HK1178867B - Container for storing material - Google Patents

Description

Container for storing material

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an improved container for storing material, and in particular to a container having a closure which can be opened to access the stored contents.

Background

Containers having a lid or closure that includes structure for holding a scooping utensil, particularly containers of the type used for storing consumable materials such as food or dietary supplements, are well known in the art. Typically, consumable products of this type are provided in powdered, granular or granular form for mixing into an edible solution by the user. Conventional containers for storing such contents typically include a lid that is opened by a user to access a portion of the stored product. Generally, only a small portion of the stored product is used at any given time, while the remainder will be used at a later time. After the desired amount is removed, the lid is closed against the container to prevent leakage or contamination of the remaining portion until the next use. In many applications, the container may be accessed multiple times per day.

In practice, after a desired amount of product is scooped out of the container at the time of opening by using a scooping utensil such as a spoon, spatula or scoop, a measured dose of product is typically dispensed from the container. Certain conventional storage containers known in the art provide a scooping utensil loosely packaged within the container. The placement of the scooping utensil within the container conveniently ensures that the user has a scooping utensil at hand when accessing the stored contents for the first time, thereby eliminating the need for the user to carry an additional spoon or other scooping utensil.

When using a container with a loosely stored scooping utensil, the user typically must first remove the lid and remove the scooping utensil from the interior of the container. Loosely stored scooping utensils will typically be buried in the stored product. Thus, in order to remove the scoop in order to measure and dispense the desired amount, the user will have to come into contact with the stored product, either directly with the user's hand or indirectly with other objects used to remove the scoop. This aspect of conventional storage containers having loosely stored scooping utensils has several disadvantages. First, the stored contents may be contaminated by foreign substances including bacteria, chemicals or foreign debris present on the user's hand or on the removed object. Contamination of the stored product is particularly undesirable when the stored contents are intended for human consumption. Second, removing the scoop from the buried position exposes the user's hand to the stored contents. This is particularly undesirable when the stored contents contain ingredients that can cause the stored contents to stick to the user's hands. Third, removing the scooping utensil prior to each use is cumbersome for the user, requiring additional time and effort to dispense only the desired amount of the stored product. When repeated multiple times a day, removing the buried scooping utensil before each use can waste a significant amount of time.

Others have attempted to overcome the problems of conventional storage containers having loosely stored scooping utensils by including mounting structures on the inside or lid of the container for holding the scooping utensil between uses. Conventional mounting structures for securing scooping utensils include clips or locking structures that can make the utensil difficult to remove from the retaining structure. Other conventional retaining structures known in the art provide one or more flanges extending from the container or lid and sized to directly engage the cup portion of the scoop. However, conventional retaining structures of this type do not allow for interchangeability between scooping utensils having different cup shapes or sizes.

Conventional containers for storing materials are also often molded from thermoplastic or thermoset materials. Typically, an injection molding process is used to form the container and/or lid. During injection molding, heated thermoplastic or thermoset material is forced into a mold cavity having a shape that defines a desired container or lid therein. The heated material fills the contours of the mold cavity and is allowed to cool, creating a continuous solid three-dimensional structure. The container is then removed from the mold for packaging and labeling.

In-mold labeling is a technique for injection molding thermoplastic containers in which a label is typically inserted into an injection molding cavity prior to the injection of heated material into the cavity during the in-mold labeling process. The label is inserted with the front or face of the label oriented toward the outer wall of the cavity and the back of the label oriented toward the interior of the mold cavity. During molding, the label may be secured to the outer wall of the molding cavity using releasable means, such as by vacuum or electrostatic forces between the in-mold label and the molding cavity wall. The molding material is then forced into the mold cavity to fill the space between the back of the label and the mold cavity walls. The molding material fills the space behind the label and bonds directly to the label, thereby forming a container with the label integrated on the outer surface. One characteristic of containers with in-molded labels is that: the container typically includes a label attached to a surface of the container prior to filling the container with the stored product.

Conventional in-mold label constructions for injection molding containers require that the mold cavity include an angled sidewall or a relatively large draft angle, i.e., greater than about five degrees, in order to reliably insert the label into the mold cavity prior to each injection step. In addition, with conventional in-mold label constructions, if a substantially straight sidewall or lower draft angle is desired, the label height must be reduced because taller labels tend to stick in the low draft angle mold cavity. Still further, in-mold label constructions having a generally straight or low draft angle mold cavity are generally not compatible with smooth outer label surfaces, as smooth finishing during insertion can result in the in-mold label sticking to the mold wall, resulting in undesirable folding or misalignment of the label.

There is a continuing need to improve various aspects of the containers described above.

Disclosure of Invention

One embodiment of the present invention provides a container for storing material. The container includes a container body including a sidewall defining an opening in the container, and the container further includes a closure engaging the container body. The closure defines an inner closure surface. A utensil handle retainer is disposed on the inner closure surface. The vessel handle holder includes a first flange having a first distal end projecting from an inner closure surface. The first flange includes a first flange rib projecting therefrom and extending from the inner closure surface to a first distal end. A second flange having a second distal end also projects from the inner closure surface. The second flange includes a second flange rib projecting from the second flange toward the first flange, the second flange rib extending from the inner closure surface to a second distal end.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a container for storing material. The container includes a container body having a sidewall defining an opening for accessing a substance. The closure is attached to the container body. The base is attached to the side wall, and the side panels extend collectively downward from the side wall and substantially surround the base. The side panel includes a side panel end defining an inner side panel perimeter. An annular ridge extends upwardly from the closure. The annular ridge is configured to mate with the inner side panel perimeter of two like containers when the containers are stacked vertically.

Yet another embodiment of the present invention provides a container for storing material. The container includes a container body having a sidewall defining an opening in the container, the sidewall being substantially perpendicular to a transverse reference plane. A closure is pivotally attached to the container body, with the closure including an inner closure surface and an annular ridge projecting upwardly from the closure. A scooping utensil retainer is disposed on the inner closure surface and the skirt co-extends downwardly from the sidewall. The side panels are oriented in substantially the same local plane as the side walls. An in-molded label is disposed on the sidewall.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a container for storing material. The container includes a container body defining an interior region and a closure engaging the container body. A scooping utensil is disposed in the interior region, and the scooping utensil includes a utensil handle having a handle thickness B. A utensil handle retainer is disposed on the closure. The vessel handle holder includes first and second opposing flanges projecting from the closure. The first and second flanges define a tapered retainer gap therebetween. The tapered retainer gap includes a minimum gap width a. The vessel handle holder defines a handle interference ratio equal to the handle thickness B divided by the minimum gap width a, and the handle interference ratio is greater than about 1.0.

Many other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon a reading of the following disclosure when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of one embodiment of a container.

FIG. 2 illustrates a partial detailed perspective view of one embodiment of a utensil handle holder.

FIG. 3A shows a partial detailed cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a vessel handle holder of section 3A-3A as seen in FIG. 2.

FIG. 3B illustrates a partial detailed cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a utensil handle retainer of section 3B-3B as seen in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates a partial detailed cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a vessel handle holder.

Fig. 5 shows a partially exploded cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a vessel handle holder and an embodiment of a mating vessel handle.

FIG. 6 illustrates a partial detailed cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a vessel handle holder with an embodiment of a partially secured vessel handle.

FIG. 7 illustrates a partial plan view of an embodiment of a closure having an embodiment of a scooping utensil.

FIG. 8 illustrates a partial detailed cross-sectional view of one embodiment of the container illustrating section 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 illustrates a partially cut-away exploded elevation view of one embodiment of a plurality of similar containers in a vertically stacked configuration.

FIG. 10A illustrates a partial detailed cross-sectional view of one embodiment of two similar containers of FIG. 9.

FIG. 10B illustrates a partial detailed cross-sectional view of one embodiment of two similar containers in a vertically stacked configuration.

FIG. 10C illustrates a partial detailed cross-sectional view of one embodiment of an annular ridge.

FIG. 11 illustrates a partial cutaway view of one embodiment of a container.

Detailed Description

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIG. 1, there is shown and generally identified by reference numeral 10a perspective view of a container in an open position. For purposes of clarity, not every reference numeral may be present in every drawing. In addition, positional terms such as "upper", "lower", "side", "top", "bottom", "vertical", "horizontal" and the like refer to the container in the orientation shown in the drawings. Those skilled in the art will recognize that containers according to the present invention may have different orientations when in use.

As can be seen in fig. 1, the container 10 includes a container body 12 having a sidewall 16. The sidewall 16 defines an opening 48 in the container body 12. In one embodiment, the sidewall 16 forms an elliptical cross-sectional shape. It should be understood that other embodiments of container body 12 may include other cross-sectional shapes-including circular, rectangular, or other linear or curvilinear shapes not shown. A closure or cap 14 engages and substantially matches the container body 12. As can be seen in fig. 8, the closure 14 includes an inner closure surface 18 that spans the opening 48 when the lid is in the closed position. In certain embodiments, closure 14 is pivotally attached to container 12 by one or more pivoting hinges. The tear closure 14 may be removed or pivoted from the container body 12 by a user in order to access the material stored in said container body 12.

As can also be seen in fig. 1, in certain embodiments, scooping utensil 22 is releasably secured to closure 14 by utensil handle retainer 20 which projects from inner closure surface 18. In certain embodiments, the utensil handle retainer 20 is integrally molded onto the closure 14. Scooping utensil 22 generally includes a utensil handle 24 attached to a utensil cup or utensil reservoir 23. As can be seen in fig. 1 and 5, in certain embodiments, the handle 24 of the scooping utensil 22 includes a handle body 25 and a handle rib 28 extending from the handle body 25. It should be understood that in certain embodiments not shown, the utensil handle holder 20 may be positioned at various other locations on the container 10.

Referring now to fig. 2, a utensil handle retainer 20 is schematically shown protruding from the inner closure surface 18. The utensil handle retainer 20 includes a first flange 30 and a second flange 32 projecting generally outwardly from the inner closure surface 18. The first flange 30 includes a first distal end 74 positioned distal to the inner closure surface 18 and a first proximal end 76 positioned at the location where the first flange 30 intersects the inner closure surface 18. As such, the first proximal end 76 is positioned closer to the inner closure surface 18 than the first distal end 74. A first flange rib 34 projects from the first flange 30. As shown in fig. 2, in one embodiment, the first flange rib 34 extends from the inner closure surface 18 to the first distal end 74 along the entire height of the first flange 30.

As can also be seen in fig. 2, the second flange 32 projects from the inner closure surface 18. The second flange 32 includes a second distal end 78 positioned distal to the inner closure surface 18 and a second proximal end 80 positioned at the intersection of the second flange 32 and the inner closure surface 18. As such, the second proximal end 80 is positioned closer to the inner closure surface 18 than the second distal end 78. A second flange rib 36 projects from the second flange 32 generally toward the first flange 30. As can also be seen in fig. 3A (which shows a detailed cross-sectional view of section 3A-3A of fig. 2), in certain embodiments, the second flange rib 36 extends from the inner closure surface 18 to the second distal end 76 along the entire height of the second flange 30.

Referring again to fig. 2, in certain embodiments, a first tapered retainer gap 42 is defined between the first and second flange ribs 34, 36. The first tapered retainer gap 42 is generally configured for receiving the handle 24 of the scooping utensil 22.

In certain embodiments, as can be seen in fig. 3A, the first tapered retainer gap 42 includes a first aggregate gap portion defining a first gap width 66 and a second gap width 68. The first gap width 66 is defined closer to the first distal end 74 than the second gap width 68, and the first gap width 66 is greater than the second gap width 68. The first polymeric gap portion defined between the first and second flange ribs 34, 36 results in a self-centering or funneling effect when the vessel handle 24 is inserted into the first tapered retainer gap 42. This self-centering or funnel effect caused by the first polymeric gap portion provides for convenient storage of the vessel handle 24 and the user does not have to precisely align the handle 24 with the tapered retainer gap 42 during insertion of the handle 24 into the gap.

As can be seen in fig. 2, in certain embodiments, the utensil handle holder 20 includes a third flange rib 38 projecting from the first flange 30 and a fourth flange rib 40 projecting from the second flange 32. A second tapered retainer gap 44 is defined between the third and fourth flange ribs 38, 40. Referring to FIG. 3B, a partial cross-sectional view of section 3B-3B of FIG. 2 is shown. In certain embodiments, the second tapered retainer gap 44 defines a second polymeric gap portion that includes a fourth gap width 70 and a fifth gap width 72. Fifth gap width 72 is defined closer to interior closure surface 18 than fourth gap width 70, and fifth gap width 72 is less than fourth gap width 70. In combination with the effect created by the first polymeric gap portion, the second polymeric gap portion defined by the fourth and fifth gap widths 70, 72 also creates a self-centering or funneling effect. Collectively, the first and second polymeric gap portions are more convenient to use when securing the vessel handle to the vessel handle holder. In certain embodiments, the first flange 30, the second flange 32, and the first, second, third, and fourth flange ribs 34, 36, 38, 40 are all integrally molded on the closure 14.

Referring now to fig. 4, in certain embodiments, first flange rib 34 includes a first beveled end 152 oriented at first beveled corner 58 relative to reference axis 46. The reference axis 46 is aligned substantially parallel to the inner closure surface 18. In some embodiments, second flange rib 36 also includes a second beveled end 154 oriented at second beveled corner 60 relative to reference axis 46. In some embodiments, the first and second beveled corners 58, 60 are substantially equal. As shown in fig. 5, in certain embodiments, the first and second beveled corners 58, 60 ranging between about 110 degrees and about 170 degrees are adapted to provide the desired self-centering or funneling effect experienced when the handle 24 is inserted into the first tapered retainer gap 42.

Referring to fig. 5, the utensil handle holder 20 includes a minimum clearance distance a defined at a narrowest distance between the first and second flanges 30, 32. In certain embodiments, the minimum gap distance a is defined at the narrowest point between the first and second flange ribs 34, 36 in the first aggregate gap portion of the first tapered retainer gap 42. As can be seen in fig. 5, the vessel handle 24 generally comprises a vessel handle thickness B. As best seen in fig. 1, in certain embodiments, the vessel handle 24 includes a handle body 25 and a handle rib 28 protruding from the handle body 25. In this configuration, the handle thickness B is defined as the thickness of the handle body 25 plus the thickness of the handle rib 28.

Interference ratio of handle

The handle interference ratio is defined as the handle thickness B divided by the minimum clearance distance a. In certain embodiments, the handle interference ratio is greater than about 1.0. Generally, during use, the vessel handle 24 is inserted between the first and second flanges 30, 32. In one embodiment, the first and second flanges 30, 32 and the first, second, third, and fourth flange ribs 34, 36, 38, 40 comprise a thermoplastic polymer material, such as polyethylene. As such, the first and second flanges 30, 32 and the flange ribs 34, 36, 38, 40 are resilient and flexible and can bend within a resilient range without undergoing plastic deformation. In one embodiment, the flange ribs 34, 36, 38, 40 provide additional stiffness or resistance to bending to the first and second flanges 30, 32 during elastic bending.

Generally, the user will insert the handle 24 into the flange gap 42 after each use to store the scooping utensil 22 until the next use. Storage will prevent scooping utensil 22 from being buried into the stored contents. As can be seen in fig. 6, when the handle interference ratio is greater than about 1.0, the first and second flanges 30, 32 are pushed apart when the handle 24 is inserted into the first tapered retainer gap 42. Thus, the first and second flanges 30, 32 resiliently press against the handle 24 during insertion, thereby providing a compressive or clamping force against the handle 24. Because the clamping force may be applied over a range of interference ratios, the vessel handle holder 20 may be used to secure the handle 24 to the closure 14 over a large range of manufacturing tolerances, thereby reducing manufacturing costs associated with precision manufacturing of the vessel handle 24 and vessel handle holder 20. In one embodiment, the vessel handle 24 does not contact the first or second flanges 30, 32, but is directly engaged by one or more of the first, second, third, and fourth flange ribs 34, 36, 38, 40. While there is no upper technical limit to the grip interference ratio B divided by a, it can be seen that the practical upper limit is about 3.0. In certain embodiments, a handle interference ratio of no greater than about 1.2 provides sufficient clamping force while providing adequate dimensional tolerances to easily secure the vessel handle 24 to the vessel handle holder 20.

Divergent part

Referring again to fig. 3A, in certain embodiments, the first tapered retainer gap 42 includes a third gap width 160 defined between the first and second flange ribs 34, 36. In certain embodiments, third gap width 160 is greater than second gap width 68 and is defined closer to interior closure surface 18 than second gap width 68. Third gap width 160 defines a diverging portion of first tapered gap 42 between second gap width 68 and inner closure surface 18.

Similarly, in certain embodiments, as can be seen, for example, in fig. 3B, the second tapered retainer gap 44 includes a sixth gap width 162 defined between the third and fourth flange ribs 38, 40. In certain embodiments, sixth gap width 162 is greater than fifth gap width 72 and is defined closer to interior closure surface 18 than fifth gap width 72. Sixth gap width 162 defines the diverging portion of second tapered retainer gap 44 positioned between the location of fifth gap width 72 and inner closure surface 18.

As can be seen in fig. 4, the first flange rib 34 includes a first rib face 164 that generally faces the first tapered retainer gap 42. The first rib face 164 is oriented at a first taper angle 50 relative to the inner closure surface 18. In some embodiments, the first taper angle 50 is between about ninety and about sixty degrees. Similarly, referring to fig. 4, in certain embodiments, the second flange rib 36 includes a second rib face 166 that generally faces the tapered retainer gap 42. The second rib surface 166 is oriented at the second taper angle 52. In some embodiments, second taper angle 52 is between about ninety and about sixty degrees. In yet another embodiment, the first and second taper angles 50, 52 are substantially equal.

As can be seen in fig. 6, in certain embodiments, the first taper angle 50 improves the securement of the vessel handle 24 by urging the vessel handle 24 toward the inner closure surface 18 as the vessel handle 24 is pinched or squeezed between the first and second resilient flanges 30, 32 and more specifically between the first and second flange ribs 34, 36. As can be seen in FIG. 4, in some embodiments, both first and second taper angles 50, 52 are acute angles and are not less than about eighty degrees. In yet another embodiment, the first and second taper angles 50, 52 of between about eighty-nine degrees and about eighty-five degrees are sufficient to urge the handle 24 toward the inner closure surface 18 to securely retain the utensil handle 24 in the utensil handle retainer 20. It should be appreciated that in certain embodiments, the friction between the handle 24 and the container handle holder 20 is sufficient to securely hold the handle 24 between the first and second flanges 30, 32.

Referring now to fig. 7, the vessel handle 24 is shown secured generally within the vessel handle holder 20 between the first and second flanges 30, 32. More specifically, the utensil handle 24 is secured between the first and second flange ribs 34, 36, and is also secured between the third and fourth flange ribs 38 and 40. As can be seen in fig. 8, in some embodiments, the handle rib 28 engages the flange ribs 34 and 38. Accordingly, as can be seen in fig. 3A and 3B, in certain embodiments, the grip rib 28 is positioned in the diverging portion of the first and second tapered retainer gaps 42, 44. Positioning the handle ribs 28 in the diverging portion of each tapered retainer gap 42, 44 provides additional clamping force to the utensil handle 24 to effectively secure the scooping utensil 22 to the utensil handle retainer 20 without requiring additional structure to engage the utensil cup 23. This aspect of the invention allows vessels having cups of various sizes to be interchangeably used with one vessel holder configuration.

Corner inside curve

Referring now to fig. 9, container body 12 includes a sidewall 16 oriented at a sidewall angle 116 relative to a horizontal reference axis 118. In one embodiment, the sidewall angle 116 is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal reference axis 118. In another embodiment, the sidewall angle 116 is between about eighty degrees and about ninety degrees. In yet another embodiment, the sidewall angle 116 is generally between about eighty-five and about eighty-nine degrees. The base 104 is attached to the side wall 116. The base 104 forms the bottom interior surface 96 of the container body 12. The base 104 includes rounded interior corners that define a first radius of curvature 100 between the sidewall 16 and the bottom interior surface 96 of the container body 12. In one embodiment, the first radius of curvature 100 is between about ten millimeters and about thirty millimeters. The rounded internal corners of base 104 allow for the use of scooping utensil 22 to better remove the final amount of any remaining material from container body 12. As can also be seen in FIG. 9, scooping utensil 22 includes a utensil cup 23 having a second radius of curvature 102. In one embodiment, the first radius of curvature 100 is substantially equal to the second radius of curvature 102. It should be understood that in certain embodiments, the vessel cup 23 may be made of an elastomeric material capable of flexibly conforming to the first radius of curvature 100.

Vertical embedding structure

As can be seen in fig. 9, another aspect of the present invention provides a container apparatus having a nested configuration for stacking a plurality of similar containers in a vertical assembly. The vertically nested configuration facilitates improved display on a store or main shelf and improves packaging by preventing similar containers from sliding horizontally relative to one another when stacked. Generally, the side wall 16 includes a skirt 98 projecting downwardly from the side wall 16. The side plate 98 is coextensive with the side wall 16 and is oriented generally in the same plane as the side wall 16. In one embodiment, the side plates 98 form a continuous annular ring around the base 104. The side plate 98 includes a side plate end 106 that defines a lowermost edge of the side plate 98. The skirt 98 and sidewall 16 define an exterior surface area on the container body 12. The outer surface area is defined as the surface area on the container body between the lateral edge 94 and the side panel end 106.

The first stackable container device 10 generally includes a closure 14 or lid having an annular ridge 110, the annular ridge 110 projecting upwardly from the closure 14 or lid. As can be seen in fig. 9 and 10A, the annular ridge 110 is configured to engage the skirt 98 on a similar container. As can be seen in detail in fig. 10A, a second similar container 150 having a second container body 148 is positioned above the lid 14 of the container 10 in a vertically stacked configuration. The second container body 148 includes a skirt 98 projecting downwardly from the side wall 16. The skirt 98 includes a skirt end 106 that forms a lower annular edge of the skirt 98. As can be seen in fig. 10B, the skirt end 106 is configured to engage the annular ridge 110. In one embodiment, skirt end 106 surrounds annular ridge 110 when second container body 148 is positioned on lid 14. As can also be seen in fig. 10B, the base 104 is attached to the sidewall 16 at a base attachment location 142. The side panels 98 extend generally downwardly from the intersection between the base 104 and the side walls 16. As can be seen in FIG. 10A, in one embodiment, side panel 98 defines an inner side panel surface 128 that generally faces base 104. The inner decking surface 128 and the base 104 define a base gap 146 therebetween. The annular ridge 110 is configured to fit into the base gap 146. As can be seen in fig. 10C, the annular ridge 110 includes a ridge height 136 and a ridge width 138. In one embodiment, the ridge height 136 is between about 2 and about 4 millimeters and the ridge width 138 is between about 1 and about 2 millimeters.

In-molded label

Referring now to fig. 11, container body 12 includes a lateral rim 94 that projects outwardly from container body 12. In one embodiment, the lateral rim 94 extends continuously around the perimeter of the container body 12. In certain embodiments, an outer surface area of container body 12 is covered by label 124. The label 124 partially covers the outer surface area between the lateral edge 94 and the side panel end 106. Label 124 may be an in-mold label attached to the outer surface area by an in-mold labeling process in which container body 12 is formed by injection molding of a thermoplastic or thermoset material. In certain embodiments, the container body 12 is formed by forcing a heated thermoplastic or thermoset material into an injection molding cavity and allowing the material to cool, thereby forming a solid shape. Label 124 is inserted into the mold cavity before the thermoset or thermoformable material is forced into the mold cavity. In one embodiment, label 124 is cut from a roll of in-mold labels just prior to insertion into the empty injection mold cavity. In another embodiment, label 124 includes a smooth exterior surface finish, rather than a matte finish. Label 124 is integrally attached directly to the exterior surface area of container body 12 when container body 12 is removed from the mold cavity. This technique is known as in-mold labeling. In one embodiment, label 124 covers at least about ninety-five percent of the exterior surface area of container body 12 between lateral edge 94 and side panel 106. In another embodiment, label 124 extends from lateral edge 94 to a distance above side panel end 106, leaving an unlabeled region 126 on container body 12. In yet another embodiment, the non-label area 126 comprises less than about one percent of the outer surface area of the container body 12.

Having a generally straight sidewall, a low draft angle, and a smooth label covering a substantial portion of the exterior surface area on the container body 12, i.e., greater than about 95%, provides several advantages. First, the straight side walls 16 and low draft angle improve the packaging efficiency of bulk volume containers, allowing more containers to be placed adjacent to each other at a fixed spacing on a storage shelf or in a container. Second, smooth labels are more attractive to customers. Third, maximizing label coverage over the exterior sidewall surface area improves the overall aesthetic design and provides a larger area for informational or decorative label content.

Thus, while particular embodiments of the present invention have been described with respect to new and useful improved containers and closures, such references should not be construed as limitations on the scope of this invention except as set forth in the following claims.

Claims (18)

1. A container for storing material, the container comprising:

a container body including a sidewall defining an opening in the container;

a closure engaging the container body; and

a vessel handle holder disposed on the closure, the vessel handle holder comprising:

a first flange having a first distal end projecting from the closure, the first flange including a first flange rib projecting from the first flange, the first flange rib extending from the closure to the first distal end;

a second flange having a second distal end projecting from the closure, the second flange including a second flange rib projecting from the second flange toward the first flange, the second flange rib extending from the closure to the second distal end,

a third flange rib projecting from the first flange toward the second flange; and

a fourth flange rib projecting from the second flange toward the first flange,

wherein the first and second flange ribs define a first tapered retainer gap; and the third and fourth flange ribs define a second tapered retainer gap.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the first and second flanges are integrally molded on the closure.

3. The container of claim 1, wherein:

the first tapered retainer gap includes a first aggregate gap portion defining first and second gap widths, the first gap width being greater than the second gap width, wherein the first gap width is defined closer to the first distal end than the second gap width.

4. The container of claim 3, wherein the first tapered retainer gap further comprises a first diverging gap portion defining a third gap width, the third gap width being greater than the second gap width, wherein the second gap width is closer to the first distal end than the third gap width.

5. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

a base attached to the sidewall at a base attachment location; and

an annular side plate extending collectively from the side wall in substantially the same local plane as the side wall to below the base attachment location.

6. The container of claim 5, further comprising:

an in-molded label attached to the side wall and side panel;

wherein the sidewall is substantially straight and oriented substantially perpendicular to the transverse reference plane.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein:

the side panels and side walls define an exterior surface area of the container body; and is

The in-mold label covers at least ninety-five percent of an exterior surface area of the container body.

8. The container of claim 5, further comprising an annular ridge projecting upwardly from the closure.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein the side panel is configured to engage the annular ridge of a second like container when two like containers are stacked vertically.

10. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

a base attached to the sidewall, the base defining an inner bottom surface of the container body,

wherein the base defines a first radius of curvature between the sidewall and the inner bottom surface.

11. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

a base attached to the sidewall;

a side panel extending co-downwardly from the side wall and substantially surrounding the base, the side panel including a side panel end defining an inner panel perimeter; and

an annular ridge extending upwardly from the closure, the annular ridge configured to mate with an inner panel periphery of two like containers when the like containers are vertically stacked.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein:

the annular ridge comprises a ridge height between 1.0 and 3.0 millimeters; and is

The annular ridge comprises a ridge width between 1.0 and 2.0 millimeters.

13. The container of claim 11, further comprising:

a lateral rim extending from the container body; and

an in-molded label attached to the sidewall between the lateral edge and the side panel end,

wherein the sidewall of the container defines an outer surface area between the lateral edge and the side panel end, and the in-mold label covers greater than or equal to ninety-five percent of the outer surface area.

14. The container of claim 1, wherein

The side wall is substantially perpendicular to a transverse reference plane;

the closure pivotally attached to the container body, the closure comprising an inner closure surface and an annular ridge projecting upwardly from the closure;

the container further comprises a side panel extending co-downwardly from the side wall, the side panel being oriented in substantially the same local plane as the side wall; and

an in-mold label disposed on the sidewall.

15. The container of claim 14, wherein:

the side panels and side walls define an exterior surface area of the container body; and is

The in-mold label includes a smooth surface finish and covers greater than or equal to ninety-five percent of the outer surface area.

16. The container of claim 1, wherein

The container body defining an interior region for storing material;

the container further comprising a scooping utensil disposed in the interior region, the scooping utensil comprising a utensil handle having a handle thickness; and

the first tapered retainer gap comprises a minimum gap width,

wherein the vessel handle holder defines a handle interference ratio equal to the handle thickness divided by the minimum gap width,

wherein the handle interference ratio is greater than 1.0.

17. The container of claim 16, wherein the handle interference ratio is between 1.0 and 1.2.

18. The container of claim 16, wherein the first tapered retainer gap includes a diverging portion positioned between the minimum gap width and the closure.