Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
RECLOSABLE AND TAMPER-EVIDENT PLASTIC CONTAINER
Technical Field
The present invention relates to the field of tamper-evident and reclosable
plastic
containers.
Background
The rapid evolution of consumers' lifestyle and food consumption patterns
derived
from an increase in health and environmental awareness has resulted in a
growing
global demand for food safety.
Plastic containers have played a key role in this regard, allowing food to be
transported and stored. In addition to protecting food from damage and
minimizing
food spoilage, plastic containers facilitate purchase decision by attractively
displaying
the product.
Despite these advantages, for most consumers and retailers of the food
industry,
malicious food tampering; that is, someone getting into the container to taste
or smell
the product prior to purchase, continues to be a major concern. Currently,
with more
and more food being packed in plastic containers, demand from consumers for
confidence in the integrity of food is stronger than ever.
To overcome or at least minimize the above-discussed prior art concern, a
reclosable
container endowed with an easy-open tamper-evident closure is thus needed. A
tampered-evident secured and reclosable container would help consumers detect
whether the container has been opened prior to purchase, thereby giving them
peace
of mind that the packaged products have not been altered.
Summary
According to a first general aspect, there is provided a reclosable plastic
container
having a hinge longitudinal side and an opening longitudinal side. The
container
comprises a receptacle and a lid. The receptacle has, at least along the
opening
longitudinal side, a receptacle rim, a receptacle skirt extending downwardly
from the
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receptacle rim, and a receptacle lip protruding outwardly from the downwardly-
extending receptacle skirt. The lid is pivotally mounted to the receptacle at
the hinge
longitudinal side and selectively configurable between a closed configuration
and at
least one open configuration. The lid has, at least along the opening
longitudinal side,
a peripheral lid rim, a lid skirt extending downwardly from the lid rim, and a
lid lip
protruding outwardly from the lid skirt. The lid lip is superposable against
the
receptacle lip in the closed configuration. The lid lip comprises at least two
tear line
segments defined therein and extending at least partially therealong. The at
least two
tear line segments are located between a free edge of the lid lip and a
junction with
the downwardly-extending lid skirt with an outer lip region being defined
between the
at least two tear line segments and the free edge of the lid lip. The lid lip
further
comprises an opening tab outwardly protruding from the downwardly-extending
lid
skirt and between adjacent ones of the at least two tear line segments,
wherein the
lid lip is bonded to the receptacle lip in the outer lip region. The container
is
configurable into the at least one open configuration by pulling the opening
tab to tear
the lid lip along the at least two tear line segments with the outer lip
region remaining
bonded to the receptacle lip in the open configuration.
According to a first general aspect, there is provided a reclosable plastic
container
comprising: a receptacle and a lid. The receptacle has a bottom wall, a
peripheral wall
extending upwardly from the bottom wall to define a storage compartment, and a
receptacle rim at least partially circumscribing the peripheral wall along a
portion of
its periphery and outwardly therefrom. The peripheral wall has at least one
longitudinal segment, at least two lateral segments, and at least two corner
segments;
the at least two corner segments being located at a junction of the at least
one
longitudinal segment and the at least two lateral segments. The peripheral
wall
comprises, in each one of the at least two corner segments, a receptacle
engagement
bulge protruding inwardly in an upper portion of the peripheral wall. The lid
is
engageable with the receptacle in a closed configuration preventing access to
the
storage compartment. The lid comprises a central closure, a peripheral lid rim
at least
partially circumscribing the central closure, and a lid inner wall connecting
the central
closure to the lid rim and having at least one longitudinal segment, at least
two lateral
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segments, and at least two corner segments located at a junction of the at
least one
longitudinal segment and the at least two lateral segments, the at least two
corner
segments extending outwardly with respect to the at least one longitudinal
segment
and the at least two lateral segments to define at least two outwardly-
extending lid
corner portions. The lid inner wall comprises, in each one of the at least two
corner
segments, a lid engagement bulge protruding outwardly therefrom. In the closed
configuration of container, the lid rim is superposed to the receptacle rim
and, in the
at least two corner portions, the lid engagement bulges are inserted below a
respective one of the receptacle engagement bulges and engaged therewith. A
least
one of the lid engagement bulge and the receptacle engagement bulge is
deformable
to configure the container in an open configuration.
In an embodiment, the peripheral wall of the receptacle further comprises a
receptacle
inner wall and a lid-abutting inner shoulder connecting the receptacle rim to
a lower
portion of the peripheral wall, the lid-abutting inner shoulder extending
outwardly from
the lower portion of the peripheral wall and the receptacle inner wall
extending
upwardly from an outer edge of the lid-abutting inner shoulder and being
connected
to the receptacle rim, the receptacle engagement bulges protruding inwardly
from the
receptacle inner wall at the least in the at least two corner segments and
above the
lid-abutting shoulder.
In an embodiment, at least one of the lid engagement bulge and the receptacle
engagement bulge is resilient.
According to another general aspect, there is provided a tamper-evident
plastic
container having at least one opening longitudinal side. The container
comprises a
receptacle and a lid engageable with the receptacle and selectively
configurable
between a closed configuration and at least one open configuration. The
receptacle
has, at least along the at least one opening longitudinal side, a receptacle
rim, and a
receptacle lip protruding outwardly with respect to the receptacle rim. The
lid has, at
least along at least one opening longitudinal side, a lid rim, and a lid lip
protruding
outwardly with respect to the lid rim. The lid lip is superposable against the
receptacle
lip in the closed configuration. The lid lip comprises at least two tear line
segments
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defined therein and extending at least partially therealong. The at least two
tear line
segments are located inwardly of a free edge of the lid lip with an outer lip
region
being defined between the at least two tear line segments and the free edge of
the lid
lip. The lid lip further comprises an opening tab outwardly protruding from
the lid rim
and between adjacent ones of the at least two tear line segments, wherein the
lid lip
is bonded to the receptacle lip in the outer lip region. The container is
configurable
into the at least one open configuration by pulling the opening tab to tear
the lid lip
along the at least two tear line segments with the outer lip region remaining
bonded
to the receptacle lip in the open configuration.
In an embodiment, the tamper-evident plastic container further comprises a
hinge
longitudinal side and the at least one opening longitudinal side comprises one
opening longitudinal side, wherein the lid is pivotally mounted to the
receptacle at the
hinge longitudinal side.
In an embodiment, the receptacle comprises a receptacle skirt extending
downwardly
from the receptacle rim, and wherein the receptacle lip protrudes outwardly
from the
receptacle skirt; and wherein the lid comprises a lid skirt extending
downwardly from
the lid rim, and a lid lip protruding outwardly from the lid skirt. The at
least two tear
line segments can be located between the free edge of the lid lip and a
junction with
the lid skirt and the opening tab can protrude outwardly from the downwardly-
extending lid skirt and between adjacent ones of the at least two tear line
segments.
In an embodiment, the receptacle lip has an indentation defined therein and
extending
inwardly from a free edge of the receptacle lip, the opening tab being
superposed to
the indentation in the closed configuration of the lid.
In an embodiment, the receptacle further comprises a lid-engagement portion
including the receptacle rim and a receptacle skirt extending downwardly from
an
outer edge of the receptable rim; and wherein the lid further comprises: a
central
closure preventing access to the storage compartment in the closed
configuration and
a lid inner wall extending upwardly from the central closure at least
partially along a
periphery of the central closure, the lid rim extending outwardly from an
upper portion
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of the lid inner wall along at least a portion of the lid inner wall, and a
lid skirt extending
downwardly from an outer end of the lid rim; the lid inner wall, the lid rim,
and the lid
skirt defining together a downwardly-opened engagement cavity receiving the
lid-
engagement portion in the closed configuration of the lid. The lid lip can be
a
peripheral lid lip extending outwardly from the lid skirt and the receptacle
lip can be a
peripheral receptacle lip extending outwardly from the receptacle skirt.
In an embodiment, the lid lip and the receptacle lip extend along a majority
of a length
of the at least one opening longitudinal side.
In an embodiment, the opening tab and the indentation are located
substantially in a
middle of the one of the lid lip and the receptacle lip.
In an embodiment, the lid lip further comprises an inner lip region extending
inwardly
from the at least two tear line segments, the inner lip region remaining
unitary with
the opening tab in the open configuration of the lid following tearing of the
at least two
tear line segments.
According to still another general aspect, there is provided a tamper-evident
container
comprising: a receptacle and a lid engageable with the receptacle. The
receptacle
includes: a bottom wall and a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the
bottom wall,
the bottom wall and the peripheral wall defining together a storage
compartment
having an open top in an upper portion of the peripheral wall; and a
receptacle lip
extending outwardly with respect to the peripheral wall along at least a
portion thereof
and having a free edge. The lid is configurable in a closed configuration to
prevent
access to the storage compartment. The lid has a central closure preventing
access
to the storage compartment in the closed configuration of the lid and a lid
lip extending
outwardly with respect to the central closure along at least a portion
thereof. The lid
lip is superposed to the receptacle lip in the closed configuration of the
lid. The lid lip
further comprises a tearing assembly including: at least one tear line
extending at
least partially along a length of the lid lip and between a free edge and an
inner lid lip
edge of the lid lip and dividing the lid lip into an inner lip region located
between the
inner lid lip edge and the at least one tear line and an outer lip region
located between
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the at least one tear line and the free edge of the lid lip. One of the
receptacle lip and
the lid lip comprises an indentation defined therein and extending inwardly
from a
respective one of the free edge of the receptacle lip and the free edge of the
lid lip.
The other one of the receptacle lip and the lid lip comprises an opening tab
superposed to the indentation in the closed configuration of the lid. The
opening tab
is graspable and connected to the at least one tear line to tear the at least
one tear
line when an opening force is exerted on the opening tab to separate the inner
lip
region from the outer lip region with the outer lip region remaining
permanently
bonded to the receptacle lip.
In an embodiment, the receptacle further comprises a lid-engagement portion
including: a receptacle rim extending outwardly with respect to the peripheral
wall at
least partially along a periphery thereof; and a receptacle skirt extending
downwardly
from an outer edge of the receptable rim at least partially along a portion of
the
receptacle rim. The lid further comprises: a lid inner wall extending upwardly
from the
central closure at least partially along a periphery of the central closure; a
lid rim
extending outwardly from an upper portion of the lid inner wall along at least
a portion
of the lid inner wall; and a lid skirt extending downwardly from an outer end
of the lid
rim at least partially along a portion of the lid rim. The lid inner wall, the
lid rim, and
the lid skirt define together a downwardly-opened engagement cavity receiving
the
lid-engagement portion in the closed configuration of the lid. The lid lip can
extend
outwardly from the lid skirt and the receptacle lip extends outwardly from the
receptacle skirt. The lid lip and the receptacle lip can extend at respective
lower ends
of the lid skirt and the receptable skirt.
In an embodiment, the lid further comprises a lid skirt located outwardly from
the
central closure along at least a portion thereof and wherein the lid lip
extends
outwardly from the lid skirt and from a lower end of the lid skirt.
In an embodiment, the lid is pivotally connected to the receptacle along a
portion of a
periphery of the container opposed to the tearing assembly. Each one of the
receptacle and the lid can comprise two longitudinal sides with the tearing
assembly
of the lid extending along one of the two longitudinal sides and the lid and
the
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receptacle are pivotally connected at the other one of the longitudinal sides.
Each one
of the receptacle and the lid can further comprise two lateral sides extending
between
and connecting the two longitudinal sides. The lid lip and the receptacle lip
can extend
along a majority of a length of a respective one of the longitudinal sides.
In an embodiment, the opening tab and the indentation are located
substantially in a
middle of the one of the lid lip and the receptacle lip. The at least one tear
line can
comprise at least two tear line segments, at least one of the at least two
tear line
segments extending on a respective side of a respective one of the opening tab
and
the indentation.
In an embodiment, the receptacle lip comprises the indentation and the lid lip
comprises an opening tab.
The inner lip region can remain unitary with the opening tab in an open
configuration
of the lid following tearing of the at least one tear line.
The inner lip region can be spaced-apart from the receptacle and the outer lip
region
can remain superposed to the receptacle lip in an open configuration of the
lid
following tearing of the at least one tear line.
According to a further general aspect, there is provided a reclosable plastic
container
comprising: a receptacle and a lid engageable with the receptacle. The
receptacle
has a bottom wall, a peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall
to define
a storage compartment, and a receptacle rim at least partially circumscribing
the
peripheral wall along a portion of a periphery of the receptacle and outwardly
with
respect to the peripheral wall. The peripheral wall has at least one
longitudinal
segment, at least two lateral segments, and at least two corner segments; the
at least
two corner segments being located at a junction of the at least one
longitudinal
segment and the at least two lateral segments. The peripheral wall comprises,
in each
one of the at least two corner segments, a receptacle engagement bulge
protruding
inwardly in an upper portion of the peripheral wall. The lid is engageable
with the
receptacle in a closed configuration to prevent access to the storage
compartment.
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The lid comprises a central closure, a lid rim at least partially
circumscribing the
central closure, and a lid inner wall connecting the central closure to the
lid rim. The
lid inner wall has at least one longitudinal segment, at least two lateral
segments, and
at least two corner segments located at a junction of the at least one
longitudinal
segment and the at least two lateral segments. The at least two corner
segments
extend outwardly with respect to the at least one longitudinal segment and the
at least
two lateral segments to define at least two outwardly-extending lid corner
portions.
The lid inner wall comprises, in each one of the at least two corner segments,
a lid
engagement bulge protruding outwardly from a respective one of the outwardly-
extending lid corner portions. In the closed configuration, the lid rim is
superposed to
the receptacle rim and, in the at least two corner segments, the lid
engagement bulges
are inserted below a respective one of the receptacle engagement bulges and
engaged therewith. At least one of the lid engagement bulge and the receptacle
engagement bulge is deformable to configure the container in an open
configuration.
In an embodiment, the peripheral wall of the receptacle further comprises a
receptacle
inner wall and a lid-abutting inner shoulder connecting the receptacle rim to
a lower
portion of the peripheral wall, the lid-abutting inner shoulder extending
outwardly from
the lower portion of the peripheral wall and the receptacle inner wall
extending
upwardly from the lid-abutting inner shoulder and being connected to the
receptacle
rim, the receptacle engagement bulges protruding inwardly from the receptacle
inner
wall at the least in the at least two corner segments and above the lid-
abutting inner
shoulder.
In an embodiment, at least one of the lid engagement bulge and the receptacle
engagement bulge is resilient.
In an embodiment, the at least one longitudinal segment comprises a hinge
longitudinal side and an opening longitudinal side, opposed to the hinge
longitudinal
side, wherein the lid is pivotally mounted to the receptacle at the hinge
longitudinal
side. Each pair of the lid engagement bulges and the receptacle engagement
bulges
releasably interlocking together in the closed configuration can form a catch
assembly
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and each one of the corner segments adjacent to the opening longitudinal side
can
comprise one of the catch assemblies.
In an embodiment, each one of the receptable and the lid is made of a plastic-
based
sheet having a thickness and the thickness of the plastic-based sheet of the
lid is
thinner than the thickness of the plastic-based sheet of the receptacle.
In an embodiment, the outwardly-extending lid corner portions are
substantially arc-
shaped, the lid engagement bulges and the receptacle engagement bulges are
substantially crescent-shaped.
According to a further general aspect, there is provided a reclosable
container having
a plurality of sides meeting at corners. The reclosable container comprises: a
receptacle, a lid engageable with the receptacle, and catch assemblies formed
in at
least two of the corners of the container. The receptacle has a bottom wall
and a
peripheral wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall and defining together
a
storage compartment having an open top delimited by an upper perimeter of the
peripheral wall. The lid is engageable with the receptacle and selectively
configurable
between a closed configuration and at least one open configuration. The lid
has a
central closure preventing access to the storage compartment in the closed
configuration of the lid; an inner wall extending upwardly with respect to the
central
closure along at least a portion of a periphery of the central closure, the
inner wall
having an outward convexity in at least two of the corners, the outward
convexities
protruding outwardly from adjacent sides of the inner wall. Each one of the
catch
assemblies comprises a receptacle-engagement bulge protruding inwardly from
the
peripheral wall of the receptacle and a lid-engagement bulge protruding
outwardly
from a respective one of the outward convexities, wherein the receptacle-
engagement
bulge releasably interlocks with a corresponding one of the lid-engagement
bulge in
the closed configuration of the lid.
In an embodiment, the plurality of sides comprises a hinge longitudinal side
and an
opening longitudinal side, opposed to the hinge longitudinal side, wherein the
lid is
pivotally mounted to the receptacle at the hinge longitudinal side. Each one
of the
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corners adjacent to the opening longitudinal side comprises at least one of
the catch
assemblies.
In an embodiment, the receptacle further comprises a receptacle rim at least
partially
circumscribing the peripheral wall along a portion of a periphery of the
receptacle and
outwardly with respect to the peripheral wall; and wherein, in the at least
two corners
of the container, the peripheral wall of the receptacle further comprises a
receptacle
inner wall and a lid-abutting inner shoulder connecting the receptacle rim to
a lower
portion of the peripheral wall, the lid-abutting inner shoulder extending
outwardly from
the lower portion of the peripheral wall and the receptacle inner wall
extending
upwardly from an outer edge of the lid-abutting inner shoulder and being
connected,
the receptacle engagement bulges protruding inwardly from the receptacle inner
wall
at the least in the at least two corners of the container and above the lid-
abutting inner
shoulder.
In an embodiment, each one of the receptable and the lid is made of a plastic-
based
sheet having a thickness and the thickness of the plastic-based sheet of the
lid is
thinner than the thickness of the plastic-based sheet of the receptacle.
In an embodiment, the outwardly-extending lid corner portions are
substantially arc-
shaped, the lid engagement bulges and the receptacle engagement bulges are
substantially crescent-shaped.
Detailed Description
Brief Description of the Drawings
Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a plastic container in a closed
configuration in
accordance with an embodiment.
Fig. 2 is a top plan view of the plastic container of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a front elevation view of the plastic container of Fig. 1.
Fig. 4 is a side elevation view of the plastic container of Fig. 1.
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Fig. 5 is a top perspective view of the plastic container in an open
configuration.
Fig. 6 is a sectional view, enlarged, of a corner of the plastic container of
Fig. 1.
Fig. 7 is a top plan view of a lid of the plastic container of Fig. 1.
Fig. 8 is a top plan view of a receptacle of the plastic container of Fig. 1.
Fig. 9 is a sectional view taken along cross-section lines 9-9 of the
receptacle of Fig.
8.
Fig. 10 is a top perspective view of a lid of the plastic container in
accordance with
another embodiment, wherein the lid is free of peripheral
reinforcing/stiffening
structure.
Description of particular embodiments
In the following description, the same numerical references refer to similar
elements.
Furthermore, for the sake of simplicity and clarity, namely so as to not
unduly burden
the figures with several references numbers, not all figures contain
references to all
the components and features, and references to some components and features
may
be found in only one figure, and components and features of the present
disclosure
which are illustrated in other figures can be easily inferred therefrom. The
embodiments, geometrical configurations, materials mentioned and/or dimensions
shown in the figures or described in the present description are embodiments
only,
given solely for exemplification purposes.
Moreover, although the embodiments of the plastic container and corresponding
parts
thereof consist of certain geometrical configurations as explained and
illustrated
herein, not all of these components and geometries are essential and thus
should not
be taken in their restrictive sense. It is to be understood, as also apparent
to a person
skilled in the art, that other suitable components and cooperation
thereinbetween, as
well as other suitable geometrical configurations, may be used for the plastic
container, as will be briefly explained herein and as can be easily inferred
herefrom
by a person skilled in the art. Moreover, it will be appreciated that
positional
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descriptions such as "above", "below", "left", "right" and the like should,
unless
otherwise indicated, be taken in the context of the figures and should not be
considered limiting.
To provide a more concise description, some of the quantitative and
qualitative
expressions given herein may be qualified with the terms "about" and
"substantially".
It is understood that whether the terms "about" and "substantially" are used
explicitly
or not, every quantity or qualification given herein is meant to refer to an
actual given
value or qualification, and it is also meant to refer to the approximation to
such given
value or qualification that would reasonably be inferred based on the ordinary
skill in
the art, including approximations due to the experimental and/or measurement
conditions for such given value.
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to Figure 1, there is
shown a
non-limitative embodiment of a reclosable and tamper-evident plastic container
20 in
a closed configuration. The container 20 is configured to contain goods such
as, and
without being limitative fresh and processes food, and to allow for their
transport and
storage. It is appreciated that the container 20 can include only some of the
features
of the container shown in the accompanying figures. For instance, the
container can
be only tamper-evident or only reclosable.
As shown in Figure 1, the container 20 comprises a receptacle 22 and a lid 24
engageable with the receptacle 22. In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the
lid
24 is pivotally mounted to the receptacle 22 and pivotable between the closed
configuration, as shown in Figures 1 to 4, and an open configuration as shown
in
Figure 5. The receptacle 22 has a bottom wall 26 and a peripheral wall 28,
extending
upwardly and peripherally from the bottom wall 26, and defining together a
storage
compartment 30 (Figure 5). In the closed configuration, the lid 24 prevents
access to
the storage compartment 30. When the container 20, or the lid 24 of the
container 20,
is configured in an open configuration to provide access to the storage
compartment
30, such as the one shown in Figure 5, it can be appreciated that the
receptacle 22
has an open top 32 in an upper portion thereof. In the embodiment shown, the
open
top 32 is delimited by an upper perimeter of the peripheral wall 28.
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Hereinafter, the term "inwardly" is intended to mean towards or extending
towards the
storage compartment and the term "outwardly" is intended to mean towards or
extending towards the outside of the container 20.
The container 20 has two longitudinal sides 34 and two lateral sides 36, the
two lateral
sides 36 converging with the two longitudinal sides 34 to define four corners
38, i.e.
the two lateral sides 36 extend between and connect with the two longitudinal
sides
34. The receptacle 22 and the lid 24 also have two longitudinal sides, two
lateral sides,
and four corners, which corresponds to the two longitudinal sides 34, the two
lateral
sides 36, and the four corners 38 of the container 20 and are substantially
aligned
therewith. For simplicity, the same reference numerals will be used to refer
to the
longitudinal sides 34, the lateral sides 36, and the four corners 38 of the
container 20,
the receptacle 22, and the lid 24.
It is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment, the shape of the
container can
vary from the embodiment shown. The container can have a polygonal cross-
sectional shape such as a triangle, a rectangle, a pentagon, a hexagon, and
the like.
Returning to Figure 1, it can be appreciated that the lid 24 has a central
closure 40
(or lid closure 40), a peripheral lid rim 42, vertically spaced-apart from the
central
closure 40 and circumscribing same and extending outwardly from the central
closure
40, a lid inner wall 44, and a lid skirt 46. The peripheral lid rim 42, the
lid inner wall
44, and the lid skirt 46 define together a receptacle-engagement portion 48 in
the
shape of a U-shaped channel 49 (or downwardly-opened engagement cavity),
acting
as a female member (Figure 6). As will be discussed in more detail below, the
receptacle-engagement portion 48 is configured to be engaged with a
corresponding
complementary portion of the receptacle 22 in the closed configuration of the
container 20 (or the lid 24 with respect to the receptacle 22). As illustrated
in Figure
1, the lid inner wall 44 extends downwardly from the peripheral lid rim 42 and
connects
to the lid central closure 40, whereas the lid skirt 46 extends downwardly
from an
outer end of the peripheral lid rim 42, outwardly thereof. In the non-
limitative
embodiment shown, at its outer periphery, the lid 24 terminates in a lid lip
50,
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extending outwardly from a lower end of the lid skirt 46, at least along a
portion
thereof.
In the embodiment shown, each one of the peripheral lid rim 42, the lid inner
wall 44,
the lid skirt 46, and the lid lip 50 circumscribes the central closure 40 of
the lid 24
along its entire periphery. However, it is appreciated that, in an alternative
embodiment (not shown), the peripheral lid rim 42, the lid inner wall 44, the
lid skirt
46, and/or the lid lip 50 can partially circumscribe the central closure 40 of
the lid 24
along a portion of its periphery, for instance along one or both of the
longitudinal sides
34 and/or along one or both lateral sides 36.
In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the lid 24 can be free of lid inner
wall 44,
lid skirt 46, and lid rim 42 with the lid lip 50 extending substantially in a
same plane
than the central closure 40 and at least along a portion thereof. In still
another
alternative embodiment (not shown), the lid 24 can be free of lid skirt 46 and
lid rim
42, with the lid lip 50 extending outwardly from the lid inner wall 44 at
least along a
portion thereof. In such embodiment, the lid lip 50 is spaced-apart vertically
from the
central closure 40. It is appreciated that the lid inner wall 44 can extend
either
upwardly from the central closure 40, as shown in the figures, or downwardly
(not
shown).
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the lid inner wall 44 and the lid
skirt 46 have
substantially a same height. However, their height can be different with the
lid inner
wall having a greater or a smaller height than the lid skirt 46. Furthermore,
in the non-
limitative embodiment shown, the lid inner wall 44 and the lid skirt 46 extend
substantially parallel to one another. In an embodiment, they can converge
towards
one another in direction of the lid rim 42, i.e. the receptacle-engagement
portion 48
having a substantially truncated V-shape in cross-section.
As the lid 24 includes two longitudinal sides 34, two lateral sides 36, and
four corners
38, each one of the peripheral lid rim 42, the lid inner wall 44, the lid
skirt 46, and the
lid lip 50 can be divided into two longitudinal segments 52, two lateral
segments 54,
and four corner segments 56.
File No. 004314-0067 - 14 -
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20
It is appreciated that the shape of the peripheral lid rim 42, the lid inner
wall 44, the
lid skirt 46, and the lid lip 50 in the two longitudinal segments 52, two
lateral segments
54, and four corner segments 56 can vary. For instance, and without being
limitative,
the lid lip 50 is wider in the longitudinal segments 52 than in the lateral
and corner
segments 54, 56.
It is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the lid lip
50 can
extend only along a portion of the lid periphery. For instance and without
being
limitative, the lateral and/or the corner segments 54, 56 can be exempt of lid
lip. Only
one of the longitudinal segments 52 can include a lid lip.
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the central closure 40 of the lid 24
includes
a reinforcing/stiffening structure 96 defined in a periphery thereof. In the
non-limitative
embodiment shown, the reinforcing/stiffening structure 96 comprises a
plurality of ribs
protruding inwardly, i.e. into the storage compartment 30 in the closed
configuration
of the lid 24. In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the
reinforcing/stiffening
structure 96 is defined peripherally, adjacent to the junction with the lid
inner wall 44.
It is appreciated that the shape and the configuration of the
reinforcing/stiffening
structure 96 can vary from the embodiment shown. It is also appreciated that,
in
alternative embodiments, the lid 24 can be free of reinforcing/stiffening
structure 96,
as shown in Figure 10.
Referring now to Figures 5 and 6, there is shown that the receptacle 22
includes a
peripheral receptacle rim 58, extending outwardly from the peripheral wall 28
of the
receptacle 22 and circumscribing same along its entire periphery, and a
receptacle
skirt 60 extending downwardly from the peripheral receptacle rim 58, outwardly
thereof.
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the peripheral wall 28 of the
receptacle 22
includes a receptacle inner wall 62 and a lid-abutting inner shoulder 63, in
an upper
portion thereof, connecting a lower portion of the peripheral wall 28 to the
receptacle
rim 58. More particularly, the lid-abutting inner shoulder 63 extends
outwardly from
an upper end of the lower portion of the peripheral wall 28 and the receptacle
inner
File No. 004314-0067 - 15 -
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20
wall 62 extends upwardly from an outer edge of the lid-abutting inner shoulder
63 and
connects to an inner edge of the receptacle rim 58. The receptacle inner wall
62 and
the lid-abutting inner shoulder 63 can be provided along an entire periphery
of the
peripheral wall 28 or only in some portions thereof, such as some of the
corners 38.
It is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the
receptacle 22
can be formed without the receptacle inner wall 62 and the lid-abutting inner
shoulder
63. In such embodiment, the peripheral wall 28 of the receptacle 22 can extend
upwardly to the receptacle rim 58, without the receptacle inner wall 62
extending
inbetween and outwardly from the lower portion of the peripheral wall 28. In
other
words, the receptacle rim 58 can extend outwardly directly from an upper end
of the
peripheral wall 28, along the periphery thereof or a portion of the periphery.
The receptacle rim 58, the receptacle inner wall 62, and the receptacle skirt
60 define
together a lid-engagement portion 64, acting as a male member (Figure 6). As
will
be discussed in more detail below, the lid-engagement portion 64 is configured
to be
at least partially inserted into and covered by the receptacle-engagement
portion 48
of the lid 24 in the closed configuration of the container 20 in a male-female
member
engagement.
In the non-limitative embodiment shown (Figure 5), at its outer periphery, the
receptacle 22 terminates in a receptacle lip 66, extending outwardly from a
lower end
of the receptacle skirt 60. In an embodiment, the receptacle lip 66 can
circumscribe
the peripheral wall 28 and, in an alternative embodiment, it can extend
outwardly from
the peripheral wall 28 along only a portion thereof.
In the embodiment shown, each one of the receptacle rim 58, the receptacle
skirt 60,
the receptacle inner wall 62, and the receptacle lip 66 circumscribes the
peripheral
wall 28 of the receptacle 22. However, it is appreciated that, in an
alternative
embodiment (not shown), the receptacle rim 58, the receptacle skirt 60, the
receptacle
inner wall 62, and/or the receptacle lip 66 can partially circumscribe the
peripheral
wall of the receptacle 22 along a portion of its periphery, for instance along
one or
both of the longitudinal sides 34 and/or along one or both lateral sides 36.
File No. 004314-0067 - 16 -
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the receptacle inner wall 62 and the
receptacle skirt 60 have substantially a same height. However, their height
can be
different with the receptacle inner wall 62 having a greater or a smaller
height than
the receptacle skirt 60. Furthermore, in the non-limitative embodiment shown,
the
receptacle inner wall 62 and the receptacle skirt 60 extend substantially
parallel to
one another. In an embodiment, they can converge towards one another in
direction
of the receptacle rim 58, i.e. the lid-engagement portion 64 having a
substantially
truncated V-shape in cross-section.
In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the receptacle 22 can be free of
receptacle
rim 58, receptacle skirt 60, receptacle inner wall 62 with the receptacle lip
66
extending outwardly from an upper edge of the peripheral wall 28 at least
along a
portion thereof.
As the lid 24, the receptacle 22 includes two longitudinal sides 34, two
lateral sides
36, and four corners 38, each one of the receptacle rim 58, the receptacle
skirt 60,
the receptacle inner wall 62, the receptacle lip 66, and the peripheral wall
28, can be
divided into two longitudinal segments 53, two lateral segments 55, and four
corner
segments 57.
It is appreciated that the shape of the receptacle rim 58, the receptacle
skirt 60, the
receptacle inner wall 62, and the receptacle lip 66 in the two longitudinal
segments
53, two lateral segments 54, and four corner segments 57 can vary. For
instance, and
without being limitative, the receptacle lip 66 is wider in the longitudinal
segments 53
than in the lateral and corner segments 55, 57.
As mentioned above and still referring to Figure 5, in the non-limitative
embodiment
shown, the lid 24 is pivotally mounted to the receptacle 22, i.e. it is a
clamshell
container. Thereby, the container 20 is provided with a hinge longitudinal
side 68,
along one of its longitudinal sides 34, and an opening longitudinal side 70,
along the
other one of the longitudinal sides 34. In the embodiment shown, along the
hinge
longitudinal side 68, the lid lip 50, and the receptacle lip 66 are secured
together, for
example and without being limitative by fusion/ultrasonic welding, along a
weld line
File No. 004314-0067 - 17 -
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20
72 defining a hinge 74. In an alternative embodiment, the lid 24 and the
receptacle
22 can be single piece with a fold defined inbetween and forming a hinge. In
still
another alternative embodiment (not shown), the lid 24 and the receptacle 22
can be
provided as two separate components and engageable together to close the
container 20 and disengageable to provide access to the storage compartment
30.
In the embodiment shown wherein the lid 24 is pivotally mounted to the
receptacle
22, along the opening longitudinal side 70, the lid lip 50 includes a tearing
assembly
73. The tearing assembly 73 includes at least one tear line 75 extending at
least
partially along the lid lip 50 between a free edge 78 of the lid lip 50 (or an
outer lid lip
edge) and an inner lid lip edge 81, provided at a junction of the lid lip 50
with the
downwardly extending lid skirt 46. The at least one tear line 75 divides the
lid lip 50
into an inner lip region 77 located between the inner lid lip edge 81 and the
at least
one tear line 75 and an outer lip region 80 located between the at least one
tear line
75 and the outer lid lip edge 78 (or free edge of the lid lip 50).
In the embodiment shown, the at least one tear line comprises at least two
tear line
segments 76 defined in the lid lip 50 and extending at least partially
therealong. The
tear line segments 76 extend on a respective side of the opening tab 82 and
are
located between the free edge 78 of the lid lip 50 and the inner lid lip edge
81, i.e. the
junction of the lid lip 50 with the downwardly extending lid skirt 46. The
portion of the
lid lip 50 extending between the tear line segments 76 and the free edge 78
defines
the outer lip region 80 (or lip marginal edge region). The lid lip 50 further
includes an
opening tab 82. The opening tab 82 outwardly protrudes from the downwardly
extending lid skirt 46 and is located between two tear line segments 76.
In the embodiment shown, the receptacle lip 66 includes an indentation 88 (or
recess)
substantially aligned with the opening tab 82 provided on the lid lip 50. When
the lid
lip 50 and the receptacle lip 66 are superposed to one another and bonded
together,
the indentation 88 facilitates the prehension of the opening tab 82, i.e. the
opening
tab 82 may be more easily grasp and pull to configure the container 20 in the
open
configuration, as will be described in more details below. In the embodiment
shown,
indentations 88 are defined in the receptacle lip 66, along the longitudinal
segments
File No. 004314-0067 - 18 -
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20
53 extending along the hinge longitudinal side 68 and the opening longitudinal
side
70 (Figure 8). However, it is appreciated that an indentation 88 can be
provided along
the opening longitudinal side 70 only or that the receptacle 22 can be free of
indentation in the receptacle lip 66.
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the opening tab 82 and the indentation
88
are located substantially in a middle of the lid lip 50 and the receptacle lip
66
respectively. Furthermore, the lid lip 50 and the receptacle lip 66 extend
along a
majority of a length of the opening longitudinal side 70. In the embodiment
shown, the
lid lip 50 includes two tear line segments 76. However, it is appreciated
that, in an
alternative embodiment (not shown), the lid lip 50 can include more than two
tear line
segments 76. Furthermore, in the non-limitative embodiment shown, the
combination
of the two tear line segments 76 covers most of a length of the lid lip 50
along the
opening longitudinal side 70. However, it is appreciated, in alternative
embodiment
(not shown), that at least two tear line segments 76 can extend along a
portion of the
lid lip 50 along the opening longitudinal side 70.
In the embodiment shown, as shown in Figures 1, 2, and 7, the tear line
segments
76 are defined by a series of cuts extending through the lid lip 50 or
weakened
portions, which can be aligned along the lid lip 50. Although shown as wavy
lines, in
an alternative embodiment, the tear line segments may have other shapes (e.g.
straight lines).
Alternative embodiments can be foreseen. For instance and without being
limitative,
if the lid 24 is entirely detachable from the receptacle 22, tear line
segments 76 can
be provided on both longitudinal sides, i.e. both longitudinal sides are
opening
longitudinal sides 70. Furthermore, the indentation 88, if any, can be defined
in the lip
lip 50. Similarly, the opening tab 82 can be provided on the receptacle lip
66.
Thus, one of the receptacle lip 66 and the lid lip 50 can have the indentation
88 defined
therein and extending inwardly from a respective one of a free edge of the
receptacle
lip 66 and the free edge 78 of the lid lip 50. The other one of the receptacle
lip 66 and
the lid lip 50 can include the opening tab 82 superposed to the indentation 88
in the
File No. 004314-0067 - 19 -
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20
closed configuration of the lid 24. The opening tab 82 can be graspable and
connected to the at least one tear line 75 to tear the at least one tear line
75 when an
opening force is exerted on the opening tab 82.
Furthermore, in the non-limitative embodiment shown, the tear line segments 76
are
provided on one of the longitudinal sides of the container 20. However, in an
alternative embodiment (not shown), the tear line segments 76 can be provided
on
one or both lateral sides of the container 20.
As mentioned above, the lid 24 is pivotally mounted to the receptacle 22 and
configurable in the closed configuration and a plurality of open
configurations. In the
closed configuration, wherein the central closure 40 covers the open top 32 of
the
receptacle 22 and prevents access to the storage compartment 30, the
receptacle-
engagement portion 48 of the lid 24 engages, in a male-female member
engagement,
the lid-engagement portion 64 of the receptacle 22 by at least partially
covering same.
In other words, the lid-engagement portion 64 is at least partially inserted
into the
receptacle-engagement portion 48 of the lid 24, i.e. the substantially U-
shaped
channel 49 defined by the peripheral lid rim 42, the lid inner wall 44, and
the lid skirt
46. At least one of the peripheral lid rim 42, the lid inner wall 44, and the
lid skirt 46 is
superposed against and contacts a respective one of the peripheral receptacle
rim
58, the receptacle inner wall 62, and the receptacle skirt 60.
It is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment (not shown), the
container 20 can
be free of engageable/disengageable lid-engagement portion 64 and receptacle-
engagement portion 48 and the lid lip 50 can be only superposed to a portion
of the
receptacle lip 66 along at least a portion thereof in the closed configuration
of the lid
24.
Following a first filling of the plastic container 20 with a given good (e.g.,
food,
fasteners, etc.), the container 20 is configured in the closed configuration
with the lid
lip 50 and the receptacle lip 66, located on the opening longitudinal side 70,
being
superposed. Once superposed, they are bonded to one another, for instance by
fusion/ultrasonic welding. In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the lid
lip 50 and
File No. 004314-0067 - 20 -
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20
the receptacle lip 66 can be bonded together, for example and without being
limitative
by solvent bonding, heat stacking, UV bonding, and/or suitable adhesive
extending
inbeween. In a non-limitative embodiment, the lid lip 50 and the receptacle
lip 66 are
bonded in the outer lip region 80 and, in some embodiments, permanently
bonded.
In practical terms, once the lid lip 50 is bonded to the receptacle lip 66
along the outer
lip region 80, the container 20 is sealed (Figures 1 to 4), and the access to
the storage
compartment 30 is prevented until the seal is broken, as will be described in
more
details below.
To access the content of the sealed container 20, the tear line segments 76
are
broken by grasping and pulling the opening tab 82 to separate the lid lip 50
in two
portions along the tear line segments 76. Once the tear line segments 76 are
broken,
the lid 24 can be pivoted in the open configuration. Once the tear line
segments 76
are broken, the outer lip region 80 of the lid lip 50 remains bonded (or
affixed) to the
receptacle lip 66, even when the lid 24 is configured in the open
configuration.
In other words, on the opening longitudinal side 70, a portion of the lid lip
50 is
detached from the remainder of the receptacle 22 by tearing along the tear
line
segments 76. The opening tab 82 is provided to help holing the lid lip 50 when
detaching it partially from the remainder of the receptacle 22. Tearing the
lid lip 50
along the tear line segments 76 leaves irreversible evidence of tampering.
Once the tear line segments 76 are broken, the lid 24 can be reconfigured into
the
closed configuration, i.e. the container 20 is reclosable. To ensure that the
lid 24
remains engaged with the receptacle 22, the container 20 can include one or
more
catch assemblies 90 located in the corners 38 of the container 20 (or the
corner
segments 56, 57 of the lid 24 and the receptacle 22). More particularly, in
the non-
lim itative embodiment shown, the catch assemblies 90 are located in the lid
and the
receptacle-engagement portions 64, 48, which, when engaged, maintain the lid
24
and the receptacle 22 in the closed configuration, wherein the lid and the
receptacle-
engagement portions 64, 48 are engaged together, independently of the breakage
of
the lid lip 50. In the non-limitative embodiment shown, the catch assemblies
90 are
located in the corners 38 of the container 20 (or the corner segments 56, 57
of the lid
File No. 004314-0067 - 21 -
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20
24 and the receptacle 22). However, it is appreciated that in alternative
embodiments,
the catch assembly(ies) 90 can be provided along the two longitudinal sides
34, the
two lateral sides 36, the four corners 38 (or the two longitudinal segments
52, 53, the
two lateral segments 54, 55, and the four corner segments 56, 57 of the lid 24
and
the receptacle 22) or any suitable combination thereof. Furthermore, in the
embodiment shown, the catch assemblies 90 are located in the four corner
segments
56, 57 of the lid 24 and the receptacle 22. However, it is appreciated that in
an
alternative embodiment, the catch assembly(ies) 90 can be located solely in
the
corner segments located at opposed ends of the opening longitudinal side 70.
The catch assemblies 90 in the four corner segments 56, 57 being essentially
identical, only one will be described in further details in reference to
Figure 6.
As mentioned above, the container 20 can include one or more catch assemblies
90
to ensure that the lid 24 remains engaged with the receptacle 22 and prevent
the
access to the storage compartment 30, when the container 20 is in the closed
configuration. In the non-limitative embodiment shown (Figure 6), it can be
appreciated that these catch assemblies 90 are included in the lid- and the
receptacle-
engagement portions 64, 48. As illustrated in Figure 6, each catch assembly 90
includes a lid engagement bulge 86 and a complementary receptacle engagement
bulge 84. The lid engagement bulge 86 protrudes outwardly from the lid inner
wall 44
and, more particularly, from a lower portion thereof, adjacent to the lid
closure 40.
More particularly, in the non-limitative embodiment shown, in the corner
segments
56, the lid 24 comprises a receptacle abutting shoulder 89 extending outwardly
from
the lid closure 40 and vertically spaced-apart therefrom by a connecting wall
91. The
receptacle abutting shoulder 89 and the connecting wall 91 provide a connexion
between the lid engagement bulge 86 and the lid closure 40. In some
implementations, the receptacle abutting shoulder 89 is configured to abut
against
the lid-abutting inner shoulder 63 in the closed configuration of the
container 20. It is
appreciated that, in alternative embodiments (not shown), the lid 24 can be
free of
receptacle abutting shoulder 89 and connecting wall 91.
File No. 004314-0067 - 22 -
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20
The receptacle engagement bulge 84 protrudes inwardly from the peripheral wall
28,
in an upper portion thereof, adjacent to the receptacle rim 58. In the
embodiment
shown, the receptacle engagement bulge 84 protrudes inwardly from the
receptacle
inner wall 62. In the embodiment shown, in each one of the corners 38, the lid
24
comprises one lid engagement bulge 86 engageable with a complementary
receptacle engagement bulge. However, it is appreciated that, in an
alternative
embodiment (not shown), each one of the lid 24 and the receptacle 22 can
include
more than one bulge in each corner 38 of the container. In other words, each
catch
assembly 90 can include more than two engagement bulges 84, 86.
Thus, each pair including one of the lid engagement bulges 86 with a
corresponding
one of the receptacle engagement bulges 84 releasably interlocks together in
the
closed configuration and form one of the catch assemblies 90. In a non-
limitative
embodiment, each one of the corner segments 56 adjacent to the opening
longitudinal
side 70 includes one of the catch assemblies 90.
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, referring to Fig. 7, there is shown
that the
combination of the lid closure 40 and the lid inner wall 44 creates a central
depression
93 in the lid 24. A perimeter of the central depression 93, delimited by the
lid inner
wall 44 comprises rounded outward convexities 95, i.e. a perimeter of the
central
depression 93 in the corner segments 56 of the lid 24 protrudes outwardly from
adjacent sections of the lid inner wall 44 in the longitudinal segments 52 and
lateral
segments 54. The lid engagement bulges 86 protrude outwardly from the lid
inner
wall 44 in the corner segments 56.
Thus, the lid inner wall 44 has corner segments 56 located at a junction of
one of the
longitudinal segments 52 and one of the lateral segments 54. The corner
segments
56 extend outwardly with respect to the adjacent longitudinal segment 52 and
lateral
segment 54 to define an outwardly-extending lid corner portions 59,
substantially arc-
shaped in the non-limitative embodiment shown. In the corner segment 56, the
lid
inner wall has a lid engagement bulge protruding outwardly from the outwardly-
extending lid corner portion 59.
File No. 004314-0067 - 23 -
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20
In the embodiment shown, the container 20 includes four catch assemblies 90,
one
in each corner. However, it is appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment
(not
shown), the container can include two catch assemblies located at opposed ends
of
the opening longitudinal side 70.
In the non-limitative embodiment shown, it can be appreciated that the lid
engagement bulge 86 and the receptacle engagement bulge 84 are U-shaped (or
substantially crescent-shaped) and substantially follow a perimeter of the
corner
segments 56, 57 along a majority thereof. However, in an alternative
embodiment, it
is appreciated that the lid and the receptacle engagement bulges 86, 84 can
have
any suitable shape.
When the receptacle-engagement portion 48 and the lid-engagement portion 64
are
engaged together, as shown in Figure 6, the lid engagement bulge 86 is located
below
the receptacle engagement bulge 84 and abuts against same. It can be
appreciated
that configuring the receptacle engagement bulge 84 and the lid engagement
bulge
86 in the foregoing manner releasably interlock the engagement portions 48, 64
and
substantially prevents inadvertent opening of the lid 24.
To configure the container 20 in the open configuration (Figure 5) from the
closed
configuration (Figures 1 to 4), the receptacle-engagement portion 48 and the
lid-
engagement portion 64 must be disengaged from one another. To disengage the
receptacle-engagement portion 48 and the lid-engagement portion 64, the lid
lip 50 is
pulled upwardly with a force sufficient to temporarily deform at least one of
the lid
engagement bulges 86 and the receptacle engagement bulges 84 in a manner such
that the lid engagement bulges 86 are disengaged from the receptacle
engagement
bulges 84, i.e. they are displaced above the receptacle engagement bulges 84.
Thus,
in an embodiment, at least one of the lid engagement bulges 86 and the
receptacle
engagement bulges 84 are resilient. In the embodiment shown, the lid
engagement
bulges 86 and the receptacle engagement bulges 84 are made of resilient
plastic, i.e.
they can be engaged and disengaged from one another without being
substantially
permanently deformed.
File No. 004314-0067 - 24 -
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20
Thus, the lid engagement bulges 86 and the receptacle engagement bulges 84 are
engaged with one another when the lid 24 is closed on the receptacle 22 and
thereafter maintained in engagement by a resilient effect due to the shape of
the
plastic container and the elasticity of the plastic it is made of. The catch
assemblies
90 and, more particularly, the lid engagement bulges 86 and the receptacle
engagement bulges 84, which serves to cause the resilient effect, maintains
the lid
24 closed against the receptacle 22 independently of the eventual tearing of
the lid
lip 50 along the tear line segments 76.
Similarly, to reconfigure the container 20 in the closed configuration, a
force sufficient
to re-engage the lid engagement bulges 86 under the receptacle engagement
bulges
84 is applied, while pivoting the lid 24 downwardly towards the receptacle 22.
Once
engaged together, the receptacle 22 and the lid 24 are interlocked through the
catch
assemblies 90 in a somewhat snapping resilient effect.
Thus, it is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the container 20 can
be opened
and closed more than once by the purchaser, and further offers a highly
practical and
easy grip due to the opening tab 82.
Thus, the catch assemblies 90 are designed to substantially prevent
unintentational
opening of the container 20, such as for instance and without being
limitative, in case
of accidental drop of the container 20.
In the embodiment shown, the receptable 22 and the lid 24 are made of a thin
sheet
of plastic, i.e. a plastic-based sheet. They can be manufactured by
thermoforming or
injection moulding from a wide variety of plastics, for instance. In some
implementation, the plastic used to make the lid 24 is thinner than the one
used to
make the receptacle 22, providing thereby an increase flexibility and
resilience to the
lid 24 and its lid engagement bulges 86. In other words, in an embodiment, the
plastic-
based sheet has a thickness and the thickness of the plastic-based sheet of
the lid
24 can be thinner than the thickness of the plastic-based sheet of the
receptacle 22.
File No. 004314-0067 - 25 -
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20
It will be understood that the embodiment described herein and illustrated are
provided for illustrative purposes only and that the improvements can be
embodied in
a wide variety of alternate embodiments or realisations. For instance,
alternate
embodiments can include plastic containers made with injection moulding,
plastic
containers having distinct/unconnected lid and receptacle, or plastic
containers
without tamper-evident features. Where present, the hinge can alternately
consist of
a simple fold, for instance. Although the depicted container has a
substantially
rectangular horizontal cross-section, it can have other closed curved shape,
ranging
from closer to a circle, to closer to a rectangle, for instance. The wall
portion, rims,
ribs, handle lip and tear strip segments can be shaped to correspond with the
alternate shape of the horizontal cross-section. Further, it is to be
understood that the
expressions up and down, vertical and horizontal, etc. are used herein for
convenience and typically refer to the container when it is laid flat on a
horizontal
surface. The expressions inwardly/outwardly refer to the inside of the
container, and
often refer to a horizontal or vertical orientation relative to the inside of
the container.
The expression vertical in particular is to be interpreted with some breadth
as
encompassing features which are close to vertical. It will also be understood
that
reference is often made to the container in its closed configuration to
discuss
engaging and tamper-evident features, for instance. This thorough description
provided for the convenience of the skilled reader is thus not intended to be
interpreted in an unduly restrictive manner.
It is appreciated that combinations of the above-described embodiments can be
foreseen and the above-described features of the container can be provided
independently of others. For instance, it is appreciated that, in an
embodiment, the
container incudes the breakable lid lip 50 and be free of the above-described
catch
assemblies 90. Another container can include the above-described catch
assemblies
90 and be free of the breakable lid lip 50.
Several alternative embodiments and examples have been described and
illustrated
herein. The embodiments of the invention described above are intended to be
exemplary only. A person of ordinary skill in the art would appreciate the
features of
File No. 004314-0067 - 26 -
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20
the individual embodiments, and the possible combinations and variations of
the
components. A person of ordinary skill in the art would further appreciate
that any of
the embodiments could be provided in any combination with the other
embodiments
disclosed herein. It is understood that the invention could be embodied in
other
specific forms without departing from the central characteristics thereof. The
present
examples and embodiments, therefore, are to be considered in all respects as
illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to
the details given
herein. Accordingly, while the specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications come to mind. The scope of the invention is
therefore intended to be limited solely by the scope of the appended claims.
File No. 004314-0067 - 27 -
Date Recue/Date Received 2021-04-20
