(12)
`
`United States Patent
`Giraud
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,213,720 B2
`May 8, 2007
`
`US007213720B2
`
`(54) RESEALABLE MOISTURE TIGHT
`CONTAINERS FOR STRIPS AND THE LIKE
`
`(75) Inventor: Jean-Pierre Giraud, Paris (FR)
`
`(73) Assignee: CSP Technologies, Inc., Amsterdam,
`NY (Us)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 131 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.2 10/683,311
`-
`_
`(22) Flled'
`
`Oct‘ 10’ 2003
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`US 2004/0173612 A1
`Sep. 9, 2004
`
`Related US. Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/417,533, ?led on Oct.
`10 2002
`’
`'
`(51) Int Cl
`'
`'
`B65D 43/18
`
`(2006.01)
`
`B65D 8/18
`B65D 83/08
`
`(2006.01)
`(200601)
`
`B65D 83/04
`
`(2006.01)
`
`@0069
`
`45H
`(52) US‘ Cl‘ """"""
`’
`’
`’
`'
`_
`_
`_
`......... .. 215/341,
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search
`215654’ 235’ 343’ 344’ 220/847’ 259'1’
`220/601’ 661’ 4'21’ 25_4'7’ 254'3’ 254'1’
`220/2561’ 837’ 839’_ 4'23’ 206/294’ 524'1’
`_ 206/5244’ 535’ 221/63’ 453 222/546
`_
`See apphcanon ?le for Complete Search hlstory'
`References Cited
`
`(56)
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`3,986,479 A * 10/1976 Bonk ....................... .. 118/506
`3,994,417 A * 11/1976 Boedecker .
`221/48
`4,036,360 A *
`7/1977 Deifeyes ................... .. 206/204
`4,281,778 A *
`8/1981 Stull ................... .. 222/15309
`4,869,387 A
`9/1989 Persson
`5,114,003 A
`5/1992 Jackisch er a1,
`5,542,567 A *
`8/1996 Julius
`6,080,350 A *
`6/2000 H kal .......... ..
`6 092 690 A *
`7/2000 Biow? et al
`’
`’
`' """""" "
`
`221/63
`264/255
`220/831
`
`(Continued)
`Primary ExamineriRobin A. Hylton
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or FirmiGreenberg Traurig, LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`A Container and cap assembly for storing and packaging
`molst-ure-sengmve Items c-omprgs?lg an -asslelélbly
`a
`contamer an a cap, a portron o t e cap me u es a' 1
`t at
`1s attached by a hinge to the cap port1on, the contamer has
`a container base, and a sidewall depending upwardly from
`the base, a top container surface extends inward from the
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`srdewalls, the top contamer surface 1s provrded w1th an
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`openmg that permrts access to the 1nter1or of the contamer,
`the cap portion has a base portion with an outer periphery
`.
`.
`.
`31:‘5882;211:3122;:81:ls‘zristiaioszisrasa?zir~
`wardly from the base portion, the skirt is con?gured at a
`location on the base portion that allows the skirt to enter into
`a Sealing relationship With the Container portion’ the lid
`includes a lip seal member that depends downwardly from
`the lid, the lip seal member is con?gured to abut at least a
`portion of the interior side of the container when the lid is
`in the closed position resulting in a substantially moisture
`tight seal between the lid and the cap, and at least a portion
`of 'the interior' of the container base is composed of a
`desrccant entrarned plastrc.
`
`3,784,055 A *
`
`1/1974 Anderson .................. .. 221/46
`
`3 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`12
`
`‘5
`
`26
`
`27
`
`13
`
`2Q
`
`:54
`
`34
`
`24 13
`21
`23 22
`17
`11
`3
`14
`
`CLARIANTX 1013 Page 1
`
`

`

`US 7,213,720 B2
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7/2002 Telesca et a1.
`6,412,634 B1
`2005/0258174 A1* 11/2005 Giraud .................... .. 220/4.21
`
`D443,450 S *
`6,364,101 B1
`6,394,298 B1
`
`6/2001 Ruhotas et a1. ............ .. D6/515
`4/2002 Schultz
`5/2002 Zaidman
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`CLARIANTX 1013 Page 2
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 8, 2007
`
`Sheet 1 0f 9
`
`US 7,213,720 B2
`
`FIG. 1
`
`CLARIANTX 1013 Page 3
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 8, 2007
`
`Sheet 2 0f 9
`
`US 7,213,720 B2
`
`l’//// ////1
`l
`
`FIG. 2
`
`FIG. 5
`
`CLARIANTX 1013 Page 4
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 8, 2007
`
`Sheet 3 0f 9
`
`US 7,213,720 B2
`
`CLARIANTX 1013 Page 5
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 8, 2007
`
`Sheet 4 0f 9
`
`US 7,213,720 B2
`
`CLARIANTX 1013 Page 6
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 8,2007
`
`Sheet 5 0f 9
`
`US 7,213,720 B2
`
`FIG. 8
`
`CLARIANTX 1013 Page 7
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 8, 2007
`
`Sheet 6 0f 9
`
`US 7,213,720 B2
`
`27'
`
`28'
`
`FIG. 10
`
`26
`
`24
`
`CLARIANTX 1013 Page 8
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 8,2007
`
`Sheet 7 0f 9
`
`US 7,213,720 B2
`
`<6 2. F; j
`
`
`
`.50 “on;
`
`
`
`wEmms. .wwo 50+
`
`.50
`For;
`
`PRO;
`
`I. .@E
`
`CLARIANTX 1013 Page 9
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 8, 2007
`
`Sheet 8 0f 9
`
`US 7,213,720 B2
`
`
`
`INF .OE xNrdE 5; .0E
`
`Q).
`
`IN_. .6
`
`CLARIANTX 1013 Page 10
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`May 8, 2007
`
`Sheet 9 0f 9
`
`US 7,213,720 B2
`
`
`
`“Hi, 1-554 .
`
`
`
`mm? .UE
`
`
`
`mwdm fill!
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`
`CLARIANTX 1013 Page 11
`
`

`

`US 7,213,720 B2
`
`1
`RESEALABLE MOISTURE TIGHT
`CONTAINERS FOR STRIPS AND THE LIKE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims the bene?t under 35 U.S.C. 119(e)
`of US. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/417,533, ?led
`Oct. 10, 2002.
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a resealable 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 effer
`vescent tablets.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a resealable 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 effer
`vescent tablets.
`The container substantially prohibits the ingress of mois
`ture 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 con
`tainer has been opened and then resealed, the desiccant
`absorbs moisture that entered the cavity When the container
`Was opened.
`In 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 ele
`ments, the ?rst 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 con
`tainer assembly.
`The 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.
`The opening is bounded by a lip that depends upWard from
`the top container surface. A rim is positioned on the outside
`of the upper end of the lip.
`The cap portion of the assembly is attached to the con
`tainer portion by a hinge. The cap portion has a base portion
`With an outer periphery that extends over the container
`portion. In one embodiment, a portion of the base portion
`serves as a tab for facilitating the opening and closing of the
`container assembly. In yet another embodiment, the base
`portion is provided With a skirt that depends doWnWardly
`from a central portion of the base portion. The skirt is
`positioned at a location on the base portion that alloWs the
`skirt to enter into a closing relationship With lip of the
`container portion, in Which the skirt of the base portion ?ts
`over the periphery of the lip provided on the top container
`surface (or, as the case may be, the skirt ?ts Within the
`periphery of the lip). The skirt of the base portion has an end
`distal to Where the skirt joins the cap portion. At the distal
`end of the skirt, the skirt is provided With an inWard
`
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`2
`extension, Which extends around the interior periphery of
`the skirt. Similarly, the lip of the container portion is
`provided With an end distal to Where the lip joins the
`container portion, and the distal end of the lip is provided
`With an outWard facing extension, Which extends around the
`periphery of the lip. In effect, the extension on the skirt and
`the extension on the lip face each other. In constructing this
`arrangement on the skirt and lip, the extensions Will abut and
`interlock With each other When the cap is closed on the
`container portion. In this arrangement, the interlocking,
`abutting extensions Will form at least a substantially mois
`ture-tight sealing arrangement With each other.
`In yet another embodiment, a lip seal member depends
`doWnWardly and extends around the cap portion. The lip seal
`member is positioned interior to the skirt, Which also
`depends doWnWardly from the base portion. Further, the lip
`seal member is positioned to lie interior of the lip extending
`upWard from the container portion. When the cap is in the
`closed position, the lip seal member abuts the interior side
`of the distal end of the lip. In this arrangement, 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.
`In yet another embodiment, the cap and/or container
`contain a desiccant, in the shape of a disc (e.g. puck), sleeve,
`or other desired shapes.
`In yet another embodiment, the assembly includes an
`elastomeric liner applied to selected regions of the assembly.
`For example, elastomeric liner may be positioned on the
`interior surface of the cap, betWeen the skirt and Where the
`lip seals are provided, it may line the lip seals as Well.
`In yet another embodiment, the skirt depending doWn
`Ward from the base portion has a distal end that is provided
`With an inWard extension. The lip has an end distal to the
`location Where the lip joins the container top surface, Where
`the recess is positioned. The recess is adapted to receive the
`extension When the cap portion is closed upon the container
`portion.
`In one embodiment, the containers of the present inven
`tion have a relatively small height dimension, making them
`Well adapted to ?t in a handbag, purse, or pocket. Despite
`this small height dimension, the container is Well suited to
`storing items such as candies, edible breath-freshening
`strips, and diagnostic test strips, such as those employed in
`testing blood glucose levels.
`In yet another embodiment, the opening of the container
`is irregular in its shape, not having a uniform radius. In other
`Words, it is not circular.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a perspective vieW of a container of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 2 is a cross sectional vieW of a container of the
`present invention;
`FIG. 3 is a side elevational vieW of a lip seal for a
`container of the present invention;
`FIG. 4 is a side elevational vieW of another lip seal for a
`container of the present invention;
`FIG. 5 is a top plan vieW of a container of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 6 is an exploded vieW of a container of the present
`invention;
`FIG. 7 is a cross sectional vieW of a container of the
`present invention;
`
`CLARIANTX 1013 Page 12
`
`

`

`US 7,213,720 B2
`
`3
`FIG. 7A is a perspective vieW of a feature shown in the
`FIG. 7 embodiment;
`FIG. 8 is a perspective vieW of a container of the present
`invention, as an item is removed from the container; and
`FIG. 9 is a perspective vieW of a container of the present
`invention in the closed position;
`FIG. 10 is a cross sectional vieW of another embodiment
`of a container of the present invention;
`FIG. 11 is a perspective vieW showing features of the
`embodiment of FIG. 10; and
`FIGS. 12A to 12N shoW vieWs of yet another embodiment
`of the present invention.
`FIGS. 13A to 13E shoW vieWs of yet another embodiment
`of the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`The 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.
`The 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 ?rst 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.
`The container portion has a container base 8 and a
`sideWall 11 depending upWardly from the base 8. 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 open
`ing 20 is bounded by a lip 22 that extends upWard from the
`top container surface 17. Lip 22 extends around the periph
`ery 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 periph
`ery of the lip distal end 21.
`The 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 serves 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 from 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 ?ts over the periphery of
`the lip 22 provided on the top container surface (or, as the
`case may be, the skirt ?ts Within the periphery of the lip).
`The 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. 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 With each other.
`
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`4
`In yet another embodiment, a 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 depends 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 FIG. 3, 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 tightening the seal betWeen the skirt and the lip. FIG.
`4 shoWs a component 30' present as a holloWed out member.
`In yet another embodiment, shoWn in FIGS. 10 and 11, 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 mois
`ture tight seal. FIG. 11 shoWs the con?guration for such an
`arrangement.
`In 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 FIG. 2, Where the sleeve 34 is shoWn sur
`rounding 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., FIG. 7, Where the desiccant insert is positioned on
`the container base. When the container assembly is repeat
`edly 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 (eg
`in as loW as less than about one minute), When a desiccant,
`such as the sleeve of FIG. 2, is included in the assembly.
`The 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
`<10% RH) maintained over the shelf life. In another
`example, silica gel can maintain a RH of 1(k30% over a
`tWo-year shelf life.
`Suitable desiccant entrained plastic include, but are not
`limited to, these desiccant plastics disclosed in US. Pat.
`Nos. 5,911,937, 6,214,255, 6,130,263, 6,080,350 and 6,174,
`952, 6,124,006, and 6,221,446. These references are incor
`porated herein by reference. By varying the desiccant load
`ing 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.
`In 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
`
`CLARIANTX 1013 Page 13
`
`

`

`US 7,2l3,720 B2
`
`5
`Well. In one example, a suitable elastomer is EPDM, com
`mercially available under the trade name Santoprene.
`The 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 contain
`ers can be formed as a single closed unit, With the hinge
`joining the cap portion to the container portion. Alterna
`tively, 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-?t together and/or Welded, in order to provide mois
`ture-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 ?t
`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 ?lled With
`contents, closed shut, and then joined, e.g., Welded to form
`a seal, as described above.
`An embodiment depicting a tWo-part assembly is illus
`trated in FIGS. 6 to 9 and 12. In this embodiment, assembly
`100 is provided With cover component 102 and tray com
`ponent 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 FIG. 7, 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 FIG. 7A, the distal end 23" oflip 22" has
`a tapered edge 25", Which is adapted to lie substantially ?ush
`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 ?ush against the
`?exible edge 130 surrounding the opening 112 in the top
`surface 109 of the cover component 102.
`At 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.
`Upper component 108 has top Wall 109 from Which
`sideWalls 110 and sloped Wall 115 depend doWnWard. Open
`ing 112 is provided in the top Wall 109. In the embodiment
`relating to hooks, hooks con?gured to mate With and com
`pliment 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.
`The 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 de?ne a cavity 128 Where items can be stored.
`
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`As best seen in FIG. 7, the edges 130 of the opening 112
`provided in the top Wall 109 are formed of a ?exible plastic
`material that slopes doWnWard, into the opening 112. The
`edges extend around the periphery of the opening 112.
`Again, seen in FIG. 7A, the distal end 23" of lip 22" has
`a tapered edge 25", Which is adapted to lie ?ush 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 ?ush against the ?exible edge 130
`surrounding the opening 112 in the top surface 109 of the
`upper component 108, thereby sealing the opening from
`substantial moisture ingress.
`In the closed position (FIG. 7), 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.
`The cover component 102 is adapted to ?t 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.
`As seen in FIG. 7, 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 ?nger therein. As shoWn in
`FIG. 8, a person can slide a portion of the index ?nger inside
`the hole, sliding an item up the sloped Wall of the cavity 128
`(FIG. 7), and through the opening.
`A desiccant material, such as a desiccant sleeve, can be
`positioned in the container. As shoWn in FIG. 7, 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.
`FIG. 9 shoWs the assembly in the closed position. It Will
`be readily appreciated that the assembly is relatively com
`pact, and Will ?t Within a purse, handbag, or pocket, Without
`taking up an undesired amount of space.
`FIGS. 12A*12N shoW various vieWs of another embodi
`ment of a container assembly. Features of this embodiment
`are similar to the features of the embodiment depicted in
`FIGS. 6*9, 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 ?rst and second cap
`portions 104A and 104B. The lip ofthe 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.
`FIGS. 13A*12E shoW various vieWs of yet another
`embodiment of a container assembly. Features of this
`embodiment are similar to the features of the embodiment
`depicted in FIGS. 1*5 and 6*9. 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 materialsiat 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. ultra
`
`CLARIANTX 1013 Page 14
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`US 7,213,720 B2
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`7
`sonic Welding) to the cap portion. After the container is ?lled
`With the desired material, the cap is joined to container (e.g.
`ultrasonic Welding). The result is a moisture tight container.
`At least some or all of the embodiments of the present
`invention can be molded according to techniques disclosed
`in Us. Pat. No. Re 37,676 (a reissue of Us. Pat. No.
`5,723,085), US. Pat. Nos. 4,812,116, and 4,783,056, all of
`Which are incorporated herein by reference.
`As 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 72 EF; (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 ?rst day sample from the fourth day sample to calculate
`the moisture ingress of the container in units of micrograms
`of Water.
`What is claimed is:
`1. A substantially moisture tight container and cap assem
`bly for storing and packaging moisture-sensitive items com
`prising an assembly With a container and a cap, the cap is
`attached by a hinge to the container, the container has a
`container base, and a sideWall depending upWardly from the
`container base, a top container surface extends inWard from
`the sideWall of the container, the top container surface is
`provided With an opening that permits access to an interior
`
`20
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`25
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`30
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`8
`of the container, the cap has an outer periphery that extends
`over at least a portion of the container, the cap is provided
`With a skirt that depends doWnWardly therefrom, the open
`ing of the top container surface is bounded by a lip that
`extends upWard from the top container surface, the lip of the
`top container surface extends around the periphery of the
`opening of the top container surface, the skirt of the cap is
`positioned at a location on the cap that alloWs the skirt of the
`cap to enter into a closing relationship With the lip of the top
`container surface, Wherein the skirt of the cap ?ts over a
`periphery of the lip of the top container surface, the cap
`further includes a lip seal member that depends doWnWardly
`therefrom, the lip seal member of the cap is con?gured to
`abut at least a portion of the interior side of the lip of the top
`container surface When the cap is in the closed position and
`Wherein the lip seal member provides a sealing position, in
`addition to the one betWeen the skirt of the cap and the lip
`of the top container surface, and applies pressure on the lip
`of the top container surface from the inside out, Which in
`turn applies pressure on the skirt of the cap, thereby tight
`ening the seal betWeen the skirt of the cap and the lip of the
`top container surface, resulting in a substantially moisture
`tight seal betWeen the cap and the container.
`2. The container and cap assembly of claim 1 Wherein a
`portion of the cap serves as a tab for facilitating the opening
`and closing of the container assembly.
`3. The container and cap assembly of claim 1 Wherein at
`least a portion of the interior of the container base is
`composed of a desiccant entrained plastic.
`
`CLARIANTX 1013 Page 15
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