GB2364043A - Container - Google Patents

Abstract

A container 10 has an implement 30 attached thereto. The container has a base (14) and a side wall 16, and the implement is attached to the side wall so that it does not contact whatever surface the container rests on. The container may be for foodstuffs, and the implement may be a spoon. The container and implement are preferably integrally moulded from a plastics material.

Description

2364043 CONTAINER The present invention relates to a container, and more

particularly to a container with an integral implement.

Foodstuffs such as yoghurt are commonly supplied in small containers or tubs, normally formed of a moulded plastics material, with a lid sealingly connected to the container Such lids are commonly of a foil material, and are usually connected to a rim of the container by heat-sealing or a similar process.

In order for a person to consume the contents of the container, he or she removes the lid to gain access to the contents, and then eats the contents using a spoon or the like However, it is possible that the person may not have ready access to a spoon at the time he or she wishes to eat the contents (for example, at a picnic or the like) This is particularly disadvantageous as the user may have already removed the lid before realizing that no spoon is available.

According to the invention, there is provided a container comprising an upwardly open receptacle having a base and at least one side wall, and an implement attached to said side wall, the implement being positioned such that when the base of the receptacle rests on a surface, the implement does not contact the surface.

The provision of an implement attached to the container ensures that a user always has access to the implement Further, as it is attached to the side wall, rather than provided within the receptacle, it can be removed without disturbing the remainder of the container In addition, as the implement does not contact the surface on which the container rests, there is little risk of the implement being contaminated before use.

It is preferred for the container to be for foodstuffs, and for the implement to be a spoon.

The container can be formed from any suitable material However, it is preferred for the receptacle and the implement to be formed from a plastics material.

The receptacle and implement could be formed separately and then connected, for example by welding.

However, it is preferable for the receptacle and the implement to be integrally moulded, and more preferably for them to be moulded in a single step, as this improves productivity.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front view of the preferred embodiment of a container according to the invention; Figure 2 is a view of the container of Figure 1 from beneath; Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to Figure 3, but with the implement in an alternative position; Figure 5 is a face-on view of the implement; and Figure 6 is an end view of the implement, taken in the direction of arrow VI in Figure 5.

Turning first to Figures 1 to 3, these show a preferred embodiment of the container 10 with the implement 30 attached in a first position As can be best seen from Figures 2 and 3, the receptacle of the container is of circular cross-section and generally frustoconical, with its narrower end forming the base 12 of the container The central part 14 of the base 12 of the container is slightly recessed.

Extending upwardly from the base 14 of the container is a side wall 16 At its upper end, the side wall has an outwardly-projecting rim 18, to which a foil lid or the like can be heat-sealed to close the container 10.

Connected to a part of the side wall 16 of the container is an implement 30 to allow a person to eat the contents of the receptacle As can be seen from Figure 5, the implement has a handle portion 32 for gripping, and a blade portion 34 which serves the same purpose as the bowl of a spoon.

The implement 30 is disposed in a recess 20 in the side wall, such that the outer surface of the implement is coincident with the outer surface of the receptacle.

The implement is also curved, to match the curvature of the receptacle, as best seen in Figure 6 There is a narrow gap between the inner surface of the implement 30 and the outer surface of the recess 20.

The upper end of the implement 30 is connected to the side wall 16 of the container Indeed, it is preferred for the implement 30 and the receptacle 10 to be moulded integrally in a single mould.

The lower end of the implement 30 is positioned slightly above the level of the base 12 of the container This prevents the implement from coming into contact with the surface on which the container is resting.

To use the implement 30, a user pulls it away from the side wall, for example by hooking a fingernail or the like into the gap between the implement and the side wall 16 The implement is shown pulled away from the side wall in Figure 4 The implement can be bent away from the side wall until the connection between the implement and the receptacle snaps as a result of overstressing it, or can be moved back and forth until the connection fails through fatigue The receptacle and implement are preferably moulded from a material which allows the implement to be removed in this way, such as polypropylene.

It is an important feature of the current invention that the implement 30 is connected to the outside of the receptacle Thus, a user wishing to eat the contents of the receptacle always has access to a suitable implement.

Further, the implement 30 can be accessed and removed from the receptacle without the user having to open the container, which may lead to damage of any tamper-evident features provided on the container.

In addition, as the implement 30 is attached to the side wall, it can be accessed and removed without the need to invert the receptacle and disturb its contents in any way.

Although the invention has been described in the context of a spoon for eating yoghurt or the like, it will be appreciated that implements can be integrally formed on containers for other uses, such as stirrers for paint cans.

Claims (7)

1 A container comprising an upwardly open receptacle having a base and at least one side wall, and an implement attached to said side wall, the implement being positioned such that when the base of the receptacle rests on a surface, the implement does not contact the surface.

2 A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the container is for foodstuffs.

3 A container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the implement is a spoon.

4 A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the receptacle and the implement are formed from a plastics material.

A container as claimed in claim 4, wherein the receptacle and the implement are integrally moulded.

6 A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the receptacle and the implement are moulded in a single step.

7 A container substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.