Scoop Dock and Assembly Methods

Abstract

In a method for installing a scoop (140) to a closure (24), the scoop comprises a bowl (142) and a handle (150). The closure comprises: a frame (26) for mounting to a container body; a cover (28); a hinge (29) connecting the cover to the frame; and a cradle (160) connected to the frame by a connection (200). The method comprises: mating the bowl to the cradle; and shifting the cradle from a first condition to a second condition.

1 . A method for installing a scoop ( 140 ) to a closure ( 24 ) wherein:
 the scoop comprises a bowl ( 142 ) and a handle ( 150 ); and   the closure comprises:
 a frame ( 26 ) for mounting to a container body; 
 a cover ( 28 ); 
 a hinge ( 29 ) connecting the cover to the frame; and 
 a cradle ( 160 ) connected to the frame by a connection ( 200 ); 
   the method comprising:
 mating the bowl to the cradle; and 
 shifting the cradle from a first condition to a second condition. 
   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the shifting causes a surface ( 302 ,  122 ) of the cover to contact the bowl. 
 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the shift comprises deforming the connection. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  wherein:
 the deforming comprises twisting. 
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein:
 the shift causes one or more first features ( 240 ,  242 ) to engage one or more second features ( 202 ,  204 ) to resist a shift back to the first condition. 
 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein:
 the first features are distally of a deformed region of the connection and the second features are proximally of the deformed region 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  wherein:
 the second features are a pair of arms of the connection. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 2  wherein:
 the surface ( 302 ) is an edge of a fin ( 300 ) depending from an underside of the cover. 
 
     
     
         9 . A closure configured to perform the method of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         10 . A method for using a closure, the closure comprising the combination of:
 a frame for mounting to a container body;   a cover;   a hinge connecting the cover to the frame; and   a cradle connected to the frame by a connection,   the method comprising:
 mating the bowl to the cradle; and 
 shifting the cradle from a first condition to a second condition. 
   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  wherein the combination is a unitarily molded single piece combination. 
     
     
         12 . A closure and scoop assembly comprising:
 a scoop comprising a bowl ( 142 ) and a handle ( 150 ); and   a closure comprising:
 a frame ( 26 ) for mounting to a container body; 
 a cover ( 28 ); 
 a hinge ( 29 ) connecting the cover to the frame; and 
 a cradle ( 160 ) connected to the frame by a connection ( 200 ) and holding the scoop, the connection of the cradle being held in a strained condition by interlocked features ( 202 ,  204 ,  240 ,  242 ). 
   
     
     
         13 . The assembly of  claim 12  wherein:
 the interlocked features ( 202 ,  204 ,  240 ,  242 ) comprise one or more first features ( 240 ,  242 ) to engage one or more second features ( 202 ,  204 ) to resist a shift from the strained condition back to a relaxed condition. 
 
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 12  wherein:
 the closure is unitarily molded as a single piece. 
 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 12  further comprising:
 a latch having a first portion on the lid and a second portion on the frame, the first portion releasably matable to the second portion to retain the lid in the closed condition and release to allow the lid to shift to the open condition