WO2015066673A1

WO2015066673A1 - Container with singulating mechanism

Info

Publication number: WO2015066673A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/063805
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Pierre Giraud
Original assignee: Csp Technologies, Inc.
Priority date: 2013-11-04
Filing date: 2014-11-04
Publication date: 2015-05-07

Abstract

A container and cap assembly includes a container base having an interior for housing a plurality of products, and a cap affixed to the container base by a hinge, such that the cap pivots with respect to the base to move the assembly between an opened position and a closed position. The assembly further includes a projection extending from a portion of the cap and into the interior when the container is in the closed position. The projection includes an engagement surface that contacts and adheres to one of the products when the container is in the closed position and moves the product out from the interior when the cap is pivoted to move the assembly from the closed position to the opened position. The closures of the container and cap assembly may also comprise leak proof or moisture-tight seals.

Description

CONTAINER WITH SINGULATING MECHANISM

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefitunder 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of Provisional Application Serial No. 61/899,458 filed on November 4, 2013, entitled CONTAINER and whose entire disclosure is incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001 ] The invention pertains to containers, and specifically to lidded containers for housing a plurality of products and facilitating removal of such products therefrom.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Products such as diagnostics test strips often are moisture sensitive and need to be stored in containers that protect them from ambient moisture that they may be exposed to during both storage and use. It is advantageous to minimize the size of the containers for cost, space, and package size reasons. Reducing the physical size of the container, however can lead to increased difficulty in handling the strip, especially in certain patient populations such as the elderly. It is more difficult to remove the strips from the container.

[0003] Thus, there remains a need for container with a singulating mechanism that facilities the removal of at least one item from a container when it is opened.

SUMMARY

[0004] The present invention is directed to a cap and container assembly. The assembly includes a container base having an interior for housing a plurality of products, and a cap affixed to the container base by a hinge, such that the cap pivots with respect to the base to move the assembly between an opened position and a closed position. The assembly further includes a projection extending from a portion of the cap and into the interior when the container is in the closed position. The projection includes an engagement surface that contacts and adheres to one of the products when the container is in the closed position and moves the product out from the interior when the cap is pivoted to move the assembly from the closed position to the opened position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container in accordance with the invention, in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is a cross section taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially cut away view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 in an opened position;

FIG. 5 is a cross section taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4;

FIG. 5A is a partial view of the projection showing an engagement surface that includes an adhesive layer;

FIG. 5B is a partial view of the projection showing an alternative engagement surface using a mechanical fastener;

FIG. 5C is a partial view of the projection showing another alternative engagement surface having a first mechanical fastener that cooperates with a corresponding mechanical fastener on the product;

FIG. 5D is a partial view of the projection showing a further alternative engagement surface that includes hooks/piles that cooperate with piles/hooks located on the product;

FIG. 6A is a side view of an alternative closure/container of the present invention showing a longitudinal sectional view of a leakproof, resealable container and cap assembly;

FIG. 6B is a side elevation view of the container/cap assembly of Fig. 6A in a closed position;

FIG. 6C is a cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 6A-6B in the closed position;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view of another alternative closure/container of the present invention;

FIGS. 8A-8B depict a further alternative closure/container of the present invention;

FIGS. 9A-9B depict a closure/container that utilizes a desiccant resin by forming a desiccant sidewall within the container portion; and

FIGS. 10A-10B depict different forms of desiccant, a plug or a liner, that can be formed in the container portion of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0006] The present invention is directed to a container that includes a singulating mechanism that permits the easy removal of at least a single item from a container each time the container is opened by the user. In particular, an embodiment of a container 10 in accordance with the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-5. As shown, the container 10 includes a base 20 and a cap 40. The base 20 defines an interior 22 for housing a plurality of products 12. The cap 40 is pivotally connected to the base 20 and pivots between a closed position, as shown in FIGS. 1-3 and an open position, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. A projection 42 extends from the cap 40 into the interior 22 of the base 20, and includes an engagement surface 44 that adheres to one or more products 12 to move the product out from the interior 22 when the cap 40 is pivoted from the closed position to the opened position.

[0007] In the illustrated embodiment, the base 20 includes a bottom wall 24 and a tubular side wall 26 extending upward therefrom. In the embodiment shown, the side wall 26 is generally cylindrical, although it could take on other shapes as well, having for example an oval or rectangular cross-section. An opening 28 that leads to the interior 22 is defined by an upper edge of the side wall 26. The interior 22 is defined by the bottom wall 24 and the side wall 26. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5, a plurality of products 12 are housed within the interior 22. In the embodiment shown, the products 12 are in the form of elongate strips 12, such as blood-glucose test strips, but it should be understood that other products taking on different shapes could be housed within the container 10 as well.

[0008] The cap 40 is attached to the base 20 by a hinge 30. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment, the cap 40 is attached to an upper edge of the side wall 26 by hinge 30. The hinge 30 in the illustrated embodiment is of the type known in the art as a "living hinge" wherein the cap and container are formed integrally and portion of the connecting region therebetween is sufficiently thin so as to allow pivoting therebetween. In other embodiments the hinge 30 could be formed as a separate mechanical element attaching the cap 40 and the base 20. Such suitable hinges would be recognizable to a person of ordinary skill in the art.

[0009] The cap 40 includes a top wall 46 and downwardly depending skirt 48. In the illustrated embodiment a thumb tab 50 projects from a portion of the skirt 48 at a location generally opposite the hinge 30 to facilitate pivoting of the cap 40 on the base 20 to move the container 10 between the opened and closed positions.

[0010] A projection 42 extends downward from a bottom surface of the cap 40 top wall 46.

As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the projection extends into the interior 22 of the container 10 when in the closed position. A first end 54 of the projection is connected to the lower surface of the cap 40 top wall 46 and a second end 56 is located within the interior 22 and includes the engagement surface 44. In the illustrated embodiment, the second end 56 includes an engagement surface member 58 which may take on a spherical shape. This has the advantage of increasing the surface are of the engagement surface and thus the potential points of attachment to a product. The engagement surface member 58 could also take on other shapes. The engagement surface is configured to adhere to one or more products 12 when in contact therewith. This can be achieved, for example, by forming the engagement surface 44 as a layer of adhesive (43A, shown in FIG. 5A). In another embodiment the engagement surface 44 may include mechanical fasteners (43B, prongs, pincers or teeth, etc., as shown in FIG. 5B) that engage with the products 12 or other with complementary mechanical fasteners affixed to the product (43C, hook, on engagement surface 44 that are received in loops 43D on products 12, or vice versa, as shown in FIG. 5C), such as hook and loop style fasteners (e.g., Velcro^® hooks 43E on the engagement surface 44 with piles 43F on the products 12, or vice versa, as shown in FIG 5D).

[0011] To retrieve one or more products 12 from the interior 22 of the container 10, the container 10 is first positioned in the closed position. A user may optionally shake the container 10 to agitate the products 12 and bring one or more products 12 in contact with the engagement surface 44. Alternatively, the step of shaking the container 10 may be omitted and the projection 42 may simply be of a sufficient length to reach the products 12 when resting on the bottom wall 24 of the base. The cap 40 is then pivoted from the closed position of FIGS. 1-3 to the opened position of FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a unit of product 12 adheres to the engagement surface 44 and is removed from the interior 22 as the projection 42 moves with the pivoting cap 40. Optionally, more than one unit of product 12 may be adhered to the engagement surface 44 and removed from the interior 22. A user may then disengage the product(s) from the engagement surface 44 and reclose the assembly 10.

[0012] Although not required, the closure/container of the present invention can also be configured to be leak-proof and/or moisture-tight and/or resealable. The term "resealable" means that the container can be opened/reopened and closed/reclosed a numerous amount of times (e.g., more than 5 times). The term "leakproof" means that the container passes the blue crystal dye test. The blue crystal dye test is a visual test to detect leaks within a container seal. A container "passes" the blue crystal dye test if the white paper, in which the container is placed on, does not visually change color (i.e. The white paper does not become contaminated with the blue crystal dye liquid from the container). The blue crystal dye test procedure consists of the following: (a) the blue crystal dye liquid is prepared by adding one teaspoon of blue crystal dye powder to one gallon of alcohol and the thoroughly mixing the solution; (b) the blue crystal dye liquid is poured into the container (i.e. a sufficient amount of the dye liquid must be added so, when the container is placed upside down, the entire seal area must be covered); (c) the container is closed by applying, in a singular motion, a frontal downward pressure upon the thumb tab (e.g. a user places his/her thumb parallel or on top of the thumb tab and applies a singular downward pressure) until the rim portion, adjacent to the thumb tab, contacts the inside flat part of the cap; (d) the container is placed upside down (i.e. inverted) on the white paper at room temperature; and (e) after 30 minutes, the white paper is inspected to determine if the white paper is contaminated with the blue crystal dye liquid. The term "moisture- tight" means the moisture ingress into the container is less than about 750 micrograms of water per day, in another embodiment about 500 micrograms of water per day, in another embodiment about 250 micrograms of water per day, in another embodiment about 150 micrograms of water per day, in another embodiment about 100 micrograms of water per day, determined by the following test method: (a) place approximately 0.2 gram of molecular sieve in the container and record the weight; (b) close and seal the container; (c) place the sealed container in an environmental chamber at conditions of 80% relative humidity and 22 deg. C (72 deg. F); (c) after one day, weigh the container containing the molecular sieve; (d) after approximately two weeks, weigh the container; (e) subtract the first day sample from the value obtained and divide by the number of days to calculate the moisture ingress of the package in units of micrograms of water per day.

[0013] The cap 40 is configured to sit upon and cover the opening 28 of the base 20 when in the closed position. By way of example only, the cap 40 and base 20 may be configured to engage to form a moisture-tight seal. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 20 includes an outwardly projecting rim 32. A bottom edge of the skirt 48 sits on the rim 32 when the container 10 is in the closed position. A lip 34 extends upward from the sidewall 26, beyond the rim 32, and is located within the perimeter of the skirt 28 when the container is in the closed position. An outwardly projecting bead 36 extends about an upper edge of the lip 34 to engage an inner surface of the skirt 48 when the container 10 is in the closed position. An inwardly projecting 52 bead extends from an inner surface of the skirt 48 to engage an outer surface of the rim 32 when the container 10 is in the closed position. The outwardly projecting bead 36 is located just above and in engagement with the inwardly projecting bead 52 when the container 10 is in the closed position, to lock the cap 40 in place on the base and create a moisture-tight seal therebetween.

[0014] The singulation mechanism and closure features of the container assembly 10 including the projection 42 and engagement surface 44 may take on other configurations, such as those disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 7,198,161; RE37,676; 6,303,064; 7,213,720; 7,950,546; and U.S. Patent Publication No. 2011/0123416 and all of whose entire disclosures are incorporated by reference herein. In particular, the pertinent content of those references are disclosed in FIGS. 6A - 8B below.

[0015] FIGS. 6A-6C depict a leakproof, resealable cap and container assembly 100 of the present invention. The assembly 100 comprises a container 102 having a base 109, an internal cavity 111, an outer surface 108, an upper 104 and lower 110 portion. The container 102 has a rim 106 at the upper portion 104, as well as the singulating mechanism comprising the projection 42 and engagement surface 44. The assembly 100 also has a cap 112 which has a circular base 114 and a cylindrical tubular skirt 116 extending perpendicularly and outwardly around the outer periphery of the base 114. The cap 112 has opposing ends, at one end the cap 112 has a thumb tab 126 for facilitating the opening and closing of the container, and a hinge 120 attached to the container 102. The tab 126 and hinge 120 are positioned on opposing ends of the cap and extend perpendicularly and outwardly from the skirt 116 of the cap 112. The container may also have a flange 118 projecting radially outwardly from the outer surface 108 of the container 102. The hinge 120 may also be attached to the container flange 118. The hinge 120 also has a recess 122 that functions as abending point during the opening and closing of the container. FIG. 6B depicts a side elevation view of the present invention in a closed position. The cap and container assembly 100 comprises the cap 112 and the container 102 connected by the hinge 120. The container 102 has a flange 118 extending from the outer surface 108 and a base 109. The cap 112 has a cylindrical skirt 116 and the thumb tab 126 extending perpendicularly outwardly from the skirt 116. In a closed position, the skirt 116 of the cap 112 overlies the container 102 and lies upon the flange 118 of the container 102. FIG. 6C illustrates a cross-section view of the assembly 100 in a closed position. The skirt 116 of the cap 112 overlies the container 102 and lies upon the flange 118 of the container 102 while the rim 106 of the container 102 is situated within the recess 128 of the inner wall 124 of the skirt 116 of the cap 112. The container 102 can be sealed and/or resealed by applying, in a singular motion, frontal, downward pressure upon the thumb tab 126 to obtain a leak proof seal and/or a moisture-tight seal.

[0016] FIG. 7 depicts another alternative container 200 which is perfectly cylindrical in shape with an integrally formed bottom. A cap 202 is provided which is adapted to seal the vial closed with a substantially hermetic seal. The cap 202 is preferably integrally connected to the container 200 with a small flange 204. The container 200 and cap 202 are preferably injection molded from a thermoplastic material. The cap 202 includes a circular, flat center portion 206 having a rim 208 extending perpendicularly from the outer edge thereof. The rim 208 is intended to fit over the upper edge 210 of the outer wall 212 of the container 200 in a sealing manner. A ridge 214 may be formed on the inside of the cap rim 208 to enhance the seal of the cap 202 to the container 200. The reference number 216 indicates the interior wall of the container 200. The container 200 has an annular ridge 218 extending around the periphery of the container 200. The ridge 218 and the smooth transition surface at the upper edge or rim 210 of the container 200 form an annular region for interlocking with the cap 202. As can also be seen, the singulating mechanism comprising the projection 42 and engagement surface 44 are coupled to the interior surface 220 of the cap 202. A seal 222, and the cap rim 230 combine to form an annular region for interlocking with the interlocking annular region on the container 200. The annular seal 222 is adapted to at least partially fit within the upper edge 210 of the wall 212. The end sOlrface 228 is angled so as to guide the upper edge 210 of the wall 212 into the annular gap 234 formed between the seal 222 and the outer cap rim 230. The annular rim 210 of the container 200 is designed to fit within the gap 234. When the container is closed before the material of the container is fully set a leak proof seal results between various engaging portions of the cap 202 and the container 200.

[0017] FIGS . 8A-8B depict a further alternative container 300 which comprises a cap portion

304 and container portion 306 that are attached by a hinge 307. The hinge 307 has a recess 307' . The recess 307' forms two elements, the first element being attached to the cap portion 304 and the second element being attached to the container portion 306. In still a further embodiment, the recess 307' functions as a bending point during the opening and closing of the container assembly. The container portion has a container base 305 and a sidewall 302 depending upwardly from the base 305. A top container surface 310 extends inward from the sidewalls, the top container surface 310 and sidewall 302 together defining an upper housing portion 311 of the container portion. The top container surface 310 is provided with an opening 313, permitting access to the interior of the container 300. The opening 313 is bounded by a lip 314 that extends upward from the top container surface 310. Lip 314 extends around the periphery of the opening 313. The lip 314 has an end 312 distal to the location where the lip joins the container top surface, where an extension 316 is positioned and faces outward, relative to the opening 313. The extension 316 extends around the periphery of the lip distal end 312. The cap portion 304 has a base portion 318 with an outer periphery 319 that extends over at least a portion of the container portion. In one embodiment, a portion of the base portion 318 serves as a tab 308 for facilitating the opening and closing of the container assembly. The base portion 318 is provided with a skirt 320 that depends downwardly the base portion. The skirt 320 is positioned at a location on the base portion 318 that allows the skirt 320 to enter into a closing relationship with lip 314 of the container portion 306, in which the skirt 320 of the base portion 318 fits over the periphery of the lip 314 provided on the top container surface (or, as the case may be, the skirt fits within the periphery of the lip). The skirt 320 of the base portion 318 has an end 322 distal to the end at which the skirt joins the cap portion. At the distal end 322 of the skirt, the skirt is provided with an inward extension 324, which extends around the interior periphery of the skirt. At the distal end 322 of the skirt, the skirt is provided with an inward facing extension 324, which extends around the periphery of the skirt distal end 322. As can be seen the cap portion comprises the singulation mechanism which includes the projection 42 and engagement surface 44. When the cap portion is closed on the container portion, the extension 324 on the skirt 320 and the extension 316 on the lip 314 face each other. Further, when the cap portion is closed on the container portion, the extensions will abut and interlock with each other. Moreover, a desiccant-entrained plastic sleeve 326 is positioned in the bottom of the container. In this arrangement, the interlocking, abutting extensions will form a moisture-tight seal with each other.

[0018] Any of the cap/container assemblies discussed above may optionally include a desiccant, including a sleeve formed of a desiccant entrained polymer, such as those disclosed in WO 2007/065162 and EP 0 892 673 and both of whose entire disclosures are incorporated by reference herein. In particular, FIGS . 9 A-9B depict a closure/container that utilizes a desiccant resin by forming a desiccant sidewall 400 within the container portion. In particular, a sleeve is formed within the container that lines the interior surfaces of the container. In one example, the sleeve composed of plastic, may be composed of an active agent (e.g., desiccant) mixed with plastic (e.g., desiccant entrained plastic). The desiccant entrained plastic sleeve reduces or eliminates the need for a separate desiccant canister or sachet. The desiccant may comprise molecular sieves, a polypropylene and a polyglycol; it may also comprise silica gel, clays, calcium carbonate, etc.

[0019] It should be further understood that the desiccant may comprise a plug 500 that has been constructed from a polymer mixture comprising a polymer base that has been blended with a desiccating agent and a channeling agent. This plug can be formed in the bottom of the container as shown in Fig. 10A. Alternatively, the proportions of the plug 500 can be extended such a liner 502 is formed which covers a greater portion of the interior surface of the container, as shown in Fig. 10B.

[0020] While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A cap and container assembly, comprising:

a container base having an interior for housing a plurality of products;

a cap affixed to the container base by a hinge, such that the cap pivots with respect to the base to move the assembly between an opened position and a closed position; and

a projection extending from a portion of the cap and into the interior when the container is in the closed position, the projection including an engagement surface that contacts and adheres to one of the products when the container is in the closed position and moves the product out from the interior when the cap is pivoted to move the assembly from the closed position to the opened position.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the cap includes a top wall and the projection extends downward from a bottom surface of the top wall.

3. The assembly of claim 1 or 2, wherein the cap includes a top wall and a skirt depending downward therefrom.

4. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the container base includes a bottom wall and upwardly extending side wall.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the container base is tubular.

6. The assembly of claim 5, wherein the container base is generally cylindrical.

7. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the products are in the form of elongate strips.

8. The assembly of claim 7, wherein the products are blood-glucose test strips.

9. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the hinge is a living hinge.

10. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the container base and cap are formed integrally.

11. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the projection includes a first end affixed to the cap and a second end including the engagement surface.

12. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the engagement surface is formed on an engagement surface member.

13. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the engagement surface member is spherical.

14. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the engagement surface is formed as a layer of adhesive.

15. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the engagement surface includes mechanical fasteners.

16. The assembly of claim 15, wherein the engagement surface includes mechanical fasteners that engage complementary mechanical fasteners affixed to the products.

17. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein the cap and the container base engage to form a moisture-tight seal.

18. The assembly of any preceding claim, wherein said assembly comprises a desiccant.

19. The assembly of Claim 18 wherein said assembly includes a container sidewall comprising a desiccant entrained plastic.

20. The assembly of Claim 18 wherein said desiccant comprises a plug.

21. The assembly of Claim 20 wherein said plug is positioned on a bottom side of said container.

22. The assembly of Claim 20 wherein said plug forms a liner of an interior surface of said container.