Container seal

Abstract

A seal for a container of fine particulate materials that includes a sifter insert. The seal comprises a base that is secured over a plurality of holes in the insert by a releasable pressure-sensitive adhesive. A pull tab extends outwardly from an upper surface of said base. The pull tab is fixedly adhered to the upper surface of the base and extends outwardly away from a mid-section thereof. The pull tab is pivotable through 180 degrees about its connection point with the base and remains fixedly secured thereto when a pulling force is applied to the pull tab. The adhesive bond between the base and the insert is weaker than the adhesive bond between the pull tab and the base. Consequently, a pulling force applied to the pull tab removes the base from the insert and permits particulate material to be dispensed through the holes in the insert.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0001]1. Technical Field[0002]The invention relates to containers and to methods for sealing the same. More particularly, the invention relates to a seal for a container for particulate material. Specifically, the invention relates to a pressure sensitive pull tab seal for containing a particulate material within a container until such containment is no longer required.[0003]2. Background Information[0004]Transportation of fine particulate materials or powders creates challenges in containing the substance in such a way that, when the material is to be accessed, it is in a usable and undisturbed condition. Disturbing a particulate material that is not contained properly can result an irreversible airborne dispersion of the particulate material. The fine particles will fill any void or free space if not contained properly.[0005]The simplest form of containing a fine particulate material is through the use of a lid or stopper to close the container. Dependin...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009]A seal for a container of fine particulate materials that includes a sifter insert. The seal comprises a base that is secured over a plurality of holes in the insert by a releasable pressure-sensitive adhesive. A pull tab extends outwardly from an upper surface of said base. The pull tab is fixedly adhered to the upper surface of the base and extends outwardly away from a mid-section thereof. The pull tab is pivotable through 180 degrees about its connection point with the base and remains fixedly secured thereto when a pulling force is applied to the pull tab. The adhesive bond between the base and the insert is weaker than the adhesive bond between the pull tab and the base. Consequently, a pulling force applied to the pull tab removes the base from the insert and permits particulate material to be dispensed through the holes in the insert.

Problems solved by technology

Transportation of fine particulate materials or powders creates challenges in containing the substance in such a way that, when the material is to be accessed, it is in a usable and undisturbed condition.

Disturbing a particulate material that is not contained properly can result an irreversible airborne dispersion of the particulate material.

However, the fine particulate material will travel through the insert holes and accumulate in the space between the stopper and the cap and will not be completely contained in the chamber.

Firstly, hot-melt structural adhesives are typically used on seal backings because they form strong bonds with the adherent.

These bonds are difficult to break evenly and consistently around the seal.

When particulate materials are dispensed from the container, a quantity of the particulate material will accumulate on the adhesive residue and potentially block the holes in the insert.

Furthermore, this adhesive residue contaminates the particulate material and reduces the benefit of using an insert style container.

Secondly, in addition to the adhesive residue left on the insert-style stoppers, another problem occurs when trying to remove a container seal from directly over the insert holes.

Oftentimes the cavity walls in the container mouth leave little room for a user to gain a secure hold on the seal.

Typically, these detents are so small and the space limitations are problematic enough that the user cannot adequate grasp the detent to begin removing the seal.

The scraping and poking of holes through the seal and insert holes tends to cause mixing of the particulate material with residue from the adhesive and seal, thus the fine particulate material.

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