Non-round container having multiple storage compartments

• US 5,669,550 A
• Filed: 12/15/1995
• Issued: 09/23/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 08/08/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Huhtamaki Incorporated (Huhtamaki Oyj)
• Original Assignee: SealRight Co., Inc. (Huhtamaki Oyj)
• Inventors: Klemme, Kirk, Robertson, Ronald D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Elkins, Gary E.
• Application Number:
  US08/573,532
• Time in Patent Office: 648 Days
• Field of Search: 229/4.5, 229/5.5, 229/5.8, 229/125.05, 229/125.17, 229/125.25, 220/521
• US Class Current: 229/4.5
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0018 of the 43-type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0093 Membrane
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00083 oval
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00231 made of several pieces
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/0024 two pieces, one forming at least the whole skirt, the other forming at least the whole upper part
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00268 Paper
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00314 Combination, e.g. laminates, several different materials
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00527 NO contact
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00537 on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00638 Rolled edge
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00685 Totality
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00731 Groove or hollow bead
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00796 Totality
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/247 located between an inner and an outer closure

Abstract

A non-round convolute paperboard container comprising a closed bottom and an upstanding continuous sidewall which together form a main storage cavity for storing goods. The container includes a closure lid which forms a lid compartment for separately storing goods apart from goods stored in the main cavity. The closure lid may take the form of a recessed well, a dome cover or a combination of the two. The container when viewed transversely of its longitudinal axis is curvilinear oblong or oval in shape such that oblong objects such as serving utensils or marketing toys can be stored within the lid compartment.

Claims

1. A container for storing and packaging one or more dry, semi-dry and/or liquid goods, the container having a longitudinal axis and comprising:

a closed bottom;

a continuous sidewall wrapped about said longitudinal axis and extending upwardly from said closed bottom to an upper rim, wherein said sidewall forms a curvilinear and oblong shaped perimeter about the container when viewed transversely of its longitudinal axis and wherein said closed bottom and said sidewall together form a main storage cavity in which said one or more goods may be stored and which is accessible through an open top bounded by said upper rim; and

a closure lid adapted to releasably close said open top wherein said closure lid forms a lid compartment in which said one or more goods may be stored.

2. A container in accordance with claim 1, wherein said sidewall forms an oval oblong shaped perimeter about the container when viewed transversely of its longitudinal axis.

3. A container in accordance with claim 1, wherein said closure lid comprises an upstanding dome closure lid having a closed top and downwardly extending sidewalls which together form the lid compartment which is accessible from an open bottom.

4. A container in accordance with claim 3, wherein said dome closure lid is releasably attached to said container to close said open top.

5. A container in accordance with claim 4, wherein said dome closure lid is releasably attached to said upper rim of the container.

6. A container in accordance with claim 3, wherein said dome closure lid is constructed of a clear plastic material.

7. A container in accordance with claim 3, wherein said container additionally comprises a planar sheet spanning the open top of said main storage cavity to separate said main storage cavity from said lid compartment.

8. A container in accordance with claim 7, wherein said planar sheet is releasably attached to the upper rim of said container.

9. A container in accordance with claim 7, wherein the planar sheet is selected from the group consisting of foil, paper, plastic film, laminate and combinations thereof.

10. A container in accordance to claim 1, wherein said closure lid comprises a recessed well having a closed bottom of size and peripheral configuration similar to that of the open top of the container, upstanding lid sidewalls and an open top.

11. A container in accordance with claim 10, wherein said recessed well is configured to fit within the confines of the sidewall of the container.

12. A container in accordance with claim 10, wherein said recessed well additionally comprises a lid rim configured to fit over and around the upper rim of the container.

13. A container in accordance with claim 10, wherein said container additionally comprises a cover to close said open top of the recessed well.

14. A container in accordance with claim 13, wherein said cover comprises a dome shaped cover having a closed top and downwardly extending sidewalls.

15. A container in accordance with claim 14, wherein said container additionally comprises a planar sheet spanning the open top of said recessed well to separate the recessed well from the dome shaped cover.

16. A container in accordance with claim 15, wherein said planar sheet is formed of a flexible material selected from the group consisting of foil, paper, plastic film, laminate, and combinations thereof.

17. A container in accordance with claim 1, wherein said container is formed of paperboard.

18. A container in accordance with claim 17, wherein said paperboard is coated with a barrier material.

19. A container in accordance with claim 18, wherein said barrier material is selected from the group consisting of a heat sealable plastic material.

20. A container for storing and packaging one or more dry, semi-dry and/or liquid goods, the container comprising:

a closed bottom having an outer periphery that is curvilinear and oblong in shape;

an upstanding sidewall extending from the outer periphery of said closed bottom and terminating in an upper rim such that the bottom and sidewall together define a main storage cavity in which said one or more goods may be stored and which is accessible through an open top bounded by the upper rim, wherein said sidewall forms a broad front sidewall panel and a broad back sidewall panel and wherein said container additionally comprises a side seam extending along the sidewall from said closed bottom to said upper rim in an offset position such that a major portion of said broad front sidewall panel and said broad back sidewall panel remains uninterrupted by the side seam; and

a closure lid adapted to releasably close said open top wherein said closure lid forms a lid compartment in which said one or more goods may be stored separately from said one or more goods stored in said main storage cavity.

21. A container for storing and packaging dry, semi-dry or liquid goods, said container having a longitudinal axis and comprising:

a closed bottom having an outer periphery that is curvilinear in shape;

an upstanding sidewall extending from the outer periphery of said closed bottom and terminating in an upper rim such that the sidewall and closed bottom together define a main storage cavity accessible through an open top bounded by said upper rim, the sidewall being formed from a sheet of paperboard wrapped about the longitudinal axis of said container, said sheet of paperboard including side edges that are secured together in overlapping relation to form a side seam extending from said closed bottom to said upper rim, the container when viewed transverse of said longitudinal axis is curvilinear and oblong in shape such that the sidewall comprises a broad front panel connected to a broad back panel by curved side panels and wherein the side seam is in an offset position along said sidewall such that a major portion of said broad front panel and said broad back panel remains uninterrupted by the side seam; and

a closure lid adapted to releasably close said open top wherein said closure lid forms a lid compartment in which said one or more goods may be stored separate from said main storage cavity.