CONTAINER AND SORBENT COMBINATION
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an improved combination of a container and sorbent therein, and it also relates to a container insert for supporting a sorbent above the contents of the container. BACKGROUND ART
By way of background, in the past, sorbents were provided in containers for protecting the contents thereof. These sorbents were for the purpose of absorbing moisture or absorbing oxygen or other gases or odors. The sorbents, insofar as known, were in the form of packets, capsules, cartridges or tablets; and they were generally mixed in with the contents of the container. DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
It is one object of the present invention to provide the combination of a container and a sorbent wherein the sorbent is supported in the container out of contact with the contents the reof. It is another object of the present invention to provide an insert for a container that supports a sorbent out of contact with the contents of the container. Other objects and attendant advantages of the present invention will readily be perceived hereafter. The present invention relates to the combination of a container body, an opening in the container body, an inner wall on the container
body, a ledge on the inner wall proximate the opening, a sorbent body, and an edge on the sorbent body overlying and supported by the ledge. The present invention also relates to the combination of a container body, an opening in the container body, an inner wall on the container body, a basket, a plurality of fingers on the basket engaging the inner wall, and a sorbent body in the basket. The present invention also relates to a container insert for supporting a body within a container comprising a basket, a base on the basket, and a plurality of fingers resiliently mounted relative to the base and extending outwardly at an obtuse angle relative to the base. The various aspects of the present invention will be more readily understood when the following portions of the specification are read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary partially broken away exploded view of one embodiment of the improved container and sorbent combination of the present invention having a sorbent supported on a ledge therein; FIG. 2 is a partially broken away view taken substantially in the direction of arrows 2-2 of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the sorbent of FIG. 1 ; FIG. 4 is a plan view of the sorbent taken substantially in the direction of arrows 4-4 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary partially broken away exploded view of another embodiment of a container and sorbent combination but supporting a sorbent of a different shape; FIG. 6 is a partially broken away view taken substantially in the direction of arrows 6-6 of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of the sorbent of FIGS. 5 and 6; FIG. 8 is a fragmentary partially broken away exploded view of another embodiment of a container and sorbent combination wherein there is a container insert in the form of a basket for supporting a sorbent; FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the container insert of FIG. 8 that supports a sorbent thereon; FIG. 1 0 is a plan view taken substantially in the direction of arrows 1 0-1 0 of FIG. 9; FIG. 1 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of a modification of the container insert of FIGS. 8-1 0; FIG. 1 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a neck of a container which receives the modified container insert of FIG. 1 1 ; and FIG. 1 3 is a fragmentary plan view showing the clearance between the container insert and the inner wall of the container. MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
One embodiment of the container and sorbent combination is disclosed in FIGS. 1 -4. In this embodiment, a container 1 0 includes a container body 1 1 , which can receive any type of product, and which has
associated therewith a sorbent for absorbing moisture or absorbing oxygen or any other type of gaseous material. The container 1 0 can be for pharmaceuticals, electronic components, food, or, as noted above, any item that benefits from the presence of a sorbent. The container 1 0 can be fabricated of glass or plastic or any other type of material. The container body 1 1 includes a cylindrical neck 1 2 having a cap-receiving thread 1 3 thereon. On the inner wall 1 6 of neck 1 2 is a sorbent support in the nature of a circular lip or ledge on which is supported a sorbent 1 5 in the form of a solid circular disc. An induction seal 1 7 is secured to the edge 1 9 of neck 1 2. A cap 20 screws onto threads 1 3. However, it will be appreciated that while the induction seal is desirable, it may not be required for certain applications. A typical induction seal and cap arrangement is shown in U.S. Patent 6, 1 64,503. The sorbent 1 5 is fabricated from a suitable desiccant or oxygen- absorber or odor-absorber by compressing granular material with a binder and optionally coating it with a coating to prevent dusting thereof. One type of pressed sorbent is disclosed in pending application Serial No. 09/853, 1 99, Publication No. US-2002-01 88046-A1 , and a type of pressed and coated sorbent is disclosed in pending application Serial No. 10/660,024, filed September 1 1 , 2003, both of which are incorporated by reference. It will further be appreciated that the sorbent need not be of the foregoing described types but can be of the type wherein the sorbent is placed within a capsule or cartridge and is of a shape that will fit on ledge 1 4. The advantage of all of the foregoing is
that the sorbent is not in direct contact with the contents of container 1 0. Also, the sorbent is confined against excessive movement by being located between the ledge 1 4, neck wall 1 2 and seal 1 7. Another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed in FIGS. 5-7 wherein the container 1 0, cap 20, and seal 1 7 are identical to the container of FIG. 1 and identical numerals depict identical elements of structure. However, the embodiment of FIGS. 5-7 carries a sorbent 21 of a substantially solid T-shape wherein the top 22 of the T is of a length such that its lower edges 23 will rest on ledge 14. It also has a depending portion 24 that extends into the body of the container. The advantage of the foregoing structure is that the depending portion 24 can be made of various sizes to meet the sorbent requirements of the product within the container. Also, when the dependent portion 24 is of substantially solid rectangular form, it will be appreciated that it can be cylindrical or any other shape. In FIGS. 8-1 0, yet another embodiment of the present invention is disclosed. In this embodiment, the container 1 0' differs from that of the preceding figures in that it does not have a sorbent support in the form of an annular ledge 1 4. However, all of the other parts can be identical and are represented by identical numerals. In the embodiment of FIGS. 8-10, the support for sorbent 25 of cylindrical form is a container insert in the form of a basket or carrier 27, which is fabricated from molded plastic and has a plurality of flexible fingers 29 that are resiliently mounted on and extend outwardly
from circular base 30 at an obtuse angle shown in FIG. 9. The basket or carrier 27 is inserted into the neck 1 2 and the resiliently mounted fingers 29 are moved from the position of FIG. 9, wherein they extend outwardly at an obtuse angle relative to base 30, to the position of FIG. 8, wherein they are biased against the inner surface of neck 1 2 with a friction fit. The sorbent 25 is thereafter placed on the base 30. In this instance, the sorbent can be of any desired shape or it can be a cartridge or capsule or even a packet. A plurality of tabs 31 extends upwardly from base 30 toward the opening of the container. In use, after the container 1 0' has been opened and the seal 1 7 has been broken, the sorbent 25 and the retainer 27 can be removed by grasping and pulling any one of tabs 31 . In use, there is communication between the contents of container 1 0' and sorbent 25 through the clearances 33 between base 30 and container 10'. In FIG. 1 1 , a modified container insert 27' is shown wherein the only difference from container insert 27 of FIGS. 8-1 0 is that the fingers 29' have a protrusion in the form of a barb 32 at the outer ends thereof that engages and rests on circular ledge 34 of container 1 0a. The barbs 32 need only be on some of the fingers. While all of the containers 1 0, 1 0' and 10a have been shown as having a neck, it will be appreciated that the present subject is equally applicable to containers which have a straight body without a neck of the type that is shown in the drawings.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it will be appreciated that it is not limited thereto, but can be otherwise embodied within the scope of the following claims.