Snap-lock container ring and method

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a carton including a lid and a container having a reinforcing ring that cooperatively engages the top portion of the container in a rib-and-groove snap-lock fit. The reinforcing ring is coextensive with the opening of the container and has a band located on the interior of the container, and exposes no sharp edges. The ring is butted against the inside of the container wall and the top edge of the container wall. An edge of the ring lies on the top edge of the container wall and is inwardly recessed from the wall thus preventing the ring from protruding beyond the container wall and eliminating interference with adjacent containers or the risk of injury to fingers or hands.

1 . A container comprising:
 a sidewall having a top portion, a top edge, a bottom portion, and a rib, the rib located in the top portion, the top portion defining an opening;   a bottom wall, the bottom wall being secured to the side wall to define a storage chamber; and   a ring having a generally radially extending first flange forming a first shoulder overlying the top edge of the sidewall around at least a substantial portion of the sidewall, a depending skirt inwardly of the first flange for engagement with an interior surface of the top portion, and having a second flange extending radially of the skirt and extending substantially around the skirt, the second flange forming a second shoulder, the skirt, first shoulder, and second shoulder defining a groove for cooperatively inter-engaging portions of the rib to attach the ring to the sidewall in a snap-lock fit.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said first shoulder is generally downwardly facing. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein said second shoulder is generally upwardly facing and the rib having a generally downwardly facing third shoulder. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the ring has a mouth coextensive with the opening of the top portion. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the ring having a band wherein a plurality of recesses is defined around the perimeter of the band and between said band and the depending flangeskirt. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the rib includes a folded over portion of the side wall, the rib extending substantially around the interior perimeter of the top portion. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the rib is inwardly directed from the side wall and the groove is outwardly opening. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the bottom portion is folded inwardly forming an upwardly opening groove extending substantially around the bottom portion and the bottom wall including a depending skirt at least partially positioned in said upwardly opening groove. 
     
     
         9 . The container of claim wherein the ring is a rigidifying element for reinforcing the top portion having a substantial portion positioned interiorly of the top portion. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the first flange has an outer edge that is generally flush to below flush with an outer surface of the side wall. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the first flange has an outer edge that is slightly larger than an outer surface of the side wall. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the sidewall is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the sidewall includes paper board. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 12  wherein the bottom wall includes paper board. 
     
     
         15 . A container comprising:
 a wall structure defining a storage chamber, said wall structure including a sidewall with a free edge portion defining an opening communicating with the chamber; and   a ring structure mounted to the sidewall adjacent the free edge portion, said ring structure including a first shoulder overlying the free edge portion limiting relative axial movement between the sidewall and ring structure, said ring structure including a depending skirt, said wall structure and depending skirt having interengaging first and second elements forming a snap lock mechanical connection between the sidewall and ring structure.   
     
     
         16 . A container as set forth in  claim 15  wherein the first element including a first flange with a second shoulder and the second element including a rib with a third shoulder with the second and third shoulders facing one another and being interengageable. 
     
     
         17 . A container as set forth in  claim 16  wherein the first flange and second shoulder being part of the ring structure wherein a surface of the depending skirt, the first shoulder and the second shoulder defining a groove extending at least partially around the ring structure. 
     
     
         18 . A container as set forth in  claim 17  wherein the rib being connected to the side wall. 
     
     
         19 . A container as set forth in  claim 18  wherein the rib extends generally radially inwardly from an inside surface of the side wall and the groove opening generally radially outwardly. 
     
     
         20 . A container as set forth in  claim 19  wherein the rib is integral with the side wall and is a formed as a reverse fold therein. 
     
     
         21 . A container as set forth in  claim 20  wherein the ring structure including a molded polymeric portion. 
     
     
         22 . A container as set forth in  claim 21  wherein the skirt, first element and said first shoulder being an integral molded structure of polymeric material. 
     
     
         23 . A method for forming a container with a reinforcing ring, the container comprising a sidewall having a top portion, a free top edge portion, a bottom portion, and a bottom wall, the bottom wall being secured to the side wall to define a storage chamber, said method comprising;
 molding a ring structure for mounting to the sidewall adjacent the free edge portion, said ring structure including opposing first and second shoulders, said ring structure including a depending skirt portion between said first and second shoulders,   folding the top portion of said wall structure to form a rib with a third shoulder and define a free top edge portion defining a first opening, moving a portion of said ring into said first opening whereby said rib being received in a groove defined by said skirt and first and second shoulders thereby forming a snap lock mechanical connection between the sidewall and ring structure with the first shoulder overlying the free edge portion and the third shoulder overlying the second shoulder whereby the rib is captured in the groove limiting relative longitudinal movement between the sidewall and ring structure.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 24  wherein said ring structure is inserted generally axially into the container to attach said ring to the side wall.