IE42914B1 - Container having a removable lid - Google Patents

Abstract

When the container lid is fixed in place on the body, adjacent sections of the lid and body walls lie in the same plane, and there are curved beaded portions on the edges of lid and body. A glued sealing strip can be fitted over the join between these lid and body wall sections, and a spigot portion of the lid can fit inside the body. The wall of the latter can have an inwards-curved bead at the top, against which a shoulder on the lid bears, this shoulder joining the spigot portion to the lid wall section which is in the same plane as the body wall. The free edge of the lid wall can be in the form of an outwards-curving bead.

Description

The present invention relates to containers such as cannisters and boxes of the type having a body and a removable lid.

This type of container is widely used for products which are sensitive to moisture and changes in atmosphere, yet have to be stored for a period of time between manufacture and consumption. The light-weight tinplate biscuit tins used widely for retail purposes are an example of an attempt to balance the need for product protection and ability to survive modern warehousing and distribution practice against the need for as economical a package as possible. However, as food manufacturers endeavour to make the best possible use of their equipment throughout the year in spite of seasonal fluctuations ih demand, the need for improved packaging increases.

For instance, in the biscuit industry some manufacturers produce and pack biscuits for a substantial part of the year in readiness for the trade at Christmas when the demand is at a peak. This means it is 2. 2914 desirable that the tins be (1) attractively decorated to encourage sales; (2) such that they have good moisture barrier properties to keep the biscuits in good condition; (3) stackable to allow palletisation for storage and transport; (4) easily opened and reclosed when used by the consumer of the product; and (5) able to withstand the forces of taping or sealing and of abuse in handling.

This invention provides a sheet metal container of the kind comprising a body having a bottom and a side wall, and a removable lid having a closure panel and a peripheral sidewall, said lid having been formed from a single sheet of metal; characterised by a curled free edge of the lid; a curled top edge of the body sidewall; a support portion of the lid to support the curled top edge of the body side wall against inwardlydirected pressure; an outer surface portion of the lid sidewall, substantially aligned with an adjacent outer surface portion of the body side wall, to permit the application of a sealing tape around the whole of the join between the lid and the body; and the base and the lid of the lidded container being engageable with the lid and base, respectively of identical lidded containers to .permit the stacking of identical lidded containers in sideways-arrested engagement, one upon another.

In a first embodiment, the body has a bottom panel seated into an inwardly-directed bottom curl of the body side wall, and the lid comprises a closure panel adapted for entry into the body; said sunport portion of the lid comprising a first peripheral sidewall portion adaoted to engage with and support an inwardly curled top edge of the body sidewall during the application of sealing tape,and said outer surface portion comprising a second sidewall portion joined by an annular sealing ledge to said first sidewall portion; said second sidewall portion substantially aliqned with the body sidewall when the lid is fitted on the body, said 3. second sidewall portion extending outwardly and axially to terminate in an outward curl, so that the base of an identical container may be stacked within said second sideWall portion of the lid. Alternatively the body has a bottom panel fixed by a necked-in double seam adapted for stacking within the lid of an identical container.

In a second embodiment, the body has a bottom panel fixed to the side wall by a double seam protruding outwardly from the side trail, and the lid comprises a closure panel adapted for entry into the body, a first peripheral sidewall portion adapted to engage with and support the inwardly curled top edge of the body sidewall during the application of sealing tape, and an outer surface portion of the lid sidewall comprising a second sidewall portion joined by an annular sealing ledge to said first sidewall portion, said second sidewall portion being substantially aligned with the body side wall when the lid is fitted on the body, and said second sidewall portion extending axially to an annular stacking ledge which is surrounded by an upstanding peripheral portion terminating in an outward curl, which prevents any sideways slip of an identical container stacked therein.

In a third embodiment, the container body has a double seamed bottom and the lid comprises a closure panel adapted for entry into the container body and surrounded by a first upstanding peripheral portion, an outwardly-extending sealing ledge between said first upstanding portion and a second upstanding peripheral portion which terminates in an inward curl, said curl being adapted to receive the base of an identical container in surrounding engagement for stacking. Preferably, the container body and lid of this embodiment are each in the shape of a bow-sided rectangle. An assembly of four such containers permits four lids to lie diagonally within two container bodies with a further pair of bodies surrounding the two inner 4. container bodies. The support portion of the lid may be provided with radial pips to make the lid a snap fit in the body, and a sealing gasket may be engaged with the sealing ledge.

In a fourth embodiment, the body has a bottom panel fixed to the sidewall by a double seam protruding from the sidewall, the mouth of said body having an outwardly curled top edge including an axially elongate portion sufficiently long to receive an adhesive sealing tape, and said closure panel of the lid adapted for entry into the body, said support portion of the lid comprising a first peripheral sidewall portion adapted to engage with the inside of the body and joined by a sealing ledge to said outer surface portion comprising a second sidewall portion substantially aligned with an outer surface of the axially elongate portion.

In a fifth embodiment, the container body has a neck of diameter smaller than that of the remainder of the body, adjacent to the inwardly-curled top edge of the body sidewall and a stacking bead on the bottom of the body, the closure panel of the lid having a portion depressed therein to engage with and support the inside of the inwardly curled top edge, the lid also having a skirt comprising a first skirt portion adapted to engage the neck of the body, and a second skirt portion surrounding and joined to the first skirt portion, said second skirt portion being substantially aligned with the body sidewall to permit the application of a sealing tape. The second skirt portion preferably extends upwardly to terminate in an inwardly-directed curl situated above the closure panel to arrest any movement of a like container stacked thereon.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings, of which:Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first container according to the invention and comprising a lid on a body; Fig. 2 is a sectioned elevation of the container shovm in Fig. 1, when stacked on another such container which is shovm only in part; Fig. 3 shows the container lid when in a second closure position on the body; Fig. 4 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 of a second container according to the invention; Fig, 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 2 of the second container when stacked on another such container; Fig. 6A shows part of Fig. 5 to an enlarged scale and in a modification; Fig. 6B shows a body curl which is alternative to that of Figs. 4 to 6A; Fig. 7 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 of a bow sided biscuit tin having four sides and forming the third embodiment of the invention; Fig. 8 is an elevation of the container shown in Fig. 7 sectioned on A-A' together with part of another such container on which it is stacked; Fig. 8A shows part of Fig. 8 to an enlarged scale and with the lid modified; Fig. 8B is a plan view of four lids of containers as shovm in Fig. 7 when placed in one of the container bodies in readiness for packing as shown in Fig. 8C; Fig. 8C is a perspective view to show how two of the bodies of the container of Fig. 7 enclosing four lids as shovm in Fig. 8B, may be arranged in a further two bodies for delivery to the packer; Fig, 8D shows a detail of a further embodiment of the inventions being a modification of the container of Fig. 7; Fig. 9 is a sectioned view of the container forming the fourth embodiment of the invention when stacked on the lid of another such container; 6. 2 <Π 1 Fig. 10 is a similar view of a modification of the first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 11 is a similar view of another embodiment of the invention; Fig. 12 is a sectioned view of the fifth embodiment of the invention; Fig. 13 is a view corresponding to Fig. 1 of the container forming the sixth embodiment of the invention; Fig. 14 is a sectioned side elevation of the container shown in Fig. 13 with another such container, shown only in part, stacked on top; and Figs. 15, 16 and 17 show details of the container of Figs. 13 and 14 with its lid and body subjected to modifications.

Referring to Fig. 1, the first container embodying the invention is circular in plan and consists of a body 101 and a lid 102 sealed shut by an adhesive tape 103 of suitable composition. The lid is decorated so that it may be used as a tray when no longer needed as a reclosure for the body.

As with all the other embodiments of the invention still to be described, the body and lid are made from decorated tinplate. Other sheet metals, however, are possible.

Referring to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the lid 102 has .i plug portion 104 which is a push fit in the mouth of the body formed by an inward curl 105. An annular ledge 106 is incorporated in the lid to engage with the curl 105 to provide axial location for the lid oh the body. Extend25 ing peripherally around the ledge 106 is an upstanding substantially cylindrical portion 107 having its free edge in the form of an outward curl 103. The curls 105, 108 make their respective edges safe against injury to the user; furthermore they rigidify the edges against damage. The portion 107 of the lid, adjacent 7. 914· to the body curl 105, has the same diameter as the body 101, so that the outer surfaces of the lid and the bodyat the interface between them are substantially aligned. The two surfaces are, furthermore, closely adjacent to one another. The adhesive tape 103 can therefore be easily applied, with little or no wrinkling along its length.

The tape 103 serves not only to seal the joint between lid and body but also to retain the lid on the body by preventing relative movement therebetween. Furthermore inward restraint is provided for the body curl 105 by the plug portion 104 of the lid to substantially prevent damage to the body during handling and transport by preventing, in particular, inward buckling of the body wall. The body may therefore be of relatively thin material.

If desired outwardly projecting pips (not shown) may be formed on the plug portion 104 to engage the underside of the body curl 105 and thereby provide positive retention for the lid on the body.

The lower part of Fig. 2 shows how the container is stackable on top of another such container. The base 111 of the body 101 is of the seated-in type so that the side wall 110 extends to the very bottom of the body and is accordingly able to fit inside the upstanding cylindrical portion 107A of the lid 102A below. Although the portion 107A is shown outwardly tapered a little to aid stacking, it is.substantially cylindrical.

Fig. 3 shows hot/ the lid 102 may, if desired, be inverted for use as a slip lid reclosure.

The second embodiment of the invention, shown in Figs. 4 to 6, has a body 201 with a base 222 which is not of the seated-in type (as in the first .embodiment) but instead has a double seam 221 projecting outwardly beyond its cylindrical side wall. As before, the lid 212 has a plug portion 214 and a sealing ledge 216. In the corner or shoulder defined between the sealing ledge 216 and 8. the plug portion 214 there is placed a lining compound 218. In the closed position this compound 218 is held down on body 201 by the engagement between pips 213 on the plug portion of the lid and the body curl 215 (as shown in Fig. 6A). Tape or an overall label may be applied to the upstanding lid wall 217 and container body if desired for additional security or decoration. In either case the lining compound improves the reclosure performance.

Fig. 5 shows how the container can be stacked on another such container in spite of its having the double seam 221. This is because the lids 212 and 212A have a stacking ledae 219 surrounded by an upstanding peripheral portion in the form of a curl 220, which prevents any sideways slip of stacked containers.

In Fig. 5 the tape 203 has been shown sealing the joint between the lid 212 and the body 201 to show how the container may be used in two ways; namely (a) with tape for a warehouse storage seal and the pips 213 to improve reclosure; or (b) with lining compound 218 to aid both warehouse and domestic storage, as shown in Fig. 6A. The alternative curl form 215 shown in Fig. 6B is small enough to be spanned by the sealing tape.

The containers described in Figs. 1 to 6A have been cylindrical; however they may be of other shapes.

Referring to Fig. 7 it will be seen that the container consists of a body 301 and a lid 302, the body 301 having four bowed sides. Although the container is shown with a double seam 303 joining the side wall to the bottom, other bottom-to-wall joints such as the seated-in type may be used. The container body has a side seam 304 which in this preferred embodiment is situated adjacent to a corner of the container. The lid 302 has a plug portion which comprises a closure panel 305 and an upstanding peripheral portion 305, a ledge 307 and an upstanding portion 308 to receive the adhesive tape 309 which is shown partly removed. 9.

Referring to Fig. 8 it will be seen that the upstanding portion 308 of the lid has an internal curl 310. In 'this embodiment pips 313 are provided in the upstanding portion 306 so that the lid has a snap fit into the body curl 312. The container may be sealed with an adhesive tape after the lid has been fitted to the body.

In an alternative embodiment shown in Fig. 8A, the lid 302 is provided with a gasket 311 which is preferably made of a known lining material which can be applied to the lid as a fluid and cured in situ. The gasket 311 provides a seal between the ledge 307 of the lid 302 and the internal curl 312 of the body 301. The arrangement provides a good reclosure and need not necessarily be sealed with adhesive tape for storage because the pips 313 coacting with the underside of the body curl 312 hold the gasket of the lid down on the body curl.

Referring to Fig. 8B it will be seen that four lids 302A, 302B, 302C and 3020 can be nested together and placed diagonally in one container body 301. This is possible because the diagonal length of the containersis greater than that of the long sides of the lids and also the plug portion of each lid can be nested within the upstanding portion 308 of an adjacent lid - for example lids 302C and 302D - so minimising the total thickness of the stack of lids. When a second container body is placed upside down upon the first 'container body 301 the group of lids is enclosed.

Referring to Fig. 8C it will be seen that the containers can be further arranged so as to reduce the space needed in delivery lorries.

The body 301A has a further pair of bodies 301B and 30TC placed inside it and a fourth body 301D (shown dotted) is placed upside down on top so that four bodies and their lids may be despatched in almost as little space as that required by two bodies. . 2 9 14 Fig. 8D shows an alternative embodiment of the container body 301 and lid 302 wherein the body has a seated-in bottom 314 joined to the body wall 315 by an inwardly disposed seam 316. The lid 302 has a plug portion which comprises a closure panel 305, and an upstanding portion 306, a ledge portion 307 and an upstanding portion 308 terminating in an outwardly directed curl 317. The upstanding portion 308 of the lid 302 is outwardly flared to allow a second container body 301A (shown dotted) to be stacked therein. The upstanding portion 306 of the lid 302 is provided with a snap-in feature 313 which may be in the form of outwardly disposed dimples or a bead.

It will be understood that the container of Fig. 7 is preferably made of lightweight sheet metal such as tinplate or aluminium and derives strength not only from the curvature of the side walls but also from the plug engagement of the lid with the body.

Fig. 9 shows a further embodiment in which the simple lid 102 of Figs. 1 and 2 is applied to a container body having an axially elongate outward curl 424 which includes a deep vertical portion to provide a taping surface to cooperate with taping portion 417 of the lid 102. The taping portion 417 of the lid is able to receive the double seam 421 of a like container body stacked therein.

Fig. 10 shows how the lined lid 502, having the stacking ledge 506 and curl 508, can support the double seam 521 of a necked-i'n container 525.

Fig. 11 shows how the wall 601 ol the container body may beheaded outwardly to provide a taping surface 626 to cooperate with the taping surface 627 of an inwardly curled lid 602. A further feature of this lid is a stacking and body-supporting bead 628. This bead extends peripherally and upwards as indicated at 629, at some points to engage with a body thereon to prevent sideways movement of the body. The bead also extends downwards, as 11. 914 indicated at 630, at other points to support the body curl.

Fig. 12 illustrates how the body support bead 730 can continue all round the lid 702 when an external curl 731 is extended upwards to terminate in a stack-confining curl 733. By way of further example, the lid 702 may be fitted on a body 734 drawn from sheet metal and having a tape bead 735.

The concept of Fig. 12 can be developed to provide several embodiments of neat appearance and illustrated in Figures 13 to 17.

Referring to Fig. 13 and 14, the container 801 comprises a body 802 and a lid 803. An external wall 804 of the lid 803 is substantially flush With the outer wall of the body 802 to permit the application of sealing tape 812 to cover the joint between lid 803 and body 802. The lid wall 804 continues upwards to terminate in an inward curl 805 above the level of the closure panel 806. The sealing tape 812.is shown part removed.

Referring to Fig. 14, the body 802 is necked to a reduced diameter collar 807 terminating in a curl 808. The lid 803 has the closure panel 806 surrounded by a bead 809, to engage with the inside of the body curl 808, and a dependent skirt 810 which is surrounded by the outwardly disposed wall 804, which terminates in the inward curl 805 above the level of the closure panel 806.

Part of a second container 801A is shown stacked on container 801. Stacking beads 811 are provided in the bottom of the body to engage with the inside of the lid curl 805 to control the stack.

As shown in Fig. 14, the lid bead 809 is a plug fit in the reduced diameter collar 807 of the body and so supports the neck.

Fig. 15 shows an embodiment in which the body bottom is necked at 814 to provide a stacking feature, so that a container body 802A may rest on the lid 803 on a body 802. 12.

In preparation for the bulk delivery of containers it is usual to stack a layer of containers on a pallet, place a layer board of cardboard on the top of the first layer and arrange a second layer of containers on the layer board. Further layer boards and layers of containers are added, until the required number of containers is stacked to complete the pallet load. For ease of palletisation the containers should be able to slide well across surfaces.

Figs. 16 and 17 show embodiments of the invention suitable for palletising and having adequate stacking ability for retail display and sale. In Fig. 16 the bottom of the upper container body 802A has a stacking bead 815, and the panel 806, of the lid beneath, is depressed to receive the stacking bead 815.

In Fig. 17 the body bottom is generally similar to that shown in Fig. 16 but the lid panel 806 is provided with a peripheral bead 816 to receive the stacking bead 815 of container body 802A stacked upon the lid 803 of a like container body 802.

Although.the invention has been principally described in terms of cylindrical shapes, rectangular containers are possible as indeed are other shapes, such as oval. Although the embodiments of the invention described relate to light-weight tinplate containers, other sheet metal may be used.

The containers described have all been adapted to allow sealing by means of tape. However, instead of using known adhesive tapes, we have found that hot melt resins or certain lacquers can be applied, for instance by spraying, onto the lid-to-body junction and regions adjacent thereto, to make a seal. Such seals have the ability to overcome any irregularities such as built-up container side seams. Also, in certain cases the resins can be peeled off to allow the lid to be removed. Otherwise a knife is used 13. 914 to sever the joint to release the lid from the body.

It will be understood that whilst the various embodiments of container are described as having portions which are adjacent and adapted to be aligned to receive a sealing tape and that such containers have useful moisture vapour barrier properties, the embodiments having a lining compound in the lid may alternatively or additionally be vacuum packed so that the reduced pressure within the containers holds the lids in sealed engagement with the bodies, the same reduced pressure within the containers also improving the product keeping qualities of the containers.

Claims (22)

1. CIAIMS

1. A sheet metal container of the kind comprising a body having a bottom and a sidewall, and a removable lid having a closure panel and a peripheral sidewall, said lid having been formed from a single 5 sheet of metal; characterised by a curled free edge of the lid; a curled top edge of the body sidewall; a support portion of the lid, to support the curled top edge of the body sidewall against inwardlydirected pressure; an outer surface portion of the lid sidewall, substantially aligned with an adjacent outer surface portion of the 10 body sidewall, to permit the application of a sealing tape around the whole of the join between the lid and the body; and the base and the lid of the lidded container being engageable with the lid and base, respectively, of identical lidded containers to permit the stacking of identical lidded containers in sideways-arrested 15 engagement, one upon another.

2. A container according to Claim 1, wherein the curled top edge of the body sidewall is an inwardly curled top edge.

3. A container according to Claim 2, wherein the body has a bottom panel seated into an inwardly-directed bottom curl of the body 20 sidewall, and the lid comprises a closure panel adapted for entry into the body, said support portion of the lid comprising a first peripheral sidewall portion adapted to engage with and support the inwardly curled top edge of the body sidewall during the application of sealing tape, and said outer surface portion of the lid sidewall comprising a second sidewall portion joined by an annular sealing ledge to said first sidewall portion; said second sidewall portion substantially aligned with the body sidewall when the lid is fitted on the body said second sidewall portion extending outwardly and axially to terminate in an outward curl, so that the base of an identical container may be stacked within said second sidewall portion of the lid.

4. A container according to Claim 1, wherein the body has a bottom panel fixed by a necked-in double seam adapted for stacking within the lid of an identical container.

5. A container according to Claim 2, wherein the body has a bottom panel fixed to the sidewall by a double seam protruding outwardly from the sidewall, and the lid comprises a closure panel adapted for entry into the body, a support portion of the lid comprising a first peripheral sidewall portion adapted to engage with and support the inwardly curled top edge of the body sidewall during the application of sealing tape, and said outer surface portion of the lid sidewall comprising a second sidewall portion joined by an annular sealing ledge to said first sidewall portion, said second sidewall portion substantially aligned with the body sidewall when the lid is fitted on the body, and said second sidewall portion extending axially to an annular stacking ledge which is surrounded by an upstanding peripheral portion terminating in an outward curl, which prevents any sideways slip of an identical container stacked therein.

6. A container according to Claim 1, wherein the body has a double seamed bottom and the lid comprises a closure panel adapted for entry into the body and surrounded by a first upstanding peripheral portion, an outwardly-extending sealing ledge between said first upstanding portion and a second upstanding peripheral portion which terminates in an inward curl, said curl being adapted to receive the base of an identical container S in surrounding engagement for stacking.

7. A container according to Claim 6, wherein the container body and lid are each in the shape of a bow-sided rectangle.

8. An assembly of four of the containers of Claim 7, wherein the four lids lie diagonally within two container bodies with a further pair of 10 bodies surrounding the two container bodies.

9. A container according to any of Claims 3 to 7, wherein the support portion of the lid is provided with radial pips to make the lid a snap fit on the body,

10. A container according to any of Claims 3, 5, 6, 7 or 9 wherein a 15 sealing gasket is engaged with the sealing ledge. -η, A container according to Claim 1, wherein said body has a bottom panel fixed to the sidewall by a double seam protruding from the sidewall, the mouth of said body having an outwardly curled top edge including an axially elongate portion sufficiently long to receive 2o an adhesive sealing tape, and said closure panel of the lid is adapted for entry into the body, said support portion of the lid comprising a first peripheral sidewall portion adapted to engage with the inside of the body and joined by a sealing ledge to said outer surface portion comprising a second sidewall portion substantially aligned 75 with an outer surface of the axially elongate portion. 2914

11. 12. A container according to Claim 2, wherein the container body has a neck, of diameter smaller than the remainder, adjacent the inwardly-curled top edge of the body sidewall and a stacking bead on the bottom of the body, the closure panel of the lid having a portion depressed therein to engage v/ith and support the inside of the inwardly curled top edge, the lid also having a skirt comprising a first skirt portion adapted to engage the neck, and a second skirt portion surrounding and joined to the first skirt portion, said second skirt portion substantially aligned with the body sidewall to permit the application of a sealing tape.

12. 13. A container according to Claim 12, wherein the second skirt portion extends upwardly to terminate in an inwardly-directed curl situated above the closure panel, said curl serving to keep the bottom of an identical container stacked thereon in sideways arrested engagement.

13.

14. A container as hereinbefore described, with reference to Figures 1,. 2 and 3.

15. A container as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 4, 5, 6A and 6B.

16. A container as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 7, 8A, 8B and 8C.

17. A container as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 8D.

18. A container as hereinbefore described wi th reference to Figure 9.

19. A container as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 10.

20. A container as hereinbefore described with reference to Figure 12.

21. A container as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3, 4 and 5, 9 or 10 having the lining compound of Figure 6A.

22. A container as hereinbefore described with reference to any of Figures 13 to 17.