Packaging system to provide fresh packed coffee

• US 7,169,419 B2
• Filed: 12/02/2003
• Issued: 01/30/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Adam Ekonomon, Jeannette L. Knudsen, Folgers Coffee Company The (The J. M. Smucker Company), The Procter & Gamble Company
• Original Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
• Inventors: Weaver, Kerry Lloyd, Dalton, David Andrew, Manske, Thomas James Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Corbin; Arthur L.
• Application Number:
  US10/726,309
• Publication Number:
  US 20040137110A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 426/110, 426/118, 426/127, 426/126, 426/395, 426/396, 426/398, 220/495.03, 220/227, 220/366.1
• US Class Current: 426/110
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/0217 Containers with a closure presenting stacking elements B65D21/064 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/0219 the closure presenting projecting peripheral elements receiving or surrounding the bottom or peripheral elements projecting from the bottom of a superimposed container B65D21/0222 and B65D21/0223 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2205/00 Venting means
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0018 of the 43-type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/0093 Membrane
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 23/102 Gripping means formed in the walls, e.g. roughening, cavities, projections
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/525 Swivelling devices, comprising a bottom wall and two side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00027 Stackable lids or covers
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00092 circular
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00101 square-like or rectangular-like
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00194 square or rectangular with curved sides B65D2543/00101
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00296 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00407 radial
• 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 2543/0062 Groove or hollow bead
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00685 Totality
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/0074 Massive bead
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00796 Totality
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/0212 only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth B65D43/0206 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/1644 : the element being a valve B65D51/1661 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/165 : formed by a slit or narrow opening
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 51/20 : Caps, lids, or covers co-operating with an inner closure arranged to be opened by piercing, cutting, or tearing B65D51/185 takes precedence; co-operating with an auxiliary container for additional articles or materials B65D51/28
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 79/0084 : in the sidewall or shoulder part thereof
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 79/0087 : the deformable part being located in a closure, e.g. in caps or lids
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 81/266 : for absorbing gases, e.g. oxygen absorbers or desiccants B65D51/244, B65D51/30 take precedence

Abstract

A packaging system useful for roast and ground coffee, having a container with a closed bottom, an open top, and a body enclosing a perimeter between the bottom and the top. An annular protuberance is disposed upon the body and is continuously disposed around the perimeter of the body proximate to the top. The protuberance forms a surface external to the body. The surface is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the container. A flexible closure is removeably attached and sealed to the protuberance so that the closure seals the interior volume of the container.

Claims

1. A packaging system comprising:

a blow-molded container comprising a longitudinal axis, said blow-molded container further comprising a closed bottom, an open top, and a body having an enclosed perimeter between said bottom and said top;

wherein said bottom, top, and body together define an interior volume wherein said body has at least one region of deflection disposed thereon, and wherein said region of deflection allows flexion and thereby has less resistance to flexing than the body of said container proximate to said region of deflection;

an outwardly facing annular protuberance disposed upon said body, said annular protuberance being continuously disposed around said perimeter of said body proximate to said top wherein said protuberance forms a surface external to said body, said surface being substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; and

,

a flexible closure removably attached and sealed to said annular protuberance;

wherein coffee is contained within said packaging system.

2. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein said flexible closure comprises a laminate structure, said laminate structure comprising at least one barrier layer.

3. The packaging system of claim 2 wherein said laminate further comprises a foil.

4. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein said flexible closure has a one-way valve disposed thereon.

5. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein said blow-molded container comprises a material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, linear low density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, co-polymers thereof, and combinations thereof.

6. The packaging system of claim 5 wherein said material is a multi-layered structure.

7. The packaging system of claim 6 wherein said multi-layered structure further comprises at least one oxygen barrier layer.

8. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein said body has a handle disposed thereon.

9. The packaging system of claim 8 wherein said handle is integral with said body.

10. The packaging system of claim 8 wherein said handle is substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said container.

11. The packaging system of claim 1 further comprising an overcap.

12. The packaging system of claim 11 wherein said overcap is constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of polycarbonate, linear low density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, co-polymers thereof, and combinations thereof.

13. The packaging system of claim 11 wherein said overcap further comprises a first protuberance disposed upon said overcap, said protuberance being mateingly engageable with a second protuberance disposed upon said body of said container, wherein said overcap is releasably attached to said container upon the mating engagement of said first and second protuberances.

14. The packaging system of claim 11, wherein said overcap comprises a dome portion, said dome portion comprising a first surface, said first surface having at least one protuberance disposed thereon.

15. The packaging system of claim 1 wherein said coffee is roast and ground.

16. The packaging system of claim 1, wherein said closed bottom of said container is concave inwardly.

17. A packaging system comprising:

a blow-molded container comprising a longitudinal axis, said blow-molded container further comprising a closed bottom, an open top, and a body having an enclosed perimeter between said bottom and said top;

wherein said bottom, top, and body together define an interior volume, wherein said body has at least one region of deflection disposed thereon, and wherein said region of deflection allows flexion and thereby has less resistance to flexing than the body of said container proximate to said region of deflection;

an outwardly facing annular protuberance disposed upon said body, said annular protuberance being continuously disposed around the perimeter of said body proximate to said top wherein said protuberance forms a surface external to said body, said surface being substantially perpendicular to said longitudinal axis; and

a flexible closure removably attached and sealed to said annular protuberance;

wherein said annular protuberance translates the force of a load of at least about 16 pounds disposed upon said packaging system in a direction substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis and

wherein coffee is contained within said packaging system.

18. The packaging system of claim 17 wherein said blow-molded container is manufactured from a material having a tensile modulus ranging from at least about 35,000 pounds per square inch (2,381 atm) to at least about 650,000 pounds per square inch (4,230 atm).