Patent Publication Number: US-2023143861-A1

Title: Recloseable lid for container

Description:
FIELD 
     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 
     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 disadvantageously result in a piece or pieces of material that are separated from the package and require separate disposal. 
     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 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     In any of the embodiments described herein, the lid can be provided as a unitary component, such as an injection molded, one-piece component. 
     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 
         FIG.  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; 
         FIG.  2    is a front perspective view of one of the pair of containers of  FIG.  1   , as well as the reclosable lid attached to the one of the pair of containers; 
         FIG.  3    is a rear perspective view of the container of  FIG.  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; 
         FIG.  4    is an exploded front perspective view of the container of  FIG.  2   , showing the reclosable lid and an opening of the container; 
         FIG.  5    is a perspective view of the lid of  FIG.  2   , showing a cover assembly of the lid in an open configuration relative to a base of the lid; 
         FIG.  6    is a detailed view of a portion of the lid as shown in  FIG.  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; 
         FIG.  7    is a top plan view of the lid as shown in  FIG.  5   , with the cover assembly of the lid in an open configuration relative to the base of the lid; 
         FIG.  8    is a perspective view of the lid of  FIG.  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; 
         FIG.  9    is a perspective view of the lid of  FIG.  2   , showing the cover assembly of the lid in the closed configuration relative to the base of the lid; 
         FIG.  10    is a detailed view of a portion of the lid as shown in  FIG.  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; 
         FIG.  11    is a top plan view of the lid of  FIG.  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; 
         FIG.  12    is a cross-sectional view of the cover assembly of the lid of  FIG.  2    in the closed configuration relative to the base of the lid, taken along line XII-XII of  FIG.  11   ; 
         FIG.  13    is a cross-sectional, longitudinal view of the container and the attached reclosable lid of  FIG.  2   , taken along line XIII-XIII of  FIG.  2   ; 
         FIG.  14    is a side elevation view of the reclosable lid of  FIG.  2   , showing the cover assembly of the lid in the open position relative to the base of the lid; and 
         FIG.  15    is a front perspective of the reclosable lid of  FIG.  2    in the open configuration relative to the base of the lid. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A reclosable lid for a container is described herein and shown in  FIGS.  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. 
     The lid  10  includes a base  16  and a cover assembly  12  connected relative to each other by a hinge  24 , as shown in  FIG.  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  FIG.  5   , of the base  16  is at least partially overlain by an access opening  17  (see also  FIG.  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 . 
     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,  FIG.  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. 
     With reference to  FIGS.  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  FIG.  8   . 
     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  FIG.  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  FIGS.  7  and  8   , to accommodate a rear end  49  of the cover assembly  14  when the cover assembly  14  is in the closed configuration. 
     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  FIG.  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. 
     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. 
       FIGS.  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. 
     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  FIGS.  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 . 
       FIGS.  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 . 
     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 . 
     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 . 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     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. 
     With reference to  FIG.  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  11 A 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. 
     To connect the two container assemblies  11 , a snap-fit connection can be utilized. More specifically, and as shown in  FIG.  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 . 
     With the two container assemblies  19  symmetrically merged together, the bases  19  form a single, larger base  19 A 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  FIG.  1   , the container assembly  11 A configuration is advantageous in the event that either cover  14  (or both covers) is accidentally left open.