WO2024211687A1

WO2024211687A1 - Container including slide cover with door

Info

Publication number: WO2024211687A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/023243
Authority: WO
Inventors: Shoshone LAI; Stephanie CUTLER
Original assignee: Mars, Incorporated
Priority date: 2023-04-06
Filing date: 2024-04-05
Publication date: 2024-10-10

Abstract

A container may include a base including a plurality of walls that define a void, the plurality of walls including edges; and a slide cover configured to be mounted on to the base. The slide cover includes a connecting wall and side walls extending from the connecting wall. The connecting wall defines a wall opening and a door corresponding to the wall opening. The door extends from a hinge of the connecting wall. The slide cover is configured to slide on the edges of the base to open and close a first container opening defined by at least one of the edges of the base and an edge of the slide cover, and the door and wall opening defines a second container opening having a different configuration than the first container opening.

Description

CONTAINER INCLUDING SLIDE COVER WITH DOOR

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/457,653, filed on April 6, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to containers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to containers for items including bite sized food items, such as nuts or confections, and other items of similar sizes.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Users may purchase bulk sizes of: bite size confections such as candy (in pouches, bags, jars, boxes), pet food, pet treats, gum, small soaps, jewelry' parts such as beads, and other items of similar sizes. The users may want to make appropriate portions for individuals or sharing consumption, which they take away from the bulk container to eat or use at home or on-the- go.

[0004] The background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Unless otherwise indicated herein, the materials described in this section are not prior art to the claims in this application and are not admitted to be prior art, or suggestions of the prior art, by inclusion in this section.

SUMMARY

[0005] Aspects of the present disclosure relate to refillable containers that allow users to portion a desired amount of contents, such as confections, from larger bulk containers, in addition to enabling metered and bulk (e.g., handful) dispensing of container contents.

[0006] It may be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary container, according to the present disclosure.

[0008] FIG. 2 depicts an overhead view of an end of a container including a door, according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0009] Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the features, as claimed. As used herein, the terms “comprises.” “comprising,” “has.” “having,” “includes,” “including,” or other variations thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements does not include only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. In this disclosure, unless stated otherwise, relative terms, such as, for example, “about.” “substantially,” and “approximately” are used to indicate a possible variation of ±10% in the stated value. In this disclosure, unless stated otherwise, any numeric value may include a possible variation of ±10% in the stated value.

[0010] The terminology used below may be interpreted in its broadest reasonable manner, even though it is being used in conjunction with a detailed description of certain specific examples of the present disclosure. Indeed, certain terms may even be emphasized below; however, any terminology intended to be interpreted in any restricted manner will be overtly and specifically defined as such in this Detailed Description section.

[0011] Various embodiments of the present disclosure relate generally to containers that maybe embodied as a durable, refillable container including a base and a slide cover with a hinged door. In some examples, the hinged door may be located in a comer of the slide cover.

[0012] A slide cover and door including a hinge may provide translucency to make contents inside a base of the container visible. Users may utilize this feature to see an amount left, and in the case of food, encourage the user to micro-snack as opposed to eating the entire contents of a package of confections. On the other hand, an opening for a container created by moving a slide cover may allow users to select exactly which item within a base they want (to eat or use). Thus, in some examples, where the contents of the base are multi-colored or multiflavored candies, a user may move the slide cover and get only those candies of the color or flavor they desire.

[0013] Because exemplar}' slide covers may be detachable from respective bases, users can easily refill a container by removing the slide cover and pouring items into the base, or using the base as a “scoop”, and scooping the base directly into the stand-up-pouch to refill. In another example the base 110 is refilled from a bulk container, pouch, or jar. In addition, a slide cover may slide off completely for easy refill and cleaning (e.g., wiping out with damp cloth). [0014] A door and hinge of a slide cover may be sized appropriately to dispense various sized products/quantities. In some examples, the door, which may snap closed onto a respective slide cover formed of plastic, allows for a controlled dispense, to pour a few pieces of contents therein easily into a user’s hand or directly into a user’s mouth. In some examples, a hinge and door for a slide cover may be located opposite an opening created by sliding the slide cover with respect to a base and in a comer of the slide cover. In some examples, this placement may enable better and complete dispensing of container contents. In other examples, the door may snap into the slide cover and/or an edge of a base to stay closed while slide clover is in sliding use. In still other examples, inward and outward facing surfaces of a portion of a slide cover configured to cover a void defined by a base may be substantially flat to prevent catching of the slide cover with contents of the container or objects external to the container.

[0015] In some examples, a container may be embodied as a durable, refillable candy container consisting of a tin-plated steel base and a plastic slide cover with a hinged door. In other examples, containers according to the present disclosure may include bases and slide covers formed from different recyclable materials such that, at the container’s end of life, each component may go into a respective recycle stream. For example, a slide cover may be formed of plastic appropriate for a polypropylene plastic recycling stream, and a base may be formed of tin or another metal appropriate for a steel recycling stream.

[0016] In some examples, a base could be formed of any material such as a metal material that assures a user that as a package, the container is durable, meant to be kept, and meant to be refilled.

[0017] In other examples, containers according to the present disclosure, meaning one or both components including a slide cover and a base, may be formed of other materials that are dishwasher safe.

[0018] Containers according to the present disclosure may be provided in different sizes (e.g., hand-sized, pocket-sized, palm-sized, tablet sized, etc.), in different shapes (e.g., rectangle, square, polygon, etc.), and with different proportions. In other examples, containers according to the present disclosure may be configured to hold two “immediate consumption” packages of confections such as two M&M® of Skittles packs. In another example, it may hold one serving of a confection. In still other examples, containers according to the present disclosure may be sized for portability and fit into a standard pocket or purse.

[0019] Exemplary containers according to the present disclosure may be formed from different materials and in different sizes as described herein. Various configurations for these exemplary containers may yield a pocket sized container including a reusable base and a reusable slide cover - one or both of these components being formed from recyclable materials. As such, one benefit of various exemplary containers according to the present disclosure includes providing a substitute for various types of a single-use containers (e.g., plastic bag, ziplock bag, carton). Such single-use containers are often used to pack portions of items or food from large bulk bags or containers, for lunches or snack bags, for example. Replacing plastic bags with containers according the present disclosure, for example in school lunches, may result in a significantly lower number of these single-use containers ending up in the trash, on a daily basis. One of ordinary' skill in the art will be able to appreciate a positive impact on the environment that may come with such a reduction in waste. Accordingly, exemplary’ containers as described herein may help with reducing single-use plastic waste.

[0020] FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of an exemplary container 100, according to the present disclosure. In one example, the container 100 may be configured to hold items 102 such as nuts, confections (e.g., chocolates, candies, gum, candied fruit, etc.), animal treats or food or objects of similar sizes. The container 100 may include a base 110 and a slide cover 150. The slide cover 150 is configured to mount to the base 1 10 and cover a void 112 defined by an inner surface 114 of the base 110. The inner surface 114 is defined by a first wall 116 providing a bottom wall of the base 110, and pairs of second and third walls 118, 120 that are joined at comers and extend vertically from the first wall 116. First edges 119 define uppermost extents of the second walls 118, whereas second edges 121 define uppermost extents of the third walls 120. Third edges 123 of the base 110 define uppermost extents of the comers defined by each junction between one of the second walls 118 and one of the third walls 120.

[0021] The slide cover 150 includes one connecting wall 152 that extends along a first axis 104 from an upper edge of an end wall 154 to a first lip edge 157A of a lip 156 defining a proximal portion of the connecting wall 152 along a first axis 104. In addition, the connecting wall 152 extends along a second axis 106 between a pair of side walls 160 as show n in FIG. 1. The side walls 160 are connected to the end wall 154 and comer walls 158. The side walls 160 define first side edges 162 that extend parallel to the first axis 104, and second side edges 164 that extend vertically and join with second lip edges 157B that define exposed comers of the lip 156/connecting w all 152. The second lip edges 157B extend from opposite sides of the first lip edge 157 A, as shown in FIG. 1. In one example the first axis 104 may correspond to a length dimension of the container 100 and the second axis 106 may correspond to width dimension of the container.

[0022] In a distal portion of the slide cover 150 along the first axis 104, there is defined by the connecting wall 152, a door 170 and an opening wall 180. In some examples, ahinge 172 may be provided between the door 170 and a remainder of the connecting wall 152. Furthermore, the door 170 may define first and second door edges 174, 176. In one example, the door 170 defines a comer of the connecting wall 152. In other examples, the first door edge 174 may correspond to a shape and configuration (e.g., size) of the opening wall 180. In other examples, the first door edges 174 may be configured to engage (e.g., friction fit, snap, slide relative to a surface thereof) the opening wall 180. The second door edge 176 may include a portion that extends parallel to the first axis 104, a portion that extends parallel to the second axis 106, and a comer portion that joins these other portions. The second door edge 176 may define a lip, rib, step, chamfer, bevel edge(s). or other type of structure (including a flat edge configured to slide against) configured to engage a comer edge 202 (see FIG. 2) of the slide cover 150 such that the door 170 is retained in a position relative to the opening wall 180 until an external force is applied in an opening direction.

[0023] In other examples, the door 170. the hinge 172, and the opening 180 may be provided in other locations along a perimeter of the connecting wall 152. More specifically, the connecting wall 152 may be configured such that an entirety of the first door edge 174 extends parallel to the first axis 104, and an entirety of the second door edge 176 extends parallel to the second axis 106. In other examples, the connecting wall 152 may be configured such that an entirety of the first door edge 174 may extend parallel to the second axis 106, and an entirety of the second door edge 176 may extend parallel to the first axis 104. In still other examples, a location and configuration of the door 170 and opening wall 180 may be such that a user is able to dispense contents in the container 100 in a controlled and effectively metered way, as discussed throughout the current disclosure.

[0024] The slide cover 150 may be mounted to the base 1 10 and configured to slide on the first edges 119 of the base 110 in opposite directions along the first axis 104, and thereby define a first opening 190. More specifically, the slide cover 150 allows for ease in re-filling the container 100 since the slide cover 150 can be substantially or fully removed. In addition, the slide cover 150 allows for easy access to the entire contents of the container 100, and enables a user to select specifically which item therein they want to choose, use, eat, or otherwise remove. In addition, because the slide cover 150 is detachable, a user can easily refill the container 100 by removing the slide cover 150 and pouring contents into the base 110, or using the base 110 as a “scoop”, and scooping the base 110 directly into a stand-up-pouch to refill. In another example the base 110 is refilled from a bulk container, pouch, or jar. [0025] In some examples, the slide cover 150 for the container 100 may include a second opening wall and a second door. The second door may: correspond to the second opening wall; be connected to a remainder of the connecting wall 152 by a second hinge; and be located in a different location than the first door 170. In some examples, the second door may be located at or near a second comer of the slide cover 150 in a distal portion thereof. According to aspects of the present disclosure, the second door and opening wall may be different in size (e.g., larger or smaller) relative to the door 170 and opening wall 180 depicted in FIG. 1. In some examples, the second door and wall opening may be smaller in size than the first door 150. In other examples, the second door may be sized such that only a single item (e.g., one chocolate, one piece of candy) may able to fit through the second wall opening. Accordingly, a user may have three options for a volume of contents to be dispensed from the container, with the second door offering the user the option of micro-snacking on even smaller incremental scale than the first door 150.

[0026] In some examples, a second wall opening, a second door, and a second hinge may be defined by the first door. This second door may therefore be formed between the edges of the first door. The second door, similar to the first door relative to the connecting wall, may extend for the second hinge formed within the first door. In addition, the second door may be snap closed onto the first door. In other examples, each of the second wall opening, the second door, and the second hinge may be defined by the connecting wall in a different location than the first wall opening, door, and hinge. In some examples, each of the first door and the second door may be located in a respective comer of the slide cover.

[0027] FIG. 2 depicts and overhead view of an end of the container 100 including the door 170 and the opening wall 180, according to the present disclosure. As shown, the door 170 may move about the hinge 172, relative to the opening wall 180 and a planar surface of the connecting w all 152, to reveal a second opening 200 for the container 100. The second door edge 176 may include a structure configured to interlock, snap fit, friction fit, or otherwise engage the comer edge 202 defined by the comer wall 158. In one example, the comer edge 202 extends over portions of the end wall 154 and one of the side walls 160 as shown. In one example, the end wall 154 extends vertically at least to the extent of the side w alls 160 and thereby ensures that the slide cover 150 can only be removed from engagement with the base 110 through movement in one direction.

[0028] In the case of food items, the slide cover 150, and in particular the door 170, may enable micro-snacking - where users may treat themselves to chocolate, candy, nuts, granola, or other food items, multiple times throughout a day, a few pieces at a time. In some examples, the container 100 may be sized to allow for a full range of bite size confections and even gum. As a result, the door 170 and hinge 176 may be utilized for more controlled dispensing, such as pouring a small portion of container contents into a user’s hand or directly into a user’s mouth. [0029] The container 100 may allow for ease in re-filling by substantially or entirely removing the slider cover 150. The slider cover 150 may slide left or right or both directions. In addition, the slide cover 150 may allow for easy access to the entire contents within the base 110 and thereby enable users to select specifically which item they want to eat. use, or otherwise remove.

[0030] In some examples, the base 110 may be formed from tin or another metal, or from plastic and/or recyclable materials. In another example, the slide cover 150 may be formed from plastic, such as recyclable plastic, or other materials in which a door and hinge such as the exemplary door 170 and hinge 172 depicted in FIGs. 1 and 2.

[0031] The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other implementations, which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description. While various implementations of the disclosure have been described, it will be apparent to those of ordinary⁷ skill in the art that many more implementations and implementations are possible within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be restricted except in light of the attached claims and their equivalents.

Claims

CLAIMS We claim:

1. A container comprising: a base including a plurality of walls that define a void, the plurality of walls including edges; and a slide cover configured to be mounted on to the base; wherein the slide cover includes a connecting wall and side walls extending from the connecting wall, wherein the connecting wall defines a wall opening and a door corresponding to the wall opening, the door extending from a hinge of the connecting wall, wherein the slide cover is configured to slide on the edges of the base to open and close a first container opening defined by at least one of the edges of the base and an edge of the slide cover, and wherein the door and wall opening defines a second container opening having a different configuration than the first container opening.

2. The container of claim 1. wherein the opening wall and the door are defined in a comer of the slide cover.

3. The container of claim 1. wherein the door is configured to move about the hinge in a direction away from the void defined by the base.

4. The container of claim 1, wherein the slide cover includes an end wall that extends from the connecting wall, and wherein the end wall is configured to limit a movement of the slide cover relative to the base in a direction corresponding to a closing motion of the slide cover.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the opening wall and the door are defined in a comer of the slide cover.

6. The container of claim 1, wherein the connecting wall defines a lip that extends past side edges of the side wall in a direction corresponding to a closing motion of the slide cover.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein the opening wall and the door are defined in a comer of the slide cover.

8. The container of claim 1. wherein the wall opening and the door are located on the connecting wall offset from a first axis corresponding to a length dimension of the container.

9. The container of claim 8. wherein the wall opening and the door are located on the connecting wall offset from a second axis corresponding to a width dimension of the container.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein the w all opening and the door are located on the connecting w all offset from an axis corresponding to a width dimension of the container.

11. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one of the slide cover and the base is formed from a recyclable material.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein the slide cover is formed from a plastic material and the base is formed from a metal material.

13. The container of claim 1, w herein each of the slide cover and the base is formed from a recyclable material.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the slide cover is formed from a plastic material and the base is formed from a metal material.

15. The container of claim 1. wherein the wall opening is a first wall opening, the door is a first door, and the hinge is a first hinge, wherein the slide cover includes a second wall opening and a second door corresponding to the second w all opening, the second door extending from a second hinge of the connecting wall, and wherein a first size of the first door is different than a second size of the second door.

16. The container of claim 15, w herein at least one of the first opening wall and door and the second opening w all and door are defined in a comer of the slide cover.

17. The container of claim 15, wherein each of the first opening wall and door and the second opening wall and door is defined in a respective comer of the slide cover.

18. The container of claim 15, wherein the first door defines the second opening wall, the second door, and the second hinge.