Field

[0001] A reclosable lid for a container is described herein, and, in particular, a reclosable lid for a container that is configured with a cover movable from an initial, closed position to an open position upon breaking of one or more frangible connections.

Background

[0002] One form of a package for a food item includes a container with an open top end that is closed by a lid. A shrink wrap film can surround the lid and at least the upper portion of the container to both secure the lid to the container and to provide tamper evidence if the lid should be removed prior to intended removal by the consumer. In some instances, the lid can have a hinged component that can be moved to expose an opening in the lid, and thus provide access to the contents of the container without removal of the lid from the container. A shrink wrap film can be provided that blocks opening of the hinged component to provide tamper evidence prior to intended removal by the consumer. In both such examples, the removal of the shrink wrap can disadvantageous^ result in a piece or pieces of material that are separated from the package and require separate disposal.

[0003] Instead of a shrink wrap film, some packages include lids with a tear-away strip that must be removed prior to opening of the hinged component, e.g., a flap. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,621,744 discloses a lid for a container with a tear-away strip. The strip is configured to initially lock a plurality of flaps but, upon removal of the strip, the flaps can be opened. Like the aforementioned shrink wrap film, the removal of the tear-away strip can disadvantageously result in a piece or pieces of material that are separated from the package and require separate disposal.

Summary

[0004] A reclosable lid for a container includes a base having an access opening and a cover assembly pivotably connected relative to the base by a base hinge. The cover assembly has a cover assembly opening; a cover periphery disposed at least partially about the cover assembly opening; and a cover pivotably connected relative to the cover periphery by a cover hinge and movable between a closed position, blocking the cover assembly opening, and an open position, permitting access to the cover assembly opening. The lid has a closed configuration with the cover assembly disposed on the base such that the access opening at least partially underlies the cover assembly opening. One or more frangible connections extend between the cover and the cover periphery when the cover is in the closed position and prior to initial movement from the closed position to the open position of the cover. The one or more frangible connections can advantageously provide for tamper evidence prior to initial desired opening of the cover, while also not generating an additional piece or pieces of material for disposal. Optionally, the cover can advantageously form a seal with the access opening to restrict ingress of moisture and egress of gasses and aromas, as will be described further herein.

[0005] The lid may also have an open configuration with the cover assembly spaced from the base by the base hinge. When the lid is in the closed configuration, the cover assembly may be attached to the base at one or more locations spaced from the cover hinge. To this end, means may be provided for securing the cover assembly to the base when the lid is in the closed configuration. The securing means can be in the form of one or more lugs that engage with apertures, such as in a snap-fit arrangement.

[0006] In one aspect, the cover periphery may have a gap, opposite the cover assembly hinge. This gap can provide access to an edge of the cover which can enable one-handed opening of the cover and thus access to the interior of the container. An optional tab portion of the cover can be disposed in the gap of the of the cover periphery when the cover is in the closed position to facilitate opening and closing of the cover.

[0007] In another aspect, the cover and the base may include means for releasably securing the cover to the base when the cover assembly is in the closed configuration and the cover is in the closed position. Such means for releasably securing can include, for example, a protruding structure that mates with a depression or the like.

[0008] In yet another aspect, the base includes a skirt configured for attachment to a container. The skirt can include lugs or recesses that mate with corresponding recesses or lugs of the neck of the container to secure the base to the container. The securement can advantageously be such that it is easier to initially attach the base to the container than to subsequently remove the base, and thus the lid, from the container. The lid can be attached to the container, for example, using a snap-fit or screw threads.

[0009] In another aspect, the cover may include a depending skirt or protuberance that extends into the base opening when the cover is in the closed position. Advantageously, the depending skirt can engage a perimeter of the base opening with an interference fit to form a seal, functioning as a plug-type seal. While not necessarily being of a liquid-tight nature, the seal can be sufficient to restrict ingress and egress of moisture and other gases or aromas, which restriction can be particularly beneficial if the contents of a container to which the lid is attached is susceptible to degradation or is odiferous, e.g., chewing gum tablets or pellets. Optionally, the depending skirt has a rearward portion closer to the cover hinge as compared to a forward portion opposite the rearward portion, the rearward portion of the depending skirt having a greater height as compared to the forward portion. The purpose of such height difference is that the taller portion of the skirt can engage sooner with the perimeter of the base opening as compared to if it were shorter to pilot the cover into alignment with the access opening for insertion of the skirt into the access opening. This can particularly be useful if the cover hinge is articulated, meaning that it has more than one axis about which pivoting of the cover relative to the cover periphery can occur.

[00010] A space can extend between the cover and the cover periphery and, when the cover is in the closed position and the cover assembly is in the closed configuration, a portion of the base underlies the space. The space can be the span of the frangible connection or connections.

[00011] When the cover assembly is in the closed configuration and the cover is in the closed position, it can be opened by pivoting the cover relative to the cover assembly about the cover hinge and away from the cover assembly opening and, if present, breaking the one or more frangible connections between the cover and the cover periphery.

[00012] To assemble the lid, the cover assembly can be moved from the open configuration to the closed configuration and the cover assembly secured to the base when the lid is in the closed configuration.

[00013] In another aspect, a one piece, reclosable lid for a container is provided. The lid can have an integral cover movable between a closed position, blocking an access opening in the lid, and an open position, exposing the access opening. The cover can have a depending skirt or plug which has an interference fit with a perimeter of the access opening when the cover is in the closed position. One or more frangible connections extend between the cover and an adjacent portion of the lid, which are broken upon initial movement of the cover from the closed position to the open position to provide tamper evidence.

[00014] In a further aspect, the access opening is provided in a base and a cover assembly is pivotably connected relative to the base by a base hinge. The cover assembly can include: a cover assembly opening; a cover periphery disposed at least partially about the cover assembly opening; and a cover hinge pivotably connecting the cover periphery relative to the cover such that the cover is movable between the closed position, blocking the cover assembly opening, and the open position, permitting access to the cover assembly opening. The one or more frangible connections extend between the cover and the cover periphery. The lid has a closed configuration with the cover assembly disposed on the base such that the access opening at least partially underlies the cover assembly opening.

[00015] In any of the embodiments described herein, the lid can be provided as a unitary component, such as an injection molded, one-piece component.

[00016] In any of the embodiments described herein, the lid can be provided attached to a container and, optionally, the container can include a food item, such as gum or candy.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[00017] Figure 1 is a front perspective view of a pair of containers each having a reclosable lid attached to an upper end thereof; showing the pair of containers joined together;

[00018] Figure 2 is a front perspective view of one of the pair of containers of Figure 1, as well as the reclosable lid attached to the one of the pair of containers;

[00019] Figure 3 is a rear perspective view of the container of Figure 2, including the attached reclosable lid, showing connection elements for connecting the one of the pair of containers to the other of the pair of containers;

[00020] Figure 4 is an exploded front perspective view of the container of Figure 2, showing the reclosable lid and an opening of the container;

[00021] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the lid of Figure 2, showing a cover assembly of the lid in an open configuration relative to a base of the lid;

[00022] Figure 6 is a detailed view of a portion of the lid as shown in Figure 5, with the cover assembly of the lid in an open configuration relative to the base of the lid, and showing structures for attaching the cover assembly to the base when the cover assembly is moved to a closed position relative to the base of the lid;

[00023] Figure 7 is a top plan view of the lid as shown in Figure 5, with the cover assembly of the lid in an open configuration relative to the base of the lid; [00024] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the lid of Figure 2, showing the cover assembly of the lid in an intermediate position between the open configuration and closed configuration relative to the base of the lid;

[00025] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the lid of Figure 2, showing the cover assembly of the lid in the closed configuration relative to the base of the lid;

[00026] Figure 10 is a detailed view of a portion of the lid as shown in Figure 9, with the cover assembly of the lid in the closed configuration relative to the base of the lid, and showing frangible connections between a cover of the cover assembly and the remainder of the cover assembly and the cover in a closed position;

[00027] Figure 11 is a top plan view of the lid of Figure 2, showing the cover assembly of the lid in the closed configuration relative to the base of the lid, showing the cover in the closed position and the frangible connections unbroken;

[00028] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the cover assembly of the lid of Figure 2 in the closed configuration relative to the base of the lid, taken along line XII-XII of Figure 11;

[00029] Figure 13 is a cross-sectional, longitudinal view of the container and the attached reclosable lid of Figure 2, taken along line XIII-XIII of Figure 2;

[00030] Figure 14 is a side elevation view of the reclosable lid of Figure 2, showing the cover assembly of the lid in the open position relative to the base of the lid; and

[00031] Figure 15 is a front perspective of the reclosable lid of Figure 2 in the open configuration relative to the base of the lid.

Detailed Description

[00032] A reclosable lid for a container is described herein and shown in Figures 1-15. The lid includes a base and a cover assembly connected relative to each other by a hinge and movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the closed configuration, an access opening of the base is at least partially overlain by an access opening of the cover assembly. The cover assembly includes a cover that is moveable about a hinge from a closed position - blocking the access opening of the cover assembly - and an open position - exposing the access opening of the cover assembly. A tamper-evident feature in the form of one or more frangible connections between the cover and the remainder of the cover assembly are broken upon initial movement of the cover from the closed position to the open position. Advantageously, and as will be discussed further herein, in the preferred embodiment the lid is configured to enable one-handed, tamper- evident opening with no separate piece created that requires disposal. Additionally, the lid can optionally be formed as a unitary, one-piece molded component using plastic injection techniques. Also optionally, the cover can be configured to form a seal with a perimeter of the access opening, which can beneficially restrict ingress of moisture and/or egress of odors and gasses.

[00033] The lid 10 includes a base 16 and a cover assembly 12 connected relative to each other by a hinge 24, as shown in Figure 3, and movable between an open configuration and a closed configuration during assembly of the lid 10. In the closed configuration, an access opening 39, as shown in Figure 5, of the base 16 is at least partially overlain by an access opening 17 (see also Figure 15) of the cover assembly 12. The cover assembly 12 includes a cover 14 and a cover periphery 15. The cover 14 is moveable about a hinge 20 from a closed position - blocking the access opening 17 of the cover assembly 12 - and an open position - exposing the access opening 17 of the cover assembly 12.

[00034] A tamper-evident feature in the form of one or more frangible connections 25 between the cover 14 and the cover periphery 15 are broken upon initial movement of the cover 14 from the closed position to the open position. Breaking of the frangible connections 25 and opening of the cover 14 allows for initial access to items in the container 18. For example, one may initially open the cover 14 of the lid 10, thereby breaking the frangible connections 25, and tilt the container assembly 11 to allow the items to exit the container assembly 11. More specifically, Figure 4 shows an access opening 34 of the container 18, wherein items stored in the container 18 can exit the container 18 via the opening 17 of the cover assembly 12. Advantageously, the use of the frangible connections 25 means that no separate piece of material is created upon initial opening of the cover 14 of the lid 10. This is contrast to the separate piece of material created from the prior packages described above, such as removed shrink wrap film or tear strips associated with a lid.

[00035] With reference to Figures 5-7, the lid 10 is shown in an open configuration. The lid 10 can advantageously be formed from a single mold in such a configuration using injection molding techniques. More specifically, the cover periphery 15 has four projecting locking lugs 36 on an underside 33 of the cover periphery 15. Each projecting locking lug 36 may be cylindrical in shape. Other possible locking lug shapes are possible and contemplated. The lugs 36 may also have a pair of slits running longitudinally along the length of the lug. The slits create two lug walls opposite one another allowing for flexion of the lugs 36. The cover assembly 12 is moveable with respect to the base 15 by the hinge 24, and as the cover assembly 12 is moved towards the base 16 it will pass through an intermediate configuration, as shown in Figure 8.

[00036] The base 16 has a skirt 22 and a recessed platform 35. The skirt 22 matches the shape of the container 16 to provide a continuous outer surface wall 57 (see Figure 1) of the container assembly 11. The recessed platform 35 has four receiving holes 38 for receiving the projecting locking lugs 36. The recessed platform 35 is surrounded by a discontinuous, raised rim 45 to accommodate the shape of the cover assembly 12 when the lid 10 is in the closed configuration. More specifically, as the cover assembly 12 is being shut (i.e., attached to the base 16) the two walls of each lug 36 can flex inwards towards one another to pass through the holes 38. The lugs snap fit into place as a lip of each lug wall latches to the underside of recessed platform. Furthermore, the rim 45 has a gap 52 to accommodate a tab 40 of the cover 14 when the cover 14 is in the closed configuration, as shown in Figure. The rim 45 also has a second gap 47, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, to accommodate a rear end 49 of the cover assembly 14 when the cover assembly 14 is in the closed configuration.

[00037] The cover 14 also has an annular protuberance or depending skirt 46 with an outer diameter slightly less than the inner diameter of the base opening 39, such that when the cover 14 is affixed to the base 16 the annular protuberance fits concentrically within the opening 39 but, preferably, with a friction fit. More specifically, and as shown in Figure 12, as the cover assembly 12 is moved towards the base 16 and into the closed position, an extension 56 of the annular protuberance 46 has an outer wall 67 that slides along a first inner surface 59 of the access opening 39 of the base 16 to pilot the annular protuberance 46 into alignment with the access opening 39 to facilitate insertion, which can be particularly beneficial when an interference fit is desired. The hinge 20 can have multiple pivot axes to assist with the alignment of the cover 14 with the access opening 39 during insertion. When the cover assembly 12 is latched to the base 16 and in the fully closed position, a portion of an outer wall 62 of the annular protuberance 46 seats flush against the remainder of the inner surface 59 of the access opening 39, preferably with an interference fit in a plug-type arrangement. Such a plug-type arrangement can restrict the ingress of moisture, which can be particularly beneficial when the lid is intended for use with a container having contents that can degrade when exposed to moisture and/or give off odors or gasses. [00038] The tab 40 of cover 14 has a rib 42 protruding form an underside 54 of the tab 40. The rib 40 has a lip 43 that slides over a ledge 48 and into a recess 50, thus latching the cover 14 of the cover assembly 12 to the base 16 and further securing the cover 14 to the base 16 when the cover 14 is in the closed position.

[00039] Figures 9-11 show the reclosable lid 10 in the closed configuration. In the closed configuration, the cover assembly 12 is secured to the base 16 with the projecting locking lugs 36 and the rib 42. The frangible connections 25 are spaced along the length of an inner wall 41 of the cover periphery 15. The frangible connections 25 can have a trapezoidal shape, though they may have any other shape, such as a square shape or a rectangular shape.

[00040] For complete assembly of the container assembly 11, the reclosable lid 10 is press- fit to the container 18. More specifically, and with reference to Figures 12 and 13, the base 16 has an annular recess 58 for accommodating an upper rim 71 of the base 16. Additionally, the base 16 has inner surface 70 with evenly-spaced, flexible tabs 60 extending therefrom. Each tab 60 has a ledge 63, a shallow-angled wall 64, and deeper-angled wall 66. As the upper rim 71 of the container 18 enters the annular recess 58, a curved annular rib 72 of the upper rim 71 slides along the shallow-angled walls 64 of the tabs 60 and over the ledge 63. The curved surface of the rib 72 of the rim 71 allows the rib 72 to slide over the ledges 63 of the tabs 60 and clip under the ledges 63. A bottom surface 74 of the base 16 is then seated on a seat 73 of the container 18.

[00041] Figures 14 and 15 illustrate the cover 14 of the reclosable lid 10 in an open configuration. In order to initially extract the contents of the container assembly 11, the cover 14 may be opened by pushing - which can be done one handed — on the tab 40 of the cover 14 with sufficient force to unlatch the rib 42 of the tab 40 from the ledge 48 of the base 16 and break the connection of the cover 14 to the frangible connections 25. As the cover 14 moves between the open and closed configurations the cover 14 pivots about hinge 20.

[00042] After initial movement of the cover 14 from the closed position to the open position thereby breaking the breaking the connection of the frangible connections 25 to the cover 14, the cover 14 may be opened and closed repeatedly by latching and unlatching of the rib 42 to the base 16.

[00043] The size, ergonomic shape of the container assembly 11, and position of the cover 14 allow the consumer to open and close the container assembly 11 by gripping the container assembly 11 and popping open the cover 14 with their thumb or other digit. To facilitate such opening, which can be one-handed, an edge of the cover 14 is preferably exposed relative to the cover assembly 12, such as by a gap in the cover assembly 12. The cover 14 may also be opened with a finger from the hand not gripping the container assembly 11.

[00044] The lid 10 may be made of plastic or any other semi-rigid material, as can the container 18. Both can be injection molded, although the container 18 could be formed using alternative methods, such as blow molding. The lid 10 may preferably be attached to the container 18 by a snap-fit connection to form a packaged or container assembly 11. The snap-fit connection does not require threading of the lid 10 to the container 18 or any additional steps, such as welding, to secure the lid 10 to the container 18. Preferably, the snap-fit connection between the lid 10 and the container 18 is more easily created than broken. In other words, it is easier to snap the lid 10 onto the container 18 than to remove the lid 10 from the container 18. With the lid 10 attached to the container 18, the container assembly 11 takes on an ergonomic shape that can fit in the hand of a consumer, allowing for portability and easy access to the contents within the container assembly 11. Furthermore, the container assembly 11 has rounded edges to provide a comfortable grip for a consumer.

[00045] When the cover 14 is in the closed position, the container assembly 11 can securely store the contents within, such as candy or gum. For example, the size and shape of the container assembly 11 allow for easy portability, such that a consumer may place the container assembly 11 in a pocket on their person. The cover being securable closed prevents the contents from spilling out of the container assembly 11 and into the pocket. The securable cover 14 also allows for the contents of the container assembly 11 to be used or consumed at various times. For example, if the container assembly 11 contains gum, then a consumer can open the cover 14, extract a piece of gum, and securely close the cover 14 in order to preserve the freshness of the gum or other item remaining in the container assembly 11 that may be extracted at a later time.

[00046] Furthermore, once all of the original contents of the container assembly have been consumed (or simply extracted), then the container assembly 11 may be filled with different items. For example, if the container assembly 11 contained gum and a consumer consumed all of the gum therein, then the consumer may wish to reuse the container assembly 11 to store other items, such as other edible items. This feature allows a consumer to extend the usage lifetime of the container assembly 11 by storing new contents after the original contents have been removed. [00047] The container 18 of the container assembly 11 has a base 19 that allows the container assembly 11 to stand upright when placed on a flat, horizontal surface. This is advantageous in the event that the cover 14 is accidentally left open. The container 18 may be made of plastic or any other semi-rigid material, such as the material used for the lid 10. Furthermore, the semi-rigid material may be recyclable, thereby reducing the carbon footprint; a characteristic desired by many consumers. The semi-rigid materials also provide durability. For example, if the consumer loses their grip on the container assembly 11 , it may not break when it strikes the ground or other surface, thereby protecting the contents within. In another example, the consumer may store the container assembly 11 in a bag, such as a backpack, that may contain sharp objects that would otherwise puncture a less rigid material.

[00048] With reference to Figure 1, there is illustrated an example of two of the container assemblies 11 affixed to one another. Configured as such, the two container assemblies 11 connected together form a single container assembly 11 A, allowing for increased storage capacity. The connected container assembly 11A remains compact and ergonomical, while also providing additional storage. The two container assemblies 11 may store different items. For example, one container assembly may contain gum and the other container assembly may contain candy. This may be advantageous if, for instance, a parent wants to transport the single, combined assembly 11 A, then divide them into two to give to their children. For example, if one child wants gum and the other wants candy, the parent can separate the single, combined assembly 11 A, and give one container 11 to each child. Other scenarios and stored items are possible and contemplated, such as different flavors of candy and gum in each container assembly.

[00049] To connect the two container assemblies 11, a snap-fit connection can be utilized. More specifically, and as shown in Figure 3, each container assembly 11 has a face 26 and two longitudinal projections 28, 30 projecting outward from the face 26. Projections 28, 30 are shown as slight curvature in the longitudinal direction, but other shapes - such as linear - could also be used. Projection 30 also has an access opening 32. The two container assemblies 11 may be sandwiched together by aligning the faces 26 of the container assemblies 11 and press-fitting them together. More specifically, the projection 28 of each of the container assemblies 11 will securely fit into the access opening 32 of the projection 30 of the opposite container assembly 11.

[00050] With the two container assemblies 19 symmetrically merged together, the bases 19 form a single, larger base 19A that allows the container assembly 11 A to be balanced in an upright position when placed on a flat, horizontal surface. As with the single container assembly 11 of Figure 1, the container assembly 11A configuration is advantageous in the event that either cover 14 (or both covers) is accidentally left open.