Container and Closure Assembly
A container and closure assembly includes a container and a closure. The container defines an opening and includes a lip positioned around the opening. The closure includes a top portion defining a periphery, a skirt, a first and second blocking structure, a tab, a plurality of spaced apart first ribs, a plurality of spaced apart second ribs, and a plurality of first rib extensions. The skirt defines an internal closure space and including (i) a first skirt portion extending downwardly from the periphery, and (ii) a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of the first skirt portion. The second skirt portion includes a first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap. The first blocking structure is secured to the skirt. The tab extends downwardly from a second part of the first skirt portion and is positioned in the gap.
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The present disclosure generally relates to assemblies that include a container and a removable closure associated therewith. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a container and closure assembly having a closure configured to securely engage the container, but be readily removable therefrom.
BACKGROUND OF RELATED ARTManufacturers commonly package and distribute foodstuffs in assemblies, each of which includes a container and a removable closure. Container and closure assemblies simplify the transportation of packaged foodstuffs, provide surface space for nutritional labeling, and in some instances function as the receptacle from which a user consumes the foodstuff. The assembly includes a generally bowl shaped portion and a removable lid. The bowl portion defines a cavity suitable to contain a quantity of dry, liquid, and/or semi-liquid product. The bowl portion typically has a generally cylindrical shape and a generally flat bottom, which stabilizes the container. The removable lid seals the cavity formed by the bowl portion to preserve the freshness of the food product and to prevent the food product from spilling out of the bowl portion. A user may separate the lid from the bowl portion to expose an opening through which the user may remove the product stored within the container. The removable lid may include a pull-tab or other similar device to assist a user in detaching the lid from the bowl portion. After detaching the lid, a user may place the bowl portion in a microwave oven to heat the product before consumption. Accordingly, the bowl portion may be manufactured from a microwave safe material. In general, users place the closure over the opening formed by the removal of the lid before heating the bowl portion in a microwave oven.
The container may further include a lip, which defines the opening of the container. The lid and the lip may be an integral structure, which is attached to the bowl portion. Alternatively, the lip may be formed integrally with the bowl portion and the lid may be removably connected to the lip. In each case, the lip remains connected to the bowl portion after the lid has been removed. A user may not reattach the lid to the lip after the user has separated the lid from the lip.
The closure covers the opening of the container. A user may remove and reattach the closure to the container. During distribution and storage of the container and closure assembly, the closure fits over the lip and the lid. Accordingly, the closure provides a surface upon which a user may stack other container and closure assemblies. During use by a user, the user removes the closure from the container to expose the lid. After the user removes the lid, the user may cover the opening by reattaching the closure to the container. The closure may include vent openings, which enable steam to escape the bowl portion during heating. Additionally, the closure prevents the food product within the bowl portion from splattering out of the container during heating.
The closure may distort and/or deform during heating of the container filled with food and covered by the closure. In particular, during heating the closure may expand or otherwise change shape, such that the heated closure is no longer adequately attached to the container. What is needed, therefore, is an improved container and closure assembly, which includes a closure that securely attaches to its associated container under various thermal conditions including heating, yet is readily removable therefrom.
SUMMARYAccording to one embodiment of the present disclosure, a container and closure assembly is provided. The container and closure assembly includes a container and a closure. The container defines an opening and includes a lip positioned around the opening. The closure is configured to be attached to the container. The closure includes a top portion defining a periphery, a skirt, a first and second blocking structure, a tab, a plurality of spaced apart first ribs, a plurality of spaced apart second ribs, and a plurality of first rib extensions. The skirt defines an internal closure space and includes (i) a first skirt portion extending downwardly from the periphery, and (ii) a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of the first skirt portion. The second skirt portion includes a first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap. The first blocking structure is secured to the skirt. The tab extends downwardly from a second part of the first skirt portion and is positioned in the gap. The second blocking structure is secured to the tab. The plurality of spaced apart first ribs is misaligned with the first blocking structure and the second blocking structure. Each rib of the plurality of spaced apart first ribs is (i) positioned in the internal closure space, and is (ii) attached to both the top portion and the skirt. The plurality of spaced apart second ribs is aligned with one of the first blocking structure and the second blocking structure. Each rib of the plurality of spaced apart second ribs is (i) positioned in the internal closure space, and is (ii) attached to both the top portion and the skirt. The first plurality of first rib extensions is (i) secured to a respective one of the plurality of spaced apart first ribs, and is (ii) spaced apart from the skirt. A plurality of first lip spaces is respectively defined between the plurality of first rib extensions and the skirt, and the lip of the container is positioned in each of the first lip spaces when the closure is attached to the container.
According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, a closure assembly is provided, which is adapted to be attached to a container. The closure assembly includes a top portion defining a periphery, a skirt, a first and second blocking structure, a tab, a plurality of spaced apart first ribs, a plurality of spaced apart second ribs, and a plurality of first rib extensions. The skirt defines an internal closure space and includes (i) a first skirt portion extending downwardly from the periphery, and (ii) a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of the first skirt portion. The second skirt portion has a first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap. The first blocking structure is secured to the skirt. The tab extends downwardly from a second part of the first skirt portion and is positioned in the gap. The second blocking structure is secured to the tab. The plurality of spaced apart first ribs is misaligned with the first blocking structure and the second blocking structure. Each rib of the plurality of spaced apart first ribs is (i) positioned in the internal closure space, and is (ii) attached to both the top portion and the skirt. The plurality of spaced apart second ribs is aligned with one of the first blocking structure and the second blocking structure. Each rib of the plurality of spaced apart second ribs is (i) positioned in the internal closure space, and is (ii) attached to both the top portion and the skirt. The plurality of first rib extensions is (i) secured to a respective one of the plurality of spaced apart first ribs, and is (ii) spaced apart from the skirt. A plurality of first lip spaces is respectively defined between the plurality of first rib extensions and the skirt.
Features of the present invention should become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art from the following description with reference to the figures, in which:
According to the present disclosure and referring now to
As shown in
The rim structure 23 is a metallic component that is coupled to the body 22 in a manner well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, the rim structure 23 may be integrally formed with the body 22 through a thermoplastic molding process so that both the lip 26 and the body collectively define a single polymeric component.
As shown in
The container 14 includes a lid 52, a portion of which is shown in
With reference again to
The closure 18 may be made from materials conventionally used for the storage and after-purchase heating of food products. Exemplary materials for making the closure 18 include, but are not limited to, polypropylene (“PP”), linear low-density polyethylene (“LLDPE”), and other injection moldable thermoplastics. In one embodiment, the closure 18 is made from nucleated PP having a density of approximately 0.800 to 1.00 grams per cubic centimeter and a melt index of approximately 50 to 170 grams per 10 minutes.
As shown in
The upper skirt portion 58 extends from the periphery of the top portion 54 to form a cylindrical structure defining an internal closure space 70 (
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
As shown in
A plurality of lip spaces 138, one of which is shown in
In operation, the container and closure assembly 10 contains a food product and functions as a receptacle from which a user may consume the food product. To prepare the food product for consumption, a user begins by removing the closure 18 from the container 14. To remove the closure 18, the user moves the tab 86 from the relaxed position to the unrelaxed position in the direction of arrow 146 of
If the user desires to heat the food product within the container 14, the user reattaches the closure 18 to the container after removing the lid 52. To reattach the closure 18, the user places the closure on the top of the container 14 such that the internal closure space 70 surrounds the rim structure 23. Next, the user applies a downward force (opposite direction of arrow 150) to the top portion 54. The downward force causes the blocking structures 90 and 94 to slide along the rim structure 23 and then advance under the lip 26 to their position shown in
Once the user has reattached the closure 18 to the container 14, the user then places the container and closure assembly 10 in a microwave oven to heat the food product. During the heating process, the closure 18 is subjected to heat. Nonetheless, the closure 18 remains securely attached to the container 14. In particular, even if the closure 18 exhibits a change in configuration in response to the heat, the closure remains securely connected to the container 14 due to physical interaction of the lip 26, the extensions 122, and/or the skirt 55.
Another embodiment of the closure 18′ of the container and closure assembly 10 is illustrated in
Variations and modifications of the present disclosure are possible; however, all variations and modifications, which are obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present disclosure pertains, are considered to be within the scope of protection granted by this Letters Patent.
Claims
1. A container and closure assembly, comprising:
- a container defining an opening and having a lip positioned around said opening;
- a closure configured to be attached to said container, said closure including: a top portion defining a periphery, a skirt defining an internal closure space and including (i) a first skirt portion extending downwardly from said periphery, and (ii) a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of said first skirt portion, said second skirt portion having a first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap, a first blocking structure secured to said skirt, a tab extending downwardly from a second part of said first skirt portion and positioned in said gap, a second blocking structure secured to said tab, a plurality of spaced apart first ribs each of which is misaligned with said first blocking structure and said second blocking structure, each of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs being (i) positioned in said internal closure space, and (ii) attached to both said top portion and said skirt, a plurality of spaced apart second ribs each of which is aligned with one of said first blocking structure and said second blocking structure, each of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs being (i) positioned in said internal closure space, and (ii) attached to both said top portion and said skirt, and a plurality of first rib extensions each being (i) secured to a respective one of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs, and (ii) spaced apart from said skirt,
- wherein a plurality of first lip spaces is respectively defined between said plurality of first rib extensions and said skirt, and
- wherein said lip of said container is positioned in each of said first lip spaces when said closure is attached to said container.
2. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, the closure further comprising:
- a plurality of second rib extensions each being (i) secured to a respective one of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs, and (ii) spaced apart from said skirt,
- wherein a plurality of second lip spaces is respectively defined between said plurality of second rib extensions and said skirt, and
- wherein said lip of said container is positioned in each of said second lip spaces when said closure is attached to said container.
3. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein:
- each of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs includes (i) an interiorly facing side, (ii) an exteriorly facing side secured to said skirt, (iii) a lower side, and (iv) an upper side secured to said top portion, and
- said lower side is configured as a flat edge surface that extends from said exteriorly facing side to said interiorly facing side.
4. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein:
- said lip is interposed between said first blocking structure and one of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs when said closure is attached to said container, and
- said lip is interposed between said second blocking structure and another of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs when said closure is attached to said container.
5. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs is interposed between said lip and said top portion when said closure is attached to said container.
6. The container and closure assembly of claim 5, wherein each of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs is interposed between said lip and said top portion when said closure is attached to said container.
7. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein:
- said closure is configured so that, when a plane is superimposed on the closure so as to intersect both said first blocking structure and said second blocking structure, the closure is divided into a first closure portion and a second closure portion, and
- said first closure portion and said second closure portion possess an equal number of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs.
8. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein said closure is configured so that, when a plane is superimposed on the closure so as to intersect both said first blocking structure and said second blocking structure, the closure is divided into a first closure half portion and a second closure half portion.
9. The container and closure assembly of claim 8, wherein said plane further intersects each of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs.
10. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein:
- said plurality of spaced apart first ribs includes a first lateral group of spaced apart first ribs and a second lateral group of spaced apart first ribs,
- said closure is configured so that, when a plane is superimposed on the closure so as to intersect each of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs, the closure is divided into a first closure portion and a second closure portion,
- said first closure portion includes said first lateral group of spaced apart first ribs, and
- said second closure portion includes said second lateral group of spaced apart first ribs.
11. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein:
- said lip defines a top surface, a bottom surface, an outer surface, and an inner surface,
- said closure is configured so that, when said closure is attached to said container, (i) said top surface faces each of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs and each of plurality of spaced apart second ribs, (ii) said bottom surface faces each of said first blocking structure and said second blocking structure, (iii) said outer surface faces said skirt, and (iv) said inner surface faces each of said plurality of first rib extensions.
12. The container and closure assembly of claim 1, wherein each of said plurality of lip spaces is respectively defined by (i) an exteriorly facing side of one of said plurality of first rib extensions, (ii) a lower side of one of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs, and (iii) an interiorly facing side of said skirt.
13. The container and closure assembly of claim 12, wherein each of said plurality of lip spaces is defined by a generally U-shaped receptacle structure formed by (i) said exteriorly facing side of one of said plurality of first rib extensions, (ii) said lower side of one of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs, and (iii) said interiorly facing side of said skirt.
14. A closure assembly adapted to be attached to a container, comprising:
- a top portion defining a periphery,
- a skirt defining an internal closure space and including (i) a first skirt portion extending downwardly from said periphery, and (ii) a second skirt portion extending downwardly from a first part of said first skirt portion, said second skirt portion having a first side edge and a second side edge that are spaced apart from each other to form a gap,
- a first blocking structure secured to said skirt,
- a tab extending downwardly from a second part of said first skirt portion and positioned in said gap,
- a second blocking structure secured to said tab,
- a plurality of spaced apart first ribs each of which is misaligned with said first blocking structure and said second blocking structure, each of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs being (i) positioned in said internal closure space, and (ii) attached to both said top portion and said skirt,
- a plurality of spaced apart second ribs each of which is aligned with one of said first blocking structure and said second blocking structure, each of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs being (i) positioned in said internal closure space, and (ii) attached to both said top portion and said skirt, and
- a plurality of first rib extensions each being (i) secured to a respective one of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs, and (ii) spaced apart from said skirt,
- wherein a plurality of first lip spaces is respectively defined between said plurality of first rib extensions and said skirt.
15. The closure assembly of claim 14, further comprising:
- a plurality of second rib extensions each being (i) secured to a respective one of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs, and (ii) spaced apart from said skirt,
- wherein a plurality of second lip spaces is respectively defined between said plurality of second rib extensions and said skirt.
16. The closure assembly of claim 14, wherein:
- each of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs includes (i) an interiorly facing side, (ii) an exteriorly facing side secured to said skirt, (iii) a lower side, and (iv) an upper side secured to said top portion.
17. The closure assembly of claim 16, wherein:
- a first additional lip space is defined between said first blocking structure and one of said plurality of second ribs, and
- a second additional lip space is defined between said second blocking structure and another of said plurality of second ribs.
18. The closure assembly of claim 17, wherein:
- said one of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs is interposed between said first additional lip space and said top portion, and
- said other of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs is interposed between said second additional lip space and said top portion.
19. The closure assembly of claim 14, wherein each of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs is respectively interposed between said plurality of first lip spaces and said top portion.
20. The closure assembly of claim 14, wherein:
- said closure is configured so that, when a plane is superimposed on the closure so as to intersect both said first blocking structure and said second blocking structure, the closure is divided into a first closure portion and a second closure portion, and
- said first closure portion and said second closure portion possess an equal number of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs.
21. The closure assembly of claim 14, wherein said closure is configured so that, when a plane is superimposed on the closure so as to intersect both said first blocking structure and said second blocking structure, the closure is divided into a first closure half portion and a second closure half portion.
22. The closure assembly of claim 21, wherein said plane further intersects each of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs.
23. The closure assembly of claim 14, wherein:
- said plurality of spaced apart first ribs includes a first lateral group of spaced apart first ribs and a second lateral group of spaced apart first ribs,
- said closure is configured so that, when a plane is superimposed on the closure to intersect each of said plurality of spaced apart second ribs, the closure is divided into a first closure portion and a second closure portion,
- said first closure portion includes said first lateral group of spaced apart first ribs, and
- said second closure portion includes said second lateral group of spaced apart first ribs.
24. The closure assembly of claim 14, wherein each of said plurality of lip spaces is respectively defined by (i) an exteriorly facing side of one of said plurality of first rib extensions, (ii) a lower side of one of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs, and (iii) an interiorly facing side of said skirt.
25. The closure assembly of claim 24, wherein each of said plurality of lip spaces is further defined by a generally U-shaped receptacle structure formed by (i) said exteriorly facing side of said one of said plurality of first rib extensions, (ii) said lower side of said one of said plurality of spaced apart first ribs, and (iii) said interiorly facing side of said skirt.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 20, 2010
Publication Date: Feb 23, 2012
Applicant: TECH II, INC. (Springfield, OH)
Inventors: David A. Shiffer (Irwin, OH), Brandon R. Roberts (Springfield, OH)
Application Number: 12/860,641
International Classification: B65D 51/00 (20060101);