U.S. patent application number 15/781264 was filed with the patent office on 2018-12-13 for scoop dock and assembly methods.
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 | 20180354699 15/781264 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58797885 |
Filed Date | 2018-12-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180354699 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Quinn; H Stephen |
December 13, 2018 |
Scoop Dock and Assembly Methods
Abstract
In a method for installing a scoop (140) to a closure (24), the
scoop comprises a bowl (142) and a handle (150). The closure
comprises: a frame (26) for mounting to a container body; a cover
(28); a hinge (29) connecting the cover to the frame; and a cradle
(160) connected to the frame by a connection (200). The method
comprises: mating the bowl to the cradle; and shifting the cradle
from a first condition to a second condition.
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: |
58797885 |
Appl. No.: |
15/781264 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
December 2, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2016/064660 |
371 Date: |
June 4, 2018 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62263588 |
Dec 4, 2015 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2517/0041 20130101;
B65D 17/4011 20180101; B65D 43/169 20130101; B65D 77/245 20130101;
B65D 51/246 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 77/24 20060101
B65D077/24; B65D 17/28 20060101 B65D017/28; B65D 43/16 20060101
B65D043/16 |
Claims
1. A method for installing a scoop (140) to a closure (24) wherein:
the scoop comprises a bowl (142) and a handle (150); and the
closure comprises: a frame (26) for mounting to a container body; a
cover (28); a hinge (29) connecting the cover to the frame; and a
cradle (160) connected to the frame by a connection (200); the
method comprising: mating the bowl to the cradle; and shifting the
cradle from a first condition to a second condition.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein: the shifting causes a surface
(302, 122) of the cover to contact the bowl.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein: the shift comprises deforming the
connection.
4. The method of claim 3 wherein: the deforming comprises
twisting.
5. The method of claim 1 wherein: the shift causes one or more
first features (240, 242) to engage one or more second features
(202, 204) to resist a shift back to the first condition.
6. The method of claim 5 wherein: the first features are distally
of a deformed region of the connection and the second features are
proximally of the deformed region
7. The method of claim 6 wherein: the second features are a pair of
arms of the connection.
8. The method of claim 2 wherein: the surface (302) is an edge of a
fin (300) depending from an underside of the cover.
9. A closure configured to perform the method of claim 1.
10. A method for using a closure, the closure comprising the
combination of: a frame for mounting to a container body; a cover;
a hinge connecting the cover to the frame; and a cradle connected
to the frame by a connection, the method comprising: mating the
bowl to the cradle; and shifting the cradle from a first condition
to a second condition.
11. The method of claim 10 wherein the combination is a unitarily
molded single piece combination.
12. A closure and scoop assembly comprising: a scoop comprising a
bowl (142) and a handle (150); and a closure comprising: a frame
(26) for mounting to a container body; a cover (28); a hinge (29)
connecting the cover to the frame; and a cradle (160) connected to
the frame by a connection (200) and holding the scoop, the
connection of the cradle being held in a strained condition by
interlocked features (202, 204, 240, 242).
13. The assembly of claim 12 wherein: the interlocked features
(202, 204, 240, 242) comprise one or more first features (240, 242)
to engage one or more second features (202, 204) to resist a shift
from the strained condition back to a relaxed condition.
14. The assembly of claim 12 wherein: the closure is unitarily
molded as a single piece.
15. The assembly of claim 12 further comprising: a latch having a
first portion on the lid and a second portion on the frame, the
first portion releasably matable to the second portion to retain
the lid in the closed condition and release to allow the lid to
shift to the open condition
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] Benefit is claimed of U.S. Patent Application No.
62/263,588, filed Dec. 4, 2015, and entitled "Scoop Dock and
Assembly Methods", 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 dispensing containers for
powdered food product.
[0003] Powdered food product is sold in a variety of containers.
One exemplary product is infant formula. Other products include
adult meal replacement mixes. In recent decades, such food products
have been sold in containers along with a measuring scoop. In one
basic example, the container is a metal can and the scoop is
initially packed as loosely within the can. The can is typically
sold along with a plastic snap-on cover which is used to close the
can once the metal lid is removed (e.g., via can opener).
[0004] Such cans have largely been replaced by molded plastic jars
with screw-on plastic closures (but also loosely containing a
measuring scoop). More recently, dedicated containers have been
proposed. In one example, US2006/000840 discloses a molded plastic
container having a rounded rectangular planform. The lid includes
features for mounting the scoop. The scoop has a round bowl of
profile (e.g., radius selected to be complementary to a radius of
corner junctions between the sidewall and the base of the
container) so as to allow clean scooping of material from the
bottom of the container.
[0005] It has also been proposed to unitarily mold the scoop with
the closure of the container and connected thereto via a frangible
connection. The user ruptures the connection for first use and may
then replace the scoop with its bowl in a complementary hole in a
web extending partially across a frame of the closure.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] One aspect of the disclosure involves a method for
installing a scoop to a closure. The scoop comprises a bowl and a
handle. The closure comprises: a frame for mounting to a container
body; a cover; a hinge connecting the cover to the frame; and a
cradle connected to the frame by a connection. The method comprises
mating the bowl to the cradle; and shifting the cradle from a first
condition to a second condition.
[0007] In one or more embodiments of any of the foregoing
embodiments, the shifting causes a surface of the cover to contact
the bowl.
[0008] In one or more embodiments of any of the foregoing
embodiments, the shift comprises deforming the connection.
[0009] In one or more embodiments of any of the foregoing
embodiments, the deforming comprises twisting.
[0010] In one or more embodiments of any of the foregoing
embodiments, the shift causes one or more first features to engage
one or more second features to resist a shift back to the first
condition.
[0011] In one or more embodiments of any of the foregoing
embodiments, the first features are distally of a deformed region
of the connection and the second features are proximally of the
deformed region
[0012] In one or more embodiments of any of the foregoing
embodiments, the second features are a pair of arms of the
connection.
[0013] In one or more embodiments of any of the foregoing
embodiments, the surface is an edge of a fin depending from an
underside of the cover.
[0014] In one or more embodiments of any of the foregoing
embodiments, a closure is configured to perform the method.
[0015] Another aspect of the disclosure involves a method for using
a closure. The closure comprises the combination of: a frame for
mounting to a container body; a cover; a hinge connecting the cover
to the frame; and a cradle connected to the frame by a connection.
The method comprises mating the bowl to the cradle and shifting the
cradle from a first condition to a second condition.
[0016] In one or more embodiments of any of the foregoing
embodiments, the combination is a unitarily molded single piece
combination.
[0017] Another aspect of the disclosure involves a closure and
scoop assembly. The scoop comprises a scoop comprising a bowl and a
handle. The closure comprises: a frame for mounting to a container
body; a cover; a hinge connecting the cover to the frame; and a
cradle connected to the frame by a connection and holding the
scoop. The connection of the cradle is held in a strained condition
by interlocked features.
[0018] In one or more embodiments of any of the foregoing
embodiments, the interlocked features comprise one or more first
features to engage one or more second features to resist a shift
from the strained condition back to a relaxed condition.
[0019] In one or more embodiments of any of the foregoing
embodiments, the closure member is unitarily molded as a single
piece.
[0020] In one or more embodiments of any of the foregoing
embodiments, the assembly further comprises a latch having a first
portion on the lid and a second portion on the frame, the first
portion releasably matable to the first portion to retain the lid
in the closed condition and release to allow the lid to shift to
the open condition
[0021] Further embodiments may involve any physically possible
combination of the claim elements or other disclosed features
below.
[0022] 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
[0023] FIG. 1 is a view of a container in an open, pre-use
condition.
[0024] FIG. 2 is an underside view of a closure of the container of
FIG. 1 with a scoop shown in phantom.
[0025] FIG. 3 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a can of
the container.
[0026] FIG. 4 is a view of the closure in an initial as-molded
condition.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a top view of the closure in the as-molded
condition (thus showing an underside of a cover portion of the
closure).
[0028] FIG. 6 is a view of the closure in a condition after closing
of the cover and prior to installation of the scoop and
articulation of a scoop dock/cradle toward a locked condition.
[0029] FIG. 7 is a view of the closure in an open condition after
the dock/cradle has been placed in its locked condition and showing
a portion of the dock/cradle being used to level the contents of
the scoop.
[0030] FIG. 8 is a sectional view of the closure taken along line
8-8 of FIG. 2 with a broken line showing of an initial stage of
installation of the scoop prior to articulation of the dock/cradle
toward the locked condition.
[0031] 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
[0032] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary container assembly 20 having a
body 22 and a closure 24. An exemplary body may comprise a can. One
group of cans are essentially metallic (e.g., ignoring coatings).
Another group of cans are metal-paper hybrids (e.g., having a metal
bottom, a metal top, and a cardboard sidewall (optionally metallic
lined)). Initially, the can may be sealed such as by being a
sheetmetal top requiring a can opener to open, or by a sheetmetal
top having a pull tab 50 (FIG. 1) to tear off a portion, or by
having a peel-off or tear-off foil seal. Other bodies are molded
plastic. An exemplary molded plastic body is an extrusion
blow-molded multi-layered tub for beneficial moisture and light
blocking.
[0033] The exemplary closure 24 is unitarily-molded as a single
piece (e.g., injection molded polypropylene or other plastic). The
closure 24 comprises a base or frame 26 mounted to the tub and a
lid/cover 28 connected to the frame by a living hinge 29 (FIG. 4).
A latch 30 (FIG. 2) may be formed on the lid and frame (e.g.,
including a button 32 (FIG. 1) of the frame and a clasp 34 of the
lid).
[0034] FIG. 3 shows the body 22. The exemplary body has a base
formed by a metallic bottom 40, and a sidewall 42 extending upward
from the base to a top 44. The exemplary bottom and top include
respective perimeter crimps 43, 45 grasping the adjacent edge of
the sidewall. The top includes a pull tab 50 for removing a central
portion 52 of the top bounded by a reduced thickness area 54 (e.g.,
a scored perimeter) leaving the top crimp.
[0035] FIGS. 4 and 5 show the closure 24 in an as-molded condition
(but after removal of molding gates, flash, and the like). The
frame planform is complementary to the planform of the body to
which it mates (e.g., the can top crimp 45 in the example). To
establish a frame of reference, the hinge 29 is formed at a rear of
the frame. The exemplary frame has a downwardly open channel
cross-section for receiving an upper portion of the container
(e.g., receiving the top crimp 45).
[0036] The frame has an inner sidewall 60 having a lower rim 61, an
outer sidewall 62 having a lower rim 63, and an upper channel base
or annular web 64 joining the inner and outer sidewalls (e.g., at
upper edges thereof).
[0037] The frame has features for securing the frame to the body.
With the exemplary channel-like section, these features may
comprise radially-inwardly protruding projections 66
[0038] (FIG. 2) on the inboard or inner diameter (ID) surface 68 of
the outer sidewall. In the installed condition, such projections
may be captured by an underside 70 (FIG. 3) of the top crimp and
vice versa, capturing the top crimp against the underside 72 (FIG.
2) of the web 64.
[0039] The cover 28 (FIG. 1) has a sidewall 100 extending upward
from a lower rim 102 to a shoulder 104. A top web 120 spans the
shoulder and has an underside 122.
[0040] FIG. 1 further shows a scoop 140 (e.g., a separate plastic
injection molding) having a bowl 142 which includes a bottom or
base 144 and a sidewall 146 extending from the base 144 to a rim
148 of the bowl. A handle 150 extends from a root at a proximal end
152 at the bowl to a handle end 154.
[0041] FIG. 2 further shows a cradle 160 for holding the scoop. The
cradle has a concave surface 162 complementary to the convex
profile of the exterior surface of the scoop bowl sidewall 146. In
the in-use condition of FIG. 2 (distinguished from the as-molded
condition discussed below) the cradle has an opening 164, between a
first edge 166 and a second edge 168, for receiving the scoop bowl.
The cradle extends between lateral ends 170 and 172. A downwardly
depending tab 180 depends from adjacent the edge 168 to a distal
edge 182. As is discussed further below, the edge 182 may be used
for leveling. The exemplary cradle also has an aperture 184. The
exemplary aperture spans a junction between the wall 180 and the
arcuate portion of the cradle and has a proximal end 190, a distal
end 192, and lateral ends 194, 196. One or more of these segments
of the aperture perimeter may serve to retain the scoop against
lateral movement and/or rotation about a lateral axis.
[0042] The exemplary cradle is connected to the frame by a
connection 200. The exemplary connection 200 comprises a pair of
arms 202, 204 extending from proximal ends at the inner diameter
(ID) surface of the inner sidewall 60 to merge with the cradle. The
exemplary arms have a bit of a spiral to accommodate twisting
discussed below.
[0043] In the illustrated FIG. 2 condition with the opening 164
facing upward, the closure is dimensioned to hold the scoop
captured against the underside 122 of the cover. In the exemplary
implementation, the arcuate profile of the cradle is approximately
semicircular. However, its opening does not face directly upward
but instead faces slightly off upward. This creates
impracticalities in molding the cradle in the final use
orientation. Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment, the cradle
is molded in a different orientation or condition and then shifted
to and locked in the final in-use orientation or condition. The
shift provides the twist discussed above.
[0044] FIGS. 4 and 5 show the as-molded condition. In the as-molded
condition, the exemplary semicircular (or slightly shy thereof)
shape of the cradle may face directly upward or downward (i.e.,
sufficiently upward or downward in view of the extent and
orientation of the arc of the cradle) so that it may be molded in a
mold that only has an axial pull. For example, the mold may have
two mold halves that retract axially from each other.
Alternatively, the mold may have more mold sections but all of
which shift axially.
[0045] In the exemplary FIGS. 4 and 5 situation, the as-molded
condition has the cradle facing downward. The cradle is, however,
molded with features 240, 242 for locking it into the in-use
condition after the aforementioned shift. The exemplary features
240 and 242 are hooks positioned to grasp onto the respective arms
202 and 204. The exemplary shift comprises rotation about a
transverse axis (which may move during the shift). The exemplary
rotation imparts twist to the connection (e.g., proximate junctions
of the arms 202, 204) with the cradle. The twist is accommodated by
the as-molded spiral of the arms. Depending on implementation, the
twist may tighten or loosen the spiral. An exemplary rotation is by
at least at least 60.degree. or at least 90.degree. (e.g.,
60.degree.-180.degree. or 90.degree.-150.degree.). In the exemplary
embodiment, during the rotation, the hooks 240, 242 flex past the
arms and then relax, whereupon release of the cradle causes a
partial reverse rotation with the channels of the hooks capturing
the undersides of the arms to prevent rotation all the way back to
the as-molded condition.
[0046] An exemplary shift from the as-molded condition may occur
during installation of the separately-molded scoop. In one group of
examples, the cover is first closed (by machine or manually by a
worker) via rotation about the hinge axis and locked via the latch
30 in its closed condition (FIG. 6). Thereafter, the scoop bowl is
mated (by machine or manually by a worker) to the cradle (broken
line showing in FIG. 8). The scoop bowl may then be pressed (by
machine or manually by a worker) toward the cover underside,
initially twisting the linkage in a first portion of the shift. To
complete the shift, this pressing alone may be insufficient as a
purely vertical force may have no leverage to accomplish a final
portion of the rotation. Accordingly, the exemplary embodiment
features a camming projection 300 (FIGS. 6 and 8) depending from
the underside 122 of the cover and having a camming edge 302
positioned to contact the scoop bowl during a further portion of
the shift. In this example, the projection 300 is a flat fin having
opposite side faces. The edge 302 generally faces the hinge
(rearward in the closed direction). In the further portion of the
shift, the camming interaction between the edge 302 and the bowl
(responsive to applied vertical force) drives the bowl rearward
toward the hinge and ultimately drives the hooks 140, 142 past the
arms 202, 204 into the aforementioned capturing relationship.
During this portion of the rotation, a side portion of the handle
may become captured in the aperture 184 to provide the
aforementioned capturing effect. Accordingly, this process leaves
the scoop assembled to the closure ready for installation to the
container body.
[0047] An exemplary securing to the container body comprises
downwardly pressing the closure onto the body so that the
projections 66 pass over and ultimately capture the top crimp. An
overwrap and other tamper-evident feature may then be applied.
Additionally, the closure itself may have been manufactured with
one or more tamper-evident features (not shown).
[0048] In use, the user disengages the latch 30 and rotates the
cover to an open condition (e.g., to or toward the as-molded
condition).
[0049] In use, the user may remove any shrink seal, break any
tamper-evident feature, and then unlatch the closure and rotate the
cover to the open condition. The opening of the cover exposes the
scoop and allows the user to pull the scoop bowl out through the
opening 164. At first use, the user may open the pull tab or remove
a safety foil or the like. The user may then use the scoop to scoop
the contents. When scooping the contents, the user may use the edge
182 as a leveling feature to level the dose of contents held by the
scoop by dragging the rim of the bowl across the edge 182. Once
done, the user may place the empty scoop in the cradle and close
and relatch the lid.
[0050] 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.
* * * * *