Canister

Abstract

The invention is directed to a canister for packaging and delivering a product such as, but not limited to, infant formula. The canister of the invention includes a container and cover. The cover includes a base and a lid with the base including an easy-open sealing material and/or a utensil for dispensing the product and docking station for holding the utensil when not in use.

1 . A canister comprising
 a container,   a cover attached to said container and comprising a base and a lid, said base includes an opening for access to said container, a sealable material removably attached to said base and a means for removing said sealable material comprising a ring tab mechanism, and   
       wherein said base of said cover includes a docking station for removably holding a utensil. 
     
     
         2 . The canister of  claim 1  wherein the docking station comprises a horizontal member extending from an edge of said base and includes a storage structure for removably holding said utensil. 
     
     
         3 . The canister of  claim 2  wherein said canister is substantially rectangular and said horizontal member extends from a side of said base and is substantially triangular in shape. 
     
     
         4 . The canister of  claim 3  wherein said storage structure comprises at least one of: an inverted U-shaped member having a slot therein for receiving said utensil; a protruding member constructed and arranged to mate with said utensil; a raised annular member having an aperture therein constructed and arranged for receiving said utensil; or an aperture constructed and arranged for receiving said utensil. 
     
     
         5 . The canister of  claim 1  wherein said ring tab mechanism comprises a ring tab, a finger member and a plurality of perforations around the periphery of said base for removal of said sealable material. 
     
     
         6 . The canister of  claim 5  wherein said ring tab mechanism further includes one or more teeth members for initially opening said sealable material. 
     
     
         7 . The canister of  claim 1  wherein said base further includes a utensil attached to said base by one or more frangible members, wherein said utensil may be removed from said base by severing said one or more said frangible members. 
     
     
         8 . The canister of  claim 7  wherein said utensil includes a handle and a scoop and the length of said utensil is greater than the depth of said container. 
     
     
         9 . The canister of  claim 1  wherein said container includes two gripping means for gripping said container. 
     
     
         10 . The canister of  claim 9  wherein each of said gripping means comprises a first recess for gripping said canister in a first position and a second smaller recess for gripping said canister in a second position. 
     
     
         11 . The canister of  claim 1  wherein the bottom of said container and the top of said cover are constructed and arranged to allow the stacking of multiple canisters. 
     
     
         12 . The canister of  claim 1  wherein said canister includes a recessed portion and an EAS device secured therein. 
     
     
         13 . The canister if  claim 12  wherein said canister further includes a label adhered to said canister and covering said recessed portion and said EAS device, and wherein said label does not include any adhering material adjacent to said recessed portion and said EAS device. 
     
     
         14 . The canister of  claim 1  wherein said container and cover are attached to each other by means of induction sealing. 
     
     
         15 . The canister of  claim 14  wherein said container comprises front, back, and side walls having an upper portion, wherein said upper portion includes ribs in said front and back walls and grooves in said side walls, wherein said ribs and grooves provide rigidity and strength to said canister. 
     
     
         16 . The canister of  claim 14  wherein said cover is attached to said base by applying pressure to said cover in excess of 40 lbs. per square inch. 
     
     
         17 . The canister of  claim 1  wherein the container includes front, back and side walls and said utensil includes a scoop member, and wherein at least one of said front wall and said side wall and said back wall and said side wall is sized to complement the size of said scoop member. 
     
     
         18 . A canister comprising
 a container,   a cover attached to said container comprising a base and a lid,   said base of said cover comprising an opening for access to the interior of said container, a sealable material removably attached to said base and a ring tab mechanism for removing said sealable material,   said ring tab mechanism comprising a ring tab, a finger member and a plurality of perforations around the periphery of said base for removal of said sealable material, and   said base further includes a utensil attached to said base by one or more frangible members, wherein said utensil may be removed from said base by severing said one or more frangible members.   
     
     
         19 . The canister of  claim 18  wherein said ring tab mechanism further includes one or more teeth members for initially opening said sealable material. 
     
     
         20 . The canister of  claim 18  further comprising a docking station for removably holding a utensil. 
     
     
         21 - 56 . (canceled)