Container and closure

Abstract

A container and closure combination is defined by a container body having a rectangular transverse cross section. A curved bottom transition portion is provided between a bottom wall and the sidewalls of the body portion. A container rim is provided that defines an opening into the container body. The rim is formed with a circular profile having an outside diameter that is less than the outside dimensions of the transverse rectangular cross section of the sidewalls. An upper transition wall is formed supporting the rim. An annular closure or lid is provided and includes a body portion dimensioned for conforming to the opening defined by the container rim. A peripheral skirt projects transverse to the body portion and is dimensioned to surround the container rim in a closely spaced relationship. A scoop may be retained within the container and removably fixed to the closure.

1 . A container comprising:
 a container body defined by a plurality of sidewalls joined at uniform angles and forming a generally rectangular perimeter, the rectangular perimeter having a transverse dimension;   a bottom wall positioned at the base of the sidewalls, with the sidewalls projecting upwardly therefrom;   a curved bottom transition portion connecting the bottom wall to the sidewalls;   a container rim forming an opening into a container volume defined by the sidewalls and the bottom wall, the container rim forming a circular-perimeter having a diameter that is less than the transverse dimension of the rectangular perimeter formed by the sidewalls;   an upper transition wall formed between the sidewalls and the container rim and extending upwardly from the sidewalls, the upper transition wall supporting the rim and positioned inwardly of the rectangular perimeter of the body; and   the rim including an outward projecting bead for retaining a circular overcap thereon.   
     
     
         2 . A container as in  claim 1 , wherein the upper transition wall comprises an outwardly open annular groove formed adjacent the projecting bead of the container rim. 
     
     
         3 . A container as in  claim 1 , wherein the container rim further comprises an inwardly directed annular flange, the flange having an inside edge that defines the opening into the container volume. 
     
     
         4 . A container as in  claim 1 , wherein the container rim is integrally formed with the container body. 
     
     
         5 . A container as in  claim 1 , wherein the container rim further comprises an inwardly directed annular flange, the flange having an inside edge that defines the opening into the container volume. 
     
     
         6 . A container as in  claim 1 , wherein the bottom wall includes a central portion extending inwardly into the container volume and a peripheral edge forming a support surface, the support surface surrounding the central portion. 
     
     
         7 . A container as in  claim 6 , wherein the support surface is continuous and is connected to the bottom transition portion. 
     
     
         8 . A container as in  claim 1 , wherein each of the sidewalls have generally equal transverse dimensions such that the rectangular perimeter of the body is substantially square. 
     
     
         9 . A container as in  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the sidewalls comprise a surface indentation for assistance in gripping the container by a user. 
     
     
         10 . A container and closure combination comprising:
 a container body, the container body defined by
 a plurality of sidewalls joined at uniform angles and forming a generally rectangular perimeter the rectangular perimeter having a transverse dimension, 
 a bottom wall positioned at the base of the sidewalls, with the sidewalls projecting upwardly therefrom, 
 a curved bottom transition portion connecting the bottom wall to the sidewalls, 
 a container rim forming an opening into a container volume defined by the sidewalls and the bottom wall, the container rim having a circular perimeter with a diameter that is less than the transverse dimension of the rectangular perimeter formed by the sidewalls, the rim including an outward projecting bead forming a periphery, and 
 an upper transition wall formed between the sidewalls and the container rim, the upper transition wall extending upwardly from the side walls, supporting the container rim and positioned inwardly of the rectangular perimeter of the body, the transition wall forming an outwardly open annular groove formed adjacent the projecting bead of the container rim; and 
   an annular closure, the closure having
 a body portion dimensioned for conforming to the opening defined by the container rim, 
 a peripheral skirt projecting transversely to the body portion and dimensioned to surround the container rim in a closely spaced relationship, and 
 an inwardly projecting ridge formed on an inside surface of the peripheral skirt, the ridge dimensioned to engage within the annular groove on the upper transition portion of the container body to retain the closure in position on the rim of the container. 
   
     
     
         11 . A container and closure combination as in  claim 10 , wherein the container rim further comprises an inwardly directed annular flange, the flange having an inside edge that defines the opening into the container volume. 
     
     
         12 . A container and closure combination as in  claim 10 , wherein the container rim is integrally formed with the container body. 
     
     
         13 . A container and closure combination as in  claim 12 , wherein the container rim further comprises an inwardly directed annular flange, the flange having an inside edge that defines the opening into the container volume. 
     
     
         14 . A container and closure combination as in  claim 10 , wherein the bottom wall includes a central portion extending inwardly into the container volume and a peripheral edge forming a support surface, the support surface surrounding the central portion. 
     
     
         15 . A container and closure combination as in  claim 14 , wherein the support surface is continuous and is connected to the bottom transition portion. 
     
     
         16 . A container and closure combination as in  claim 10 , wherein each of the sidewalls have generally equal transverse dimensions such that the rectangular perimeter of the body is substantially square. 
     
     
         17 . A container and closure combination as in  claim 10 , wherein one or more of the sidewalls comprise a surface indentation for assistance in gripping the container by a user. 
     
     
         18 . A container and closure combination as in  claim 10 , further comprising a scoop retained within the container. 
     
     
         19 . A container and closure combination as in  claim 18 , wherein the scoop is removably fixed to the body portion of the closure. 
     
     
         20 . A container and closure combination as in  claim 19 , further comprising a hook portion and an engagement tab formed in a spaced relationship on a bottom surface of the closure body portion, the tab formed for frictionally engaging within an opening within a handle of the scoop the hook and tab combining to fix the scoop to the closure body bottom surface. 
     
     
         21 . A container and closure combination as in  claim 18 , wherein the scoop comprises a handle portion and a dispensing bowl, the dispensing bowl having a peripheral rim, defining an open end of the bowl. 
     
     
         22 . A container and closure combination as in  claim 21 , wherein the peripheral rim of the dispensing bowl is formed as an ellipse. 
     
     
         23 . A container and closure combination as in  claim 22 , wherein the handle portion is aligned with a minor radius of the ellipse of the rim of the bowl, such that a major radius of the ellipse is positioned transversely to the handle. 
     
     
         24 . A container and closure combination as in  claim 23 , wherein the bowl of the scoop includes a tapered sidewall, positioned opposite the handle. 
     
     
         25 . A container and closure combination as in  claim 24 , wherein the tapered sidewall of the bowl forms an angle of greater than 45 degrees with respect to the handle. 
     
     
         26 . A container for storing and dispensing product comprising:
 a container body, the container body defined by
 a plurality of sidewalls joined at uniform angles and forming a generally rectangular perimeter, the rectangular perimeter having a transverse dimension, 
 a bottom wall positioned at the base of the sidewalls, with the sidewalls projecting upwardly therefrom, 
 a bottom transition portion connecting the bottom wall to the sidewalls, the sidewalls and bottom defining a container volume for retaining product, 
 a container rim forming an opening into the container volume, the container rim having a circular perimeter with a diameter that is less than the transverse dimension of the rectangular perimeter formed by the sidewalls of the container body, the rim including an outward projecting portion forming an outer periphery of the rim, and 
 an upper transition wall formed between the sidewalls and the container rim, the upper transition wall extending upwardly and inwardly from the sidewalls, the upper transition wall supporting the container rim inwardly of the rectangular perimeter of the container body; 
   an annular overcap closure, the overcap closure having
 a body portion dimensioned to cover the opening defined by the container rim, 
 a peripheral skirt projecting transversely to the body portion and dimensioned to surround the container rim in a closely spaced relationship, and 
 structure formed on an inside surface of the peripheral skirt for engaging the outward projecting portion of the rim to removably retain the overcap closure in position on the rim of the container; 
   a scoop for removal of product retained within the container, the scoop having
 a handle portion, and 
 a dispensing bowl, the dispensing bowl having a peripheral rim defining an open end of the bowl, the peripheral rim formed as an ellipse, 
 the handle portion attached to the bowl adjacent the peripheral rim, the handle attachment aligned with a minor radius of the ellipse of the rim of the bowl, such that a major radius of the ellipse is positioned transversely to the handle, and 
 the bowl having a tapered sidewall, positioned opposite the handle, wherein the tapered sidewall forms an angle of greater than  45  degrees with respect to the handle; and 
   a mechanism for removably fixing the scoop to the closure body, the mechanism comprising a hook portion and an engagement tab formed in a spaced relationship on a bottom surface of the closure body, the tab formed for frictionally engaging within an opening in the handle, the hook and tab combining to fix the scoop to the closure body.