US2013084367A1PendingUtilityA1

Multi-function condiment container

53
Individually held — no corporate assignee on recordPriority: Apr 23, 2009Filed: Sep 10, 2012Published: Apr 4, 2013
Est. expiryApr 23, 2029(~2.8 yrs left)· nominal 20-yr term from priority
Inventors:Craig CaldwellJohn MarshallWilliam Rasile
B65D 77/2036B65D 75/5855B65D 2221/00B65D 77/204B65D 85/72B65D 75/5811B65D 77/2032B65D 75/563B65D 75/36B65D 75/58A47G 19/32B65D 77/38
53
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Claims

Abstract

A container for condiments includes a container portion having generally planar bottom, a generally parallel flange, and defining a cavity having a discharge spout adjacent the parallel flange. The container further includes a generally planar cover portion fashioned from a material more flexible that the material of the container portion and secured to the flange by an adhesive. The container preferably includes a weakened region transversely aligned with the spout but not having fluid communication therewith. Moreover, the container preferably includes a peel initiating structure aligned with the spout but spaced therefrom effective to reduce the peeling force required to separate the cover portion from the container portion.

Claims

exact text as granted — not AI-modified
What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a container portion fashioned from a container material having a first bending stiffness,
 defining a receptacle having a nominal volume and a spout, 
 having a generally planar bottom with a nominal width, 
 having a generally planar flange generally parallel to the planar bottom, spaced therefrom, and surrounding the receptacle; 
   a cover portion fashioned from a cover material having a second bending stiffness which is less that the first bending stiffness, the cover portion substantially covering the generally planar flange;   adhesive between the container portion and the cover portion in the region of the generally planar flange, such that an non-bonded region exists in alignment with the spout;   a weakened region in general transverse alignment with the spout; and   a peel initiator at the non-bonded region.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , further including an embossed portion in the generally planar bottom operable to increase the bending stiffness of that generally planar bottom. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , including an embossed portion in the generally planar bottom. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container portion and the cover portion include a generally symmetrical pair of cuts extending from sides of the container toward a container end so as to define a pair of ears. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4 , wherein the ears include a surface adhering treatment. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container portion is fabricated from material having an oxygen control barrier. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the cover portion is fabricated from a material having an oxygen control barrier. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the peel initiator is located in longitudinal alignment with the spout portion. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the peel initiator is located opposite from the spout portion. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the weakened region includes a pair of aligned cuts, positioned on corresponding sides of the spout. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the weakened region is applied mechanically. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the weakened region comprises a laser score. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the adhesive provides a resistance to peeling in the range of about 2 to about 10 pounds force. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle has a width, a depth, and a length, and is proportioned such that the depth is less than about 50% of the width, and the depth is less than about 35% of the length. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container can support an applied weight of about 50 lbs. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle contains a condiment. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the receptacle contains a condiment selected from the group consisting of ketchup, mayonnaise, and sauce. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the receptacle contains ketchup. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein the first material and second material are selected such that the condiment has a shelf-life of at least about six months. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein shelf-life is determined using a colorimeter operating in the L*a*b* color space, and the L*-value does not degrade more than about 10% during a six-month period. 
     
     
         21 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the cover portion includes a foil layer. 
     
     
         22 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the cover portion and the container portion are opaque. 
     
     
         23 . The container of  claim 1 , where in the material of the cover portion is selected from the group consisting of PET, APET, OPET, MET-PET, PE, LDPE, LLDPE, mLLDPE, HDPE, mPE, EVA, PP, mOPP, PS, HIPS, foil, EVOH, polyamide, Nylon, PVC, biaxially oriented materials, materials complying with 21 C.F.R. Part 177, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         24 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein the cover portion includes at least two layers, at least one layer selected from the group consisting of PET, APET, OPET, MET-PET, PE, LDPE, LLDPE, mLLDPE, HDPE, mPE, EVA, PP, mOPP, PS, HIPS, foil, EVOH, polyamide, Nylon, PVC, biaxially oriented materials, materials complying with 21 C.F.R. Part 177, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         25 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the cover portion lies in the range of about 1 mil to about 5 mils. 
     
     
         26 . The container of  claim 1 , where in the material of the container portion is selected from the group consisting of PET, APET, OPET, MET-PET, PE, LDPE, LLDPE, mLLDPE, HDPE, mPE, EVA, PP, mOPP, PS, HIPS, foil, EVOH, polyamide, Nylon, PVC, biaxially oriented materials, materials complying with 21 C.F.R. Part 177, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         27 . The container of  claim 25 , wherein the container portion includes at least two layers, at least one layer selected from the group consisting of PET, APET, OPET, MET-PET, PE, LDPE, LLDPE, mLLDPE, HDPE, mPE, EVA, PP, mOPP, PS, HIPS, foil, EVOH, polyamide, Nylon, PVC, biaxially oriented materials, materials complying with 21 C.F.R. Part 177, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         28 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the thickness of the container portion lies in the range of about 3 mils to about 20 mils.

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