U.S. patent application number 17/352191 was filed with the patent office on 2022-09-29 for child resistant seamless lever-lid metal container.
This patent application is currently assigned to PLANET CANIT, LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is PLANET CANIT, LLC. Invention is credited to Hui Ho CHARM.
Application Number | 20220306358 17/352191 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005666154 |
Filed Date | 2022-09-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220306358 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CHARM; Hui Ho |
September 29, 2022 |
CHILD RESISTANT SEAMLESS LEVER-LID METAL CONTAINER
Abstract
A container employs an access tool in child-resistant packaging.
The container includes a seamless container body having a sidewall
and a base formed of a single piece of metal. The container body is
drawn to shape from the single piece of sheet metal via deep
drawing. The container includes a lid that covers an aperture at an
upper end of the container body when the container is closed, and a
lever ring attached to the container body adjacent to an upper edge
of the sidewall. The lever ring receives and grips a plug portion
of the lid to cover the aperture. When not in use, the access tool
is magnetically attached to the base, hidden from view. The access
tool is a lever configured pry the lid away from the lever ring.
The container may include a removably coupled secondary cover to
cover the lever ring and lid.
Inventors: |
CHARM; Hui Ho; (Kwai Chung,
HK) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PLANET CANIT, LLC |
Highland Park |
IL |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
PLANET CANIT, LLC
Highland Park
IL
|
Family ID: |
1000005666154 |
Appl. No.: |
17/352191 |
Filed: |
June 18, 2021 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
17342264 |
Jun 8, 2021 |
|
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17352191 |
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63166728 |
Mar 26, 2021 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/0049 20130101;
B65D 2215/04 20130101; B65D 43/021 20130101; B65D 2543/00537
20130101; B65D 2251/0018 20130101; B65D 43/0231 20130101; B65D
2251/0081 20130101; B65D 43/267 20130101; B65D 50/067 20130101;
B65D 2543/00092 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 50/06 20060101
B65D050/06; B65D 43/26 20060101 B65D043/26; B65D 43/02 20060101
B65D043/02 |
Claims
1. A child-resistant container, comprising: a container body
comprising a seamless member having a sidewall and a base formed of
a single piece of metal, the base including a lower edge of the
sidewall and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface is formed
to define a substantially flat central portion inset above the
lower edge of the sidewall; a lid configured to cover an aperture
at an upper end of the container body to form a reclosable
container; a lever member attached to the container body adjacent
to an upper edge of the sidewall and defining the aperture, the
lever member configured to receive and grip a plug portion of the
lid to cover the aperture, wherein the lever member is configured
to be removed by and a lever tool configured, when in use, to abut
against a portion of the lever member as fulcrum and to pry the lid
away from the lever member.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface is further
formed to define an upwardly sloping surface adjacent to the lower
edge of the sidewall.
3. The container of claim 1, wherein the lever tool is dimensioned
to fit within a recess defined by the lower edge of the sidewall
and the bottom surface.
4. The container of claim 1, wherein the container body having the
sidewall and the base is drawn to shape from the single piece of
sheet metal via deep drawing.
5. The container at claim 1, wherein the container has a circular
cylindrical container body comprising one of a straight-sided
seamless member and a straight-sided seamless member expanded to a
convex shape.
6. The container at claim 1, wherein the container has a circular
cylindrical container body comprising a fluted seamless member.
7. The container of claim 1, further comprising a secondary cover
removably coupled to a portion of the sidewall adjacent to the
upper edge of the sidewall to cover the lever member.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein the secondary cover is
removably coupled to the portion of the sidewall to cover the lever
member as a slip cover.
9. The container of claim 7, wherein the portion of the sidewall
adjacent to the upper edge of the sidewall comprises a concave base
portion, wherein the secondary cover includes a convex step that
creates an interlocking fit to the concave base portion of the
sidewall.
10. The container of claim 1, wherein the container has a circular
cylindrical container body, further comprising a secondary cover
removably coupled to a portion of the sidewall adjacent to the
upper edge of the sidewall via twist-lock connection to cover the
lever member.
11. The container of claim 7, wherein the bottom surface is further
formed to define a debossed bottom surface that creates an
interlocking fit with a convex step of the secondary cover.
12. The container of claim 1, wherein the lever tool comprises an
opener tool attached to or integral with a magnet and is configured
to be removably attached to the substantially flat central portion
of the bottom surface via magnetic attraction.
13. The container of claim 1, wherein the container has a circular
cylindrical container body and a circular bottom surface, the lever
member comprises a lever ring, the lever tool comprises a circular
disc, and the substantially flat central portion of the bottom
surface is a disc-shaped section.
14. The container tool of claim 1, wherein the lever tool has a
flanged periphery or rim.
15. A child-resistant container, comprising: a container body
comprising a seamless member having a sidewall and a base formed of
a single piece of metal, the base including a lower edge of the
sidewall and a bottom surface; a lid configured to cover an
aperture at an upper end of the container body; a lever ring
attached to the container body adjacent to an upper edge of the
sidewall and defining the aperture, the lever ring configured to
receive and grip a plug portion of the lid to cover the aperture,
wherein the lid is configured to be removed by a circular lever
tool configured, when in use, to abut against a portion of the
lever ring as fulcrum and to pry the lid away from the lever
ring.
16. The container of claim 15, wherein the bottom surface defines a
recess at the lower edge of the sidewall and the bottom surface,
and wherein the lower edge of the sidewall extends beyond the
bottom surface, wherein the circular lever tool is dimensioned to
fit within the recess.
17. The container of claim 15, wherein the container body having
the sidewall and the base is drawn to shape from the single piece
of sheet metal via deep drawing.
18. The container at claim 15, wherein the container has a circular
cylindrical container body comprising one of a straight-sided
seamless member, a straight-sided seamless member blown to a convex
shape, and a fluted seamless member.
19. The container of claim 15, further comprising a secondary cover
removably coupled to a portion of the sidewall adjacent to the
upper edge of the sidewall to cover the lever ring and lid via one
of an interlocking connection, a twist-lock connection, and a slip
cover.
20. The container of claim 19, wherein the portion of the sidewall
adjacent to the upper edge of the sidewall comprises a concave base
portion, wherein the secondary cover includes a convex step that
creates an interlocking fit to the concave base portion of the
sidewall.
21. The container of claim 1, wherein the lever tool is formed of a
disc having a planar magnet on a side and a flanged periphery and
is further configured, when not in use, to be removably attached to
the substantially flat central portion of the bottom surface using
the planar magnet.
22. The container of claim 15, wherein the circular lever tool is
formed of a disc having a planar magnet on a side and a flanged
periphery and is further configured, when not in use, for the
magnet to be magnetically adhered to the bottom surface.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S.
application Ser. No. 17/342,264, filed Jun. 8, 2021, which claims
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/166,728, filed Mar.
26, 2021, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in
their entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to child-resistant
packaging for the packaging and dispensing of articles, and more
particularly to a child-resistant all-metal containers.
BACKGROUND
[0003] In the field of child-resistant packaging, there are many
forms of safety closures designed to prevent or render it difficult
for children to remove the closure from the packaging. Such safety
closures are employed, for example, in containers that store
medicines or other contents that might be harmful without
supervision. Various types of child-resistant or safety containers
have been developed that include a receptacle for storing contents
and a lid that is locked in the closed position using some type of
locking mechanism. Various child-resistant containers or safety
containers require some manipulation of the closure that is not
readily apparent before it can be removed from the associated
container. Such containers can be relatively complex in
construction and operation, and can require difficult manipulations
of the closure for releasing the locking mechanism. Many of these
safety containers, although child-resistant, have proven
inconvenient and cumbersome to operate by users.
[0004] Some types of child-resistant closures, such as the
child-resistant metal containers of the present disclosure, require
an implement for removal. This category of child-resistant
packaging requires a key device, coin, or other access tool to open
the packaging and access contents. One advantage of the present
disclosure, child-resistant packaging using tooled access, is that
an access tool, although child-resistant, can be very convenient
and easy to operate for the intended users providing an operational
advantage over other safety container closures.
[0005] Many all-metal containers incorporate a container body
formed by seaming ends of a metal sheet together to form a body
sidewall. Completing the body requires spin-seaming a bottom to the
previously formed body sidewall. All-metal containers of this type
may be vulnerable to leakage or transfer of odors and air from the
container body, e.g., due to the "lock seam" process of forming the
body. While generally secure, the body seam and bottom seam are not
impermeable.
SUMMARY
[0006] What is needed is an airtight child-resistant container that
has a child resistant closure incorporating a tool designed for or
otherwise suitable for opening a closure mechanism of the
container. What is needed are child-resistant containers with
safety factors based on the need to locate an access tool and the
need to know how to use the tool to open the container and access
its contents. What is needed are child-resistant containers with
tool access that offers convenience for authorized users. What is
needed is child-resistant all-metal containers that prevent odors
and air from transferring in or out through the container body.
[0007] In an embodiment, a child-resistant container, comprises a
container body, comprising a seamless member having a sidewall and
a base formed of a single piece of metal, the base including a
lower edge of the sidewall and a bottom surface; a lid configured
to cover an aperture at an upper end of the container body when the
container is closed; a lever member attached to the container body
adjacent to an upper edge of the sidewall and defining the
aperture, the lever member configured, when the container is
closed, to receive and grip a plug portion of the lid to cover the
aperture; and a lever tool configured, when in use, to abut against
a portion of the lever member as fulcrum and to pry the lid away
from the lever member and, further configured, when not in use, to
be removably attached to the bottom surface.
[0008] In an embodiment, a child-resistant container comprises a
container body comprising a seamless member having a sidewall and a
base formed of a single piece of metal, the base including a lower
edge of the sidewall and a bottom surface; a lid configured to
cover an aperture at an upper end of the container body when the
container is closed; a lever ring attached to the container body
adjacent to an upper edge of the sidewall and defining the
aperture, the lever ring configured, when the container is closed,
to receive and grip a plug portion of the lid to cover the
aperture; and a lever tool comprising an opener tool attached to or
integral with a magnet, the lever tool configured, when in use, to
abut against a portion of the lever ring as fulcrum and to pry the
lid away from the lever ring and, further configured, when not in
use, for the magnet to be magnetically adhered to the bottom
surface.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The present disclosure can be better understood by referring
to the following figures. The components in the figures are not
necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon
illustrating the principles of the disclosure. In the figures,
reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the
different views.
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates components of a child-resistant container
with seamless straight-sided container body, according to an
embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 2A illustrates a seamless, straight-sided container
body with lever-lid cover, according to an embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 2B illustrates a seamless, straight-sided container
with lever-lid cover closed, according to an embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 2C illustrates a stackable slip cover and a seamless,
straight-sided container with lever-lid cover closed, according to
an embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 2D illustrates a seamless, straight-sided container
with stackable slip cover closed, according to an embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 3 illustrates components of a seamless child-resistant
container with seamless convex container body with a straight neck
portion with convex (embossed) ridges, according to an
embodiment.
[0016] FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4C and 4D show stages of assembling a child
resistant container with seamless convex container body, according
to an embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 5 illustrates components of a child-resistant container
with seamless fluted container body, with a straight neck portion
with convex (embossed) ridges, according to an embodiment.
[0018] FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C and 6D show stages of assembling a child
resistant container with seamless fluted container body, with a
straight neck portion with convex (embossed) ridges, according to
an embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 7 shows a top view of a secondary convex step-up cover
and a bottom view of a concave container base for a child-resistant
container with seamless container body, according to an
embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of two stacked child-resistant
containers with seamless container bodies, according to an
embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an access tool for a
child-resistant lever lid container, according to an
embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 10 is an elevation view of an access tool for a
child-resistant lever lid container, according to an
embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a child resistant container
with a straight-sided seamless container body and lever lid,
according to an embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 12 is a partial side elevation of a seamless container
body and child-resistant opener device sectioned on a diameter of
the container, according to an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] The present disclosure is here described in detail with
reference to embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which form a
part here. Other embodiments may be used and/or other changes may
be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the present
disclosure. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed
description are not meant to be limiting of the subject matter
presented here.
[0026] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments
illustrated in the drawings, and specific language will be used
here to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that
no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended.
Alterations and further modifications of the inventive features
illustrated here, and additional applications of the principles of
the inventions as illustrated here, which would occur to one
skilled in the relevant art and having possession of this
disclosure, are to be considered within the scope of the
invention.
[0027] In many applications, reclosable containers are designed
with child safety as a paramount consideration. Some types of
child-resistant packaging, such as the child-resistant containers
of the present disclosure, require an implement for removing a
closure. This category of child-resistant packaging requires a key
device, coin, or other tool to open the packaging and access
contents. In the present disclosure, this category of
child-resistant packaging is sometimes called tooled access, and
the required tool is sometimes called an access tool. One advantage
of child-resistant packaging using tooled access is that an access
tool, although child-resistant, can be convenient and easy to
operate for the intended users. Other characteristics of
child-resistant packaging using tooled access are the need to house
or store the access tool when not in use, and the need to locate
the access tool when needed to open a closure. While these
characteristics of tooled access can represent significant safety
factors for child-resistant packaging, they offer ease of access
for intended users.
[0028] One type of reclosable container is the lever lid tin, which
has been widely employed in packaging of paint, coatings, powders
and adhesives, as well as other products such as food products. The
lever lid metal container tin of the present disclosure
incorporates a child-resistant opener device. A lever lid metal
container requires the use of an access tool to open it. The access
tool is also herein called "lever tool" or simply "lever".
Commonly, the access tool is used to pry open the lever lid. The
child-resistant metal container of the present invention makes use
of the facts that children may be unable to locate a suitable
access tool, and may encounter difficulties in using the tool.
Specifically, in order to successfully lift the lid, the tool must
initially have one end accurately positioned under the
circumferential edge of the lid. Then, the tool must be pushed
inwards (i.e., towards the center of the lid) to prevent the end
slipping out, while the free end of the tool must be pulled down in
order to lift the lid. Such action requires an understanding of
fulcrums and leverage and may require a high level of dexterity,
beyond the capability of many children.
[0029] Disclosed embodiments incorporate a container body
comprising a seamless member having a sidewall and a base formed of
a single piece of metal. The base including a lower edge of the
sidewall and a bottom surface. Seamless container bodies according
to this invention may be deep drawn to have the sidewall and a base
drawn to shape from the single piece of metal. In various
embodiments, a container body is drawn from a blank sheet metal,
such as tinplate, electrolytic chromium coated steel (ECCS), or an
aluminum alloy. Using a drawing and wall forming process, sheet
metal is clamped and cut into circular blanks via a drawing
machine. These blanks are then punched into cups during the initial
drawing process.
[0030] Deep drawing may be accompanied by other forming techniques
within a press. In an embodiment, a part is initially formed as a
straight-sided seamless member, then with the use of a subsequent
tool is expanded to a convex shape. In an embodiment, during
forming, the part is provided with flutes dimensioned to provide
the required outside dimension of the container body. Once the
container body is formed, various post-processing steps are
undertaken, including attaching a lever member, such as a lever
ring, at the upper end of container body adjacent to an upper edge
of the sidewall. The lever member may define an aperture at the
upper end of container body, and the container may further include
a lid configured to plug into and cover the aperture when the
container is closed. Other post-processing steps may include
coating the container body, e.g., to inhibit chemical reactions
between the metal and container contents, and printing graphics
onto the container body.
[0031] FIG. 1 illustrates components of a child-resistant container
with seamless straight-sided container body. Components of child
resistant container 100 include a seamless straight-sided container
body 130, a domed lever lid 120, a magnetic lever tool 140, and an
optional secondary cover 110. The secondary cover 110 may be a
stacking slip cover.
[0032] FIG. 2A shows an all metal container with a seamless,
straight-sided, air-tight body 220 and a domed, child-resistant
lever-lid cover 210. A lever ring 230 is attached to a one piece
(e.g., drawn) metal body 220. The lever ring 230 (or lever member
or flange) defines a circular aperture 240. Lever-lid cover 210
with plug wall 250 is configured to plug into aperture 240. The
structural configuration prevents odors and air from transferring
in or out through the body because all air-transfer points (e.g.,
seams) have been eliminated. FIG. 2B shows child-resistant
container 260 in closed configuration with lever lid cover plugged
within the lever ring.
[0033] FIG. 2C shows a similar metal container configuration as
FIGS. 2A, 2D, but with an added "slip cover" 270 to be fitted over
the lever-lid plug cover of container 280. FIG. 2D shows the
container 290 with slip cover 292 closed. One goal is to eliminate
any possible air transfer occurring between the inner lever-lid and
the ring construction. Additionally, the slip cover 292 is designed
with step up profile or a convex (embossed) step 294 that creates
an interlocking fit to a concave (debossed) base of container 290.
This feature serves to securely stack two or more metal containers.
Stacking is not otherwise possible with a metal container fitted
with a lever-lid cover.
[0034] FIG. 3 shows a child resistant all metal container 300
generally similar to the container of FIG. 1, but with modified
form of seamless container body 330. During forming of container
body 330, a drawn straight-sided seamless body (which may be the
same as or similar to container body 130) with the use of a
subsequent tool is expanded into a convex body shape 340 and
straight neck 350. In this configuration, the optional secondary
cover 310 locks onto the neck with a twist motion (twist-on cover)
rather than slipping over the body (slip-on cover).
[0035] FIG. 3 shows a secondary cover 310 with an "inside curled"
sidewall, which is necessary to create the twist and lock feature.
The straight neck 350 of container body 330 has embossed ridges
that catch the inside curl of the lid sidewall and secure the metal
container lid as it twists on tight. FIG. 3 shows the neck's
embossed ridges 360 required for the twist-tight mechanism. FIGS.
4A-4D illustrate stages of assembling a seamless metal container
with convex container body.
[0036] FIG. 5 shows a child resistant all metal container 500
generally similar to the container of FIG. 3, but with modified
form of seamless container body 530. During forming of the
container body 530, a drawn seamless body is formed in an
axis-symmetric fluted configuration to create a fluted body shape
540. The convex container body has a straight neck portion 550. The
neck portion 550 includes embossed ridges 560 for a twist-lock
mechanism of secondary cover 510. FIGS. 6A-6D illustrate stages of
assembling a seamless metal container with fluted container
body.
[0037] FIG. 7 shows a top view of a secondary cover 720 for a
child-resistant container with seamless container body. Secondary
cover 720 is designed with step-up profile or a convex (embossed)
step or platform 740. Additionally, FIG. 7 shows a bottom view of a
container base 760 for a child-resistant container with seamless
container body. Container base 760 has a concave (debossed) bottom
surface 780 that creates an interlocking fit with the convex step
740 of secondary cover 720.
[0038] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a container assembly 800
including two stacked child-resistant containers 820, 840. An
embossed platform on the top of the secondary cover 860 of lower
container 840 may be sized to fit securely inside a corresponding
debossed area on the base 880 at underside of the upper container
820 to create a stable, non-slipping, secure stack when one
container is placed on top of the other. Stacking is not otherwise
possible with a metal container fitted with a lever-lid cover.
[0039] FIG. 9 is a plan view of an access tool 900 for a
child-resistant lever lid container. Access tool 900 includes an
opener device 920 in the form of a disc. Opener disc 920 has a
flanged periphery or rim 930 and acts as a lever to remove the lid
from the top of the container tin, e.g., by prying the lid from a
lever ring. Additionally, opener device 920 includes a magnet 940
on one side of the opener tool, which is used to magnetically
adhere the opener device 920 to the bottom of the container tin. In
an example, opener device 920 is a circular disc with an outer
diameter of 47 mm, and magnet 940 is a concentric circular cylinder
of lower diameter than disc 920.
[0040] FIG. 10 is an elevation view of an access tool 1000 for a
child-resistant lever lid container. The access tool includes an
opener device 1020 in the form of a disc, and a magnet 1040 secured
to an upper surface of the opener disc 1020. In an embodiment,
magnet 1040 is permanently laminated or bonded to disc 1020. In an
example, access tool 1000 has a total thickness of 3.24 mm,
including a 2 mm thickness of opener tool 1020 and a 1 mm thickness
of magnet 1040. In this example, disc 1020 has an outer diameter of
47 mm.
[0041] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a cylindrical metal
container 1100 with domed lever lid 1140 closed within an aperture
lever ring 1120. The lever lid is also referred to herein as
"lever-lid cover" or "simply "lid." A plug wall of lever lid 1140
is dimensioned to provide a tight interference fit within a
lid-receiving portion of lever ring 1120. The metal lever ring 1120
is relatively rigid during forcing of the lever lid 1140 into the
lid-receiving portion, providing a child-resistant closure in which
removal by hand is very difficult, if not impossible. To open the
child-resistant container tin, a user who is aware of the hidden
opener device 1150 can detach the device from the bottom of the
tin. In an embodiment, the user inserts opener disc 1150 between
the lever lid 1140 and lever ring 1120 to open the lid 1140. In an
embodiment, the user rests the opener disc 1150 against an upper
edge 1130 of container body 1110 as fulcrum and presses the rim of
opener disc 1150 up against a flange 1150 of lever lid 1140 as
lever to pry the lid 1130 open. If the lid 1130 is particularly
tightly engaged within lever ring 1120, the user may progressively
apply force at several points under the flange of the lid to permit
removal of the lid.
[0042] FIG. 12 is a partial side elevation of a cylindrical metal
container 1200. A child-resistant opener device 1250 is
magnetically adhered at the bottom of the metal container. The
container body 1210 includes a seamless sidewall 1214 and a base
1216 formed of a single piece of metal. The container base 1216 is
debossed to create a recessed configuration in which a substantial
percentage of the bottom surface 1256 of the base is out of contact
with the planar surface that supports the container. Annular base
surface 1244, also herein called annular support ring, serves as
the container support and contacts the surface on which the
container is placed. The drawing operation may create a smooth
curve 1254 merging the container sidewall 1214 into the annular
support ring 1244. The inner surface of the arcuate support ring
may include an upwardly sloping surface 1246 adjacent to the inner
wall of the annular support ring. A central portion of the bottom
surface 1256 has a substantially flat disc-shaped section 1252
inset above the annular support ring 1244.
[0043] An opener device 1250 is magnetically adhered to central
section 1252 via magnet 1258. In an embodiment, at least the bottom
surface 1256 of metal container 1200 is formed of a ferromagnetic
metal, or a paramagnetic metal that is magnetized in the presence
of magnet 1258 to attract and retain the opener device 1250. In an
embodiment, the one-piece container body 1200 is formed of tinplate
steel, i.e., steel with a very thin coating of tin. In an
embodiment, the one-piece container body 1200 is formed of
chromium/chromium oxide coated steel (known as tin free steel
(TFS)).
[0044] The lower edge of the container body 1210 including annular
support ring 1244 extends beyond the bottom surface 1256, defining
a recess 1248 below the bottom surface. The outer diameter of
opener device 1250 (e.g., 47 mm) is well under the inner diameter
of recess 1248 (e.g., 67 mm) so that opener device 1250 fits easily
within the recess 1248. The vertical clearance provided by recess
1248 (e.g., 5 mm) is greater than the total thickness (e.g., 3.24
mm) of opener device 1250 including magnet 1258. As a result,
opener device 1250 will not interfere with the container 1200
sitting level on the lower edge 1244 of container body 1210, and
opener device 1250 will not be visible below the container.
[0045] In the embodiments of FIGS. 9-12, the container and the
access tool are both circular. However, a lever lid with access
tool can be implemented with any shape/size container (e.g.,
rectangle, square, round, oval, polygon). The lever lid itself can
be generally round but the lever ring that it fits into can follow
the shape of the container with just a round aperture in the middle
for the actual lever lid. As used herein, "lever ring" may describe
an annular or ring-shaped portion of the container, but also may
have other shapes consistent with the shape of the container.
[0046] The foregoing method descriptions and the interface
configuration are provided merely as illustrative examples and are
not intended to require or imply that the steps of the various
embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be
appreciated by one of skill in the art, the steps in the foregoing
embodiments may be performed in any order. Words such as "then,"
"next," etc., are not intended to limit the order of the steps;
these words are simply used to guide the reader through the
description of the methods. Although process flow diagrams may
describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the
operations can be performed in parallel or concurrently. In
addition, the order of the operations may be re-arranged. A process
may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine,
a subprogram, etc. When a process corresponds to a function, its
termination may correspond to a return of the function to the
calling function or the main function.
* * * * *