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US 8,833,584 B2Granted
Closure with utensil retention mechanism
AssigneeWeatherchem Corporation
InventorBrian David Groubert
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The disclosed aspects relate to a dispensing closure that comprises a utensil retention mechanism. The utensil retention mechanism can comprise at least two outward extending tabs that can be located on a lid portion of the dispensing closure. The at least two outward extending tabs can be positioned on the lid portion such that a section of a utensil can be securely engaged and retained by the at least two outward extending tabs. The dispensing closure can comprise a stay open mechanism, in an aspect. In another aspect, the dispensing closure can comprise a sift-resistance feature. In a further aspect, the dispensing closure can comprise a flex-lock.
Claims19
A closure, comprising:
- a utensil comprising a curved portion which defines an interior and an exterior of the utensil;
- and
- a body portion configured to operatively engage a container;
- and
- a lid portion operatively attached to the body portion and in movable engagement with the body portion, the lid portion comprises a utensil retention mechanism comprising:
- a first projection;
- a second projection substantially parallel to the first projection, the first projection and the second projection are angled away from each other to match the curved portion of the utensil;
- and
- a third projection located at a position that is substantially parallel the first projection and the second projection and oriented in an opposite configuration than the first projection and the second projection, wherein the first projection, the second projection, and the third projection are configured to provide an interference fit with the utensil, wherein the first projection, the second projection, and the third projection each comprise at least one area that deforms when the utensil is engaged in the utensil retention mechanism;
- and wherein the first projection and the second projection engage the utensil on the exterior of the curved portion and the third projection engages the utensil on the interior of the curved portion.
7 more elements
A container assembly, comprising:
- a utensil comprising a curved portion which defines an interior and an exterior of the utensil;
- and
- a container;
- and
- a dispensing closure attachable to the container, wherein the dispensing closure comprises:
- a body portion comprising a skirt configured to operatively engage the container;
- and
- a lid portion operatively attached in movable arrangement to the body portion, the lid portion comprises:
- a first outward extending tab;
- a second outward extending tab substantially parallel to the first outward extending tab and angled slightly with respect to the first outward extending tab, which is angled slightly with respect to the second outward extending tab so as to match the curved portion of the utensil;
- and
- a third outward extending tab offset from and facing an opposite direction than the first outward extending tab and the second outward extending tab, wherein each of the first outward extending tab, the second outward extending tab, and the third outward extending tab comprise at least one area that deforms when the curved portion of the utensil is engaged between the first, second, and third outward extending tabs.
9 more elements
A closure, comprising:
- a utensil comprising a curved portion which defines an interior and an exterior of the utensil;
- and
- a body portion comprising a skirt configured to operatively engage a container;
- a lid portion attached to the body portion at a hinge, the lid portion being configured to move between a first position and a second position with respect to the body portion;
- a utensil retention mechanism attached to the lid portion, the utensil retention mechanism comprises:
- a first tab comprising a first deformable wall section that engages the exterior curved portion of a utensil;
- a second tab, positioned substantially parallel to the first tab, comprising a second deformable wall section and engages a second part of the exterior curved portion of the utensil, wherein the first tab and the second tab are angled slightly away from each other;
- and
- a third tab comprising a third deformable wall section, the third tab being positioned at an orientation that is 180 degrees different than orientations of the first tab and the second tab, the third tab engages an interior curved portion of the utensil.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.