US20140312046A1

US20140312046A1 - Container structure with opening identification functions

Info

Publication number: US20140312046A1
Application number: US13/901,044
Authority: US
Inventors: Shu-Hung YANG; Albert HSIEH
Original assignee: VIGOUR PAK CO Ltd
Current assignee: VIGOUR PAK CO Ltd
Priority date: 2013-04-17
Filing date: 2013-05-23
Publication date: 2014-10-23
Also published as: TW201441114A

Abstract

A container structure with opening identification functions has a container body, limit ring flange, cover body, engaging flange and a concealed prebreaking portion. The prebreaking portion must be set onto the container body but also located at a preset position inside the limit ring flange. When the cover body is covered onto the container body, the outer edge of the cover body is extended to conceal the prebreaking portion. Because the prebreaking portion is concealed by the cover body, when the consumers intend to take or carry the container body, or open or close the cover body, it is possible to avoid discomfort or accidental injury arising from contact with the broken position of the prebreaking portion. Further, ill-disposed individuals cannot easily open the cover body and insert foreign or harmful substances, thus ensuring the quality and safety of products in the container body.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

NAMES OF PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO AN APPENDIX SUBMITTED ON COMPACT DISC

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a container structure with opening identification functions, and more particularly to an innovative one which is designed to avoid any discomfort or even accidental injury arising from direct manual contact with the broken position of the product.
2. Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 37 CFR 1.98.
In view of external factors for marketable foods such as: sanitation or appearance integrity protection, a container is generally used to contain the foods, which are then packaged simply via an outer cover by means of embedding OF snapping, etc. However, ill-disposed or interested individuals could easily open the cover to insert foreign or harmful substances via the gap, and then cover it again quickly, making it impossible to identify if the container has been opened. Hence, a container with opening identification function has been developed and improved for this purpose.
As for conventional containers with opening identification functions, a pre-breaking line is preset on the periphery of the cover, so when the cover is pulled open by external force, the periphery or the preset location of the cover is separated from the pre-breaking line, enabling the consumers to easily identify if the cover of the container has been opened for the purpose of warning and safety protection.
Yet, the conventional pre-breaking line is generally exposed on the outer cover, so the consumers may accidentally pull or press the outer cover to trigger the pre-breaking line, thus breaking the coupled position and posing damage to the appearance and integrity of products. In such case, the products must be returned or reworked prior to marketing, causing substantial economic losses to the producers, affecting markedly the reputation and cutting down the consumption desire. As discussed above, the pre-breaking line is set around the outer cover, when the consumers purchase the container and remove the outer cover, a sharp flange will be formed on the broken position of the outer cover and the pre-breaking line (the pre-breaking line is generally of broken line pattern, so sharp flanged portions will be formed at interval onto the broken position). Moreover, whenever opening or closing the outer cover of the container, the consumers are prone to touch the broken position of the pre-breaking line, leading possibly to discomfort or even cutting of the fingers. In addition, when the outer cover is opened or closed by kids, the same safety hazard may also occur. On the other hand, when the consumers carry or hold the container, such safety hazard likely happens, affecting greatly the safety of the products. It is thus learnt that there is still substantial room for improvement of such a container.
Thus, to overcome the aforementioned problems of the prior art, it would be an advancement if the art to provide an improved structure that can significantly improve the efficacy.
Therefore, the inventor has provided the present invention of practicability after deliberate design and evaluation based on years of experience in the production, development and design of related products.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Based on the innovative structural design of the present invention wherein the “container structure with opening identification function” mainly comprises a container body, a limit ring flange, a cover body, an engaging flange and a concealed prebreaking portion, when the consumers are intended for removing, taking or carrying or opening/closing the cover body, it is possible to avoid any discomfort or even accidental injury arising from direct manual contact with the broken position of the prebreaking portion, thus further resolving the shortcomings of conventional container and promoting the operational safety. On the other hand, those ill-disposed individuals could not easily pull open the cover body and put foreign or harmful substances into the container body, thus improving markedly the operational safety and comfort to ensure the quality and safety of products in the container body.
Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged sectional view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged application view of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-6 depict preferred embodiments of the container structure of the present invention with opening identification functions, which, however, are provided for only explanatory objective.
Said container structure with opening identification functions comprises a container body 10, designed into a preset cup or box pattern, having a circumference wall 11, a bottom wall 12, an opening end 13 and a holding space 14.
A limit ring flange 20 is expanded outwards to be formed onto the opening end 13 of the container body 10. A recessed annular space 21 is formed at inner side of the limit ring flange 20.
A cover body 30 is covered onto the opening end 13 of the container body 10 in an openable or closable state. When the cover body 30 is covered onto the container body 10, the outer edge of the cover body 30 is located into the recessed annular space 21 of the limit ring flange 20.
An engaging flange 40 is formed correspondingly to the opening end 13 of the container body 10 and the cover body 30 in a mating position, such that the cover body 30 could be locked securely. In the preferred embodiment, said engaging flange 40 comprises an annular flange 41 formed inside the opening end 13 of the container body 10 and a ring concave edge 42 located correspondingly to the cover body 30 and the annular flange 41(or set reversely), such that the cover body 30 is covered onto the opening end 13 in a mating position.
A concealed prebreaking portion 50, which must be set onto the container body 10 but also located at preset position inside the limit ring flange 20. Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the prebreaking portion 50 is formed circumferentially between the annular flange 41 and limit ring flange 20 of the container body 10. When the cover body 30 is covered onto the container body 10, the outer edge of the cover body 30 is extended to conceal the prebreaking portion 50. When the limit ring flange 20 is separated from the container body 10 via the prebreaking portion 50 (e.g.: arrow L1 marked by FIG. 6), it allows to remove the cover body 30 and identify if the cover body 30 has been opened. The prebreaking portion 50 disclosed in the present invention is designed into either of pre-breaking line, notch or rib.
With this structural design wherein the prebreaking portion 50 is concealed by the cover body 30, when the consumers are intended for removing the cover body 30, taking or carrying the container body 10, or opening/closing the cover body 30, it is possible to avoid any discomfort or even accidental injury arising from direct manual touch with the broken position of the prebreaking portion 50. On the other hand, as the prebreaking portion 50 is concealed, those ill-disposed individuals could not easily find the prebreaking portion 50 to pull open the cover body 30 and put foreign or harmful substances into the container body 10. That's to say, when they intend to remove the cover body 30, the limit ring flange 20 of the container body 10 must be pulled outwards. In such case, the limit ring flange 20 is separated from the container body 10 via the prebreaking portion 50, showing that the cover body 30 has been opened. This could ensure the quality and safety of the products in the container body 10 with its warning and safeguarding effects. On the whole, the present invention could improve substantially the ease-of-operation and the safety of products in the container body.
Referring to FIGS. 7, 8, the container body 10 is designed into a cup pattern. Referring firstly to FIG. 8, a connecting portion 60 (made of plastic or flexible materials) is set correspondingly to the container body 10 and the cover body 30. Said connecting portion 60 is used to connect the container body 10 and cover body 30, enabling the cover body 30 to be covered rotarily onto the opening end 13 and connected with the container body 10 by taking the connecting portion 60 as a rotary pivot. Or, referring to FIG. 7, the cover body 30 is directly covered onto the opening end 13 and separated from the container body 10.

Claims

1. A container structure with opening identification functions comprising:

a container body, having a preset cup or box pattern, the container body having a circumference wall, a bottom wall, an opening end and a holding space;

a limit ring flange, expanded outwards to be formed onto the opening end of the container body; and a recessed annular space is formed at an inner side of the limit ring flange;

a cover body, covered onto the opening end of the container body in an openable or closable state; when the cover body is covered onto the container body, the outer edge of the cover body is located into the recessed annular space of the limit ring flange;

an engaging flange, formed correspondingly to the opening end of the container body and the cover body in a mating position, such that the cover body could be locked securely;

a concealed prebreaking portion, which must be set onto the container body but also located at preset position inside the limit ring flange; when the cover body is covered onto the container body, the outer edge of the cover body is extended to conceal the prebreaking portion; when the limit ring flange is separated from the container body via the prebreaking portion, it allows to remove the cover body and identify if the cover body has been opened;

with this configuration wherein the prebreaking portion is concealed by the cover body, when the consumers are intended for removing the cover body, taking or carrying the container body, or opening/closing the cover body, it is possible to avoid any discomfort or even accidental injury arising from direct manual touch with the broken position of the prebreaking portion; on the other hand, those ill-disposed individuals could not easily pull open the cover body and put foreign or harmful substances into the container body, thus ensuring the quality and safety of products in the container body.

2. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein said engaging flange comprises an annular flange formed inside the opening end of the container body and a ring concave edge located correspondingly to the cover body and the annular flange, such that the cover body is covered onto the opening end in a mating position.

3. The structure defined in claim 2, wherein said prebreaking portion is formed circumferentially between the annular flange and limit ring flange of the container body.

4. The structure defined in claim 3, wherein said prebreaking portion is designed into either of pre-breaking line, notch or rib.

5. The structure defined in claim 1, wherein a connecting portion is set correspondingly to the container body and the cover body; said connecting portion is used to connect the container body and cover body, enabling the cover body to be covered rotarily onto the opening end and connected with the container body by taking the connecting portion as a rotary pivot, or, the cover body is directly covered onto the opening end and separated from the container body.