Snap Container for Pre-Portioned Product and Related Methods

Abstract

A container for packaging a pre-portioned amount of liquid or dry product is provided that includes a one-piece outer casing defining an interior reservoir. The outer casing has a cylindrical shell that is closed at one end by a rounded tip and open at the opposing end with an open circular outer edge/rim defining a mouth. To fill the container, the product is introduced through the mouth into the interior reservoir; then opposing edges of the rim are compressed together and sealed with heat to create an elongated seal having two opposing ends. Multiple types of elongated seals are provided. In one aspect the outer casing is formed unitarily of a plastic resin. To open the container, the consumer squeezes the two opposing seal ends/termini toward each other; this deforms the elongated seal and causes the seal to snap open, which allows access to the product.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of packaging a product, comprising:
 obtaining a container, wherein said container comprises an outer casing comprising a cylindrical body with a first end comprising a closed rounded tip and with an opposing second end comprising a circular open outer rim having a rim top and rim sides; wherein said outer casing defines an interior reservoir; and wherein said outer rim defines an open mouth to said interior reservoir;   obtaining a product;   holding said container with said outer rim positioned upright;   introducing a pre-portioned amount of said product into said open mouth to partially fill said interior reservoir;   compressing opposing edges of said outer rim together; and   applying heat to fuse the compressed opposing edges of said outer rim to create a fused seal.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said outer casing comprises a single piece formed of plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said outer casing comprises an outer wall; wherein said seal comprises a T-shaped seal; and wherein said T-shaped seal comprises lips projecting slightly outwardly beyond said outer wall. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said product comprises a liquid product. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said product comprises dry product. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , wherein said dry product comprises a botanical matter. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying heat to the compressed opposing edges of said outer rim to create a fused seal comprises:
 heating a platen to between 360 degrees F. and 380 degrees F.; and   using said platen to apply a pressure of between 5 pounds and 7 pounds of force for 2 to 4 seconds to said rim top of said compressed opposing edges.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein applying heat to the compressed opposing edges of said outer rim to create a fused seal further comprises using a heated flat platen to apply pressure to said rim sides of said compressed opposing edges. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying heat to the compressed opposing edges of said outer rim to create a fused seal comprises using a heated flat platen to apply pressure to said rim sides of said compressed opposing edges. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein applying heat to the compressed opposing edges of said outer rim to create a fused seal consists of one of applying heat to said rim top, applying heat to said rim sides, and applying heat to both said rim top and to said rim sides. 
     
     
         11 . A method of opening a sealed container, comprising:
 obtaining said sealed container, wherein said sealed container comprises a plastic outer casing and an enclosed, pre-portioned amount of a product; said outer casing comprising a cylindrical outer shell, a first closed end, and an opposing second end comprising a lengthwise seal; wherein said lengthwise seal has been formed by compressing together opposing edges of a rim surrounding a mouth disposed at said second end and heating said compressed opposing edges of said rim; and wherein said lengthwise seal extends lengthwise from a first seal terminus to an opposing second seal terminus;   placing said container between a thumb and a finger of a hand;   manually applying pressure on said first seal terminus and simultaneously applying pressure on said second seal terminus to actuate the bursting of said lengthwise seal; and   accessing said product.   
     
     
         12 . The method of opening a container as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said lengthwise seal comprises one of a T-shaped seal, a crimped-type seal, and a combination T-shaped and crimped-type seal. 
     
     
         13 . The method of opening a container as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said product comprises botanical matter. 
     
     
         14 . The method of opening a container as recited in  claim 11 , wherein said product comprises a smokable material, further comprising:
 pouring said product into a receiving receptacle; and   manually using said closed rounded tip to tamp said product down within said receiving receptacle.   
     
     
         15 . The method of opening a container as recited in  claim 11 , further comprising:
 causing a deformation in said lengthwise seal when manually applying pressure on said first seal terminus and said second seal terminus; and   causing said rim to reopen to form said mouth.   
     
     
         16 . A packaging container comprising:
 a product to be contained; and   a unitarily formed plastic outer casing comprising a generally cylindrical outer shell, a first end, and an opposing second end; wherein said outer casing defines an interior reservoir; wherein said first end of said outer casing comprises a closed rounded tip; wherein said second end of said outer casing comprises a rim; wherein, after insertion of a pre-portioned amount of said product into said interior reservoir, a first portion of said rim and an opposing second portion of said rim are juxtaposed and fused to create a lengthwise seal extending lengthwise from a first seal terminus to a second seal terminus; wherein said lengthwise seal seals said packaging container.   
     
     
         17 . The packaging container as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said product comprises botanical matter. 
     
     
         18 . The packaging container as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said lengthwise seal comprises a crimped seal. 
     
     
         19 . The packaging container as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said cylindrical outer shell comprises an outer wall; and wherein said lengthwise seal comprises a T-shaped seal comprising lips projecting slightly outwardly beyond said outer wall. 
     
     
         20 . The packaging container as recited in  claim 16 , wherein said lengthwise seal comprises a crimped seal and a T-shaped seal.