Container Closure with Integral Utensil

Abstract

A container closure includes a utensil and a flexible sleeve adapted for bidirectional movement along a closure axis to collapse the closure to a sealable position, or to extend the closure to an extended position, wherein the sleeve moves with the utensil.

Claims

1. A container closure comprising a utensil and a flexible sleeve adapted for bidirectional movement along a closure axis to collapse the closure to a sealable position, or to extend the closure to an extended position, wherein the sleeve moves with the utensil.

2. The closure of claim 1 wherein the utensil is integral with the sleeve.

3. The closure of claim 1 further comprising a utensil handle end, wherein the handle end is disposed on an exterior side of the closure.

4. The closure of claim 1 wherein a use end of the utensil is extended away from the closure when the closure is off the container and the sleeve is in the extended position.

5. The closure of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is a flexible half-sphere.

6. The closure of claim 1 wherein the sleeve is comprised of at least one flexible collapse zone.

7. The closure of claim 1 further comprising a grommet in the sleeve with which to engage the utensil.

8. A container and closure system, comprising a utensil and a sleeve adapted for bidirectional movement along a closure axis to collapse the closure to a sealable position, or to extend the closure to an extended position, wherein the sleeve moves with the utensil.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the utensil is integral with the sleeve.

10. The system of claim 8 further comprising a utensil handle end, wherein the handle end is disposed on an exterior side of the closure.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein a use end of the utensil is extended away from the closure when the closure is off the container and the sleeve is in the extended position.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the sleeve is a flexible half-sphere.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the sleeve is comprised of at least one flexible collapse zone.

14. The system of claim 8 further comprising a grommet in the sleeve with which to engage the utensil.

15. A closure for a container, the container having a rim and an axis, the closure having an axis adapted to be substantially congruent with the container axis when the closure is sealed upon the container, the closure further comprising: a utensil aligned along the closure axis; a rim operably sized for sealable engagement with the container rim; a sleeve adapted for bi-directional movement generally along the closure axis with the utensil to collapse the sleeve to a sealable position, or to extend the sleeve to an extended position such that a use end of the utensil extends from the closure when the sleeve is in the extended position.

16. The closure of claim 15 wherein the utensil is integral with the sleeve.

17. The closure of claim 15 further comprising a utensil handle end, wherein the handle end is disposed on an exterior side of the closure.

18. The closure of claim 15 wherein the sleeve is a flexible half-sphere.

19. The closure of claim 15 wherein the sleeve is comprised of at least one flexible collapse zone.

20. The closure of claim 15 further comprising a grommet in the sleeve with which to engage the utensil.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of the apparatus in a collapsed state, from top and bottom, respectively.

[0015] FIGS. 2A and 2B are perspective views of the apparatus in an expanded state, from top and bottom, respectively.

[0016] FIGS. 3A and 3B are side and perspective views of the apparatus in an expanded state.

[0017] FIGS. 4A-4C are top perspective views of the expanded state detail of the apparatus in alternate shapes, including round, square and rectangular.

[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an embodiment of the expanding and collapsing detail of the apparatus shown in collapsed (utensil retracted) state.

[0019] FIG. 6 shows the same embodiment as FIG. 5 but with the apparatus in expanded (utensil extended) state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] Advantageously, the disclosed container closure with integral utensil includes a circular (or other shape to mate with alternate container shapes) structure or lid with a rim for gripping the container's rim, an expandable sleeve or sheath that is axially and bidirectionally movable with the utensil integral thereto or operably attached to, and desirably therethrough, in such a way as to have the utensil sealably engaged within the sleeve. With axial motion of the utensil, the sleeve expands away from the lid from a collapsed and relatively compact state that encloses a use end of the utensil to an expanded state with the use end of the utensil extended away from the lid for use. It is desirable that the utensil move with the material of the sleeve to which it is attached or engaged, rather than to pass through or slide through the material of the sleeve.

[0021] In one embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 the closure is shown in alternative collapsed and expanded states of sleeve or sheath 2. FIGS. 1A, 1B and 5 show sleeve 2 in a collapsed state (having moved or been placed into that state in the direction of arrow 21), and FIG. 2A, 2B and 3A, 3B and 6 show sleeve 2 in an expanded state (having moved or been placed into that state in the direction of arrow 20). Sleeve 2 is axially and bidirectionally movable from a collapsed state (FIG. 1, FIG. 5), with utensil use end 10 withdrawn and or enclosed by sleeve 2, to an expanded state (FIG. 2, FIG. 6), with utensil use end 10 extended out of sleeve 2 for use.

[0022] Sleeve 2 is attached to lid 4 that has rim 6 for gripping the container rim and thereby sealing the container with utensil use end 10 enclosed within the container. FIGS. 1 and 2 have alternative multiple closure rims 6 for fitting two different sizes of cans; additional closure sizes (such as non-round-see FIG. 4) for alternate can-sizes and alternate can shapes are contemplated.

[0023] The attached or integral utensil has use end 10 and handle end 12. When the device is in a collapsed state, use end 10 is at a distance that is relatively closer to lid 4 (FIG. 1, FIG. 5). This allows the device to be used to reseal a food container with use end 10 stored inside the container. When the device is in an expanded state the use end 10 extends away from lid 4, increasing the relative distance between use end 10 and lid 4 (FIG. 2, FIG. 6). This allows for a wider range of maneuverability of the utensil and provides a user with better utensil access to food within the container.

[0024] In FIGS. 5 and 6 sleeve 2 moves bidirectionally from a collapsed state (arrow 21) to an expanded state (arrow 20). FIG. 5 shows the device in a collapsed state from a side view and FIG. 6 shows the device in an expanded state from a side view, with sleeve 2 expanded in an outward (sometime downward) direction to expose and extend use end 10 of the utensil. Advantages of this design include allowing use end 10 to rest above the food when the closure is in a collapsed (sealable) state and attached to a container. While FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 illustrate the utensil integral with sleeve 2 (integrally formed into a joint, single-piece unit), such that movement of the utensil expands or collapses sleeve 2 without relative movement between the utensil and sleeve, FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an alternative utensil/sleeve mating feature. Grommet 3 can be any type of sealing and gripping feature that allows the utensil to be sealably installed in a relatively fixed position within sleeve 2 so that the utensil thereafter, when pulled or moved, brings sleeve 2 along with it. In order to effect installation of some utensils within grommet 3, it may be necessary at time of manufacture (or possibly by the user) to assemble 2 or more parts of the utensil through grommet 3, such as by snapping or screwing together use end 10 and handle 12 through grommet 3, for example. In any event it is desirable that the utensil assembly via grommet 3 effect the same kind of attachment to sleeve 2 that an integral utensil would have (such that movement of the utensil expands or collapses sleeve 2 without relative movement between the utensil and sleeve).

[0025] Sleeve 2 can employ a radiused form (FIGS. 5, 6) resembling or approximating a half-sphere, with the half-sphere capable of moving between two different, and opposite, half-spherical shapes. Sleeve 2 alternatively integrates stepped collapse zones 5 (FIG. 3, FIG. 4) so that the sleeve can compress to a relatively flat configuration within the closure (FIG. 1B).

[0026] Other embodiments of the disclosed container closure with integrated utensil include, but are not limited to, the following variations:

[0027] The utensil may fold flat against the lid. For example, the utensil may be compressed downward in a way that leverages the resiliency of the sleeve to maintain a constant seal, in both upright and stored positions. The utensil's handle end may snap or clip onto the circular structure to hold the utensil in a stored position.

[0028] To aid in folding and creating a more compact form, the utensil may have a hinge or pivot in one or more places. For example, the use-end and/or the handle-end of the utensil may pivot on a hinge to lay flat against the lid.

[0029] The closure may be manufactured from multiple materials or they may be manufactured from a single, relatively flexible material.

[0030] The utensil may optionally be integrated with the sleeve in a way that allows the utensil to be removed from the sleeve and closure. For example, the sleeve and or grommet may be designed to compress, and seat, onto a specific area of the utensil, such as around a grooved ring, or depression, located in the middle of the utensil, so that when the utensil is properly seated, it and the sleeve may be moved easily into expanded or collapsed states and still maintain an airtight seal when the closure is attached to the container.

[0031] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific as to structural features. It is to be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the specific features shown, since the means and construction shown comprise preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appended claims, appropriately interpreted in accordance with the doctrine of equivalents.