GB2227481A

GB2227481A - Container

Info

Publication number: GB2227481A
Application number: GB9002147A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henry John Louw
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-01-31
Filing date: 1990-01-31
Publication date: 1990-08-01
Anticipated expiration: 2010-01-31
Also published as: GB2227481B; GB9002147D0

Abstract

A container includes a container housing 12 and a lid 26. The container housing 12 includes a base, a circumferential wall, an opening surrounded by a first channel formation 16 and a first engagement formation 24 associated with the first channel formation 16. The lid 26 includes a second engagement formation 36 extending its periphery and being adapted to fit tightly to the complementary first engagement formation 24 of the container housing for closing its opening. A disengagement member 38.1 is provided associated with the lid 26 for disengaging the first engagement formation 24 and the second engagement formation 36 for removal of the lid from the container housing 12. A label 42 overlying the member 38.1 may provide a tamper-indicating feature. <IMAGE>

Description

C0NTINER CDNTRINER FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to containers.

More particularly, the invention relates to container including a container housing and an associated lid.

BACKGROUND TO INVENTION Containers of the type including a container housing and an associated lid, which is press fitted to the housing, are known. One type is made of flexible plastics material and is generally used to pack ice cream.

A disadvantage of such containers is, on the one hand, that the lid sometimes is difficult to remove and, on the other hand, that it cannot be seen easily whether the container has been tampered with.

It is an object of the invention, to suggest a container which will assist in overcoming these disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION A container including a container housing and a lid, the container housing including a base, a circumferential wall and an opening surrounded by an opening periphery, a first channel formation extending along the opening periphery, and a first engagement formation associated with the first channel formation; the lid including a body with a surrounding body periphery, a second engagement formation extending around the body periphery and being adapted to fit tightly to the complementary first engagement formation of the container housing for closing its opening; and a disengagement member associated with the lid for disengaging the first engagement formation and the second engagement formation for removal of the lid from the container housing.

The first engagement formation and the second engagement formation may be adapted to fit tightly lockingly together.

The first channel formation may be of U-shape in cross-sectibn and may include a first wall having at its end an engagement collar and directed towards the opening, a second wall located between the first wall and the opening and a base wall joining the first wall and the second wall.

The lid may have a second channel formation which is of U-shape with a first wall having a circumferential projection defining the second engagement formation adapted for engagement with the first engagement formation.

The disengagement member may include a tab extending from the lid body, which tab has to be lifted for disengaging the first engagement formation and the second engagement formation and which tab is coverable by means of a paper member, such as a label stuck over it.

The container and the lid may be made of any suitable synthetic plastics material.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings.

In the drawíngs there is shown in Figure 1 a pictorial view of part of a container according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 a view seen along arrow II in Figure 1 but showing only the lid; Figure 3 a view corresponding to Figure 1 but showing a second embodiment in accordance with the invention; Figure 4 a view corresponding to Figure 1 but showing a third embodiment in accordance with the invention; Figure 5 a sectional end view seen along arrows V-V in Figure 4; Figure 6 a view corresponding to Figure 5 showing the first step in removal of the lid; Figure 7 a view corresponding to Figure 6 showing the second step in removal of the lid; Figure 8 a view corresponding to Figure 7 showing the third step in removal of the lid; and Figure 9 a view corresponding to Figure 8 showing the final step in removal of the lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the container, generally indicated by reference numeral 10, includes a container housing 12, which has an upper opening 14. At the upper opening 14 a circumferential first channel 16 is provided.

The first channel 16 is of U-shape in cross-section and has an inner wall 18, an outer wall 20 and an intermediate base wall 22. The outer wall 20 has an engagement collar 24 projecting inwardly towards the opening 14.

The container 10 further includes a lid 26 having a flat body member or panel 28 with a second circumferential channel 30. The channel 30 includes an inner wall 32 and an outer wall 34 joined by the panel 28. At the outer wall 34 an outwardly projecting lip 36 is provided.

A lifting or disengagement tab 38 extends from the panel 28. The tab 28 may be folded over at the folding line 40 into the position indicated by reference numeral 38.1 in dotted lines in Figure 1 and in Figure 2. In this position a label 42 may be stuck onto the panel 28 for covering the tab 38.

In use the container 10 is filled with goods, such as for instance ice cream.

Thereafter the lid 26 is placed in position as shown in Figure 1. In this position the lip 36 engages underneath the collar 24 so that a tight locking engagement is achieved. The tab 38 now is in the position as shown by reference numeral 38.1 (in dotted lines). (The tab 38 may be held in the position 38.1 by means of a clip action, details of which are not shown.) Thereafter a label 42 is stuck onto the panel 28 of the lid 26 so as to cover the tab 38 and thereby to seal it.

If the lid 26 is to be removed, that is lifted off the container housing 12, the tab 38 has to be pulled in the direction indicated by arrow 44 so that the lip 36 is pulled from underneath the associated collar 24 for unlocking and thereafter lifting the lid 26. Accordingly the label 42 has to be damaged so as to reach the tab 38. Thereby it can be seen if the container 10 has been tampered with.

Referring now to Figure 3, the container, generally indicated by reference numeral 46, includes a container housing 48, which has an upper opening 50.

At the upper opening 50 a circumferential first channel 52 is provided.

The first channel 52 is of U-shape in cross-section and has an inner wall 54, an outer wall 56 and an intermediate base wall 58. The outer wall 56 has an engagement collar 60 projecting inwardly towards the opening 50. The wall 54 and collar 60 have a gap 62 for receiving the tab as will be explained hereinafter.

The container 46 further includes a lid 64 having a flat body member or panel 66 with a second circumferential channel 68. The channel 68 includes an inner wall 70 and an outer wall 72 joined by the panel 66. At the outer wall 72 an outwardly projecting lip 74 with an engagement groove 76 is provided.

A lifting or disengagement tab 78 extends from the panel 66 through a gap 79 provided in the lip 74.

When produced, the tab 78 is about in the same plane as the panel 66 (as shown). The tab 78 is folded over at the folding line 80 into the position indicated by reference numeral 78.1 in dotted lines in Figure 3 for packing purposes. (The tab 78 may be held in the position 78.1 by means of a clip action.) In this position a label 82 may be stuck onto the panel 66 for covering the tab 78 and thereby to seal it.

For packing purposes the container 46 is filled with goods, such as for instance ice cream.

The lid 64 has the tab 78 in stretched position extending through the gap 79. The lid 64 is placed firmly in position as shown in Figure 3. Now the groove 76 engages underneath the collar 60 so that a locking engagement is achieved. The tab 78 is folded over into the position as shown by reference numeral 78.1 (in dotted lines). Thereafter a label 82 is placed onto the panel 66 of the lid 64 so as to cover the tab 78.

If the lid 64 is to be removed, that is lifted off the container 46, the tab 78 has to be pulled in the direction indicated by arrow 82 so that the lip 74 is pulled from underneath the associated collar 60 for unlocking and lifting the lid 64. Accordingly the label 82 has to be damaged so as to reach the tab 78.

Thereby it can be seen if the container 46 has been tampered with.

In Figures 4 to 9 details of a third embodiment of a container in accordance with the invention is shown.

In this case the container 84 is substantially similar to the container 10 of Figures 1 and 2 and therefore the same reference numerals are used as in Figures 1 and 2 to indicate and describe similar parts but provided with a prefix "1", ie. the container housing 12 becomes container housing 112, etc.

In this case the disengagement tab 86 is adapted to be contained in a recess 88 provided in the lid 128.

The lid 142 is covered by a label 142 which has a perforated tab cover 90 for easy opening so as to reveal the tab 86. For removing the lid 128 from a filled container housing 112, the tab cover 90 has to be broken by the finger 92 of a user (Figure 5), the tab 86 is gripped by the finger 92 (Figure 6) and then the tab 86 is lifted in the direction indicated by arrow 94 (Figure 7). Finally the tab 86 is pulled in the direction indicated by arrow 96 (Figure 7) to lift the lid 128 off the container housing 112.

Once again a broken tab cover 90 indicates that the container 84 has been tampered with.

Claims

1. A container including a container housing and a lid, the container housing including a base, a circumferential wall and an opening surrounded by an opening periphery, a first channel formation extending along the opening periphery, and a first engagement formation associated with the first channel formation; the lid including a body with a surrounding body periphery, a second engagement formation extending around the body periphery and being adapted to fit tightly to the complementary first engagement formation of the container housing for closing its opening; and a disengagement member associated with the lid for disengaging the first engagement formation and the second engagement formation for removal of the lid from the container housing.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, in which the first engagement formation and the second engagement formation are adapted to fit tightly lockingly together.

3. A container as claimed in claim 2, in which the first channel formation is of U-shape in cross section and includes a first wall having at its end an engagement collar directed towards the opening, a second wall located between the first wall and the opening and a base wall joining the first wall and the second wall.

4. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the lid has a second channel formation, which is of U-shape with a first wall having a circumferential projection defining the second engagement formation adapted for locking engagement between with the first engagement formation.

5. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the disengagement member includes a tab extending from the lid body, which tab has to be lifted for disengagement of the first engagement formation and the second engagement formation, and which tab is coverable by means of a paper member, such as a label stuck over it.

6. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, in which the container housing and the lid are made of any suitable synthetic plastics material.

7. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 or Figure 3 or Figures 4 te 9 of the accompanying schematic drawings.