DOCKING STATION INCLUDING LEVELER FOR RESEALABLE CONTAINER

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a docking station including a measuring device dock and a leveler. The docking station is suitable for use with container of multiple sizes and shapes. In certain embodiments, the docking station includes a flex prong for securing the docking station to the interior surface of a suitable container.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a docking station and leveler for a container designed for holding a granular product or powdered material, such as infant formula. More specifically, the docking station is suitable for holding a measuring device, such as a scoop for measuring the product. In addition, the docking station includes a flex leveler, such as a leveling bar, that may be used to level the powdered product in the scoop for more precise measuring.

BACKGROUND

[0002] There are many products in granular or powdered form that are currently packaged in containers. These products include, but are not limited to, infant formula, flour, coffee, sugar, and nutritional supplements, such as protein supplements. Many of these products are removed from the container via a measuring device, such as a scoop. Accordingly, many powdered products come in a container that also includes a measuring device. Indeed, one of the biggest issues for consumers is having to locate the scoop from the container upon opening without spilling or contamination the product.

[0003] Furthermore, many powdered products require precise measuring. Indeed, often consumers may need to level the powdered product in the scoop without contaminating the product. Many consumers may use their hand or fingers to level the scoop, which soils the consumer's hand and potentially contaminates the powdered product.

[0004] Accordingly, provided herein is an improved docking station and leveler that allows the consumer to easily locate the measuring device upon opening and level the powdered product in the scoop.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0005] In one aspect of the present disclosure, an improved docking station for a resealable container is provided. More particularly, the docking station (10) may comprise a docking surface (20) having a measuring device dock (30) situated thereon. The docking station (10) comprises at least one flex prong (40) that provides a friction fit against the wall of the container to hold the docking station (10) in place. In some embodiments, the docking station (10) includes a leveler (50) or a leveler bar (50).

[0006] In some embodiments, the flex prong (40) comprise a container mating surface (42), which is designed to engage the interior surface of the container and thereby hold the docking station (10) in place in the opening of the container.

[0007] The docking station of the present disclosure may be manufactured as a single piece, e.g., by an injection molding process. Manufacture of the device as a single piece allows for automated insertion of the device into a container while maintaining good manufacturing processes (GMP) status of the container and/or any additional packaging material. In addition, the device is more cost-effective than prior art containers comprising a scoop and docking station, because it can be inserted into a less-expensive, snap cap container with little or no modification to the existing container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 shows a top view of the docking station (10).

[0009] FIG. 2 shows a cut-out view of the flex prong (40) of the docking station (10).

[0010] FIG. 3a shows a top view of the docking station (10) having a measuring device (60) situated therein.

[0011] FIG. 3b shows a cut-out, side view of the docking station (10) having the measuring device (60) situated therein.

[0012] FIG. 4a shows a top view of the docking station (10) situated in the opening (72) of a container (70).

[0013] FIG. 4b shows a cut-out, side view of the docking station (10) position in the opening (72) of the container (70).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] Reference now will be made in detail to the embodiments of the present disclosure, one or more examples of which are set forth hereinbelow. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the container of the present disclosure and is not a limitation. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment, can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment.

[0015] Thus, it is intended that the present disclosure covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Other objects, features and aspects of the present disclosure are disclosed in or are apparent from the following detailed description. It is to be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that the present discussion is a description of exemplary embodiments only and is not intended as limiting the broader aspects of the present disclosure.

[0016] For the sake of clarity, not all reference numerals are necessarily present in each drawing figure. In addition, positional terms such as "upper," "lower," "side," "top," "bottom," "vertical," "horizontal," etc. refer to the docking station and container when in the orientation shown in the drawing. The skilled artisan will recognize that docking station or container can assume different orientations when in use.

[0017] The docking station (10) of the present disclosure provides several advantages over other device holders or leveling bars. Indeed, the docking station (10) disclosed herein is designed such that it can be removed from and used with multiple containers. Indeed, the docking station (10) comprise a flex prong (40) which allows the user to remove the docking station (10) and insert it into multiple containers. This is especially important when the product is a nutritional product that is consumed, such as infant formula. Indeed, one the container of infant formula is consumed, the use may remove the docking station (10) and insert it into the next container.

[0018] Furthermore, the docking station (10) is not integrally molded to the container or closure, which allows for the docking station to be suitable for use in either a plastic or metal can. Furthermore, integrally molding certain features, such as a measuring device holder and leveler, that can be costly to integrally mold to existing closures and containers due to the need to re-tool or modify manufacturing procedures, which can be costly. Accordingly, the docking station (10) of the present disclosure can be manufactured with no major equipment upgrade necessary at the supplier. Furthermore, the docking station (10) may be used in conjunction with easy-open lids and lids having tamper evident features, without disturbing these features. Furthermore, the docking station (10) can be applicable to cans or containers of all shapes and sizes. Thus, there are several advantages provided by the docking station (10) as provided herein.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments, the docking station (10) comprises a docking surface (20). The docking surface (20) may be any suitable shape including but not limited to square, elliptical, or cylindrical. In some embodiments, the docking surface (20) is comprised of a suitable plastic component. In other embodiments, the docking surface (20) may be comprised of any other suitable material for use with powdered nutrition products such as metal, paperboard, or a multilayer cartonboard. Suitable plastics for forming the docking station (10) include, but are not limited to, various polymers such as polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleic anhydride, polycarbonate, high density polyethylene, polyethylene copolymers, polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and the like, and blends thereof. Other suitable materials include a combination of layers of abovementioned materials and thermos-plastic elastomers.

[0020] In some embodiments, the docking station (10) comprises a measuring device dock (30). Indeed, the measuring device dock may be an aperture that is complementary to the shape of the measuring device (60). For example, in some embodiments where the measuring device (60) is a scoop, the measuring device dock (30) is an aperture that is round and engages the outer walls of the scoop thereby holding the scoop in place in the docking station (10). Indeed, the measuring device dock (30) may be any suitable shaped aperture that is designed to be complementary to the size and shape of the measuring device (60). Indeed, in certain embodiments the measuring device dock (30) comprises a measuring device engagement surface (32). As shown, the measuring device engagement surface (32) may be the inner surface of the aperture that engages the measuring device (60). In certain embodiments, in order to provide a more secure hold for the measuring device (60), the measuring device engagement surface (32) may further comprise a gasket material or other material such that a better friction-fit is formed between the measuring device (60) and the measuring device engagement surface (32). See FIGS. 3a and 3b, which show a measuring device (60) situated in the measuring device dock (30) of the docking surface (20) of the docking station (10).

[0021] Still referring to FIG. 1, in certain embodiments the docking surface (20) comprises a leveler (50) or level bar (50). Indeed, as shown, in one embodiment the leveler (50) is a portion of the docking surface (20) that is adjacent to the measuring device dock (30). Still in some embodiments, the leveler (50) may be a bar that extends from the docking surface (20) and is suitable for leveling the measuring device (60).

[0022] In some embodiments, the docking station comprises a flex prong (40) that is used to hold the docking station (10) in place in the opening of a suitable container. Indeed, as shown in FIG. 1, in some embodiments the flex prong (40) is formed of a suitable flexible plastic material such as various polymers such as polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleic anhydride, polycarbonate, high density polyethylene, polyethylene copolymers, polypropylene, polypropylene copolymers, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and the like, and blends thereof, or a combination of layers of abovementioned materials and thermos plastic elastomers. Indeed, in certain embodiments, the docking surface (20) including measuring device dock (30) and leveler (50) can be molded or attached to the flex prong (40) by any suitable means known in the art. In some embodiments, the flex docking surface (20) is attached to the flex prong (40) via any suitable design including, pin a socket, latch design, fused, or combinations thereof. Indeed, in certain embodiments, the flex prong (40) is integrally molded with the docking surface (20) forming one continuous piece. In certain embodiments, the flex prong (40) includes at least one flex prong extension (41) that extends beyond the docking surface (20) and is flexible such that the docking station (10) can be placed in the opening of a container. Indeed, as shown in FIG. 1, the flex prong (40) includes two flex prong extensions (41a, 41b) that are able to flex toward the docking surface (20) thus allowing for insertion of the docking station into the opening of the container. Once inserted, the flex prong extensions (41a, 41b) flex toward the inner wall of the container thereby securing the docking station to the inner container wall. (See FIGS. 4a and 4b).

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 shows a cut-away view of the flex prong (40). Indeed, in order to provide flexibility to the flex prong (40), the flex prong (40) may comprise a first bead (43) located at the top of the flex prong (40). In embodiments, the first bead (43) has a diameter of from about 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, the first bead (43) is 1.0 mm in diameter. In some embodiments, the flex prong (40) may also comprise a second bead (45) that is located at the bottom of the flex prong (40). Indeed, similar to the first bead (43) the second bead (45) may have a diameter of from about 1.0 to 2.0 mm. In some embodiments, the second bead (45) has a diameter of about 1.0 mm. In certain embodiments, the flex prong (40) comprises a middle bead (44) that is generally situated in the middle of the flex prong (40). In certain embodiments, the middle bead (44) generally has a diameter that is larger than the first bead (43) and/or the second bead (45). Indeed, the middle bead (44) may have a diameter of from about 2.0 mm to about 3.0 mm. Indeed, the flex prong (40) may be designed to have the beads, i.e. the first, middle, and/or second bead, as disclosed herein to provide additional strength and flexibility to the flex prong (40).

[0024] Referring back to FIG. 1, the flex prong (40) may further comprise a container mating surface (42). As shown, the container mating surface (42) may be the outer surface of the flex prong (40) that engages the inner surface of the container. In some embodiments, the container mating surface (42) of the flex prong (40) may be modified or include an additional material to ensure a secure fit between the docking station (10) and the container (70). In some embodiments, the container mating surface (42) may be comprised of thermoplastic elastomers.

[0025] Referring now to FIGS. 4a and 4b, the docking station (10) is shown as secured in the opening of the container (70). Indeed, the flex prong (40) keeps the docking station (10) including the measuring device dock (30) and leveler (50) in place in the opening of the container (70). This allows for the consumer to conveniently locate the measuring device (60) and level the measuring device (60) with the leveler (50).

[0026] In some embodiments, the container (70) on one side opposite its bottom or base (74) and may be of any suitable shape know in the art, including but not limited to, cylindrical, tapering, parallelepiped shaped, and waisted.

[0027] Without implying any restriction, the container (70) may be made as a single thermally blow-molded plastic component. In some embodiments, however, the container (70) could comprise a material such as metal, paperboard, or a multilayer cartonboard. In some embodiments, the plastic component comprises a highly effective oxygen barrier that is suitable for use with a granulated product, such as powdered milk, or protein or dietary supplements. In certain embodiments, the granulated product is a pediatric nutritional composition. In certain embodiments, the pediatric nutritional composition is an infant formula or a growing-up milk. In certain embodiments, the pediatric nutritional composition (e.g., infant formula or growing-up milk) is liquid or powdered.

[0028] As shown, in some embodiments the container may comprise a measuring device (60) that is a scoop (200). Scoop (200) may be a scoop molded from a suitable plastic material, which may be blow molded by an extrusion or injection process. Suitable plastics for forming the measuring device (60) include, but are not limited to, various food grade polymers such as polystyrene, polystyrene-acrylonitrile, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, styrene-maleic anhydride, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinylcyclohexane, and blends thereof.

[0029] In embodiments where the measuring device (60) is a scoop (200), the scoop (200) has a generally flat handle (202) attached to or integrally formed with a scooping mechanism (204). In some embodiments, the scooping mechanism (204) is closed at one end and open at a second end, thereby forming a bowl for scooping powdered product. In some embodiments, the scooping mechanism (204) comprises a cylindrical bowl. The bowl of the scooping mechanism (204) may be formed in many other shapes including, but not limited to square, rectangular, oval, flat-bottomed etc. In some embodiments, the scooping mechanism (204) may be a fixed or variable volume device.

[0030] Consequently, due to the measuring device dock (30), the measuring device (60) or scoop (200) does not become buried in the granulated material located in the container (70) and thereby eliminates the need for the user to dig through the contents in search of the scoop (200). This is especially important when the container's contents are for human consumption and contact with the hands is undesirable.

[0031] All references cited in this specification, including without limitation, all papers, publications, patents, patent applications, presentations, texts, reports, manuscripts, brochures, books, internet postings, journal articles, periodicals, and the like, are hereby incorporated by reference into this specification in their entireties. The discussion of the references herein is intended merely to summarize the assertions made by their authors and no admission is made that any reference constitutes prior art. Applicants reserve the right to challenge the accuracy and pertinence of the cited references.

[0032] Although embodiments of the disclosure have been described using specific terms, devices, and methods, such description is for illustrative purposes only. The words used are words of description rather than of limitation. It is to be understood that changes and variations may be made by those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit or the scope of the present disclosure, which is set forth in the following claims. In addition, it should be understood that aspects of the various embodiments may be interchanged in whole or in part. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the versions contained therein.

Claims

1. A docking station comprising: a docking surface; and a flex prong attached to the docking surface, such that the flex prong is capable of engaging the inner surface of a container for securing the docking station to the container.

2. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the docking surface further comprises a measuring device dock.

3. The docking station of claim 2, wherein the measuring device dock further comprises a measuring device engagement surface for engaging a measuring device.

3. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the docking surface further comprises a leveler.

4. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the flex prong further comprises a container mating surface.

5. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the flex prong further comprises at least one flex prong extension.

6. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the flex prong further comprises a first bead, a middle bead, and a second bead.

7. The docking station of claim 6, wherein the first bead has a diameter of from about 1.0 mm to about 2 mm, the middle bead has a diameter of about 2 mm to about 3.0 mm, and the third bead has a diameter of about 1.0 mm to about 2 mm.

8. The docking station of claim 2, further comprising a measuring device, wherein the measuring device can be secured by the measuring device dock.

9. The docking station of claim 8, wherein the measuring device comprise a scoop.

10. The docking station of claim 9, wherein the scoop further comprises a handle and a bowl.

11. The docking station of claim 1, wherein the docking station is comprised of a plastic resin.