Receptacles – Closures – With closure opening arrangements for means
Reexamination Certificate
2001-08-06
2003-11-11
Newhouse, Nathan (Department: 3727)
Receptacles
Closures
With closure opening arrangements for means
C215S305000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06644492
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to a device used to aid the opening of a container. Specifically the present invention may be adapted to aid a user trying to open a container, and in some embodiments may include tamper evident features which provide an indication when the container has been tampered with.
Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the present invention being used to open paint pails. However, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other applications (such as food containers) are envisioned for the present invention and reference to the above only throughout this specification should in no way be seen as limiting.
BACKGROUND ART
Containers that have tightly fitted lids have numerous uses in industrial applications. For example, in the paint manufacturing and retailing trade, containers with airtight and strongly engaged lids are essential to ensure that paint does not spoil through exposure to air, or spill easily if a container is dropped or knocked. Similar considerations apply to containers that carry foodstuffs, or chemicals.
As paint rims and lids need to engage tightly a screwdriver or other similar separate hand tool is usually required to open the container. Such tools are not always readily available to a user when a container needs to be opened, so it would be advantageous to provide the opening device as part of the container.
When using a hand tool such as a screwdriver, the end of the tool is inserted into the small gap between the rim and the lid, then pressure is applied to lever these two components apart. This may damage and destroy the tight seal between the rim and lid, thereby possibly allowing for air to degrade the container's contents over time. Opening the container with a hand tool can also destroy the tight engaging fit between the lid and rim, and again allow the contents of the container to spill if knocked or tipped over.
One attempt to address this problem is discussed in German Patent No. DE 3734051.
This patent specification describes an attachment or moulding formed as an integral part to the lid of the container. The additional moulding consists of handle that protrudes down from the lid to the side or sides of a container, and may be used to pull the lid off the container.
However, this type of device is relatively large and expensive to form within a lid. It is also unattractive and obtrusive when compared with other lid designs.
Some containers also benefit from the provision of a tamper evident means. These indicate when a container has been opened and hence tampered with. A tamper evident means can assure the end user that the paint they are buying has not been tampered with.
An improved container opening apparatus which solved any or all of the above problems would be of great advantage over the prior art. Specifically a lid opening device that could be used easily to open a container, which could be formed at a relatively low cost, which provided tamper evidence and which incorporated an attractive design would be of advantage over the prior art.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a container and closure arrangement that will address the foregoing problems or at least to provide the public with a useful choice.
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuring description which is given by way of example only.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a container and closure therefor; the container including
a base,
a rim surrounding an opening to the container, at least one circumferential wall extending from the base to the rim,
a closure displacement lever having a connected end and a free end, the connected end being connected to the out side of the circumferential wall at or below the rim, the free end being capable of manipulation by a user to pivot the lever about the connected end;
the closure including
container engagement means to engage with the rim of the container in use, and
a skirt projecting below the container engagement means,
a lower edge of the skirt being located adjacent to the lever and whereby movement of the free end of the lever facilitates removal of the closure.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of operating a container substantially as described above.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of removing a closure from a container, the container having a base, a rim surrounding an opening to the container, at least one circumferential wall extending from the bass to the rim,
a closure displacement lever pivotally connected to the rim or to a part of the circumferential wall adjacent to the rim,
the method comprising the steps of
pivoting the lever about the pivotal connection to disengage at least a part of the closure from the container, and
removing the remainder of the closure from the container.
In a preferred aspect the free end of the lever is located below the connected end, and the lower edge of the skirt is located below the connected end of the lever when the closure is engaged with the container.
In a preferred aspect the relative positions of the connected end, the container engagement means and the lower edge of the skirt are such that initial movement of the free end of the lever away from the circumferential wall results in a substantial outward movement of the lower edge of the skirt away from the circumferential wall to facilitate disengagement of the container engagement means.
In another preferred aspect further movement of the free end about the connected end results in an upward movement of the skirt to facilitate separation of the closure from the container.
In another preferred aspect a frangible connection is provided between the container and the lever, whereby movement of the fever in use breaks the frangible connection.
a flange is provided surrounding the circumferential wall closely adjacent to the lower edge of the skirt, and the lever forms part of the flange.
In another preferred aspect the flange is discontinuous at either side of the lever, and the lever conforms to the shape of the flange.
In another preferred aspect the flange includes an upwardly projecting peripheral wall, which extends above the lower edge of the skirt.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided a container that includes a tamper evident means that indicates when the container has been opened.
A container configured in accordance with the present invention may be any device or apparatus that is adapted to contain a volume of material. Such a container may be constructed from metal, plastic, wood or other any material that is useful in the particular application required for the container.
A container configured in accordance with the present invention may be a variety of shapes.
Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the container being formed from moulded plastic, and being of a generally cylindrical shape. However, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that other materials and shapes may be used in the construction of the present invention and reference to the above only throughout this specification should in no way be seen as limiting.
In a preferred embodiment a container includes a body which is adapted to contain a volume of material. The body of the container allows it to perform its main function by holding or retaining a volume of material in place.
In a preferred embodiment a body may be adapted to contain a volume of paint. This application for the invention allows it to be used to contain volumes of paint in a sturdy, secure and airtight apparatus.
Reference throughout this specification will also be made to the present invention being adapted to contain paint. However, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a container configured in accordance with the present invention may be used to contain other materials if required. For example, in o
Newhouse Nathan
Viscount Plastics (NZ) Limited
Young & Thompson
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