1. Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention relates to a non-plastic container for storing food, and in
particular to an improved non-plastic container for storing food in which a lid fabricated
using plastic based on an injection molding method is sealingly engaged to a non-plastic
container body formed of a heat resisting glass, a stainless material, a heat resisting
ceramic ware, etc.
2. Description of the Background Art
[0002] Generally, a container body of a container capable of storing foods is formed of
a plastic material approved for storing foods, a heat resisting glass, a heat resisting
ceramic ware, a stainless material, etc. A lid detachably engaged to an opening of
a container body formed of the above material is generally formed of a plastic material.
[0003] The plastic lid has a certain engaging structure capable of sealing engaging an opening
of a container body for stably storing foods stored in the container body. Recently,
a plastic lid capable of storing foods stored in the container body in a sealed state
without any leakage has been developed. For example, in the case of a food storing
container with the
Korean patent No. 335718 developed by the inventor of the present invention, locking wings are formed at four
sides of the plastic lid wherein the locking wings are foldable. Each locking wing
has at least more than one locking hole. In addition at least more than one locking
protrusion engaged to the locking hole is formed in an outer side of the container
body. In the above storing container, in a state that the lid is engaged to the opening
of the container body, when each locking wing is folded in the direction of the container
body, the locking protrusion of the container body is elastically inserted into the
locking hole of the locking wing. At this time, since the locking wing operates to
pull the lid itself in the direction of the container body, the lid is strongly pulled
in the direction of the container body, so that the lid is very elastically engaged
closely to the opening of the container body for thereby enhancing a sealing force
of the lid.
[0004] In the case of the locking protrusion engaged to the locking hole formed in the locking
wing of the lid, the locking protrusion is integrally formed in the container body
by the injection molding method. However, it is impossible to form any protrusion
in the container body formed of a heat resisting tempered glass, stainless or heat
resisting ceramic ware that is a non-plastic material, the lid having the locking
wing is not adapted to the non-plastic container body.
[0005] Therefore, in the case of glass, it has a melting point largely higher than the melting
point of the plastic, and it is impossible to obtain a desired flexibility in a melted
state, the injection molding is impossible as compared to the plastic product. In
addition, a mass production is impossible. In addition, a product made of glass does
not have a complicated shape and has a small thickness difference. It is impossible
to form a complicated shape having a thin thickness at an outer surface of the product.
In the case that there is a large thickness difference in the glass product, the product
may be broken or may have cracks during a cooling process after molding by a contraction
difference during the cooling process.
[0006] In the case of the stainless material, it has a very high strength and does not have
any rusts. However, a molding property is very bad due to its high strength. It is
impossible to form a product having protrusions.
[0007] Therefore, in the cases of the non-plastic container body formed of glass, stainless
material or ceramic ware and the plastic lid formed by the injection molding method,
the engaging method of the locking hole and the locking protrusion is not adapted.
Namely, the structure of Figure 10 is adapted.
[0008] The construction of the conventional container will be described. The non-plastic
container body 100 includes an engaging shoulder 101 having a small size and protruded
from an outer portion of the opening of the same. The plastic lid 200 includes a cover
part 201 for covering the container body 100, a contact part 202 contacting with the
opening of the container body, a covering part 203 for covering an outer side of the
opening of the container body, a plurality of extension parts 204 downwardly extending
from the portion opposite to the covering part 203 and flexibly extending in the direction
of the outer side, and an engaging protrusion 205 protruded from the inner surfaces
of the extension parts 204 and elastically engaged and disengaged with the engaging
shoulder 101 of the container body 100.
[0009] However, in the above described storing container, when the lid 200 is engaged to
the opening of the container body 100, when the engaging protrusions 205 protruded
in the direction of the opposite inner surfaces of the extension parts 204 are pressed
and get close in the direction of the container body 100, the engaging protrusion
205 is elastically engaged to the engaging shoulder 101, and the lid 200 is engaged
to the container body 100. However, since the engaging protrusion 205 is engaged to
the engaging shoulder by an elastic recovering force of the extension part 204 itself,
the engaging force is weak, and the lid 200 is pulled in the direction of the container
body 100, so that it is impossible to obtain a desired sealing force. Therefore, the
lid is easily disengaged. Therefore, the storing container formed of the non-plastic
container body 100 and the plastic lid 200 cannot stably store the foods in the container
body 100.
[0010] CA-A-2,314,537 relates to a container comprising a base and a lid, wherein the lid can be locked
hermetically to the base by at least one locking means, wherein sealing means are
provided between the lid and the base.
[0011] US-A-5,785,198 relates to a twist-on/twist-off resealable assembly for an existing can end, wherein
a collar surrounds the exterior surface of the can adjacent the open end, the collar
including a can mating finish of an inner surface thereof and a closure engaging finish
on an outer surface thereof.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a non-plastic container
for storing food that overcomes the problems encountered in the constructions between
the non-plastic container body formed of glass, stainless or ceramic ware and the
plastic lid.
[0013] It is another object of the present invention to provide a non-plastic container
for storing food capable of enhancing an engaging force between a non-plastic container
body formed of glass, stainless, ceramic ware, etc. and a plastic lid for thereby
largely increasing a sealing property therebetween. In addition, it is possible to
stably store foods based on a high strength and high heat-resisting property of a
container body.
[0014] To achieve the above objects, there is provided a food storing container formed of
a non-plastic container body formed of glass, stainless, ceramic ware, etc., and a
plastic lid formed of plastic, a food storing container having a non-plastic container
body comprising a closed ring shaped plastic rim formed in an upper side of an opening
of the non-plastic container body wherein the closed ring shaped plastic rim surrounds
all outer surrounding portions of the container body; and at least more than locking
protrusion integrally formed at the opposite sides of the plastic rim wherein the
locking protrusions are inserted into locking holes formed in locking wings of the
plastic lid.
[0015] The plastic rim is formed based on a double injection method in a state that the
container body is inserted into a plastic injection molding.
[0016] An engaging groove may be formed on an outer surface of the upper side of the opening
of the non-plastic container body for enhancing an engaging force with the plastic
rim.
[0017] When forming the plastic rim in the container body based on the double injection
method, a plastic coating layer is integrally formed with the plastic rim wherein
the plastic coating layer surrounds the outer surface and lower portions of the container
body.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The present invention will become better understood with reference to the accompanying
drawings, wherein Figures 2, 3, 4 and 6 serve for illustration purposes and are not
related to the invention defined in the claims.
Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a non-plastic container for storing food
according to the present invention;
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating a non-plastic container for storing
food having a plastic rim;
Figure 3 is a cross sectional view illustrating a state of use of a non-plastic container
of Figure 2;
Figure 4 is a cross sectional view illustrating another non-plastic container for
storing food;
Figure 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating a non-plastic container for storing
food according to the present invention;
Figure 6 is a view illustrating a construction that more than at least one locking
protrusion is selectively formed each side of a container body;
Figures 7 through 9 are plane views of lids sealingly engaged to a container body
according to the present invention;
Figures 10 and 11 are a disassembled perspective view and a cross sectional view of
an engaged state of a conventional container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] A number embodiments will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0020] Figure 1 is a perspective view illustrating a non-plastic container for storing food,
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view illustrating a non-plastic container for storing
food, Figure 3 is a cross sectional view illustrating a state of use of a non-plastic
container for storing food, Figure 4 is a cross sectional view illustrating another
non-plastic container for storing food, Figure 5 is a cross sectional view illustrating
a non-plastic container for storing food according to the present invention, Figure
6 is a view illustrating a construction that more than at least one locking protrusion
is selectively formed each side of a container body, and Figures 7 through 9 are plane
views of lids sealingly engaged to a container body according to the present invention.
[0021] In the drawings, reference numeral 1 represents a non-plastic container body, and
2 represents a plastic lid. Here, the non-plastic container body 1 is formed of glass
or stainless having a low molding property and a high heat resisting property or ceramic
ware, and the plastic lid 2 is formed of a plastic material. In addition, the container
body 1 and the lid 2 are fabricated separately from each other.
[0022] In the present invention, the non-plastic container body 1 is fabricated using glass
or stainless or ceramic ware. The thusly fabricated non-plastic body 1 is inserted
into a plastic injection molding. A plastic rim 3 is formed in such a manner that
the outer portions of the upper part 11 of the opening of the container body 1 is
fully surrounded by a double injection method. A locking protrusion 31 is integrally
formed at the opposite portions in the rim 3 in such a manner that at least more than
one locking protrusion in each portion or one locking protrusion in each surface of
the container body.
[0023] A closed ring shaped plastic rim 3 having the locking protrusion 31 formed in the
above manner is formed by an injection molding method and is inserted into an outer
portion of the container body 1. At this time, the plastic rim 3 has a tension force,
so that it is not easily disengaged.
[0024] In addition, when forming the non-plastic container body 1, an engaging groove 12
is formed at the upper portion 11 of the opening. When engaging the plastic rim 3
is to the outer portion of the container body 1 by the double injection method, the
plastic rim 3 is inserted into the engaging groove 12 for thereby enhancing the engaging
force of the plastic rim 3. The above construction method is adapted to the method
that the plastic rim 3 is inserted and engaged.
[0025] In addition, when the plastic rim is processed by the double injection method in
a state that the non-plastic container body 1 is inserted into the plastic injection
molding, a plastic coating layer 32 is integrally formed in such a manner that it
surrounds the outer surface and entire lower portions of the container body 1 of the
lower side of the rim 3. Therefore, it is possible to maintain a desired strength
and heat resisting property. In addition, the outer construction of the container
body may have various different colors and shapes.
[0026] Here, the plastic lid 2 is formed by an injection molding using a plastic material
to correspond to the shape of the container body 1. The lid 2 includes a cover part
21 formed in a plane shape, and an engaging part 22 engaged to the opening of the
container body 1. A locking wing 23 is formed in a surrounding portion of the lid
2 and is smoothly folded and unfolded along a hinge line. At least one locking wing
23 is formed in the opposite surfaces or the locking wing 23 is formed in each surface
of the container body 1. A locking hole 24 into which the locking protrusion 31 is
inserted is formed in each locking wing 23.
[0027] A sealing packing 4 formed of a silicon material is engaged in the inner side of
the engaging part 22 of the plastic lid 2.
[0028] The operation of the present invention will be described as follows.
[0029] Figure 1 is a view illustrating the plastic container body 1 formed in a rectangular
shape wherein each side has a rounder corner. In this embodiment of the present invention,
the plastic rim 3 having the locking protrusion 31 is formed in the outer surface
of the upper portion 11 of the opening of the container body 1 by the double injection
method.
[0030] The plastic rim 3 formed in the non-plastic container body 1 maintains engaged to
the upper portion 11 of the container body by an adhering force of the plastic itself
and a contraction operation after the double injection. Therefore, even when the plastic
lid 2 is repeatedly engaged and disengaged for many times, the plastic rim 3 is not
separated from the container body 1.
[0031] In addition, when engaging the plastic lid 2 to the non-plastic container body 1,
as shown in Figure 3, the surrounding portion of the opening of the container body
1 contacts with the sealing packing 4 engaged in the engaging part 22 of the lid 2,
and the locking wing 23 formed in the lid 2 is rotated in the direction of the container
body 1, and the locking wing 23 is pressed to the container body 1, so that the locking
hole 24 is engaged to the locking protrusion 31. At this time, the protrusion position
of the locking protrusion 31 is at the portion in which the locking wing 24 of the
locking wing 23 is slightly moved in the lower direction and is elastically and rightly
engaged. Therefore, when the locking holes 24 of each locking wing 23 are inserted
onto the locking protrusions 31 and are engaged thereby, the lid 2 itself is slightly
moved down in such a manner that the lid 2 elastically presses the surrounding portions
of the opening of the container body 1. Therefore, the sealing packing 4 engaged to
the engaging part 22 is elastically pressed for thereby sealing the opening of the
container body 1. Therefore, it is possible to engage the plastic lid 2 to the non-plastic
container body 1 in a sealed state.
[0032] In addition, when separating the plastic lid 2 that is engaged to the non-plastic
container body 1 in a sealed state, each locking wing 23 engaged to the locking wings
31 is disengaged, so that the locking holes 24 are escaped from the locking protrusions
31 for thereby disengaging the lid 2.
[0033] As shown in Figure 4, in the embodiment of the present invention, when the non-plastic
container body 1 is molded using glass, stainless or ceramic ware as a source material,
an engaging groove 12 is formed in a concave shape on an outer surface of the upper
portion 11 of the opening, and the non-plastic container body 1 having the engaging
groove 12 is inserted into the injection molding, and the process is performed in
a state that the plastic rim 3 is engaged to the engaging groove 12 by the double
injection method, so that the plastic rim 3 is more stably engaged. When the engaging
groove 12 is formed in the container body 1, even when the plastic rim 3 is engaged
by a simple insertion and adhering method, not by the double injection method, it
is possible to obtain a desired stability.
[0034] As shown in Figure 5, in the embodiment of the present invention, the non-plastic
container body 1 is formed of glass, stainless or ceramic ware, and the container
body 1 is inserted into the injection molding for engaging the plastic rim 3 based
on the double injection method. A plastic coating layer 32 is integrally extended
from the plastic rim 3 for thereby surrounding the outer surface and lower (bottom)
of the container body 1. In the above embodiment of the present invention, the plastic
lid 2 is engaged in a sealed state, and the plastic coating layer 32 surrounds the
entire portions of the non-plastic container body 1, so that it is possible to protect
the container body 1 from an external impact. In addition, it is possible to express
various colors and shapes for thereby enhancing an outer look of the container.
[0035] In addition, as it is not shown in the drawings, in the case that the non-plastic
container body 1 is formed in a circle shape, the plastic rim 3 may be inserted and
adhered or the plastic rim 3 and the locking protrusion 31 may be integrally formed
at the upper portions of the opening of the container body by the double injection
method using plastic. In addition, the plastic coating layer 32 may be integrally
formed and may surround the entire portions of the container body.
[0036] As described above, the plastic rim having the locking protrusions is inserted and
engaged to the non-plastic container body formed using glass (including heat resisting
tempered glass), stainless or ceramic ware (including heat resisting ceramic ware)
or the plastic rim is formed by the double injection method. In addition, the lid
is formed of plastic material, and the container body is formed of a material having
a high strength and heat resisting property. Therefore, any scratches are not formed
on the surfaces of the container, and the products are stable. It is possible to fabricate
a container having a heat resisting property. A stable and strong sealing state is
achieved between the lid and the container body. In a state that the lid is engaged,
the lid is not easily disengaged from the container body, so that it is possible to
stable store foods.
[0037] In addition, in the case of the container body formed of transparent glass, the inner
side of the container may be seen. It is possible to fabricate the container body
having various colors and shapes. In the case that the outer side of the container
body is coated using plastic material, it is possible to achieve various colors and
shapes. The food storing container formed of the non-plastic container body and the
plastic lid may be fabricated in various colors and shapes, so that the quality of
the container is enhanced.
[0038] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from
the spirit or essential characteristics thereof, it should also be understood that
the above-described examples are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing
description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly within
its spirit and scope as defined in the appended claims, and therefore all changes
and modifications that fall within the meets and bounds of the claims, or equivalences
of such meets and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the appended claims.