Abstract:
A container assembly includes a container part and a lid part. The lid part has a connection portion to be connected to the container part. For automatic assembly of the container assembly from the container part and the lid part it is advantageous that separate lid parts can be manipulated easily. The lid parts are stackable. More particular it is proposed to provide the top side of the lid with a circumferential cam which can engage inside a circumferential rim of the connection portion. To be able to remove dust and debris from the top side of the lid it is proposed to provide a circumferential cam with interruptions. In the embodiment wherein part of the lid is shaped to correspond with its aimed contents, as is for example part of the spoon, the interruption should preferably be provided at the location of such shape such as a spoon.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a container assembly comprising a container part and a lid part, said lid part comprising a connection portion for connection to said container part and a lid being pivotably connected to said connection portion. The invention further relates to such a lid part. 
         [0002]    Such a container assembly and lid part are known from PCT/NL 2005/000089, which is incorporated by reference as if fully set forth. A package is disclosed therein for containing both a product and a spoon. Subject invention can be used in combination with such a package but it should be noted that it can also be used with other prior art packages. 
         [0003]    Such a container assembly is produced by combining the container part with the lid part. More particular the connection portion of the lid part is adhered to the top side of the container. It is aimed to optimize the assembly of the lid part and container part as much as possible. To that end lid parts should be automatically supplied and manipulated to be brought in position on the container part. Exact positioning of the lid part is essential. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0004]    The invention aims to improve handling of the lid parts in order to more easily assemble lid part and container part. 
         [0005]    Another object of the invention is to improve the handling of the container with the lid part and container part attached to it. 
         [0006]    Yet another object of the invention is to provide the improvements without deteriorating other beneficial properties of the container assembly. 
         [0007]    According to a first aspect of the invention this is realized with a container assembly as described above in that the side remote from said lid of said connection portion and the side from the lid remote from the connection portion are provided with first complementary stacking means. According to the invention a stable stack of lid parts is obtained by the complementary cooperating stacking means provided both on the top and lower side of each lid part. 
         [0008]    This provides the possibility of stacking lid parts during manufacturing in a stable and well-defined way, allowing improved automatic handling. Furthermore, as will be explained, it allows stable stacking of container assemblies on top of one another. Additionally, it allows at the same time an improved stability and rigidity of the lid and improved handling during use, in particular during opening and closing of the lid. 
         [0009]    Such complementary stacking means according to the first aspect of the invention can comprise any structure of complementary interengaging means. However, preferably according to a further aspect of the invention the complementary stacking means comprise a cam-recess. The cam should be positioned in the recess after which a stable stack of lid parts is obtained. From such stable stack with a robot arm lid parts can be taken to be placed on the container part during manufacturing of the container assemblies. 
         [0010]    The cam can be provided both on the side of the lid facing away from the connection portion or in the connection portion. However, it is preferred that the cam is provided in the top of the lid. In this way basically the connection portion can be produced without too many special measures taken for receiving the cam of the adjacent lid part. In most cases the circumferential rim of the connection portion will be sufficient to receive the cam of the next adjacent lid. 
         [0011]    According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention also complementary stacking means are provided between the top of the lid and the bottom of the container part. In this way assembled (and filled) container assemblies can be stacked on top of each other during shipping and display for the consumer. Also these complementary stacking means are preferably provided such that the lid has a cam whilst the bottom of the container part is provided with a corresponding accommodation. Preferably such accommodation is delimited by the circumferential rim of the bottom of the container which is preferably made from the outer wall of the container together with part of the bottom thereof. 
         [0012]    More particular it is preferred that the cam on top of the lid both functions as complementary stacking means for further lid parts during assembly and as complementary stacking means during stacking of the container assemblies. In this way only a single cam will suffice. 
         [0013]    According to a further aspect of the invention the cam is a circumferential cam extending near the outer circumference of the lid to provide maximum stability during stacking. Preferably such a circumferential cam has interruptions to be able to clean the top of the lid by whipping away debris and the like. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment of the invention, the complementary stacking means comprise a rim extending from the upper part of the lid (in other words, the side of the lid remote from the connection part), said rim providing a first abutment against sliding in a direction substantially in the lid&#39;s plane. In this embodiment, the lid furthermore preferably has a second abutment contiguous to rim, provided by the surface of the lid adjacent to the rim. 
         [0015]    In this embodiment, the container part at its bottom side has a rim, which has dimensions adapted to the dimensions of the rim on the lid in such a way so as to work together with the rim on the lid to provide complementary stacking means which prevent a first container assembly which is placed on top of a second container assembly, i.e. with its bottom on the lid of the second container, from sliding. 
         [0016]    Furthermore, in an embodiment, the connection portion at its side remote from the lid of the connection portion has a rim fur providing a first abutment in a direction substantially in the lid&#39;s plan for providing an abutment against the first abutment of the rim on the lid. Furthermore, this rim on the connection portion can have a second abutment for providing an abutment against the second abutment contiguous to rim on the lid, i.e. the second abutment provided by the surface of the lid adjacent the rim. In an embodiment, this rim on the connection portion is a circumferential rim. In an embodiment, it is a U-shaped ring providing additional strength to the connection portion, said U-shaped ring opening to the side of the connection portion remote from the lid. 
         [0017]    In an embodiment, the rim on the lid provides several abutments at several positions of the circumference of the lid. 
         [0018]    In an embodiment, the rim comprises outward extending lid material. Said rim can be formed by bulging lid-material out from the main surface of the lid in the direction away from the connection portion. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment, the lid comprises at least two rim portions providing an abutment extending over at least part of at least three sides of the container assembly when having a rectangular cross-section (or it has at least three abutments spread around the circumference of the lid). 
         [0020]    In an embodiment in which the container has four sides, there is providing an abutment for four sides. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment, at least two rim portions circumscribe more than 50% of the circumference of the lid. 
         [0022]    According to a further aspect of the invention the top of the lid is at least partially shaped to conform a spoon which could be accommodated inside the lid. To that end the inside of the lid is provided with clamping means for clampingly engaging a (metering) spoon. The top of the lid has a (partially) corresponding shape. If the container assembly is relatively high a relatively long spoon is required to remove the contents from the container. If the container is furthermore a rectangular container it is preferred to use the full length of the diagonal of the lid for receiving such a spoon. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention interruptions of the circumferential cam on top of the lid are at the position of the shape for the spoon. 
         [0023]    According to a further preferred embodiment the lid is smooth at the location of the interruption to provide easy removal of debris. 
         [0024]    The invention relates to any shape of the container. If the container is a rectangular container preferably the corners thereof are rounded. Furthermore between the corner the sides are preferably bulging outwardly giving a more aesthetic shape. Furthermore, this will increase the internal volume of the container, or lower its height with the same volume. Thus, the spoon can be made shorter, or it is easier to empty the container using the same spoon length. 
         [0025]    The invention also relates to a lid part as described above. 
         [0026]    The invention further relates to a container assembly comprising a container part and a lid part, said lid part comprising a connection portion for connection to said container part, a lid being pivotably connected to said connection portion, and a locking means for locking said lid to said connection portion, wherein said locking means comprises a lip on said lid which has an upper lip part extending above a lid surface away from said connection portion and a lower lip part extending adjacent to said connecting portion, said lip being tiltable with respect to said lid about an axis substantially in a plane of said lid and near an edge of said lid. 
         [0027]    The invention further relates to a container assembly comprising a container part and a lid part, said lid part comprising a connection portion for connection to said container part, a lid being pivotably connected to said connection portion, and a locking means for locking said lid to said connection portion, wherein said lid comprising a lip for locking said lid to said connection portion, said lip being operably connected to said lid and having a cam and said connecting portion having a further cam, both cams positioned for engaging one another to keep said lid onto said connecting portion when said lip is not operated and to disengage one another when said lip is operated, and said connection portion further comprises a security lip positioned over said lip for preventing operation of said locking lip and providing temper evidence. 
         [0028]    The invention further relates to a container assembly comprising a container part and a lid part, said lid part comprising a connection portion for connection to said container part and a lid being pivotably connected to said connection portion, wherein said lid comprising a lip for locking said lid to said connection portion, said lip being operably connected to said lid and having a cam and said connecting portion having a further cam, both cams positioned for engaging one another to keep said lid locked onto said connecting portion when said lip is not operated and to disengage one another when said lip is operated, said lid further having a gripping area adjacent said lip for arrangement of a finger or thumb of a user when operating said lip. 
         [0029]    The lid part described above is preferably injection moulded as one part, in particular injection moulded from PE, PP, or other synthetic materials suitable for injection moulding. 
         [0030]    The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantageous advantages. 
     
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0031]    The invention will be further elucidated referring to an preferred embodiment shown in the drawing wherein shown in: 
           [0032]      FIG. 1  in exploded view a container assembly according to the invention; 
           [0033]      FIG. 2  the container assembly according to  FIG. 1  after assembly; 
           [0034]      FIG. 3  a stack of lid parts before assembly with the container part; 
           [0035]      FIG. 4  a perspective top and side view of a lid part according to the invention; 
           [0036]      FIG. 5  a perspective bottom and side view of the lid part of  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 6  a cross section of  FIG. 4 , 
           [0038]      FIG. 7  the lid part of  FIG. 4  opened, i.e., with the lid hinged open with respect to the connection portion, 
           [0039]      FIG. 8  an alternative lid-shape. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0040]    In the figures the container assembly is referred to by  1 . It comprises a lid part  2  and a container part  3 . Container part  3  is provided with a bottom  4  and the bottom material is connected to the side walls and defines a circumferential rim  5 . The container part can be made of cardboard, coated with a synthetic coating layer known in the art for making it suitable for containing food or liquids. The container part can also be made of plastic or metal, preferably for holding food or liquids. 
         [0041]    Lid part  2  comprises a connection portion  8 , a (living) hinge  6  and a lid  7 . Lid  7  is pivotably connected to connection portion  8 . Connection portion  8  comprises a circumferential U-shaped rim  13  to receive the upper edge  12  of the side wall of the container part  3 . Fixation of the connection portion  8  to the container wall can be effected through any means known in the art. In these drawings, the upper edge  12  of the container part  3  is folded and thus forms a double material layer. In practise, however, this needs not be the case and in most case it is a single layer. 
         [0042]    According to the invention the top of lid  7  is provided with a circumferential cam. In the embodiment shown in the drawings the lid has two cam portions  9  having interruptions  10  ( FIG. 4 ) between them. In the embodiment shown, the cams are parts of the lid  7  bulging out (i.e., away from connection portion  8 ). It is also conceivable to provide a rim on top of the lid  7 . It may even be conceivable to make the cam (circumferentially) bulging in, i.e. towards connection portion  8 . It than in fact forms a groove. In that case rim  5  at the bottom of container part  3  is received within this groove. 
         [0043]    The top of the lid  7  is shaped to partially correspond with the shape of a spoon. The shape is indicated by  11  ( FIGS. 4 ,  5 ). Inside the lid  7  clamping means ( FIG. 5 , nr  29 ) are provided to accommodate and hold a spoon having the shape and size of shape  11  of the spoon (not shown). From  FIG. 4  it is clear that the lid is substantially rectangular and shape  11  is position diagonally. Interruptions  10  of the cam portions  9  are at the position where it “crosses” shape  11 . Preferably about 20% of the circumference at the position of cams  9  comprises interruptions  10 . 
         [0044]    The lid is further provided with a circumferential rim  14  which in the closed position covers at least the top of the connection portion  8 . Cooperating locking means  31  are provided to lock the lid relative to the connection portion and tamper evident means  30  can be provided over the locking means  31  to prevent abuse. In this embodiment, locking means  31  comprise a lip  31  on lid  7  with a cam on its side directed toward the lid  7 , and a cam on connecting portion  8 . These two cams engage one another the lid  7  is closed and the locking lip  31  is not operated and disengage when the locking lip  31  is operated, allowing a user to open the lid  7 . In this embodiment, the locking lip  31  is tiltably connected to lid  7 , and is tiltable around an axis in the main plane of the lid  7  and near the boundary of the lid  7 . To that end, the lip  31  is connected to the lid  7  via a thinned part  26  of the lid (see  FIG. 6 ). In case the locking lip  31  extends above the main surface  22  of the lid  7 , as is the case in the embodiment shown here, it proved (part of) gripping means via which a user can grip the lid  7  for opening it. 
         [0045]    At the position of the locking lip  31  a gripping area  28  is provided. In this embodiment, it is created by providing a (local) recess  28  in the lid, and by providing cam  9  in such a way that the inner wall  33  of this cam  9  runs on into a wall of recess  28 . In this way, a relatively large plane  33  is created onto which a finger or thumb can rest when operating locking lip  31  with another finger/thumb. 
         [0046]    In  FIG. 6  it is further indicated that cam  9  has a top  24  which, as already mentioned, extends about 5-7 mm above the surface  22  defined by rim  14 , which substantially defines the plane of the lid  7 . Wall  25  is the outer wall of cam  9 . Locking lip  31  does not extend above this cam in order not to compromise the stackability of lid parts and/or container assemblies. 
         [0047]    Tamper evidence means  30  is in this embodiment comprises a lip  30  which is connected to the connecting portion  8  via thin connecting bridges. These bridges are provided near both sides of locking lip  31  of the locking means  31  and near the end of the locking lip  31  of these locking means. The connecting bridges need to be broken in order to remove the security lip  30  and to allow a user to tilt locking lip  31  of the locking means  31 , and can be formed in a (synthetic material, e.g. PE, PP) moulding process of the lid portion  2 . In the embodiment shown for instance in  FIG. 4 , it is clear that because a lip is used which is connected using connecting bridges which can be moulded in one go together with the lip and the rest of the lid portion, the security means can be completely integrated in the side wall. In particular, the security lip has a part  35  which extends above the locking lip (at this position, the locking lip has a lower part  36 ), thus allowing easy removal of the security lip  30 . The height of the security lip  30  and of the locking lip  31  should preferably not extend above edge  24  of cam  9 . 
         [0048]    According to an aspect of the invention, cams  9  have a substantial height D, e.g. about 5-7 mm. Furthermore, in this embodiment, cams  9  are part of the lid  7  bulging outward with respect to the main plane of the lid (substantially a plane through surface  22  of rim  14 ). Because of that the cams  9  function as reinforcement ribs adding to the strength of the lid and in this way it is possible to stack a number of container assemblies on top of each other such as is shown for example in  FIG. 2  in a very stable manner. This effect of providing more rigidity to the lid is increase as a wall of the cam  9  almost extends or goes over into rim  34 . This rim  34  of the inside of the lid  7  fits in the inside  23  of inner U-shaped rim  20 . The inner U-shaped rim  20  has ribs  21  providing rigidity to the rim  20 . The height of this inner side  23  of inner rim  20  is preferably at least the height of cam  9 , i.e. about 5-7 mm. Rim  23  of lid  7  extends within the connecting part  8  to such an extend that it leaves enough height of rim  23  free (the already mentioned 5-7 mm) to be able to stably stack lid parts in the way shown in  FIG. 3 . 
         [0049]    The spacing between the outsides or outer walls  25  of the cam portions  9  is indicated in  FIG. 4  by C. 
         [0050]    According to an aspect of the invention the internal width of the connection portion  8  at least at the lower end thereof is indicated by B, wherein B is slightly larger than C. This allows for stacking of a number of lid parts comprising connection portion  8  and lid  7  on top of each other as is shown in  FIG. 3  to obtain a stable stack. Such a stable stack is desirable during automated provision of the lid parts on the container parts during assembly thereof. 
         [0051]    In  FIG. 1 , the spacing between opposite sides of the circumferential rim  5  at the bottom side of container part  3  is indicated by A. Preferably A is about the same as B allowing for stacking of container assemblies using the combination of the circumferential rim  5  and cam portions  9  of the lid. It will be understood that the dimensions A-C are all taken in the same direction. In different directions A-C will have other values but the same principle applies to provide for stable and robust stacking of both the lid parts and the container assemblies in a later stage. The spacing between the cam and the circumferential rim, the connection portion respectively is preferably about 0,5 mm. Because of the shape of the cam portions there are at least three and preferable four or more points of contact between the related circumferential rim and the cam portions providing a stable stacked assembly. Stacks often packages or more can be obtained. The circumferential shape of the rim  5  of the container part  3  and of the cam  9  on the lid  7  are mutually adapted in such a way that the rim  5  closely fits around the cams  9 . Furthermore, the diameter B and circumferential shape of rim  23  of the connecting portion is designed in such a way that the circumferential rim  23  of the connecting portion closely fits around cam  9  of lid  7 . 
         [0052]    Although in this preferred embodiment the cam portions  9  function both to cooperate with corresponding accommodation in the connection portion  8  and the rim  5  at bottom  4  of the container part, it will be obvious that two sets of cam portions can be provided. 
         [0053]    Lid portion  2  further has a levelling part  27  inside rim  20 . This part  27  is provided at the edge of rim  34  at a distance from the lower edge of the inner wall of rim  20  to allow stacking of lid portions  2 . This levelling part  27  allows levelling of the spoon. 
         [0054]    Lid  7  further has a dome-shaped part  32  at its centre part for providing additional rigidity of lid  7 . 
         [0055]    In the embodiment shows in the drawings, the shape  11  indicating and holding a spoon bulges outward with respect to the plane of lid  7 . This may provide additional rigidity to lid  7 . It is, however, also conceivable to let for instance the top  24  of cams  9  define the main plane and outside surface of lid  7 . In that case, wall  25  still defines stacking means providing an abutment for the rim  5  of the bottom of container portion  3 , together with surface  22  of rim  14 . In this case, the shape of a spoon may be indicated in another way, and clamping means  29  for a spoon may still be present. 
         [0056]    In another shape of lid  7 , shown in  FIG. 8 , connecting part  8  still has a rim  20  with inner side  23  for providing a first element of the first complementary stacking means. In this embodiment of the lid, however, the lid has depressions, in this embodiment a circumferential groove which is dimensioned to retain both rim  20  of the lid part  2  when stacking lid parts, and rim  5  when stacking container assemblies  1 . In fact, the groove provides at a groove wall a vertically extending abutment. This vertically extending (with respect to the plane of the lid  7 ) abutment can also be formed by, when radially following the surface of the lid  7  from the outside  22  to the centre, lowering the surface of the lid with respect to surface  22  of rim  14 , thus providing an abutment against forces radially outward. The vertically extending abutment can also be formed by making the surface of the lid higher after surface  22  of rim  14 , thus providing an abutment against forces radially inward. In the first embodiment, the outside of rim  5  abuts the abutment of the lid  7 , in the second embodiment, the inside of rim  5  abuts the abutment of the lid  7 . In both embodiments, the abutment of the lid prevents shifting. It is clear that these abutments do not need to be completely circumferential, but in many designs and practical embodiments, they will be. 
         [0057]    It will also be obvious after the above that further embodiments are within the scope of protection of the appended claims being obvious combinations with prior art techniques and the disclosure of this patent.