U.S. patent application number 15/545442 was filed with the patent office on 2018-01-04 for container assembly.
This patent application is currently assigned to Plastek Industries, Inc.. The applicant listed for this patent is Plastek Industries, Inc.. Invention is credited to H Stephen Quinn.
Application Number | 20180002078 15/545442 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56417682 |
Filed Date | 2018-01-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180002078 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Quinn; H Stephen |
January 4, 2018 |
Container Assembly
Abstract
A container comprises: a tub (22) having a bottom (50) and four
sides (56, 58, 60, 62), adjacent said sides joined at junctions;
and a closure (24). The closure comprises: a lid (28); a living
hinge member (26) unitarily formed with the lid and coupling the
lid to the tub so as to allow the lid to shift between a closed
condition and an open condition, the living hinge having an
insertion portion (222) received in a pocket (82) of the tub.
Inventors: |
Quinn; H Stephen; (Eau
Claire, WI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Plastek Industries, Inc. |
Erie |
PA |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
Plastek Industries, Inc.
Erie
PA
|
Family ID: |
56417682 |
Appl. No.: |
15/545442 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
January 20, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2016/014073 |
371 Date: |
July 21, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62106686 |
Jan 22, 2015 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/2897 20130101;
B65D 2215/02 20130101; B65D 2543/00768 20130101; B65D 2543/00629
20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D 2543/00833 20130101; B65D
1/22 20130101; B65D 2543/00694 20130101; B65D 2543/00194 20130101;
B65D 2543/00657 20130101; B65D 2543/00453 20130101; B65D 43/169
20130101; B65D 2543/00842 20130101; B65D 2543/00805 20130101; C08L
101/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/16 20060101
B65D043/16; B65D 1/22 20060101 B65D001/22 |
Claims
1. A container (20) comprising: a tub (22) having a bottom (50) and
four sides (56, 58, 60, 62), adjacent said sides joined at
junctions; and a closure (24) comprising: a lid (28); and a living
hinge member (26) unitarily formed with the lid and coupling the
lid to the tub so as to allow the lid to shift between a closed
condition and an open condition, the living hinge having an
insertion portion (222) received in a pocket (82) of the tub.
2. The container of claim 1 wherein the insertion portion
comprises: a frame (230) having an opening (238); and a portion
(250) extending upward from a junction with a lower portion (236)
of the frame and having an upper portion (252) engaged to a
complementary portion of the pocket.
3. The container of claim 2 wherein: the complementary portion is
an underside of an outward projection (270) and an upper surface of
the projection is captured against a lower edge of an upper portion
(240) of the frame.
4. The container of claim 2 wherein: the frame is transversely
elongate.
5. The container of claim 1 wherein: the pocket is
open-bottomed.
6. The container of claim 1 wherein: the container is of generally
rectangular footprint.
7. The container of claim 1 wherein: the closure is unitarily
molded as a single plastic piece.
8. The container of claim 1 wherein: the tub is unitarily molded as
a single plastic piece.
9. The container of claim 1 further comprising: a latch (30) having
a first portion (34) on the lid and a second portion (32) on the
tub, the first portion releasably mateable to the second portion to
retain the lid in the closed condition and releasable to allow the
lid to shift to the open condition.
10. The container of claim 9 wherein: the latch first portion
comprises an upward projection (324) received in a downwardly-open
channel (326) of the second portion in the closed condition.
11. A method for making the container of claim 1, the method
comprising: molding the lid; molding the tub; and inserting the
insertion portion of the living hinge into the receiving portion of
the tub.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein: the inserting causes a flexing
of a pawl (250) of the living hinge member followed by a relaxation
of the pawl into a backlocked condition in the pocket.
13. The method of claim 11 further comprising: prior to the
inserting, bending the hinge member from an as molded
condition.
14. The method of claim 13 wherein: the bending is by at least
60.degree..
15. The method of claim 13 wherein: the bending puts an at least
temporary set in the hinge of at least 60.degree..
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Benefit is claimed of U.S. Patent Application No.
62/106,686, filed Jan. 22, 2015, and entitled "Container Assembly",
the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety as if set forth at length.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to dispensing containers. More
particularly, the invention relates to molded plastic tub
containers.
[0003] Molded plastic tub containers are used for a variety of
purposes including containing food powders, detergent or other
powders, or non-powder products.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] In one aspect, a container comprises: a tub having a bottom
and four sides, adjacent said sides joined at junctions; and a
closure. The closure comprises: a lid; a living hinge member
unitarily formed with the lid and coupling the lid to the tub so as
to allow the lid to shift between a closed condition and an open
condition, the living hinge having an insertion portion received in
a portion of the tub.
[0005] In one or more embodiments of any of the other embodiments,
the insertion portion comprises: a frame having an opening; and a
portion extending upward from a junction with a lower portion of
the frame and having an upper portion engaged to a complementary
portion of the pocket.
[0006] In one or more embodiments of any of the other embodiments,
the complementary portion is an underside of an outward projection
and an upper surface of the projection is captured against a lower
edge of an upper portion of the frame.
[0007] In one or more embodiments of any of the other embodiments,
the frame is transversely elongate.
[0008] In one or more embodiments of any of the other embodiments,
the pocket is open-bottomed.
[0009] In one or more embodiments of any of the other embodiments,
the container is of generally rectangular footprint.
[0010] In one or more embodiments of any of the other embodiments,
the closure is unitarily molded as a single plastic piece.
[0011] In one or more embodiments of any of the other embodiments,
the tub is unitarily molded as a single plastic piece.
[0012] In one or more embodiments of any of the other embodiments,
the container further comprises a latch having a first portion on
the lid and a second portion on the tub, the first portion
releasably mateable to the first portion to retain the lid in the
closed condition and releasable to allow the lid to shift to the
open condition.
[0013] In one or more embodiments of any of the other embodiments,
the latch first portion comprises an upward projection received in
a downwardly-open channel of the second portion in the closed
condition.
[0014] In one or more embodiments of any of the other embodiments,
a method for making the container comprises: molding the lid;
molding the tub; and inserting the insertion portion of the living
hinge into the receiving portion of the tub.
[0015] In one or more embodiments of any of the other embodiments,
the inserting causes a flexing of a pawl of the living hinge member
followed by a relaxation of the pawl into a backlocked condition in
the pocket.
[0016] In one or more embodiments of any of the other embodiments,
the method further comprises, prior to the inserting, bending the
hinge member from an as molded condition.
[0017] In one or more embodiments of any of the other embodiments,
the bending is by at least 60.degree..
[0018] In one or more embodiments of any of the other embodiments,
the bending puts an at least temporary set in the hinge of at least
60.degree..
[0019] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are
set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below.
Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be
apparent from the description and drawings, and from the
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a view of a container in a closed condition.
[0021] FIG. 2 is a view of the container with lid exploded
vertically away.
[0022] FIG. 3 is a central vertical longitudinal sectional view of
the container taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.
[0023] FIG. 3A is an enlarged view of a hinge area of the container
of FIG. 3, taken along line 3A-3A.
[0024] FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a latch area of the container
of FIG. 3, taken along line 3B-3B.
[0025] FIG. 4 is a top view of the lid in an as-molded
condition.
[0026] FIG. 5 is a right side view of the as-molded lid, a left
side view being a mirror image thereof.
[0027] FIG. 6 is a front view of the as-molded lid.
[0028] FIG. 7 is a view of the lid with bent hinge.
[0029] FIG. 8 is a right side view of the lid of FIG. 7.
[0030] FIG. 9 is a view of a body of the container.
[0031] FIG. 10 is a front view of the body.
[0032] FIG. 11 is a top view of the body.
[0033] FIG. 12 is a right side view of the body, a left side view
being a mirror image thereof.
[0034] Like reference numbers and designations in the various
drawings indicate like elements. Various of the drawings include
artifacts of computer aided design (CAD) such as stitching lines
which may be unseen in the actual container but help illustrate
shape.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0035] FIGS. 1-3 show an exemplary container assembly 20 having a
body (tub) 22 and a closure 24. The exemplary body 22 and closure
24 are each unitarily-molded as a single piece (e.g., injection
molded polypropylene). The closure 24 comprises a lid/cover 28
portion connected to the body by a living hinge member 26 (FIG.
3A). A latch 30 (FIG. 3B) may be formed on the lid and frame (e.g.,
including a button 32 of the frame and a clasp 34 of the lid). The
latch may be a child-resistant latch.
[0036] FIG. 3 shows the exemplary container interior 38 as
containing contents 40. In one example the contents are laundry
detergent pods (e.g., liquid or gel detergent encapsulated between
sheets of water-soluble outer skin).
[0037] FIGS. 9-12 show the tub/body 22 in an as-molded condition
(but after removal of molding gates, flash, and the like). The
exemplary tub has a base 50 (FIG. 10) and a sidewall 52 extending
upward from the base to a rim 54. The exemplary tub is of slightly
rounded rectangular planform so that, for ease of reference, the
four sides are a front 56 (FIG. 10), a back 58 (FIG. 9), a left
side/end 60 (FIG. 10), and a right side/end 62 (from the point of
view of the container rather than someone facing the container).
Near the rim 54, the sidewall branches with an inner wall as a
continuation of a main portion of the sidewall and an outer wall 64
extending upward from a junction therewith. The outer wall 64 (FIG.
9) extends to a rim 66 and defines a channel 68 between the inner
wall and outer wall.
[0038] The outer wall and/or inner wall may bear features for
cooperating with the closure 24. As is discussed further below,
these features include a wall 80 extending outward from the outer
sidewall 64 to define an open-bottom slot or pocket 82 along the
rear/back of the body 22 for receiving an insertion portion of the
living hinge member 26. These cooperating features also include
detent features 86 (FIG. 9) for cooperating with complementary
features of the lid portion 28.
[0039] The sides 56, 58, 60, 62 of the sidewall 52 meet at
generally vertical junctions/corners of the sidewall 52. The
exemplary sidewall 52 has a pair of finger reliefs 72 and 74 (FIG.
10) extending along the front corners. These allow gripping by the
user (e.g., between thumb and forefinger).
[0040] FIGS. 4-6 show the cover 28 in an as-molded condition. FIGS.
7 and 8 show the cover with the hinge insertion portion bent
downward. The cover 28 extends upward from a lower rim 200 (FIG.
5). In the exemplary embodiment, the cover includes a wall portion
202 extending upward from the rim 200 to a shoulder 204. A top web
206 extends across from the shoulder to enclose the cover. The
hinge member 26 extends from the shoulder along a rear end of the
lid. As is discussed further below, the hinge includes a reduced
thickness flexible portion 220 between the shoulder 204 and an
insertion portion 222 for receipt in the pocket 82. The insertion
portion 222 comprises a frame 230 (FIG. 4) having a pair of sides
or arms 232, 234 and a transverse lower portion 236 joining the
two. An opening or aperture 238 is defined between the lower
portion 236, an upper portion 240, and the side portions 232, 234.
A pawl or barb portion 250 extends from a root at the lower portion
236 to a free end 252.
[0041] In the as-molded condition, the insertion portion 222 sticks
generally straight out parallel to but offset from the web 206
upper surface. The pawl 250 extends back toward the flexible
portion 220. The pawl 250 has a proximal portion 260 (FIG. 5)
joining the frame and extending partially downward and inward
therefrom in the as-molded condition and a distal portion 262
extending to the end 252. After molding, the insertion portion 222
may be bent 90.degree. (to the FIGS. 7 and 8 condition) about an
approximate transverse axis of the portion 220 for insertion into
the pocket. This transverse axis effectively forms a hinge axis
when the cover is installed.
[0042] FIG. 3A shows the hinge insertion portion 222 installed.
FIGS. 3, 3A, and 3B reflect artifacts of computer modelling in that
some features are shown overlapping due to the software's inability
to model the deformations they experience.
[0043] In FIG. 3A, the free end 252 of the pawl forms an upper edge
in this orientation captured beneath the underside of an outward
projection 270 at the upper edge of a slightly vertically recessed
portion of the outer sidewall 64. An upper surface of the
projection 270 abuts the edge (lower edge in installed condition)
of the frame upper portion 240. Accordingly, it can be seen that
when the hinge insertion portion 222 is inserted via downward
movement, the lower portion 236 initially passes between a rear end
276 of the projection 270 and a forward face of the wall 80.
Further downward movement brings the rear end 276 into contact with
the adjacent face of the pawl along the proximal portion 260. This
produces a force on the pawl flexing the pawl rearward to allow the
insertion portion 222 to pass further downward. Eventually, the
free end 252 of the pawl passes just below the projection 270 and
snaps forward captured in the notch between the underside of the
projection 270 and the outer surface of the outer sidewall 64. At
this point, the lower edge of the now downwardly-directed frame
upper portion 240 abuts the top surface of the projection 270 to
prevent further downward movement. In this way, the pawl becomes
backlocked to prevent nondestructive removal of the lid absent
manipulation from below such as with a tool. FIG. 3 shows an
approximate hinge axis 500. As noted above, the hinging may be
about multiple parallel instantaneous axes of rotation about the
location shown depending upon the state of opening/closing.
[0044] As noted above, the hinge may be pre-bent to ease assembly.
In one example, the hinge is bent to take an at least temporary set
of 90.degree. (the FIGS. 7 and 8 condition) so that a
horizontally-oriented lid may be shifted straight downward to
install, simultaneously inserting the hinge member and latching the
latch. Depending on the product involved, this may be pre-filling
or post-filling of the contents.
[0045] Bending may be greater than 90.degree. to provide the
90.degree. set after partial relaxation when the bending moment is
removed. More broadly, exemplary bending and the exemplary set are
at least 60.degree. or at least 80.degree..
[0046] The backlocking of the insertion portion 222 with the
projection may have one or more of several advantages. Relative to
closures using a frame to mount to the tub, material consumption
may be reduced in that the projection and wall 80 may involve less
material than the frame. The retention of the insertion portion 222
to the tub may be stronger than the frame to the tub, thus
improving child-resistance.
[0047] To complement that child-resistance, the latching mechanism
may be child-resistant. FIG. 3B shows the clasp 34 as having a
flower forward tab 320 for user thumb depression.
[0048] Behind the tab, an upward projection 324 is received in a
downwardly-open channel 326 at the top end of the button 32 (shown
overlapping rather than captured due to computer modeling in
relaxed conditions). A lower end of the button 32 merges with the
body sidewall. Capturing of the clasp projection 324 by the channel
326 resists inward depressing of the button 370. Downward pressing
of the tab 320 with sufficient force can sufficiently downwardly
flex (e.g., twist or rack) sidewalls 328 of the clasp to downwardly
shift the projection 324 fully out of the channel 326 or
sufficiently out of the channel to allow the button 32 to be
depressed, so that the channel 326 no longer blocks upward movement
of the projection 324. Thus, with the button 32 depressed, the
container may be hinged open.
[0049] One or more embodiments of the present invention have been
described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, when implemented in the
modification of an existing container configuration, details of the
existing configuration or its use may influence details of any
particular implementation. Accordingly, other embodiments are
within the scope of the following claims.
* * * * *