Container, Lid and Clip Therefor

• US 20080110902A1
• Filed: 10/14/2005
• Published: 05/15/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Foodcap International Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Foodcap International Ltd.
• Inventors: Palmer, Roger Keith
• Granted Patent: US 8,317,052 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/592.02
• CPC Class Codes: A22C 17/0093 Handling, transporting or packaging pieces of meat
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/42 Arrangements or applications of rollers or wheels
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/022 only on the inside, or a part turned to the inside, of the mouth of the container B65D43/0216 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 45/30 Annular members, e.g. with snap-over action or screw-threaded B65D45/32 takes precedence

Abstract

A container (1) for meat storage, treatment and distribution has an external rib (5) to facilitate handling and provide strength. Clips (32) are provided for attaching a lid (6) to the container, and a clip removal tool (52) which allows clips to be removed to open the container.

Claims

1. Apparatus for storage, treatment or distribution of meat comprising, a container having a base and four side walls dependent therefrom, a mouth at a substantially opposite end of the container from the base, and an external rib dependant from the side walls, the rib being provided remote from the base and the mouth and extending outwardly from the walls and toward the base.

2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the rib comprises a first flange part that extends from the walls and a second flange part that extends toward the base.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the first flange part extends substantially perpendicular to the walls, and the second flange part extends substantially parallel to the walls.

4. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the rib is substantially continuous about the walls.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the rib includes a plurality of support webs provided between the rib and the walls.

6. Apparatus for storage, treatment or distribution of meat comprising:

a container,

a lid for the container, and

a plurality of clips engageable with the lid and a rim of the container, whereby the clips secure the lid on the container.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the rim is provided adjacent to, or comprises a part of, a mouth of the container.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7 wherein each clip is substantially unable to be removed from the apparatus without use of a tool.

9. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 8 wherein a plurality of clips can be removed in a single operation using a tool.

10. Apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9 wherein each clip comprises a body, one end of the body having two substantially parallel legs dependent therefrom, a projection being provided on one of the legs to engage with the lid, the other end of the body having a projection to engage with the rim.

11. A clip removal tool for removal of a lid securing clip which secures a lid to a container, the tool comprising a body having a handle and a clip engaging member disposed at an angle to the handle, such that location of the clip engaging member under and end of a clip and location of a base of the clip engaging member on a surface of the container allows the handle to be rotated toward the base of the container to lever the clip free from the container.

12. A tool as claimed in claim 11 wherein a plurality of clip engaging members are provided whereby a plurality of clubs may be disengaged from the container simultaneously using the tool.

13. Apparatus for storage, treatment or distribution of meat substantially as herein described with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the drawings.

14. A clip removal tool substantially as herein described and with reference to any one of the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.