Product packaging with latching endcap and method for loading
A container includes a tube having a rim at one end defining an opening and an endcap including a channel that is shaped to receive the tube rim. The tube includes at least one latching aperture positioned such that when the tube rim is seated in the channel, the latching aperture is contained within the channel. The endcap further includes a latching member that engages the latching aperture when the tube rim is seated in the receiving channel. The latching member includes a sloped surface for deflecting the tube rim to allow the tube rim to be slid into position over the latching member. The endcap further includes a first guide fin assembly on a first side of the latching member and a second guide fin assembly on a second side of the latching member. Each of the first and second guide fin assemblies includes a sloped surface shaped to deflect the tube rim in a direction opposite to the deflection of the tube rim by the latching member when the tube rim is slid into position in the channel, and to maintain the engagement of the latching aperture by the latching member when the tube rim is seated in the channel.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to improvements in the field of product packaging, and in particular to advantageous aspects of an improved product package with a latching end cap.
2. Description of the Prior Art
One type of product packaging that is currently in use includes a tube, or sleeve, having openings at both ends. The item to be packaged is loaded into the tube, and each end of the tube is sealed by inserting a closely fitting endcap into the opening. A number of different techniques have been developed to hold the endcaps in place, including glue, tape, staples, and the like. However, these techniques suffer from a number of drawbacks, including the amount of labor and materials required to construct the package, the esthetic appearance of the finished package, and the firmness of the attachment between the endcaps and the tube ends.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe above issues, and others, are addressed by the present invention, one aspect of which provides a container including a tube having a rim at one end defining an opening and an endcap including a channel that is shaped to receive the tube rim. The tube includes at least one latching aperture positioned such that when the tube rim is seated in the channel, the latching aperture is contained within the channel. The endcap further includes a latching member that engages the latching aperture when the tube rim is seated in the receiving channel. The latching member includes a sloped surface for deflecting the tube rim to allow the tube rim to be slid into position over the latching member. The endcap further includes a first guide fin assembly on a first side of the latching member and a second guide fin assembly on a second side of the latching member. Each of the first and second guide fin assemblies includes a sloped surface shaped to deflect the tube rim in a direction opposite to the deflection of the tube rim by the latching member when the tube rim is slid into position in the channel, and to maintain the engagement of the latching aperture by the latching member when the tube rim is seated in the channel. A further aspect of the invention is directed to a method for packaging an item in a container having a tube and latching endcap.
Additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent by reference to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An aspect of the present invention provides a product package including a tube having a rim defining an opening at one end thereof. The package further includes an endcap for closing the opening. As described in further detail below, there is formed in the endcap a channel that is shaped to closely receive the tube rim. The endcap includes at least one latching member contained within the channel that engages a latching aperture in the tube proximate to the rim when the tube rim is seated in the channel. The latching member holds the endcap securely in position. According to a further aspect of the invention, the latching member is designed to be relatively easy to engage but relatively difficult to release. Thus, it is relatively easy for a manufacturer to load the tube with a retail item and to latch the endcap into position. However, it is then relatively difficult for a retail customer to remove the endcap without visibly damaging the package.
As shown in the illustrative embodiments shown in the drawings and described herein, the tube has a rectangular profile. However, this profile is illustrative and, as used herein, the term “tube” is intended to cover other profiles as well. For example, a “tube” may also refer to a simple cylinder that is open at both ends, as well as tubular structures having other non-rectangular profiles, including elliptical, polygonal, and irregular profiles, as well as structures that are open at only one end. If the tube is fabricated from plastic, a desired profile may be created, for example, by using scoring, thermoforming, or other suitable techniques, or a combination of shaping and construction techniques.
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It should be noted that the elements of the latching assembly 42 may be rearranged without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, it would be possible to form the latching member 46 on the outer wall 52 of the upper endcap 40, and to form the guide fin assemblies 46 and 48 on the inner wall 50.
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When each latching aperture 30 is positioned over its respective latching member, the resiliency of the material used to fabricate the tube 20 causes the latching strip 31 to return towards the inner wall 50. The latching strip 31 engages the latching edge 64 of the latching member 44, preventing the tube 20 from being pulled free of the endcap 40.
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While the foregoing description includes details which will enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be recognized that the description is illustrative in nature and that many modifications and variations thereof will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of these teachings. It is accordingly intended that the invention herein be defined solely by the claims appended hereto and that the claims be interpreted as broadly as permitted by the prior art.
Claims
1. A container, comprising:
- a tube having a rim at one end defining an opening, and
- an endcap including a channel that is shaped to receive the tube rim, the tube including at least one latching aperture positioned such that when the tube rim is seated in the channel, the latching aperture is contained within the channel,
- the endcap further including a latching member that engages the latching aperture when the tube rim is seated in the receiving channel, the latching member including a surface shaped so as to deflect the tube rim to allow the tube rim to be slid into position over the latching member,
- the endcap further including a first guide assembly on a first side of the latching member and a second guide assembly on a second side of the latching member, each of the first and second guide assemblies including a surface shaped to deflect the tube rim in a direction opposite to the deflection of the tube rim by the latching member when the tube rim is slid into position in the channel, and to maintain the engagement of the latching aperture by the latching member when the tube rim is seated in the channel, wherein there is formed in the wall opposite the first guide assembly a first cavity and wherein there is formed in the wall opposite the second guide assembly a second cavity the first and second cavities providing clearance respectively for the first and second guide assemblies.
2. The container of claim 1, wherein the endcap includes an inner wall and an outer wall, the inner and outer walls extending around the perimeter of the endcap and defining the channel.
3. The container of claim 2, wherein the outer wall is taller than the inner wall such that a portion of the outer wall extends beyond the inner wall.
4. The container of claim 2, wherein the latching member extends into the channel from one of the inner and outer walls, and the first and second guide assemblies extend into the channel from the other of the inner and outer walls.
5. The container of any of claim 2, wherein the latching member extends into the channel from the inner wall, and wherein the first and second guide assemblies extend into the channel from the outer wall.
6. The container of claim 1, wherein the first and second guide assemblies each include a plurality of guide fins.
7. The container of claim 1, wherein the first and second guide assemblies include, respectively, first and second sets of guide fins that are substantially parallel to each other, each of the guide fins including a sloped surface shaped to deflect the tube rim in a direction opposite to the deflection of the tube rim by the latching member when the tube rim is slid into position in the channel, and to maintain the engagement of the latching aperture by the latching member when the tube rim is seated in the channel.
8. The container of claim 7, wherein each of the first and second guide fin assemblies includes three guide fins.
9. The container of claim 7, wherein there is formed in the wall opposite the first guide fin assembly a first cavity, and wherein there is formed in the wall opposite the second guide fin assembly a second cavity, the first and second cavities providing clearance, respectively, for the first and second sets of guide fins.
10. A method for packaging a retail item, comprising:
- (a) loading the item into a tube having a rim at one end defining an opening, the tube including at least one latching aperture adjacent the rim;
- (b) sliding the tube rim into a receiving channel provided in an endcap, the endcap including a latching member that engages the latching aperture when the tube rim is seated in the receiving channel, the latching member including a surface shaped so as to deflect the tube rim to allow the tube rim to be slid into position over the latching member, the endcap further including a first guide assembly on a first side of the latching member and a second guide assembly on a second side of the latching member, each of the first and second guide assemblies including a surface shaped to deflect the tube rim in a direction opposite to the deflection of the tube rim by the latching member when the tube rim is slid into position in the channel, and to maintain the engagement of the latching aperture by the latching member when the tube rim is seated in the channel; and
- (c) seating the tube rim in the endcap such that the tube latching aperture is engaged by the latching member.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 12, 2004
Publication Date: Aug 10, 2006
Inventors: John Gelardi (Kennebunkport, ME), Richard Mazurek (Huntingdon, PA)
Application Number: 10/564,107
International Classification: B65D 6/28 (20060101);