CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to and any benefit of U.S. Provisional

Application No. 61/750,899, filed January 10, 2013, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

[0002] This disclosure relates to a seal for a product package, in particular a container and closure. The seal includes tactile features useful to a user opening the container. The seal, closure, and container of the product package can be used with, among other things, beverage products, nutritional products, and pharmaceutical products. In some product package designs, the seal acts as a tamper evidence seal to indicate to the user that the container has not been opened before the first use by the user. A concern with tamper evidence seals applied to containers is that the seal may make opening the container more difficult, especially for users with decreased gripping ability. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a closure and/or a seal for a container with gripping features so that the seal does not make opening the container overly difficult, while providing a tamper evident seal at the time of the product's intended use.

[0003] While a variety of product packages, and in particular closures and/or seals for containers, have been made and used, it is believed that no one prior to the inventor(s) has made or used an invention as described herein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0004] While the specification concludes with claims that particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description of certain examples taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify the same elements.

[0005] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary product package showing a container and closure in a closed position.

[0006] FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the container and closure of FIG. 1 in an open position.

[0007] FIG. 3 depicts a top view of an exemplary seal with a tab.

[0008] FIG. 4 depicts a partial side view of the seal of FIG. 3 applied to the container of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 5A depicts a cross sectional view of an exemplary closure with a tab.

[0010] FIG. 5B depicts a bottom view of the closure of FIG. 5 A.

[0011] FIG. 5C depicts a cross sectional view of another exemplary closure with an acutely extending tab.

[0012] FIG. 5D depicts a bottom view of the closure of FIG. 5C.

[0013] FIG. 6A depicts a partial cross sectional view of the closure of FIG. 5A applied to the seal and the container of FIG. 4.

[0014] FIG. 6B depicts a partial cross sectional view of the closure of FIG. 6A removed from the seal and the container.

[0015] FIG. 7 depicts a side view of another exemplary closure with an opening.

[0016] FIG. 8 depicts a partial side view of the closure of FIG. 7 coupled with the seal and the container of FIG. 6B.

[0017] FIG. 9 depicts a top view of another exemplary seal having a folded tab. [0018] FIG. 10 depicts a partial side view of the seal of FIG. 9 applied to the container of FIG. 1.

[0019] FIG. 1 1A depicts a partial side view of the seal of FIG. 10 in a lifted and folded configuration.

[0020] FIG. 11B depicts a partial side view of the seal of FIG. 1 1A being removed from the container.

[0021] FIG. 12A depicts a partial side view of the seal of FIG. 10 in a lifted and unfolded configuration.

[0022] FIG. 12B depicts a partial side view of the seal of FIG. 12A being removed from the container.

[0023] FIG. 13 depicts a top view of another exemplary seal having a folded tab.

[0024] FIG. 14 depicts a partial side view of the seal of FIG. 13 applied to the container of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 15 depicts a top view of another exemplary seal having a folded tab.

[0026] FIG. 16 depicts a partial side view of the seal of FIG. 15 applied to the container of FIG. 1.

[0027] The drawings are not intended to be limiting in any way, and it is contemplated that various embodiments of the invention may be carried out in a variety of other ways, including those not necessarily depicted in the drawings. The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention; it being understood, however, that this invention is not limited to the precise arrangements shown.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] The following description of certain examples of the invention should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. Other examples, features, aspects, embodiments, and advantages of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description, which is by way of illustration, one of the best modes contemplated for carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other different and obvious aspects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions should be regarded as illustrative in nature and not restrictive.

[0029] FIGS. 1-2 illustrate an exemplary product package (10) including closure

(100) and container (200). Container (200) includes a body (210). Body (210) includes a neck (212) extending from body (210). Neck (212) includes a top surface (203), a side wall (205), an opening (214), threads (202), a middle flange (204), and a lower flange (208). Side wall (205) extends substantially vertically from body (210) between top surface (203) and body (210). Threads (202), middle flange (204), and lower flange (208) are positioned on side wall (205). Opening (214) extends from top surface (203) through body (210). Neck (212) is configured to engage with closure (100) as further described below.

[0030] As seen in FIG. 2, closure (100) is removable from container (200). In the present example, closure (100) includes a top surface (118), a side wall (102), a locking ring (106), and a sealing disk (107). In some embodiments sealing disk (107) is omitted. In such embodiments without sealing disk (107), closure (100) can have a closed top surface (118), and closure (100) can be a single piece. Side wall (102) extends generally downward from top surface (118) and includes a gripping surface (1 16). Gripping surface (1 16) includes a plurality of protrusions (1 17) that are vertically oriented and generally equally spaced around the circumference of side wall (102). In the present example, gripping surface (1 16) increases friction between a person's fingers and closure (100) when the person is attempting to remove closure (100) from container (200).

[0031] Locking ring (106) is an optional feature and in the illustrated embodiment and is shown attached to side wall (102). Upon removal of closure (100) from container (200), locking ring (106) separates from side wall (102) and remains with container (200) as seen in FIG. 2. This separating locking ring (106) provides evidence of tampering by indicating whether closure (100) has previously been partially or fully removed from container (200). This separation of locking ring (106) is facilitated by the initial attachment of locking ring (106) to side wall (102) being perforated. [0032] Middle flange (204) of container (200) is positioned between locking ring

(106) and side wall (102). Middle flange (204) is configured to engage with locking ring (106) to retain locking ring (106) substantially stationary while side wall (102) and top surface (1 18) of closure (100) are rotated thereby causing locking ring (106) to separate from side wall (102) during removal of closure (100) from container (200). In some embodiments, middle flange (204) and locking ring (106) engage using corresponding teeth to retain locking ring (106) generally stationary during opening closure (100). Other suitable locking configurations for middle flange (204) and locking ring (106) will be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.

[0033] Side wall (102) includes an interior surface with threads corresponding to threads (202) on container (200). The threads of side wall (102) are configured to engage with threads (202) of container (200) so that closure (100) can be screwed onto and off of container (200). When tightening closure (100) onto container (200), closure (100) is pulled downward toward lower flange (208) due to the threaded arrangement between closure (100) and container (200). When removing closure (100) from container (200), the opposite occurs, and closure (100) is driven upward away from lower flange (208). In some embodiments, container (200) and/or closure (100) do not include threads (202) and instead of a threaded connection, closure (100) is snap-fitted onto container (200). In view of the teachings herein, various other modifications to container (200) and closure (100) of product package (10), as well as features of container (200) and closure (100), will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0034] In some embodiments, a seal (300) is applied to container (200) to provide tamper evidence to indicate to the user that the container has not been opened before the first use by the user. As shown in FIG. 3, seal (300) includes portion (302) with a tab (304) extending from portion (302). Tab (304) is provided as a gripping feature to may make removal of seal (300) from container (200) easier, especially for users with decreased gripping ability. Although tab (304) is shown as a generally semi-circular extension, other suitable tab (304) shapes will be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein (e.g., square, rectangular, triangular, etc.). Seal (300) is made from aluminum foil, or any other such suitable material, e.g., plastic, paper, etc. Seal (300) is disposable after seal (300) is removed from container (200). Seal (300) may vary in size, shape, and/or arrangement to couple with container (200).

[0035] As shown in FIG. 4, seal (300) is applied to container (200). Seal (300) is positioned on top surface (203) to cover opening (214) of container (200). In the present example, portion (302) covers opening (214) and extends over top surface (203) such that portion (302) is folded downward onto side wall (205) of neck (212). The area of portion (302) folded onto side wall (205) forms skirt length (303). In some embodiments, portion (302) is sized to correspond to the size of opening (214) such that portion (302) does not fold over neck (212). Portion (302) of seal (300) is attached to container (200) to form a seal around opening (214) e.g., by adhesive attachment, ultrasonic bonding, or some other suitable form of attachment. Tab (304) extends from portion (302) and is folded downward onto side wall (205) of neck (212). Tab (304) extends past skirt length (303) of portion (302) lower onto neck (212). Tab (304) of seal (300) is unbonded to container (200) such that a user is able to lift tab (304) from container (200) while portion (302) remains sealed to container (200). In some embodiments, a closure (100) is closed onto container (200) over seal (300) such that seal (300) is positioned between container (200) and closure (100). Seal (300) is positioned onto container (200) such that seal (300) allows closure (100) to screw onto threads (202) of container (200) in embodiments using a threaded connection between closure (100) and container (200), and likewise allows closure (100) to snap-fit to container (200) in embodiments using a snap-fit connection between closure (100) and container (200).

[0036] Upon opening container (200), a user rotates closure (100) to drive closure

(100) upward to remove closure from container (200), or snaps off closure (100) in snap-fit configurations. The user then removes seal (300) from container (200). To remove seal (300), tab (304) is lifted upward away from container (200) (e.g. by a finger, a fingernail, a tool, etc.) from the first position against neck (212) to a second position not directly against neck (212). Once tab (304) is lifted away from container (200) to the second position, tab (304) is pulled upwardly along container (200) to remove seal (300) from container (200). In some embodiments, a user grips or pinches each side of tab (304) to pull tab (304) along container (200). Seal (300) is sufficiently flexible to allow seal (300) to bend as seal (300) is removed from container (200). Once seal (300) is removed from container (200), the product within container (200) is accessible to the user. In some embodiments, closure (100) is replaced back onto container (200) after seal (300) is removed to store any remaining product within container (200).

[0037] In some embodiments, closure (100) and/or seal (300) are modified to include gripping features to make it easier for a user to lift tab (304) of seal (300) away from container (200) to the second position. The examples below include merely illustrative embodiments of gripping features that can be readily incorporated to a variation of closures (100) and/or seals (300).

[0038] In some embodiments, closure (100) is modified with a gripping feature to aid in lifting tab (304) away from container (200). FIG. 5A shows an exemplary closure (700) with a gripping feature. Closure (700) is similar to closure (100), except that closure (700) includes a tab (710) as a gripping feature to help lift tab (304) away from container (200). Tab (710) extends inwardly and generally perpendicularly from side wall (702) of closure (700). Side wall (702) extends downward from top surface (707) of closure (700). Tab (710) is configured to be positioned adjacent to tab (304) when closure (700) is coupled to container (200). Tab (710) extends continuously around the entire interior of side wall (702), as shown in FIG. 5B. In the present example, tab (710) is positioned on the bottom of side wall (702). In some embodiments, tab (710) is positioned higher on side wall (702).

[0039] FIG. 5C shows another exemplary closure (800) with a gripping feature.

Closure (800) is similar to closure (700), except that closure (800) includes a plurality of tabs (810) to help lift tab (304) away from container (200). Tabs (810) extend inwardly at an acute angle from side wall (802). Side wall (802) extends downward from top surface (807) of closure (800). Each tab (810) extends around only a portion of side wall (802), as shown in FIG. 5D. Although three tabs (810) are shown, any number of tabs (810) can be used.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 6A, closure (700) is positioned over seal (300) when closure

(700) is coupled to container (200). Seal (300) is first attached to container (200) such that tab (304) is folded onto and extends onto neck (212) of container (200). Closure (700) is then coupled to container (200) by rotating closure (700) onto container (200) such that corresponding threads (202, 704) engage each other to close closure (700) onto container (200). Closure (700) is thus positioned over seal (300) on container (200). Tab (710) of closure (700) extends inwardly such that tab (710) is positioned below tab (304) of seal (300). [0041] Closure (700) is then removed from container (200), as shown in FIG. 6B. As closure (700) is lifted from container (200), tab (710) engages tab (304) of seal (300) to lift tab (304) away from container (200). In the present example tab (710) lifts tab (304) to at least 10 degrees away from container (200), but in other examples tab (710) can lift tab (304) to other extents. With tab (304) lifted away from container (200), a user can more easily grasp tab (304). The user then pinches tab (304) to pull tab (304) upwardly along container (200) to remove seal (300) from container (200). In some embodiments, closure (700) includes other gripping features, such as an adhesive to the interior of side wall (102, 702) instead of tab (710). The adhesive attaches to tab (304) to lift tab (304) away from container (200) when closure (700) is removed from container (200). Still in other embodiments, a combination of an adhesive and tab (710) can be used, where such adhesive may be located on or near tab (710).

[0042] Another exemplary closure (900) is shown in FIG. 7. Closure (900) is similar to closure (100), except that closure (900) includes an opening (906) positioned on side wall (902) of closure (900). In some embodiments, opening (906) is positioned on the top of closure (900). Opening (906) is sized to correspond to the size of tab (304) on seal (300). Although one opening (906) is shown, any suitable number of openings (906) may be used. In the present example, side wall (902) includes gripping surface (916). However, gripping surface (916) is merely optional. In some embodiments, a tab similar to tab (710) of closure (700) is provided on closure (900).

[0043] Once tab (304) has been lifted away from container (200), closure (900) is used to pull tab (304) upwardly along container (200) to remove seal (300) from container (200). Closure (900) is positioned such that tab (304) slides through opening (906) of closure (900), as shown in FIG. 8. With tab (304) positioned within opening (906), closure (900) is then pulled upwardly along container (200). As closure (900) is pulled, tab (304) is pulled with closure (900) to remove seal (300) from container (200). Because a user can easily grasp closure (900), this makes removing seal (300) from container (200) easier as it increases the surface area available to grasp for removal of seal (300). In some embodiments, a portion of closure (900) is positioned against a portion of container (200) such that closure (900) pivots against container (200) as closure (900) is pulled to remove seal (300) from container (200). This provides increased leverage to remove seal (300) from container (200). [0044] In some embodiments, seal (300) is modified with a gripping feature to aid in lifting tab (304) of seal (300) away from container (200). FIG. 9 shows an exemplary seal (400) including a folded portion (406) as a gripping feature on seal (400). Seal (400) is similar to seal (300) in that seal (400) includes a portion (402) and a tab (404) extending from portion (402). Portion (402) is applied to top surface (203) of container (200). Portion (402) extends past top surface (203) and is folded downward onto side wall (205) of container (200) to form skirt length (403). However, as shown in FIG. 9, tab (404) includes a folded portion (406) such that a portion of tab (404) is folded onto itself to form folded portion (406). Tab (404) is first folded downward onto side wall (205) of container (200). Tab (404) extends past skirt length (403) on side wall (205). Tab (404) is then folded upward onto itself to form folded portion (406). Folded portion (406) is positioned on side wall (205) of container (200). Folded portion (406) increases the gripping ability to lift tab (404) away from container (200) to remove seal (400) from container (200). Tab (404) is folded such that folded portion (406) is positioned on top of the unfolded portion of tab (404). In some embodiments, tab (404) is folded such that folded portion (406) is positioned underneath the unfolded portion of tab (404). In the present example, folded portion (406) extends about half way onto tab (404). In some embodiments, folded portion (406) extends more than half way onto tab (404). In other embodiments, folded portion (406) extends less than half way onto tab (404). In the illustrated embodiment, folded portion (406) is substantially horizontal across tab (404), in other words folded portion (406) is transversely positioned across tab (404). In other embodiments, folded portion (406) is longitudinally positioned along tab (404). Other suitable folded portion (406) configurations will be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein.

[0045] Seal (400) is coupled to container (200), as shown in FIG. 10. Portion (402) of seal (400) is positioned on top surface (203) to cover opening (214) of container (200).Portion (402) extends past top surface (203) of container (200) and folds downwardly onto side wall (205) of neck (212). Tab (404) extends from portion (402) and folds downwardly onto side wall (205) of neck (212) of container (200). Folded portion (406) is positioned on tab (404) in an upward position on tab (404) on side wall (205) of neck (212). In some embodiments, closure (100) is positioned over seal (400) and container (200) to close container (200) and prevent inadvertent puncturing of seal (400). Once a user is ready to open container (200), the user removes closure (100) from container (200) by rotating closure upward along threads (202). With closure (100) removed, seal (400) is positioned on container (200) as shown in FIG. 10.

[0046] FIGS. 11A-11B show an exemplary method to lift tab (404) of seal (400) away from container (200). Tab (404) is lifted upward away from container (200) (e.g. by a finger, a fingernail, a tool, etc.) such that folded portion (406) remains folded on tab (404), as shown in FIG. 1 1A. Folded portion (406) increases the surface area and rigidity of tab (404), making it easier for a user to lift tab (404) away from container (200). Once tab (404) is lifted away from container (200), tab (404) is pulled upwardly along container (200) to remove seal (400) from container (200), as shown in FIG. 1 IB. In some embodiments, a user grips or pinches each side of tab (404) to pull tab (404) along container (200). Folded portion (406) remains folded on tab (404) while seal (400) is removed from container (200).

[0047] In some embodiments, folded portion (406) is pulled downward to aid in removing seal (400) from container (200), as shown in FIGS. 12A-12B. Folded portion (406) is pulled downwardly to unfold folded portion (406) from tab (404) (e.g. by a finger, a fingernail, a tool, etc.) as shown in FIG. 12A. This extends tab (404) away from container (200), providing an increase in the surface area of the portion of tab (404) to be gripped and making it easier for a user to grasp tab (404) to remove seal (400) from container (200). Once tab (404) is extended from container (200), tab (404) is pulled upwardly along container (200) to remove seal (400) from container (200), as shown in FIG. 12B. In some embodiments, a user grips or pinches each side of tab (404) to pull tab (404) along container (200).

[0048] Another exemplary seal (500) is shown in FIGS. 13-14. Seal (500) is similar to seal (400), except that tab (504) of seal (500) is folded further onto portion (502). As shown in FIG. 14, portion (502) is coupled to top surface (203) of container (200). Portion (502) extends past top surface (203) and is folded downwardly onto side wall (205) of container (200) to form skirt length (503). Tab (504) extends from portion (502) and is folded downwardly onto side wall (205) of container (200). Tab (504) is folded upward onto itself and portion (502) to form folded portions (505, 506). The area of tab (504) that is folded upwardly along side wall (205) of container forms folded portion (505). The fold in tab (504) then extends past side wall (205) to form folded portion (506) such that folded portion (506) is positioned on top surface (203) of container (200). To remove seal (500) from container, folded portions (505, 506) are pulled downwardly to unfold folded portions (505, 506) from tab (504) (e.g. by a finger, a fingernail, a tool, etc.). This extends tab (504) away from container (200), providing an increase in the surface area of the portion of tab (504) to be gripped and making it easier for a user to grasp tab (504) to remove seal (500) from container (200). Once tab (504) is extended from container (200), a user grasps tab (504) to pull tab (504) upwardly along container (200) to remove seal (500) from container (200).

[0049] Another exemplary seal (600) is shown in FIGS. 15-16. Seal (600) is similar to seal (400), except that tab (604) of seal (600) includes a first folded portion (608) and a second folded portion (606). Tab (604) is positioned on side wall (205) of container (200). A first portion of tab (604) is folded upward to form first folded portion (608) on side wall (205). Similarly, a second portion of tab (604) is folded upward to form second folded portion (606) on side wall (205). In the illustrated embodiment first folded portion (608) and second folded portion (606) are made with upwards folds that have fold lines that extend generally diagonally across tab (604). In some embodiments, first folded portion (608) and/or second folded portion (606) are folded underneath tab (604). In the illustrated embodiment, first folded portion (608) and second folded portion (606) are positioned to form a corner (610) on tab (604), as shown in FIG. 15. In the present example, corner (610) is centered on tab (604). However, in some embodiments, corner (610) is positioned towards one side of tab (604). In the present example, corner (610) also has a pointed configuration. In other embodiments, corner (610) has a rounded, flat, or other suitable configuration to aid in lifting tab (600) away from container (200). Although two folded portions (606, 608) are shown in the illustrated embodiment, any number of folds can be used. For instance, in some embodiments, tab (604) includes a third folded portion such that corner (610) is folded upward and positioned onto tab (604). Any of the folded portion (406, 505, 506) configurations can be readily incorporated into seal (600). Other suitable tab (604) configurations will be apparent to one with ordinary skill in the art in view of the teachings herein. [0050] As shown in FIG. 16, seal (600) is attached to container (200) such that tab

(604) extends onto neck (212) of container (200). To remove seal (600) from container (200), tab (604) is lifted upward away from container (200) via corner (610) (e.g. by a finger, a fingernail, a tool, etc.) such that folded portions (606, 608) remain folded on tab (604). Folded portions (606, 608) make it easier for a user to lift tab (604) away from container (200). Once tab (604) is lifted away from container (200), tab (604) is pulled upwardly along container (200) to remove seal (600) from container (200). In some embodiments, a user grips or pinches each side of tab (604) to pull tab (604) along container (200). Folded portions (606, 608) remain folded on tab (604) while seal (600) is removed from container (200).

[0051] In view of the teachings herein, various modifications to container (200) and closure (100) of product package (10), as well as features of seal (300), will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art.

[0052] Having shown and described various embodiments of the invention disclosed herein, further adaptations of the devices, methods, and systems described herein may be accomplished by appropriate modification by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention disclosed herein. Several of such potential modifications have been mentioned, and others will be apparent to those skilled in the art. For instance, examples, embodiments, geometries, materials, dimensions, ratios, steps, and the like discussed above are illustrative. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be considered in terms of the following claims and is understood not to be limited to the details of structure and operation shown and described in the specification and drawings.