WO2021168418A1

WO2021168418A1 - Closable container with usage indicator

Info

Publication number: WO2021168418A1
Application number: PCT/US2021/019061
Authority: WO
Inventors: Layne GRAY
Original assignee: Gray Layne
Priority date: 2020-02-20
Filing date: 2021-02-22
Publication date: 2021-08-26

Abstract

A closable container includes a body portion oriented to contain an item, a lid portion oriented to selectively allow and restrict access to the item contained in the body portion, an indicator, and an electromechanical counter oriented to communicate with the indicator. The electromechanical counter includes a printed circuit board configured to count usage of the closable container.

Description

CLOSABLE CONTAINER WITH USAGE INDICATOR

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present disclosure relates to closable containers. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to a closable container with a usage indicator.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Closable containers include a body portion oriented to contain a product and a lid portion oriented to selectively allow and restrict access to the product contained within the body portion of the container. Closable containers may be employed in a variety of applications for a variety of uses. Usage of a shelf life item may be an appropriate indicator of the safety and efficacy of the item. Accordingly, there is a need for a closable container with a usage indicator.

SUMMARY

[0003] In one embodiment, a closable container includes a body portion oriented to contain an item, a lid portion oriented to selectively allow and restrict access to the item contained in the body portion, an indicator, and an electromechanical counter oriented to communicate with the indicator.

[0004] In another embodiment, a closable container includes a body portion, a lid portion oriented to selectively allow and restrict access into the body portion, an indicator, and an electromechanical counter oriented to communicate with the indicator. The electromechanical counter includes a printed circuit board configured to count usage of the closable container. [0005] In yet another embodiment, a closable container includes a body portion, a lid portion oriented to selectively allow and restrict access into the body portion and an electromechanical counter including a printed circuit board configured to count usage of the closable container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] In the accompanying drawings, structures are illustrated that, together with the detailed description provided below, describe exemplary embodiments of the claimed invention. Like elements are identified with the same reference numerals. It should be understood that elements shown as a single component may be replaced with multiple components, and elements shown as multiple components may be replaced with a single component. The drawings are not to scale and the proportion of certain elements may be exaggerated for the purpose of illustration.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary closable container with a usage indicator;

[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a lid portion of the closable container of FIG. 1 separated from a container body of the closable container;

[0009] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the lid portion of the closable container of FIG. 2;

[0010] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of a usage indicator of the lid portion of the closable container of FIG. 3;

[0011] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of the lid portion of the closable container of FIG. 2 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2; [0012] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the closable container of FIG. 1 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1;

[0013] FIG. 7 is schematic representation of a printed circuit board configured to operate the usage indicator of the lid portion of the closable container of FIGS. 1-6; and [0014] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of logic employed with the printed circuit board of FIG. 7 configured to operate the usage indicator of the lid portion of the closable container of

FIGS. 1-6

DFTATFFD DESCRIPTION

[0015] Closable containers include a body portion oriented to contain a product and a lid portion oriented to selectively allow and restrict access to the product contained within the body portion of the container. Closable containers may be employed in a variety of applications for a variety of uses. For example, closable containers are employed to contain a pharmaceutical product in a body portion while selectively allowing and restricting access to the pharmaceutical product with a lid portion. Other examples include closable food containers, closable cosmetic containers, and closable containers for consumer products such as preserved or packaged foods, medicines, coatings, heat dissipating coatings, adhesives, sealing compounds, paints, chemicals, disinfectants, and cleaning supplies.

[0016] FIG. l is a perspective view of an exemplary closable container 100 including a body portion 110 oriented to contain a product and a lid portion 105 oriented to selectively allow and restrict access to the product. In FIG. 1, the lid portion of the container 100 is connected to the body portion 110 to restrict access to the product contained in the body portion 110. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lid portion 105 of the closable container 100 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the lid portion 105 is separated from the body portion 100 to allow access to the product contained in the body portion 110. For purposes of the disclosure, the closable container 100 is illustrated as a mascara container 100 (e.g., a tube of mascara) including an applicator wand 115 and an attached applicator brush 120. The body portion 110 of the mascara container 100 contains mascara formula (not shown), and the lid portion 105 of the mascara container 100 selectively allows and restricts user access to the mascara formula. The lid portion 105 may connect to the body portion 110 according to one or more fastening mechanisms, such as a threaded connection, a snap connection, a pressure fit connection, a mechanical (e.g., bayonet) connection, a plug and socket connection, or other fastener.

[0017] Although illustrated as a mascara container 100, unless otherwise noted, features of the disclosure are applicable to a variety of other closable containers employed to contain a variety of other products. Accordingly, closable container 100 may be employed to contain pharmaceuticals, food, cosmetics, and other products without departing from the scope of the disclosure and is, therefore, representative of any closable container having a body portion 110 and a lid portion 105. Likewise, although the body portion 110 and lid portion 105 are shown as substantially cylindrical components, in other embodiments (not shown), the body portion 110 and the lid portion 105 can be provided in a variety of shapes and sizes including, but not limited to, spherical, ellipsoid, rectangular prism, pyramidal, conical, triangular prism, or other polyhedron shape.

[0018] The present disclosure finds particular utility with respect to closable containers 100 employed to contain shelf life items. For purposes of the disclosure, shelf life items are products that are effective, useful, or suitable for consumption for a limited time period. Shelf life items are expected to deteriorate or become unstable to the degree that a storage or usage period must be assigned to assure that the material will perform satisfactorily in service. For example, a shelf life item spoils or will not perform its intended function for the customer after long-term storage, short-term storage, or as a result of usage. Shelf life items are recognized for their sensitivity to light, temperature, moisture, bacteria, or handling. Packaging deterioration and improper storage or preservation can also adversely affect shelf life items.

[0019] With respect to mascara, for example, the American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends replacing mascara every three months. In particular, when a mascara tube is opened and the applicator brush is removed, there is an opportunity for bacteria to attach to the applicator brush and contaminate the mascara formula. Thus, the more times a mascara tube is opened and the applicator brush is removed, the more opportunity there is for bacteria to attach to the applicator brush and contaminate the mascara formula. Usage, compared to mere passage of time, therefore, may be an appropriate indicator of the shelf life of mascara. Without intending to be bound by theory, it is believed that usage of a shelf life item may be an appropriate indicator of the safety and efficacy of the item. Accordingly, there is a need for a closable container with a usage indicator.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the closable container 100 includes an indicator 101 in the form of an indicator light. In other embodiments (not shown), the indicator 101 can be a sound indicator, a visual display indicator, or other mechanical or electromechanical indicator without departing from the scope of the disclosure. As described more fully herein, the indicator 101 communicates usage of the closable container 100 to the user.

[0021] FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the lid portion 105 of the closable container 100 of FIG. 2. The lid portion includes a cover 104 having an inner surface 102 defining an internal volume 103. Within the internal volume 103 of the cover 104 is disposed a plug 125 that includes a lip 130, a recess 135, and a tip 140. In the embodiment shown, the applicator wand 115 and applicator brush 120 are fixed to and extend from the plug 125. In other embodiments (not shown), for example, where the product contained in the container 100 does not employ an applicator or brush, the plug 125 may be provided without the illustrated applicator wand 115 and applicator brush 120, without departing from the scope of the disclosure. A first compression spring 145 is positioned in the recess 135 of the plug 125. The tip 140 of the plug 125 extends along a compression axis of the first compression spring 145. An electromechanical counter 200 is also positioned within the internal volume 103 of the cover 104. The electromechanical counter 200 is oriented to communicate with the indicator 101. In particular, the electromechanical counter 200 is configured to count usage of the closable container 100 and communicate such usage to the user based on operation of the indicator 101.

[0022] FIG. 4 illustrates an exploded perspective view of the electromechanical counter 200 of FIG. 3. The electromechanical counter 200 includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 205, an electrically conductive bracket 210, a second compression spring 230, and batteries 235. The PCB can be a single layer PCB, a double layer PCB, a multilayer PCB, a flexible or rigid PCB, a through-hole PCB, a surface mount PCB, or other substrate with interconnected electrical and electronic components. Similarly, although three batteries 235 are shown, fewer than three batteries or more than three batteries may be provided in further embodiments without departing from the scope of the disclosure.

[0023] The electrically conductive bracket 210 includes an end 215 oriented to fasten to the PCB 205. For example, the end 215 of the electrically conductive bracket 210 may be mechanically fastened (e.g., inserted, mated, glued) to the PCB 205. The mechanical connection of the end 215 of the electrically conductive bracket 210 to the PCB 205 also provides an electrical connection between the bracket 210 and the PCB 205. In other embodiments, the PCB 205 can be electrically connected to the bracket 210 with one or more electrically conducting wires (not shown). The electrically conductive bracket 210 can be manufactured from any electrically conductive material (e.g., metal) and includes an extending flange 220 having an aperture 225 formed therein.

[0024] The electromechanical counter 200 includes a frame 240. In the illustrated embodiment, the indicator 101 is fastened to the frame 240. The frame 240 includes a channel 260 within which the extending flange 220 of the bracket 210, the second compression spring 230, and the batteries 235 are positioned. The frame 240 of the electromechanical counter 200 includes a clip 245 oriented to hold the bracket 210 with the extending flange 220 extending into the channel 260. The electromechanical counter 200 further includes an aperture 250 defining an opening of the channel 260. The aperture 250 is formed in the frame 240 and may be a completely closed or partially closed aperture. Additionally, although illustrated as a circular aperture 250, other shaped apertures (e.g., square, rectangular, triangular, polygonal) can be provided without departing from the scope of the disclosure. [0025] The electromechanical counter 200 includes a threaded fastener 255. As shown in FIG. 5, which illustrates a cross-sectional view of the lid portion 105 of the closable container 100 taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 2, the threaded fastener 255 of the electromechanical counter 200 mates with threaded fastener 155 on the inner surface 102 of the cover 104 of the lid portion 105. In further embodiments, the threaded fasteners 155, 255 can be adhesives (e.g. glue), a snap connection, a pressure fit connection, a weld (e.g., heat, solvent, frequency, ultrasonic, laser, friction, injection, induction, contact or non- contact), or other fastener that provides a mating connection between the electromechanical counter 200 and the cover 104 of the lid portion 105.

[0026] As further illustrated in FIG. 5, the cover 104 includes a protrusion 175 extending from its inner surface 102. The plug 125 is positioned laterally between the protrusion 175 with the lip 130 of the plug 125 configured to abut the protrusion 175. As shown, the plug 125 obstructs an end of the cover 104 such that when the lid portion 105 is connected to the body portion 110 of the closable container 100, the plug 125 and cover 104 define a barrier restricting access to the product contained in the body portion 110. Conversely, when the lid portion 105 is separated from the body portion 110, the plug 125 and cover 104 defining the barrier are removed, thereby allowing access to the product contained in the body portion 110.

[0027] The plug 125 is moveable within space 270 defined between the plug 125 and the electromechanical counter 200. The first compression spring 145 is positioned between the plug 125 and the electromechanical counter 200 and biases the plug 125 in a direction 301 away from the extending flange 220 of the electrically conductive bracket 210 along axis 305. The first compression spring 145 biases the lip 130 of the plug 125 to be seated against the protrusion 175 of the cover 104. The protrusion 175 thereby restricts motion of the plug 125 within space 270. Within the channel 260 of the frame 240 of the electromechanical counter 200, the second compression spring 230 biases the batteries 235 along axis 305 in direction 302 toward the extending flange 220 of the electrically conductive bracket 210. In this position, the batteries 235 are seated against and in electrical contact with the extending flange 220 of the electrically conductive bracket 210. [0028] Accordingly, when the closable container 100 is open and the lid portion 105 is separated from the body portion 110, the second compression spring 230 biases the batteries 235 in direction 302 into electrical contact with the extending flange 220, and the first compression spring 145 biases the plug 125 in direction 301 away from the extending flange 220 of the electrically conductive bracket 210.

[0029] Conversely, as illustrated in FIG. 6, which shows a cross-sectional view of the closable container of FIG. 1 taken along line 6-6 of FIG. 1, when the body portion 110 and lid portion 105 are closed, the body portion 110 abuts the plug 125 and displaces the plug 125 along the axis 305 against the biasing force of the first compression spring 145 in an opposite direction 303 toward the electromechanical counter 200. Thus, when the closable container 100 is closed, the tip 140 of the plug 125 translates along the axis 305 and extends through the aperture 250 in the frame 240 of the electromechanical counter 200 and through the aperture 225 in the extending flange 220 of the electrically conductive bracket 210 into the channel 260 of the electromechanical counter 200. When the tip 140 of the plug 125 extends along the axis 305 into the channel 260, the tip 140 displaces the batteries 235 against the biasing force of the second compression spring 230 in direction 304 away from the extending flange 220 of the electrically conductive bracket 210, thereby breaking the electrical connection between the batteries 235 and the extending flange 220 of the electrically conductive bracket 210.

[0030] Accordingly, usage of the closable container 100 (e.g., opening and closing) makes or breaks the electrical connection between the batteries 235 and the extending flange 220 of the electrically conductive bracket 210. FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of the PCB 205 configured to operate the electromechanical counter 200 of the closable container 100. The PCB 205 is configured to count the usage (i.e., the number of times the closable container 100 has been opened and closed) based on the respective making and breaking of the electrical connection between the batteries 235 and the extending flange 220 of the electrically conductive bracket 210. The PCB 205 is further configured to communicate such usage to the user with the indicator 101.

[0031] FIG. 8 is a flow chart of one example of logic employed with the PCB 205 of FIG. 7 to determine usage of the closable container 100 and communicate such usage to the user with the indicator 101. For example, when the lid portion 105 is separated from the body portion 110 and the electrical connection between the batteries 235 and the extending flange 220 of the electrically conductive bracket 210 is made, the electromechanical counter 200 activates and the PCB 205 begins to count the number of seconds the closable container 100 is open. In some embodiments, a one second delay may be employed to prevent the PCB 205 from beginning to count if, for example, the lid portion 105 is moved but not separated from the body portion 110. With respect to a mascara container 100, the one second delay can avoid inadvertently counting pumps of the applicator brush 120 as multiple openings of the lid portion 105. In other embodiments, a delay shorter than one second or a delay longer than one second may be employed. [0032] Once the optional delay period has passed, the PCB 205 increments a variable (e.g., “Count”) based on the formula Count + 1. Count is then compared to a predetermined number. For example, if Count is less than 75, the indicator 101 displays a solid white LED for five seconds. If Count is greater than 75 and less than 90, the indicator 101 displays a solid blue LED for five seconds. If Count is greater than 90, the indicator 101 displays a fast pulse blue LED for five seconds. According to the right hand-side of FIG. 8, the PCB 205 further increments Count based on the formula Count + 1 each time the lid portion 105 has been separated from the body portion 110 for more than sixty seconds. For example, when the lid portion 105 has been separated from the body portion 110 for more than sixty seconds, the indicator 101 displays a solid blue LED for five seconds, thereby notifying the user that the lid portion 105 has been separated from the body portion 110 for more than sixty seconds.

[0033] This example logic may be employed with respect to a mascara container 100 to notify the user of the specific usage of the container 100. For example, 75 uses equates to approximately three months of weekday usage, and 90 uses equates to approximately three months of daily usage. As noted above, these values may provide compliance with usage recommendations of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. It should be understood that the above example can be modified based on the number of uses of a particular product. Moreover, the color of the LED, the pulse rate of the LED, and the duration of illumination of the LED may all be modified depending on the particular application. Accordingly, one or more features of the present disclosure may be employed, either alone or in combination, to provide a closable container 100 with a usage indicator

101 [0034] Any of the foregoing embodiments including any features as provided in the Figures and any combinations thereof can be incorporated into the claimed invention. [0035] To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both.” When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See, Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modem Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995). Also, to the extent that the terms “in” or “into” are used in the specification or the claims, it is intended to additionally mean “on” or “onto.” Furthermore, to the extent the term “connect” is used in the specification or claims, it is intended to mean not only “directly connected to,” but also “indirectly connected to” such as connected through another component or components.

[0036] While the present disclosure has been illustrated by the description of embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicants to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the disclosure, in its broader aspects, is not limited to the specific details, the representative system and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of the applicant’s general inventive concept.

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1. A closable container comprising: a body portion oriented to contain an item; a lid portion oriented to selectively allow and restrict access to the item contained in the body portion; an indicator; and an electromechanical counter oriented to communicate with the indicator.

2. The closable container of any one of claim 1, wherein the indicator is an LED.

3. The closable container of claim 1 or 2, wherein the electromechanical counter includes a printed circuit board configured to count usage of the closable container.

4. The closable container of claim 3, wherein usage of the closable container is based on the number of times the lid portion is separated from the body portion.

5. A closable container comprising: a body portion; a lid portion oriented to selectively allow and restrict access into the body portion; an indicator; and an electromechanical counter oriented to communicate with the indicator, wherein the electromechanical counter includes a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to count usage of the closable container.

6. The closable container of claim 5, wherein the lid portion includes a plug moveable within a space defined between a protrusion on an inner surface of a cover of the lid portion and the electromechanical counter.

7. The closable container of claim 6, further including a compression spring oriented to bias the plug in a direction away from the electromechanical counter.

8. The closable container of claim 7, wherein the compression spring biases a lip of the plug to be seated against the protrusion on the inner surface of the cover of the lid portion.

9. The closable container of claim 6, wherein the electromechanical counter includes a channel in which a compression spring biases one or more batteries in a direction toward the plug.

10. The closable container of claim 9, further including an electrically conductive bracket having an extending flange positioned in the channel.

11. The closable container of claim 10, wherein the PCB is electrically connected to the electrically conductive bracket.

12. The closable container of claim 10 or 11 wherein the extending flange includes an aperture through which a tip of the plug is configured to extend.

13. A closable container comprising: a body portion; a lid portion oriented to selectively allow and restrict access into the body portion; and an electromechanical counter including a printed circuit board (PCB) configured to count usage of the closable container.

14. The closable container of claim 13, wherein the lid portion includes a plug moveable within a space defined between a protrusion on an inner surface of a cover of the lid portion and the electromechanical counter.

15. The closable container of claim 14, further including a compression spring oriented to bias the plug in a direction away from the electromechanical counter, wherein the compression spring biases a lip of the plug to be seated against the protrusion on the inner surface of the cover of the lid portion.

16. The closable container of claim 15, further including an electrically conductive bracket having an extending flange positioned in the channel, wherein the PCB is electrically connected to the electrically conductive bracket, and wherein the extending flange includes an aperture through which a tip of the plug is configured to extend.

17. The closable container of claim 13, further including an indicator, wherein the electromechanical counter is oriented to communicate with the indicator.

18. The closable container of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the item is a shelf life item.

19. The closable container of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the item is a cosmetic.

20. The closable container of any one of claims 1-4, wherein the item is mascara.

21. The closable container of claim 20, wherein the electromechanical counter indicates one or more of at least 25 uses, at least 50 uses, at least 75 uses, at least 90 uses, at least 100 uses, at least 115 uses, at least 125 uses, or at least 150 uses.

22. The closable container of claim 20, wherein the electromechanical counter indicates 25-100 uses.

23. The closable container of claim 20, wherein the electromechanical counter indicates one or more of exactly 25 uses, exactly 50 uses, exactly 75 uses, exactly 90 uses, exactly 100 uses, exactly 115 uses, exactly 125 uses, or exactly 150 uses.

24. The closable container of claim 20, wherein the electromechanical counter indicates one or more of a maximum of 25 uses, a maximum of 50 uses, a maximum of 75 uses, a maximum of 90 uses, a maximum of 100 uses, a maximum of 115 uses, a maximum of 125 uses, or a maximum of 150 uses.