Abstract:
A container assembly provides for a receptacle having and opened end and a collar that is releasably secured to the opened end and that permits access to contents in the receptacle. The container assemble further provides for a lid that is securable to the receptacle and to the collar. The container assembly provides for a receptacle having an opened end and a collar that is releasably connected to the opened end and lid. The container assembly also provides for a hinged connection between the collar and the lid that permits the lid to rotate and pivot relative to the collar and to attach to the receptacle or the collar.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/475,980 filed on Apr. 15, 2011, which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Disclosure 
         [0003]    The present disclosure relates to a container. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a food container. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Typically, existing containers do not provide a secure mechanism to attach a lid. That is, containers provide a two piece design that has a separate lid and a separate receptacle. This two piece design requires constant monitoring to prevent misplacing or losing the lid. In particular, children that play with containers misplace one of the two pieces. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, there is a need for a container having an attachable and detachable lid that overcomes, alleviates, and/or mitigates one or more of the aforementioned and other deleterious effects of prior art. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0007]    In some embodiments, the present disclosure provides a container having a receptacle, a collar with a handle, and a lid that is both secured to the container to prevent misplacement, yet detachable to allow for quick and efficient cleaning. 
         [0008]    The container has a receptacle, a collar with a handle, and a lid. Preferably, the handle has a portion that is over-molded with a non-slip material. The handle and over-molded material have an opening defined therethrough that receives a pin of the lid. In this manner, the lid is connected to the handle. The pin and over-molded material provide a resilient hinge for movement of the lid between an open position and a closed position without detachment from the container. 
         [0009]    In other embodiments, the present disclosure provides a container having a receptacle, a collar with a handle, and a lid. The lid can be secured to a top of the collar and a bottom of the receptacle, and is connected to the handle for rotation therebetween. 
         [0010]    In still other embodiments, the present disclosure provides a container having a receptacle and a collar, which container includes flexible petals that allows a user to store and obtain objects in the receptacle, and, at the same time, mitigate objects from spilling out of the receptacle. 
         [0011]    A container assembly having a collar and a receptacle is also provided where the collar, when secured to the receptacle, provides a visual and/or tactile and/or audible indication of proper engagement between the two. 
         [0012]    The above-described and other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be appreciated and understood by those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, drawings, and appended claims. 
         [0013]    A container assembly provides for a receptacle having and opened end and a collar that is releasably secured to the opened end and that permits access to contents in the receptacle. The container assemble further provides for a lid that is securable to the receptacle and to the collar. 
         [0014]    The container assembly provides for a receptacle having an opened end and a collar that is releasably connected to the opened end and lid. The container assembly also provides for a hinged connection between the collar and the lid that permits the lid to rotate and pivot relative to the collar and to be attached to the receptacle or the collar. 
         [0015]    The container assembly provides a receptacle having an opened end and a closed end, and a collar that is releasable secured to the opened end. The collar includes a handle having an aperture. The container assembly further provides for a lid having a pin that is pivotably and rotatable received in the aperture to permit the lid to be secured to the collar when the container assembly is in a closed configuration or is positioned to be secured to the closed end when the container assembly is in an opened configuration. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a container according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure in a closed or a non-use position. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  illustrates the container of  FIG. 1  in an open or a use position. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 3 through 8  illustrate the container of  FIG. 1  moving between the closed position of  FIG. 1  and the open position of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a cross-section view of the closed container of  FIG. 1  taken along line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0020]      FIGS. 10 through 13  are close-up enlarged??? cross-sectional views of an exemplary embodiment of the container of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 14  is a cross-section view of the open container of  FIG. 2  taken along line  17 - 17 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the container of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Referring to the drawings and in particular to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , an exemplary embodiment of a container according to the present disclosure is shown and generally referred to by reference numeral  100 . Container  100  has a receptacle  105  that can hold one or more food products for consumption by a user. In the non-use position, i.e.,  FIG. 1 , a lid  115  is connected or secured to a top of receptacle  105 , thereby safely storing food products in receptacle  105 . In the use position, i.e.,  FIG. 2 , lid  115  is connected or secured to a bottom of receptacle  105  thereby allowing a user to withdraw food products from receptacle  105 . 
         [0024]    Advantageously, container  100  allows a user to easily open and close receptacle  105  by simply rotating a lid  115 . Lid  115  is removably and rotatably secured to a collar  110  as shown in  FIGS. 3 through 8 . In particular, container  100  has a collar  110  connected or secured thereto and a lid-handle  125  removably and rotatably connected or secured to a collar-handle  120  (discussed in greater detail at  FIG. 13 ). In alternative embodiments, lid  115  is permanently secured to collar  110 . 
         [0025]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , container  100  can be used with solid food products, such as fruit bits or cereal pieces, and has a cover  205 . Cover  205  mitigates against food from falling out of receptacle  105  when lid  115  is in the open position. Cover  205  is a flexible cover over-molded onto collar  110 . During use, the user can simply push their hand through cover  205  to withdraw food from receptacle  105 . In the illustrated embodiment, cover  205  mitigates food spillage via flexible petals and gaps therebetween, and a living hinge. Typically, cover  205  is a thermoplastic elastomer with a preferred durometer in the range of 55-65 Shore-A. Cover  205  can be a translucent or transparent to allow for visible identification of products contained within receptacle  105 , or it can also be made of opaque thermoplastic elastomer. The live hinge (not shown) allows the flexible petals to bend inward. The live hinge is created by a decreasing thickness of the thermoplastic elastomer from the circumference of collar  110  toward a center of cover  205 . 
         [0026]    It is also contemplated by the present disclosure for container  100  to find use with liquid food products, such as juice or milk, which can be withdrawn from receptacle  105 . Cover  205  can be removed altogether to allow liquid products to be removed from receptacle  105  unimpeded. Alternatively, cover  205  can be a spout or a nipple (not shown) such that the user can withdraw liquid from receptacle  105  through the spout or the nipple when lid  115  is in the open position. The spout or the nipple is protected from contamination when covered by lid  115  in the closed position. 
         [0027]      FIGS. 3 through 8  illustrate container  100  moving between the closed position of  FIG. 1  to the open position of  FIG. 2 . In particular,  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 7  illustrates container  100  in a first position prior to rotation and, respectively, illustrate container  100  subsequent to removing lid  115  from collar  110  and from receptacle  105 .  FIGS. 4 through 6  illustrate container  100  during rotation of lid  115 , and  FIG. 8  illustrates container  100  in an opened position with lid  115  connected to the bottom of receptacle  105 . 
         [0028]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , collar  110  is removably connected to receptacle  105 . In this embodiment, receptacle  105  has threads  225  that correspond to matching threads  230  on collar  105 . Container  100  has been described heretofore as only having threads  225  and  230  that removably connect receptacle  105  and collar  110 . However, the present disclosure contemplates that receptacle  105  and collar  110  can be joined in any removable manner. For example, in some exemplary embodiments, collar  110  may be connected to receptacle  105  via different configurations including, but not limited to, a snap-on connector and a press-fit connection. 
         [0029]    Collar  110  has a molded configuration with a rim formed by a ridge  210 . Likewise, lid  115  has a molded configuration with an inner rim in the form of an indentation  215 . In this embodiment, ridge  210  fits in indentation  215  and provides a snap closure such that lid  115  can be removably secured to collar  110 . In further embodiments, the molded configurations of collar  110  and lid  115  provide an audible noise, e.g., a click, to indicate that lid  115  is secured to ridge  210  of collar  110 . 
         [0030]    Referring to  FIGS. 10 through 13 , rotation of lid  115  with respect to collar  110  and receptacle  105  is described. Advantageously, container  100  provides a flexible hinged connection between lid  115  and collar  110 , which allows the lid to both rotate and pivot. In particular, lid  115  is connected or secured to collar  110  and collar  110 , in turn, is connected or secured to receptacle  105 . Thus, lid  115  rotates with respect to collar  110  and receptacle  105 . In  FIGS. 10 through 13 , lid-handle  125  and collar-handle  120  are illustrated with respective axis and an angle of difference theta (θ 0  through θ 3 ). Collar-handle  120  has material  920  formed on a gripping portion thereof. Material  920  presents a non-slip and comfortable gripping surface to the user. Collar-handle  120  also has opening  903  defined through the collar-handle and the material  920 . Lid-handle  125  has a pin  905  that connects to opening  903  of collar-handle  120 . 
         [0031]    In some exemplary embodiments, material  920  can be over-molded onto collar-handle  120  so that the material flows through and into opening  903 . In addition, material  920  may be over-molded at the same time cover  205  is molded. Thus, material  920  and cover  205  may be made of the same material and over-molded over collar  115  at the same time. Other methods of providing collar-handle  120  with material  920  are contemplated by the present disclosure such as, but not limited to, co-molding, dipping, spraying and snap-fit connections. 
         [0032]    Further, material  920  has sufficient flexibility, e.g., compression, to allow insertion of pin  905 . In some exemplary embodiments, material  920  has a Shore-A durometer of between about 50 to about 70, preferably between about 55 and 65, with about 60 being most preferred, and all subranges therebetween. 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , pin  905  has a stem  1007  and a distal end  1010 . Distal end  1010  has a mushroom shape. Distal end  1010  includes an outer cam surface  1030 , a flange  1035 , and a locking surface  1033 . Material  920  forms an inward facing bowl shape relative to the inside of receptacle  105  about opening  903 . Material  920  has an outer cam surface  1015 , a locking surface  1020  and a tip  1025 . 
         [0034]    Referring to  FIG. 10  when lid  115  is secured to receptacle  105 , the lid-handle axis and the collar-handle axis converge, e.g. θ 0  equals 0. To connect or secure lid  115  to receptacle  105 , lid-handle  125  is secured to collar-handle  120 . Pin  905  of lid-handle is inserted into opening  903  of collar-handle  120 , and cam surface  1030  of distal end  1010  is pressed against material  920 . In particular, cam surface  1030  is pressed against outer cam surface  1015 . Outer cam surface  1015 , compressible tip  1025 , and locking surface  1020  compress to allow pin  903  to pass. Once inserted, outer cam surface  1015 , tip  1025  and locking surface  1020  decompress. Tip  1025  decompresses to encompass stem  1007  of pin  905 . In addition, locking surface  1020  of material  920  decompresses to provide a resistive surface against locking surface  1033  of pin  903 . If removal of pin  903  is desired, locking surface  1020  must be compressed by locking surface  1033  of pin  903 . 
         [0035]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , lid-handle  125  and collar-handle  120  are illustrated in the first position prior to rotation and subsequent to removing lid  115  from either receptacle  105  shown in  FIG. 3 , or from collar  110  shown in  FIG. 7 . The first position prior to rotation occurs when lid  115  is disconnected from receptacle  105  or collar  110 . In this position, the axis of lid-handle  125  is tilted relative to the axis of collar-handle  120  resulting in divergence and an angle θ 1  between axis of lid-handle  125  and axis of collar-handle  120 . Typically, angle θ 1  ranges from 1 degree to 30 degrees. Angle θ 1  is preferably between about 1 degree to about 30, with about 25 degrees being most preferred, and all subranges therebetween. In addition, locking surface  1033  of pin  903  engages locking surface  1020  of material  920  providing resistance against removal of pin  903 , and stem  1007  compresses tip  1025  of material  920 . The engagement of locking surface  1020  and locking surface  1033  and compression of tip  1025  allow lid  115  to disengage from receptacle  105  or collar  110  while securing lid-handle  125  to collar-handle  120 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 11  illustrates a diameter  1107  of stem  1007  and a diameter  1103  of opening  903  at their narrowest point. Diameter  1107  is smaller than diameter  1103  to provide minimal contact between stem  903  with material  920 . Material  920  is a flexible material that has a friction coefficient such that a large contact area between stem  903  and material  920  would hamper pivoting and rotating lid  115 . Accordingly, diameter  1107  is smaller than diameter  1103  to facilitate pivoting and rotating lid  115 . 
         [0037]    In preferred embodiments, lid  115  is removable from collar  110 , however, in further embodiments, lid  115  may be permanently secured to collar  110 . Lid  115  may be permanently secured to collar  110  by increasing surface contact between stem  1007  and material  920 . To increase surface contact, diameter  1107  may be increased, diameter  1103  may be decreased, or some combination of increasing diameter  1107  and decreasing diameter  1103  may used. In addition, permanently securing lid  115  to collar  110  may be achieved by increasing surface contact between locking surface  1020  and locking surface  1033 . That is, a volume of distal end  1010  can be increased, a volume of material  920  may be increased thereby increasing the area of locking surface of  1020 , or a combination of increase in volume of distal end  1010  and material  920  may be used. Alternatively, lid  115  may be permanently secured to collar  110  by extending pin  903  through opening  905 . In this embodiment, distal end  1010  will reside outside of opening  903  on an opposite side of collar-handle  120  relative to lid-handle  125 . During manufacture distal end  1010  may be attached after stem  1007  is extended through opening  903 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 12  illustrates lid-handle  125  and collar-handle  120  when lid  115  is in a rotating position, e.g.,  FIGS. 4 through 6 . The rotating position occurs when lid  115  is rotated from the top of receptacle  105  to the bottom of receptacle  105 , or vice versa. In this rotating position, the axis of lid-handle  125  is tilted relative to the axis of collar-handle  120  resulting in divergence and an angle θ 2  between axis of lid-handle  125  and axis of collar-handle  120 . Typically, angle θ 2  is between about 30 degree to about 60, with about 45 degrees being most preferred, and all subranges therebetween. Additionally, overlap between θ 1  and θ 2  is contemplated. Angle θ 1  can also overlap prior or subsequent position ranges. Also, locking surface  1033  of pin  903  compresses a first portion of locking surface  1020  of material  920  to achieve angle θ 2 , and a second portion of locking surface  1033  engages a second portion of locking surface  1020  that provides resistance against removal of pin  903 . Further, similar to  FIG. 11 , stem  1007  compresses tip  1025  of material  920 . Flange  1035  contacts both the first portion of locking surface  1025  and a bottom surface  1205  of opening  903 . 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 13 , attachment or detachment of lid-handle  125  and collar-handle  120  advantageously allows a user to separate lid  125  and collar  110  for any reason, including cleaning. During these positions, pin  905  of lid-handle  125  is pressed into, or removed from, opening  903  thereby compressing material  920 . Typically, when lid-handle  125  is detached from collar-handle  120 , the lid-handle axis and the collar-handle axis have a divergence resulting in an angle θ 3  between axis of lid-handle  125  and axis of collar-handle  120 . However, it is to be understood that the shape of pin  903  and compression of material  920  allows for a smaller angle θ 3  when lid-handle  125  is connected or secured to collar-handle material  920 . Typically, angle θ 3  is between about 60 degree to about 70, with about 65 degrees being most preferred, and all subranges therebetween. During attachment, angle θ 3  ranges from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. For purposes of discussion below, the detachment position is discussed. During detachment, pin  905  of lid-handle is removed through opening  903  of collar-handle  120 . Locking surface  1033  of pin  905  compresses locking surface  1020  and tip  1025  (of material  920 ) until a portion of locking surface  1033  is fully disgorged from opening  903 . During this compression, cam surface  1030  of distal end  1010  slides against material  920 . In addition, a lower portion of stem  1007  acts as a lever to assist compression of locking surface  1020  and tip  1025 . After disgorgement of a portion of locking surface  1033 , pin  905  can be fully removed from opening  903 . 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 14 , lid  115  is removably connected to receptacle  105  in this embodiment. Receptacle  105  has a molded configuration with a rim  1410  that corresponds to an outer rim  1405  of lid  115 . Rim  1410  is shaped to fit in indentation  1405 . Thus, the molded configurations of receptacle  105  and lid  115  provide a snap closure such that lid  115  is connected or secured to the bottom of receptacle  105 . 
         [0041]    In further embodiments, the molded configurations of receptacle  105  and lid  115  provide an audible noise, e.g., a click, to indicate that lid  115  is secured to the bottom of receptacle  105 . In addition, it is contemplated by the present disclosure for receptacle  105  and lid  115  to be joined in any removable manner. For example, in other embodiments, lid  115  may be connected to receptacle  105  via different configurations including, but not limited to, a snap-on connector and a press-fit connection. Alternatively, in some embodiments, rim  1410  and the rim formed by a ridge  225  (discussed above) are the same size. In such embodiments, lid  115  includes a single indentation that fits both rims. 
         [0042]      FIG. 15  shows identifiers to assure a secure connection between collar  110  to receptacle  105 . The identifiers, include but are not limited to, audible, tactile and visual identifiers similar to U.S. Patent Application No. 2009/0242562 to Valderrama et al, incorporated herein by reference. In this embodiment, collar  110  has a diamond indicator  1505  and receptacle  105  has a bar indicator  1510 . As discussed above, collar  110  is removably connected to receptacle  105 . Receptacle  105  has threads that correspond to matching threads on collar  110 . As collar  110  is threaded to receptacle  105 , a centerline of diamond indicator  1505  and bar indicator  1510  intersect or align. Intersection of centerline of diamond indicator  1505  and bar indicator  1510  provides a visual cue that collar  110  and receptacle  105  have been securely screwed together. In addition, receptacle  105  and collar  110  may be configured to produce an audible noise, e.g., a click when a secure connection is achieved. 
         [0043]    Collar  110  has finger grips  1415  to assist securing collar  110  to receptacle  105 . Finger grips  1415  are raised surfaces molded into collar  110  that provide leverage for fingers to grasp while collar  110  is screwed into receptacle  105 . 
         [0044]    While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.