CN106794923A - Convertible top plastic lid - Google Patents

Abstract

Closures for containers for storing granular powders. The closure includes a collar and a lid, a locking portion (38) on the collar, and a locking portion (40) on the lid, the collar locking portion being operable to releasably engage the lid when it is in a closed position on the collar lock section. The closure also includes a latch element (26) on the collar and a latch element (22) on the lid, the collar retaining element operable to releasably engage the lid locking portion. Some embodiments are operable to provide two audible tones to demonstrate that the lid has been properly closed. Some embodiments include a modified extended scoop having a length equal to the diameter of the inner perimeter of the lid to improve the user's experience of scooping product from the bottom of the container.

Description

Flip top plastic cover

technical field

The present disclosure relates to closures for containers holding granular products or powders, such as infant formula. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to closures with collars and flip-top caps for releasably fastening the open ends of containers.

Background technique

There are many products that are currently stored and sold in containers, either in granular or powder form. These products include infant formula, flour, coffee, sugar and nutritional supplements such as protein or dietary supplements. Because many of these items are stored, shipped, and ultimately dispensed from the same container, the container should be strong enough to withstand the conditions to which it may be exposed. Furthermore, the container should be user-friendly to the end consumer.

Containers formed of plastic and/or metal are commonly used for storing and selling various granular products, especially in the industrial, food and pharmaceutical industries. Some containers may include a lid or closure so that the container can be opened and closed repeatedly. A problem often associated with such containers is product leakage from the container. Such leaks typically occur in the area around the closure. Also, if the cap or closure does not provide an adequate seal, then contaminants can more easily be introduced into the product stored in the container, causing spoilage or other deleterious effects. Thus, while some containers include resealable lids that can be opened and closed by a user to gain access to the product contained within the container, many of these lids do not provide a sufficiently reliable seal.

Furthermore, current containers do not adequately provide verification that the container is sealed when the container is in the closed position. The consumer closes the cap on the container, but cannot be sure that the product will not leak. Therefore, it is desirable to give consumers discernible verification that the container is properly sealed when the lid is closed.

Additionally, some containers include measuring devices or scoops that allow the consumer to remove the product from the container and, in some cases, measure out the amount of product required for each use. However, traditional scoops may make it difficult for consumers to access the product as the level of the contents of the container decreases.

Therefore, in order to prevent any leakage of the container, and to prevent contamination from coming into contact with the contents of the container, there is a need for a closure for a container that more completely seals the contents of the container. Furthermore, there is a need for a container that provides consumers with discernible verification that the container has been properly sealed when the lid is closed. Furthermore, there is a need for a container with a scoop that is better able to facilitate obtaining a product located generally close to the bottom of the container.

Contents of the invention

In one aspect of the invention, an improved closure for a container is provided. The closure may include a collar and a cap. In some embodiments, the collar can have a locking portion (referred to as a "collar locking portion") and the cap can have a locking portion (referred to as a "cap locking portion"). The collar locking portion and the lid locking portion are operable to engage each other; for example, in one embodiment, when the lid is in a closed position on the collar, the lid locking portion is operable to releasably engage the collar locking portion, thereby turning the The cover is secured to the collar. In other embodiments, the closure may further include a collar latch element on an outer surface of the collar and a lid latch element on an outer surface of the cap, the collar latch element and the lid latch element being operable to releasably engage each other. engagement, thereby further securing the cover to the collar when the collar is in the closed position.

In some embodiments, the collar locking portion and the lid locking portion may provide an audible sound when the two locking portions engage each other. Similarly, the collar latch element and the lid latch element may provide a second audible sound when they engage each other. This feature can provide the user with discernible verification that the container and its contents have been properly closed and sealed.

In some embodiments, the cover of the closure may include a retaining element configured to hold the measuring device against an inner face of the cover. In some embodiments, the retaining device may be configured to store a measuring device having a length approximately equal to the diameter of the inner face of the lid, and which is a substantial percentage of the depth of the container, to allow the user to more easily access the inner surface of the container. Remove the product from the bottom. By keeping the scoop in position against the inner face of the lid, the scoop is stored above the level of the product in the container to avoid forcing the user to insert his/her hand into the product to gain access to the scoop. This avoids inconvenience to the user and also avoids the possibility of contamination from the user's hands.

In one embodiment, the closure includes a lid having a top surface and a compartment for a scoop in the top surface of the lid. Such an embodiment allows the scoop to be stored above the level of the product between uses.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the closure of the present invention in an open position.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the closure of Figure 1 in a closed position.

3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of an exemplary engagement between a collar and a cap of the closure of FIG. 1 .

4 is a detailed cross-sectional view of a second exemplary engagement between the collar and cap of the closure of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the closure of FIG. 1 .

6 is a detailed view of exemplary first and second latching elements of the closure of FIG. 1 .

Figure 7 is a front view of the collar and cover of Figure 1 with the cover in the open position.

Figure 8 is a top view of the closure of Figure 1 with the lid in the closed position, with the first latch element engaging the second latch element.

Figure 9 is a front view of the closure of Figure 1 in the closed position, showing how multiple assembled containers can be stackable on top of each other.

Figure 10 is a top view of a second embodiment of the closure of the present invention including a compartment in the cover for storing a measuring device.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the embodiment of Figure 10 showing the tamper resistant material disposed on the lid and compartment.

Figure 12a is a side view of an embodiment of a modified scoop with a tip.

Figure 12b is a top view of the modified scoop of Figure 12a.

Figure 12c shows the modified scoop of Figure 12a used in a container.

detailed description

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes can be made to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure cover such modifications and changes as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed or are apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that this disclosure is a description of exemplary embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

For purposes of clarity, not all reference numbers must be present in every drawing. Additionally, positional terms such as "upper," "lower," "side," "top," "bottom," "vertical," "horizontal," etc. refer to the container when it is in the orientation shown in the figures. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the container can assume different orientations when in use.

In FIG. 1 a perspective view of an embodiment of a closure 10 of the invention is shown; the closure 10 is intended for closing a container 18 . The closure 10 includes a collar 12 having a central opening 14 . Cover 16 may releasably engage collar 12 such that cover 16 covers central opening 14 . In FIG. 1 , the cover 16 is pivotally attached to the collar 12 such that the cover 16 can pivot between an open position in which the front side 17 of the cover 16 separates from the collar 12 and a closed position in which the cover 16 is separated from the collar 12 and in the closed position. The front side 17 of the position cover 16 engages the collar 12 and the cover 16 covers the central opening 14 . The cover 16 is seen in the open position in FIG. 1 . In some embodiments, cover 16 and collar 12 are pivotally connected by a hinge structure, such as a living hinge. In other embodiments, the cover 16 and the collar 12 are two separate parts, and the cover 16 can be press fitted by the user onto the collar 12 to engage the collar 12 with the cover 16 and place the cover 16 in the closed position. .

In some embodiments, the shape of the collar 12 and lid 16 is complementary to the shape of the container 18 . For example, when container 18 is cylindrical with a generally circular cross-section, collar 12 and lid 16 may have a generally circular shape, as shown in FIG. 1 . However, the collar 12 and cover 16 can be made in a variety of shapes and sizes, including oval, oval, square, rectangular, hexagonal, and the like. For each of these shapes, the cover 16 may be pivotally attached to the collar 12 (such as by a living hinge), or the cover 16 and collar 12 may be two separate parts, with the cover 16 being press fit to the collar 12 . ring 12 to engage cover 16 with collar 12 and place cover 16 in the closed position. In other embodiments, the shape of the upper end 20 of the container 18 may be complementary to the shape of the collar 12 and lid 16, while the remainder of the container 18 may have a different shape.

Collar 12 may be configured to engage and connect to container 18 . Container 18 may have an open upper end 20 . The closure 10 may be configured such that the central opening 14 is concentric with the open upper end 20 of the container 18 when the collar 12 is connected to the container 18 . Thus, the lid 16 may cover the central opening 14 in the collar 12 and the open upper end 20 in the container 18 when the lid 16 is engaged with the collar 12 in the closed position.

Closure 10 may also include a collar latch element 22 . The collar locking element 22 may be located on an outer surface 27 of the collar 12 . In some embodiments, the collar lockout element 22 is a lock that may be pivotally attached to the collar 12 by mechanical fasteners, such as bolts or pins, known in the art. In some embodiments, the collar lockout element 22 is pivotally attached to the collar 12 by a living hinge 24 so that the collar 12 and the collar lockout element 22 can be fabricated as one unitary piece. Having the collar 12 and the collar locking element 22 pivotally attached by the living hinge 24 can also reduce the time associated with assembling the closure 10 during manufacture because the collar locking element 22 does not have to be connected to the collar 12 through a secondary operation. (whether manually or by automation). The cover 16 may also include a cover latch element 26 located on an outer surface 28 of the cover 16 , visible in FIG. 5 . The collar latch element 22 may be configured to engage the lid latch element 26 in the closed position to secure the lid 16 to the collar 12 . In other embodiments, the lid latch element 26 is a latch that may be pivotally attached to the lid 16 by mechanical fasteners, such as bolts or pins. In some embodiments, the lid latch element 26 is pivotally attached to the lid 16 by a living hinge. The collar 12 may include a collar lockout element 22 located on an outer surface of the collar 12 . The lid latch element 26 may be configured to engage the collar latch element 22 in the closed position to secure the lid 16 to the collar 12 .

Referring again to FIG. 1 , some embodiments of the container 18 for storing granular products such as infant formula or food include a heat-sealable flexible membrane 30 removably attached to the open upper end 20 of the container 18 . The flexible membrane 30 remains on the container 18 during dispensing of the container 18 and is opened by the consumer prior to first use of the product. The flexible film 30 can serve as a protective barrier to prevent contaminants from reaching the product during shipping and as a tamper-resistant mechanism that indicates to consumers that the product should not be purchased or used if the flexible film 30 has been damaged or removed.

In these embodiments including a flexible membrane 30 , the collar 12 may be attached to the open upper end 20 of the container 18 such that the flexible membrane 30 is positioned between the collar 12 and the open upper end 20 of the container 18 . The flexible membrane 30 can then be removed by the consumer by pulling the flexible membrane 30 through the central opening 14 in the collar 12 , thereby giving the consumer access to the contents of the container 18 .

Cover 16 may have a lower perimeter 32 . The collar 12 may include a cap mating surface 34 . The lower perimeter 32 may be in mating contact with the lid mating surface 34 when the lid 16 is in the closed position and engages the collar 12 . In FIG. 1 , the cap mating surface extends generally laterally inwardly from the upper periphery 36 of the collar 12 . Accordingly, the lower perimeter 32 of the cover 16 may be positioned laterally inward from the upper perimeter 36 of the collar 12 . It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the cover engaging surface 34 of the collar 12 may extend laterally outward from the upper periphery 36 such that the lower periphery 32 of the cover 16 is positioned laterally outward from the upper periphery 36 when the cover 16 is in the closed position. .

A cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the closure 10 of the invention in the closed position is shown in FIG. 2 . Cover 16 engages collar 12 such that cover 16 covers central opening 14 in collar 12 . The lower perimeter 32 engages the collar 12 in the closed position such that the lower perimeter 32 contacts the cover mating surface 34 on the collar 12 . Also shown is the connection of the collar 12 to the container 18 .

FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of an exemplary engagement between cap 16 and collar 12 . The collar 12 has a collar locking portion 38 . The cover 16 has a cover locking portion 40 . Lid lock portion 40 is operable to releasably engage collar lock portion 38 when the lid is moved to the closed position. The cover 16 is releasably secured to the collar 12 in the closed position when the cover lock portion 40 engages the collar lock portion 38 .

In FIG. 3 , collar locking portion 38 is an edge extending from upper periphery 36 of collar 12 . An edge of the collar locking portion 38 extends laterally inwardly from the upper periphery 36 of the collar 12 in FIG. 3 . The cover locking portion 40 is a flange on the lower perimeter 32 of the cover 16 . The flange extends such that it is operable to engage the edge of the collar locking portion 38 . The flange in FIG. 3 is shown extending from the lower periphery of the cover 16 . In one embodiment, a flange extends from the outer surface 28 of the cover 16 . In some embodiments, the edge of the collar locking portion 38 extends annularly from the entirety of the upper perimeter 36 of the collar 12 and the flange of the lid locking portion 40 may extend annularly from the entirety of the lower perimeter 32 of the lid 16 . In certain embodiments, the edge of the collar locking portion 38 extends from only a portion of the upper perimeter 36 of the collar 12 and the flange of the lid locking portion 40 extends from only a portion of the lower perimeter 32 of the lid 16 . In additional embodiments, one of the collar locking portion 38 and the lid locking portion 40 may extend annularly around the entire upper perimeter 36 of the collar 12 or the entire lower perimeter 32 of the lid 16, respectively, while the other only Extends from an upper perimeter 36 of the collar 12 or a portion of a lower perimeter 36 of the cover 16 .

While the collar locking portion 38 and the cover locking portion 40 are described as an edge extending from the collar 12 and a flange extending from the cover 16, respectively, these embodiments are in no way limiting on the scope of the invention. Collar locking portion 38 and cap locking portion 40 may be any suitable complementary locking portion known in the art. For example locking portions 38 and 40 could be two corresponding flanges, one on collar 12 and one on cover 16 . Furthermore, the collar locking member 38 may be a protrusion extending from the collar 12 that is received through a corresponding recess in the cover 16, or vice versa.

FIG. 4 shows a second exemplary engagement between collar 12 and cover 16 . Cover 16 is releasably secured to collar 12 as previously described with respect to FIG. 3 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 , the flange of the lid lock member 40 contacts the lid mating surface 34 when the lid lock member 40 is engaged with the collar lock member 38 . Thus, the lower perimeter 32 of the cover 16 contacts the cover mating surface 34 of the collar 12 via the flange. In some embodiments, the lid mating surface 34 includes a lid sealing layer 42 . When the lid 16 is moved into the closed position and the lid lock member 40 engages the collar lock member 38 , the lower perimeter 32 flanges engages the sealing layer 42 on the lid mating surface 34 such that the sealing layer 42 is compressed. The lower perimeter 32 of the cover 16 compresses the sealing layer 42 to form an annular seal between the cover 16 and the collar 12 . The annular seal formed by the lower perimeter 32 of the lid 16 compressing the sealing layer 42 may be a powder tight seal that prevents the contents of the container 18 from leaking between the lid 16 and the collar 12 when the lid 16 is in the closed position.

The collar 12 may also include a collar sealing layer 46 . Sealing layer 46 may be operable to engage open upper end 20 of container 18 when collar 12 is connected to container 18 . When the open upper end 20 of the container 18 engages the sealing layer 46 , an annular seal 48 may be formed between the collar 12 and the container 18 . Ring seal 48 may also be a powder-tight seal that prevents the contents of container 18 from leaking between container 18 and collar 12 . In such an embodiment, when the collar 12 is connected to the container 18 and the lid 16 is in the closed position engaging the collar 12, the contents of the container can be effectively sealed against contamination between the container 18 and the collar 12 and the container. Leakage between ring 12 and cover 16.

In FIGS. 3 and 4 , the lower perimeter 32 of the cover 16 is inboard of the upper perimeter 36 of the collar 12 in the closed position. Similarly, collar locking portion 38 and cap mating surface 34 extend generally radially inward from upper periphery 36 of collar 12 , and cap locking portion 40 extends generally radially outward. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the orientation of the aforementioned components may be mirrored so that the lower perimeter 32 of the cover 16 is positioned outboard of the upper perimeter 36 of the collar 12 . Accordingly, the collar locking portion 38 and the cover mating surface 34 may extend generally radially outward and the cover locking portion 40 may extend generally radially inward. Both orientations function similarly to each other in securing the cover 16 to the collar 12 in the closed position.

Figure 5 shows a rear perspective view of an embodiment of the closure 10 of the present invention. The cover 16 in this embodiment is pivotally connected to the collar 12 by a living hinge 50 . The connection of cover 16 to collar 12 by living hinge 50 allows cover 16 and collar 12 to be made as one unitary piece. Such an embodiment may eliminate one assembly operation during the manufacturing process. The collar 12 and cover 16 can also be made in one color or in two different colors for added aesthetic appearance. In some embodiments, cover 16 may be pivotally attached to collar 12 by mechanical fasteners known in the art, such as bolts or pins.

An exemplary engagement between the collar lockout element 22 and the cover 16 is also shown in FIG. 5 . The cover 16 includes a cover latching element 26 . The collar latch element 22 may be pivotally attached to the collar 12 and may be configured to engage the lid latch element 26 when the lid 16 is in the closed position. When the collar latch element 22 engages the lid latch element 26 on the lid 16 , the lid 16 is further secured to the collar 12 . In some embodiments, as seen in FIG. 6 , the loop lockout element 22 includes a protrusion 52 extending from an inner face 54 of the loop lockout element 22 . When the lid 16 is in the closed position, the collar latch element 22 can be rotated such that the protrusion 52 releasably engages the lid latch element 26 on the lid 16 .

In FIG. 6 , the lid latch element 26 is shown as a second protrusion extending from the lid 16 . However, that is only one example of the engagement between the collar latch element 22 and the lid latch element 26, and is not a limitation on the scope of the invention. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the collar latch element 22 can engage the lid latch element 26 in a variety of ways. For example, in some embodiments, the lid latch element 26 may be a cavity in the lid 16 configured to receive the protrusion 52 on the collar latch element 22 . It will also be apparent to those skilled in the art that in some embodiments, the lid latch element 26 may be pivotally attached to the lid 16 . Thus, the lid latch element 26 may include the protrusion 52 and the collar latch element 22 may be a second protrusion extending from the outer surface 27 of the collar 12 . The collar latch element 22 may then be configured to releasably engage the protrusion 52 on the lid latch element 26 .

Such an embodiment may allow the user to secure the cover 16 to the collar 12 in the closed position in two different ways. The cover 16 may be rotated to releasably engage the cover locking portion 40 with the collar locking portion 38, as previously described, to create the first means of securing. Subsequently, the latch 22 may be rotated to engage the locking element 52 to create the second secure configuration.

In some embodiments, the cover 16 has a top surface 56 and the cover latch element 26 may be located on the top surface 56 of the cover 16 . Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , in some embodiments, the top surface 56 of the cover 16 may include a recess 58 . The second latch element 26 may be located within the recess 58 such that the collar latch element 22 may be inserted into the recess 58 to engage the lid latch element 26 . The recess 58 may allow a user's finger or hand to grasp the collar latch element 22 to facilitate disengagement of the collar latch element 22 from the lid latch element 26 to open the closure 10 .

In FIG. 8 , the closure 10 is shown with the collar latch element 22 engaging the lid latch element 26 . The cover locking element 26 in FIG. 8 is located in the recess 58 and the collar locking element 22 is inserted into the recess 58 . It can be seen from FIG. 8 that a user may insert one or more fingers into the exposed portion 60 of the recess 58 to disengage the collar latch element 22 from the lid latch element 26 .

Another aspect of the invention is the closure 10 which provides discernible verification to the user that the cap 16 has been secured to the collar 12 sufficiently so that the powder or contents of the container 18 do not leak from the container 18 . Accordingly, in some embodiments, the collar lock portion 38 and the lid lock portion 40 may be operable to provide an audible sound when the lid lock portion 40 engages the collar lock portion 38 . Similarly, the collar latch element 22 and the lid latch element 26 may provide an audible sound when the collar latch element 22 engages the lid latch element 26 . The two audible sounds produced can be similar to the "click" sound produced by conventional snap-fit fasteners.

The audible sound produced when the lid lock portion 40 engages the collar lock portion 38 and when the collar lock element 22 engages the lid lock element 26 indicates to the user that the lid 16 has been properly closed onto the collar 12 so that The product of container 18 will not leak or spill. The audible sound produced may also indicate that the contents of the container 18 have been properly sealed from potential contaminants outside the container 18 .

Referring now to FIG. 1 , in some embodiments of the closure 10 , the cover 16 has an inner face 62 and an inner perimeter 64 . The cover 16 may also include a retaining element 66 configured to hold a measurement device 68 proximate the inner face 62 of the cover 16 . The retaining element 66 may extend from the inner perimeter 64 of the cover 16 or from the inner face 62 of the cover 16 . One benefit of the retaining element 66 is that it can hold the measuring device 68 on the outside of the product so that the user does not have to insert a hand or finger into the product to retrieve the measuring device 68 . This avoids inconvenience to the user and can help prevent contamination on the user's hands or fingers from coming into contact with the powder.

A front view of the closure 10 in the open position can be seen in FIG. 7 . Inner perimeter 64 has a diameter 70 . The measuring device 68 has a length 72 . In some embodiments, retaining element 66 may be configured to retain a measuring device having a length 72 approximately equal to diameter 70 of inner perimeter 64 of cover 16 . Additionally, in some embodiments, retaining element 66 may be configured to retain a measurement of length 72 having a substantial percentage (ie, at least 50% of the height of container 18, and in some embodiments from about 60% to about 140%). device.

Measurement device 68 may include bucket 74 and handle 76 . The retention element 66 may include a notch 78 in a portion of the inner perimeter and a catch 80 extending from the cover 16 . The catch 80 may extend from the second portion of the inner perimeter 64 of the cover 16 , or the catch 80 may extend from the inner face 62 of the cover 16 . Notch 78 may receive bucket 74 and catch 80 may engage handle 76 , thereby holding measurement device 68 proximate inner face 62 of cover 16 .

A cross-sectional view of the measuring device 68 held against the inner face 62 of the cover 16 can be seen in FIG. 2 . The notch 78 in the inner perimeter 64 may conform to the contour of the bucket 74 of the measuring device 68 . A user may place bucket 74 in notch 78 . The measuring device can then be rotated upwards so that the handle 76 engages and is secured by the catch 80 . To remove the measuring device 68 from the retaining element 66 , the user can pull down on the handle 76 to disengage the handle 76 from the catch 80 and the bucket 74 can then be removed from the notch 78 .

This embodiment of the retaining device 68 allows an elongated measuring device 68 having a length 72 greater than the diameter 70 of the inner perimeter 64 to be held proximate the inner face 62 of the cover 16 . One benefit of the elongated measuring device is that the user can more easily access, remove and measure the product or powder located substantially at the bottom of the container 18 .

Still referring to FIG. 2 , in some embodiments the cover 16 may include a raised circumferential portion 82 . The raised circumferential portion 82 may be recessed laterally from the outer perimeter 84 of the cover 16 . As shown in FIG. 9 , the raised circumferential portion 82 may be configured to receive a complementary recess 86 in the base 88 of the second container 90 so that multiple assembled containers in the closed position may be stacked on top of each other. Such a feature facilitates storing multiple containers on shelves in warehouses and stores.

Another aspect of the invention is shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 . In another embodiment of the retaining element 66 for the measuring device 68, the top surface 56 may include a compartment 92 configured to store the measuring device 68 prior to the first use of the container and between uses of the container. Compartment 92 may have a cover 96 that may engage top surface 56 of cover 16 to retain measurement device 68 within compartment 92 . The compartment 92 may have a length 93 substantially equal to the diameter 70 of the inner perimeter 64 of the cover 16 . Compartment 92 allows measurement device 68 to be stored outside of container 18 as well as outside of the contents of container 18 .

In some embodiments, the closure 10 may include a tamper evident feature 94 disposed on the top surface 56 of the lid 16 and the compartment 92 . Tamper-resistant feature 94 provides an indication of whether measurement device 68 has been contaminated, accessed by a third person, or damaged prior to the consumer using or purchasing the container. The tamper-evident feature 94 can be removed by the consumer between using the container for the first time by the consumer. In FIG. 11 , tamper evident component 94 is a removable seal between top surface 56 of cover 16 , compartment 92 and compartment cover 96 . Removable seal 94 may be removed from top surface 56 of cover 16 to expose measurement device 68 . It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the tamper-evident component 94 can be of a variety of different tamper-evident types known in the art, such as the tamper-evident features associated with the top surface 56 of the cover 16, the compartment 92, and the compartment cover 96. strips, tapes, seals, labels, etc.

Another aspect of the invention is the modified scoop 98 shown in Figures 12a and 12b. Modified scoop 98 includes bucket 74 and handle 76 . The handle 76 may include a recess 100 near a gripping end 102 of the handle 76 . Bucket 74 may include a handle side 104 and a distal side 106 . The distal side 106 may have a top edge 110 . The handle side 104 is connected to the handle 76 . Top edge 110 of distal side 106 may taper away from handle 76 such that tip 108 is formed on modified scoop 98 .

A benefit of the modified scoop 98 is that the product or powder at the bottom of the container 18 can be scooped up more easily with the tip 108 of the modified scoop 98 . As can be seen in Figure 12c, the modified scoop 98 fits more easily in small corners in different containers and may allow more powder to be removed more quickly from the bottom of the container than a conventional scoop. This feature, combined with the ability of the retaining element 66 to retain a modified scoop 98 having a length 72 greater than or equal to the diameter of the inner perimeter 64, provides the user with a scoop that makes it easier to reach the bottom of the container 18 and to access it from the bottom of the container 18. The bottom of container 18 scoops out the powder.

Although embodiments of the present disclosure have been described using specific terms, devices, and methods, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The words used are words of description rather than limitation. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the present disclosure as set forth in the appended claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged in whole or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the versions contained therein.

Accordingly, while particular embodiments of the novel and useful flip-top plastic lids of the present invention have been described, such references are not intended to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, except as set forth in the following claims .

Claims (20)

1. the closure member of container is used for, including：

The collar, it has outer surface, central opening and collar lock part,

The lid of the collar is attached pivotally to, the lid has outer surface and lid lock part, and the lid lock part can grasp Make to be releasably engaged the collar lock part on the collar so as to cover with when the lid is in the closed position Central opening is stated, the lid is thus fixed to the collar in closed position；

Collar blocking element on the outer surface of the collar；With

Lid blocking element on the outer surface of the lid, the collar blocking element is configured in the lid in pass The lid blocking element is releasably engaged during closed position, the lid is further thus fixed to the set in closed position Ring.

2. closure member as claimed in claim 1, wherein：

The collar has upper periphery, and the collar lock part is the side being located on the upper periphery of the collar Edge；And

The lid has following peripheral, and the lid sticking department is the flange extended from the following peripheral of the lid, described convex The edge on the upper periphery that edge is configured to engage the collar.

3. closure member as claimed in claim 1, wherein：

The collar lock part and the lid lock part are operable with the lid lock part engagement collar locking Audible sound is provided during part；And

The collar blocking element and the lid blocking element are operable with the collar blocking element engagement lid locking Audible sound is provided during element.

4. closure member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid further includes top surface, the top surface has recess, The lid blocking element is located in the recess.

5. closure member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collar and the lid have circular shape.

6. closure member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid to further include that inner face and further including is located at described The holding element for covering, the holding element is configured to keep measurement apparatus the inner face of the immediately lid.

7. closure member as claimed in claim 6, wherein the lid further includes the inner rim with diameter, and the holding Element is configured to the measurement of length device for keeping having the diameter for being substantially equal to the inner rim.

8. closure member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid further includes top surface, and the closure member is further Compartment in top surface including the lid, the compart-ment constructions into storage measurement apparatus.

9. closure member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid further includes top surface, top surface includes elevated circumference Part, the elevated circumferential section is configured to receive the complementary recess in the base portion of container so as to obtain the container of multiple assemblings Can stack on top of each other.

10. closure member as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid by hinges be attached pivotally to the collar and The lid and the collar are a continuous parts.

11. closure members as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid further includes following peripheral, and the collar is further Including lid matching surface, when the collar and the lid in the closed position, the following peripheral of the lid contacts the set The lid matching surface on ring.

12. closure members as claimed in claim 11, wherein the lid matching surface further includes sealant so that described When lid and the collar are in the closed position first annular seal is formed between the lid and the collar.

13. closure members as claimed in claim 1, wherein the collar further include it is operable to engage opening for the container Mouthful upper end is forming the sealant of the lip ring between the collar and the container.

14. closure members for being used for container, including：

The collar with central opening；

Lid, it is configured to be releasably engaged the collar in closed position so that the lid covering central opening, described Lid has inner face and inner rim, and the inner rim has diameter；

Positioned at the holding element for covering, the holding element be configured to by measurement apparatus keep the immediately lid it is described in Face, the measurement apparatus have the length of the diameter more than or equal to the inner rim.

15. closure members as claimed in claim 14, wherein：

The measurement apparatus include bucket and handle；And

The holding element is included in the recess in the inner rim of the lid and the seizure part from the lid extension, described recessed Outlet structure is configured to engage the handle into the bucket and the seizure part is received.

16. closure members as claimed in claim 14, further include：

The collar has outer surface and the first lock part；

The lid has the second outer surface and the second lock part, and the second lock part is operable to be in close stance with the lid The first lock part is releasably engaged when putting, the lid is thus fixed to the collar in closed position；

The first blocking element on the outer surface of the collar；And

The second blocking element on the second outer surface of the lid, the first blocking element is operable to be in pass with the lid The second blocking element is releasably engaged during closed position, the lid is further thus fixed to the collar in closed position；

Wherein described lid is attached pivotally to the collar.

17. closure members as claimed in claim 14, wherein the measurement apparatus include bucket and handle, the bucket includes hand Handle side and distal side, the handle side are connected to the handle, and the distal side has a top edge, the top edge away from The handle is tapered to form sophisticated with measurement apparatus.

18. closure members for being used for container, including：

The collar with central opening；

Lid, it is configured to be releasably engaged the collar in closed position so that the center that the lid is covered in the collar is opened Mouthful, the lid has top surface；And

Compartment in the top surface of the lid, the compart-ment constructions are used to store measurement apparatus.

19. closure members as claimed in claim 18, further include to be arranged in a part for the lid and the compartment Anti-tamper part.

20. closure members as claimed in claim 18, further include：

The collar has outer surface and collar lock part；

The lid has outer surface and lid lock part, and the lid lock part is operable with when the lid is in the closed position The collar lock part is releasably engaged, the lid is thus fixed to the collar in closed position；

Collar blocking element on the outer surface of the collar；And

Lid blocking element on the outer surface of the lid, the collar blocking element is operable to be in closing with the lid The lid blocking element is releasably engaged during position, the lid is further thus fixed to the collar in closed position；

Wherein described lid is attached pivotally to the collar.