Container Base and Lid with Planar Area for Flat Application of Adhesive Membrane

Abstract

The embodiments provide a container of the type to hold fresh food or produce. Container has a base and a lid moveable with respect to the base between an open position and a closed position. The lid has a planar area. The base has a second planar area. In the closed position, the first planar and the second planar area include a substantially flat area suitable for receipt of an adhesive membrane, such as a self-adhesive label. The substantially flat area includes an edge of the first planar area and at least part of the second planar area.

Claims

1. A container comprising: a lid and base constructed from a formable material; the container having an open configuration and a substantially closed configuration wherein a cavity for containing contents within the container is defined between the lid and the base; the lid having a substantially flat lid top area, a lock projection extending from a placement area, and the placement area is substantially planar and adapted for receipt of a membrane placed on the container, the placement area having a first surface area located on the lid and external to the cavity, and a coverable gap, void of the formable material, located adjacent to the first surface area; the base having a floor area defining a substantially planar geometric plane and a rim portion including a base extension with a second surface area; wherein a first portion of the membrane covers at least a part of the coverable gap and, a second portion of the membrane covers at least a part of the first surface area of the lid, and the lock projection is covered by, and projects away from, the membrane; and wherein, in the substantially closed configuration, the substantially flat lid top area is disposed substantially externally with respect to the cavity, disposed substantially parallel to the floor area of the base, facing away from the floor area, the placement area faces away from the substantially planar geometric plane, a lock receiver of the base contacts a section of the lock projection of the lid adjacent to the placement area to secure the lid to the base, a portion of the second surface area is within the coverable gap of the placement area and faces the membrane, the first portion of the membrane is substantially coplanar to the second portion of the membrane, and the first portion of the membrane covers the portion of the second surface area within the coverable gap.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the placement area a has a plurality of geometric normal vectors oriented perpendicular to the placement area, and wherein, when the container is in substantially closed configuration, the plurality of geometric normal vectors are non-intersecting with the substantially planar geometric plane.

3. The container of claim 1 further comprising the lid having an additional lock projection extending from the placement area and the base having an additional lock receiver, wherein, in the substantially closed configuration, the additional lock receiver of the base contacts the additional lock projection of the lid adjacent to the placement area to secure the lid to the base.

4. The container of claim 1 wherein in the substantially closed configuration, the second surface area of the base extension is substantially coplanar with the first surface area of the lid.

5. The container of claim 1 wherein the lid includes a third surface area oriented non-coplanar to the first surface area, and the membrane is directly secured to each of the first, second, and third surface areas.

6. The container of claim 1 further comprising the cavity containing the contents, wherein the contents are selected from a group consisting of fresh food and produce.

7. The container of claim 1 further comprising the lid and base rotatably coupled via a hinge; wherein the base extension is in a fixed position relative to the hinge when the container is in both the open configuration and the substantially closed configuration.

8. The container of claim 1 wherein a hole wholly disposed within the placement area of the lid defines the coverable gap.

9. The container of claim 1 wherein the membrane includes an area of weakness in the first portion of the membrane and the area of weakness is adjacent to an edge of the coverable gap.

10. A container for containing contents for retail sale, the container comprising: a lid, a base, and a label; the label having a flat label portion; the base and the lid both being constructed from a formable material having two substantially opposite surface sides defining a material thickness between the two substantially opposite surface sides; wherein, the lid is moveable relative to the base about a hinge to transition the container between a closed configuration and an open configuration to facilitate access to the contents in an interior cavity within the container; the base having a floor area defining a substantially planar geometric plane and configured to rest on a supportive flat surface area, a sidewall extending from the floor area to a rim of the sidewall, a base extension extending from the rim of the sidewall, and the base extension having an exposed surface area that is substantially flat and a contact surface area orientated at an angle relative to the exposed surface area; the lid having a placement area adapted to receive the flat label portion, the placement area including a coverable gap substantially void of the formable material, a first planar area having an edge with a first edge part adjacent the coverable gap and a second edge part adjacent a lid projection, wherein the coverable gap is disposed adjacent to the first planar area, and the lid projection extending at an angle from the first planar area and away from the placement area, wherein the lid projection extends  from  a first surface point that is  on the lid,  adjacent to the second edge part,  bordered by the second edge part, and  more distant from the first edge part than the second edge part  to  a second surface point more distant from the flat label portion than the first surface point; the flat label portion having a display side, an adhesive, and an attachment side located opposite the display side, contacting the adhesive, attached to the first planar area of the lid, covering the first edge part of the edge of the first planar area, covering and spanning across the coverable gap, and substantially coplanar to the first planar area; and wherein, when the container is in closed configuration, the first planar area of the placement area is external with respect to the interior cavity and faces a general direction which is non-intersecting, with respect to the substantially planar geometric plane defined by the floor area, the exposed surface area of the base extension is adjacent the coverable gap, oriented towards the attachment side of the flat label portion, and substantially covering and spanning across the coverable gap, and the lid projection is covered by the flat label portion and contacting the contact surface area of the base extension.

11. The container of claim 10 wherein the first edge part is convex and the second edge part is concave.

12. The container of claim 10 wherein the first planar area has a plurality of geometric normal vectors oriented perpendicular to the first planar area, and wherein, when the container is in the closed configuration, the plurality of geometric normal vectors are oriented away from the substantially planar geometric plane.

13. The container of claim 10 wherein the lid has a flat lid top area, the label has a planar label portion secured to the flat lid top area, and wherein, in the closed configuration, the flat lid top area is disposed parallel to the substantially planar geometric plane.

14. The container of claim 10 wherein the contents contained within the container are fresh produce for retail sale.

15. The container of claim 10 wherein the coverable gap is circumscribed by a lid hole wholly disposed within the first planar area.

16. The container of claim 10 wherein the lid has a second planar area that is disposed parallel to the substantially planar geometric plane when the container is in the closed configuration, the lid has a third planar area adjacent to the hinge, and the second planar area is located between the first planar area and the third planar area.

17. The container of claim 16 wherein the label is directly secured to each of the first, second, and third planar areas of the lid.

18. The container of claim 16 wherein the second planar area has a length and a width, and the first planar area is separated from the third planar area by the width of the second planar area.

19. The container of claim 10 wherein the base, lid, and hinge have a unitary construction of the formable material.

20. The container of claim 10 wherein the base includes a plurality of ribs adapted hold the contents.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The embodiments will now be described in relation to certain non-limiting examples thereof in the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0032] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a first embodiment of container, showing a lid, hinged to the base in the open position;

[0033] FIG. 2 corresponds to the embodiment in FIG. 1, but showing the lid in the closed position;

[0034] FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, with the lid in the closed position;

[0035] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of container, having a lid separate from the base;

[0036] FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the embodiment in FIG. 4;

[0037] FIG. 6 is a detail of the circled portion of FIG. 4;

[0038] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

[0039] FIG. 8 is a front elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

[0040] FIG. 9 is a side elevation of the embodiment of FIG. 4;

[0041] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a further embodiment in the open position;

[0042] FIG. 11 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 10, showing the lid in the closed position;

[0043] FIG. 12 is a top plan view of a further embodiment in the open position;

[0044] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 12 in the closed position;

[0045] FIG. 14 is a top plan view of a further embodiment in the open position;

[0046] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 14 in the closed position;

[0047] FIG. 16 is a top plan view of a further embodiment in the open position;

[0048] FIG. 17 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 16 in the closed position;

[0049] FIG. 18 is a side elevation of a further embodiment, where the first and second planar areas are at an angle to the base and lid, the lid being in the open position in this Figure;

[0050] FIG. 19 shows the embodiment of FIG. 18, with the lid in the closed position;

[0051] FIG. 20 is a side elevation of a further embodiment where the first and second planar areas are at an angle to the lid and base, showing the open position;

[0052] FIG. 21 shows the embodiment in FIG. 20 in the closed position;

[0053] FIG. 22 is a top plan view of a further embodiment wherein the lid is in more than one part, showing the lid parts in the open position;

[0054] FIG. 23 shows the FIG. 22 embodiment with the lid parts in the closed position;

[0055] FIG. 24 is a top plan view of a further embodiment, showing the open position;

[0056] FIG. 25 shows the FIG. 24 embodiment in the closed position;

[0057] FIG. 26 shows yet a further embodiment, being a top plan view in the open position; and

[0058] FIG. 27 shows the FIG. 26 embodiment in the closed position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Referring first to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the first embodiment of the container, designated generally as 10, has a base 12 and a lid 14, hinged to base 12 at hinge 16. Rims 15 have ramp portions 17.

[0060] Base 12 has upwardly extending sidewalls 18 defining an opening 20 through which products are inserted into container 10 before lid 14 is closed. At the top end of walls 18 of base 12 are rims 22 (refer FIG. 1), each of which has a ramp portion 23.

[0061] Lid 14 in this embodiment has a first planar area 24 which, in this embodiment, comprises virtually the whole of lid 14. The second planar area is formed by rim portion 26 which, as can be seen in FIG. 1, is wider than rims 22. Ramp portion 23 is inclined upwardly from rim 22 to rim 26.

[0062] In the closed position, illustrated in FIG. 2, first planar area 24 has mated with second planar area—rim 26—to form a substantially flat area in which edge 28 of lid 14 has mated with rim 26 of base 12, chamfer 30 being formed between them, using ramp portion 23. Adhesive label 32 is shown in place in FIG. 2.

[0063] As can be seen in FIG. 1, sidewalls 18 of base 12 are tapered towards floor 34, corners 36 being rounded as illustrated. Margin 15 on lid 14 can include locking means to lock lid 14 to base 12 via rims 22.

[0064] Turning now to the second embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 9, the container, designated generally as 40, has a base 42 and a separate lid 44, with upwardly extending side walls 48 defining an opening 50 through which product may be inserted before lid 44 is closed. Base 42 has a rim 52 with a pair of enlarged portions 56, comprising in this embodiment second planar areas.

[0065] Lid 44 has a first planar area 54 defined by ribs 38 and edges 55.

[0066] A single label (not shown) can extend over the whole of first planar area 54 and both second planar areas 56. Alternately, two separate labels may be used, the first covering part of first planar area 54 and one of the adjacent second planar areas 56, while the over covers part of first planar area 54 and the adjacent second planar area 56, leaving free central portion 46 of lid 44.

[0067] As shown in FIG. 6, each of second planar areas 56 may include an aperture or recess 58. A sharp object may be inserted through a label (not shown) covering first planar area 54, second planar area 56 and aperture 58, to tear the label through aperture 58, to assist in removing lid 44 from base 42.

[0068] In this embodiment, lid 44 also includes removal tabs 62, to assist in removing lid 44 from base 42.

[0069] Container 40 may include vents (not shown) and depression 64 in floor 66 of base 42, as desired (refer FIG. 8). Container 40 may also include one or more recessed portions in lid 44. These may be included in central portion 46 or in another desired location. It is preferred that any such recessed portion is sealed by a label.

[0070] A third embodiment is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, where container 70 has base 72 hinged to lid 74 at 16. Lid 74 is cut away at 76 and base 72 has flat portions 78. As can be seen in FIG. 11, when lid 74 is closed on base 72, cut aways 76 leave flat portions 78 exposed. When a label 60, shown in dotted outline in FIG. 11, is placed over first planar area 68 of lid 74 and over flat portion 78 (second planar areas) of base 72, lid 74 is effectively sealed to base 72. Flat portions 78 stand proud of rim 22, so that when exposed by cut-outs 76 of lid 74, first planar area 68 is substantially co-planar with flat portions 78.

[0071] The next embodiment in FIGS. 12 and 13 is similar to that in FIGS. 10 and 11 and the same numbers have been used to indicate the same or similar parts, with the addition of the letter “a”. Whereas in the FIGS. 10 and 11 embodiment the cut-away portions 76 on lid 74 were centered in an edge of lid 74, in the FIGS. 12 and 13 embodiment cut-away portions 76a are located in two opposite corners of lid 74a.

[0072] Similarly, flat portions 78a are located at corners of base 72a.

[0073] As was the case with the previous embodiment, when lid 74a is closed on base 72a, flat portions 78a are substantially co-planar with first planar area 68a.

[0074] The next embodiment shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 shows container 80 having base 82 and lid 84. Base 82 has narrow rims 22 and expanded rim 86. Expanded rim 86 includes further portion 88 with hang sell hole 90, to enable container 80 to be displayed on a hanger.

[0075] Expanded rim 86 is designed so that, when lid 84 is closed on container 82, expanded rim 86 is substantially co-planar with lid 84, which in this embodiment comprises the first planar area.

[0076] As can be seen in FIG. 15, label 60 can be affixed to cover the right-hand side of lid 84 and expanded rim 86.

[0077] The embodiment in FIGS. 16 and 17 is similar to that shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and 12 and 13. The same labels will be used to designate the same or similar parts, with the addition of the letter “b”.

[0078] Container 70b has base 72b and lid 74b, hinged at 16. Cut-away 76b on lid 74b is designed to expose flat portion 78b on base 72b in the closed position (FIG. 17). Flat portion 78b stands proud of rim 22 so that first planar area 68b is substantially co-planar with flat portion 78b.

[0079] This embodiment includes lock lugs 92 designed for a friction fit into lock recesses 94 on base 72b. As can be seen from FIG. 17, when label 60 is affixed, it covers not only first planar area 68b and flat portion 78b but also lock lugs 92.

[0080] The embodiments in FIGS. 18 to 21 illustrate how the first and second planar areas may be disposed at an angle to the lid and to a rim on the base.

[0081] Referring first to FIGS. 18 and 19, container 100 has lid 104 hinged to base 102 at 16. Lid 104 includes extension 106 which, in use, is inclined upwardly at an obtuse angle from lid 104.

[0082] Base 102 has rim 22 which has extension 108, in use inclined at an obtuse angle from rim 22.

[0083] In the closed position, extension 106 is designed to mate with extension 108. Extension 106 has one or more cut-outs, similar to those already illustrated in FIGS. 10 to 13 or 16 and 17, so that a flat label 60 applied to extension 106 will bind extension 106 to extension 108, exposed by the cut-out or cut-outs.

[0084] The embodiment in FIGS. 20 and 21 is a variation of that in FIGS. 18 and 19 and the same labels will be used, with the addition of the letter “a”. In this embodiment, lid 104a ends in flat portion 106a. Rim 22 on base 102a has a downwardly extending extension 108a.

[0085] In the closed position, extension 106a mates with extension 108a along margin 98 to provide a substantially co-planar surface 96 on which a label 60 (not shown) may be placed to seal lid 104a to base 102a.

[0086] It will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the embodiments in FIGS. 18 to 21 may be adapted to containers with separate lids. In that case, it is preferred that there are two extensions 106 (or 106a) and two extensions 108 (or 108a).

[0087] Reference is now made to the embodiment in FIGS. 22 and 23. In this embodiment, container 110 has base 112 as shown in FIG. 22. However, the lid is in two parts, 114a and 114b. Lid part 114a is hinged to base 112 at 16a while lid part 114b is hinged to base 112 at hinge 16b.

[0088] Each of lid parts 114a and 114b has a pair of cut-aways, 116a and 116b. When lid parts 114a and 114b are in the closed position as shown in FIG. 23, cut-aways 116a and 116b expose flat portions 118 on base 112. Lid parts 114a and 114b may meet or overlap in known manner, for example as described in Australian patent specification No 2003234951, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Nevertheless, each of lid parts 114a and 114b provide a first planar area which is substantially co-planar with flat portion 118 on base 112. In this way, when lid parts 114a and 114b are in the closed position, label 60 can be applied on the substantially flat area so provided.

[0089] Referring now the embodiment in FIGS. 24 and 25, container 130 has base 122 hinged to lid 124 at hinge 16. Lid 124 has diecut holes 126. Lid 124 is generally flat to provide the first planar area.

[0090] Base 122 has formed sections 128, the top, flat part of which comprise the second planar areas. As can be seen by FIG. 25, in the closed position formed sections 128 mate with diecut holes 126 to form a substantially flat surface. A label (not shown) may be applied to cover both formed sections 128 and the intervening part of lid 124. Alternately, separate labels may be applied.

[0091] The embodiment in FIGS. 26 to 27 is similar to that in FIGS. 24 to 25; however, in container 140 in FIGS. 26 to 27, base 132 is separate from lid 134. In addition, there are four diecut holes 136 and correspondingly four formed sections 138. Like the embodiment in FIGS. 24 and 25, when lid 134 which is of the “outside fitting” type, is placed on base 132, sections 138 protrude into diecut holes 136 to provide a substantially flat area for label application.

[0092] It will be appreciated from the various embodiments described above that the container can be produced in a wide number of forms and that, in addition, a single form may be suitable for application of different types of labels. Lids may be hinged or separate.

[0093] Lids may be substantially flat or they may be shaped, with ridges, ribs, domes as non-limiting examples of shaping. Especially in the case of substantially flat lids, these may be designed to mate with the base so that the second planar area or areas can appear on, for example, opposing sides of the lid, opposing corners of the lid or on one side of the lid, opposite the hinge. In the case of a lid which is a dual lid, with two hinges, the second planar areas may be on two opposing sides (viewing the closed lid in plain view), or on four corners, for example.

[0094] In the case of a separate lid, once again viewing the container in plain view in the closed position, the second planar areas may be in each of four corners, on two opposing sides, on two diagonal corners, around all four sides or separately on each of four sides. These are a selection only of possible combinations. Others will be apparent to one skilled in the art.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0095] The container can be adapted to any currently known container design, whether having a single lid or a multi-part lid. The embodiments allow for manual or high speed automatic closure and flat, self-adhesive label application providing tamper evidence, while at the same time employing a minimum number of moving parts.

[0096] The container can offer important tamper evidence capabilities while maintaining minimal obstruction of vision through the container lid. For certain applications, the container will also allow alternate graphic methods to be successfully used, such as pre-printing, branding and nutritional information onto the lid area, thus reducing label requirements to a smaller, basic tamper evident label only.