Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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Container assembly having stacking means
Background
The present invention relates to a container assembly comprising a container
part and a lid part, said lid part comprising a connection portion for
connection to said
container part and a lid being pivotably connected to said connection portion.
The
invention further relates to such a lid part.
Such a container assembly and lid part are known from PCT/NL 2005/000089.
A package is disclosed therein for containing both a product and a spoon.
Subject
invention can be used in combination with such a package but it should be
noted that it
can also be used with other prior art packages.
Such a container assembly is produced by combining the container part with the
lid part. More particular the connection portion of the lid part is adhered to
the top side
of the container. It is aimed to optimize the assembly of the lid part and
container part
as much as possible. To that end lid parts should be automatically supplied
and
manipulated to be brought in position on the container part. Exact positioning
of the lid
part is essential.
Summary of the invention
The invention aims to improve handling of the lid parts in order to more
easily
assemble lid part and container part.
Another object of the invention is to improve the handling of the container
with
the lid part and container part attached to it.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide the improvements without
deteriorating other beneficial properties of the container assembly.
According to a first aspect of the invention this is realized with a container
assembly as described above in that the side remote from said lid of said
connection
portion and the side from the lid remote from the connection portion are
provided with
first complementary stacking means. According to the invention a stable stack
of lid
REPLACEMENT SHEET
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parts is obtained by the complementary cooperating stacking means provided
both on
the top and lower side of each lid part.
This provides the possibility of stacking lid parts during manufacturing in a
stable
and well-defined way, allowing improved automatic handling. Furthermore, as
will be
explained, it allows stable stacking of container assemblies on top of one
another.
Additionally, it allows at the same time an improved stability and rigidity of
the lid and
improved handling during use, in particular during opening and closing of the
lid.
Such complementary stacking means according to the first aspect of the
invention
can comprise any structure of complementary interengaging means. However,
preferably according to a further aspect of the invention the complementary
stacking
means comprise a cam-recess. The cam should be positioned in the recess after
which a
stable stack of lid parts is obtained. From such stable stack with a robot arm
lid parts
can be taken to be placed on the container part during manufacturing of the
container
assemblies.
The cam can be provided both on the side of the lid facing away from the
connection portion or in the connection portion. However, it is preferred that
the cam is
provided in the top of the lid. In this way basically the connection portion
can be
produced without too many special measures taken for receiving the cam of the
adjacent lid part. In most cases the circumferential rim of the connection
portion will be
sufficient to receive the cam of the next adjacent lid.
According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention complementary
stacking means are also provided between the top of the lid and the bottom of
the
container part. In this way assembled (and filled) container assemblies can be
stacked
on top of each other during shipping and display for the consumer. Also these
complementary stacking means are preferably provided such that the lid has a
cam
whilst the bottom of the container part is provided with a corresponding
accommodation. Preferably such accommodation is delimited by the
circumferential
rim of the bottom of the container which is preferably made from the outer
wall of the
container together with part of the bottom thereof.
More particularly, it is preferred that the cam on top of the lid both
functions as
complementary stacking means for further lid parts during assembly and as
complementary stacking means during stacking of the container assemblies. In
this way
only a single cam will suffice.
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According to a further aspect of the invention the cam is a circumferential
cam
extending near the outer circumference of the lid to provide maximum stability
during
stacking. Preferably such a circumferential cam has interruptions to be able
to clean the
top of the lid by whipping away debris and the like.
In an embodiment of the invention, the complementary stacking means comprise
a rim extending from the upper part of the lid (in other words, the side of
the lid remote
from the connection part), said rim providing a first abutment against sliding
in a
direction substantially in the lid's plane. In this embodiment, the lid
furthermore
preferably has a second abutment contiguous to rim, provided by the surface of
the lid
adjacent to the rim.
In this embodiment, the container part at its bottom side has a rim, which has
dimensions adapted to the dimensions of the rim on the lid in such a way so as
to work
together with the rim on the lid to provide complementary stacking means which
prevent a first container assembly which is placed on top of a second
container
assembly, i.e. with its bottom on the lid of the second container, from
sliding.
Furthermore, in an embodiment, the connection portion at its side remote from
the lid of the connection portion has a rim fur providing a first abutment in
a direction
substantially in the lid's plan for providing an abutment against the first
abutment of
the rim on the lid. Furthermore, this rim on the connection portion can have a
second
abutment for providing an abutment against the second abutment contiguous to
rim on
the lid, i.e. the second abutment provided by the surface of the lid adjacent
the rim. In
an embodiment, this rim on the connection portion is a circumferential rim. In
an
embodiment, it is a U-shaped ring providing additional strength to the
connection
portion, said U-shaped ring opening to the side of the connection portion
remote from
the lid.
In an embodiment, the rim on the lid provides several abutments at several
positions of the circumference of the lid.
In an embodiment, the rim comprises outward extending lid material. Said rim
can be formed by bulging lid-material out from the main surface of the lid in
the
direction away from the connection portion.
In an embodiment, the lid comprises at least two rim portions providing an
abutment extending over at least part of at least three sides of the container
assembly
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when having a rectangular cross-section (or it has at least three abutments
spread
around the circumference of the lid).
In an embodiment in which the container has four sides, there is providing an
abutment for four sides.
In an embodiment, at least two rim portions circumscribe more than 50 % of the
circumference of the lid.
According to a further aspect of the invention the top of the lid is at least
partially
shaped to conform a spoon which could be accommodated inside the lid. To that
end
the inside of the lid is provided with clamping means for clampingly engaging
a
(metering) spoon. The top of the lid has a (partially) corresponding shape. If
the
container assembly is relatively high a relatively long spoon is required to
remove the
contents from the container. If the container is furthermore a rectangular
container it is
preferred to use the full length of the diagonal of the lid for receiving such
a spoon.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention interruptions of the
circumferential cam on top of the lid are at the position of the shape for the
spoon.
According to a further preferred embodiment the lid is smooth at the location
of
the interruption to provide easy removal of debris.
The invention relates to any shape of the container. If the container is a
rectangular container preferably the corners thereof are rounded. Furthermore
between
the corner the sides are preferably bulging outwardly giving a more aesthetic
shape.
Furthermore, this will increase the internal volume of the container, or lower
its height
with the same volume. Thus, the spoon can be made shorter, or it is easier to
empty the
container using the same spoon length.
The invention also relates to a lid part as described above.
The invention further relates to a container assembly comprising a container
part
and a lid part, said lid part comprising a connection portion for connection
to said
container part, a lid being pivotably connected to said connection portion,
and a locking
means for locking said lid to said connection portion, wherein said locking
means
comprises a lip on said lid which has an upper lip part extending above a lid
surface
away from said connection portion and a lower lip part extending adjacent to
said
connecting portion, said lip being tiltable with respect to said lid about an
axis
substantially in a plane of said lid and near an edge of said lid.
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The invention further relates to a container assembly comprising a container
part
and a lid part, said lid part comprising a connection portion for connection
to said
container part, a lid being pivotably connected to said connection portion,
and a locking
means for locking said lid to said connection portion, wherein said lid
comprising a lip
5 for locking said lid to said connection portion, said lip being operably
connected to said
lid and having a cam and said connecting portion having a further cam, both
cams
positioned for engaging one another to keep said lid onto said connecting
portion when
said lip is not operated and to disengage one another when said lip is
operated, and said
connection portion further comprises a security lip positioned over said lip
for
preventing operation of said locking lip and providing temper evidence.
The invention further relates to a container assembly comprising a container
part
and a lid part, said lid part comprising a connection portion for connection
to said
container part and a lid being pivotably connected to said connection portion,
wherein
said lid comprising a lip for locking said lid to said connection portion,
said lip being
operably connected to said lid and having a cam and said connecting portion
having a
further cam, both cams positioned for engaging one another to keep said lid
locked onto
said connecting portion when said lip is not operated and to disengage one
another
when said lip is operated, said lid further having a gripping area adjacent
said lip for
arrangement of a finger or thumb of a user when operating said lip.
The lid part described above is preferably injection moulded as one part, in
particular injection moulded from PE, PP, or other synthetic materials
suitable for
injection moulding.
The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to
provide
additional advantageous advantages.
Description of the drawings
The invention will be further elucidated referring to an preferred embodiment
shown in the drawing wherein shown in:
Fig. 1 in exploded view a container assembly according to the invention;
fig. 2 the container assembly according to fig. 1 after assembly;
fig. 3 a stack of lid parts before assembly with the container part;
fig. 4 a perspective top and side view of a lid part according to the
invention;
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fig. 5 a perspective bottom and side view of the lid part of fig. 4;
fig. 6 a cross section of fig. 4,
fig. 7 the lid part of fig. 4 opened, i.e., with the lid hinged open with
respect to the
connection portion,
fig. 8 an alternative lid-shape.
Detailed description of embodiments
In the figures the container assembly is referred to by 1. It comprises a lid
part 2
and a container part 3. Container part 3 is provided with a bottom 4 and the
bottom
material is connected to the side walls and defines a circumferential rim 5.
The
container part can be made of cardboard, coated with a synthetic coating layer
known
in the art for making it suitable for containing food or liquids. The
container part can
also be made of plastic or metal, preferably for holding food or liquids.
Lid part 2 comprises a connection portion 8, a (living) hinge 6 and a lid 7.
Lid 7
is pivotably connected to connection portion 8. Connection portion 8 comprises
a
circumferential U-shaped rim 13 to receive the upper edge 12 of the side wall
of the
container part 3. Fixation of the connection portion 8 to the container wall
can be
effected through any means known in the art. In these drawings, the upper edge
12 of
the container part 3 is folded and thus forms a double material layer. In
practise,
however, this needs not be the case and in most case it is a single layer.
According to the invention the top of lid 7 is provided with a circumferential
cam. In the embodiment shown in the drawings the lid has two cam portions 9
having
interruptions 10 (Fig. 4) between them. In the embodiment shown, the cams are
parts of
the lid 7 bulging out (i.e., away from connection portion 8). It is also
conceivable to
provide a rim on top of the lid 7. It may even be conceivable to make the cam
(circumferentially) bulging in, i.e. towards connection portion 8. It than in
fact forms a
groove. In that case rim 5 at the bottom of container part 3 is received
within this
groove.
The top of the lid 7 is shaped to partially correspond with the shape of a
spoon.
The shape is indicated by 11 (fig. 4, 5). Inside the lid 7 clamping means (fig
5, nr 29)
are provided to accommodate and hold a spoon having the shape and size of
shape 11
of the spoon (not shown). From fig. 4 it is clear that the lid is
substantially rectangular
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and shape 11 is position diagonally. Interruptions 10 of the cam portions 9
are at the
position where it "crosses" shape 11. Preferably about 20% of the
circumference at the
position of cams 9 comprises interruptions 10.
The lid is further provided with a circumferential rim 14 which in the closed
position covers at least the top of the connection portion 8. Cooperating
locking means
31 are provided to lock the lid relative to the connection portion and tamper
evident
means 30 can be provided over the locking means 31 to prevent abuse. In this
embodiment, locking means 31 comprise a lip 31 on lid 7 with a cam on its side
directed toward the lid 7, and a cam on connecting portion 8. These two cams
engage
one another the lid 7 is closed and the locking lip 31 is not operated and
disengage
when the locking lip 31 is operated, allowing a user to open the lid 7. In
this
embodiment, the locking lip 31 is tiltably connected to lid 7, and is tiltable
around an
axis in the main plane of the lid 7 and near the boundary of the lid 7. To
that end, the
lip 31 is connected to the lid 7 via a thinned part 26 of the lid (see fig.
6). In case the
locking lip 31 extends above the main surface 22 of the lid 7, as is the case
in the
embodiment shown here, it proved (part of) gripping means via which a user can
grip
the lid 7 for opening it.
At the position of the locking lip 31 a gripping area 28 is provided. In this
embodiment, it is created by providing a (local) recess 28 in the lid, and by
providing
cam 9 in such a way that the inner wall 33 of this cam 9 runs on into a wall
of recess
28. In this way, a relatively large plane 33 is created onto which a finger or
thumb can
rest when operating locking lip 31 with another finger/thumb.
In fig. 6 it is further indicated that cam 9 has a top 24 which, as already
mentioned, extends about 5-7 mm above the surface 22 defined by rim 14, which
substantially defines the plane of the lid 7. Wall 25 is the outer wall of cam
9. Locking
lip 31 does not extend above this cam in order not to compromise the
stackability of lid
parts and/or container assemblies.
Tamper evidence means 30 is in this embodiment comprises a lip 30 which is
connected to the connecting portion 8 via thin connecting bridges. These
bridges are
provided near both sides of locking lip 31 of the locking means 31 and near
the end of
the locking lip 31 of these locking means. The connecting bridges need to be
broken in
order to remove the security lip 30 and to allow a user to tilt locking lip 31
of the
locking means 31, and can be formed in a (synthetic material, e.g. PE, PP)
moulding
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process of the lid portion 2. In the embodiment shown for instance in fig. 4,
it is clear
that because a lip is used which is connected using connecting bridges which
can be
moulded in one go together with the lip and the rest of the lid portion, the
security
means can be completely integrated in the side wall. In particular, the
security lip has a
part 35 which extends above the locking lip (at this position, the locking lip
has a lower
part 36), thus allowing easy removal of the security lip 30. The height of the
security
lip 30 and of the locking lip 31 should preferably not extend above edge 24 of
cam 9.
According to an aspect of the invention, cams 9 have a substantial height D,
e.g.
about 5-7 mm. Furthermore, in this embodiment, cams 9 are part of the lid 7
bulging
outward with respect to the main plane of the lid (substantially a plane
through surface
22 of rim 14). Because of that the cams 9 function as reinforcement ribs
adding to the
strength of the lid and in this way it is possible to stack a number of
container
assemblies on top of each other such as is shown for example in fig. 2 in a
very stable
manner. This effect of providing more rigidity to the lid is increase as a
wall of the cam
9 almost extends or goes over into rim 34. This rim 34 of the inside of the
lid 7 fits in
the inside 23 of inner U-shaped rim 20. The inner U-shaped rim 20 has ribs 21
providing rigidity to the rim 20. The height of this inner side 23 of inner
rim 20 is
preferably at least the height of cam 9, i.e. about 5-7 mm. Rim 23 of lid 7
extends
within the connecting part 8 to such an extend that it leaves enough height of
rim 23
free (the already mentioned 5-7 mm) to be able to stably stack lid parts in
the way
shown in fig. 3.
The spacing between the outsides or outer walls 25 of the cam portions 9 is
indicated in fig. 4 by C.
According to an aspect of the invention the internal width of the connection
portion 8 at least at the lower end thereof is indicated by B, wherein B is
slightly larger
than C. This allows for stacking of a number of lid parts comprising
connection portion
8 and lid 7 on top of each other as is shown in fig. 3 to obtain a stable
stack. Such a
stable stack is desirable during automated provision of the lid parts on the
container
parts during assembly thereof.
In Fig. 1, the spacing between opposite sides of the circumferential rim 5 at
the
bottom side of container part 3 is indicated by A. Preferably A is about the
same as B
allowing for stacking of container assemblies using the combination of the
circumferential rim 5 and cam portions 9 of the lid. It will be understood
that the
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dimensions A-C are all taken in the same direction. In different directions A-
C will
have other values but the same principle applies to provide for stable and
robust
stacking of both the lid parts and the container assemblies in a later stage.
The spacing
between the cam and the circumferential rim, the connection portion
respectively is
preferably about 0,5 mm. Because of the shape of the cam portions there are at
least
three and preferable four or more points of contact between the related
circumferential
rim and the cam portions providing a stable stacked assembly. Stacks of ten
packages
or more can be obtained. The circumferential shape of the rim 5 of the
container part 3
and of the cam 9 on the lid 7 are mutually adapted in such a way that the rim
5 closely
fits around the cams 9. Furthermore, the diameter B and circumferential shape
of rim
23 of the connecting portion is designed in such a way that the
circumferential rim 23
of the connecting portion closely fits around cam 9 of lid 7.
Although in this preferred embodiment the cam portions 9 function both to
cooperate with corresponding accommodation in the connection portion 8 and the
rim 5
at bottom 4 of the container part, it will be obvious that two sets of cam
portions can be
provided.
Lid portion 2 further has a levelling part 27 inside rim 20. This part 27 is
provided at the edge of rim 34 at a distance from the lower edge of the inner
wall of rim
to allow stacking of lid portions 2. This levelling part 27 allows levelling
of the
20 spoon.
Lid 7 further has a dome-shaped part 32 at its centre part for providing
additional
rigidity of lid 7.
In the embodiment shows in the drawings, the shape 11 indicating and holding a
spoon bulges outward with respect to the plane of lid 7. This may provide
additional
rigidity to lid 7. It is, however, also conceivable to let for instance the
top 24 of cams 9
define the main plane and outside surface of lid 7. In that case, wall 25
still defines
stacking means providing an abutment for the rim 5 of the bottom of container
portion
3, together with surface 22 of rim 14. In this case, the shape of a spoon may
be
indicated in another way, and clamping means 29 for a spoon may still be
present.
In another shape of lid 7, shown in fig. 8, connecting part 8 still has a rim
20 with
inner side 23 for providing a first element of the first complementary
stacking means.
In this embodiment of the lid, however, the lid has depressions, in this
embodiment a
circumferential groove which is dimensioned to retain both rim 20 of the lid
part 2
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when stacking lid parts, and rim 5 when stacking container assemblies 1. In
fact, the
groove provides at a groove wall a vertically extending abutment. This
vertically
extending (with respect to the plane of the lid 7) abutment can also be formed
by, when
radially following the surface of the lid 7 from the outside 22 to the centre,
lowering the
5 surface of the lid with respect to surface 22 of rim 14, thus providing
an abutment
against forces radially outward. The vertically extending abutment can also be
formed
by making the surface of the lid higher after surface 22 of rim 14, thus
providing an
abutment against forces radially inward. In the first embodiment, the outside
of rim 5
abuts the abutment of the lid 7, in the second embodiment, the inside of rim 5
abuts the
10 abutment of the lid 7. In both embodiments, the abutment of the lid
prevents shifting. It
is clear that these abutments do not need to be completely circumferential,
but in many
designs and practical embodiments, they will be.
It will also be obvious after the above that further embodiments are within
the
scope of protection of the appended claims being obvious combinations with
prior art
techniques and the disclosure of this patent.
