Package having cup with beveled sealing flange

• US 6,648,163 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2001
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Del Monte Limited (Fresh Del Monte Produce Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Del Monte Corporation (Conagra Brands, Inc.)
• Inventors: Porter, III, James A., Cosgrove, David K., Koberstein, Terry L.
• Primary Examiner(s): HYLTON, ROBIN ANNETTE
• Application Number:
  US09/944,733
• Publication Number:
  US 20030042259A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 220/656, 220/657, 220/659, 220/359.1, 220/359.2, 220/359.4, 220/359.5, 220/FOR.186, 220/359.3, 220/DIG.31, 215/12.1, 215/232, 206/484, 206/467, 229/3.5 R, 229/123.1, 426/123
• US Class Current: 220/359.2
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 77/2024 the cover being welded or adhered to the container

Abstract

A package for foodstuffs including a cup and a lid. The cup includes an opening surrounded by a flange. The flange has a sealing surface adjacent the opening and a beveled surface spaced outwardly of the sealing surface. The beveled surface extends along a periphery of the flange. The sealing surface has an inner radius R₁ and an outer radius R₂, the outer radius R₂ defining the juncture between the sealing surface and the beveled surface. The beveled surface extends at a predetermined angle with respect to the sealing surface. The lid includes a tab extending outward of the periphery of the flange. The lid is affixed to the sealing surface thereby sealing the opening of the cup. The lid is not affixed to a substantial portion of the beveled surface. The lid and the sealing surface are adapted to release upon exertion of a predetermined pulling force on the tab.

Claims

1. A package for foodstuffs comprising;

a cup having an opening surrounded by a flange, said flange having a substantially planar inner sealing surface adjacent said opening and an outer beveled surface spaced outwardly of said sealing surface, said beveled surface extending along a periphery of said flange; and

a lid having a tab extending outward of said periphery of said flange, said lid affixed to said substantially planar inner sealing surface thereby sealing said opening of said cup.

2. The package of claim 1 wherein said lid is not affixed to a substantial portion of said beveled surface.

3. The package of claim 1 wherein said lid is not affixed to said beveled surface.

4. The package of claim 1 wherein said beveled surface extends at an angle of at least approximately 8°

with respect to said sealing surface.

5. The package of claim 1 wherein said beveled surface extends at an angle of approximately 10°

with respect to said sealing surface.

6. The package of claim 1 wherein said beveled surface extends at an angle of less than approximately 12°

with respect to said sealing surface.

7. The package of claim 1 wherein said sealing surface has an inner radius(R₁) and an outer radius(R₂) said outer radius(R₂) defining the juncture between said sealing surface and said beveled surface.

8. The package of claim 7 wherein the difference between said outer radius(R₂) and said inner radius(R₁) is at least approximately 0.080 inches.

9. The package of claim 7 wherein the difference between said outer radius(R₂) and said inner radius(R₁) is approximately 0.100 inches.

10. The package of claim 7 wherein the difference between said outer radius(R₂) and said inner radius(R₁) is less than approximately 0.120 inches.

11. The package of claim 1 wherein said lid and said sealing surface are adapted to release upon exertion of a predetermined pulling force on said tab.

12. The package of claim 11 wherein said predetermined pulling force is approximately 6 to 8 pounds.

13. The package of claim 11 wherein said predetermined pulling force is approximately 3 to 5 pounds.

14. The package of claim 1 wherein said lid comprises an oxygen barrier.

15. The package of claim 1 wherein said lid is affixed to said sealing surface by an adhesive bonding agent.

16. The package of claim 1 wherein said lid is affixed to said sealing surface by an endless weld.

17. The package of claim 1 wherein said cup is plastic.

18. The package of claim 1 wherein said cup is round.

19. A package for foodstuffs comprising;

a cup having an opening surrounded by a flange, said flange having a substantially planar inner sealing surface adjacent said opening and a beveled surface spaced outwardly of said sealing surface, said beveled surface extending along a periphery of said flange; and

a lid having a tab extending outward of said periphery of said flange, said lid affixed to 1said substantially planar inner sealing surface thereby sealing said opening of said cup, wherein said lid is not affixed to a substantial portion of said beveled surface,

wherein said lid and said sealing surface are adapted to release upon exertion of a predetermined pulling force on said tab of approximately 6 to 8 pounds.

20. The package of claim 19 wherein said beveled surface extends at an angle of at approximately 8°

to 12°

with respect to said sealing surface.

21. The package of claim 19 wherein said sealing surface has an inner radius(R₁) and an outer radius(R₂) said outer radius(R₂) defining the juncture between said sealing surface and said beveled surface, wherein the difference between said outer radius(R₂) and said inner radius(R₁) is in the range of approximately 0.080 inches and approximately 0.120 inches.

22. The package of claim 19 wherein said predetermined pulling force is approximately 3 to 5 pounds.