to the protrusion
142. Such contact may cause the claw 140 to bend or deflect in a
generally inward direction. When the protrusion 142 is able to
engage with the recess 138, the claw 140 may return to an
un-deflected or bent position, or have a reduced degree of
deflection or bending. The resiliency of the claw 140 may be
provided by the material used to construct the claw 140 and/or the
size and configuration of the claw 140.
[0061] The claw 140 may be an integral part of the body 104, or may
be a separate component that is operably attached to the flange
104. For example, according to one embodiment, the body 140 may be
molded to include the claw 140. Alternatively, the claw 140 may be
a separate component that may slide in an opening in the rim 134 of
the body 104. According to such an embodiment, in addition to
having a protrusion 142 at the upper end of the claw 140, the
bottom end of the claw 140 may be configured so as to prevent the
claw 140 from being disengaged from the body 104. In use, when the
lid 102 is in a closed position, the bottom end of such a claw 140
may be moved toward the lid 102 until the protrusion 142 engages
the recess 138.
[0062] FIGS. 8-12 illustrate a container 200 according an
embodiment of the present invention having a lid 202, a body 204,
and an attachment mechanism 248 that is configured to retain the
lid 202 in a closed position. The attachment mechanism 248 may
include a claw 240 having a protrusion 242. At least a portion of
the attachment mechanism 240 may be housed in, or mate with, the
body 204 when the lid 202 is in a closed position. For example, the
body 204 may include an aperture 236 having a recess 238 through
which the protrusion 242 may engage the body 204. More
specifically, as shown in FIGS. 8-12, the claw 248 may be an
integral part of the lid 204 that generally extends from the lid
202. Thus, when the lid 202 is in a closed position at least a
portion of the claw 240 is positioned in an aperture 236 in the rim
234 or sidewall 106 of the body 204. For example, the claw 248 may
extend from the cap 118 of the lid 202, be an extension of the
skirt 122, be a protrusion from a side surface of the skirt 118, or
protrude from a bottom surface of the tab 126, among other
configurations. As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, with the lid 202 in
the closed position, the claw 240 may extend from the cap 118 or
skirt 122, through an orifice 250 in the tab 126, and into the
aperture 236 in the rim 234, where the protrusion 242 may engage
the recess 238. Furthermore, rather than engage the body 204
through the recess 238, the protrusion 242 may engage an outer
surface of the body 204, such as, for example, a lower surface 235
about the base of the rim 234, among others.
[0063] FIGS. 13-16 illustrate a container 300 having a lid 302, a
body 304, and a seal 320. The seal 320 may include a seal base 350
and a sealing surface 352. The seal base 350 may include an orifice
354 that engages with a pin 356 that extends from the lid 302 to
secure the seal 350 to the lid 302. The pin 356 may include a
shoulder 358 having a diameter larger than the orifice 354 that
assists in retaining the seal 350 in connection with the lid 302.
The larger diameter of the shoulder 358 may create an interference
that prevents the seal 320 from inadvertently becoming disengaged
from the pin 356. The elastomeric nature of the seal 320 may allow
the passage of the larger shoulder 358 through at least a portion
of the orifice 354 when the seal 320 is being attached to the lid
302. The seal 320 and lid 302 may also be connected in a variety of
other manners, including, for example, through the use of an
adhesive, among others. For example, the seal 320 may include at
least one mount that extends from the top of the seal 320 and
engages at least one cavity in the lid 302. Like the seal 320, such
a mount may be constructed from an elastomeric material and include
a shoulder that may be deformed to fit into, and be retained by,
the cavity of the lid 302.
[0064] The sealing surface 352 may extend from the seal base 350
and be configured so that at least a portion of the sealing surface
352 contacts at least a portion of the body 304 when the lid 302 is
in a closed position so as to form a seal between the lid 302 and
the body 304. As shown in FIGS. 14-16, according to an embodiment
of the present invention, at least a portion of the sealing surface
352 may descend both outwardly and away from the seal base 350.
Such a configuration may allow at least a portion of the sealing
surface 352 to be in contact with the body 304 when the lid 302 is
in a closed position and be subject to a compression force that may
result in the deflection, deformation, or compression of at least a
portion of the sealing surface 352. Further, such a configuration
may provide space between the sealing surface member 352 and the
lid 118 for at least a portion of the sealing surface 352 to be
moved into when the seal 320 goes from a relaxed state when the lid
is in an open position, to a compressed state when the lid 302 is
in a closed position.
[0065] As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, when the lid 302 is in a closed
position, at least a portion of the sealing surface 352 is in
contact with a lip 360 at the top of the sidewall 106 at the mouth
of the opening 110 of the body 304. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16,
according to an embodiment, when the lid 302 is closed, the sealing
surface 352 may engage at least a portion of a sidewall 106 of the
body 304 that extends beyond the rim 134 to form a seal between the
lid 302 and body 304. Extending the sidewall 106 beyond the rim 134
may result in, when the lid 302 is closed, the sidewall 106
providing interference that may cause at least a portion of the
sealing surface 352 to be deflected, deformed, bent, or compress,
which may assist in creating a seal between the lid 302 and the
body 304. Additionally, the extended sidewall 106 may result in the
formation of an additional seal between the sidewall 106 and inner
surface of the skirt 122.
[0066] Further, the sealing surface 352 may be biased toward the
body 304, such as toward the lip 360 and/or sidewall 106 when the
lid 302 which may also assist in creating a seal between the lid
302 and the body 304 when the lid 302 is in a closed position.
Additionally, the container 300 may also include an attachment
mechanism 148, 248 to maintain or lock the lid 302 in a closed
position so as to maintain the seal between the lid 302 and the
body 304.
[0067] The seal 320 may have a variety of different configurations.
Further, the outer perimeter of the seal 320 may be configured to
conform to the shape of the lid 302, cap, 122, and/or skirt 122.
For example, according to an embodiment of the present invention,
the seal 320 may have a generally circular cross-sectional shape.
However, the seal 320 may have a variety of other non-circular
configurations, including for example, being square, rectangular,
triangular, polygonal, or oval, among others.
[0068] While FIGS. 15 and 16 illustrate the outer portions of the
sealing surface 352 in contact with the lip 360 when the lid 302 is
in a closed position, the seal 320 may have other configurations
that engage the lip 360 and/or other portions of the body 304. For
example, as shown in FIG. 17, the container 400 may include a seal
420 having a first sealing surface 462 and/or a second sealing
surface 464. According to such an embodiment, the first sealing
surface 462 may be an inner sealing ring that is configured for
engagement with at least a portion of the inner surface 113 of the
sidewall 106. Additionally, the second sealing surface 464 may be
an outer sealing ring that is configured to engage a portion of the
outer surface 115 of the side wall 106. Further, between the first
and second seals 462, 464 may be a sealing region 466 that engages
the lip 360 of the body 304 when the lid 302 is in a closed
position.
* * * * *