FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0001] The present disclosure relates to container closures, particularly to overcap closures that are removable from a container by a single hand.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0002] Plastic lids may typically be used in container assemblies as a secondary (i.e. overcap) closure to provide a reclosability function, with a moisture barrier and/or oxygen barrier, to the products contained within a container. These container assemblies often comprise a rigid container body (e.g., cylindrical) manufactured with the top and bottom ends initially open. The composite container bodies may comprise rigid cans made from sheet material (e.g., spirally wound), such as cardboard and/or paperboard. Such container assemblies further include top and bottom end closures. While the bottom end closure (e.g., metal or paper end) is usually permanently affixed (e.g., seamed) to a bottom rim of the container body, the top end closure is often designed to be easily removed by the consumer (e.g., a plastic removable/replaceable overcap and/or a peelable membrane). Typically, the membrane is first sealed to the top rim of the container. The container interior is then filled with products (e.g., food products) through the open bottom end of the container body, and the metal or paper closure is affixed onto the bottom rim of the container body. In a conventional container, the plastic overcap may be applied over the membrane after sealing of the membrane and/or after affixing the bottom closure onto the container.

[0003] One disadvantage to the above-described conventional system is that the plastic removable/replaceable overcap may require both hands to remove the overcap (e.g., one to hold the container and the other to remove the overcap). Thus, even if the container is disposed on a surface, the container system must be picked up to remove the overcap and access the contents of the container. Therefore, there is a need for an overcap which is more easily removable from a container.

[0004] Through ingenuity and hard work, the inventors have developed an overcap which is easily removable with a single hand and provides a child proof closure around an open end of a container. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0005] The present disclosure relates generally to an overcap having two integral, diametrically opposed release tabs configured to release the lid from the rim of a container body when pressed towards the axial center of the overcap. The release tabs define pressure points on opposing sides of the lid, such that when the release tabs are pressed towards one another, the pressure of the overcap against the container is relieved and the overcap may be easily removed from the body of the closure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

[0006] A full and enabling disclosure directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0007] FIG. 1 A illustrates a top perspective view of an example lid, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0008] FIG. IB illustrates a bottom perspective view of the example lid, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0009] FIG. 1C illustrates a bottom perspective view of the lid in area C-C, shown in FIG.

IB, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0010] FIG. 2A shows a cross-sectional view of an example lid taken along line A-A in FIG. IB, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0011] FIG. 2B shows a cross-sectional view of the example lid taken along line B-B in FIG. IB, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0012] FIG. 3 A illustrates a top perspective view of an example lid, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0013] FIG. 3B illustrates top perspective view of an example lid, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a container system in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0015] FIG. 5A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example container system taken across line 1-1 in FIG. 4, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0016] FIG. 5B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example container system taken across line 2-2 in FIG. 4, in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure; and [0017] FIG. 6A illustrates a cross-sectional view of an example container system with the lid in a closed position;

[0018] FIG. 6B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the example container system with the lid is a flexed position;

[0019] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view of two container systems stacked, in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention.

[0020] Repeated use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features or elements of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DISCLOSURE

[0021] Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the present disclosure, not limitation of the present disclosure. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present disclosure without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still farther embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

[0022] A lid 100 in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGs. 1A-B. In some embodiments, the lid 100, comprises abase 105, and a skirt 110. The base 105 may comprise a peripheral edge 107 about the perimeter of the base 105. In some embodiments, the peripheral edge 107 may be a juncture between the base 105 and the skirt 110, forming a 90- degree angle (or an approximation thereof) therebetween.

[0023] In some embodiments, the lid 100 may comprise a first release tab 120a and a second release tab 120b, each disposed within, integral with, or extending upwardly from the skirt 110. Each release tab 120 may comprise a skirt portion 121 and an upper portion 122. The skirt portion 121 may be defined by a cut 135 on each side of the release tab 120 which separates the release tab from the remainder of the skirt 110 circumferentially. In some embodiments, the cut 135 may extend from a bottom edge 111 of the skirt 110 to the base 105, but not through the base 105. In some embodiments, the cut 135 may have a thickness, such that a portion of the skirt 110 is removed, thereby allowing easier movement of the release tabs 120. Although described as a “cut” it should be understood that any form of separation may be used. For example, in some embodiments, the cut 135 may be integrally formed when making the lid 100 (e.g., as a gap between the skirt 110 and the skirt portion 121 of the release tab 120). In some embodiments, the cut 135 may be formed as a slit between the skirt 110 and the skirt portion 112, while in other embodiments other forms of cuts may be used. In some embodiments, the cut 135 may be a separation between the release tab 120 and the skirt 110. For example, in an embodiment the lid may be 3-D printed, and rather than print a continuous skirt, the pattern may leave a space between the release tab 120 and the skirt 110.

[0024] In an embodiment, the interface between the skirt portion 121 of the release tab 120, the upper portion 122 of the release tab 120, and the base 105 may comprise a hinge 119 (see Fig. IB). The hinge 119 may allow angular movement of the release tab 120, as will be described here. The hinge 119 may comprise a thin polymeric material that has sufficient flexibility to bend without fracturing. Any hinge formation known in the art may be utilized.

[0025] In some embodiments, a circumferential ridge 115 may extend from a top side of the base 105. The circumferential ridge 115 may be spaced radially inward from the circumferential edge 107. In some embodiments, the circumferential ridge 115 may be configured to receive and retain a container body (e.g., stacking) to prevent movement of one container atop another container, across the lid 100. In some embodiments, the circumferential ridge 115 may define a gap 117 adjacent each side of the release tabs 120 (see FIG. 3 A). In some embodiments, the gap 117 may afford easier movement or hinging of the release tabs 120.

[0026] In some embodiments, the upper portion 122 of the release tabs 120 may extend upwardly above the base 105 of the lid 100. The upper portion 122 may define a divot 124 on an outer surface of the release tab 120, and a bulge 123 on an inner surface of the release tab 120. The divot 124 and the bulge 123 may be coextensive. Said differently, the divot 124 formed in the outer surface of the release tab 120 and the bulge 123 on the inner surface of the release tab 120 may be different surfaces of the same feature. In an embodiment, the divot 124 is sized and configured to receive a user’s thumb or finger, providing easier gripability.

[0027] FIG. IB illustrates a perspective view of the underside of the lid 100. In some embodiments, a first release tab 120a and a second release tab 120b may be diametrically opposite one another. The first release tab 120a may be defined by a first cut 135a and a second cut 135b formed within the skirt 110. Similarly, the second release tab 120b may be defined by a third cut and a fourth cut formed within in the skirt 110.

[0028] In some embodiments, with reference to FIGs. 6A-B, the first release tab 120a and the second release tab 120b are configured to be moved angularly (the upper portions 122 towards one another and the skirt portions 121 away from each other) by pressing the divots 124 towards one another. Thus, a portion of the release tabs 120 may pivot about the circumferential edge 107 of the base 105 and release the lid 100 from a container. In some embodiments, the upper portions 122 of the release tabs 120 are configured to be pressed together with a finger and a thumb (one on each release tab) by squeezing the release tabs 120 towards one another.

[0029] In some embodiments, each of the first release tab 120a and the second release tab 120b may define a latching protrusion 130 on an inner surface 112 of the skirt portion 121 of the release tabs 120. The remaining inner surface 112 of the skirt 110 may define a skirt protrusion 125. In some embodiments, a portion of the skirt protrusion 125 may extend between the first cut 135a and the third cut 135c, and a portion of the skirt protrusion 125 may extend between the second cut 135b and the fourth cut 135d. Said differently, the skirt protrusion 125 extends, at least partially, about the circumference of the inner surface 112 of the skirt 110 that does not include one of the first or second release tabs 120a, 120b. In some embodiments, the skirt protrusion 125 may comprise a plurality of skirt protrusions 125 disposed about the circumference of the inner surface 112 of the skirt 110 (other than in the position of the first and second release tabs 120a, 120b).

[0030] FIG. 1C illustrates a portion of the underside of the lid 100 shown in FIG. IB highlighting the transition between the release tabs 120 and the skirt 110. As described above the release tab 120 may be defined by a cut 135 within the skirt portion, thereby defining the edges of the release tab 120. As illustrated in FIG. 1C, each of the cuts 135 may define a small thickness, such that the skirt portion of the release tab 120 does not directly abut the skirt 110. In some embodiments, the thickness may be up to 1 mm, up to 0.5mm, or up to 0.25mm. In some embodiments, the thickness may be large enough such that when the release tab 120 is moved there is no friction between the release tab 120 and the skirt 110, and/or the release tab 120 does not get stuck on the inner surface of the skirt 110.

[0031] In some embodiments, the cuts 135 may extend from the bottom edge 111 of the skirt 110 to the base 105 of the lid 100. As illustrated in FIG.1C, the cut 135 may cease just before intersection with the base 105. In some embodiments, the cuts 135 may be shaped such that the bottom edge 111 of the skirt portion 121 of the release tab is larger than the juncture at or near the circumferential edge 107 of the release tab 120 and the base 105. In some embodiments, the cuts 135 may be curved, diagonal, and/or straight with respect to the skirt 110. In some embodiments, the juncture at or near the circumferential edge 107 may be smaller than the bottom edge 111, while in other embodiments the juncture at or near the circumferential edge 107 may be larger than the bottom edge 111, while in yet still other embodiments the juncture at or near the circumferential edge 107 and the bottom edge 111 of the skirt 110 may be equal.

[0032] In some embodiments, the cut 135 may extend into the base. In some embodiments, a line of weakness (e.g., 136 of FIG. 4A) may continue partially through an outer surface 113 of the skirt beyond the base. In this regard the plastic material on the outer surface 113 of the skirt may be weakened to encourage flexion of the release tab 120 about the peripheral edge 107.

[0033] Each of the release tabs 120 comprise the latching protrusion 130 on the inner surface 112 of the skirt portion 121. The latching protrusion 130 may extend circumferentially between the cuts 135 defining the release tab 120. In some embodiments, the latching protrusion 130 may extend inward, from the inner surface 112 of the skirt portion 121 towards the axial center of the lid 100. In some embodiments, the latching protrusion may abut or be positioned near the bottom edge 111 of the skirt. In some embodiments, the latching protrusion 130 is nearer the bottom edge 111 of the skirt than the skirt protrusion 125.

[0034] As noted, the inner surface 112 of the skirt 110, excluding the release tab 120, may define a skirt protrusion 125. In some embodiments, the skirt protrusion 125 may also extend inward, from the inner surface 112 of the skirt 110 towards the axial center of the lid 100. The skirt protrusion 125 may be spaced away from the bottom edge 111 of the skirt 110. Said differently, the skirt protrusion 125 may be positioned closer the base 105 than the latching protrusion 130.

[0035] FIGs. 2A-B illustrate cross-sections of the lid 100, to depict the features of the skirt 110. To explain, FIG. 2A illustrates the cross-section of the lid 100 taken across line A-A in FIG. IB. FIG. 2B illustrates the cross-section of the lid 100 taken across line B-B in FIG. IB.

[0036] FIG. 2 A illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lid 100 between the first release tab 120a and the second release tab 120b illustrating features of the release tabs 120 therein. The upper portion 122 of each release tab 120 extends above the base 105 of the lid 100. In some embodiments, the gap 117 may be adjacent the upper portion 122 thereby separating the upper portion 122 from the circumferential ridge 115, while in other embodiment the upper portion 122 may be directly connected to the circumferential ridge 115. The upper portion 122 may be configured to flex about the base 105 to move the skirt portion 121 away from a container body. [0037] The latching protrusion 130 extending from the skirt portion 121 of each of the release tabs 120 may secure the lid 100 onto a container body. In some embodiments, when the upper portion 122 flexes inwardly, toward the central axis Ac of the base 105, and when the skirt portion 121 flexes outwardly, away from the central axis Ac of the base 105, the latching protrusion 130 may release from the container body to allow the lid to be removed from the container body.

[0038] Each latching protrusion 130 may extend radially inward from the inner surface 112 of the skirt 110. In some embodiments, the latching protrusion 130 may extend parallel to the base 105, while in other embodiments, the latching protrusion 130 may extend at an upwards angle towards the base 105. The latching protrusion 130 may be configured to rest under a rim of a container (the rolled rim of a container, for example), such that the lid 100 remains secured onto the container when the latching protrusion 130 is engaged with the container rim. In some embodiments, the latching protrusion 130 may define a first protrusion diameter PDi extending between a tip 131 of the first latching protrusion 130a and the tip 131 the second latching protrusion 130b. The first protrusion diameter PDi may be smaller than a skirt diameter Di extending between opposite positions about the inner surface 112 of the skirt 110.

[0039] The skirt 110 may define a skirt height Hs extending between the base 105 and the bottom edge 111 of the skirt 110. The latching protrusion 130 may extend from the bottom edge 111 of the skirt 110 and extend diagonally upward towards the base 105 of the lid 100. In some embodiments, the tip 131 of the latching protrusion 130 may be at a latching height HL. The latching height HL may be defined from the bottom edge 111 of the skirt 110 to the tip 131 of the latching protrusion 130.

[0040] In some embodiments, an upper surface 132 of the latching protrusion 130 may be linear. The upper surface 132 may be configured to retain a rim of a container body (see e.g., FIG. 5 A) wherein the tip 131 is positioned between the container body and the rim, while the edge of the rim rests within a comer 137 formed where the upper surface 132 of the latching protrusion 130 and the inner surface 112 of the skirt portion 121 meet. [0041] In some embodiments, a lower surface 133 of the latching protrusion 130 may be contoured. In some embodiments, the lower surface 133 may be configured to guide the latching protrusion 130 over the rim of a container body for easy application of the lid 100 onto the container body. In some embodiments, the lower surface 133 may include concave and convex portions.

[0042] FIG. 3B illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lid 100 taken along line B-B between two points which do not include the release tabs 120. In some embodiments, the skirt protrusions 125 may define a second protrusion diameter PD2 extending between a tip 126 of the first skirt protrusion 125a and the tip 126 of the second skirt protrusion 125b. In some embodiments, the second protrusion diameter PD2 may be larger than the first protrusion diameter PDi, and smaller than the skirt diameter Di.

[0043] In some embodiments, the skirt protrusions 125 may define a sealing height Hi extending from the bottom edge 111 of the skirt 110 to the tip 126 of the skirt protrusion 125. The sealing height Hi may be greater than the latching height HL. Said differently, the tip 126 of the skirt protrusion 125 may positioned closer to the base 105 than the tip 131 of the latching protrusion 130.

[0044] As explained with reference to FIG. 1C the skirt protrusion 125 is positioned within the skirt 110. To explain, the skirt protrusion 125 does not extend from the bottom edge 111 of the skirt 110, but rather is spaced away from the bottom edge 111 of the skirt 110. In contrast, the latching protrusion 130 may extend from the bottom edge 111 of the skirt 110.

[0045] In some embodiments, a lower surface 128 of the skirt protrusion 125 may be linear, and an upper surface 127 of the skirt protrusion 125 may be slightly curved. In some embodiments, the skirt protrusion 125 may be configured to rest about the rim of a container body (see e.g., FIG. 5B), while in contrast, the latching protrusion 130 is configured to engage under the rim of a container body.

[0046] FIGs. 3A-B illustrate alternative configurations of the lid 100. FIG. 3 A illustrates an alternative configuration of the release tabs 120. In contrast to the contoured release tabs 120 illustrated in FIGs. 1A-C, in some embodiments, the release tabs 120 may define a uniform thickness through the skirt portion 121. In this regard, each of the cuts 135 may be linear and may extend along the height of the skirt 110. The differing shapes of the release tabs 120 may change the length of the latching protrusion 130 and, thus, may change the ease of removing the lid from a container body.

[0047] FIG. 3B illustrates the lid 100 wherein the circumferential ridge 115 is continuous about the body 105 of the lid 100. In such embodiments the release tabs 120 may be continuous with the circumferential ridge 115. In some embodiments, the cuts 135 may extend at least partially into the circumferential ridge 115 to provide flexion to the release tabs 120.

Container system

[0048] In some embodiments, the present disclosure is directed to a container assembly having a lid, a container, and a bottom closure. In some embodiments, the container and the bottom closure may be paper-based, while in other embodiments, may be plastic based, or metal based, or a combination thereof.

[0049] In some embodiments, the bottom closure may be recessed into the bottom end of the container and may form a seal with an interior surface of a cylindrical container body. The container body and bottom closure may comprise a plurality of layers, including one or more paper-based layers. The one or more paper-based layers of the cylindrical container body and bottom closure may comprise at least about 95% by mass of the container assembly. This percentage of paper content may advantageously qualify the container assemblies as mono material, allowing them to be accepted in the recycling streams of most countries globally.

[0050] A container assembly 200 is shown in FIGS. 4-6B. The container system 200 may include a lid 100 and a container 250. The container 250 may have a sidewall 252 defining an upper end 255, wherein the upper end includes a top rim 260 circumscribing a top end of the sidewall 252, and a bottom peripheral edge 265 circumscribing a bottom end of the sidewall 252. The bottom end may comprise a bottom closure 270, optionally recessed into the container body 250. In some embodiments, illustrated in FIGs. 6A-B, the top end may comprise a membrane 280, optionally recessed into the container body.

[0051] The top rim 260 may be a rolled rim and may have an outer diameter DR that is larger than a container diameter De corresponding to an exterior surface 254 of the container sidewall 252. Alternatively, the top rim 260 may comprise a metal (or other material) end having bead, wherein the end is seamed onto the container. For example, the metal end may have a peelable aluminum membrane, easy-open (“EZO”) function, or ring-pull, and the bead may also have an outer diameter that is larger than the outer diameter of the container sidewall 252. [0052] In some embodiments, the container body 250 may comprise a rigid cylinder. In such cylindrical embodiments, the container body 250 may have an inner diameter Di of about 3-16 cm (about 1-8 in.). For example, the container body 250 may have an inner diameter Di of about 7.315 cm (about 2.880 in.). In some cylindrical embodiments, the inner diameter Di of the container body 250 may be within a range of about 3-20 cm (about 1-8 in.). For example, the container body 250 may have an inner diameter Di of about 7.630 cm (about 3.004 in.). The bottom closure 270 of the container 250 may be circumscribed by a bottom peripheral edge 265 formed by the terminating edge of the sidewall 252 that forms the body of the container body 250. The sidewall 252 may include an interior surface 253 facing the container interior and an exterior surface 254 facing the outside of the container body 250. The interior surface 253 may be the product-facing side of the sidewall 252 of the container body 250. In some embodiments, the product(s) may be food products, and the interior surface 253 may include a food safe layer, lacquer, film, liner, and/or coating to help protect the integrity of the food product(s) to be contained within the container body 250. The exterior surface 254 may include printing or other applied graphics for labeling and/or advertising the product(s) to be contained within the container body 250. In an embodiment, the outer surface of the lid 100 may be coated with polyethylene or any lacquer known in the art.

[0053] In some embodiments, the sidewall 252 of the container body 250 may have a thickness (e.g., as measured from the interior surface 253 to the exterior surface 254 of the container sidewall 252) of about 0.05-0.2 cm (about 0.02-0.787 in.). For example, the sidewall 252 of the container body 250 may have a thickness of about 0.157 cm (0.062 in.).

[0054] As discussed, with reference the lid 100, first protrusion diameter PDi may smaller than the outer diameter of the rim, also referred to as the rim diameter DR of the container 200. Thus, before application of the lid 100 onto the container 200 the latching protrusions 130 may rest on the rim 260 of the container 200. In some embodiments, to overcome the difference in diameters the lid 100 may be applied onto the container 200 using an application of force. A minimal force allows the release tabs 120 to flex about the base 105. While in other embodiments the release tabs 120 may be pivotably towards one another to expand the first protrusion diameter PDi to allow the latching protrusions 130 to expand over the apex of the rim 260. In some embodiments, the container system 200 may include a sealing compound 282 about the top rim 260, illustrated in FIGs. 6A-B. [0055] In some embodiments, the tip 131 of the latching protrusion is secured at a transition point, where the rim 260 transitions into the container body 250. Thus, the first protrusion diameter PDi of the lid 100, is approximately equivalent to the container diameter De, wherein the container diameter De extends between exterior surfaces 252 of the container body 250. The diagonal shape of the latching protrusion 130 may prevent the lid 100 from being improperly removed from the container body 250, as pulling the lid 100 with an upward force, without engaging the release tabs 120, would not cause the release tabs 120 to flex to allow the tip 131 of the latch protrusion 130 to flex detach from the container body 250.

[0056] In some embodiments, the second protrusion diameter PD2 may be slightly smaller than the rim diameter DR and may be slightly larger than the container diameter De. Thus, the skirt protrusion 125 may rest just under the apex of the rim 260, wherein the apex is the widest point of the rim 260 thereby forming an interference fit. In some embodiments, since the skirt protrusion 125 is smaller than the latching protrusion 130 the skirt protrusion 125 may slide over the rim 260 of the container body 250 without needing to release from the rim 260.

[0057] While the container may be cylindrical, is should not be so limited. In some embodiments, the container may have a square, hexagonal, pentagonal, rectangular, triangular, or irregular cross-section. The lid 100 may have a shape and configuration which correlates to the cross-section of the container 250. Thus, for a cylindrical container, the lid 100 may be disc shaped. However, a container with a square cross section may be fitted with a square lid, for example.

[0058] In some embodiments, the container system 200 is configured to be stackable, as illustrated in FIG. 7. Thus, the circumferential ridge 115 of the lid may define a ridge diameter DR. In some embodiments, the ridge diameter may be substantially equivalent to the container diameter De. Thus, the container body 250 may rest securely within the circumferential ridge 115.

[0059] In some embodiments, the container body 250 may be designed such that the bottom peripheral edge comprises a bottom diameter DB, wherein the bottom diameter DB is larger than the container diameter De. In such embodiments the ridge diameter DR may be larger than the container diameter De, and the ridge diameter DR may be substantially equivalent to the bottom diameter DB. In both configurations the container body 250 is designed to rest snuggly within the circumferential ridge 115 of the lid 100 to provide for easier and more secure stacking of like container systems 200.

[0060] In some embodiments, the rigid sidewall 252 of the container body 250 may include multiple layers, such as a paper-based layer, a barrier layer, an ionomer layer, and/or a tie layer, for example. Each component layer (paper-based layer, a barrier layer, ionomer layer) may comprise a single layer or may comprise a plurality of layers.

[0061] In an embodiment, the lid 100 is strong enough to withstand transportation of the container on its lid 100, from the production line to the customer. Likewise, the lid 100 is strong enough to withstand the filling and finishing of the container by the customer, transportation to retail stores, and ultimately transportation to the home of the consumer and use/reuse by the consumer. In an embodiment, the lid 100 is able to withstand temperature and humidity changes that may occur during transportation. In an embodiment, the lid 100 protects the goods contained within the container, is optically/aesthetically acceptable, is recyclable (preferably in the same stream as the container body), and meets other customer requirements.

[0062] In some embodiments, the lid 100 may be used in connection with a membrane seal. In this embodiment, the membrane seal may be sealed onto the container rim prior to application of the lid 100 thereto. In other embodiments, the lid 100 itself may be sealed onto a container rim and may, therefore, avoid the need for a membrane seal. That is, the lid 100 may form a hermetic seal with the rim of the container in an embodiment.