U.S. patent application number 14/816375 was filed with the patent office on 2015-11-26 for container with butterfly lid closure.
This patent application is currently assigned to State Garden, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is State Garden, Inc.. Invention is credited to Marco Tulio BARBIER, Anthony BORDIERI, Michael BRANSFIELD, Hector ECHANIZ, Lawrence MURDOCH, Joseph T. RONCHETTI.
Application Number | 20150336717 14/816375 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 52667035 |
Filed Date | 2015-11-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150336717 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BARBIER; Marco Tulio ; et
al. |
November 26, 2015 |
CONTAINER WITH BUTTERFLY LID CLOSURE
Abstract
A container with a butterfly lid closure has a base portion and
two overlapping hinged lid portions for providing a secure vented
closure. The container has a base with a top peripheral edge at an
open top end. Two hinged butterfly lid portions are secured to the
upper peripheral edge at sides of the base. The lid portions are
secured to the base in a closed position by locking recesses on the
lid portions that engage locking formations on the upper peripheral
edge. A groove on one lid portion engages a groove on another lid
portion to form a seal where the lid portions overlap. Venting
channels formed on the locking formations allow air to pass in and
out of the container, but prevent liquids from entering the
container. Arched ridges on the container's sidewalls increase the
container's rigidity and resistance to top loading.
Inventors: |
BARBIER; Marco Tulio;
(Dover, MA) ; ECHANIZ; Hector; (Brookline, MA)
; MURDOCH; Lawrence; (Greenville, RI) ;
BRANSFIELD; Michael; (Revere, MA) ; BORDIERI;
Anthony; (Medford, MA) ; RONCHETTI; Joseph T.;
(Cambridge, MA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
State Garden, Inc. |
Chelsea |
MA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
State Garden, Inc.
Chelsea
MA
|
Family ID: |
52667035 |
Appl. No.: |
14/816375 |
Filed: |
August 3, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
14485063 |
Sep 12, 2014 |
|
|
|
14816375 |
|
|
|
|
61877376 |
Sep 13, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/260 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 43/26 20130101;
B65D 2543/00833 20130101; B65D 43/161 20130101; B65D 2543/00296
20130101; B65D 43/162 20130101; B65D 43/22 20130101; B65D 25/54
20130101; B65D 2543/00231 20130101; B65D 51/1611 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/16 20060101
B65D043/16; B65D 43/26 20060101 B65D043/26; B65D 25/54 20060101
B65D025/54; B65D 43/22 20060101 B65D043/22 |
Claims
1. A container with a butterfly lid closure, comprising: a base
having a bottom, side walls, and a top peripheral edge defining an
open top end; a plurality of ridges formed in at least one of the
side walls; a butterfly lid having a first lid portion and a second
lid portion for releasably closing the open top end of the base;
the first lid portion and second lid portions being integrally
formed with the base; the first lid portion being connected to the
top peripheral edge by a first hinge; the second lid portion being
connected to the top peripheral edge by a second hinge; the first
and second lid portions being movable from an open position to a
closed position; the first and second lid portions being configured
such that they overlap when in the closed position; a first groove
formed at an edge of the first lid portion, and a second groove
formed at an edge of the second lid portion; the first groove and
the second groove each having a convex lower face and a concave
upper face; at least one locking recess formed on the first lid
portion; at least one locking recess formed on the second lid
portion; a plurality of locking formations formed near the
peripheral edge of the base for engaging the locking recesses of
the first lid portion and second lid portion when the first and
second lid portions are in the closed position; and a venting
channel defined on an upper surface of each locking formation when
the first and second lid portions are in the closed position so
that air can pass in and out of the container; the first and second
lid portions each having a pull tab extending therefrom for opening
the container; whereby a user may close the container by
overlapping the first and second lid portions so that the convex
lower face of the first groove engages the concave upper face of
the second groove or the convex lower face of the second groove
engages the concave upper face; whereby the arches provide
reinforcement to the base of the container to increase top load
resistance.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is formed of
plastic.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is
transparent.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is
translucent.
5. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is opaque.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of
ridges includes at least one arch having an apex, the apex of the
at least one arch being proximal to the open top end of the
base.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein the container is square,
round, oval or rectangular in shape.
8. The container of claim 1, wherein the pull tabs on the first and
second lid portions are symmetrical.
9. The container of claim 1, wherein the first hinge and the second
hinge are perforated hinges.
10. The container of claim 1, further including a weld strip along
a top peripheral edge of the base.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C.
.sctn.119(e) to U.S. provisional Application No. 61/877,376, filed
on Sep. 13, 2013, the entire content of which is incorporated
herein by reference thereto.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The invention relates generally to containers, such as those
in the configuration of packages and tubs, which may or may not
have a lid. More specifically, the present invention relates to
such containers that are used to store articles, such as food.
[0003] It is well known in the art that containers are commonly
used to store food, but it should be understood that the invention
relates to any type of container for any type of purpose.
[0004] For storing foods such as salad, it is desirable to use a
container that has an air vent, while it is also desirable to
prevent fluid from entering the container. Storing salad and other
produce in vented containers allows air to circulate through the
container, allowing the food to stay fresher for a longer period of
time. However, air vents often create openings for liquids to enter
the container. For example, vents are commonly formed as simple
holes in the container walls, which allow both air and water to
pass through the container wall. While the venting of air can
benefit the produce within the container, there is a risk that a
liquid will enter the container and contaminate or damage the
produce, negating any benefit offered by the air vent. Thus, there
is a need to provide a container with a vent that allows air to
circulate through a container but prevents liquids from entering
the container.
[0005] Additionally, for many types of containers, there is a
desire to make the structure, including the walls, as rigid as
possible. However, there needs to be some additional elements or
materials to achieve this, which adds cost. For example, it is
common to include carbon fiber or metal reinforcement members,
which not only adds complexity to the manufacturing process but
also adds significant cost. Also, it is possible to simply make the
walls of the container thicker, which, similarly, adds costs in
view of the use of additional material usage. Thus, there is a
balancing between amount and nature of material used and the
rigidity of the container. This is particularly true with
containers that are made of plastic material using a forming
process, such as thermoforming or injection molding.
[0006] In view of the above, the prior art attempts are not
adequate, as they do not provide a container having a vented
closure that allows air to circulate through the container while
preventing liquids from entering the container.
[0007] There is a need for a container that allows air to enter the
container but does not allow liquid to easily enter the
container.
[0008] There is a need for a container that is the same as or less
expensive than prior art containers yet are more rigid with an
increased resistance to top load which allows for an increase in
stack weight on the top of the container or tub.
[0009] There is a need for a container that uses less material with
thinner walls yet provides superior rigidity for increased top load
capability, i.e. ability to support larger weight with more items
stacked thereon.
[0010] There is also a desire to provide a container that includes
a closure that secures the container closed a certain times, such
as during shipping. However, there is also a need for a container
to be easily opened when access to the contents is desired.
[0011] There is even a further need for a container that attractive
in appearance.
SUMMARY OF SELECTED FEATURES
[0012] The container described herein preserves the advantages of
prior art containers and tubs. In addition, it provides new
advantages not found in currently available containers and tubs and
overcomes many disadvantages of such currently available containers
and tubs.
[0013] The container described herein is a novel and unique
container (i.e. a tub) that has one or more venting channels that
allows air to enter and exit the container, yet still prevents
liquid from entering the container.
[0014] More specifically, the container provides a butterfly lid
including two hingedly connected doors for a container having a
base having a bottom, side walls, corners and a top peripheral edge
defining an open top end. The side walls of the container are
reinforced by ridges in the form of arches. A butterfly lid forms a
closure on the top end of the base. The butterfly lid has two lid
portions that are each secured to the upper peripheral edge of the
base by a hinge that can be provided by perforation, or the
like.
[0015] A user can move the lid portions to a closed position in
which they overlap. The lids can overlap in any order. In an
embodiment, the lid portion having a non-directional tab can be
moved to the closed position first, and the lid portion having a
directional tab (has directions thereon) can be moved to the closed
position second. In the closed position, the lid portions form a
seal on the base, and locking recesses on the lid portions are
frictionally secured to locking formations on the upper peripheral
edge of the base. The lid portions overlap at the center of the top
end of the container, and a groove on one lid portion is received
in a groove on the other lid portion to form a seal that prevents
liquid from entering the container. A pull tab on each lid portion
allows a user to hingedly pivot the lids to thereby open the
container.
[0016] While the lid portions and base form a seal, venting
channels are, respectively, defined between the lid portions and
the base to allow air to enter and exit the container.
[0017] Ridges are formed in at least one of the side walls. The
ridges are in the configuration of at least one arch having an apex
where the apex of the at least one arch is proximal to the open top
end of the base. The arches provide reinforcement to the base of
the container to increase top load resistance.
[0018] Many different configurations of the present container are
possible. It is possible to have a single lock recess on each side
of each lid portion, or there may be multiple lock recesses on each
side of each lid portion. It is also possible to have a single
venting channel on the container, or there may be multiple venting
channels on the container. Preferably, there is one venting channel
for each lid.
[0019] Described herein is a container that has a butterfly lid and
a venting channel that prevents liquid from entering the
container.
[0020] In addition, the container can have thinner walls than prior
art containers yet still provides top load resistance.
[0021] Moreover, the container can include an engineered geometry
so that superior top load capability can be achieved with thinner
material walls.
[0022] The container can also securely contain its contents therein
yet is easy to open.
[0023] In addition, the container is an attractive container that
is functional superior to prior art containers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] The novel features which are characteristic of the container
described herein are set forth in the appended claims. However, the
container's preferred embodiments, together with further objects
and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to
the following detailed description taken in connection with the
accompanying drawings in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container, with the
butterfly lid in the closed position;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a top view thereof;
[0027] FIG. 3 is a bottom view thereof;
[0028] FIG. 4 is a front view thereof;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a right view thereof;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a left view thereof;
[0031] FIG. 7 shows a left view of the container with the butterfly
lid in an open position;
[0032] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of the container being
opened;
[0033] FIG. 9a shows the right portion of the butterfly lid
overlapping the left portion;
[0034] FIG. 9b shows the left portion of the butterfly lid
overlapping the right portion;
[0035] FIG. 10 shows a front elevational view of FIG. 9b;
[0036] FIG. 11a shows the venting channel with the butterfly lid in
a closed position;
[0037] FIG. 11b shows another view thereof;
[0038] FIG. 11c shows the venting channel with the butterfly lid in
the open position;
[0039] FIG. 11d shows another view thereof;
[0040] FIG. 12a shows the container in the open position;
[0041] FIG. 12b shows another view thereof;
[0042] FIG. 13 shows a top view thereof, with possible
dimensions;
[0043] FIG. 14 shows a front view thereof, with possible
dimensions;
[0044] FIG. 15 is a top view of another embodiment of a container
in an open position as described herein;
[0045] FIG. 16 is a top view of the container of FIG. 15 in a
closed position;
[0046] FIG. 17 is a cross-sectional view of the container along
line B-B of FIG. 16;
[0047] FIG. 18 is a front view of the container of FIG. 15;
[0048] FIG. 19 is an enlarged view of a hinge shown in FIG. 18;
[0049] FIG. 20 is a side view of the container of FIG. 15; and
[0050] FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the container of FIG.
15.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0051] Referring to FIG. 1, a container 10 of the present invention
is shown to include a base 12 and a butterfly lid 14. The butterfly
lid 14 includes a first lid portion 16 and a second lid portion 18.
The butterfly lid 14 provides a vented closure for the container
10, as explained herein.
[0052] The container 10 is provided with the items to be stored
residing therein, such as food or the like (not shown). Preferably,
the lid portions 16, 18 rotate towards the base 12 and engage the
peripheral top edge 20 of the base 12 with a peripheral lid edge 58
(shown in FIG. 15) on each lid portion 16, 18 to provide a seal. As
shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, in an embodiment, a weld strip 52 can be
positioned along at least a portion of a length of the peripheral
top edge 20 of the base 12 to strengthen the container 10.
Preferably, the weld strip 52 is along an edge of the base 12 that
does not include a hinge with one of the lid portions 16, 18. The
weld strip 52 can be about 0.20 inch to about 0.50 inch in width,
preferably about 0.25 inch.
[0053] The first lid portion 16 and the second lid portion 18 of
the butterfly lid 14 are integrally formed with the base 12, and
are each connected to the base 12 by a hinge 24 at the peripheral
top edge of the base. As shown in FIG. 1, the hinge 24 can be a
perforated hinge. It should be under that perforation is one of
many different ways to hingedly connect the lid portions 16, 18 to
the base. In another embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the
hinge 24 can aid in abating buckling of the sidewalls 26. The first
lid portion 16 and the second lid portion 18 may be moved from an
open position to a closed position. In the closed position, as
shown in FIG. 2, the first lid portion 16 and the second lid
portion 18 together span the open top end of the base 12.
[0054] The butterfly type of lid improves the filling process
because the lid portions 16, 18 can serve as a funnel for the
container 10. When the lid portions 16, 18 are angled
45.degree.-60.degree. from the horizontal, a product such as a
salad can be dispensed from above and guided into the container 10
by the lid portions 16, 18. Filling prior art containers can be a
messy process, unless additional funneling equipment is used to
contain the salad being placed in the container.
[0055] To improve the structural rigidity of the container 10, the
side walls 26 of the base 12 have ridges that are in the form of an
arch 28 having an apex that is near the top end of the base 12. In
the bottom view of FIG. 3, the arched ridges extend upwardly from a
bottom of the base 12 along the angled side walls 26 of the
container 10.
[0056] The container 10 can include a number of arches 28, shown in
FIGS. 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 17, 20 and 21, that are integrated into a wall
geometry of the base 12 where the apex of the arches 28 receives
the downward forces from the weight of any object stacked on the
top thereof. The arches 28 can be formed by creating ridges in the
wall using thermoforming techniques, such as providing the
appropriate tooling to create such ridges, where desired. The
container 10 incorporates the structural advantages of arches, such
as in bridges, into a container for improving the structural
integrity thereof.
[0057] FIGS. 4-7 provide additional views of the container 10
showing the arched ridges 28 on the side walls 26. In the example
shown in the figures, the container 10 is generally rectangular in
shape so one side is longer than the other. To illustrate this,
FIGS. 3 and 4 show front and rear views of the shorter sides (front
and back of the container) while FIGS. 5 and 6 show views of the
long side (sides of the container). This rectangular configuration
is just one example of how the container 10 can be used. For
example, the container 10 can be formed into a square, round, oval
or other shapes depending on the need and application at hand.
Moreover, the geometry of the fingers 42 and arches 28 can be
altered and the number on each of the side walls changed to form a
container 10 having appropriate strength and appearance.
[0058] To facilitate opening of the butterfly lid 14 of the
container 10, the first and second lid portions 16, 18 each have a
pull tab 30 that has a surface that a user can grip. When gripping
the pull tab 30, the user rotates the respective lid portion 16, 18
away from the base 12. FIG. 8 shows a user opening the exemplary
embodiment of the container 10 of the present invention by gripping
the pull tab.
[0059] FIGS. 9a and 9b show more clearly the pull tabs 30 on the
lid portions 16, 18, with the lid portions 16, 18 in a partially
open position. FIG. 9a shows the first lid portion overlapping the
second lid portion, while FIG. 9b shows the second lid portion 18
overlapping the first lid portion 16. The pull tabs 30 on the lid
portions 16, 18 are symmetrical, so it does not matter which lid
portion 16, 18 is closed over the other. In another embodiment, the
pull tab 30 on the first lid portion 16 can be a directional pull
tab, and the pull tab 30 on the second lid portion 18 can be a
non-directional pull tab. In this embodiment, the second lid
portion 18 can be closed first and the first lid portion 16 can be
closed second.
[0060] When the lid portions 16, 18 are in the closed position,
they are frictionally secured to the base by a frictional locking
structure, forming a seal at the peripheral edge of the base 12.
FIG. 10 provides another view of the lid portions 16, 18 in a
partially open position, to show more clearly the frictional
locking structure. Locking recesses 32 formed at the sides of the
lid portions 16, 18 frictionally receive locking formations 34
formed near the peripheral edge of the base. As shown in FIG. 1,
the locking formations can be positioned at the peripheral edge 20
of the base 12. Alternatively, the locking formations 34 can be
positioned inward of the peripheral edge 20 of the base to further
abate tampering as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, and the weld strip 52
can be positioned at the peripheral edge 20. In use, once the first
lid portion 16 and the second lid portion 18 are closed, the first
and second lid portions 16, 18 can be sonic welded at the weld
strip. In addition, perforation can be added to the area of the
first and second lid portions 16, 18 to be sonic welded so as to
allow for the lid portions 16, 18 to disengage from the base 12 at
a predetermined pull force.
[0061] In the exemplary embodiment, there are four locking
formations 34 on the peripheral edge 20 of the base 12, one for
each end of each lid portion 16, 18. More or fewer locking
formations 34 and locking recesses 32 can be used without departing
from the scope of the present invention.
[0062] The locking formations 34 substantially prevent tampering
with the contents of the container 10.
[0063] In an embodiment, the container 10 can be wrapped by a
pre-perforated label (not shown). A user intending to tamper with
the products within the container 10 would need to tear the
pre-perforated label in order to disengage the locking recesses 32
from the locking formations 34 and to disengage the first and
second lid portions 16, 18 from the base 12 at the weld strip
52.
[0064] While the locking formations 34 provide a seal at the ends
of the container 10, the lid portions 16, 18 form a seal at the
center of the top of the container. FIG. 10 shows a groove 36 that
is formed along the long side of each lid portion 16, 18. In the
area of the groove, each lid portion has a convex lower surface and
a concave upper surface. Thus, when the lid portions overlap, the
convex face of the groove on one lid portion is received in facing
relation with the concave face of the groove of the other lid
portion. This engagement of the grooves forms a closure on the
upper surface of the container, along the long side of each lid
portion. It also prevents liquid from flowing into the container
where the butterfly lid portions meet. In an embodiment, as shown
in FIGS. 16 and 17, when the lid portions 16, 18 are in the closed
position, a U-shaped center bar (or groove) 60 can be formed to
increase rigidity of the container 10. The center bar 60 can be
made deeper for increased rigidity.
[0065] Additionally, the groove 36 helps keep the lid portions
centered on the base, and provide additional structural stability
on the upper surface of the container.
[0066] Furthermore, the grooves 36 are useful when a user is ready
to open the container. The container 10 of the present invention
may be secured in the closed position by a product label (not
shown) that extends across the lid 14. The product label can have a
perforated line that is adjacent or aligned with the groove. Thus,
the user can press the perforated line on the label downwardly into
the groove. The label will tear along the perforated line, and the
user can cleanly remove the label from the container.
[0067] While the lid portions 16, 18 otherwise form a seal on the
container 10 when the container 10 is in the closed position, a
venting channel 38 ensures that air can pass in and out of the
container 10. FIGS. 11a-11d show a venting channel 38 defined on an
upper surface of a locking formation 34. The venting channel 38 is
formed between the base 12 and at least one of the lid portions 16,
18 when the lid 14 is closed. In the exemplary embodiment, a
depression 40 extends from the interior wall of the base 12 to the
peripheral edge of the base, as shown in FIGS. 11c and 11d. The gap
between this depression 40 and the lid portion 16, 18 form the
venting channel 38 when the lid portion 16, 18 is closed, as shown
in FIGS. 11a and 11b.
[0068] When the lid portions 16, 18 are closed, a liquid cannot
easily enter the container 10 through the venting channel 38
without sufficient pressure applied to the fluid, because the
venting channels 38 extend inwardly and upwardly over the locking
formations 34. In contrast, prior art containers with simple
venting holes allow both air and liquid to easily enter a container
without any additional pressure required. FIGS. 11a-11d show the
venting channel 38 of the exemplary embodiment extending upwardly
over the locking formation 34, rather than horizontally or
downwardly as it enters the container 10. With the container 10
shown of a transparent material, the venting channels 38 can be
seen when the lids 16, 18 are in a closed position.
[0069] Adjacent to the locking formations 34 are elongated fingers
42 extending down the short side walls 26 of the container at a
front and rear of the container 10. These fingers 42 form a convex
surface on the outer walls of the container 10 and a concave
surface on inner walls of the container.
[0070] These fingers 42 serve two functions. First, they form
arches that provide structural stability and increase the rigidity
of the container 10. Because they extend partially into the locking
formations 34, they increase the rigidity of both the walls 26 and
the locking formations 34 in the same way the arches 28 increase
the rigidity of the base 12. Second, they have a concave inner
surface that allows the venting channel 38 to extend through the
locking formations 34 and into the container 10, as shown in FIGS.
11a-11d. As shown in FIG. 17, in an embodiment, the container can
also include a single central U-shaped structure 45 that is concave
from an exterior 51 of a front wall 50 of the container 10. The
inclusion of a single, central U-shaped structure 45 can increase
top load resistance to form a stronger container. The U-shaped
structure 45 can be wider at a top of the base 12 than at a bottom
of the base 12. In other embodiments, the container 10 can include
one or more U-shaped structures 45 and/or one or more arches
28.
[0071] The container 10 of the exemplary embodiment is configured
to facilitate stacking of multiple containers. The locking recesses
32 form convex ridges on the upper surfaces of the lid portions 16,
18, which facilitate stacking. Additional stacking ridges can be
formed on the long sides of the upper surface of the lid portions
16, 18 adjacent to the perforated hinges 24.
[0072] The container 10 is particularly well suited for being
thermoformed out of plastic, which may be transparent, translucent
or opaque. Thermoforming, using the appropriate tooling, is so well
known in the art that it need not be discussed in detail herein.
Suffice it to say that the tooling would be appropriately
manufactured to provide the desired wall profiling to achieve the
ridged arch formations, venting, locks and the like. Containers 10
made out of other materials by other methods can also be
achieved.
[0073] The container 10 may be molded in an open position, shown in
FIGS. 12a, 12b, 15 and 18. In one embodiment, the container may be
dimensioned as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. For example, the base can
be about 6.640 inches and the container can be about 8.813 inches
long. In addition, the container can be about 3.000 inches when the
container is in the open position and about 3.280 inches when the
container is in the closed position. In another embodiment, the
container can be about 9.68 inches long, about 6.5 inches wide and
about 3.22 inches high in the open position, and the container can
include a weld strip that is about 6.29 inches long.
[0074] When the word "about" is used in this specification in
connection with a numerical value, it is intended that the
associated numerical value include a tolerance of .+-.10% around
the stated numerical value. Moreover, when reference is made to
percentages in this specification, it is intended that those
percentages are based on weight, i.e., weight percentages.
[0075] Moreover, when the words "generally" and "substantially" are
used in connection with geometric shapes, it is intended that
precision of the geometric shape is not required but that latitude
for the shape is within the scope of the disclosure. When used with
geometric terms, the words "generally" and "substantially" are
intended to encompass not only features which meet the strict
definitions but also features which fairly approximate the strict
definitions.
[0076] It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated
embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present
invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be
covered by the present invention and any appended claims.
* * * * *