Resealable moisture tight containers for strips and the like

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

0001The present invention relates to a container and cap assembly according to the preamble of claim 1 for storing and packaging moisture-sensitive items, including but not limited to edible breath-freshening strips, drug-delivery strips, diagnostic test strips, and effervescent tablets. Such a container and cap assembly is known from <patcit id="pcit0001" dnum="DE29705720U1"><text>DE29705720U1</text></patcit>.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

0002The present invention provides a container and cap assembly according to claim 1 for storing and packaging moisture-sensitive items, including but not limited to edible breath-freshening strips, drug delivery strips, diagnostic test strips, and effervescent tablets.

0003The container substantially prohibits the ingress of moisture into the container through the lid when the container is sealed. In other words, it is substantially moisture-proof. In another aspect of the invention, the container assembly is provided with a desiccant or similar material, which reduces the moisture present within the container when it is sealed. That is, after the container has been sealed, the desiccant absorbs moisture present therein. Likewise, after the container has been opened and then resealed, the desiccant absorbs moisture that entered the cavity when the container was opened.

0004In one embodiment of the present invention, the assembly comprises a cap and container that may be attached by a hinge. The hinge has a recess. The recess forms two elements, the first element being attached to the cap portion and the second element being attached to the container portion. In still a further embodiment, the recess functions as a bending point during the opening and closing of the container assembly.

0005The container has a sidewall depending downwardly from a top container surface. A bottom container surface is joined to the sidewall. The top container surface is provided with an opening, permitting access to the interior of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0006<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li><figref idref="f0001">Figure 1</figref> is a perspective view of a container of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 2</figref> is a cross sectional view of a container of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 3</figref> is a side elevational view of a lip seal for a container of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0002">Figure 4</figref> is a side elevational view of another lip seal for a container of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0003">Figure 5</figref> is a top plan view of a container of the present invention;</li><li><figref idref="f0004">Figure 6</figref> is an exploded view of a container which is not part of the present invention</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 7</figref> is a cross sectional view of a container which is not part of the present invention</li><li><figref idref="f0005">Figure 7A</figref> is a perspective view of a feature shown in the <figref idref="f0005">Figure 7</figref> embodiment;</li><li><figref idref="f0006">Figure 8</figref> is a perspective view of a container which is not part of the present invention</li><li><figref idref="f0007">Figure 9</figref> is a perspective view of a container which is not part of the present invention</li><li><figref idref="f0007">Figure 10</figref> is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a container which is not part of the present invention</li><li><figref idref="f0007">Figure 11</figref> is a perspective view showing features of the embodiment of <figref idref="f0007">Figure 10</figref>; and</li><li><figref idref="f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014">Figures 12A to 12N</figref> show views of embodiment which is not part of the present invention</li><li><figref idref="f0015">Figures 13A to 13E</figref> show views of embodiment which is not part of the present invention.</li></ul>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

0007The container and cap assembly for storing and packaging moisture-sensitive items, including but not limited to edible breath-freshening strips, drug-delivery strips, diagnostic test strips, and effervescent tablets, substantially prohibits the ingress of moisture into the container through the lid when the container and cap are sealed.

0008The assembly 10 is generally provided with a cap portion 12 and container portion 14 that are attached by a hinge 16. The hinge 16 has a recess 16'. The recess 16' forms two elements, the first element being attached to the cap portion and the second element being attached to the container portion In still a further embodiment, the recess functions as a bending point during the opening and closing of the container assembly.

0009The container portion has a container base 13, and a sidewall 11 depending upwardly from the base 13. A top container surface 17 extends inward from the sidewalls. The top container surface 17 is provided with an opening 20, permitting access to the interior of the container. The opening 20 is bounded by a lip 22 that extends upward from the top container surface 17. Lip 22 extends around the periphery of the opening 20. The lip 22 has an end 21 distal to the location where the lip joins the container top surface, where an extension 23 is positioned and faces outward, relative to the opening 20. The extension 23 extends around the periphery of the lip distal end 21.

0010The cap portion 12 has a base portion 24 with an outer periphery 25 that extends over at least a portion of the container portion. In one embodiment, a portion of the base portion 24 servers as a tab 13 for facilitating the opening and closing of the container assembly. The base portion 24 is provided with a skirt 26 that depends downwardly the base portion. The skirt 26 is positioned at a location on the base portion 24 that allows the skirt 26 to enter into a closing relationship with lip 22 of the container portion 14, in which the skirt 26 of the base portion 24 fits over the periphery of the lip 22 provided on the top container surface

0011The skirt 26 of the base portion 24 has an end 27 distal to the end at which the skirt joins the cap portion. At the distal end 27 of the skirt, the skirt is provided with an inward extension 28, which extends around the interior periphery of the skirt. At the distal end 27 of the skirt, the skirt is provided with an inward facing extension 28, which extends around the periphery of the skirt distal end 27. When the cap portion is closed on the container portion, the extension 28 on the skirt 26 and the extension 23 on the lip 22 face each other. Further, when the cap portion is closed on the container portion, the extensions will abut and interlock with each other. In this arrangement, the interlocking, abutting extensions will form a moisture-tight seal witch each other.

0012A lip seal member 30 depends downwardly and extends around the inside of the cap portion 12. The lip seal member 30 is positioned interior to the skirt 26 which also depending downwardly from the base portion 24. Further, the lip seal member 30 is positioned to lie interior of the lip 22 that extends upward from the container portion 14, and abut the interior side of the distal end of the lip 22, when the cap is in the closed position. In this arrangement, as shown in <figref idref="f0002">Figure 3</figref>, the lip seal (1) provides a sealing position, in addition to the one between the skirt and the lip; and (2) applies pressure on the lip from the inside out, which in turn applies pressure on the skirt, thereby applying tightening the seal between the skirt and the lip, <figref idref="f0002">Figure 4</figref> shows a component 30' present as a hollowed out member.

0013In another embodiment which is not part of the present invention, shown in <figref idref="f0007">Figures 10 and 11</figref>, the structure of the lip 22' has a distal end 27' provided with an extension 28'. The skirt 26' has a recess 23' positioned near where the skirt depends from the base portion 24'. The recess 23' is adapted to receive the extension 28' when the cap portion is closed upon the container portion. When the cap portion is closed on the container portion, the abutting arrangement between the lip and the skirt, and presence of the extension within the recess, forms a substantially moisture tight seal. <figref idref="f0007">Figure 11</figref> shows the configuration for such an arrangement.

0014In yet another embodiment, the cap and/or container contain a desiccant, in the shape of a disc (e.g. puck), sleeve, or other shapes. In one embodiment, a desiccant entrained plastic is located in a desiccant liner that covers at least a portion of the cap and/or container, such as the desiccant-entrained plastic sleeve 34 positioned at the bottom of the container. See <figref idref="f0002">Figure 2</figref>, where the sleeve 34 is shown surrounding the item stored within the container on three of the item's sides. In one embodiment, such a sleeve or liner can surround the stored item(s) on more or less than three sides. See, e.g., <figref idref="f0005">Figure 7</figref>, where the desiccant insert is positioned on the container base.

0015When the container assembly is repeatedly opened and closed, the desiccant-entrained plastic sleeve re-establishes the low relative humidity environment inside the container assembly in a short period of time (e.g. in as low as less than about one minute), when a desiccant, such as the sleeve of <figref idref="f0002">Figure 2</figref>, is included in the assembly.

0016The desiccant-entrained plastic contains a desiccant such as silica gel or molecular sieve as the desiccant. Depending on the application, such as the application intended by the end user, molecular sieve or silica gel desiccant can be provided in the sleeve. For example, molecular sieve can be used for applications that require a low RH (e.g. less than &lt;10% RH) maintained over the shelf life. In another example, silica gel can maintain a RH of 10-30% over a two-year shelf life.

0017Suitable desiccant entrained plastic include, but are not limited to, these desiccant plastics disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0002" dnum="US5911937A"><text>U.S. patent nos. 5,911,937</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0003" dnum="US6214255B"><text>6,214,255</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0004" dnum="US6130263A"><text>6,130,263</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0005" dnum="US6080350A"><text>6,080,350</text></patcit> and <patcit id="pcit0006" dnum="US6174952B"><text>6,174,952</text></patcit>, <patcit id="pcit0007" dnum="US6124006A"><text>6,124,006</text></patcit>, and <patcit id="pcit0008" dnum="US6221446B"><text>6,221,446</text></patcit>.

0018By varying the desiccant loading and channeling agent in the plastic formulation, the overall moisture capacity and uptake rate of the desiccant entrained plastic can be controlled. In embodiments where containers include desiccant material, they may be formed by two shot molding techniques.

0019In yet another embodiment, the assembly includes an elastomeric liner 36 applied to selected regions of the assembly. For example, elastomeric liner may be positioned on the interior surface of the cap portion, lying inside the skirt. Where the lip seals are provided, it may line them as well. In one example, a suitable elastomer is EPDM, commercially available under the trade name Santoprene.

0020The containers of the present invention are formed of plastic materials, by injection molding or other suitable molding techniques. For example, the containers may be molded of polypropylene. In one embodiment, the containers can be formed as a single closed unit, with the hinge joining the cap portion to the container portion. Alternatively, the pieces can be molded separately; the container portion can be loaded with the item to be retained in the container, and then the container and cap portion can be snap-fit together and/or welded, in order to provide moisture-tightness. In yet another embodiment, the cap and container portions can be formed as separate parts, loaded with the desired item, the container and cap can be fit together, and the parts joined, e.g., by welding (such as by sonic welding or by thermal welding). In yet another embodiment, the cap and container can be formed in a single piece (for example, joined at the hinge), yet open, as in a clamshell arrangement. The assembly can be filled with contents, closed shut, and then joined, e.g., welded to form a seal, as described above.

0021An embodiment which does not form part of the present invention depicting a two-part assembly is illustrated in <figref idref="f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007">Figures 6 to 9</figref> and <figref idref="f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014">12</figref>. In this embodiment, assembly 100 is provided with cover component 102 and tray component 120. The cover component 102 has a cap portion 104 that is joined to upper component 108 by hinge 106. As shown, cap portion 104 has sidewalls 90 located at the periphery of the cap base 92. The hinge 106 is joined to one of the sidewalls 90. Within the space of the sidewalls, the underside of the cap base 92 has a recess 93 in which the lip 22", depending from the cap base 92, is located. As shown in <figref idref="f0005">Figure 7</figref>, the lip 22", which extends in a loop around a portion of the cap base 92, is positioned to be received in the opening 112 of upper component 108, when the cap portion is closed on the opening 112. The lip 22" is provided with an end 23" distal to where the lip 22" is joined to the cap base 92. As best seen in <figref idref="f0005">Figure 7A</figref>, the distal end 23" of lip 22" has a tapered edge 25", which is adapted to lie substantially flush against the surface 132 of the edge 130, when the lip 22" of the cap portion 104 is closed on the opening 112 of the upper component 108. Thus, when the cap portion 104 is closed on the opening 112 of the upper component 108, the tapered edge 25" of the lip 22" lies substantially flush against the flexible edge 130 surrounding the opening 112 in the top surface 109 of the cover component 102.

0022At the end of the cap portion 104 that is opposite the hinge, cap latch component 105, depending from the cap base 92, is located. In one embodiment, hooks 107 are provided on the cap latch. 105. In another embodiment, a tab 116, to facilitate opening of the cap portion, when it is closed on the opening 112, is provided on the cap portion.

0023Upper component 108 has top wall 109 from which sidewalls 110 and sloped wall 115 depend downward. Opening 112 is provided in the top wall 109. In the embodiment relating to hooks, hooks configured to mate with and compliment the hooks 107 on the cap portion 104 are positioned at one end of the upper component 108. At the end opposite where the hooks are positioned, hinge 106 is joined to the upper component 108. The upper component may have a recess 111 for the hinge 106, positioned between elevated portions 109' of top wall 109.

0024The tray component 120 is provided with sidewalls 124 and sloped wall 126 depending upward from the base of the tray 122. Sloped wall 126 is complimentary in its shape to the sloped wall 115 of the upper component 108. The side walls define a cavity 128 where items can be stored.

0025As best seen in <figref idref="f0005">Figure 7</figref>, the edges 130 of the opening 112 provided in the top wall 109 are formed of a flexible plastic material that slopes downward, into the opening 112. The edges extend around the periphery of the opening 112.

0026Again, seen in <figref idref="f0005">Figure 7A</figref>, the distal end 23" of lip 22" has a tapered edge 25", which is adapted to lie flush against the surface 132 of the edge 130, when the lip 22" of the cap portion 104 is closed on the opening 112 of the upper component 108. Thus, when the cap portion 104 is closed on the opening 112 of the upper component 108, the tapered edge 25" of the lip 22" lies flush against the flexible edge 130 surrounding the opening 112 in the top surface 109 of the upper component 108, thereby sealing the opening from substantial moisture ingress.

0027In the closed position (<figref idref="f0005">Figure 7</figref>), hooks 107, 114, provided on the cap portion 104 and the upper component 108, respectively, are engaged with each other, to maintain the cap portion 104 closed on the upper component 108.

0028The cover component 102 is adapted to fit over the tray component 120, in order to form a container assembly. The cover component and the tray component can be loaded with items to be dispensed through the opening and then joined together, in the ways previously described herein.

0029As seen in <figref idref="f0005">Figure 7</figref>, a stack of items is positioned in the container. Opening 112 is sized to permit a person to insert at least a portion of his or her finger therein. As shown in <figref idref="f0006">Figure 8</figref>, a person can slide a portion of the index finger inside the hole, sliding an item up the sloped wall of the cavity 128 (<figref idref="f0005">figure 7</figref>), and through the opening.

0030A desiccant material, such as a desiccant sleeve, can be positioned in the container. As shown in <figref idref="f0005">Figure 7</figref>, the sleeve 34' may be positioned along the base 122 of the tray component, or anywhere else along the interior of the assembly, where the item(s) is stored.

0031<figref idref="f0007">Figure 9</figref> shows the assembly in the closed position. It will be readily appreciated that the assembly is relatively compact, and will fit within a purse, handbag, or pocket, without taking up an undesired amount of space.

0032<figref idref="f0008 f0009 f0010 f0011 f0012 f0013 f0014">Figures 12A-12N</figref> show various views of another embodiment of a container assembly which is not according to the invention. Features of this embodiment are similar to the features of the embodiment depicted in <figref idref="f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007">Figures 6-9</figref>, with some differences as described here. The shape of the opening is asymmetrical. Also, the cover component 102 has a two hinge arrangement. Hinge 106 is as described above. Hinge 206 joins the first and second cap portions 104A and 104B. The lip of the cap portion is located on component 104B. Cap portion 104B is provided with tabs 208 that depend downward therefrom. Tabs 208 are sized and positioned to be received in recess 210 located on the top wall 109, and are received therein when the cap portion 104B is closed upon the top wall 109. in one embodiment, cap portion 104B may never be opened again, once it has been closed as described herein. The cap portion 104A is opened and shut at hinge 206.

0033<figref idref="f0015 f0016">Figures 13A-12E</figref> show various views of yet another embodiment of a container assembly which is not part of the invention. Features of this embodiment are similar to the features of the embodiment depicted in <figref idref="f0001 f0002 f0003">Figures 1-5</figref> and <figref idref="f0004 f0005 f0006 f0007">6-9</figref>. As shown, the shape of the opening is asymmetrical. Also, the cap component has a one hinge arrangement. The hinge joins the lid to a portion of the cap. In use, the cap portion is opened and shut at the hinge with the lid. In one example of constructing the assembly, the container base is made of two materials - at least a portion of the interior of the base is composed of a desiccant entrained plastic and the remaining portion of the base is composed of a substantially water impermeable plastic (e.g. polypropylene, polyethylene). The lid is welded (e.g.. ultrasonic welding) to the cap portion. After the container is filled with the desired material, the cap is joined to container (e.g. ultrasonic welding). The result is a moisture tight container.

0034At least some or all of the embodiments of the present invention can be molded according to techniques disclosed in <patcit id="pcit0009" dnum="USRE37676E"><text>U.S. Patent nos. Re 37,676</text></patcit> (a reissue of <patcit id="pcit0010" dnum="US5723085A"><text>U.S. Patent no. 5,723,085</text></patcit>), <patcit id="pcit0011" dnum="US4812116A"><text>4,812,116</text></patcit>, and <patcit id="pcit0012" dnum="US4783056A"><text>4,783,056</text></patcit>.

0035As used herein, the terms "moisture-tight" and "moisture-sensitive" mean the moisture ingress of the container (after three days) was less than about 750 micrograms of water, preferably, about 250 micrograms of water, more preferably, about 150 micrograms of water determined by the following test method: (a) place one gram plus or minus 0.25 grams of molecular sieve in the container and record the weight; (b) fully close the container; (c) place the closed container in an environmental chamber at conditions of 80% relative humidity and 72EF, (c) after one day, weigh the container containing the molecular sieve; (d) after four days, weigh the container containing the molecular sieve; and (e) subtract the first day sample from the fourth day sample to calculate the moisture ingress of the container in units of micrograms of water.