CONTAINER WITH CLOSURE ARRANGEMENT RESTRICTING SPILLAGE

Abstract

A container comprising a wall having outer and inner sides, a closed base at one end and a curved rim at an opposite end, the rim defining a top opening of the container; a pair of arcuate crease lines formed in the wall at opposite sides of the wall below the rim that define a flap and act as a hinge allowing each flap to toggle between an open upright position in which the flap is convex and a closed lowered position in which the flap changes its shape to concave; and a closure arrangement operable to restrict at least one flap opening; the closure arrangement comprising at least one closure leaf attached to a first one of the flap so as to be movable with the first flap and to extend underneath the first flap opening when the flaps are in the closed lowered position.

Claims

1. A container comprising a wall having an outer side, an inner side, a closed base at one end and a generally curved rim at an opposite end, the rim defining a top opening of the container, the container further comprising: a pair of substantially arcuate crease lines formed in the wall of the container at opposite sides of the wall below the rim; wherein each crease line has first and second ends coinciding with the rim; wherein each crease line and the portion of the rim between the first and second ends of the crease line define a flap having an outer face and an inner face; wherein each crease line is configured to act as a hinge allowing each flap to toggle between two positions upon application of an initial external force on the flap, the two positions being an open upright position in which the flap is convex and forms part of the wall of the container, and a closed lowered position in which the flap changes its shape to concave; wherein the container further comprises a closure arrangement operable to restrict at least one flap opening defined at or adjacent to positions where the ends of each crease line coincide with the rim of the container when the flaps are in the closed lowered position, wherein the closure arrangement comprises at least one closure leaf on the inner side of the container wall; wherein the closure leaf is attached to a first one of the flaps at a location spaced from the position where the ends of the crease lines coincide with the rim at the flap opening being restricted and wherein the closure leaf is movable with the first flap; and wherein the closure leaf extends underneath the first flap opening downwardly spaced from the flap opening when the flaps are in the closed lowered position.

2. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure leaf is positioned upright with the first flap when the flaps are in the open upright position.

3. The container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the closure leaf is positioned concentrically with the first flap when the flaps are in the open upright position.

4. The container as claimed in claim 2, wherein the closure leaf is substantially superimposed on the first flap.

5. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure leaf is shaped so as to restrict the flap opening when the flaps are in the closed lowered position to prevent spills when the container is in a generally upright position and to allow content moving out from the container to bypass the closure leaf and exit the container through the flap opening when the container is tilted.

6. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein a portion of the closure leaf proximal to the flap opening is unattached to the first flap and the closure leaf is attached to the first flap by a portion distal from said flap opening.

7. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein when the flaps are in the closed lowered position, the closure leaf extends tangentially in relation to the first flap, such that a portion of the closure leaf proximal to the flap opening is spaced apart from the first flap and the portion of the closure leaf distal from the flap opening is attached to the first flap.

8. The A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure leaf is attached to the first flap at a location spaced from the portion of the rim and the crease line which define the first flap.

9. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure leaf is attached to the first flap at a location intermediate opposite ends of the portion of the rim and the crease line which define the first flap.

10. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure leaf is attached to the first flap at a central location on the first flap.

11. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closure leaf impinges against the inner side of the container wall underneath and downwardly spaced from the flap opening when the flaps are in the closed lowered position.

12. The container as claimed in claim 11, wherein the portion of the closure leaf which impinges against the inner side of the cup wall has an edge portion shaped to conform to the inner side of the cup wall.

13. The container as claimed in claim 1, wherein each crease line is configured such that the open upright position in which the flap is convex and forms part of the wall of the container, and the closed lowered position in which the flap changes its shape to concave are stable positions; wherein the resilience of the flap material causes the flap to complete the toggle and prevents the flap from stopping in a position intermediate the open upright and the closed lowered positions; wherein the length of each crease line and the shortest distance between a point of the crease line axially most remote from the rim of the flap and the rim are selected such that when the flaps are moved to the closed lowered position, each flap assumes a slanted orientation in relation to the base of the container, wherein the rim of a first flap impinges against the inner face of the second flap and wherein the two flaps form a double slope roof across the top opening of the container and a spill-tight seal is formed between the rim of the first flap and an inner face of the second flap.

14. The container as claimed in claim 13, wherein when a first flap, is allowed to move fully into the closed lowered position, the second flap is prevented from moving fully into the closed lowered position by the rim of the first flap; wherein the rim of the first flap is prevented from being deformed by the second flap due to the resilience of the material of the container, so that the second flap remains statically forced against the rim of the first flap towards the closed lowered position due to the resilience of the container material; wherein the counteracting forces between the rim of the first flap and the inner face of the second flap are sufficient to push the respective rim and the inner face together into a positive contact to form a seal between the flaps.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0041] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings which show, by way of example only, embodiments of a container according to the invention. In the drawings:

[0042] FIGS. 1 to 7 are various views of a container formed as a cup according to the prior art;

[0043] FIG. 8 is a perspective schematic view of a container formed as a cup showing a closure arrangement according to an embodiment of the first aspect of the invention;

[0044] FIG. 9 is a plan view of the cup of FIG. 8;

[0045] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fully closed cup of FIG. 9;

[0046] FIG. 11 is a plan view of FIG. 10;

[0047] FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of a container formed as a cup showing a closure arrangement according to an embodiment of the second aspect of the invention; and

[0048] FIG. 13 is perspective view of a partially closed cup of FIG. 12.

[0049] Since the present invention is defined in the appended claims, the embodiments described below should not be construed as limiting the claimed invention. For example only, in the following description the features of the present invention will be described as they relate to a container embodied as a cup. However, it will be understood that other embodiments for a container are also envisaged, such as a jug, a carton, and a vessel for drinking or for carrying or storing a liquid, a semi-solid or solid contents, and that therefore reference in the following description to a container formed as a cup only should in no way be seen as limiting.

[0050] Referring initially to FIGS. 1 to 7, a cup in accordance with the prior art is indicated generally by reference numeral 1. The cup 1 is made from a flexible resilient material, such as paperboard or a plastics material.

[0051] The cup 1 has a wall 2 having a shape of a truncated cone having a central axis 3, a closed base 4 of an optionally smaller diameter at one end and a generally circular rim 5 of optionally larger diameter at an opposite end. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to a circular cross-section of the cup wall. Indeed, a generally curved, e.g. oval or other cross-section of the cup is within the scope of the present invention. It is also within the scope of the present invention to have a protruding spout or drinking opening. The rim 5 defines a top opening 6 of the cup 1. The rim 5 and base 4 may also be of the same diameter.

[0052] A pair of substantially arcuate crease lines 7, 8 is formed in the wall 2 of the cup 1 at opposite sides of the wall 2 below the rim 5. Each crease line 7, 8 has first and second ends 7a, 8a and 7b, 8b, respectively. The ends of the crease lines 7a, 8a, 7b, 8b coincide with the rim 5. Also, each end 7a, 7b of a first crease line 7 substantially coincides with a corresponding end 8a, 8b of the second crease line 8 on the rim 5 of the cup, although it will be understood that in order to provide a container having a drinking or pouring spout or funnel, the ends 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b of the crease lines 7,8 may not coincide with each other at the rim 5 so as to create a sufficiently wide opening at the rim 5, as shown in FIG. 7 by gaps 5a, 5b, thereby creating a drinking or pouring funnel or opening 100a, 100b.

[0053] Each crease line 7, 8 and the respective portion 57, 58 of the rim 5 between the respective first and second ends 7a, 7b; 8a, 8b of the crease line 7, 8 define a flap 70, 80, respectively. Each flap 70, 80 has an outer face 70a, 80a and an inner face 70b, 80b, respectively.

[0054] Each crease line 7, 8 is configured using a suitable method (e.g, by bending, scoring or differential forming, such as in the case of plastic cups, the material of the wall 2) to act as a hinge to allow each flap 70, 80 to toggle between two stable positions upon application of an initial external force on the flap 70, 80, One of the two stable positions is an open upright position in which the flap 70, 80 is convex and forms part of the wall 2 of the cup, for example, as shown in FIG. 1. The second of the two stable positions is a closed lowered position in which the flap 70, 80 changes its shape to concave, for example, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In the presently described embodiment, a flap 70, 80 is prevented from remaining in a position intermediate the open upright and the closed lowered positions due to the resilience of its material and because in an intermediate position the flap 70, 80 becomes distorted, e.g. corrugated, because the length of the flap 70, 80 in the circumferential directions is greater the length of a plane defined by the respective crease line 7, 8. When pushed into an intermediate position by an external force and upon subsequent removal of the external force, the flap 70, 80 assumes either the concave shape in the closed lowered position or the convex shape in the open upright position under the influence of the inherent resilience of the cup material. The resilience of the cup material causes the flap 70, 80 to complete the toggle without the need for the continued application of the external force and prevents the flap 70, 80 from stopping in a position intermediate the open upright and the closed lowered positions. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the two positions need not be stable.

[0055] The length of each crease line 7, 8 and the distance between points P1 and P2, as shown in FIG. 1, respectively, of the crease line 7, 8 axially most remote from the rim portions 57, 58 of the flap 70, 80 and the rim 5 are such that when the flaps 70, 80 are closed, each flap 70, 80 assumes a lowered, curved and/or angled orientation in relation to the base 4 of the cup 1. Furthermore, a first flap, e.g. flap 70, is allowed to move fully into the closed lowered position as shown in FIG. 4. The second flap, i.e. flap 80, is prevented from moving fully into the closed lowered position by the rim portion 57 of the first flap which impinges against the inner face 80b of the second flap 80 substantially along the full length of the rim portion 57 of the first flap 70. The rim portion 57 of the first flap 70 is prevented from being deformed by the second flap 80 due to the resilience of the material of the first flap 70 (i.e. the material of the cup 1), while the second flap 80 remains statically forced against the rim portion 57 of the first flap 70 towards the fully closed lowered position due to the resilience of the material of the second flap 80 (i.e. the material of the cup 1), as shown in FIG. 5. Due to the continuous forced contact between the rim portion 57 of the first flap 70 and the inner face 80b of the second flap 80, a spill-tight seal may be formed along the length of the rim portion 57 of the first flap 70. As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the two flaps 70, 80 form a double-slope roof across the top opening 6 of the cup 1. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the flaps may not be required to impinge against each other or to form a double-slope roof.

[0056] When the flaps 70, 80 are closed, there are noticeable gaps or flap openings 100a, 100b located near the ends 57a, 57b, 58a, 58b of the rim portions 57, 58 where the ends of the crease lines 7a, 8a and 7b, 8b coincide with the cup rim 5, and these openings provide an outlet through which spillage of the contents of the cup 1 may occur. The present invention now provides an improved closure arrangement to restrict or protect the flap openings 100a, 100b to thereby prevent or improve against splashing of the container contents when the container is in a generally upright position and reduce the rate of spillage if the container is knocked over. The present invention thus improves the spill-resistant properties for the container, whilst, if required for drinking or pouring, permitting the container to allow the passage of container contents when tilted for drinking and pouring. It will be understood that the ends of the crease lines 7a, 8a and 7b, 8b may not coincide with the rim 5 in order as to create a sufficiently wide opening at the rim 5 for the formation of a drinking and/or pouring spout or funnel.

[0057] Referring now to FIGS. 8 to 11, a cup in accordance with a first aspect of the invention is indicated generally by reference numeral 10. The cup 10 includes most of the features of the prior art cup 1 and for brevity parts of the cup 10 which are common with the prior art cup 1 have been indicated using common reference numerals. In one configuration of the invention, the closure arrangement comprises at least one closure leaf 130 for restricting each of the opposite gaps or flap openings 100a, 100b formed when the flaps 70, 80 are folded. Although the closure leaf 130 is shown in the drawings to restrict both flap openings 100a, 100b, it will be understood that the cup 10 may require the closure leaf 130 to restrict only one flap opening where a single flap opening is to be sealed or where only one flap opening is provided in the cup 10. For example, and depending on the specific application of the invention, it may be desirable to allow the container contents to have an unimpeded flow through one of the two flap openings, and to restrict flow through the other of the two flap openings, in which case the inclusion of a closure leaf 130 to restrict only one of the flap openings would be required. Reference to the closure leaf 130 as restricting one flap opening or restricting two opposite flap openings should therefore in no way be seen as limiting. Thus, depending on the specific requirements, the closure leaf 130 may be shaped to restrict only one flap opening of the cup 10. The closure leaf 130 also may be shaped to restrict both flap openings 70, 80 of the cup 10. Furthermore, a pair of closure leafs 130 may be provided on the same flap, to restrict respective opposite flap openings 70, 80.

[0058] In the presently described embodiment, in use, the closure leaf 130 is shaped to restrict the openings 100a, 100b from within the cup 10 to reduce splashing of the container contents.

[0059] The closure leaf 130 may be attached to a first one of the flaps 70, 80, for example, the flap 70, at a location A spaced from the position where the ends 7a, 8a, 7b, 8b of the crease lines 7, 8 coincide with the rim 5 at the flap opening 100a, 100b and the closure leaf 130 is movable with the first flap 70. In the presently described arrangement, the closure leaf 130 is attached to the first flap 70 at a central location on the first flap 70 spaced from the portion of the rim 5 and the crease line 7 which define the first flap 70. In use, in order to close the cup 10, the first flap 70 is closed first and the other flap 80 is closed second, as indicated by respective arrows I and II in FIGS. 8 and 10.

[0060] In the presently described arrangement, the closure leaf 130 is substantially superimposed on the first flap 70. Also, in the presently described arrangement, when the flaps 70, 80 are in the open upright position, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the closure leaf 130 is positioned upright and concentrically with the first flap 70. When the flaps 70, 80 are in the closed lowered position, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the closure leaf 130 extends underneath the flap opening 100a, 100b downwardly spaced from the flap opening 100a, 100b.

[0061] When the flaps 70, 80 are in the closed lowered position, the flap opening 100a, 100b is restricted by the closure leaf 130 in that spills are prevented or minimised when the cup 10 is generally upright and is shaken or otherwise subjected to impact. However, the flap opening 100a, 100b is not sealed off completely by the closure leaf 130 as the closure leaf does not completely block the top opening 6 of the cup 10 and passage of the cup contents is still possible through the flap opening 100a, 100b when the cup 10 is tilted, enabling drinking or pouring from the cup 10. In the presently described arrangement, the closure leaf 130 provides a cut-out 140 to permit passage of cup contents and also to allow the flap and the closure leaf 130 to be held together to move them into the open upright position. In other arrangements, however, e.g. in food containers, the closure leaf 130 may be shaped to close off the top opening 6 of the container fully. When the flap 70 is moved into the open upright position, the closure leaf 130 is also pivoted together with the flap 70 away from the position in which the closure leaf 130 restricts the flap opening 100a, 100b and assumes the upright orientation together with the flap 70. This allows multiple cups 10 to be stacked into each other for efficient storage. Also, the top opening 6 of the cup 10 is unobstructed during filling. When it is necessary to close the cup 10 by the flaps 70, 80, the closure leaf 130 is moved into the position in which the closure leaf 130 restricts the flap opening 100a, 100b in one motion simultaneously with the first flap 70. No separate action is necessary to move the closure leaf 130 into the position in which the closure leaf 130 restricts the flap opening 100a, 100b, Furthermore, it is ensured that the closure leaf 130 will be positioned correctly underneath the flap opening 100a, 100b.

[0062] A portion of the closure leaf 130 proximal to the flap opening 100a. 100b is unattached to the first flap 70 and the closure leaf 130 is attached to the first flap 70 by a portion distal from the flap opening 100a, 100b. As best seen in FIG. 10, when the flaps 70, 80 are in the closed lowered position, the closure leaf 130 extends tangentially in relation to the first flap 70, such that a portion of the closure leaf 130 proximal to the flap opening 100a, 100b is spaced apart from the first flap 70 and the portion of the closure leaf 130 distal from the flap opening 100a, 100b is attached to the first flap 70. Since the closure leaf 130 is preferably made from a resiliently deformable material, such as, for example, a suitable type of paperboard or plastics, the closure leaf 130 may be substantially planar, or slightly convex or concave, when the flaps 70, 80 are in the closed lowered position and may bend to conform to the arcuate shape of the first flap 70 when the flaps 70, 80 are in the open upright position.

[0063] In one arrangement, when the flaps 70, 80 are in the closed lowered position, a spill-tight seal may be formed between the rim 5 of the first flap 70 and the inner face of the second flap 80.

[0064] The closure leaf 130 may impinge against the inner side of the cup wall 2 at a location underneath and downwardly spaced from the flap opening 100a, 100b when the flaps 70, 80 are in the closed lowered position. Preferably, the portion of the closure leaf 130 which impinges against the inner side of the cup wall 2 has an edge portion 135 shaped to conform to and engage the inner side of the cup wall 2 to further ensure that the contents of the cup 10 do not splash out of the flap opening 100a, 100b. Accordingly, splashing is minimised and the rate of spillage if the cup 10 is knocked over is reduced. The present invention thus improves the spill-resistant properties for the cup 10, whilst, if required for drinking or pouring, permitting the cup 10 to allow the passage of the cup contents when tilted for drinking and pouring. This also imparts extra rigidity on the cup 10 in that the cup 10 is less prone to deformation when it is gripped by a user's hand.

[0065] The closure leaf 130 of the present invention also permits stacking of multiple cups 10, unobstructed pouring of contents into the cup 10 and provides for correct positioning of the closure leaf 130 underneath the flap opening 100a, 100b in one movement, simultaneously with the downward movement of the first flap 70.

[0066] A further advantage of the closure leaf 130 of the present invention is that it can be relatively easily attached to a flat blank (not shown) for forming the cup 10 during the manufacturing process of the cup 10 prior to forming the cup 10 into a three dimensional shape. Previously, a prior art wing could also be attached to a flat blank, but because it had to be attached to the cup wall close to the location of a longitudinal seam (not shown) in the cup wall, positioning of adhesive area both on the wing and the flat blank had to be very accurately controlled. In addition, under prior art two wings were generally required to protect two openings requiring more precision in relative positioning of the two wings than is required by the current invention which may require only one closure leaf to protect two openings. Since the closure leaf 130 of the present invention can generally be attached to many locations on the inner side of the cup wall 2 on the flap 70, positioning of the closure leaf 130 is simplified.

[0067] A further advantage of the closure leaf 130 of the present invention is that it can be manufactured and positioned within the cup 10 to less strict tolerances than those of the prior art wing. Since the closure leaf 130 is attached to the flap 70, it is spaced farther down towards the base 4 of the cup 10 from the flap opening 100a, 100b than a prior art wing and can cover a larger area than the prior art wing, while at the same time remaining stably attached to the flap 70. Accordingly, the same or improved efficiency in restricting spills is achieved with less precise dimensions and positioning. Since the closure leaf 130 is spaced farther down from the flap opening 100a, 100b than a prior art wing, a larger flap opening 100a, 100b may be provided, for less restricted flow rate during consumption. Additionally, the possibility of the closure leaf 130 protruding into the flap opening 100a, 100b and causing tactile discomfort to the user is eliminated.

[0068] It will be understood that the closure leaf 130 may be of any suitable shape as required or desired, and may be adapted to have a shape specifically suited to the shape of the cup 10 and the function that is to be performed. For example, the closure leaf 130 may be substantially round, oval, polygonal or irregular shaped as needed. Furthermore, the closure leaf 130 may incorporate one or more suitable cut-outs, notches, holes or similar arrangements for allowing contents moving out from the cup 10 to bypass the closure leaf 130 and exit the cup 10 through the flap opening 100a, 100b. If needed, the closure leaf 130 may be shaped to close the top opening 6 of the container fully when the flaps 100a, 100b of the cup 10 are closed.

[0069] The closure leaf 130 may be made of the same material as the cup 10, or may alternatively be made of a heavier or lighter gauge and/or alternative material for additional strength or functionality.

[0070] Referring now to FIGS. 12 and 13, a cup in accordance with a second aspect of the invention is indicated generally by reference numeral 110. The cup 110 includes some of the features of the cup 10 and for brevity parts of the cup 110 which are common with the cup 10 have been indicated using common reference numerals. In the container 110, only one flap 70 is defined by one crease line 7 and the portion of the rim 5 between the first and second ends 7a, 7b of the crease line. A flap opening 200 is defined between the portion of rim 5 defining the flap 70 and the inner side of the container wall 2 when the flap 70 is folded down. The closure arrangement of this aspect of the invention comprises at least one closure leaf 138 on the inner side of the container wall 2 for restricting the flap opening 200. The closure leaf 138 is attached to the flap 70 at a location spaced from the position where the ends 7a. 7b of the crease line 7 coincide with the rim 5. The closure leaf 138 is movable with the flap 70 and extends across the flap opening 200, in plan view, and underneath the flap opening as viewed from a side, when the flap 70 is in the closed lowered position. A free outer edge portion of the closure leaf 138 may impinge against and/or conform to the shape of the inner side of the container wall 2 when the flap 70 is in the closed lowered position.

[0071] Such an arrangement may be particularly useful in a food container for holding viscous or solid foods (e.g. soup or finger food). The closure leaf 138 in this arrangement prevents the contents from spilling, whereas the flap 70 does not come into contact with the contents and remains clean on the inside and the outside when the flap 70 is lifted. Any food particles will remain on the closure leaf 138 and not on the flap 70. Accordingly, the cup wall 2 remains un-stained and the user receives a pleasant experience from using the cup 110.

[0072] In other modifications, the cup 110 may include two flaps, as in the cup 10. Other features of the cup 10 can be incorporated into the cup 110 mutatis mutandis.

[0073] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention.