Container with waste compartment

Abstract

A container comprising a body portion 4 for receiving a product. The body portion 4 includes a base, comprising a floor 10 and peripheral wall 16. The floor has a raised portion 12, which forms a rece

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a container which includes a compartment for waste products. More especially, the invention relates to a container which includes a concealed compartment for waste products. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

[0002] The Applicant has previously developed containers able to hold a variety of products some of which should preferably remain inaccessible to a child. Such products include, for example, pharmaceutical preparations, tobacco, cannabis and pills. One such container is disclosed in Applicant’s earlier patent application WO2019 / 166754. The container disclosed in this application has proven to be commercially successful.

[0003] Products identified as being particularly suitable for containers in accordance with the present application are not necessarily child related, these products including chewing tobacco, snuff, snus and pouch tobacco.

[0004] A long-standing problem with presently available products is the discarded waste of the spent products.

[0005] The present invention seeks to provide a solution to this problem by providing an improved container with an in-built waste compartment for discarded waste.

[0006] One issue with providing an improvement to the Applicant’s previously developed container by including a separate waste containing compartment is how to do so without prejudicing the child-resistant properties of the container.

[0007] Locating the compartment for retaining waste in the base of the container disguises it's presence.

[0008] A further issue with existing containers is how to provide a compartment that is itself not readily accessible or visible to a user such as a child to avoid unwanted access to any waste retained in the compartment.

[0009] Although the potency of the retained waste is reduced significantly when spent, it can cause harm so should not be easily accessible to children.

[0010] As will also be explained below, the present invention seeks to overcome this and other issues by concealing the compartment so that it is not overly visible with a child resistant means. STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0011] According to the invention in a first aspect there is provided a container which comprises a body portion for receiving a product, the body portion including a base which comprises a floor and a peripheral wall; wherein the floor has a raised portion forming a recess in the base under the raised floor portion and within the confines of the peripheral wall; and wherein the container further comprises a cover attachable to the peripheral wall to extend at least partially across the base and over the recess.

[0012] Preferably, the cover is detachable from the body portion.

[0013] Preferably, one side of the cover has a V-shaped sprung connecting tab attached to the cover by a living hinge.

[0014] Preferably, the tab is insertable into a recess formed in the container wall.

[0015] Preferably, a side of the cover opposing that with the tab is formed with a ramp member.

[0016] Preferably, the ramp member is receivable into a recess form in the container wall, the recess having an upwardly inclined surface orientated towards hinge side of the cover.

[0017] Preferably, the container further comprises a flexible locking arm extends across the cover adjacent to the ramp member.

[0018] Preferably, the distal end of the arm is formed with a locking bead to form a clip which is receivable in a complimentary shaped recess in the wall of the container recess.

[0019] Preferably, the container further comprises an arcuate protrusion in the top surface of the cover.

[0020] Preferably, a sealing strip is located on one side of the cover which faces the base of the container when the cover is closed which is configured to form a seal between the cover and the and the perimeter of the wall of the first recesses.

[0021] Preferably, the cover is generally semi-circular is configured to locate over the recess container recess. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0022] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:-

[0023] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate a prior art child resistant container as described in Applicant’s earlier patent application WO 2019 / 166754.

[0024] Figures 3 and 4 are side views in cross-section of a container in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention with its waste compartment respectively shut and open;

[0025] Figures 5 and 6 are respectively plan views from below of a container in accordance with the invention with its waste compartment respectively shut and open;

[0026] Figure 7 is a plan view of the underside of a container constructed in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention;

[0027] Figure 8 shows the container of figure 7 with the cover removed;

[0028] Figure 9 is a side cross-section view of cover for the container of figure 7;

[0029] Figure 10 is a side cross-section of the container with the cover secured;

[0030] Figure 11 is an exploded view of another embodiment of including aspects of the invention;

[0031] Figure 12 is a constructed view of the assembly of figure 11 with the cover removed;

[0032] Figure 13 is a constructed view of the assembly of figure 11 with the cover closed;

[0033] Figure 14 is a side cross-section view of the apparatus of figure 13; and

[0034] Figure 15 is a detailed view of the cover mechanism of figure 14. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0035] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate the Applicant’s child resistant container as described in its patent application WO2019 / 166754. As will be seen from these figures, the container is generally circular in plan view and comprises a body portion 4 for receiving a product and a top 2 for opening and closing the body portion 4.

[0036] The container has locking means 6 for locking the top 2 to the body portion 4 and opening means 8 for unlocking the locking means 6 and enabling the top to be moved to open the body portion 4.

[0037] The locking means 6 is a push-operated locking means and operates by pushing the top 2 towards the body portion.

[0038] The opening means 8 is operated by squeezing the top 2 in a pincer hand movement at two opposing locations, that is one circumferential location on each of two opposite sides of the top.

[0039] Theflexibility of the top 2 is essential for the opening means to be operated in a manner as described and which is child-resistant.

[0040] One container embodiment of the present invention has essentially the same form as that shown in Figures 1 and 2. However, in alternative embodiments not shown in the Figures, alternative container forms may be used.

[0041] The present invention seeks to provide an improved container by the addition of a waste compartment which is formed within the container structure. Traditionally, such compartments are located on the top of the container cover.

[0042] If the container relies on push-operated locking means and squeeze-operated opening means as described above with reference to WO 2019 / 166754 though, altering the top 2 of the container might necessitate a change to its rigidity, possibly prejudicing its opening and closing actions and, where applicable, its child-resistant properties. Consequently, in such an embodiment, the container waste compartment would preferably be located in the body portion 4, and particularly in the underside of the base of the body portion 4.

[0043] In addition to maintaining the child-resistant properties of the containerwhen required, the preferred location of the compartment within the underside of the base means that the compartment is not obviously visible to the eye of, for example, a child.

[0044] In addition, providing a recess within the confines of the perimeter walls of the base means that the compartment is largely concealed to the eye of, for example, a child even when the base of the container is being inspected.

[0045] Furthermore, providing a hinged connection between the cover and the body of the container means that the cover does not get discarded separately as litter.

[0046] Additionally, the hinged connection provides a one-piece product which is preferable for recycling purposes.

[0047] In Figures 3 and 4, the base of the body portion 4 of the container has a floor 10 which has a raised portion 12 along approximately half its width. This arrangement provides the impression that the container is fuller when products are added.

[0048] The raised portion 12 includes a first recess 14 underneath the floor 10 which is bordered along one side by an inwardly protruding extension 15 of the perimeter wall 16, and along its other side by a dividing wall 18 which extends downwardly from the underside of the floor 10 at or near its centre.

[0049] When accessible, the recess 14 has a depth suitable to receive an amount of spent tobacco or the like which the user no longer wishes to use.

[0050] A second recess 20 is formed in the remaining part of the raised portion 12 bordered by the side of a dividing wall 18 distal to the first recess 14 and the end 22 of the un-raised or flat portion 24 of the floor 10.

[0051] As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the first recess is coverable by a cover 26 which is attached through a hinge 54 to the perimeter wall of the raised floor portion 12.

[0052] The depth of the dividing wall 18 is less than the level of the flat floor portion 24 by the width of the cover 26 such that, when closed over the first recess 14, the cover 26 lies substantially planar to and aligned with the flat floor portion 24 thereby giving the appearance that the underside of the container has a single floor structure concealing the existence of the compartment to, for example, a child.

[0053] When closed, the cover 26 extends entirely over the first recess 14, thereby preventing access and visibility to its contents.

[0054] As will be seen from Figures 3 to 5, the cover 26 extends across only part of the second recess 20 so to provide a gap 28 between the end of the cover 26 and the end of the flat floor portion 24 to allow for lifting the cover to gain access to the first recess 14 to place more spent tobacco into the recess 14 or to empty its contents. The gap 28 may be finger-sized to allow the cover 26 to be manually lifted. Alternatively, the size of the gap maybe limited to enable accessibility only when using a specialised lifting tool.

[0055] As will be seen from Figure 6, a sealing strip 30 is located on one side of the cover 26 which faces the base of the container when the cover 26 is closed to form a seal between the cover 26 and the underside of the dividing wall 18 and the perimeter of the wall of the first recess 14. The seal helps, for example, to prevent leakage of any spittle or moisture within the spent tobacco.

[0056] As will be seen from Figure 6, connecting protrusions 32 are formed on the cover 26 to engage with correspondingly shaped recesses formed in the undersides of the dividing wall 18 and perimeter wall 16 to retain and lock the cover 26 when closed against the underside of the base.

[0057] As will be seen from Figures 3, 4 and 6 the hinge connection between the cover 26 and an outer lip 34 of the perimeter wall 16 is a living hinge 54 formed with a connecting portion or strip 36 connected to the cover portion 26.

[0058] The connecting portion 36 of the hinge is provided with a raised step 40 which, when the cover 26 is closed over the first recess 14, is located within a recess 42 formed between the outer surface of the perimeter wall 16 and its lip 34. Once locked in place, the strip 36 is retained permanently in the position shown in Figure 3.

[0059] The raised step 40 of the strip 36 is formed with feet 44 which align the cover 26 with the flat floor portion 24 when the cover 26 is closed over the recess 14.

[0060] The surface of the hinge 54 is slightly curved or creased whereby, when closed, it will mimic the curvature of the base 2 and downwards pressure on the cover 26 when shut and will spring up to its open position.

[0061] Figures 5 and 6 are plan views of the body portion 4. As will be seen from these Figures the body portion 4 is generally circular in plan-view and the cover 26, when closed, extends across approximately half of the base. To this end, the cover 26 is generally semi-circular in shape. The straight edge 46 of the cover 26 has a generally central convex tab 48 which extends approximately half-way across the second recess 20 to provide a lifting finger grip.

[0062] Providing a recess 14 in only one half of the base member means that the size of the cover can be reduced to only half of the container footprint thereby reducing the amount of material such as, for example, plastics required. This compares favourably when compared with current lid top waste compartment containers presently on the market which cover the entire lid surface.

[0063] Providing a hinged connection between the cover 26 and the body portion retains the main body and cover 26 as one piece, a benefit for recycling purposes. The hinged connection also prevents covers being individually discarded thereby creating litter.

[0064] Figure 7 to 10 show a second embodiment of the invention. The same reference numerals are used for equivalent features. The difference between the first and second embodiments being the mechanism for the cover 50.

[0065] In this embodiment the cover 50 is made separately to the main body. As with the first embodiment, the cover 50 is generally semi-circular to locate over the recess 52 underneath the floor of the container.

[0066] The cover 50 has a V-shaped sprung connecting tab 54 extending outwardly from the arc of the cover 50. The tab 54 is attached to the cover 50 by a living hinge 56.

[0067] In use, the cover 50 is permanently secured to the underside of the container overlying the recess 52 through inserting the tab 54 into a recess 58 formed near the side of the container. The walls of the both the tab 54 and the recess 52 are formed with retaining beads 60 to provide a snap-fit of the tab 54 into the recess 58.

[0068] At or near the periphery of the straight edge 62 of the cover 50 are a plurality of spaced locating members 64. Complimentary locating members 66 are located on the end wall of the container recess 52.

[0069] A flexible arm 68 extends across the cover adjacent to the cover locating members 64 on the side distal to the straight edge 62. The end of the arm 68 is formed with a locking bead 70 forming a clip which is receivable in a complimentary shaped recess in the wall of the container recess 52 opposed to the wall with the tab recess 58 to lock the cover 50 in place.

[0070] When the cover 50 is to be opened, a user applies a downward and directional pressure towards the tab connection at which time the hinge 56 acts to close the arms of the spring tab 54 allowing the movement of the cover being slid open.

[0071] As can be seen in figure 9, the cover locating members 64 are formed with a bevel so that side movement of the cover causes the end of the cover to lift away from the container as the cover locating members 64 slide against and over the container locating members 66. Once lifted off the locking bead 70 from the container, the user can then grip the cover and open it completely.

[0072] The outer surface of the cover 50 is formed with arrow shaped ridges 72 to assist the application of pressures on the cover to initiate movement and to inform the user which direction the pressure should be applied.

[0073] The peripheral edge of the cover 50 may be formed with a continuous raised bead to assist sealing of the cover 50 onto or off the container and to prevent children getting their fingernails under the cover so as to open it.

[0074] Figures 11 to 15 describe another embodiment constructed in accordance an aspect of the invention. The container 80 in the same mechanism and structure as described in figures 9 and 10 in that it has a recess 82 closable by a cover 84. As with the other described embodiments, the recess 82 and cover 84 extend across only half of the diameter of the container 80. The recess 82, and the cover 84 could though extend across the entire diameter of the container 80. This is equally applicable to the other embodiments described.

[0075] Similar to the embodiment of figures 7 to 10, the cover 84 has a V-shaped sprung connecting tab 86 extending outwardly from the arc of the cover 84. The tab 86 is attached to the cover 84 by a living or natural hinge 88.

[0076] In use, the cover 84 is secured to the underside of the container overlying the recess 82 through inserting the tab 86 into a recess 88 formed near the side of the container. The walls of the both the tab 86 and the recess 88 are formed with retaining beads 90 to provide a snap-fit of the tab 86 into the recess 88.

[0077] At or near the periphery of the straight edge 92 of the cover 84 is a ramp member 94. When the cover 84 is shut over the recess 28, the ramp member 94 sits within a complimentary shaped recess 96 located on the end wall of the container recess 82. The wall recess defines upwardly inclined surface 98 orientated towards the hinge end of the cover 84.

[0078] A flexible locking arm 100 extends across the cover adjacent to the ramp member 94 on the side distal to the straight edge 92. The end of the arm 100 is formed with a locking bead 102 forming a clip which is receivable in a complimentary shaped recess in the wall of the container recess 82 opposed to the wall with the tab recess 88 to lock the cover 84 in place.

[0079] To open the cover 82, a user applies downward and directional pressure towards the tab connection and, simultaneously, the hinge 88 acts to close the arms of the spring tab 86 to move the cover towards the wall of the container 80. Movement of the cover 84 acts to release the clip of the locking arm 100. Release of the clip causes the ramp member 94 to slide up the inclined surface 98 to lift the straight edge 92 of the cover 84 up from the recess 82 without the need for the user to pull the cover upward. To this end, the ramp member 94 and inclined surface are smooth with edges rounded to minimise friction between the two.

[0080] To assist grip and directional pressure an arcuate protrusion 104 is provided in the top (exposed) surface of the cover 84.

[0081] Whilst all the embodiments show a half moon-shaped cover, it will be readily appreciated that the cover could extend across the entire surface of the lid or container by incorporating the recess profiles for receipt of the tab 86, ramp member 94 and locking arm 100 into opposing sides of the container or lid wall.

[0082] It will be readily appreciated that the mechanism described could be used independent of the structure of the top or lid used in conjunction with the container. The top 2 being shown in figure 1, or the top 106 being shown in figures 11 to 14.

[0083] All the described embodiments describe tops 2,106 with push-operated locking means allowing the container to be opened through squeezing the top 2,106.

[0084] The cover opening mechanism described in the embodiments of figures 7 to 10 and 11 to 15 though could be used with a top with or without that does not have such push-operated locking means. In such a case, the recessed cover could be placed in the base surface of the lid rather than the container itself.

[0085] Indeed, the container could even be used without a top, the recessed and cover then defines the compartment or container in which things are placed.

Claims

1. A container comprising a body portion for receiving a product, the body portion including a base comprising a floor and a peripheral wall; wherein the floor has a raised portion forming a recess in the base under the raised floor portion and within the confines of the peripheral wall; and wherein the container further comprises a cover attachable to the peripheral wall to extend at least partially across the base and over the recess.

2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the cover is detachable from the body portion.

3. A container according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein one side of the cover has a V-shaped sprungconnecting tab attached to the cover by a living hinge.

4. A container according to claim 3, wherein the tab is insertable into a recess formed in the container wall.

5. A container according to claim 3 or 4, wherein a side of the cover opposing that with the tab is formed with a ramp member.

6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the ramp member is receivable into a recess form in the container wall, the recess having an upwardly inclined surface orientated towards hinge side of the cover.

7. A container according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising a flexible locking arm extends across the cover adjacent to the ramp member.

8. A container according to claim 7, wherein the distal end of the arm is formed with a locking bead to form a clip which is receivable in a complimentary shaped recess in the wall of the container recess.

9. A container according to any preceding claim, having an arcuate protrusion in the top surface of the cover.

10. A container according to any preceding claim having a sealing strip located on one side of the cover which faces the base of the container when the cover is closed which is configured to form a seal between the cover and the and the perimeter of the wall of the first recesses.

11. A container according to any preceding claim, wherein the cover is generally semi-circular and is configured to locate over the recess container recess.A

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