Lid and Container

Abstract

A lid for a container is disclosed that has a series of seals. The first seal is a rib that is forced against the container interior at a top portion of the container. The second seal is created by at least two ribs that create a spring-like force against the pail. An additional seal is incorporated that includes a skirt having a tear strip with a hook on the tear strip and a hook above the tear strip.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read with the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 depicts a prior art pail and lid.

FIG. 2 depicts a cutaway of a lid according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross section of a lid a according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross section of a lid in position on a pail a according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 5 depicts a lid and pail showing a tear strip a according to an illustrative embodiment of the invention.

Claims

1. A container lid comprising: a top portion having a side portion extending downward with respect to the top portion along the perimeter of the top portion;a first circumferential rib protruding from the underside of the top lid portion such that when the lid is placed on a container the first rib is forced against an interior wall of the container;a second circumferential rib and a third circumferential rib, each extending from the underside of the top lid portion such that when the lid is placed on the container the second rib is deflected toward and contacts the third rib and the third rib is deflected toward and contacts the container.

2. The container lid of claim 1 further comprising: a skirt extending from the lid side portion, the skirt having a first group of one or more hooks extending from the inner skirt surface toward the outer container wall to engage one or more protrusions on the container outer wall and a second group of one or more larger hooks below the first group of one or more hooks to engage one or more protrusions on the container outer wall, the skirt having a circumferential tear strip incorporating the second group of one or more hooks.

3. The container lid of claim 1 further comprising: a circumferential channel in the top lid portion, wherein the lid side portion forms an outer wall of the channel, the channel having its opening on the lid underside such that the channel accommodates an upper edge of the container; andwherein the first rib protrudes from within the channel, thereby creating a space between the rib and each channel wall.

4. The container lid of claim 3 wherein the channel is substantially unshaped and the first rib extends from an upper portion of the channel and projects toward the outer channel wall.

5. The container lid of claim 4 wherein the second rib and third rib protrude from within the channel from an upper portion of the channel and deflect toward the outer channel wall upon placement of the lid on the container.

6. The container lid of claim 1 wherein the second rib is shorter than the third rib.

7. The container lid of claim 1 further comprising: a circumferential channel in the top lid portion, wherein the lid side portion forms an outer wall of the channel, the channel having an opening on the lid underside such that the channel accommodates an upper edge of the container; andwherein the second rib and the third rib protrude from within the channel from an upper portion of the channel.

8. The container lid of claim 1 wherein the second rib and third rib deflect in a direction toward the outside of the container.

9. A container and lid assembly comprising: a lid according to claim 1;a container having sides with a circumferential top edge portion;wherein the container's top edge fits between the first rib and the lid side portion and forms a seal between the inner surface of the container and the first rib; andwherein the container's top edge deflects the third rib against the second rib.

10. The container and lid assembly of claim 9 further comprising: one or more protrusions around the container at given height(s); anda skirt extending from the lid side portion, the skirt having a first group of one or more hooks extending from the inner skirt surface toward the outer container wall to engage one of the container protrusions, and a second group of one or more larger hooks below the first group of one or more hooks to engage one of the container protrusions, the skirt having a circumferential tear strip incorporating the second group of one or more hooks.

11. The container and lid assembly of claim 9 further comprising: a circumferential channel in the top lid portion having an opening on the lid underside such that the channel accommodates an upper edge of the container; andwherein the first rib protrudes from within the channel from an upper portion of the channel, thereby creating a space between the rib and each channel wall.

12. The container and lid assembly of claim 9 further comprising: a circumferential channel in the top lid portion having an opening on the lid underside such that the channel accommodates an upper edge of the container; andwherein the second rib and the third rib protrude from within the channel from an upper portion of the channel.

13. The container and lid assembly of claim 12 wherein the channel is substantially unshaped and the first rib extends from the upper portion of the channel and projects toward the outer channel wall.

14. The container and lid assembly of claim 13 wherein the second and third ribs extend from the upper portion of the channel and project toward the outer channel wall.

15. A container and lid assembly comprising: a lid having a top portion and a side portion extending downward with respect to the top portion along the perimeter of the top portion;a circumferential channel in the top lid portion, wherein the side portion forms an outer wall of the channel, the channel having an opening on the lid underside such that the channel accommodates an upper edge of the container;a first rib extending from within the channel so that a longitudinal space exists between the first rib and each channel wall to accommodate an edge portion of the container between the first rib and an outer wall of the channel;a second rib extending from the upper portion of the channel and at an angle from the normal so it extends toward the outer channel wall;a third rib extending from the upper portion of the channel and at an angle from the normal so it extends toward the outer channel wall, the third rib positioned between the first and second ribs;a skirt attached to the lid at its perimeter, the skirt having a first hook and a second hook wherein the second hook is larger than the first hook and the second hook is positioned lower on the skirt than the first hook;the skirt having a tear strip detachable from the skirt at a circumferential position between the first and second hooks;the container having a lip at its top sidewall edge engagable by the first hook after the tear strip has been removed; andthe container having at least one circumferential ring engagable by the second hook when the tear strip is in place.

16. The container and lid assembly of claim 15 wherein the circumferential ring provides structural support for the container.

17. The container and lid assembly of claim 15 wherein the third rib is longer than the second rib.

18. A method of sealing a container with a lid, the container having a lip and at least one group of one or more circumferential protrusions, and the lid having a top portion and a side portion extending from the top portion, a first circumferential protrusion, a second circumferential protrusion and a third circumferential protrusion extending from the underside of the lid top portion, the method comprising: positioning the lid on the container so the container wall is between the first rib and the lid side portion and wherein the first rib is forced against the inner wall of the container; andforcing the lid further onto the container so the container lip contacts the second rib is deflected toward and contacts the third rib and the third rib is deflected toward and contacts the container.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the lid has a skirt with a tear strip and a circumferential hook on the tear strip, the method further comprising: engaging the hook with a ring on the container.