METAL CONTAINER WITH LID ATTACHMENT FLANGE

Abstract

A metal container bottom for holding contents such as spices is provided. The metal container bottom may be used with a plastic lid. The metal bottom has a formed end that includes a connection hook for securing the bottom to a lid.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/839,697, filed Jun. 26, 2013, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/887,085, filed Oct. 4, 2013, the entire teachings and disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention generally relates to containers and particularly to metal spice containers.

BACKGROUND

Containers, such as spice containers, will typically have lids through which product is dispensed. It is often difficult to attach a lid to a container bottom in an economical and secure way. More particularly, the connection elements between the lid and the container bottom can be complex. Embodiments of the present invention relate to improvements in the art in spice containers, container bottoms and securing lids to a container bottom.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one embodiment, a container including a container lid and a container bottom is provided. The container lid defines a mounting channel. The container bottom includes a generally tubular sidewall. The container bottom also includes a formed top end. The formed top end includes a top shoulder that is interconnected between a radially inward extending connection hook and the tubular sidewall. The formed top end is axially received into the mounting channel to secure the container lid to the container bottom.

In one embodiment, the connection hook is not a curled end of the sidewall.

In one embodiment, the connection hook is formed as a generally planar flange portion.

In another embodiment, a container bottom is provided. The container bottom includes a generally tubular sidewall. The container bottom also includes a formed top end. The formed end includes a top shoulder and a radially inward extending connection hook. The top shoulder is interconnected between the tubular sidewall and the connection hook.

In one embodiment, the connection hook is directly connected to the top shoulder. The top shoulder forms a distal end of the container bottom.

In one embodiment, the connection hook extends at an angle of between about 15 and 45 degrees relative to the tubular sidewall.

In one embodiment, the tubular sidewall has a generally rectangular periphery defined by pairs of parallel sides and four rounded corners. The connection hook extends at an angle of about zero degrees relative to the tubular sidewall proximate the corners and at an angle of between about 15 and 45 degrees adjacent the sides.

In one embodiment, the tubular sidewall has edges thereof welded together to secure the sidewall in its tubular form.

In one embodiment, the tubular sidewall has edges thereof that are mechanically interlocked using a mechanical hem to secure the sidewall in its tubular form.

In one embodiment, the tubular sidewall has a generally rectangular periphery defined by pairs of parallel sides and four rounded corners, the connection hook being substantially continuous entirely around the tubular sidewall.

In one embodiment, the connection hook extends at an angle of between 10 and 20 degrees proximate the sides and the four rounded corners.

In another embodiment, a container including a container lid and a container bottom is provided. The container lid defines a mounting channel. The container bottom includes a generally tubular sidewall and a formed top end. The formed top end includes a top shoulder and a radially inward extending connection hook. The top shoulder is interconnected between the tubular sidewall and the connection hook.

In one embodiment, the connection hook is directly connected to the top shoulder. The top shoulder forms a distal end of the container bottom.

In one embodiment, the connection hook extends at an angle of between about 15 and 45 degrees relative to the tubular sidewall.

In one embodiment, the tubular sidewall has a generally rectangular periphery defined by pairs of parallel sides and four rounded corners. The connection hook extends at an angle of about zero degrees relative to the tubular sidewall proximate the corners and at an angle of between about 15 and 45 degrees adjacent the sides.

In one embodiment, the tubular sidewall has edges thereof welded together to secure the sidewall in its tubular form.

In one embodiment, the tubular sidewall has edges thereof that are mechanically interlocked using a mechanical hem to secure the sidewall in its tubular form.

In one embodiment, the formed top end includes a radially inward stepped portion and an extension portion. The radially inward stepped portion is interposed between the sidewall and the extension portion and the extension portion is interposed between the shoulder and the radially inward stepped portion.

In one embodiment, the shoulder and the extension portion are positioned radially inward of the inner surface of the sidewall.

In one embodiment, the extension portion is generally parallel to the sidewall.

In one embodiment, the mounting channel of the container lid is formed between an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall that extend axially from a lid body. The formed end is received between the inner and outer sidewalls when the container lid is mounted to the container bottom.

In one embodiment, the inner sidewall of the container lid includes a radially outward extending projection forming an undercut region that receives the connection hook when the container lid is mounted to the container bottom.

In one embodiment, the radially outward extending projection includes a plurality of rib. A distal end of the connection hook engages the ribs when the container lid is mounted to the container bottom.

In one embodiment, the radially outward extending projection includes a tapered surface from which the ribs extend. The tapered surface of the radially outward extending projection extends at a non-parallel angle to the sidewall of the container bottom.

In one embodiment, the sidewall and the formed end are formed from a single, continuous piece of material.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional illustration of a container in accord with an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional illustration of the formed top of the container bottom;

FIG. 3 is a top view of the container bottom of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged cross-sectional illustration of the connection between the container bottom and container lid of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional illustration of the corner where the container lid is mounted to the container bottom;

FIG. 6 is a cut-away illustration of a container bottom according to an alternative embodiment;

FIGS. 7A, 7B, 8, 9 and 11 illustrate the progression of forming an alternative embodiment of the container which can also be used for prior embodiments; and

FIGS. 10 and 12 are enlarged portions of FIGS. 9 and 11.

While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a metal spice container 100 in cross-section. The metal spice container 100 is used for holding spices or other product. The spice container 100 includes a container bottom 102 (also referred to as a “container body”) and a container lid 104. The container lid 104 is molded plastic.

The container bottom 102 is preferably formed from sheet metal and defines a generally rectangular periphery. The container bottom 102 of this embodiment has a sidewall 106 that has a welded seam. More particularly, a blank of sheet metal will be folded to form a tube. The tube will be welded along two side edges that are aligned to secure the sheet metal in the tube shape.

The container bottom 102 has a formed top open end 108. The formed top open end 108 is configured to secure the container lid 104 to the container bottom 102. However, the formed top open end 108 is configured to be simpler and easier to manufacture than prior designs.

With principle reference to FIG. 2, the formed top open end 108 includes a first transition 110 that extends at a taper to sidewall 106. The taper extends at an angle A of about 130 to about 170 degrees relative to the sidewall 106. The taper 110 and sidewall 106 have a first radius 112 that connects the two portions of the container bottom 102.

At the opposite end of the taper 110 from first radius 112 is a second radius 114. An extension portion 116 extends at a second angle B relative to the taper 110. Angle B is such that the extension portion 116 is generally parallel to sidewall 106 but positioned radially inward from sidewall 106.

A shoulder 120, or third radius, is at the end of the extension portion 116. The shoulder 120 forms a top or end of the container bottom 102. A connection flange in the form of connection hook 130 is on the opposite end of shoulder 120 as extension portion 116. The connection hook is directly connected to shoulder 120. The connection hook 130 is generally planar and extends at an angle D of between about 20 degrees and 40 degrees and is preferably about 30 degrees relative to sidewall 102. The connection hook 130 extends downwardly into the open volume 129 of the container bottom substantially equal to the location of second radius 114 if not axially further into the container bottom 102.

With additional reference to FIG. 3, the connection hook 130 will have a different profile along the parallel sides 132, 134 of the rectangular container bottom 102 than through the corners 136 that connect the parallel sides 132, 134. This prevents scalloping of the shoulder 120 or connection hook 130 through these portions due to the forming process. More particularly, and with reference to FIG. 5, the free end 131 of the connection hook 130 will not be positioned as far radially inward through the corners as adjacent the straight sides 132, 134. Through the corners 136, the connection hook 130 will extend substantially parallel to extension portion 116 and sidewall 106 such that shoulder 120 forms a substantially 180 degree bend. There is a transition region 170 where the connection hook 130 transitions from that shown in FIG. 2 to that shape illustrated in FIG. 5.

FIG. 4 illustrates is an enlarged illustration of the container lid 104 secured to the container bottom 102. The container lid 104, generally closes the open formed end 108 of the container bottom 102 to secure the contents therein. The container lid 104 will typically include one or more flaps for allowing a user to access contents stored in the container 100 and then selectively reclose the container 100 when finished.

The container lid 104 includes a pair of sidewalls 140, 142 that extend axially from a lid body 143 to define a mounting channel 144 therebetween that receives the formed top open end 108 of the container bottom 102. Sidewalls 140, 144 are generally annular such that the mounting channel 144 is a substantially an annular channel.

Sidewall 140 is an outer sidewall and is radially outward from sidewall 142 which is an inner sidewall. Outer sidewall 140 is axially shorter than the inner sidewall 142 to form a mouth 146 of the mounting channel 144 to receive the formed top open end 108 of the container bottom 102 during assembly.

The inner sidewall 142 includes a radially outward projection 150 proximate a distal end thereof opposite lid body 143. This projection 150 forms an undercut region 152 that receives the connection hook 130 when the components are assembled. The projection 150 includes a first tapered surface 154 that tapers radially outward when moving in an axially outward direction, or axially towards the lid body 143 and shoulder 120. This first tapered surface 154 acts as a guide when mounting the container lid 104 to the container bottom. The projection 150 includes a second tapered surface 156 that is generally opposite the first tapered surface 154. The second tapered surface 156 tapers radially inward when moving in an axially outward direction, or axially toward the lid body 143 and shoulder 120.

One or more ribs 158 may be formed on or as part of the second tapered surface 156. These ribs 158 may crush or otherwise deform when the container lid is attached to the container bottom 102 and particularly engage with a free distal end of the connection hook 130. This arrangement assists in locking or otherwise securing the container lid 104 to the container bottom 102. The ribs 158 may have a tapered top surface 160 that is generally parallel to second tapered surface 156. The angle of the second tapered surface 156 relative to the angle of the connection hook 130 acts like a one way connection. More particularly, the tapers allow the open formed end 108 to be mounted into channel 144 but prevent the container lid from being removed.

More particularly, during mounting, the connection hook 130 is able to resiliently flex through top shoulder 120 radially outward, i.e. towards sidewall 106 as the connection hook 130 passes by the radially outer most portion 181 of the projection 150 and then to flex back radially inward once the free end of the connection hook 130 has passed the outer most portion 181 of the projection 150. The sidewalls 140, 142 of the container lid 102 may flex radially way from one another during mounting as well However, when a user would try to pull the container lid 104 from the container bottom, the axial force would bias the second tapered surface 156 into the free end of the connection hook 130 and tend to cause the connection hook 130 to want to flex such that its free end would be biased radially inward toward the inner sidewall 142 to oppose removal of the container lid 102 from the container bottom.

Outer sidewall 140 also includes a tapered inner surface 164 that further facilitates mounting of the container lid 104.

The mounting channel 144 has a bottom 168 that is axially biased against an outer surface of shoulder 120 when assembled. This contact provides a seal between the container lid 104 and container bottom 102. The contact also occurs through corners 136 even though the connection hook 130 is not engaged with the container lid 104 through corners 136.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the inner sidewall 142 does not include projection 146 through the corners.

The bottom panel 174 of the container bottom 102, illustrated in FIG. 1, is preferably sheet metal formed from a separate component that is mechanically attached to the bottom end of sidewall 106 of the container bottom 102. In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom panel 174 is mechanically attached by a mechanical locking between the sidewall 106 and an outer peripheral portion of the bottom panel 174.

While the present formed top end 108 finds particular use in a container where the container bottom uses a welding process to form the tubular sidewall 106 because there is not an excess of material present at the formed top end 108 at a mechanical joint, a mechanical joint to form the tubular sidewall 106 can be used.

FIG. 6 illustrates a portion of a sidewall 206 of a container bottom 202 that uses a mechanical lock seam 203 to secure the sheet metal in the tubular form. In such an embodiment, a notch 209 will be formed between adjacent ends 229A, 229B of the connection hook 230 to reduce the amount of metal present at the mechanical lock seam 203. The removal of material may extend all the way to the shoulder that forms the top end of the container bottom 202.

In one embodiment that utilizes a mechanical hem/lock to form the tubular form of sidewall 206, the notch is formed axially down through the shoulder and the extension portion as this portion of the container bottom 202 will be hidden by an attached container lid.

The typical dimensions of this type of container would have a height of between about 1 and 6 inches, a width of between about ½ and 3 inches and a length of between about 1 and 4 inches. Further, the transition 110 may be formed by radially expanding the dimensions of the sidewall 106 rather than compressing the extension portion 116 radially inward.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 8-10 show the progression of the formation of an alternative embodiment of a metal spice container bottom 302, similar to the previously discussed designs. This embodiment is based on the use of a welding process to weld edges of the metal blank to one another to form a tube shape.

The use of the welding process, allows, in some embodiments, the transition regions in the corners of the container bottom 302 to be eliminated. This welded design also eliminates the notch discussed above with regard to FIG. 6. It is contemplated that the elimination of these features from the connection hook of the resulting container bottom will provide increased locking engagement with a same container lid. This is because the portions of the connection hook adjacent each side of the sidewall will act less like independent flanges and gain some potential hoop strength. The use of this welded embodiment allows for the connection hook 330 to be a continuous structure around the entire container bottom 302.

In FIGS. 7A and 7B, a metal blank of thin sheet metal is formed in to a substantially rectangular tube 302A that is a welded body. Prior to being formed into the rectangular tube shape, the welded body may take other shapes such as round, oval, obround, etc.

In FIG. 8, the rectangular tube 302A has the body portion 302B expanded radially outward to form first radius 312 and forming an extension portion 316A. Additionally, the bottom 302C of the rectangular tube 302A is flared at a substantially 90 degree angle forming a radially outward extending flange portion.

In FIG. 9, the extension portion 316A is bent to form a hooked configuration and particularly to form shoulder 320 and connection hook 330. With reference to FIG. 10, the vertical height H of the connection hook 330 is between 0.05 and 0.1 inches and preferably about 0.07 inches. The radius of shoulder 320 is preferably 0.007 inches. The new angle α5 between the extension portion 316 and the connection hook 330 is preferably between about 10 degrees and 20 degrees and more preferably about 15 degrees. The width W1 of taper portion 310 is between about 0.025 and 0.04 inches and preferably about 0.03 inches. The width W2 of the shoulder 320 is preferably between about 0.01 and 0.02 and more preferably about 0.014 inches. The width W3 of the connection hook 330 and the shoulder 320 is preferably between about 0.02 and 0.04 inches and preferably about 0.031 inches. The radius R4 of the second radius 314 is preferably between about 0.005 and 0.015 and more preferably about 0.01 inches. The height H1 of extension portion 316 is preferably between about 0.045 and 0.065 inches and preferably about 0.058 inches.

With reference to FIG. 11, the process includes adding a seamed on bottom 351 to form container bottom 302. Additionally, FIG. 11 illustrates the container lid 304 attached thereto.

FIG. 12 illustrates the container lid 304 attached to container bottom 302. In this embodiment, outer sidewall 340 has a width W6 of between about 0.03 and 0.04 inches and preferably is about 0.036 inches. Projection 350 has a width W7 of between about 0.02 inches and 0.03 inches and preferably about 0.024 inches. The mounting channel 344 has a width W9 of between about 0.015 inches and 0.025 inches and is more preferably about 0.021 inches proximate bottom 368. Width W8 of the inner sidewall 342 is between about 0.02 and 0.03 inches and is preferably about 0.025 inches. The height H5 of the mounting mouth 344 is between about 0.07 and 0.08 inches and is preferably 0.074 when measured above the projection 350.

All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

a container lid that defines a mounting channel;

a container bottom including: a generally tubular sidewall; a formed top end including a top shoulder that is interconnected between a radially inward extending connection hook and the tubular sidewall, the formed top end is axially received into the mounting channel to secure the container lid to the container bottom.

2. A container bottom comprising:

a generally tubular sidewall;

a formed top end including: a top shoulder and a radially inward extending connection hook, the top shoulder is interconnected between the tubular sidewall and the connection hook.

3. The container bottom of claim 2, wherein the connection hook is directly connected to the top shoulder, the top shoulder forming a distal end of the container bottom.

4. The container bottom of claim 3, wherein the connection hook extends at an angle of between about 15 and 45 degrees relative to the tubular sidewall.

5. The container bottom of claim 2, wherein the tubular sidewall has a generally rectangular periphery defined by pairs of parallel sides and four rounded corners, the connection hook extends at an angle of about zero degrees relative to the tubular sidewall proximate the corners and at an angle of between about 15 and 45 degrees adjacent the sides.

6. The container bottom of claim 2, wherein the tubular sidewall has edges thereof welded together to secure the sidewall in its tubular form.

7. The container bottom of claim 2, wherein the tubular sidewall has edges thereof that are mechanically interlocked using a mechanical hem to secure the sidewall in its tubular form.

8. The container of claim 2, wherein the tubular sidewall has a generally rectangular periphery defined by pairs of parallel sides and four rounded corners, the connection hook being substantially continuous entirely around the tubular sidewall.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the connection hook extends at an angle of between 10 and 20 degrees proximate the sides and the four rounded corners.

10. A container comprising:

a container lid that defines a mounting channel; and

a container bottom including: a generally tubular sidewall; a formed top end including: a top shoulder and a radially inward extending connection hook, the top shoulder is interconnected between the tubular sidewall and the connection hook.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein the connection hook is directly connected to the top shoulder, the top shoulder forming a distal end of the container bottom.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein the connection hook extends at an angle of between about 15 and 45 degrees relative to the tubular sidewall.

13. The container of claim 10, wherein the tubular sidewall has a generally rectangular periphery defined by pairs of parallel sides and four rounded corners, the connection hook extends at an angle of about zero degrees relative to the tubular sidewall proximate the corners and at an angle of between about 15 and 45 degrees adjacent the sides.

14. The container of claim 10, wherein the tubular sidewall has edges thereof welded together to secure the sidewall in its tubular form.

15. The container of claim 10, wherein the tubular sidewall has edges thereof that are mechanically interlocked using a mechanical hem to secure the sidewall in its tubular form.

16. The container of claim 10, wherein the formed top end includes a radially inward stepped portion and an extension portion, the radially inward stepped portion is interposed between the sidewall and the extension portion and the extension portion is interposed between the shoulder and the radially inward stepped portion.

17. The container of claim 16, wherein the shoulder and the extension portion are positioned radially inward of the inner surface of the sidewall.

18. The container of claim 17, wherein the extension portion is generally parallel to the sidewall.

19. The container of claim 10, wherein the mounting channel of the container lid is formed between an inner sidewall and an outer sidewall that extend axially from a lid body, the formed end being received between the inner and outer sidewalls when the container lid is mounted to the container bottom.

20. The container of claim 19, wherein the inner sidewall of the container lid includes a radially outward extending projection forming an undercut region that receives the connection hook when the container lid is mounted to the container bottom.

21. The container of claim 20, wherein the radially outward extending projection includes a plurality of ribs, a distal end of the connection hook engaging the ribs when the container lid is mounted to the container bottom.

22. The container of claim 21, wherein the radially outward extending projection includes a tapered surface from which the ribs extend, the tapered surface of the radially outward extending projection extending at a non-parallel angle to the sidewall of the container bottom.

23. The container of claim 10, wherein the sidewall and the formed end are formed from a single, continuous piece of material.

24. The container of claim 10, wherein the tubular sidewall has a generally rectangular periphery defined by pairs of parallel sides and four rounded corners, the connection hook being substantially continuous entirely around the tubular sidewall.

25. The container of claim 24, wherein the connection hook extends at an angle of between 10 and 20 degrees proximate the sides and the four rounded corners.