Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TAMPER EVIDENT PLASTIC DISPENSING CONTAINER
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
100011 This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent
Application
No. 60/912,591, filed April 18, 2007, the disclosure and teachings of which
are incorporated
herein in their entireties, by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention generally relates to closures and/or containers of the
type used for
spices, or the like, and more particularly to tamper-resistant closures and/or
containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
100031 Numerous spice container closures and/or containers are known as
exemplified
by U.S. Patent Nos.: 7,114,627; 7,021,482; 6,422,411; 5,052,572; 4,621,744;
3,370,757;
3,255,928; and 3,251,509; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2007/0056972A1; all
of which
are assigned to the present assignee and all of which are hereby incorporated
by reference in
their entireties.
100041 Although spice container closures and/or containers of the type
exemplified in
the patent documents listed above work well, further improvements are
desirable,
particularly with regard to making spice container closures and/or containers
more tamper-
resistant.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The invention provides improvements in the tamper-resistance of spice
container
closures and/or containers through use of a container closure and/or container
including
tamper-evident and/or tamper-resistant elements.
[0006] In one form of the invention, a spice container package includes a
container, a
closure and a tear strip, with the tear strip being joined to the closure by a
first hinge, and
joined to the container by a second hinge. The container includes a side wall.
The closure
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includes a base and a cover, with the base including at least one dispensing
port and the
cover including at least one flap removably covering the at least one
dispensing port. The
first hinge may connect the tear strip to the cover of the closure. The
closure and the
container may be integrally molded together as a single plastic component
piece.
[0007] A spice container package, according to the invention, may further
include a
third hinge connecting the base and the cover, in such a manner that the base
and cover may
be folded about the third hinge into mutual engagement, and such that the
closure may be
folded about the first and second hinges into engagement with the container.
Each of the
first and second hinges may take the form of a plurality of thin tearable webs
of plastic
material, configured in such a manner that the tear strip may be manually torn
away from
the container and the cover by breakage of the thin tearable webs of plastic
material.
100081 In some forms of the invention, the at least one flap and at least one
dispensing
port may be configured as a plurality of flaps removably covering a plurality
of dispensing
ports respectively.
[0009] The base, of a closure of a spice container package according to the
invention,
may include a platform defining the dispensing ports and a pair of skirts
depending
downwardly from the platform in such a manner that the pair of skirts define a
receiving
channel therebetween adapted to receive a top free edge of a container. A snap
lock
connection may be provided between the side wall and the closure, and a tamper
shield may
be integrally formed around the container in spaced relation to the free edge
transitioning a
perimeter of the side wall to be similar to a perimeter of the outer skirt.
The snap lock
connection may include a plurality of locking tabs and locking slots which
interlock with
one another in the receiving channel.
100101 In some forms of the invention, the cover of the closure is hinged to
the
container via the tear strip and the first and second hinges along a front
side of the spice
container package, and the cover is hinged to the base via the third hinge
along a back side
of the spice container package.
[0011] One form of a spice container package, according to the invention,
includes a
generally rectangular container, a closure having at least one flap removably
covering at
least one dispensing port in the closure, and a tear strip connected to the at
least one flap for
preventing opening of the flap. The closure includes a base and a cover, with
the base
having a platform and a skirt depending downward from the platform in
telescoping relation
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with the container. The platform includes the at least one dispensing port and
the cover
includes the at least one flap removably covering the at least one dispensing
port. The tear
strip is connected to the at least one flap in such a manner that the flap is
prevented from
opening while the tear strip is in place. The tear strip extends at least
partially over the
skirt, and is adapted to be torn away to allow opening of the at least one
flap.
100121 The at least one flap may be hinged to the base proximate a back side,
with the
tear strip being arranged proximate to a front side. Either or both of the
first and second
hinges may take the form of a plurality of thin tearable webs of plastic
material, such that
the tear strip may be manually torn away from the container and cover by
breakage of the
thin tearable webs of plastic material.
[0013J The at least one flap and the at least one dispensing port may be
configured as a
plurality of flaps removably covering a plurality of dispensing ports,
respectively, with the
tear strip being independently hinged through at least one thin tearable web
to each of the
flaps. The base may include a platform defining the dispensing ports and inner
and outer
skirts depending downwardly from the platform, such that the skirts define a
receiving
channel therebetween which is adapted to receive a top free edge of the
container. The tear
strip may extend entirely over the outer skirt and be integrally connected to
the side wall of
the container.
[00141 In some forms of a spice container package according to the invention,
the
closure and the container are integrally molded together as a single plastic
component piece.
The cover is hinged to the container via the tear strip and the first and
second hinges along a
front side of the spice container package, and the cover is hinged to the base
by the third
hinge along a back side of the spice container package.
[00151 A spice container package, according to the invention, may be provided
as a
single integral molded component plastic part, including a serving lid closure
and a
container. The serving lid closure has at least one dispensing port and at
least one flap
removably covering the dispensing port. A hinge integrally connects the
container and the
serving lid closure. The serving lid may include a cover and a base, with the
cover having
the at least one flap and the cover being hinged to the container via the tear
strip and the
first and second hinges along a front side of the spice container package. The
cover is
hinged to the base along a back side of the spice container package.
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[0016] In a spice container package formed as a single integral molded
component
plastic part, according to the invention, each of the first and second hinges
may take the
form of thin tearable webs of plastic material, such that the tear strip is
adapted to be
manually torn away from the container and the cover by breakage of the thin
tearable webs
of plastic material. The at least one flap and at least one dispensing port
may take the form
of a plurality of flaps removably covering a plurality of dispensing ports
respectively. The
tear strip may be independently hinged through at least one thin tearable web
to each of the
flaps. The base may include a platform defining the dispensing ports and inner
and outer
skirts depending downwardly from the platform, such that the skirts define a
receiving
channel therebetween adapted to receive a top free edge of the container, with
the top free
edge being connected to the closure by a snap connection.
[0017] Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become
more
apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction
with the
accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the
specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and,
together with the
description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the
drawings:
[0019] FIG. la is a cross section of a top upper portion of a spice container
package
shown in isometric, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. lb is an isometric exploded assembly view of part of a serving lid
closure
and a container of the spice container package shown in FIG. la;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a top and side end isometric view of a molded unassembled
spice
container package blank (including a serving lid closure and a container) to
be assembled
into a spice container package, except that the tamper shield and snap lock
mechanism are
not shown in this drawing.
[0022] FIGS. 3 and 4 are generally side end and bottom isometric views of the
molded
unassembled spice container package blank shown in FIG. 2.
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100231 While the invention will be described in connection with certain
preferred
embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the
contrary, the intent
is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within
the spirit and
scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] In the figures, an embodiment of the present invention is shown as a
spice
container package 10 including a serving lid closure 14 and a container 18.
The serving lid
closure 14 and the container 18 are integrally molded together of plastic
material as a one
piece unitarily molded. Preferably, the assembled spice container package is
generally
rectangular in configuration similar to many of the spice container packages
as seen in
supermarkets. However, inventive features may also be employed in non-
rectangular
package designs and/or in other closures.
[0025] While multiple pieces could be used, the serving lid closure 14 is
preferably a
one piece integrally molded plastic member (with the serving lid closure 14
also being
integrally molded with the container) as shown in the drawings. As such,
multiple molding
of separate parts may not be necessitated. Additionally, the serving lid
closure 14 can be
molded using relatively simple molding technique between two mold halves
potentially
with a one pull mold process (slots 70 in outer skirt may be formed with pins
from the side
or may permit resilient mold release through slight flexure).
100261 The serving lid closure 14 generally includes a base 22 and a cover 30,
which are
joined by an elongate hinge 32. A tamper strip 26 is disposed intermediate the
cover 30 and
the container 18 and joined to each of the two respective components by virtue
of hinges 34
and 38, which are very thin segments of plastic material which allow the
serving lid to be
folded relative to the container during assembly. Specifically, during
assembly, the base 22
is first folded relative to the cover 30 through hinge 32 (and the flaps may
releasably snap
onto the base over the dispensing port); and then the entire serving lid
closure 14 is rotated
and pivoted relative to the container 18 about the tamper strip 26 (via hinges
34 and 38) so
that the base 22 of the serving lid closure 14 is telescopically received on
the free edge of
the container sidewall and can be secured directly to the top portion of the
side wall of the
container 18.
[0027] The hinges 34 and 38 for the tamper strip 26 are sufficiently thin to
allow for
manual removal and tearing such that tamper strip 26 also serves as a tear
strip that can be
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manually removed relatively easily through manual manipulation. Typically the
tamper
strip 26 will include printed indicia on its front face (along the front of
the package)
indicating that it can be pulled and removed or otherwise indicating that it
is a feature
evident of tampering. In the assembled position, the tamper strip 26 is
releasably and
tearable away from the flaps of the cover 30 and the top of the container 18.
[0028] The base 22 includes a platform 42 through which a plurality of
dispensing ports
46 are formed (e.g., such as a spoon port, a sift port and a pour port as
shown). The cover
30 comprises a plurality of flaps 62 joined by hinge 32. Each flap 62 are
independently
movable and covers one of the dispensing ports 46 to allow for selective
manual access to
the dispensing ports 46 when in use. The longitudinal hinge 32 for the flaps
62 is
sufficiently thin segments of plastic to allow for pivoting motion and also
sufficiently thick
so as to prevent inadvertent manual tear away.
[0029] A different aspect of the disclosed embodiment which can be used and
employed
independent of the tamper strip related features is the provision for reliably
and preferably
permanently locking the serving lid closure 14 to the container 18. Between
the container
18 and serving lid closure 14 is provided a mounting interface with
interacting snap
structures located at discrete locations including as shown locking tabs 66
and locking slots
70. In the disclosed embodiment, the locking tabs 66 are formed approximate
the top of the
container side wall (at opposing ends and/or opposing sides), while
complimentary locking
slots 70 are formed into the serving lid closure 14. Alternative methods of
fixing and
permanently securing the serving lid to the container include welding,
staking, gluing or
other securing mechanisms.
[0030] As shown, the base 22 of the serving lid closure 14 includes an inner
rectangular
skirt 74 and an outer rectangular skirt 78, which both depend downwardly from
the platform
42. The inner skirt 74 is slidably received and may engage the inner surface
of the
container 18 proximate a top and thereof. The outer skirt 78 which defines the
locking slots
70 is received over the exterior surface of the side wall of the container 18.
To assist in
assembly, cam surfaces 82 and 86 are provided to facilitate temporary flexing
of the outer
skirt 78 outwardly away relative to the side wall of the container 18 during
assembly to
allow the locking tabs 66 to snap into the locking slots 70 (e.g. note the
locking tabs 66 may
be in the form of a wedge). Upon receipt of the locking tabs 66 into the
locking slots 70,
locking segments 90 formed along the lower edge of the locking slots 70 of the
outer skirt
78 release back inwardly to engage the underside of the locking tab 66 to
permanently
secure the container 18 to the serving lid closure 14 so as to prevent easy
manual removal.
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As shown after assembly, the resilient flexure in the outer skirt 78 is
relieved once it is
allowed to flex back inwardly after it clears the underside of the locking
tabs 66.
100311 Preferably, a tamper shield 94 which transitions the container sidewall
to a
thickness about the same (or greater if desired) than the perimeter of the
outer skirt 78 is
provided so as to prevent easy manual manipulation of the locking segments 90
which could
allow for tampering of the serving lid closure. The tamper shield preferably
extends around
the periphery of the container sidewall and may be a triangular thickened
region of the
sidewall as shown. Thus, the design provides a mechanical lock between the
closure 14 and
the container 18 to greatly reduce the possibility of removal without causing
visual damage
to one or both of the components, particularly without the availability of
tools.
100321 To assemble the device, the cover of the serving lid closure is folded
relative to
the base. Thereafter, the serving lid closure and the container are pushed
together in order
to permanently lock the serving lid closure to the container. Thereafter, the
consumer must
remove the tamper evident strip in order to access the product such as spices,
dry flowable
granular product or other product that may be contained within the container.
[0033] All references, including publications, patent applications, and
patents cited
herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each
reference were
individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and
were set forth in
its entirety herein.
100341 The use of the terms "a" and "an" and "the" and similar referents in
the context
of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following
claims) is to be
construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise
indicated herein or
clearly contradicted by context. The terms "comprising," "having,"
"including," and
"containing" are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning
"including, but not
limited to,") unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein
are merely
intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each
separate value
falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate
value is
incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein.
All methods
described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise
indicated herein or
otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or
exemplary
language (e.g., "such as") provided herein, is intended merely to better
illuminate the
invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless
otherwise
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claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating
any non-
claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.
100351 Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including
the best
mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of
those preferred
embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon
reading the
foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such
variations as
appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced
otherwise than as
specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all
modifications and
equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as
permitted by
applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in
all possible
variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated
herein or
otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
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