U.S. patent application number 17/453467 was filed with the patent office on 2022-05-05 for tamper-evident lid for a container.
The applicant listed for this patent is IPL PLASTICS INC.. Invention is credited to Denis LEHOUILLIER, Philippe NO L.
Application Number | 20220135287 17/453467 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005997749 |
Filed Date | 2022-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220135287 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
NO L; Philippe ; et
al. |
May 5, 2022 |
TAMPER-EVIDENT LID FOR A CONTAINER
Abstract
A lid and a combination of a tub and the lid, the lid comprising
a web and a circumferential skirt depending thereon; wherein the
skirt comprises at least one tab, a first retention tooth and a
second retention tooth, the first retention tooth being molded on
an inner surface of the tab; and wherein for positioning the lid in
a first closed position on the tub, the first and the second
retention teeth are engaged under a top lip of the tub by applying
a pressure on the lid; when first opening the tub once the lid is
in the first closed position, the tab is broken free from the skirt
into a position of the tab in which the tab remains pivotably
attached to the skirt, and the tab is pulled, causing disengagement
of the first retention tooth from under the top lip of the tub, the
second retention tooth acting as a pivoting axis for the lid.
Inventors: |
NO L; Philippe; (Levis,
CA) ; LEHOUILLIER; Denis; (Levis, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
IPL PLASTICS INC. |
Edmundston |
|
CA |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005997749 |
Appl. No.: |
17/453467 |
Filed: |
November 3, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
63109915 |
Nov 5, 2020 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/324 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 43/0235 20130101;
B65D 1/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/02 20060101
B65D043/02; B65D 1/12 20060101 B65D001/12 |
Claims
1. A combination of a tub and a lid, the lid comprising a web and a
circumferential skirt depending thereon; wherein the skirt
comprises at least one tab, a first retention tooth and a second
retention tooth; wherein the first retention tooth is molded on an
inner surface of the tab; and wherein: i) for positioning the lid
in a first closed position on the tub, the first and the second
retention teeth are engaged under a top lip of the tub by applying
a pressure on the lid; ii) when first opening the tub once the lid
is in the first closed position, the tab is broken free from the
skirt into a position of the tab in which the tab remains pivotably
attached to the skirt, and the tab is pulled, causing disengagement
of the first retention tooth from under the top lip of the tub, the
second retention tooth acting as a pivoting axis for the lid.
2. The combination of claim 1, wherein: iii) further pulling on the
tab pivots the lid up and away from the tub until disengagement of
the second retention tooth from under the top lip of the tub; and
iii) once the tub is thus first opened, the lid is replaceable in a
closed position by applying a pressure on the lid to reengage the
second retention tooth under the top lip of the tub.
3. The combination of claim 1, wherein the skirt further comprises
at least one secondary retention rib on an inner surface thereof;
and wherein: iii) further pulling on the tab pivots the lid up and
away from the tub until disengagement of the second retention tooth
from the top lip of the tub; and iv) once the tub is thus first
opened, the lid is replaceable in the closed position by applying a
pressure on the lid to reengage the second retention tooth and the
at least one secondary retention rib under the top lip of the
tub.
4. The combination of claim 1, wherein the second retention tooth
and the tab are integrally molded in the skirt.
5. The combination of claim 1, wherein the tab is defined by a line
of weakness in the skirt prior to first opening of the tub, the
line of weakness is broken when first opening the tub by pulling
the tab.
6. The combination of claim 1, wherein the tab is defined by a line
of weakness in the skirt prior to first opening of the tub, the
line of weakness is broken when first opening the tub by pulling
the tab, and the lid becomes pivotable about the second retention
tooth until disengagement of the second retention tooth from under
the top lip of the tub.
7. The combination of claim 1, wherein, from the open position of
the tub, the second retention teeth engages under the top lip of
the tub by applying a pressure on the lid.
8. The combination of claim 1, wherein, from the first closed
position, the first retention teeth disengages from the top lip of
the tub by detaching the tab from the skirt into a pivotable
position in which the tab, further pulled, initiates a pivoting
movement of the lid, the pivoting motion of the lid under further
pulling the tab causing disengagement of the second retention tooth
from under the top lip of the tub.
9. The combination of claim 1, wherein, from the first closed
position prior to first opening of the tub, pulling the tab causes
breaking the skirt along a line of weakness initially defining the
tab on the skirt and detaching the tab from the skirt, thereby
disengaging the first retention tooth from under the top lip of the
tub, into a position in which the tab, still connected to the skirt
by a resulting live-hinge, is further pulled to disengage the
second retention tooth from under the top lip of the tub.
10. The combination of claim 1, wherein the second retention tooth
is positioned generally opposite the first retention tooth on the
skirt.
11. The combination of claim 1, wherein the first retention tooth
comprises a bottom wall at an angle relative to a normal to an
inner surface of the tab.
12. The combination of claim 1, wherein the first retention tooth
is a hollow tooth.
13. The combination of claim 1, wherein the second retention tooth
comprises a bottom wall at an angle relative to a normal to an
inner surface of the tab.
14. The combination of claim 1, wherein the second retention tooth
is a hollow tooth.
15. The combination of claim 1, wherein the lid is a one-piece lid,
integrally made of molded plastic.
16. The combination of claim 1, wherein the skirt is molded and the
web is a paperboard web.
17. The combination of claim 1, wherein the tub is made in one of:
i) paperboard and ii) plastic.
18. The combination of claim 1, wherein the combination has one of
a rectangular geometry, an oval geometry, a round geometry, and a
square geometry.
19. A lid for a tub, the lid comprising a skirt, a first retention
tooth on a tab defined on the skirt by lines of weakness, and a
second retention tooth on the skirt; wherein, in a first closed
position of the lid on top of the tub prior to first opening, the
first and the second retention teeth are engaged under a top lip of
the tub; and wherein, from the first closed position, the skirt is
broken along the lines of weakness by pulling on the tab, the tab
remaining pivotably connected to the lid, pulling on the tab
disengages the first retention tooth from under the top lip of the
tub, and pivots the lid about the second retention tooth away from
the top of the tub until disengagement of the second retention
tooth from the top lip of the tub.
20. The tamper-evident lid of claim 19, wherein the skirt further
comprises at least one secondary retention rib on an inner surface
thereof; and once the tub is opened, the lid is positioned in a
closed position by applying a pressure on the lid to reengage the
second retention tooth and the at least one secondary retention rib
under the top lip of the tub.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional
application Ser. No. 63/109,915, filed on Nov. 5, 2020. All
documents above are incorporated herein in their entirety by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present disclosure relates to tamper-evident tubs. More
specifically, the present disclosure is concerned with a
tamper-evident lid for a tub.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Tamper indicators are used in product tubs so that users
know if the product has been tampered with prior to first opening
of the tubs. Tamper-evident lids typically require that the tamper
indicator be removed, and generally discarded separately, after
first opening. Generally, tamper indicators are not designed to
prevent tampering, but to indicate whether tampering has
occurred.
[0004] There is still a need in the art for a tamper-evident lid
for a tub.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] More specifically, in accordance with the present invention,
there is provided a combination of a tub and a lid, the lid
comprising a web and a circumferential skirt depending thereon;
wherein the skirt comprises at least one tab, a first retention
tooth and a second retention tooth, the first retention tooth being
molded on an inner surface of the tab; and wherein for positioning
the lid in a first closed position on the tub, the first and the
second retention teeth are engaged under a top lip of the tub by
applying a pressure on the lid; when first opening the tub once the
lid is in the first closed position, the tab is broken free from
the skirt into a position of the tab in which the tab remains
pivotably attached to the skirt, and the tab is pulled, causing
disengagement of the first retention tooth from under the top lip
of the tub, the second retention tooth acting as a pivoting axis
for the lid.
[0006] There is further provided a lid for a tub, the lid
comprising a skirt, a first retention tooth on a tab defined on the
skirt by lines of weakness, and a second retention tooth on the
skirt; wherein, in a first closed position of the lid on top of the
tub prior to first opening of the tub, the first and the second
retention teeth are engaged under a top lip of the tub; and
wherein, from the first closed position, the skirt is broken along
the lines of weakness by pulling on the tab, the tab remaining
pivotably connected to the lid, and pulling on the tab disengages
the first retention tooth from the top lip of the tub, and pivots
the lid about the second retention tooth away from the top of the
tub and, in a continuous movement in one single motion,
disengagement of the second retention tooth from the top lip of the
tub.
[0007] Other objects, advantages and features of the present
invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following
non-restrictive description of specific embodiments thereof, given
by way of example only with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] In the appended drawings:
[0009] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of combination of a tub and a
lid, with the lid in place on top of the tub, according to an
embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0010] FIG. 1B side view of the tub of the combination of FIG.
1A;
[0011] FIG. 1C is a perspective bottom view of the lid of the
combination of FIG. 1A;
[0012] FIG. 1D is a perspective side view of the lid of FIG.
1C;
[0013] FIG. 1E is a partial side section view of the combination of
FIG. 1A;
[0014] FIG. 1F shows a partial section view of the lid of FIG.
1C;
[0015] FIG. 1G shows a close-up of a lid according to an embodiment
of an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0016] FIG. 2A shows a perspective bottom view of the combination
of FIG. 1A;
[0017] FIG. 2B is a section view of an inside surface of the lid of
FIG. 1C;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side view of the combination of FIG. 1A;
[0019] FIG. 4A is the perspective view of combination FIG. 1A with
a tab of the lid thereof pivoted upward according to an embodiment
of an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0020] FIG. 4B shows the combination of FIG. 4A upon further
pivoting of the lid upward;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a partial side section view of FIG. 4;
[0022] FIG. 6A is a side view of a lid according to an embodiment
of an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0023] FIG. 6B is a side view of a lid according to an embodiment
of an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 6C is a side view of a lid according to an embodiment
of an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 6D is a side view of a lid according to an embodiment
of an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 7A is a partial section view of a retention teeth
according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present
disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 7B is a partial section view of is a partial section
view of a retention teeth according to an embodiment of an aspect
of the present disclosure;
[0028] FIG. 7C is a partial section view of a retention teeth
according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present
disclosure;
[0029] FIG. 8A is a partial section view of top lip of a tub
according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present
disclosure;
[0030] FIG. 8B is a partial section view of top lip of a tub
according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present
disclosure;
[0031] FIG. 8C is a partial section view of top lip of a tub
according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present
disclosure;
[0032] FIG. 8D is a partial section view of top lip of a tub
according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present
disclosure;
[0033] FIG. 8E is a partial section view of top lip of a tub
according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present
disclosure;
[0034] FIG. 8F is a partial section view of top lip of a tub
according to an embodiment of an aspect of the present
disclosure;
[0035] FIG. 9A is a perspective bottom view of a lid according to
an embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure;
[0036] FIG. 9B is a perspective top view of the lid of FIG. 9A;
and
[0037] FIG. 9C is a perspective front view of a tub according to an
embodiment of an aspect of the present disclosure; and
[0038] FIG. 10 shows a tab of a lid according to an embodiment of
an aspect of the present disclosure.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION
[0039] A combination according to an embodiment of an aspect of the
present disclosure comprises a lid and a tub; the lid has a shape
configured for engagement with the tub as described
hereinbelow.
[0040] In an embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1A, the tub 5 and the
lid 4 have a generally rectangular shape with four corner curved
portions C. The tub 5 comprises a bottom wall B and a
circumferential side wall S extending up from the bottom wall B to
the upper edge E of the side wall S, defining an open top T of the
tub 5 (see FIG. 1B). An outwardly-projecting lip extend along the
upper edge E of the side wall S on the conference of the side
wall.
[0041] The lid 4 comprises a web 40, with an end-wall 31 on an
outer perimeter thereof, of a shape generally spanning the open top
T of the tub 5 (see for example in FIG. 1D). A circumferential
skirt 41 extends from the end-wall 31, generally perpendicularly to
the web 40, as shown for example in FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3, 4, 5), and
comprises at least one tab 1. The inner surface 42 of the skirt 41
comprises a first retention tooth 2, and a second retention tooth 3
positioned generally opposite the first retention tooth 2 on the
circumference of the skirt 41 (FIGS. 1C, 9A).
[0042] In a closed position prior to first opening, the first and
second retention teeth 2, 3 are engaged under the tub top lip 8
when the lid 4 is in position over the open top T of the tub 5. The
tab 1 of length 7 (see FIG. 1A) is defined by a line of weakness
generally pointed in the figures as 30 (see for example in FIG.
1D). The line of weakness 30 may be lines of reduced thickness for
example or lines scored at least in part along a length thereof, in
the outer surface 44, or in the inner surface 42 of the skirt 41
(not shown) in such a way that it is not visible to a user from the
outside of the lid when the lid is in the closed position on top of
the tub prior to the first opening of the tub, or molded from both
inner and outer surfaces of the skirt 41. The line of weakness 30
as illustrated in FIGS. 1D and 2B for example comprises two L-shape
portions, one on each side of the tab 1 on the outer surface 44 of
the skirt 41, each L-shape portion having a long leg running from
each side of the tab 1 along a length 45 of the skirt 41 and a
short leg of a length 47 running from the end of the long leg down
along the height 43 of the skirt 41. Each portion of line of
weakness thus extends on a respective lateral side of the tab 1. In
FIGS. 1D and 2B the length 45 of the long legs and the length 47 of
the short legs are lines of a thickness reduced from the thickness
of the skirt 41.
[0043] To close the tub 5, the lid 4 is positioned over the open
top T of the tub 5, the first and second retention teeth 2, 3 are
engaged under the top lip 8 of the tub 5 by applying a pressure on
the lid 4. To open the tub once the lid is thus retained on top of
the tub (see FIG. 1E), the tab is broken free from the skirt 41
along the line of weakness 30, i.e. along the length 45 of the long
legs and the length 47 of the short legs on each side of the tab 1
in FIGS. 1D and 2B for example, the tab 1 remaining attached to the
skirt, and pulled away and upwards (see arrow in FIG. 1E; FIG. 5),
thereby disengaging the first retention tooth 2 from under the top
lip 8 of the tub 5, and upon continued pulling on the tab 1,
pivoting the lid, and disengaging the second retention tooth 3 from
under the top lip 8 of the tub (FIG. 4B) to completely open the tub
and remove the lid if desired.
[0044] As shown in FIG. 4, once the skirt 41 is broken along the
line of weakness 30, the tab 1 with the first retention tooth
thereon is freed on both sides while still attached to the skirt 41
on a top edge of length 7 of the tab 1 and the tab 1 becomes
pivotable in relation to the skirt 41 about the top edge, which
acts as a live-hinge 17 (see FIG. 4). Pivoting the tab 1 disengages
the first retention tooth 2 from under the tub top lip 8, and then
the tab 1 can be used as a grip to lift the lid 4 and further
disengage the second retention tooth 3 from under the top lip 8 of
the tub, in a single-opening motion as described hereinabove. FIG.
4 shows the tab 1 being pivoted up and the first retention tooth 2
being disengaged from under the tub top lip 8, with the live-hinge
17 created upon breaking the line of weakness 30 allowing a
pivoting upward motion of the tab 1. Once disengaged from under the
top lip of the tub upon first opening, the first retention tooth 2,
as part of the tab 1, remains attached to the skirt by the
live-hinge 17. The first retention tooth 2 acts as a retention
element before the first opening and as an indicator element (part
of tab 1) following the opening.
[0045] The position and geometry of the line of weakness 30 and the
position of formation of the live-hinge 17 are selected to generate
a localised and precise tearing of the skirt 41 and pivoting
movement of the tab 1, while preventing weakening of the live hinge
17 upon use, and retention of the tab 1 on the skirt 41. FIG. 1F
shows a section view of the lid into the line of weakness 30. The
line of weakness 30 may be formed by a reduced thickness of the
material from the outer surface 44 of the skirt 41 of the lid 4 a
described hereinabove. The line of weakness 30 may be delimited by
at least a starting rib 9 of a larger thickness, and may be
continued on at least one side of the starting rib 9 (see FIGS. 1F,
2B), to ensure precise positioning and initiation of the tearing of
the skirt 41, and finished on a stop rib (not shown), on the same
surface of the skirt as the line of weakness 30 or on the opposite
surface of the skirt.
[0046] The first retention tooth 2 and the second retention tooth 3
are integrally molded into the skirt 41 and configured to engage
under the tub top lip 8, so that the lid 4 cannot be removed from
the top of the tub 5 without disengaging them.
[0047] The second retention tooth 3 is positioned generally
opposite the position of the skirt 41 which is torn upon first
opening, i.e. opposite the first retention tooth 2 on the skirt 41,
and allows pivoting movement of the lid once the first retention
tooth is disengaged from the top lip of the tub as described
hereinabove. The second retention tooth 3 may also be molded as
part of a second retention tab (not shown). More than one second
retention tooth may be provided, depending on the geometry of the
tub and its open top; to increase retention on a tub of a larger
size for example, separate secondary retention teeth may be
provided on the lid opposite the first retention tooth.
[0048] Following the first opening, the lid may be repositioned and
hold in place by reengagement of the second retention tooth under
the top lip of the container. As shown in FIGS. 1C, 1F, 2A for
example, secondary retention ribs 15 (see FIG. 1C) may be provided
on the inner surface 42 of the skirt 41, for retention of the lid 5
after first opening.
[0049] The first retention tooth 2 illustrated in FIG. 2B for
example, integrally molded into the inner surface 27 of the tab 1,
comprises a bottom wall 23 at an angle relative to the normal of
the inner surface of the tab 1 thereby providing a ramp surface,
and side walls 25, thereby forming a protrusion inward from the
inner surface 27 of the tab 1. The tooth 2 is shown with a top wall
21 generally perpendicular to the inner surface of the tab 1 in
FIG. 2B. In FIG. 10, the retention tooth 2 of the tab 1 comprises a
reinforcing wall 26 (FIG. 10), for increased rigidity of the tooth.
Other shape providing a ramp surface may be contemplated, as
illustrated in FIG. 7, the ramp surface allowing positioning and
locking of the lid 4 in the closed position on top of the tub 5
after first filing prior to first opening in such a way as to
engage the tooth 2 below the top lip 8 of the tub rim without
tearing the skirt 41 along the weakness line 30. The tooth 2 may be
a hollow tooth as illustrated herein, for purpose of reducing the
amount of material. A hollow tooth may have an open top (not shown)
and be reinforced by reinforcing walls 26.
[0050] The second retention tooth 3 illustrated in FIG. 1G,
integrally molded on the inner surface 42 of the skirt 41,
comprises side walls 55 and a bottom wall at an angle relative to
the normal of the inner surface 42 of the skirt 42 selected to form
a ramp surface 53, thereby forming a protrusion inward from the
inner surface 42 of the skirt 41 as shown in FIG. 1C. The tooth 3
is shown with a top wall 51 generally perpendicular to the inner
surface of the skirt 41 in FIG. 1G. Other shape providing a ramp
surface may be contemplated, as illustrated in FIG. 7, the ramp
surface allowing positioning and locking of the lid 4 in the closed
position on top of the tub in such a way as to engage the tooth 3
below the top lip 8 of the tub rim. The tooth 3 may be a hollow
tooth, for purpose of reducing the amount of material. A hollow
tooth may have an open top and be reinforced by reinforcing walls
(not shown).
[0051] The line of weakness 30 was described hereinabove with a
L-shape; other shapes may be contemplated (FIG. 6). The line of
weakness may comprise for example a single straight vertical line
on each side of the tab 1 (FIG. 6A), or a plurality of straight
lines (FIG. 6B), or a single curved line (FIG. 6C), or a straight
oblique line (FIG. 6D), or a combination of straight and curved
lines (not shown).
[0052] The top lip 8 of the tub may be a generally round lip (see
FIG. 1B, FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C for example). Different shapes may be
contemplated, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 8D-8F.
[0053] The lid as illustrated herein is an integrally molded
plastic one-piece lid. Alternatively, composite lid comprising a
molded skirt and a fused paperboard web may be contemplated. The
tub may be made of paperboard or in molded plastic or other
materials.
[0054] The tub and lid combination is illustrated herein in a
rectangular or oval geometry; referred to in the art as
"non-round"; other geometries may be contemplated, such as round,
rectangular and square. Rounds combination are illustrated for
example in FIG. 9.
[0055] As people in the art will now be in a position to
appreciate, the lid of the present combination comprises
non-detachable tamper-evident elements, in such a way that the
combination may be reused after first opening, allowing opening et
reclosing of the lid. The lid comprises a tab, a first retention
tooth and an opposite retention tooth 3, and opening is done by
lifting the tab to initiate a pivoting movement of the lid causing
disengagement of the first retention tooth upon first opening and,
in sequence, disengagement of the second retention tooth in a
continuous movement in one single motion, in absence of detached
parts that would need to be disposed of, thereby reducing
littering.
[0056] The scope of the claims should not be limited by the
embodiments set forth in the examples, but should be given the
broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a
whole.
* * * * *