AN IMPROVED PLASTIC CONTAINER BODY AND CONTAINER CLOSURE AND CARRY HANDLE GRIP / CONTAINER LEVERAGE OPENING TOOL ASSEMBLY

Abstract

A plastic injection moulded wide mouth container body and container cover locking and sealing mechanism which includes an annular flange and an annular angular notch groove respectively in a pre-determined configuration so as to provide a tight leak-proof seal when the container lid is fitted over, around and within the container body hoop annular fin and upon locking engagement. The present invention incorporates a multi-use plastic handle grip which may also be used as a closure opening levering tool to disengage the container lid from the container body in a safe and ergonomic manner. More significantly the invention, and when in use and upon first usage opening, does not require the removal of any portion of the container lid to comply with tamper evident requirements, nor needs other tools such as knives and metal levers to completely remove the container closure from the container body. Still furthermore the invention includes a plurality of venting channels and adjacent ports which allows the evacuation of increased internal air pressure within the closed container head space with no leakage of the packaged fluid product. The invention may be adapted to plastic containers of any size and shape being round, oval, square or rectangular tapered or straight wall containers.

Claims

1. Improvements to a sealable container body [10] and container closure [30] compromising; a removable dual purpose handle grip/opening tool [37], an air pressure evacuation system being created by part member profiles [61 & 62], a plurality of container strengthening fins and being member parts [42], [50] and [26]. a combination of annular, angular elastic ring bands [45] and an annular notch groove [25] which when engaged forms the main container locking mechanism. a combination of annular groove [60] and annular rim [14] and when engaged form the main container sealing mechanism. a combination of notch grooves [3 & 76] and hinge grooves [4] which allows for partial member part separation and movement when opening the container. a combination of notch grooves [3 & 76] which allows partial separation of member parts which in turn visually display tamper proof evidence and after the container has been opened at the point of first usage. a combination of top load bearing surfaces being [1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6] and to improve the container top load performance. a combination of malleable, compressible and expandable member parts and when engaged achieve the desired packaging air tight and leak proof performance integrally formed wherein: a container body [10] having an open top with a annular rim [14] there around, an annular flange [16] formed in an axial direction of and extending radially outwards from an external wall of the container body [10], said annular flange being integrally formed with the container body which includes a pair of concentric spaced apart annular flanges [19 & 20] disposed on the radially outward and angularly extending annular flange [16] extending from the upper portion of the container body and an annular skirt [22] extending radially outwards from the undersurface of the annular flange; and a container lid [30] having a peripheral annular skirt which includes an extension being the annular and angled ring bands [45] formed therein in a relationship corresponding to the mating profile of the annular flange notch groove [25] of the container body [10], whereby the container cover is snap-fasten-able enveloping the corresponding said annular flange notch groove [25] of the container body in a respective one-to-one relationship; and two annular curtains [40, 43] disposed from the undersurface of the container lid [30] and configured to fit to an inner wall of the container body [10] and its annular rim [14] in a slight compression fit manner.

2. A sealable container as claimed in claim 1, wherein: A plurality of container fins [26] are disposed between the annular skirt of the container body [10] and the external wall of the container body [10], said container fins [26] being integrally formed with the annular skirt and the container body.

3. A sealable container as claimed in claim 1, wherein: D a plurality of container cover lid fins [42] are disposed between the annular curtains [44 and 40], said container cover fins being integrally formed with the underside of the top of the container cover and the annular curtains to extend there between in a radial direction.

4. A sealable container as claimed in claim 1, wherein: a plurality of container cover fins [50] are disposed between the annular skirt of the container cover [32] and the annular curtain [43] and on the underside of the top of the container cover [30], said fins [50] being integrally formed with the underside of the top of the container cover [30], the annular curtain [43] and the container lid outer annular skirt [32] and to extend there between in a radial direction.

5. A sealable container as claimed in claim 1, wherein: The container body [10] includes one annular flange notch groove [25], and the container cover [30] includes two integral annular, angular and elastic ring bands [45] correspondingly formed and disposed to respectively and accurately fit together upon the final container assembly thereto.

6. A sealable container according to claim 1, wherein: The container body [10] annular skirt [22] extends from and below the underneath part of the annular flange notch groove [25].

7. A sealable container according to claim 1, wherein: The container body fins [26] extend from an upper inner edge of the annular skirt to the annular flange [16] and then connecting to the container body [10] in an angular and radial formed configuration. The assembled container performance benefits created by adapting such angular and recessed fin [26] profiles are improved side wall or lateral impact shock absorption resistance and reduced packaging profile deformation.

8. A sealable container according to claim 1, wherein: a plurality of lid fins [42] are disposed between the annular curtain [40] of the container cover [30] and the underneath of the top of the container cover [30], said lid fins [42] being integrally formed with the top of the lid and the annular curtain to extend there between in a radial direction.

9. A sealable container according to claim 1, wherein: The annular skirt of the container cover [30] includes an annular angular elastic ring band [45] disposed there around extending downward from the lower annular skirt portion [32].

10. A sealable container according to claim 1, wherein: The container lid includes malleable, expandable, elastic and annular angular ring bands [45] which may be manually folded upwards without fracture when opening the container and manually returned to its original locked and engaged position with the container body corresponding annular notch groove [25]. The malleable, expandable, elastic and annular angular ring bands [45] being formed dimensionally considerably thinner than the general wall section of the container cover [30] allows for elasticity particularly when closing the container into its final locked and sealed position.

11. A sealable container according to claim 1, wherein: The container body outer annular skirt [32] includes a partially detachable integral and hinged [4] leverage panel [2] which when manually manipulated upwards and outwards firstly separates at the adjacent notch grooves [3] from the container body annular skirt [32] and with the continued leverage movement disengages the container corresponding mating parts [45 and 25] which facilitates the opening of the closed container. This partially detachable integral and hinged leverage panel [4] may be positioned in more than one position on the container body outer peripheral skirt [32] and depending upon the final shape of the container body either being cylindrical, as per container body [10] or rectangular, as per container body [11] and as illustrated in FIG. 3.

12. A sealable container according to claim 1, wherein; The container body metal carry handle member [38] includes an attachable/detachable snap fasten able multipurpose hand grip/tool [37] which when removed from its first hand carrying position may be used as a lever to generate upwards and outwards motion of the container body annular skirt [22] integral leverage panel [2] and to generate the complete removal of the container closure [30] from the container body [10]. Once the container closure is removed the multipurpose hand grip tool [37] may be refitted onto the metal carry handle member [38] into its hand carry useful position.

13. A sealable container according to claim 1, wherein; The container lid malleable and expandable annular, angular and elastic ring bands [45] may be manually reengaged with the corresponding container body annular skirt notch groove [25] and upon closing and to recover its first sealed and leak proof engagement.

14. A sealable container according to claim 1, wherein; The container closure [30] may have one or more air pressure evacuation vents [62] positioned on the outer wall of the annular curtain [40] which align in a vertical position directly adjacent to one or more air evacuation ports [61]. As the container body [30] annular rim [14] enters the adjacent container cover [30] annular groove [60] and during the process of closing the container cover within the container, displacement of trapped air is necessary and to eliminate the bulging of the container cover. The container cover air evacuation vents [62] and ports [61] allow the trapped displaced air to escape during the process of closing until final fitment of the mating parts whereby the vents and ports are isolated to prevent packaged product, particularly fluids from leaking. As shown in FIG. 20 the air evacuation vent [62] extends vertically upwards but stopping just short of the absolute inner bottom surface of the container cover annular groove [60]. This full profile [69] provides a full annular seal between container member parts [14 & 60] preventing the leakage of packaged products such as fluids once the container body and closure are in their final locked and fitted engagement.

15. A sealable container according to claim 1, wherein; The container includes a number of member parts which are malleable which when placed under multiple directional pressures may be formed to create a more desirable fitment between the mating and corresponding assembly member locking and sealing parts. These multiple directional pressures are created automatically when the container body [10] is engaged with the container cover [30] in its final leak proof and air tight position. Member parts being the container body [10] annular flanges [19 & 20] and due to them being partially divided by annular notch groove [21] allows for a compression fitment when engaged under pressure within corresponding container cover [30] mating member parts [45 & 43]. To further maintain those member parts [19& 20] in a compressible condition the container cover [30] plurality of fins [50] include extended fin keys [51] which lock into and wedge outwards the compressed annular flanges [19 & 20] when engaged in their final locked and sealed engagement.

16. The sealable container according to claim 1, wherein; The assembled container top load performance, and when in use, is improved due to the combination of 6 separate load bearing points being [1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6] and as illustrated on FIG. 21. When the top load force is exerted, and for instance when a full container body [10] base rim is stacked on top of and within the container closure [30] recessed centre panel and as illustrated in FIG. 22, upwards of 180 kg of static weight must be supported. By distributing that weight across 6 load bearing point's deformation of those bearing points and other container member parts is significantly reduced.

17. A sealable container according to claim 1, wherein; The plurality of container closure fins [42] may be formed in various shapes and profiles and as illustrated in FIG. 21, FIG. 22 and FIG. 23 and to perform according specific and varying market performance requirements. FIG. 21 illustrates the container closure fin [42a] in its recessed form, FIG. 22 illustrates the container closure fin [42b] in a non-recessed form as well as a non-recessed form with an integral angular fin extension [42c] and FIG. 23 illustrates the fin [42] in its full and non-recessed form. Those well versed in the art of packaging design, and according to specific and varied market performance requirements, will identify why the said ribs are profiled as such. Determining factors and for example are the specific gravity of the product to be packaged, the hydraulic flow rate index of the packaged fluid and the lateral mechanical impact strength performance of the packaging. The abovementioned container closure rib profiles [42, 42a, 42b and 42c] will provide performance solutions covering various applications.

18. A sealable container according to claim 1, wherein; The container cover [30] two integral annular, angular and elastic ring bands [45] may have a plurality of notch grooves [76] as illustrated in FIG. 24. The addition of such notch grooves allows for part sectional separation of portions of the annular ring bands [45] and during the process of leverage opening of the container closure [30] off the container body [10] from its closed and assembled engagement.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] In order that the invention may be easily understood and carried into effect, it will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings as an example of an embodiment of the invention, wherein:

[0028] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the round cylindrical and tapered container and cover closed in its final engaged position and when in use.

[0029] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 with the multi-use handle grip/leverage tool in place.

[0030] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the rectangular tapered container and cover closed in its final engaged position and when in use.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a detailed cross sectional elevation view of the container body and container cover before engagement.

[0033] FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the container and cover assembly where the lid contains fin blades on the underside of the lid and a magnified view of the container and closure cross section upon engagement.

[0034] FIG. 7 is a detailed enlarged cross sectional elevation view of the container and cover before engagement and as shown in FIG. 5

[0035] FIG. 8 is a detailed enlarged cross sectional elevation view of the container and cover after engagement in its final working position.

[0036] FIG. 9 is a scrap sectional perspective view of the closure.

[0037] FIG. 10 is a cross sectional perspective view of the closure and container after engagement and in its final working position.

[0038] FIG. 11 is a plan view of the lid, looking into the underside of the round closure from its open end.

[0039] FIG. 12 is a cross sectional perspective view of the closure.

[0040] FIG. 13 is a plan view of the lid, looking into the underside of the rectangular closure from its open end.

[0041] FIGS. 14A, 14B, 14C and 14D shows a cross sectional view of the container and cover and during the dynamic process being the gradual leverage disengagement of the two mating locking parts of the container body and container closure to its opened and tamper evident position.

[0042] FIG. 15 is a cross sectional elevation view of another embodiment of the invention showing the removable plastic handle grip into its predetermined first position and to commence the process of removal of the cover from the container.

[0043] FIG. 16 is another detailed enlarged sectional elevation view of the disengagement of the container body and container closure locking mechanism.

[0044] FIG. 17 is a detailed enlarged cross sectional elevation view of the container and cover after engagement and showing another embodiment of the invention being the air pressure evacuation vent and port system.

[0045] FIG. 18 is an enlarged detailed cross section perspective view of the container cover detailing the plurality of strengthening ribs and their given forms.

[0046] FIG. 19 is an enlarged detailed cross sectional elevation view of the container body [10] annular outer skirt [32] and showing the leverage panel [2] in its prior to pivoting first position.

[0047] FIG. 20 is an enlarged detailed cross sectional elevation view of the container body and container cover when positioned in readiness for final locking engagement. This view also details the air pressure evacuation vents [62] and ports [61] which are positioned strategically in multiple positions on the container closure [30] integral member parts.

[0048] FIG. 21 is an enlarged detailed cross sectional view of the container body and container cover in its final locked and leak proof condition. Additionally all the container assembly top load force bearing points [1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5, and 1.6] are clearly illustrated. Furthermore an alternative container closure fin [42a] is also illustrated.

[0049] FIG. 22 is an enlarged detailed cross sectional view of the container body and container cover in its final locked and leak proof condition. The container body base rim [70] is also illustrated in its stacked and nested position within the container closure recessed centre panel [71]. Alternative container closure fins profiles [42b and 42c] are also illustrated.

[0050] FIG. 23 is an enlarged detailed cross sectional view of the container body [10] and container cover [30] in its final locked and leak proof condition and illustrating the container closure fin [42] in its full non recessed condition.

[0051] FIG. 24 is an enlarged detailed cross section perspective view of the container cover [30] detailing the two integral annular and angular elastic ring bands [45] with the notch groove [76] in position.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0052] The container body [10] has an open top [12] with a rim [14] there around. An annular skirt [24] extends radially outwards adjacent to the base of the rim wall [14] which includes a radially upward and outward annular flange [16] with an inner annular flange [18] and an outward annular flange [20] in a concentric spaced apart relation to the inner annular flange. Preferably the outer annular flange [20] is angled at the top outer corner so as to allow for engagement with the container closure [30] mating profile [45].

[0053] The container body [10] annular flange [22] includes an annular notch [25] which creates an engagement recess slot for the container closure [30] corresponding annular and angled elastic flange [45] which creates the effective locking and sealing condition and upon container member part engagement. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 clearly illustrates such accurate and positive engagement.

[0054] To provide rigidity and to provide a means to absorb lateral impact force applied to the skirt [22] a plurality of strengthening ribs [26] is provided to connect the underside of the shirt [22] and the container body [10]. The fins [26] comprise a plurality of substantially vertical fins extending from the extreme lower inner edge of the skirt [22] connecting with annular flange [16] and annular flange [25]. From a side elevation view the fins are clearly observable in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8.

[0055] The container cover [30] best observed in axial cross sectional view in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 includes an outer annular skirt member [32] which is integrally connected to the extending downwards annular and angular elastic locking flange [45] and in a spatial geometric relationship corresponding to that of the container body [10] annular skirt notch [25]. The container cover [30] further includes annular curtains [43], [40] and [44] which is disposed beneath the container cover [30] and is disposed to fit into the container body [10] mating recesses and rim. The central annular panel [71] of the container cover [30] is recessed and sized geometrically so as to receive the base chime [70] of the container body [10] when the assembled and filled containers are stacked in a single column usually 4 to 6 containers high. The container cover [30] includes a plurality of inner strengthening fins [42] on the underside of the cover [30] connecting the annular curtains [40] and [44] portions of the cover to strengthen the distal end region of the cover and mainly to improve top load strength when the filled containers are stacked in a single column. See FIG. 8. The container cover [30] also includes a plurality of strengthening fins [50] on the underside of the container cover [30] connecting the annular curtain [43] and the outer annular skirt member [32]. Once again the addition of such ribs improves the lateral and top load performance of the cover. See FIG. 8.

[0056] It will be observed that the container cover [30] annular flanges and curtains are designed and dimensionally configured to provide a tight fitting, leak proof and air tight condition when fitted over and within the container body [10] inner and outer top hoop profiles and outer flange recess. In another aspect of the invention, a portion of the container body [10] annular skirt member [22] has a semi detachable lever panel [2] provided which is integrally hinged [4] with two adjacent V shaped grooves [3] which when manually levered upwards and outwards in an arc motion will partially separate from the container body annular skirt [22] along the length of the two grooves [3]. These weakened sectional V shaped grooves [3] are substantially perpendicular to the integral hinge [4].

[0057] Yet another aspect of the invention is the use of the container plastic hand grip [37] which is manually detachable from the provided metal road handle/grip assembly [38].

[0058] Once removed the plastic handled grip may be inverted with one section positioned over and on top of the container closure [30] uppermost top panel perimeter profile [80] and hooked on the inner side of the container body lever panel [2] and for the purpose of levering the container body [10] lever panel [2] upwards in an arc motion partially separating the lever panel [2] from the main container body [10] annular notch groove [25] and annular outer skirt [22] and as illustrated in FIG. 15.

[0059] This action transmits motion and may be used to safely and ergonomically remove the container cover [30] from the container body [10]. As shown in FIGS. 14a, 14b, 14c, 14d and FIG. 15 such manually applied leverage motion will fold the container cover [30] annular and outer angled elastic bands [45] outwards and upwards effectively folding and inverting the profile away from the container body [10] annular and outer annular notch groove [25].

[0060] Yet another preferred embodiment of the invention is the ease at which the container cover [30] can be reapplied to the container body [10] in a leak proof, air tight condition. When the container has been opened the container cover [30] annular and outer annular, angled elastic ring band [45] is in an inverted position when compared to its closed position and when engaged with the corresponding container body annular groove [25]. To reclose the container the closure [30] is placed over the container body [10] and when downward pressure is applied over and around the annular, angled and elastic rings bands [45] the annular rings bands will flip back into position in a helical motion engaging with the container body [10] annular notch groove [25]. This practice may be repeated numerous times without compromising the integrity of the fit between the two mating container member profiles.

[0061] It will be appreciated that the container cover locates easily over the container body. When pressure is applied downwards from the top of closure towards the container, the plurality of annular curtains [44, 40 and 43] slide snugly within the container body [10] corresponding annular groove [60] and the container closure [30] annular and outer angled flange [45] engages into its lockable and leak proof orientation with the container body [10] annular notch flange [25].

[0062] Once in a closed position, the container closure [30] cannot be removed from the container body [10] unless the lever panel [2] has been partially disengaged from the container body annular skirt member [22] and as described. Once this partial disengagement has occurred the lever panel [4] cannot be completely re-attached in its first manufactured position to the container body [10] annular skirt [22] therefore showing evidence of tampering or most importantly pre-sale opening. What is particularly visually obvious is the two adjacent weakened thinner grooves [3] have been sheared away causing separation from the container body [10] annular skirt member [22] therefore proof of container opening is clear and to the naked eye tamper evident.

[0063] Still further more the invention member profiles may be adapted to any shape wide mouth container body and container closure and more specifically to any size ranging from 1 litre capacity to 30 litre capacity. As shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the container body [10] and the container closure [30] and FIG. 3 illustrating the rectangular container body [11] and the rectangular container closure [31] the present invention embodiments may be included as an integral part of both cylindrical and rectangular containers but also other non-round container shapes such as square and oval containers without compromising the leak proof, air tight, impact resistance, top load and tamper evidence performance compliance of the containers.

[0064] Even further more, and when market performance requirements do not include increased side wall and lateral impact and top load performance, the strengthening fins and as shown in the FIG. 9 and FIG. 10 being the invention member part [42], may be removed or not added as an integral part of the container cover [30].

[0065] Furthermore, the invention member part [51], and as illustrated on FIG. 20, is a locking wedge key [51] which extends downward and as an extension of the integral part of the container cover [30] plurality of fins [50]. Upon final engagement of the container body [10] and the container closure [30] the container closure the locking wedge [51] locates within the container body [10] annular groove [21] maintaining the container body [10] annular flanges [20 & 19] in a preferred locking and sealing engagement relationship with the corresponding container closure [30] locking and sealing profile.

[0066] Yet another aspect of the present invention and as illustrated on FIG. 17 and FIG. 20 is the corresponding internal air pressure relief evacuation vents [62] and ports [61]. The air pressure evacuation vents are located on the container cover [30] outer surface of the annular curtain [40] and the air pressure evacuation ports [61] are located on the upper top surface panel of the container closure [30]. Once the container internal head space air pressure has been normalized and container distortion and bulging has subsided an air tight and leak proof condition is achieved by way of the innermost surface engagement of the container member parts being the container body upper internal profile of the annular rim [14] and the container cover outer and upper profile of the annular curtain [79]. The above mentioned container member parts are illustrated on FIG. 20.

[0067] Another aspect of the present invention is the multiple load bearing points and when the container closure [30] and the container closure annular recessed center panel [71] is subjected to top load weight. As illustrated on FIG. 21 these load bearing points are detailed as member parts [1.1, 1.2, 1.3, 1.4, 1.5 and 1.6], the distribution of top load force, and as illustrated on FIG. 22, minimizes container closure top panel distortion and buckling as well as container body [10] side wall deflection.

[0068] Yet another aspect of the present invention is the positioning of a plurality of notch grooves [76] in a perpendicular relationship to the container closure [30] top panel surface and positioned on the outer surface of the annular, angled elastic ring bands [45]. The addition of such notch grooves [76] allows for easier part ejection from the injection mould and or easier container closure [30] removal from the container body [10] and upon opening of the container assembly.

[0069] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the number of annular flanges on the container body and the corresponding number of annular notches and rings in the lid need not be limited to and as written and illustrated in the above described preferred embodiment.

[0070] Whilst the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it must be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various modifications and applications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and forms and as permitted under the law.

[0071] Although the present invention has been described and illustrated in detail, it should be clearly understood that the same is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation, the spirit and scope of the present invention being limited by the terms of the appended claims.

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