Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DESCRIPTION
FLIP TOP PLASTIC LID
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a closure for a container for
holding a
granular product or powder, such as infant formula. More specifically, the
disclosure is
directed to a closure having a collar and a flip top lid for resealably
securing the open end of
a container.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] There are many products in granular or powdered form that are
currently
stored and sold in containers. These products include infant formula, flour,
coffee, sugar,
and nutritional supplements, such as protein or dietary supplements. Because
many of these
items are stored, shipped, and ultimately dispensed from the same container,
the container
should be robust enough to withstand the conditions to which it can be
exposed.
Additionally, the container should be user friendly for the ultimate consumer.
[0003] Containers formed of plastic and/or metal are often used to store
and sell
various granular products, particularly in the industrial, food, and
pharmaceutical sectors.
Some containers may include a lid or closure such that the container can be
repeatedly
opened and closed. One problem often associated with such containers is
leakage of the
product from the container. Such leakage typically occurs in the area around
the closure.
Moreover, if a lid or closure does not provide an adequate seal, contaminants
can more
readily be introduced into the product stored in the container, resulting in
spoilage or other
deleterious effects. As such, while some containers include resealable lids
which a user can
open and close to access product contained within the container, many of these
lids do not
provide a sufficiently secure seal.
[0004] Furthermore, current containers do not sufficiently provide
verification that
the container is sealed when in a closed position. The consumer closes the lid
on the
container, but cannot be sure the product will not leak. Thus, it is desirable
to give the
consumer a discernible verification that the container is properly sealed when
the lid is
closed.
[0005] Additionally, some containers include a measuring device or scoop
which
allows the consumer to remove the product from the container, and, in certain
circumstances, measure out the amount of product needed for each use. However,
conventional scoops can make it difficult for the consumer to obtain product
as the level of
the contents of the container lowers.
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[0006] Accordingly, there exists the need for a closure for a container
that more
completely seals the contents of the container, in order to prevent any
leakage from the
container, and to prevent contaminants from contacting the contents of the
container.
Additionally, there exists a need for a container that provides a discernible
verification to the
consumer that the container has been properly sealed when the lid is closed.
Additionally,
there exists a need for a container having a scoop better able to facilitate
obtaining product
located generally towards the bottom of the container.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
[0007] In one aspect of the present invention, an improved closure for a
container is
provided. The closure can include a collar and a lid. In some embodiments, the
collar can
have a locking portion (referred to as "collar locking portion") and the lid
can have a locking
portion (referred to as "lid locking portion"). The collar locking portion and
the lid locking
portion operate so as to engage each other; for instance, in one embodiment,
the lid locking
portion is operable to releasably engage the collar locking portion when the
lid is in a closed
position on the collar, thereby securing the lid to the collar. In other
embodiments, the
closure can also include a collar latch element located on an outer surface of
the collar and a
lid latch element located on an outer surface of the lid, the collar latch
element and the lid
latch element being operable to releasably engage each other, thereby further
securing the
lid to the collar when the collar is in a closed position.
[0008] In some embodiments, the collar locking portion and the lid locking
portion
can provide an audible sound when the two locking portions engage each other.
Similarly,
the collar latch element and the lid latch element can provide a second
audible sound when
they engage each other. This feature can provide a user with discernible
verification that the
container and its contents have been properly closed and sealed.
[0009] The lid of the closure can, in some embodiments, include a retention
element
configured to retain a measuring device proximate an underside of the lid. In
certain
embodiments the retention device can be configured to store a measuring device
having a
length which is approximately equal to the diameter of the underside of the
lid, and which is
a substantial percentage of the depth of the container, so as to allow a user
to more easily
remove product from the bottom of a container. By retaining the scoop in a
position
proximate the underside of the lid, the scoop is stored above the level of the
product in the
container, to avoid forcing the user to insert his/her hand into the product
to access the
scoop. This avoids inconveniencing the user and also the possibility of
contamination from
the user's hand.
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[0010] In an embodiment, the closure includes a lid having a top surface
and a
compartment for a scoop in the top surface of the lid. Such an embodiment
allows the scoop
to be stored above the level of the product between use.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a closure of the
present
invention in an open position.
[0012] Fig. 2 is a cross sectional view of the closure of Fig. 1 in a
closed position.
[0013] Fig. 3 is a detailed cross sectional view of an exemplary
engagement between
the collar and the lid of the closure of Fig. 1.
[0014] Fig. 4 is a detailed cross sectional view of a second exemplary
engagement
between a collar and a lid of the closure of Fig. 1.
[0015] Fig. 5 is a back perspective view of the closure of Fig. 1.
[0016] Fig. 6 is a detailed view of an exemplary first latch element and
second latch
element for the closure of Fig. 1.
[0017] Fig. 7 is a front view of a collar and a lid of Fig. 1 when the lid
is in an open
position.
[0018] Fig. 8 is a top view of the closure of Fig. 1 when the lid is in a
closed position
with the first latch element engaging the second latch element.
[0019] Fig. 9 is a front view of the closure of Fig. 1 in a closed
position showing how
multiple assembled containers can be stackable on one another.
[0020] Fig. 10 is a top view of a second embodiment of a closure of the
present
invention including a compartment in a lid for storing a measuring device.
[0021] Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Fig. 10 showing
a tamper
evident material disposed on the lid and the compartment.
[0022] Fig. 12a is a side view of an embodiment of a modified scoop with a
pointed
end.
[0023] Fig. 12b is a top view of the modified scoop of Fig. 12a.
[0024] Fig. 12c shows the modified scoop of Fig. 12a being used in a
container.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0025] Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of the
present
disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various
modifications and
variations can be made to the teachings of the present disclosure without
departing from the
scope of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as
part of one
embodiment, can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further
embodiment.
4
[0026] Thus,
it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and
variations. Other objects, features and aspects of the present disclosure are
disclosed in or
are apparent from the following detailed description. It is to be understood
by one of
ordinary skill in the art that the present disclosure is a description of
exemplary
embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the
present
disclosure.
[0027] For
the sake of clarity, not all reference numerals are necessarily
present in each drawing Figure. In addition, positional terms such as "upper,"
"lower,"
"side," "top," "bottom," "vertical," "horizontal," etc. refer to the container
when in the
orientation shown in the drawings. The skilled artisan will recognize that
containers can
assume different orientations when in use.
[0028] A
perspective view of an embodiment of a closure 10 of the present invention
is shown in Fig. 1; closure 10 is intended for use in closing a container 18.
Closure 10
includes a collar 12 having a central opening 14. A lid 16 can releasably
engage collar 12
such that lid 16 covers central opening 14. In Fig. 1, lid 16 is pivotally
attached to collar 12
such that lid 16 can pivot between an open position where a front side 17 of
the lid 16 is
disengaged from collar 12, and a closed position where the front side 17 of
lid 16 engages
collar 12 and lid 16 covers central opening 14. Lid 16 is seen in an open
position in Fig. 1. In
certain embodiments, lid 16 and collar 12 are pivotally connected via hinge
structure such as
a living hinge. In other embodiments, lid 16 and collar 12 are two separate
pieces, and lid
16 can be press fit onto collar 12 by the user to engage collar 12 with lid 16
and place lid 16
in a closed position.
[0029] In
some embodiments the shape of collar 12 and lid 16 is complementary to
the shape of container 18. For instance, when container 18 is cylindrical,
having a generally
circular cross-section, collar 12 and lid 16 can have a generally circular
shape, as shown in
Fig. 1. However, collar 12 and lid 16 can be manufactured in a variety of
shapes and sizes,
including elliptical, oval, square, rectangular, hexagonal, etc. For each of
these shapes, lid
16 can be pivotally attached to collar 12 (such as by a living hinge), or lid
16 and collar 12
can be two separate pieces, lid 16 being press fit onto collar 12 to engage
lid 16 with collar
12 and place the lid 16 in a closed position. In other embodiments, the shape
of the upper
end 20 of the container 18 can be complementary to the shape of the collar 12
and the lid
16, and the remainder of the container 18 can have a different shape.
[0030] Collar
12 can be configured to engage and connect to container 18. Container
18 can have an open upper end 20. Closure 10 can be configured such that when
collar 12 is
connected to container 18, central opening 14 is concentric with open upper
end 20 of
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container 18. As such, when lid 16 is engaged with collar 12 in the closed
position, lid 16 can
cover both the central opening 14 in collar 12 and open upper end 20 in
container 18.
[0031] Closure 10 may also include collar latch element 22. collar latch
element 22
can be located on an outer surface 27 of collar 12. In some embodiments,
collar latch
element 22 is a latch that can be pivotally attached to collar 12 via
mechanical fasteners
commonly known in the art, such as bolts or pins. In some embodiments, collar
latch
element 22 is pivotally attached to collar 12 via a living hinge 24 such that
collar 12 and collar
latch element 22 can be manufactured as one integral piece. Having collar 12
and collar latch
element 22 pivotally attached via living hinge 24 can also reduce the time
associated with
assembling closure 10 during manufacture because collar latch element 22 does
not have to
be connected to collar 12 via a secondary operation (whether manually or
through
automation). Lid 16 can also include a lid latch element 26, seen in Fig. 5,
located on an
outer surface 28 of lid 16. Collar latch element 22 can be configured to
engage lid latch
element 26 to secure lid 16 to collar 12 in a closed position. In other
embodiments, lid latch
element 26 is a latch that can be pivotally attached to lid 16 via mechanical
fasteners, such as
bolts or pins. In some embodiments, lid latch element 26 is pivotally attached
to lid 16 via a
living hinge. Collar 12 can include a collar latch element 22 located on an
outer surface of
collar 12. Lid latch element 26 can be configured to engage collar latch
element 22 to secure
lid 16 to collar 12 in a closed position.
[0032] Referring again to Fig. 1, some embodiments of container 18 that
store
granular product such as infant formula or food products include a heat sealed
flexible
membrane 30 removably attached to the open upper end 20 of container 18.
Flexible
membrane 30 remains on container 18 during distribution of container 18, and
is opened by
a consumer prior to the first use of the product. Flexible membrane 30 can
serve as both a
protective barrier preventing contaminants from reaching the product during
shipping and as
a tamper evident mechanism indicating that a consumer should not buy or use
the product if
flexible membrane 30 has been tampered with or removed.
[0033] In such embodiments that include flexible membrane 30, collar 12 can
be
connected to open upper end 20 of container 18 such that flexible membrane 30
is located
between collar 12 and open upper end 20 of container 18. Flexible membrane 30
can then
be removed by the consumer by pulling flexible membrane 30 up through central
opening 14
in collar 12, thereby giving the consumer access to the contents of container
18.
[0034] Lid 16 can have a lower perimeter 32. Collar 12 can include a lid
mating
surface 34. When lid 16 is in a closed position and engaging collar 12, lower
perimeter 32
can be in mating contact with lid mating surface 34. In Fig. 1, lid mating
surface extends
laterally inward generally from an upper perimeter 36 of collar 12. As such,
lower perimeter
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32 of lid 16 can be positioned laterally inward from upper perimeter 36 of
collar 12. It will be
readily apparent to one of skill in the art that lid mating surface 34 of
collar 12 can extend
laterally outward from upper perimeter 36 such that lower perimeter 32 of lid
16 is
positioned laterally outward from upper perimeter 36 when lid 16 is in the
closed position.
[0035] A cross sectional view of an embodiment of closure 10 of the present
invention in a closed position is shown in Fig. 2. Lid 16 engages collar 12
such that lid 16
covers central opening 14 in collar 12. Lower perimeter 32 in the closed
position engages
collar 12 such that lower perimeter 32 is in contact with lid mating surface
34 on collar 12.
Collar 12 is also shown connected to container 18.
[0036] A detailed view of an exemplary engagement between lid 16 and collar
12 is
shown in Fig. 3. Collar 12 has a collar locking portion 38. Lid 16 has a lid
locking portion 40.
Lid locking portion 40 is operable to releasably engage collar locking portion
38 when the lid
is moved to a closed position. When lid locking portion 40 engages collar
locking portion 38,
lid 16 is releasably secured to collar 12 in the closed position.
[0037] In Fig. 3, collar locking portion 38 is a rim extending from upper
perimeter 36
of collar 12. The rim of collar locking portion 38 extends laterally inward
from upper
perimeter 36 of collar 12 in Fig. 3. Lid locking portion 40 is a flange
located on lower
perimeter 32 of lid 16. The flange extends such that it is operable to engage
the rim of collar
locking portion 38. The flange in Fig. 3 is shown as extending from the lower
perimeter of lid
16. In an embodiment, the flange extends from outer surface 28 of lid 16. In
some
embodiments, the rim of collar locking portion 38 annularly extends from the
entirety of
upper perimeter 36 of collar 12, and the flange of lid locking portion 40 can
extend annularly
from the entirety of lower perimeter 32 of lid 16. In certain embodiments, the
rim of collar
locking portion 38 extends from only a portion of upper perimeter 36 of collar
12, and the
flange of lid locking portion 40 extends from only a portion of lower
perimeter 32 of lid 16.
In additional embodiments, one of collar locking portion 38 and lid locking
portion 40 can
extend annularly around the entire upper perimeter 36 of collar 12 or lower
perimeter 32 of
lid 16 respectively, while the other extends from only a portion of upper
perimeter 36 of
collar 12 or lower perimeter 36 of lid 16 respectively.
[0038] Although collar locking member 38 and lid locking member 40 are
depicted as
a rim extending from collar 12 and a flange extending from lid 16,
respectively, these
embodiments are in no way a limitation of the scope of the present invention.
Collar locking
member 38 and lid locking member 40 can be any suitable complimentary locking
portions
known in the art. For instance, locking portions 38 and 40 can be two
corresponding flanges,
one on collar 12 and one on lid 16. Additionally, collar locking member 38
could be a
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protrusion extending from collar 12 that is received through a corresponding
recess in lid 16,
or vice versa.
[0039] A
second exemplary engagement between collar 12 and lid 16 is shown in Fig.
4. Lid 16 is releasably secured to collar 12 as previously described for Fig.
3. In the
embodiment shown in Fig. 4, the flange of lid locking member 40, when lid
locking member
40 is engaged with the rim of collar locking member 38, is in contact with lid
mating surface
34. Therefore, lower perimeter 32 of lid 16 contacts lid mating surface 34 of
collar 12 via the
flange. In some embodiments, lid mating surface 34 includes a lid sealing
layer 42. When lid
16 is moved into a closed position and lid locking member 40 engages collar
locking member
38, lower perimeter 32 via the flange engages sealing layer 42 on lid mating
surface 34 such
that sealing layer 42 is compressed. Lower perimeter 32 of lid 16 compressing
sealing layer
42 creates an annular seal between lid 16 and collar 12. The annular seal
formed by lower
perimeter 32 of lid 16 being compressing sealing layer 42 can be a powder
tight seal that will
prevent the contents of container 18 from leaking between lid 16 and collar 12
when lid 16 is
in the closed position.
[0040]
Collar 12 may also include a collar sealing layer 46. Sealing layer 46 can be
operable to engage open upper end 20 of container 18 when collar 12 is
connected to
container 18. When open upper end 20 of container 18 engages sealing layer 46,
an annular
seal 48 can be created between collar 12 and container 18. Annular seal 48 can
also be a
powder tight seal preventing the contents of container 18 from leaking between
container
18 and collar 12. In such an embodiment, when collar 12 is connected to
container 18 and lid
16 is in a closed position engaging collar 12, the contents of the container
can be effectively
sealed from leaking between both container 18 and collar 12, and collar 12 and
lid 16.
[0041] In
Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, lower perimeter 32 of lid 16 in the closed position is
located inside upper perimeter 36 of collar 12. Similarly, collar locking
portion 38 and lid
mating surface 34 generally extend radially inward from upper perimeter 36 of
collar 12, and
lid locking portion 40 extends generally radially outward. It will be readily
apparent to one of
skill in the art that the orientation of the features previously described
could be mirrored
such that lower perimeter 32 of lid 16 is positioned outside of upper
perimeter 36 of collar
12. As such, collar locking portion 38 and lid mating surface 34 can generally
extend radially
outward and lid locking portion 40 can generally extend radially inward. The
two
orientations function similarly to one another in securing lid 16 to collar 12
in the closed
position.
[0042] Fig.
5 shows a back perspective view of an embodiment of closure 10 of the
present invention. Lid 16 in this embodiment is pivotally connected to collar
12 via a living
hinge 50. Lid 16 being connected to collar 12 via living hinge 50 allows lid
16 and collar 12 to
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be manufactured as one integral piece. Such an embodiment can eliminate one
assembly
operation during the manufacturing process. Collar 12 and lid 16 can also be
produced as
one color, or as two different colors to enhance aesthetic appearances. In
some
embodiments, lid 16 can be pivotally attached to collar 12 via mechanical
fasteners
commonly known in the art such as bolts or pins.
[0043] An
exemplary engagement between collar latch element 22 and lid 16 is also
shown in Fig. 5. Lid 16 includes a lid latch element 26. Collar latch element
22 can be
pivotally attached to collar 12 and be configured to engage lid latch element
26 when lid 16
is in the closed position. When collar latch element 22 engages lid latch
element 26 on lid
16, lid 16 is further secured to collar 12. In some embodiments, as seen in
Fig. 6, collar latch
element 22 includes a protrusion 52 extending from an underside 54 of collar
latch element
22. When lid 16 is in a closed position, collar latch element 22 can be
rotated such that
protrusion 52 releasably engages lid latch element 26 on lid 16.
[0044] Lid
latch element 26 is shown in Fig. 6 as a second protrusion extending from
lid 16. However, that is but one embodiment of the engagement between collar
latch
element 22 and lid latch element 26, and is not a limitation on the scope of
this invention. It
will be readily apparent to one skilled in the art that collar latch element
22 can engage lid
latch element 26 in a variety of ways. For instance, in some embodiments lid
latch element
26 can be a cavity in lid 16, the cavity configured to receive protrusion 52
on collar latch
element 22. It will also be apparent to one of skill in the art that in some
embodiments, lid
latch element 26 can be pivotally attached to lid 16. As such, lid latch
element 26 can include
protrusion 52, and collar latch element 22 can be a second protrusion
extending from outer
surface 27 of collar 12. Collar latch element 22 can then be configured to
releasably engage
protrusion 52 on lid latch element 26.
[0045] Such
an embodiment can allow a user to secure lid 16 to collar 12 in a closed
position in two different ways. Lid 16 can be rotated such that lid locking
portion 40
releasably engages collar locking portion 38, as previously described, to
create a first
securing measure. Subsequently, latch 22 can be rotated to engage locking
element 52,
creating a second securing configuration.
[0046] In
some embodiments, lid 16 has a top surface 56, and lid latch element 26 can
be located on top surface 56 of lid 16. Additionally, as shown in Fig. 5 and
Fig. 6, in some
embodiments top surface 56 of lid 16 can include a recess 58. Second latch
element 26 can
be located within recess 58, such that collar latch element 22 can be inserted
into recess 58
to engage lid latch element 26. Recess 58 can allow for a user's fingers or
hand to grab
collar latch element 22 to facilitate disengaging collar latch element 22 from
lid latch element
26 in order to open closure 10.
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[0047] In Fig. 8, closure 10 is shown with collar latch element 22
engaging lid latch
element 26. Lid latch element 26 in Fig. 8 is located in recess 58 and collar
latch element 22
is inserted into recess 58. From Fig. 8, it can be seen that a user can insert
one or more
fingers into the exposed portion 60 of recess 58 to disengage collar latch
element 22 from
lid latch element 26.
[0048] Another aspect of the present invention is a closure 10 that
provides the user
with a discernible verification that lid 16 has been sufficiently secured to
collar 12 such that
powder or the contents of container 18 will not leak from container 18.
Accordingly, in some
embodiments, collar locking portion 38 and lid locking portion 40 can be
operable to provide
an audible sound when lid locking portion 40 engages collar locking portion
38. Similarly,
collar latch element 22 and lid latch element 26 can provide an audible sound
when collar
latch element 22 engages lid latch element 26. The two audible sounds created
can be
similar to the "click" sound produced by a conventional snap fit fastener.
[0049 The audible sounds produced when lid locking portion 40 engages
collar
locking portion 38 and when collar latch element 22 engages lid latch element
26 indicates to
a user that lid 16 has been properly closed onto collar 12 such that product
from container
18 will not leak or spill. The audible sounds produced can also indicate that
the contents of
container 18 have been properly sealed from potential contaminants outside of
container 18.
[0050] Referring now to Fig. 1, in some embodiments of closure 10, lid 16
has an
underside 62 and an inner perimeter 64. Lid 16 may also include a retention
element 66
configured to retain a measuring device 68 proximate underside 62 of Lid 16.
Retention
element 66 may extend from inner perimeter 64 of lid 16, or from underside 62
of lid 16.
One benefit of retention element 66 is that it can hold measuring device 68
outside of the
product such that a user does not have to insert hands or fingers into the
product to retrieve
measuring device 68. This avoids inconvenience to the user and can help
prevent
contaminates on a user's hands or fingers from coming into contact with the
powder.
[0051] A front view of closure 10 in an open position is seen in Fig. 7.
Inner perimeter
64 has a diameter 70. Measuring device 68 has a length 72. In some
embodiments,
retention element 66 can be configured to retain a measuring device having a
length 72 that
is approximately equal to diameter 70 of inner perimeter 64 of lid 16.
Additionally, in some
embodiments, retention element 66 can be configured to retain a measuring
device having a
length 72 that is a substantial percentage (i.e., at least 50% and, in some
embodiments, from
about 60% to aobut 140% of the height of container 18).
[0052] Measuring device 68 can include a bucket 74 and a handle 76.
Retention
element 66 can include a notch 78 in a portion of the inner perimeter, and a
catch 80
extending from lid 16. Catch 80 can extend from a second portion of inner
perimeter 64 of
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lid 16, or catch 80 can extend from underside 62 of lid 16. Notch 78 can
receive bucket 74
and catch 80 can engage handle 76, thereby retaining measuring device 68
proximate
underside 62 of lid 16.
[0053] A cross sectional view of measuring device 68 being retained
proximate
underside 62 of lid 16 can be seen in Fig. 2. Notch 78 in inner perimeter 64
can contour
bucket 74 of measuring device 68. A user can place bucket 74 in notch 78.
Measuring device
can then be rotated upwards such that handle 76 engages and is secured by
catch 80. To
remove measuring device 68 from retention element 66, a user can pull down on
handle 76
such that handle 76 disengages from catch 80, and bucket 74 can then be
removed from
notch 78.
[0054] Such an embodiment of retention device 68 allows an elongated
measuring
device 68 having a length 72 greater than diameter 70 of inner perimeter 64 to
be retained
proximate underside 62 of lid 16. One benefit of an elongated measuring device
is that a
user can more easily access, remove, and measure product or powder located
generally at
the bottom of container 18.
[0055] Referring still to Fig. 2, lid 16 in some embodiments can include a
raised
circumferential portion 82. Raised circumferential portion 82 can be laterally
inset from the
outer perimeter 84 of lid 16. As shown in Fig. 9, raised circumferential
portion 82 can be
configured to receive a complimentary recess 86 in a base 88 of a second
container 90 such
that multiple assembled containers in closed positions can be stack on top of
one another.
Such a feature is beneficial for storing multiple containers in warehouses and
on shelves in
stores.
[0056] Another aspect of the present invention is shown in Fig. 10 and Fig.
11. .. In
another embodiment of a retention element 66 for a measuring device 68, top
surface 56 can
include a compartment 92 configured to store a measuring device 68 before the
first use of
the container and between uses of the container. Compartment 92 can have a
cover 96 that
can engage top surface 56 of lid 16 to retain measuring device 68 in
compartment 92.
Compartment 92 can have a length 93 substantially equal to diameter 70 of
inner perimeter
64 of lid 16. Compartment 92 allows measuring device 68 to be stored outside
of container
18 and outside of the contents of container 18.
[0057] In some embodiments, closure 10 may include a tamper evident feature
94
disposed on the top surface 56 of lid 16 and compartment 92. Tamper evident
feature 94
provides an indication of whether or not measuring device 68 has been
contaminated,
accessed, or damaged by a third person before a consumer uses or purchases the
container.
Tamper evident feature 94 can be removed by the consumer prior to their first
use of the
container. In Fig. 11, tamper evident feature 94 is a removable seal between
top surface 56
11
of lid 16, compartment 92, and compartment cover 96. Removable seal 94 can be
pulled off
top surface 56 of lid 16 to expose measuring device 68. It will be readily
apparent to one
skilled in the art that tamper evident feature 94 can be a variety of
different types of tamper
evidence known in the art such as tamper evident strips, tapes, seals, labels,
etc., associated
with top surface 56 of lid 16, compartment 92, and compartment cover 96.
[0058] Another aspect of the present invention is a modified scoop 98,
shown in Fig.
12a and Fig. 12b. Modified scoop 98 includes a bucket 74 and a handle 76.
Handle 76 can
include an indentation 100 near a gripping end 102 of handle 76. Bucket 74 can
include a
handle side 104 and a distal side 106. Distal side 106 can have a top edge
110. Handle side
104 is connected to handle 76. Top edge 110 of distal side 106 can be tapered
away from
handle 76 such that a pointed end 108 is formed on modified scoop 98.
[0059] The benefit of modified scoop 98 is that product or powder at the
bottom of
container 18 can be more easily scooped with pointed end 108 of modified scoop
98.
Modified scoop 98, as seen in Fig. 12c, more easily fits into small corners in
different
containers and can allow more powder to be removed more quickly from the
bottom of
containers than conventional scoops. This feature coupled with the ability of
retention
element 66 to be able to retain a modified scoop 98 having a length 72 greater
than or equal
to the diameter of inner perimeter 64 provides the user with a scoop that
makes it easier to
both get to the bottom of a container 18 and scoop powder off the bottom of
container 18.
[0060] Although embodiments of the disclosure have been described using
specific
terms, devices, and methods, such description is for illustrative purposes
only. The words
used are words of description rather than of limitation. It is to be
understood that changes
and variations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without
departing from the
spirit or the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, it should be
understood that
aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged in whole or in part.
Therefore, the
spirit and scope should not be limited to the description of the versions
contained therein.
[0061] Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of
the
present invention of a new and useful FLIP TOP PLASTIC LID it is not intended
that such
references be construed as limitations.
Date Recue/Date Received 2020-10-13
