Non-round moisture-tight re-sealable containers with round sealing surfaces

• US 8,540,116 B2
• Filed: 01/06/2012
• Issued: 09/24/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/06/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CSP Technologies North America LLC (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: CSP Technologies Incorporated (AptarGroup Incorporated)
• Inventors: Giraud, Jean-Pierre, Zbirka, Michel
• Primary Examiner(s): Stashick, Anthony
• Assistant Examiner(s): VOLZ, ELIZABETH J
• Application Number:
  US13/344,970
• Publication Number:
  US 20120097678A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 220/4.22, 220/231, 220/830, 220/835, 220/844, 220/849, 215/201, 132/294, 206/319, 217/7
• US Class Current: 220/835
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/1058 Latching mechanisms
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/1066 Actuating means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/20 Sealing means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/162 the container, the lid and the hinge being made of one piece B65D43/161 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 83/0811 with means for assisting dispensing

Abstract

A hinged container is disclosed, including a base, a lid, and a hinge joining the base and lid, allowing the lid to pivot open or closed relative to the base. One of the base and the lid has a circular, outwardly tapered outer seal member disposed at least partially within its outer perimeter. The other of the base and the lid has a circular, inwardly-tapered inner seal member disposed at least partially within its outer perimeter. The inner and outer seal members are positioned to engage concentrically to wedge the inwardly and outwardly tapered surfaces together and form a seal when the base and the lid are closed, and to disengage concentrically to part the inwardly and outwardly tapered surfaces when the base and the lid are opened.

Claims

1. A hinged container comprising:

(a) a base having an outer perimeter;

(b) a lid having an outer perimeter;

(c) a hinge joining the base and lid, allowing the lid to pivot open or closed relative to the base;

(d) a circular, outwardly tapered outer seal member defining a center axis and mounted in fixed relation to one of the base and the lid and disposed at least partially within the corresponding outer perimeter;

(e) a circular, inwardly-tapered inner seal member defining a center axis and mounted in fixed relation to the other of the base and the lid and disposed at least partially within the corresponding outer perimeter;

(f) the inner and outer seal members being positioned to engage concentrically to wedge the inwardly and outwardly tapered surfaces together and form a seal when the base and the lid are closed, and to disengage concentrically to part the inwardly and outwardly tapered surfaces when the base and the lid are opened;

wherein the base is provided with a latch portion, the lid is provided with a catch, and the latch portion is positioned to engage the catch when the lid and the base are closed;

the hinged container further comprising at least one push tab in association with the latch portion, whereby when the push tab is depressed, the latch portion is released from the catch.

2. The hinged container of claim 1, in which the inner and outer seal members are configured to provide a moisture-tight seal.

3. The hinged container of claim 1, in which the inner and outer seal members are configured to be resealable.

4. The hinged container of claim 1, in which the base and lid perimeters are substantially congruent.

5. The hinged container of claim 1, in which the base and lid perimeters are substantially registered when the base and lid are closed.

6. The hinged container of claim 1, which is generally clam shell shaped.

7. The hinged container of claim 1, in which the hinge is integral with the base and lid.

8. The hinged container of claim 1, in which the base and/or the lid has a non-round outer perimeter.

9. The hinged container of claim 1, further comprising a spring in association with the push tab wherein the spring returns the push tab from its depressed position.

10. The hinged container of claim 1, in which the latch portion has an abutment that engages an abutment on the catch when the lid and the base are closed.

11. The hinged container of claim 1, in which a film guide is mounted in the base.

12. The hinged container of claim 11, in which the film guide comprises a desiccant entrained polymer.

13. The hinged container of claim 1, in which at least one of (a) the lid and the seal member mounted in the lid, (b) the base and the seal member mounted in the base, (c) the lid and the hinge, and (d) the base and the hinge, are made of the same material.

14. The hinged container of claim 13, in which the base is made of 2 materials and one of the materials is a desiccant entrained polymer.

15. The hinged container of claim 13, in which at least one of the lid, the seal member mounted in the lid, the base, the seal member mounted in the base, and the hinge is made of polypropylene.