U.S. patent application number 14/935588 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-03 for resealable moisture tight container assembly for strips and the like having a lip snap seal.
The applicant listed for this patent is CSP Technologies, Inc.. Invention is credited to Jean Pierre Giraud.
Application Number | 20160060000 14/935588 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46123674 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160060000 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Giraud; Jean Pierre |
March 3, 2016 |
RESEALABLE MOISTURE TIGHT CONTAINER ASSEMBLY FOR STRIPS AND THE
LIKE HAVING A LIP SNAP SEAL
Abstract
A substantially moisture tight container and lid assembly for
storing and packaging moisture-sensitive items comprising an
assembly with a container and a lid, the lid is attached by a hinge
to an upper housing portion of the container, the lid includes a
lip seal member that depends downwardly from the lid, the lip seal
member is configured to abut at least a portion of the interior
side of the container when the lid is in the closed position
resulting in a substantially moisture tight seal between the lid
and the lid, and the container assembly further comprising a base
portion and an upper housing portion, the upper housing portion is
capable of being snap-fit into the base portion by employing a lip
seal mechanism to form a substantially moisture-tight seal.
Inventors: |
Giraud; Jean Pierre; (Paris,
FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
CSP Technologies, Inc. |
Auburn |
AL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46123674 |
Appl. No.: |
14/935588 |
Filed: |
November 9, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14202867 |
Mar 10, 2014 |
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14935588 |
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13944708 |
Jul 17, 2013 |
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14202867 |
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13533233 |
Jun 26, 2012 |
8528778 |
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13944708 |
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12425590 |
Apr 17, 2009 |
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13533233 |
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11171171 |
Jun 30, 2005 |
7537137 |
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12425590 |
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10683311 |
Oct 10, 2003 |
7213720 |
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11171171 |
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60417533 |
Oct 10, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
53/410 ;
53/452 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65B 57/02 20130101;
B65D 43/16 20130101; B65D 2543/0099 20130101; B65D 43/164 20130101;
B65B 7/26 20130101; B65D 83/0823 20130101; A61J 1/03 20130101; B65D
2251/105 20130101; B65B 5/04 20130101; B65B 51/225 20130101; B65D
43/162 20130101; B65D 81/24 20130101; B65D 2251/20 20130101; B65D
53/00 20130101; B65D 43/163 20130101; B65D 81/266 20130101; B65D
83/0805 20130101; B65D 2543/00833 20130101; B65D 2251/1041
20130101; B65B 61/20 20130101; B65D 53/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/16 20060101
B65D043/16; B65B 7/26 20060101 B65B007/26; B65D 81/26 20060101
B65D081/26; B65B 57/02 20060101 B65B057/02; B65B 61/20 20060101
B65B061/20; B65B 5/04 20060101 B65B005/04; B65B 51/22 20060101
B65B051/22 |
Claims
1. A process for making a substantially-moisture proof container
and lid assembly for storing and packaging moisture-sensitive
items, the process comprising: (a) forming the container to include
a container base and a sidewall extending upwardly from the
container base, wherein a top of the container is provided with an
opening that permits access to an interior of the container, the
opening being spaced away from an outer surface of the sidewall of
the container by at least a portion of the thickness of the
sidewall of the container; (b) forming the lid arranged to be
hingedly coupled to the container, the lid having an outer
periphery that extends over at least a portion of the container,
the lid having a skirt that extends downwardly therefrom, the skirt
of the lid being positioned at a location on the lid that allows
the skirt of the lid to close over the top of the container when
the lid is subsequently closed on the container to define a closed
position, wherein the skirt of the lid fits over a periphery of the
top of the container, the skirt of the lid including an inwardly
facing extension, a lip of the top of the container including an
outwardly facing extension, wherein the inwardly facing extension
of the skirt of the lid and the outwardly facing extension of the
lip abut and interlock with each other in a snap-fit configuration
when the lid is in the closed position, the lid further including a
flexible lip seal member that extends downwardly therefrom, the
flexible lip seal member of the lid being configured to abut at
least a portion of the interior side of the top container surface
when the lid and container are in the closed position, and wherein
the flexible lip seal member is designed to be sufficiently
deflective so as to provide a sealing position when the skirt of
the lid is subsequently closed over the top of the container, which
results in a substantially moisture proof seal between the lid and
the container; (c) providing a desiccant in the container and lid
assembly; and (d) transferring the container and lid to a capping
device which effects the closed condition by closing the lid on the
container.
2. The process of claim 1 wherein the steps of forming the
container and forming the lid comprise injection molding the
container and the lid, the process further comprising a step of the
capping device closing the lid on the container before the material
of the container and the lid have fully set.
3. The process of claim 2 wherein the step of transferring occurs
without deforming the container.
4. The process of claim 2 wherein the step of closing the lid on
the container comprises closing the lid on the container when the
material of the container and the lid have cooled enough such that
the lid and the container do not melt into one another.
5. The process of claim 2 wherein the step of closing the lid on
the container occurs within one minute of the container being
formed.
6. The process of claim 2 wherein the steps of forming the
container and the lid, transferring the container and the lid to
the capping station and closing the lid on the container occur
within a 45 second time frame.
7. The process of claim 2 wherein the step of providing a desiccant
in the container and lid assembly comprises press-fitting a
desiccant plastic liner into the container by inserting the liner
within the container before the material of the container has fully
set.
8. The process of claim 1 wherein the step of closing the lid on
the container occurs within one minute of the container being
formed.
9. The process of claim 1 wherein the step of closing the lid on
the container comprises mating the lid with a rim of the
container.
10. The process of claim 1 wherein the step of transferring the
container and the lid to the capping device is accomplished using a
robotic arm.
11. The process of claim 1 wherein the step of providing a
desiccant in the container and lid assembly comprises press-fitting
a desiccant plastic liner into the container.
12. The process of claim 11 wherein the step of press-fitting a
desiccant plastic liner comprises inserting the liner within the
container to be held sufficiently snug to prevent unintended
disengagement therefrom.
13. The process of claim 11 wherein the steps of forming the
container and forming the lid comprise injection molding the
container and the lid and wherein the step of press-fitting a
desiccant plastic liner comprises inserting the liner within the
container before the material of the container has fully set.
14. The process of claim 1 further comprising a step of delivering
the closed container and lid assembly to a delivery receptacle, the
step of delivering comprising: (a) disposing a sensor on a flipping
element of the capping device, the flipping element closing the lid
on the container; (b) detecting the closure of the lid on the
container by the sensor; and (c) using a signal, indicative of the
closure, emitted by the sensor to release the closed container and
lid assembly by the capping device into the delivery
receptacle.
15. The process of claim 1 wherein the lid is hingedly coupled to
the container after the lid and the container are formed.
16. The process of claim 15 wherein the lid is welded to the
container.
17. The process of claim 15 the lid is ultrasonically welded to the
container.
18. The process of claim 15 wherein the step of closing the lid on
the container occurs before the material of the lid and container
have fully set, thus helping to form a leak-proof seal between the
container and the lid.
19. The process of claim 15 wherein the step of transferring the
container and the lid to the capping device is accomplished using a
robotic arm.
20. The process of claim 15 further comprising the step of
delivering the closed container and lid assembly to a delivery
receptacle, the step of delivering comprising: (a) disposing a
sensor on a flipping element of the capping device, the flipping
element closing the lid on the container; (b) detecting the closure
of the lid on the container by the sensor; and (c) using a signal,
indicative of the closure, emitted by the sensor to release the
closed container and lid assembly by the capping device into the
delivery receptacle.
21. The process of claim 2 wherein the step of transferring the
container and the lid to the capping device comprises ejecting the
container from a mold in a direction along an axis of the container
without marking the surface of the container.
22. The process of claim 21 wherein the step of transferring the
container and the lid comprises using an engaging means that does
not puncture or damage the container.
23. The process of claim 1 wherein the steps of forming the
container and forming the lid comprise injection molding the
container and the lid in a mold and wherein the step of
transferring the container and the lid to a capping device occurs
before the material of the container and the lid have fully
set.
24. The process of claim 23 wherein the step of forming the lid
integrally connects the lid to the container to form the hinge
coupling.
25. The process of claim 24 wherein the step of closing the lid on
the container occurs within one minute of the container being
formed.
26. The process of claim 24 wherein the step of closing the lid on
the container comprises mating the lid with a rim of the
container.
27. The process of claim 24 wherein the step of transferring the
container and the lid comprises using an engaging means that does
not puncture or damage the container.
28. The process of claim 27 wherein the engaging means comprises a
grasper that grasps an upper edge of the container.
29. The process of claim 24 wherein the step of transferring the
container and the lid to the capping device comprises ejecting the
container from the mold in a direction along an axis of the
container.
30. The process of claim 24 wherein the step of providing a
desiccant in the container and lid assembly comprises press-fitting
a desiccant plastic liner into the container.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
No. 14/202,867, filed Mar. 10, 2014, which is a continuation of
U.S. application Ser. No. 13/533,233, filed Jun. 26, 2012, which is
a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/425,590, filed Apr.
17, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
11/171,171, filed Jun. 30, 2005, which is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. application Ser. No. 10/683,311, filed Oct. 10, 2003, which
claims a benefit under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 60/417,533, filed Oct. 10, 2002, all of which
are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entirety for
all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to a resealable container and
lid assembly having a lip snap seal for storing and packaging
moisture-sensitive items, including but not limited to edible
breath-freshening strips, drug-delivery strips, diagnostic test
strips, and effervescent tablets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a resealable container and
lid assembly having a lip snap seal for storing and packaging
moisture-sensitive items, including but not limited to edible
breath-freshening strips, drug delivery strips, diagnostic test
strips, and effervescent tablets.
[0004] The container assembly substantially prohibits the ingress
of moisture into the container assembly through the lid when the
container is sealed. In other words, it is substantially
moisture-proof In another aspect of the invention, the container
assembly is provided with a desiccant or similar material, which
reduces the moisture present within the container when it is
sealed. That is, after the container has been sealed, the desiccant
absorbs moisture present therein. Likewise, after the container has
been opened and then resealed, the desiccant absorbs moisture that
entered the cavity when the container was opened.
[0005] In one embodiment of the present invention, the assembly
comprises a lid and container that may be attached by a hinge. The
hinge has a recess. The recess forms two elements, the first
element being attached to the lid portion and the second element
being attached to the container portion. In still a further
embodiment, the recess functions as a bending point during the
opening and closing of the container assembly.
[0006] The container has a sidewall depending downwardly from a top
container surface. A bottom container surface is joined to the
sidewall. The top container surface is provided with an opening,
permitting access to the interior of the container. The opening is
bounded by a lip that depends upward from the top container
surface. A rim is positioned on the outside of the upper end of the
lip.
[0007] In one example, the lid portion of the assembly is attached
to the container portion by a hinge. The lid portion has a base
portion with an outer periphery that extends over the container
portion. In one embodiment, a portion of the base portion serves as
a tab for facilitating the opening and closing of the container
assembly. In yet another embodiment, the base portion is provided
with a skirt that depends downwardly from a central portion of the
base portion. The skirt is positioned at a location on the base
portion that allows the skirt to enter into a closing relationship
with lip of the container portion, in which the skirt of the base
portion fits over the periphery of the lip provided on the top
container surface (or, as the case may be, the skirt fits within
the periphery of the lip). The skirt of the base portion has an end
distal to where the skirt joins the lid portion. At the distal end
of the skirt, the skirt is provided with an inward extension, which
extends around the interior periphery of the skirt. Similarly, the
lip of the container portion is provided with an end distal to
where the lip joins the container portion, and the distal end of
the lip is provided with an outward facing extension, which extends
around the periphery of the lip. In effect, the extension on the
skirt and the extension on the lip face each other. In constructing
this arrangement on the skirt and lip, the extensions will abut and
interlock with each other when the lid is closed on the container
portion. In this arrangement, the interlocking, abutting extensions
will form at least a substantially moisture-tight sealing
arrangement with each other.
[0008] In yet another embodiment, a lip seal member depends
downwardly and extends around the lid portion. The lip seal member
is positioned interior to the skirt, which also depends downwardly
from the base portion. Further, the lip seal member is positioned
to lie interior of the lip extending upward from the container
portion. When the lid is in the closed position, the lip seal
member abuts the interior side of the distal end of the lip. In
this arrangement, the lip seal (1) provides a sealing position, in
addition to the one between the skirt and the lip; and (2) applies
pressure on the lip from the inside out, which in turn applies
pressure on the skirt, thereby applying tightening the seal between
the skirt and the lip.
[0009] In yet another embodiment, the lid and/or container contain
a desiccant, in the shape of a disc (e.g. puck), sleeve, or other
desired shapes,
[0010] In yet another embodiment, the assembly includes an
elastomeric liner applied to selected regions of the assembly. For
example, elastomeric liner may be positioned on the interior
surface of the lid, between the skirt and where the lip seals are
provided, it may line the lip seals as well.
[0011] In yet another embodiment, the skirt depending downward from
the base portion has a distal end that is provided with an inward
extension. The lip has an end distal to the location where the lip
joins the container top surface, where the recess is positioned,
The recess is adapted to receive the extension when the lid portion
is closed upon the container portion.
[0012] In a further embodiment, the container assembly of the
present invention is formed of a plastic material, by injection
molding or other suitable molding techniques. For example, the
assembly may be molded of polypropylene. The assembly comprises a
base and an upper housing that can be molded separately, the base
can be loaded with the item to be retained in the container, and
then the base and upper housing can be snap-fit together employing
a lip seal in order to provide moisture-tightness.
[0013] In one embodiment, the containers of the present invention
have a relatively small height dimension, making them well adapted
to fit in a handbag, purse, or pocket. Despite this small height
dimension, the container is well suited to storing items such as
candies, edible breath-freshening strips, and diagnostic test
strips, such as those employed in testing blood glucose levels.
[0014] In yet another embodiment, the opening of the container is
irregular in its shape, not having a uniform radius. In other
words, it is not circular.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container of the present
invention;
[0016] FIG. 2. is a cross sectional view of a container of the
present invention;
[0017] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a lip seal for a
container of the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of another lip seal for a
container of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of a container of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a container of the present
invention;
[0021] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a container of the
present invention;
[0022] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of a feature shown in the FIG.
7 embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a container of the present
invention, as an item is removed from the container; and
[0024] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a container of the present
invention in the closed position;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a
container of the present invention;
[0026] FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing features of the
embodiment of FIG. 10; and
[0027] FIGS. 12A to 12N illustrate views of yet another embodiment
of the present invention.
[0028] FIGS. 13A to 13E illustrate views of yet another embodiment
of the present Invention.
[0029] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an enlarged section of
one end of the base and upper housing assembly illustrating the
snap lip seal.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0030] The present invention relates to a container and lid
assembly for storing and packaging moisture-sensitive items,
including but not limited to edible breath-freshening strips,
drug-delivery strips, diagnostic test strips, and effervescent
tablets, that substantially prohibits the ingress of moisture into
the assembly through the lid when the container and lid are
sealed.
[0031] In one embodiment, the assembly 10 is generally provided
with a lid portion 12 and container portion 14 that are attached by
a hinge 16. The hinge 16 has a recess 16'. The recess 16' forms two
elements, the first element being attached to the lid portion and
the second element being attached to the container portion In still
a further embodiment, the recess functions as a bending point
during the opening and closing of the container assembly.
[0032] The container portion has a container base 13, and a
sidewall 11 depending upwardly from the base 13. A top container
surface 17 extends inward from the sidewall The top container
surface 17 is provided with an opening 20, permitting access to the
interior of the container. The opening 20 is bounded by a lip 22
that extends upward from the top container surface 17. Lip 22
extends around the periphery of the opening 20. The lip 22 has an
end 21 distal to the location where the lip joins the container top
surface, where an extension 23 is positioned and faces outward,
relative to the opening 20. The extension 23 extends around the
periphery of the lip distal end 21.
[0033] The lid portion 12 has a base portion 24 with an outer
periphery 25 that extends over at least a portion of the container
portion, in one embodiment, a portion of the base portion 24 serves
as a tab 13 for facilitating the opening and closing of the
container assembly. The base portion 24 is provided with a skirt 26
that depends downwardly the base portion. The skirt 26 is
positioned at a location on the base portion 24 that allows the
skirt 26 to enter into a closing relationship with lip 22 of the
container portion 14, in which the skirt 26 of the base portion 24
fits over the periphery of the lip 22 provided on the top container
surface (or, as the case may be, the skirt fits within the
periphery of the lip). The skirt 26 of the base portion 24 has an
end 27 distal to the end at which the skirt joins the lid portion.
At the distal end 27 of the skirt, the skirt is provided with an
inward extension 28, which extends around the interior periphery of
the skirt. At the distal end 27 of the skirt, the skirt is provided
with an inward facing extension 28, which extends around the
periphery of the skirt distal end 27. When the lid portion is
closed on the container portion, the extension 28 on the skirt 26
and the extension 23 on the lip 22 face each other. Further, when
the lid portion is closed on the container portion, the extensions
will abut and interlock with each other. In this arrangement, the
interlocking, abutting extensions will form a moisture-tight seal
with each other.
[0034] In yet another embodiment, a lip seal member 30 depends
downwardly and extends around the inside of the lid portion 12. The
lip seal member 30 is positioned interior to the skirt 26 which
also depending downwardly from the base portion 24. Further, the
lip seal member 30 is positioned to lie interior of the lip 22 that
extends upward from the container portion 14, and abut the interior
side of the distal end of the lip 22, when the lid is in the closed
position. In this arrangement, as shown in FIG. 3, the lip seal (1)
provides a sealing position, in addition to the one between the
skirt and the lip and (2) applies pressure on the lip from the
inside out, which in turn applies pressure on the skirt, thereby
applying tightening the seal between the skirt and the lip. FIG. 4
shows a component 30' present as a hollowed out member.
[0035] In yet another embodiment, shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the
structure of the lip 22' has a distal end 27' provided with an
extension 28'. The skirt 26' has a recess 23' positioned near where
the skirt depends from the base portion 24'. The recess 23' is
adapted to receive the extension 28' when the lid portion is closed
upon the container portion. When the lid portion is closed on the
container portion, the abutting arrangement between the lip and the
skirt, and presence of the extension within the recess, forms a
substantially moisture tight seal. FIG. 11 shows the configuration
for such an arrangement.
[0036] In yet another embodiment, the lid and/or container contain
a desiccant, in the shape of a disc (e.g. puck), sleeve, or other
shapes. In one embodiment, a desiccant entrained plastic is located
in a desiccant liner that covers at least a portion of the lid
and/or container, such as the desiccant-entrained plastic sleeve 34
positioned at the bottom of the container. See FIG. 2, where the
sleeve 34 is shown surrounding the item stored within the container
on three of the item's sides. In one embodiment, such a sleeve or
liner can surround the stored item(s) on more or less than three
sides. See, e.g., FIG. 7, where the desiccant insert is positioned
on the container base. When the container assembly is repeatedly
opened and closed, the desiccant-entrained plastic sleeve
re-establishes the low relative humidity environment inside the
container assembly in a short period of time (e.g. in as low as
less than about one minute), when a desiccant, such as the sleeve
of FIG. 2, is included in the assembly.
[0037] The desiccant-entrained plastic contains a desiccant such as
silica gel or molecular sieve as the desiccant. Depending on the
application, such as the application intended by the end user,
molecular sieve or silica gel desiccant can be provided in the
sleeve. For example, molecular sieve can be used for applications
that require a low RH (e.g. less than <10% RH) maintained over
the shelf life. In another example, silica gel can maintain a RH of
10-30% over a two-year shelf life.
[0038] Suitable desiccant entrained plastic include, but are not
limited to, these desiccant plastics disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,911,937, 6,214,255, 6,130,263, 6,080,350 and 6,174,952,
6,124,006, and 6,221,446. These references are incorporated herein
by Reference. By varying the desiccant loading and channeling agent
in the plastic formulation, the overall moisture capacity and
uptake rate of the desiccant entrained plastic can be controlled.
In embodiments where containers include desiccant material, they
may be formed by two shot molding techniques.
[0039] In yet another embodiment, the assembly includes an
elastomeric liner 36 applied to selected regions of the assembly.
For example, elastomeric liner may be positioned on the interior
surface of the lid portion, lying inside the skirt. Where the lip
seals are provided, it may line them as well. In one example, a
suitable elastomer is EPDM, commercially available under the trade
name Santoprene.
[0040] The containers of the present invention are formed of
plastic materials, by injection molding or other suitable molding
techniques. For example, the containers may be molded of
polypropylene. in one embodiment, the containers can be formed as a
single closed unit, with the hinge joining the lid portion to the
container portion.
[0041] In yet another embodiment, the container assembly comprising
the base and upper housing portion can be molded separately. As
such, in one example, the base portion can be loaded with the
item(s) to be retained in the container assembly, and then the
upper housing portion can be snap-fit with the base by employing a
lip seal mechanism in order to provide moisture-tightness.
Consequently, the container and lid assembly can be fit together,
and the parts joined without the need for additional sealing
methods, e.g., by welding (such as by sonic welding or by thermal
welding).
[0042] FIG. 14 illustrates one embodiment of the container assembly
having a snap-fit by employing a lip seal mechanism. In FIG. 14, a
lip seal member 300 of the upper housing portion depends downwardly
and extends around the inside of the base portion. The lip seal
member 300 is positioned interior to a skirt which also depending
downwardly from the upper housing portion. Further, the lip seal
member 300 is positioned to lie interior of a lip that extends
upward from the base portion, and abut the interior side of the
distal end of the lip, when the base portion is snap sealed with
the upper housing portion, In one example, the lip seal (1 provides
a sealing position, in addition to the one between the skirt and
the lip; and (2) applies pressure on the lip from the inside out,
which in turn applies pressure on the skirt, thereby applying
tightening the seal between the skirt and the lip.
[0043] In a further embodiment of the lip seal mechanism, lip seal
mechanism is designed to be sufficiently deflective so as to assist
in the formation of a seal. As examples, the design of degree of
deflection of the flexible lip can include, but is not limited to,
the composition of the flexible lip (e.g. type of plastic), the
thickness of the flexible lip, the curvature of the flexible lip,
the length of the flexible lip and/or any attachments to the
flexible lip.
[0044] In a further embodiment, the lid and container can be formed
in a single piece (for example, joined at the hinge), yet open, as
in a clamshell arrangement. The assembly can be filled with
contents, closed shut, and then joined, e.g., welded to form a
seal, as described above.
[0045] An embodiment depicting a two-part assembly is illustrated
in FIGS. 6 to 9 and 12. In this embodiment, assembly 100 is
provided with cover component 102 and tray component 120. The cover
component 102 has a lid portion 104 that is joined to upper
component 108 by hinge 106. As shown, lid portion 104 has sidewalls
90 located at the periphery of the lid base 92. The hinge 106 is
joined to one of the sidewalls 90. Within the space of the
sidewalls, the underside of the lid base 92 has a recess 93 in
which the lip 22'', depending from the lid base 92, is located. As
shown in FIG. 7, the lip 22'', which extends in a loop around a
portion of the lid base 92, is positioned to be received in the
opening 112 of upper component 108, when the lid portion is closed
on the opening 112. The lip 22'' is provided with an end 23''
distal to where the lip 22'' is joined to the lid base 92. As best
seen in FIG. 7A, the distal end 23'' of lip 22'' has a tapered edge
25'', which is adapted to lie substantially flush against the
surface 132 of the edge 130, when the lip 22'' of the lid portion
104 is closed on the opening 112 of the upper component 108. Thus,
when the lid portion 104 is closed on the opening 112 of the upper
component 108, the tapered edge 25'' of the lip 22'' lies
substantially flush against the flexible edge 130 surrounding the
opening 112 in the top surface 109 of the cover component 102.
[0046] At the end of the lid portion 104 that is opposite the
hinge, lid latch component 105, depending from the lid base 92, is
located. In one embodiment, hooks 107 are provided on the lid latch
105. in another embodiment, a tab 116, to facilitate opening of the
lid portion, when it is closed on the opening 112, is provided on
the lid portion.
[0047] Upper component 108 has top wall 109 from which sidewalk 110
and sloped wall 115 depend downward. Opening 112 is provided in the
top wall 109. In the embodiment relating to hooks, hooks configured
to mate with and compliment the hooks 107 on the lid portion 104
are positioned at one end of the upper component 108. At the end
opposite where the hooks are positioned, hinge 106 is joined to the
upper component 108. The upper component may have a recess 111 for
the hinge 106, positioned between elevated portions 109' of top
wall 109.
[0048] The tray component 120 is provided with sidewalk 124 and
sloped wall 126 depending upward from the base of the tray 122.
Sloped wall 126 is complimentary in its shape to the sloped wall
115 of the upper component 108. The side walls define a cavity 128
where items can be stored.
[0049] As best seen in FIG. 7, the edges 130 of the opening 112
provided in the top wall 109 are formed of a flexible plastic
material that slopes downward, into the opening 112. The edges
extend around the periphery of the opening 112.
[0050] Again, seen in FIG. 7A, the distal end 23'' of lip 22'' has
a tapered edge 25'', which is adapted to lie flush against the
surface 132 of the edge 130, when the lip 22'' of the lid portion
104 is closed on the opening 112 of the upper component 108. Thus,
when the lid portion 104 is closed on the opening 112 of the upper
component 108, the tapered edge 25'' of the lip 22'' lies flush
against the flexible edge 130 surrounding the opening 112 in the
top surface 109 of the upper component 108, thereby sealing the
opening from substantial moisture ingress.
[0051] In the closed position (FIG. 7), hooks 107, 114, provided on
the lid portion 104 and the upper component 108, respectively, are
engaged with each other, to maintain the lid portion 104 closed on
the upper component 108.
[0052] The cover component 102 is adapted to fit over the tray
component 120, in order to form a container assembly. The cover
component and the tray component can be loaded with items to be
dispensed through the opening and then joined together, in the ways
previously described herein.
[0053] As seen in FIG. 7, a stack of items is positioned in the
container. Opening 112 is sized to permit a person to insert at
least a portion of his or her finger therein. As shown in FIG. 8, a
person can slide a portion of the index finger inside the hole,
sliding an item up the sloped wall of the cavity 128 (FIG. 7), and
through the opening.
[0054] A desiccant material, such as a desiccant sleeve, can be
positioned in the container. As shown in FIG. 7, the sleeve 34' may
be positioned along the base 122 of the tray component, or anywhere
else along the interior of the assembly, where the item(s) is
stored.
[0055] FIG. 9 shows the assembly in the closed position. It will be
readily appreciated that the assembly is relatively compact, and
will fit within a purse, handbag, or pocket, without taking up an
undesired amount of space.
[0056] FIGS. 12A-12N show various views of another embodiment of a
container assembly. Features of this embodiment are similar to the
features of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 6-9, with some
differences as described here. The shape of the opening is
asymmetrical. Also, the cover component 102 has a two hinge
arrangement. Hinge 106 is as described above. Hinge 206 joins the
first and second lid portions 104A and 104B. The lip of the lid
portion is located on component 104B. Lid portion 104B is provided
with tabs 208 that depend downward therefrom. Tabs 208 are sized
and positioned to be received in recess 210 located on the top wall
109, and are received therein when the lid portion 104B is closed
upon the top wall 109. In one embodiment, lid portion 104B may
never be opened again, once it has been closed as described herein.
The lid portion 104A is opened and shut at hinge 206.
[0057] FIGS. 13A-12E show various views of yet another embodiment
of a container assembly. Features of this embodiment are similar to
the features of the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1-5 and 6-9. As
shown, the shape of the opening is asymmetrical. Also, the lid
component has a one hinge arrangement. The hinge joins the lid to a
portion of the container. In use, the lid portion is opened and
shut at the hinge with the lid. In one example of constructing the
assembly, the container base is made of two materials--at least a
portion of the interior of the base is composed of a desiccant
entrained plastic and the remaining portion of the base is composed
of a substantially water impermeable plastic (e.g. polypropylene,
polyethylene), The lid is welded (e.g. ultrasonic welding) to the
lid portion. After the container is filled with the desired
material, the lid is joined to container (e.g. ultrasonic welding).
The result is a moisture tight container.
[0058] At least some or all of the embodiments of the present
invention can be molded according to techniques disclosed in U.S.
Pat. Re. 37,676 (a reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 5,723,085), U.S. Pat.
Nos. 4,812,116, and 4,783,056, all of which are incorporated herein
by reference.
[0059] In another embodiment, the present invention relates to
moisture-tight and resealable container and lid assembly. The term
"resealable" means that the lid of the container can be
opened/reopened and closed/reclosed a numerous amount of times
(e.g. more than 10 times) and still retain its moisture-tight
properties. As used herein, the terms "moisture-tight" and
"moisture-sensitive" mean the moisture ingress of the container
(after three days) was less than about 1500 micrograms of water, in
another embodiment, about 500 micrograms of water, in a further
embodiment, about 300 micrograms of water, in yet another
embodiment, about 150 micrograms of water determined by the
following test method: (a) place one gram plus or minus 0.25 grams
of molecular sieve in the container and record the weight; (b)
fully close the container; (c) place the closed container in an
environmental chamber at conditions of 80% relative humidity and 72
F: (c) after one day, weigh the container containing the molecular
sieve; (d) after four days, weigh the container containing the
molecular sieve; and (e) subtract the first day sample from the
fourth day sample to calculate the moisture ingress of the
container in units of micrograms of water.
* * * * *