Dispensing Tubs with Elastomer Inserted Lids and Bases

Abstract

An over-molded elastomer insert on the bottom surface of a plastic tub. The elastomer material has a higher friction coefficient than the usual plastic material used to make the tub. The elastomer pad is integrated to the surface of the tub which is in contact with the table top or flat surface on which it is placed. The bottom surface presents some areas filled by material with a higher coefficient of friction, they are less prone to sliding. An over-molded elastomer insert on the top surface of a plastic tub's lid or lid. The elastomer parts are integrated to the surface of the tub which is in contact with the bottom of another tub sitting on top of it when stacked. The top surface presents some areas filled by material with a higher coefficient of friction, this helps to improve the stability of tubs stacked one over the other.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from U.S. patent application Ser. No. 61/739,772, entitled “Dispensing Tubs with Elastomer Inserted Lids and Bases”, filed on 20 Dec. 2012. The benefit under 35 USC §119(e) of the United States provisional application is hereby claimed, and the aforementioned application is hereby incorporated herein by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH: Not Applicable

SEQUENCE LISTING OR PROGRAM: Not Applicable

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to stackable containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to stackable containers with elastomer lids and bodies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the packaging industry, brands often use a tub to hold wet tissues. Most of those tubs are made from hard plastic and because of this material choice; they are not stable when stacked on top of one of its kind. This lead to the instability of a pile of stacked tubs, impacting the flexibility in product presentation at the retailer side or simply storage of the tubs. Additionally, because of this material choice, the bottom surface would get slippery and hence, the tub easily slides from any kind of surface on which the tub is placed over. The fall of such container(s) would lead to a failure from the container (breaking of scuffing) and/or content loss.

There are several solutions that tried to solve the issue with more or less success, first, designers can change the shape of the top and bottom surface to have some distinctive features to help the tubs fit together and stay still. Some other designers added some elastomer feet to the bottom of the tub so that it sits securely on the top of another tub, although it is a proven solution, it adds weight to the product which lead to a higher cost. Secondly, designers can change the shape of the bottom surface to have some distinctive features to help the part to stay still. Thirdly, on the customer end, some would just add a little piece of rubber (or high friction material) mat underneath the tub so that it can stay still all the time, even on an angled surface.

Containers according to prior art are not stable when stacked as the body of the first container is either simply inserted into the open part of the second container or is interlocked in a housing of the closing element or lid, but only occupies a small portion of the total surface with consequent instability.

The object of the present invention is to provide a plastic tub or container capable of staying still on a surface and to resist small accidental pushes from the users; it will also avoid sliding on angled surfaces. From a storing point of view, the tub of container of the present invention will allow a better stability when stacked together. All those functions are integrated into the tub itself without the need of adding an external device.

Another object of the present invention is to give a plastic tub or container an increased stability when stacked as a pile, while preserving its weight and the design intent.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a container that does not slip when placed on smooth surfaces.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a dispensing tub with elastomer inserted lids and bodies. The first embodiment of the present invention consists of an over-molded elastomer insert on the bottom surface of a plastic tub. The elastomer material has a higher friction coefficient than the usual plastic material used to make the tub. The elastomer pad is integrated to the surface of the tub which is in contact with the table top or flat surface on which the user places it over. As the bottom surface presents some areas filled by some material with a higher coefficient of friction, they are less prone to sliding; they would stay still under small accidental pushes from the users. They can also be able to be put on reasonably angled surface without the chance of having it falling.

The second embodiment of the present invention is wherein the tub consists of an over-molded elastomer insert on the top surface of a plastic lid. In this embodiment, the present invention consists of an over-molded elastomer insert on the top surface of a plastic tub's lid or lid. The elastomer material has a higher friction coefficient than the usual plastic material used to make the tub. The elastomer parts are integrated to the surface of the tub which is in contact with the bottom of another tub sitting on top of it when stacked. The top surface presents some areas filled by some material with a higher coefficient of friction, this helps to improve the stability of tubs stacked together one over the other. This situation would happen during the manufacturing process or during storage on a shelf during the stocking phase before/during/after delivery or at the customer's side.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein form a part of the specification, illustrate the present invention and, together with the description, further serve to explain the principles of the invention and to enable a person skilled in the pertinent art to make and use the invention.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate the embodiment of the present invention wherein the tub consists of an over-molded elastomer insert on the bottom surface of a plastic tub; and

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the embodiment of the present invention wherein the tub consists of an over-molded elastomer insert on the top surface of a plastic lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following detailed description of the invention of exemplary embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings (where like numbers represent like elements), which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific exemplary embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, but other embodiments may be utilized and logical, mechanical, electrical, and other changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is defined only by the appended claims.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it is understood that the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and techniques known to one of ordinary skill in the art have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure the invention. Referring to the figures, it is possible to see the various major elements constituting the apparatus of the present invention.

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate the embodiment of the present invention wherein the tub 101 consists of an over-molded elastomer insert 102 on the bottom surface of a plastic tub 101. The elastomer material has a higher friction coefficient than the usual plastic material used to make the tub 101. The elastomer pad or insert 102 is integrated to the surface of the tub 101 which is in contact with the table top or flat surface on which the user places it over.

As the bottom surface presents some areas filled by some material with a higher coefficient of friction, they are less prone to sliding; they would stay still under small accidental pushes from the users. They can also be able to be put on reasonably angled surface without the chance of having it falling.

One of the additional advantages of adding an elastomer inserts 103 to the top part 104 is the improved stability of tubs 201 and 202 stacked together one over the other, this would happen during the manufacturing process or during storage on a shelf at the dealer site or at the customer's side.

By doing an over-mold, a higher level of integration on the part during the manufacturing process. Currently the inventor's tub 101 is already manufactured with an elastomer insert 501 in the dispensing outlet. By doing an over-mold a better experience is provided to the user when grabbing tissues from the tub. In the inventors current product design, they use a post hinge which need an assembly phase, the body 401 and the lid 402 come from two separate molds and need a post assembly. In this application, the inventors will manufacture the lid 401 and the body 402 from the same mold and have the process integrated. The lid 401 will have its conventional reach-in over-mold application 301 on one side and the tub 402 will have its bottom over-mold 302 on another side. Once molded, both parts will be assembled together.

The manufacturing process requires only one single operation: over-molding. But this operation can be done in two fashions which are separated from each other by the sequence of the manufacturing events. In one manufacturing process, over-molding the elastomer 102 over the tub 101 occurs where the elastomer insert requires an over-molding process, the method places the body 402 in the mold and the elastomer is shot and integrated to it. In a second, alternative manufacturing process, the tub 101 is over-molded over the elastomer

The main objective of this invention is to give a non-slippery bottom to a container, so it can serve in many different environments and avoid contain loss or damage due to accidental flip over or fall at the user's side. When stacked over another one of its kind, it can also help the stability of the whole stack as shown in FIG. 2.

The difference in material also allows for a higher flexibility in design and choice of form.

FIGS. 5-7 illustrate the embodiment of the present invention wherein the tub 500 consists of an over-molded elastomer insert 501 on the top surface 502 of a plastic lid 503. In this embodiment, the present invention consists of an over-molded elastomer insert 501 on the top surface 502 of a plastic tub's lid or lid 503. The elastomer material has a higher friction coefficient than the usual plastic material used to make the tub 500. The elastomer parts are integrated to the surface 502 of the tub 600 which is in contact with the bottom of another tub 601 sitting on top of it when stacked as shown in FIG. 6.

The top surface 701 presents some areas filled by some material with a higher coefficient of friction 702, this helps to improve the stability of tubs stacked together one over the other. This situation would happen during the manufacturing process or during storage on a shelf during the stocking phase before/during/after delivery or at the customer's side.

By doing an over-mold, the present invention achieves a higher level of integration on the part. The inventors currently manufacture a tub 700 with an elastomer insert in the dispensing outlet 702. This elastomer insert 702 gives a better experience to the user when grabbing tissues from the tub 700. In their manufacturing process for the present invention, the over-mold process of the reach-in area 702 will also over-mold the skin on the top of the lid 701.

As a result of this improved manufacturing process, as another material is injected and over-mold over a body substrate, our clients/designers have more freedom to investigate design and styling, from the resulting flexibility on shapes and color combinations that may be used during the manufacturing process.

The manufacturing process requires only one single operation: over-molding. But this operation can be done in two fashions which are separated from each other by the sequence of the manufacturing events. The first, over-molding the elastomer over the body, is used when the elastomer insert requires an over-molding process. The lid is placed in the mold and the elastomer is shot and integrated to it. The second method is to mold the elastomer part first and then over-mold the lid beneath it.

The main objective of this invention is to give a non-slippery top lid to a container, when stacked over another one of its kind, it helps the stability of the whole stack, so it can serve in many different environment and avoid contain loss or damage due to accidental flip over or fall at from the storage room of the manufacturer to the final user's side.

The difference in material also allows for a higher flexibility in design and choice of form.

Thus, it is appreciated that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variation in size, materials, shape, form, function, and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the above description are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Furthermore, other areas of art may benefit from this method and adjustments to the design are anticipated. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

Claims

1. A dispensing container comprising:

a body and a lid;

the body having a elastomer inserted bottom portion; and

the bottom surface presents some areas filled by material with a higher coefficient of friction, they are less prone to sliding.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the dispensing container is manufactured with an elastomer insert in the dispensing outlet.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein

the dispensing container consists of an over-molded elastomer insert on the top surface of the plastic lid;

the elastomer material has a higher friction coefficient than the plastic material used to make the dispensing container; and

the elastomer parts are integrated to the surface of the dispensing container which is in contact with the bottom of another tub sitting on top of it when stacked.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the top surface includes one or more areas filled by a material with a higher coefficient of friction than the plastic material used to make the dispensing container body and lid.

5. A dispensing container comprising:

a body and a lid;

the body made from a plastic material;

the body having an over-molded elastomer insert on the bottom surface of the plastic body;

the lid having an elastomer inserted top portion; and

the top surface having one or more areas filled by material with a higher coefficient of friction that the elastomer inserted top portion.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the dispensing container is manufactured with an elastomer insert in the dispensing outlet.

7. A method for manufacturing a dispensing container comprising the steps of:

creating a body and a lid from two separate molds;

creating a post hinge from a mold;

placing a conventional reach-in over-mold application on one side of the lid;

conventional reach-in over-mold application on one side on one side of the body; and

assembling the boy, lid, and post hinge.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the process is integrated.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the body is placed in the mold and the elastomer is shot and integrated to it.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the lid is placed in the mold and the elastomer is shot and integrated to it.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein the elastomer tub part is molded first and then the body is over-molded over the elastomer tub part.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein the elastomer part is molded first and then the lid is over-molded beneath it.