U.S. patent application number 13/997032 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-09 for infant formula container.
The applicant listed for this patent is Corinne Ashbee, Peter Booth, Zena J. Irani. Invention is credited to Corinne Ashbee, Peter Booth, Zena J. Irani.
Application Number | 20140299598 13/997032 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 45524892 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140299598 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Irani; Zena J. ; et
al. |
October 9, 2014 |
INFANT FORMULA CONTAINER
Abstract
A container (100) for storing and dispensing flowable
nutritional products. The container (100) includes a reservoir
(101), a removable seal (103), a collar (102), a lid (104) hingedly
attached to the collar, and a docking station (106) for a measuring
device (107), such as a scoop for measuring the product. The
container may also include a leveling bar (108) to use in
conjunction with the measuring device (107).
Inventors: |
Irani; Zena J.; (Bryn Mawr,
PA) ; Booth; Peter; (Marlborough Wiltshire, GB)
; Ashbee; Corinne; (Marlborough Wiltshire, GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Irani; Zena J.
Booth; Peter
Ashbee; Corinne |
Bryn Mawr
Marlborough Wiltshire
Marlborough Wiltshire |
PA |
US
GB
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
45524892 |
Appl. No.: |
13/997032 |
Filed: |
December 15, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
December 15, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2011/055719 |
371 Date: |
August 14, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61425978 |
Dec 22, 2010 |
|
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/212 ;
220/810 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2401/05 20200501;
B65D 43/18 20130101; B65D 51/247 20130101; B65D 51/24 20130101;
B65D 50/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/212 ;
220/810 |
International
Class: |
B65D 50/00 20060101
B65D050/00; B65D 43/18 20060101 B65D043/18; B65D 51/24 20060101
B65D051/24 |
Claims
1. A container comprising: a body having a bottom and a side wall
defining a reservoir; a collar attached to a top end of the body; a
removable seal at the top end of the body to seal the reservoir;
and, a lid hingedly engaged with the collar, the lid having an
underside and configured to provide a docking station on the
underside for holding a measuring device.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein the side wall is a cylindrical
sleeve attached at one end to the bottom and at the other end to
the collar.
3. A container of claim 1 comprising a leveling bar at the top end
of the body.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein a tamper strip is located on
the side wall, which visibly indicates the volume or condition of
the contents in the container to a user.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein a tamper evident band is
located on a portion of the lid.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the lid and collar are
constructed from a plastic material.
7. The container of claim 6, wherein the lid and the collar are
connected together by a butterfly hinge and are molded as one
piece.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein the removable seal is a metal
or polymer foil.
9. A container for holding powdered or granulated infant formula
comprising: a body having a bottom and a cylindrical side wall
defining a reservoir; a collar attached to a top end of the body; a
leveling bar at the top end of the body; a removable seal at the
top end of the body to seal the reservoir; and, a lid hingedly
engaged with the collar, the lid having an underside and configured
to provide a docking station on the underside for holding a
measuring device.
10. A container as in claim 9 comprising a measuring device
designed to fit into the docking station, wherein the measuring
device is a scoop comprising a bowl and a handle affixed to the
bowl.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention pertains to an improved, tamper evident
container for storing and dispensing flowable products.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Currently, granulated or powder products, such as infant
formula, are packaged in containers. Consumers or users of such
containers have often found that it is difficult to open the
container and to locate and remove the scoop from the packaging
upon the first use without experiencing spillage. Once the
container lid is removed or opened, the granulated or powdered
contents are often packed into parts of the interior of the lid or
top of the container, which results in spillage as the contents
fall away from the lid or top. While some of the falling powder may
fall back into the interior of the container, much of it is wasted
and contaminated as it spills onto the surrounding workspace.
[0003] Additionally, containers may not adequately seal the
contents after the container has been opened for the first time,
allowing the contents to become oxidized and/or contaminated. The
design of such containers also may permit undesirable and
inadvertent discharge of the contents from various poorly sealed
areas of the container.
[0004] Certain infant formula container designs are known in the
art. For example, U.S. Patent Appl. Publ. No. 2008/0173657
discloses a container and congruent scoop assembly with a removable
lid for holding powdered material. There is a need for an improved
infant formula container that is tamper evident, that allows a user
to accurately measure infant formula to be dispensed, that enables
a user to open and re-open the container without contaminating the
infant formula, that allows a user access to the measuring scoop
without contamination of the contents, that minimizes pressure
differentials to the container without compromising the contents of
the container and which minimizes spillage and contamination of the
contents of the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a container comprising: a
body having a bottom and a side wall defining a reservoir; a collar
attached to the top end of the body; a removable seal to seal the
top of the reservoir; and, a lid hingedly engaged with the collar.
The underside of the lid provides a docking station for holding a
measuring device, such as a scoop, suitable for measuring the
contents of the container. The container may also have a leveling
bar located at or near the top of the reservoir to allow the
contents of the scoop to be leveled so that a consistent amount is
dispensed by the scoop.
[0006] The lid closes tightly against the collar to seal the can
and prevent spillage of the contents. In the closed position, the
docking station is inside the can so that any measuring device
docked therein will be secure from loss or contamination.
[0007] The container may also include a tamper evident band on a
portion of the lid and/or collar to indicate if the container has
been opened. It may also include a tamper strip on one side which
will indicate the amount or condition of the contents.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0008] Features illustrated in the figures are not necessarily
drawn to scale, and the relative sizes of certain features may be
exaggerated to better illustrate the features. Embodiments will be
described with reference to the following figures, in which like
numerals represent like items throughout the figures.
[0009] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the
infant formula container 100 in an open position with a scoop 107
held in the lid 104 by a docking station 106, with the removable
seal 103 over the reservoir in a closed position.
[0010] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the
infant formula container 100 with the lid 104 in an open position
with the seal 103 over the reservoir 101 in a partially opened
position.
[0011] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the container 100, collar 102
and hingedly attached lid 104.
[0012] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a scoop 107.
[0013] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of one embodiment of the
infant formula container 100 in which the lid 104 is open, the seal
103 has been removed, and a scoop 107 is in contact with a leveling
bar 108 at the top of the reservoir 101.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] In one embodiment, the present invention provides a
container suitable to hold flowable contents, such as a powdered or
granular infant formula, which includes a removable seal to seal in
the contents held in the reservoir of the container, a collar
attached to the top of the container, and a lid hingedly attached
to the collar. When the lid is open the contents of the container
can be dispensed from the reservoir; when closed, the lid tightly
engages the collar to seal in the contents. The underside of the
lid, which is inside the container when the lid is closed, contains
a docking station and sufficient space so that a measuring device,
such as a scoop, may be stored securely within the can to prevent
loss or contamination thereof. Optionally, a leveling bar for
leveling the contents removed by the scoop is located near the top
of the reservoir.
[0015] According to an exemplary embodiment, FIG. 1 shows a
perspective view of the infant formula container 100 in an open
position. Infant formula container 100 includes a reservoir 101
configured to hold contents to be dispensed; a collar 102 affixed
to a top end of the reservoir 101; the collar further comprising a
removable seal 103 that seals the contents held in the reservoir
101; a lid 104, hingedly engaged with the collar 102, providing an
open position wherein the contents of the container can be
dispensed from the reservoir 101 or providing a closed position
wherein the lid 104 is resealed to the collar 102. The lid 104
provides space and a docking station 106 for holding and storing a
scoop 107. The container further comprises a leveling bar 108 for
leveling the contents removed by the scoop 107.
[0016] The reservoir 101 of the infant formula container 100 is
designed to hold granulated infant powder, or the like. The body of
the container 100 is constructed of a suitable metal or plastic
material to be a unitary member of approximately uniform wall
thickness.
[0017] In one embodiment, the body of the container 100 is
constructed from a metal material, including but not limited to
tin, metal plated tin, and aluminum. In a separate embodiment, the
body of the container 100 is constructed from a suitable plastic
material that is recyclable or non-recyclable. Suitable plastics
for forming the container 100 include, but are not limited to,
polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitile,
acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleic anhydride,
polycarbonate, high density polyethylene, polyethylene copolymers,
polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers, polyethylene
terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and the like, and blends
thereof.
[0018] In one embodiment, the container 100 will have a
semi-transparent to transparent tamper evident strip as part of the
side wall to allow one to see into the reservoir 101 and thus to
visually indicate to a potential user the quality and/or volume of
the granulated infant formula in the reservoir. Typically,
containers of the invention are constructed to accommodate infant
powder weights of: 100 to 2000 g; more typically 500 to 1000 g; for
example 900 g.
[0019] In one embodiment, the container 100 has a cylindrical body,
providing a circular cross-section, and the collar 102 is circular.
In another embodiment, the body has a rectangular cross-section and
the collar is likewise rectangular. In any case, the lid 104 is
shaped to snugly mate with the collar 102. Those skilled in the art
will readily understand that other shapes are also feasible in the
practice of this invention; the invention is not limited to the
shapes described herein.
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a perspective view
of the infant formula container 100 with the lid 104 in an open
position with the removable seal 103 in the collar 102 in a
partially opened position.
[0021] In one embodiment, the lid 104 will have a tamper evident
band that is wrapped around the lid 104 of the infant formula
container 100. In one embodiment of the band, there is a noticeable
red strip between perforated lines to indicate to a user where to
tear the tamper evident band off, and a container opening icon
located in four places on the tamper evident band communicating to
the user the best way to open the infant formula container. The
tamper evident band also adds a level of security preventing the
closure from opening during transporting, handling, shipping, shelf
stocking and consumer handling.
[0022] A removable seal 103 is attached to container 100 at the top
of the reservoir 101 to vacuum seal the contents in the reservoir
101. The removable seal 103 allows for vacuum packaging of the
contents in the container 100 and acts as an anti-tamper inner
liner. One skilled in the art of food packaging will be familiar
with such releasably or removably attached packaging seals.
Specifically, metal processing, adhesive or heat may be used to
attach a seal formed of polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, metal
foil, plastic foil or other suitable material to form an airtight
seal. Therefore, opening of the lid 100 will not disturb the seal
103 unless the seal 103 is cut or removed by the use.
[0023] Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown a side view of the
container 100 having reservoir 101, collar 102, and hingedly
attached lid 104. In one embodiment, the lid and collar are
constructed from a suitable plastic material that is recyclable or
non-recyclable.
[0024] Suitable plastics for forming the lid and collar include,
but are not limited to, various polymers such as polystyrene,
polystyrene-acrylonitile, acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene,
styrene-maleicanhydride, polycarbonate, high density polyethylene,
polyethylene copolymers, polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers,
polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and the like, and
blends thereof.
[0025] As shown in FIG. 3, the lid 104 is dome shaped and hingedly
attached to the collar 102, in a skirt and a sleeve type
arrangement that allows them to snap together. The lid 104 and the
collar 102 are connected together by a butterfly hinge and are
molded as one piece. When closing the lid 104, the the lid 104
swings into the collar 102 to form a sleeve type seal. The outer
diameter of the lid 104 and the inner diameter of the collar 102
are designed to have minimum clearance for air passing and to
minimize air oxidation of the contents. On top of the collar 102,
there is a sealing rim (bead), which has an interference fit with
the lid 104, so that when the lid is pushed down to pass the
sealing bead and the skirt, air is forced out through the minimum
space between lid 104 and the collar 102 and a tight seal is
obtained.
[0026] In FIG. 4, there is shown a perspective view of a scoop 107.
The scoop 107 consists of a bifurcated handle attached to a scoop
bowl. The scoop handle is bifurcated where it connects to the scoop
bowl to allow the scoop 107 to efficiently collect infant powder
and avoid powder build-up on the handle, so less powder spills on
the preparation area.
[0027] In one embodiment, the scoop 107 is molded from a suitable
plastic material, which may be blow molded, by extrusion or
injection. Suitable plastics for forming the scoop include, but are
not limited to, various polymers such as polystyrene,
polystyrene-acrylonitile, acrylonitile-butadiene-styrene,
styrene-maleic anhydride, polycarbonate, high density polyethylene,
polyethylene copolymers, polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers,
polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and the like, and
blends thereof. In one embodiment, the scoop has a small opening at
the bottom of the bowl to allow air to exit while collecting infant
powder so that the powder will pack better in the scoop.
[0028] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of the leveling bar 108.
[0029] Many of the problems of the prior art are solved by the
infant formula container of this invention, which provides
previously unavailable features including improved sealing
capabilities, new ways to minimize contamination of infant formula
and control spillage of the contents, integrated dispensing scoops,
and strengthened containers that can further protect against
spillage and damage to product due to adverse pressure
differentials between the sealed product container and the external
environment.
[0030] The embodiments of the present invention are suitable for
use in many applications that involve manufacture, distribution,
storage, sale, and use of flowable substances such as powders,
granular materials, or liquids. The configurations of the inventive
container can be modified to accommodate nearly any conceivable
type of such materials, and the shape, size, and arrangement of the
features and components of the novel container can be modified
according to the principles of the invention as may be required to
suit a particular type or quantity of flowable material, as well as
a preferred mode of use, storage, manufacture, distribution, and/or
sales environment.
[0031] Modifications and alternative embodiments which may be
necessary or desired to establish compatibility with the wide
variety of possible applications for the container of this
invention are contemplated herein. Accordingly, even though only a
few embodiments and modifications of the present invention are
described and illustrated, it is to be understood that the practice
of such additional modifications and embodiments and the
equivalents thereof are within the spirit and scope of the
invention as defined in the claims.
* * * * *