Container assemblies with releasable locking feature
A container assembly comprises a first container and a second container. The first container includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim. The first rim terminates in a lip portion. The second container includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim. The second rim terminates in a lip portion. The second rim and the first rim are shaped substantially the same. The first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably lockable to each other by fitting a plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs of the first container into a plurality of respective second spaces of the second container and fitting a second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs of the second container into a plurality of respective first spaces of the first container.
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This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/703,031 filed Jul. 26, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to releasably lockable container assemblies and containers therein.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe use of inexpensive polymeric, paper or metal packaging containers has become popular, especially for preparing and serving various food products. Polymeric, paper and metal containers generally have been used for heating the food product(s) disposed therein. These containers typically comprise a cover or lid and a base.
It would be desirable to have a container that would be easy for the customer to close and open. It would also be desirable to provide a container that is releasably lockable and prevents or inhibits material, such as liquid, from leaving the container. It would be desirable for a container to function without necessarily having a lid, but if a lid is desired to form a container assembly, a customer would be able to make such an assembly.
It would also be desirable to provide a container that is easy to manufacture and reduces the inventory requirement of customers that purchase the containers. It would also be desirable to produce a container that stacks efficiently so as to reduce the costs associated with shipping and storing the containers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONAccording to one embodiment, a container assembly comprises a first container and a second container. The first container includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim. The first rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the first body portion. The rim terminates in a lip portion. The rim has a first plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that first spaces are formed between adjacent ribs. The second container includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim. The second rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the second body portion. The rim terminates in a lip portion. The rim has a second plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that second spaces are formed between adjacent ribs. The first container is shaped substantially the same as the second container. The first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably lockable to each other by fitting the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective second spaces and fitting the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective first spaces.
According to another embodiment, a container assembly comprises a first container and a second container. The first container includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim. The first rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the first body portion. The rim terminates in a lip portion. The second container includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim. The second rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the second body portion. The rim terminates in a lip portion. The first container is shaped substantially the same as the second container. The first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably lockable to each other by deflecting the vertical lip portion of the first rim towards the second container and deflecting the vertical lip portion of the second container towards the first container, such that the vertical lip portion of the first container frictionally engages the vertical lip portion of the second container.
According to one process, a container assembly is formed that comprises providing a first container that includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim. The first rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the first body portion. The rim terminates in a lip portion. The rim has a first plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that first spaces are formed between adjacent ribs. A second container is provided that includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim. The second rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the second body portion. The rim terminates in a lip portion. The rim has a second plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that second spaces are formed between adjacent ribs. The first container is shaped substantially the same as the second container. One of the first container and the second container is rotated 180 degrees such that the rim of the first container and the rim of the second container are generally aligned The first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs is fit into respective second spaces and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs is fit into respective first spaces such that the first container and the second container are releasably lockable to each other. The lip portion of the first rim deflects towards the second container. The lip portion of the second rim deflects towards the first container.
According to another process, a container assembly is formed that comprises providing a first container that includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim. The first rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the first body portion. The rim terminates in a lip portion. A second container is provided that includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim. The second rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the second body portion. The rim terminates in a lip portion. The first container is shaped substantially the same as the second container. One of the first container or the second container is rotated 180 degrees such that the rim of the first container and the rim of the second container are generally aligned. The lip portion of the first rim deflects towards the second container. The lip portion of the second rim deflects towards the first container such that the deflecting releasably locks the first container to the second container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed but, on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS Referring to
It is contemplated that other container assemblies may be formed besides those using plates. For example, container assemblies may be formed, but are not limited to, using plates, bowls, platters, tubs, single-serve and family-size containers, single-serve and family-size ovenware, and combinations thereof. One such combination is a bowl and a plate that forms a container assembly. The remainder of the application will discuss container and container assemblies with respect to plates although it is recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art that other container assemblies, such as those discussed above, may be formed.
The height and shape of the container assembly may vary from that shown without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the container assemblies of
The container assemblies of the present invention are typically used with respect to food, but may be used in other applications such as with medical applications, cosmetics or other items. Food container assemblies may be used for serving, storing, preparing and/or re-heating the food.
Referring back to
Referring specifically to
The plurality of ribs 20, however, may be formed in different patterns than shown in
Turning to
Similarly, second rib 20b of
To provide an improved locked container assembly, at least one of the rib sidewalls may have an undercut. Such an optional undercut formed in the rib sidewall engages a similar undercut in a corresponding space formed between adjacent ribs of a second container when the container assembly is formed. This is discussed below in further detail with respect to
The number of undercuts formed in the rib sidewalls, if any, depends on factors such as the desired leak-resistant, the type of closure mechanism, manufacturability of the container assemblies, and the material(s) type and thicknesses used in forming the container assemblies. For example, if the container assemblies are made of a first material that has a higher coefficient of friction than a second material, then the container made of the first material will likely need less undercuts in its sidewalls than the same container made with the second material to have the same holding strength. The number of undercuts used also depends on the fitness of use of the container assembly, including the holding strength thereof.
It is contemplated that the ribs may have sidewalls with no undercuts or at least one undercut (e.g., first rib 20a with optional undercuts 26a, 28a in
Referring to
It is contemplated that the shape and size of the plurality of ribs 20 may vary from that shown in
It is contemplated that the upwardly projecting features may be shaped differently than the ribs shown in
Referring to
The optional seal feature, however, may be located inwardly from the ribs such that the seal is formed nearer the center of the container assembly as compared to the releasably lockable ribs. For example, in
A container assembly 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is depicted in
The container assembly 100 of
The second container 110 is flipped 180 degrees relative to the first container 10 such that the containers 10, 110 are generally aligned and the rims 14, 114 are adjacent to each other. This flipped position of container 110 relative to the container 10 is shown in
Referring to
The strength of this lockable closure is dependent on many variables such as the number of the projecting ribs, the height of those ribs, whether undercuts are included, the size of the contact areas, the clearance needed between spaces and ribs, and the material(s) type and thickness used in forming the container assemblies. To improve the lockability of the container assembly, as discussed above, an optional sealing feature may be added.
Referring to
Referring to
The plurality of rib sets 220, however, may be formed in different patterns than shown in
The container 210 of
Turning to
Referring specifically to
Similarly, second rib 244 of
To provide an improved locked container assembly, at least one of the rib sidewalls may have an optional undercut. As discussed above, such an undercut formed in the rib sidewall engages a similar undercut in the spaces formed between adjacent ribs when the container assembly is formed. For example, in
As discussed above, the number of undercuts formed in the rib sidewalls, if any, depends on several factors. It is contemplated that the ribs may have sidewalls with no undercuts or at least one undercut (e.g., first rib 242 with optional undercuts 290a, 292a in
Referring back to
It is contemplated that the shape and size of the plurality of ribs 220 may vary from that shown in
Referring specifically to
As discussed above with respect to
A container assembly 400 according to one embodiment of the present invention is depicted in
The container assembly 400 of
As discussed above with container assembly 100, the second container 410 is flipped 180 degrees relative to the first container 210 such that the containers 210, 410 are generally aligned and the rims 214, 414 are adjacent to each other. This flipped position of the container 410 relative to the container 210 is shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring specifically to
The plurality of ribs 620, however, may be formed in different patterns than shown in
Turning to
Similarly, second rib 620b of
To provide an improved locked container assembly, at least one of the rib sidewalls may have an undercut. Such an optional undercut formed in the rib sidewall engages a similar undercut in a corresponding space formed between adjacent ribs of a second container when the container assembly is formed. This is discussed below in further detail with respect to
The number of undercuts formed in the rib sidewalls, if any, depends on factors such as the desired leak-resistant, the type of closure mechanism, manufacturability of the container assemblies, and the material(s) type and thicknesses used in forming the container assemblies. For example, if the container assemblies are made of a first material that has a higher coefficient of friction than a second material, then the container made of the first material will likely need less undercuts in its sidewalls than the same container made with the second material to have the same holding strength. The number of undercuts used also depends on the fitness of use of the container assembly, including the holding strength thereof.
It is contemplated that the ribs may have sidewalls with no undercuts or at least one undercut (e.g., first rib 620a with optional undercuts 626a, 628a in
Referring to
In
It is contemplated that the shape and size of the plurality of ribs 620 may vary from that shown in
Referring back to
The optional seal feature, however, may be located inwardly from the ribs such that the seal is formed nearer the center of the container assembly as compared to the releasably lockable ribs. The optional seal feature may be formed in a variety of shapes, including a general conical shape.
A container assembly 700 according to one embodiment of the present invention is depicted in
The container assembly 700 of
The second container 710 is flipped 180 degrees relative to the first container 610 such that the containers 610, 710 are generally aligned and the rims 614, 714 are adjacent to each other. This flipped position of container 710 relative to the container 610 is shown in
Referring to
A container assembly 800 according to one embodiment of the present invention is depicted in
The container assembly 800 of
The second container 812 is flipped 180 degrees relative to the first container 810 such that the containers 810, 812 are generally aligned and the rims 816, 820 are adjacent to each other. This flipped position of container 812 relative to the container 810 is shown in
Referring to
According to one embodiment, the lip 822 of the rim 816 of the first container 810 is located nearer the periphery of the container assembly 800 and the lip 824 of the rim 820 of the second container 812 is located nearer the center of the container assembly 800 when the lips 822, 824 are rolled together. Rolling the lips 822, 824 of the rims 816, 820 together thus helps to further secure the container assembly 800 and forms an enhanced seal between the containers 810, 812 helping to secure the contents thereof.
According to another embodiment, the lip 822 of the rim 816 of the first container 810 is located nearer the center of the container assembly 800 and the lip 824 of the rim 820 of the second container 812 is located nearer the periphery of the container assembly 800 when the lips 822, 824 are rolled together. Rolling the lips 822, 824 of the rims 816, 820 together thus helps to further secure the container assembly 800 and forms an enhanced seal between the containers 810, 812 helping to secure the contents thereof.
According to one embodiment the lips of the rims are generally vertical. The generally vertical lips are at oriented so that an angle of from about zero degrees (0°) to about forty-five degrees (45°) is formed between the lips of the rims and a vertical axis.
According to an alternate embodiment the lips of the rims are generally horizontal. The generally horizontal lips are at oriented so that an angle of from about zero degrees (0°) to about forty-five degrees (45°) is formed between the lips of the rims and a horizontal axis.
A container assembly 900 according to one embodiment of the present invention is depicted in
The container assembly 900 of
The second container 912 is flipped 180 degrees relative to the first container 910 such that the containers 910, 912 are generally aligned and the rims 916, 920 are adjacent to each other. This flipped position of container 912 relative to the container 910 is shown in
Referring to
According to one embodiment, the lip 922 of the rim 916 is located nearer the periphery of the container assembly 900 and the lip 924 of the rim 920 is located nearer the center of the container assembly 900. Rolling the lips 922, 924 of the rims 916, 920 together thus helps to further secure the container assembly 900 and forms an enhanced seal between the containers 910, 912 helping to secure the contents thereof.
According to another embodiment, the lip 922 of the rim 916 is located nearer the center of the container assembly 900 and the lip 924 of the rim 920 is located nearer the periphery of the container assembly 900. Rolling the lips 922, 924 of the rims 916, 920 together thus helps to further secure the container assembly 900 and forms an enhanced seal between the containers 910, 912 helping to secure the contents thereof.
The strength of this lockable closure is dependent on many variables such as the number of the projecting ribs, the height of those ribs, whether undercuts are included, the size of the contact areas, the clearance needed between spaces and ribs, and the material(s) type and thickness used in forming the container assemblies. To improve the lockability of the container assembly, as discussed above, an optional sealing feature may be added.
The container assemblies of the present invention are typically formed from polymeric materials, but may be formed from materials such as paper or metal. The polymeric containers may be formed from polyolefins. The polymeric food containers are typically formed from orientated polystyrene (OPS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high-impact polystyrenes (HIPS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene and combinations thereof. The containers assemblies may be made from a mineral-filled polymeric material such as, for example, talc or calcium carbonate-filled polyolefin. An example of paper that may be used in forming the container assemblies is paperboard or molded fiber. Paperboard and molded fiber typically have a sufficient coefficient of friction to maintain the first and second containers in a lockable position.
As discussed, the materials used in forming the container assembly may assist in releasably locking the container assembly. For example, the material(s) forming the container assembly may have a fairly tacky laminate on one side that corresponds with a fairly tacky laminate on the opposing side, resulting in a desirable releasably lockable container assembly.
It is contemplated that the containers used in forming the container assemblies may be made from different materials. It is contemplated that one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other polymers or combination of polymers may be used to form the containers.
The container assemblies of the present invention are typically disposable, but it is contemplated that they may be reused at a future time. The containers used in forming the container assemblies (e.g., container 10) are shown as including one compartment. It is contemplated that the containers may be formed of multiple compartments. Such containers are desirable for placing items (e.g., food items) in different compartments to prevent or inhibit commingling of items. For example, undesirable mixing of food items can corrupt the flavor and the consistency of the food items.
As discussed above, the container assemblies may be used with food items. A method of using such container assemblies includes placing the food and locking the containers to form a container assembly with food therein. The container assembly is then placed in a heating apparatus and heated. Typical heating apparatuses include microwaves and conventional ovens. The container assemblies may contain solid food products. The container assemblies may be used for storage in the refrigerator and/or the freezer.
The containers to be used in forming the container assemblies of the present invention may be formed using conventional thermoforming (e.g., by pressure, vacuum or the combination thereof), injection-molding processes, or rotational molding. According to one method of thermoforming, pellets of a polymeric resin and additives, if any, are added into an extruder. The pellets of the polymeric resin and additives, if any, are melted to form a blend. The blend is extruded through a die to form an extruded sheet. The extruded sheet is thermoformed to a desired shape of a container to be used in forming the container assembly.
The thickness of the container to be used in forming the container assemblies generally ranges from about 0.002 to about 0.15 inch, but is typically from about 0.005 to about 0.04 inch. The container assemblies may be opaque or a variety of colors or color combinations. The container assemblies typically have at least one transparent container if it is desired for the customer to ascertain the nature of the accommodated product and the condition thereof without having to open the container assembly.
While particular embodiments and applications of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction and compositions disclosed herein and that various modifications, changes, and variations may be apparent from the foregoing descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
Claims
1. A container assembly, comprising:
- a first container including a first continuous body portion and a first rim, the first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion, the first rim terminating in a lip portion, the rim having a first plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that first spaces are formed between adjacent ribs; and
- a second container including a second continuous body portion and a second rim, the second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion, the second rim terminating in a lip portion, the rim having a second plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that second spaces are formed between adjacent ribs, the first container being shaped substantially the same as the second container;
- wherein the first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably lockable to each other by fitting the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective second spaces and fitting the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective first spaces; and
- wherein the lip portion of the first rim is adapted to be deflected towards the second container, and the lip portion of the second rim is adapted to be deflected towards the first container.
2. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second containers are bowls.
3. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second containers are plates.
4. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the first container is a bowl and the second container is a plate.
5. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the first and second containers are made of polymeric material.
7. The container assembly of claim 6, wherein the first and second containers are made of a mineral-filled polymeric material.
8. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second containers are paper.
9. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the first container is identical to the second container.
10. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs are generally perpendicular to the plane of the remainder of the respective rims.
11. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein each of the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs includes at least about 3 ribs.
12. The container assembly of claim 11, wherein each of the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs and the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs includes at least about 40 ribs.
13. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the lip portion of the first rim is generally vertical, and the lip portion of the second rim is generally vertical.
14. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the lip portion of the first rim is located outwardly of the lip portion of the second rim when the first rim has been deflected towards the second container and the second rim has been deflected towards the first container.
15. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the lip portion of the first rim is located inwardly of the lip portion of the second rim when the first rim has been deflected towards the second container and the second rim has been deflected towards the first container.
16. A container assembly, comprising:
- a first container including a first continuous body portion and a first rim, the first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion, the first rim terminating in a lip portion and
- a second container including a second continuous body portion and a second rim, the second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion, the second rim terminating in a lip portion, the second rim and the first rim being shaped substantially the same;
- wherein the first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably lockable to each other by deflecting the lip portion of the first rim towards the second container and deflecting the lip portion of the second rim towards the first container, such that the lip portion of the first rim of the first container frictionally engages the lip portion of the second rim of the second container.
17. The container assembly of claim 16, wherein the first and second containers are bowls.
18. The container assembly of claim 16, wherein the first and second containers are plates.
19. The container assembly of claim 16, wherein the first container is a bowl and the second container is a plate.
20. The container assembly of claim 16, wherein the first and second containers are made of polymeric material.
21. The container assembly of claim 20, wherein the first and second containers are made of a mineral-filled polymeric material.
22. The container assembly of claim 16, wherein the first rim is identical to the second rim.
23. The container assembly of claim 16, wherein the lip portion of the first rim is located outwardly of the lip portion of the second rim when the first rim has been deflected towards the second container and the second rim has been deflected towards the first container.
24. The container assembly of claim 16, wherein the lip portion of the first rim is located inwardly of the lip portion of the second rim when the first rim has been deflected towards the second container and the second rim has been deflected towards the first container.
25. The container assembly of claim 16, wherein the first and second containers are made of paper.
26. A method of forming an interlocking container assembly, the method comprising the acts of:
- providing a first container having a first continuous body portion and a first rim, the first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion, the first rim terminating in a lip portion, the rim having a first plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that first spaces are formed between adjacent ribs;
- providing a second container having a second continuous body portion and a second rim, the second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion, the second rim terminating in a lip portion, the rim having a second plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that second spaces are formed between adjacent ribs, the first container being shaped substantially the same as the second container;
- rotating one of the first or the second containers 180 degrees such that the second rim of the second container faces the first rim of the first container;
- fitting the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective second spaces and fitting the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective first spaces;
- deflecting the lip portion of the first rim towards the second container; and
- deflecting the lip portion of the second rim towards the first container.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the deflecting of the lip portion of the second rim positions the vertical lip portion of the second rim outwardly of the vertical lip portion of the first rim.
28. The method of claim 26, wherein the deflecting of the lip portion of the second rim positions the vertical lip portion of the second rim inwardly of the vertical lip portion of the first rim.
29. A method of forming an interlocking container assembly, the method comprising the acts of:
- providing a first container having a first continuous body portion and a first rim, the first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion, the first rim terminating in a lip portion;
- providing a second container having a second continuous body portion and a second rim, the second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion, the second rim terminating in a lip portion, the first container being shaped substantially the same as the second container;
- rotating the first container or the second container 180 degrees such that the second rim of the second container faces the first rim of the first container;
- deflecting the lip portion of the first rim towards the second container; and
- deflecting the lip portion of the second rim towards the first container such that the deflecting of the lip portion of the first rim and the deflecting of the lip portion of the second rim releasably locks the first container to the second container.
30. The method of claim 29, wherein the deflecting of the lip portion of the second rim positions the vertical lip portion of the second rim outwardly of the vertical lip portion of the first rim.
31. The method of claim 29, wherein the deflecting of the lip portion of the second rim positions the vertical lip portion of the second rim inwardly of the vertical lip portion of the first rim.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 25, 2006
Publication Date: Feb 1, 2007
Applicant:
Inventors: Richard Wambold (Lake Forest, IL), Deborah Oberst (Mundelein, IL), Thomas Hayes (McHenry, IL), Scott Brown (Winthrop Harbor, IL), H. Bernard Kirkland (Lindenhurst, IL)
Application Number: 11/492,413
International Classification: B65D 6/28 (20060101);