A major problem with container lids in the beverage industry is the different wall angles of various beverage containers having the same diameter opening, with smaller volume containers generally having a more extreme inner wall angle than the larger volume containers. One solution is to provide differently angled lids to match the different wall angles. However, it is preferable that a single lid can make a watertight seal on all containers of different volumes having the same diameter opening.
An object of the present invention is to provide a lid that can seal tightly on containers of variable inner wall angle.
A lid is provided with an annular planar portion that is flexible for fitting onto containers having differently angled inner walls, the lid comprising:
a central planar portion;
a brim sealing channel surrounding the central planar portion, forming a circumference; wherein the brim sealing channel comprises an inner sidewall, and outer sidewall, the inner and outer sidewalls each having a main axis substantially perpendicular to a topwall, wherein the inner sidewall, outer sidewall, and top sidewall form the brim sealing channel;
an annular planar portion around the central planar portion and depressed relative to the topwall and relative to the central planar portion, which annular portion connects with a lower portion of the inner sidewall;
at least one indentation disposed annularly on the outer sidewall, distal to the top wall, and projecting into the brim sealing channel relative to a main plane of the outer sidewall main axis substantially perpendicular to the topwall which indentation presses against an outer side wall of a container on which the lid is placed; a lower portion of the inner sidewall, distal to the topwall, which lower portion seals against an inner side wall of a container on which the lid is placed;
an upper portion of the inner sidewall, proximal to the topwall, which upper portion optionally seals against an inner side wall of a container on which the lid is placed, wherein the lower portion of the inner sidewall and the upper portion of the inner sidewall are connected to each other via an everted portion of the inner sidewall that projects away from the brim sealing channel;
wherein the annular planar portion comprises at least one groove therein having a bottom portion below a plane of the remainder of the annular planar portion and below a plane of the central planar portion when the lid is placed in an upright position, and wherein the material from which the lid is fabricated is thinner in the bottom portion of the groove than portions of the groove adjacent to the remainder of the annular planar portion.
Also provided is a method of manufacturing a lid with a flexible inner seal portion for fitting onto containers having differently angled inner walls, the lid comprising:
a central planar portion;
a brim sealing channel surrounding the central planar portion, forming a circumference; wherein the brim sealing channel comprises an inner sidewall, and outer sidewall, the inner and outer sidewalls each having a main axis substantially perpendicular to a topwall, wherein the inner sidewall, outer sidewall, and top sidewall form the brim sealing channel;
an annular planar portion around the central planar portion and depressed relative to the topwall and relative to the central planar portion, which annular portion connects with a lower portion of the inner sidewall;
at least one indentation disposed annularly on the outer sidewall, distal to the top wall, and projecting into the brim sealing channel relative to a main plane of the outer sidewall main axis substantially perpendicular to the topwall which indentation presses against an outer side wall of a container on which the lid is placed;
a lower portion of the inner sidewall, distal to the topwall, which lower portion seals against an inner side wall of a container on which the lid is placed;
optionally, an upper portion of the inner sidewall, proximal to the topwall, which upper portion seals against an inner side wall of a container on which the lid is placed, wherein the lower portion of the inner sidewall and the upper portion of the inner sidewall are connected to each other via an everted portion of the inner sidewall that projects away from the brim sealing channel;
wherein the annular planar portion comprises at least one groove therein having a bottom portion below a plane of the remainder of the annular planar portion and below a plane of the central planar portion when the lid is placed in an upright position, and wherein the material from which the lid is fabricated is thinner in the bottom portion of the groove than portions of the groove adjacent to the remainder of the annular planar portion,
and wherein the material from which the lid is fabricated is thinner in the bottom portion of the groove than portions of the groove adjacent to the remainder of the annular planar portion,
comprising drawing a polypropylene sheet at a temperature of 250° F. or above into mold comprising a V-shaped groove, wherein the V-shaped groove in a solid is below 100° F., so as to form the lid.
A lid is provided comprising:
a base member comprising a central planar portion;
an inner sidewall that surrounds the base member and that comprises a bottom portion configured to be in contact with a side wall of a container on which the lid is placed;
an outer sidewall that surrounds the inner sidewall and that comprises at least one indentation that projects towards the inner sidewall, the indentation configured to be in contact with the side wall of the container on which the lid is placed;
a top wall that connects the inner sidewall with the outer sidewall;
a brim sealing channel that extends around the base member and that is defined by the inner and outer sidewalls and the top wall;
an annular planar portion that connects the bottom portion of the inner sidewall with the base member, the annular planar portion positioned below the topwall and the base member;
an upper portion of the inner sidewall, which is proximal to the topwall, and above a first generally concave rib which has an apex extending into the brim sealing channel, which first generally concave rib is positioned above a second generally concave rib which has an apex extending into the brim sealing channel, but wherein the apex of the first rib extends away from a plane of the inner sidewall further into the brim sealing channel than the apex of the second rib extends into the brim sealing channel, and wherein both the first apex and second apex seal against an inner side wall of a container on which the lid is placed,
and wherein the second rib is positioned above a connection of the inner sidewall with the annular planar portion, and wherein a lowermost portion of the first rib and an uppermost portion of the second rib are connected to each other via an everted portion of the inner sidewall that projects away from the brim sealing channel towards a center of the lid.
A lid is provided with an annular planar portion that is flexible for fitting onto containers having differently angled inner walls, the lid comprising:
a central planar portion;
a brim sealing channel surrounding the central planar portion, forming a circumference;
wherein the brim sealing channel comprises an inner sidewall, and outer sidewall, the inner and outer sidewalls each having a main axis substantially perpendicular to a topwall, wherein the inner sidewall, outer sidewall, and top sidewall form the brim sealing channel;
an annular planar portion around the central planar portion and depressed relative to the topwall and relative to the central planar portion, which annular portion connects with a lower portion of the inner sidewall;
at least one indentation disposed annularly on the outer sidewall, distal to the top wall, and projecting into the brim sealing channel relative to a main plane of the outer sidewall main axis substantially perpendicular to the topwall which indentation presses against an outer side wall of a container on which the lid is placed; a lower portion of the inner sidewall, distal to the topwall, which lower portion seals against an inner side wall of a container on which the lid is placed;
optionally, an upper portion of the inner sidewall, proximal to the topwall, which upper portion seals against an inner side wall of a container on which the lid is placed, wherein the lower portion of the inner sidewall and the upper portion of the inner sidewall are connected to each other via an everted portion of the inner sidewall that projects away from the brim sealing channel;
wherein the annular planar portion comprises at least one groove therein having a bottom portion below a plane of the remainder of the annular planar portion and below a plane of the central planar portion when the lid is placed in an upright position, and wherein the material from which the lid is fabricated is thinner in the bottom portion of the groove than portions of the groove adjacent to the remainder of the annular planar portion.
Preferably, the at least one groove is V-shaped in cross-section with a tip of the V being the lower portion of the groove. The groove separates an inner portion of the annular planar portion from an outer portion of the annular planar portion. For best performance the groove is flexible, preferably about a vertical axis perpendicular to the annular planar portion of the lid. The groove can permit flexion of the outer portion of the annular planar portion, and/or of the lid, so as to seal against an inner wall of a container on which the lid is placed, for example, wherein the inner wall has an angle of from 2° to 8° away from a vertical axis perpendicular to the longest axis of the lid, and away from a center of the lid. The groove can permit flexion of the outer portion of the annular planar portion and/or of the lid, such that the lower portion of the inner sidewall seals against the inner side wall of a container on which the lid is placed wherein the inner wall has an angle of from 2° to 8° away from a vertical axis perpendicular to the longest axis of the lid, and away from a center of the lid.
In an embodiment, the lid is manufactured from polypropylene. In an embodiment, it is manufactured from polypropylene sheet thickness 0.3 to 0.4 mm. In an embodiment, it is manufactured from polypropylene sheet thickness 0.35 mm. In an embodiment, the lid is thermoformed over a cooled mold, cooled relative to the polypropylene being thermoformed. In an embodiment, the lid is made from a polymer, e.g. polypropylene, such that the tip of the groove portion is pulled into a negative mold, for example a negative V-mold as shown in
Preferably, the central planar portion is circular. In an embodiment, the central planar portion is raised relative to the annular planar portion when the lid is in an upright position (e.g. with sipping aperture uppermost). In an embodiment, the central planar portion comprises a raised circular base member raised relative to the annular planar portion, and further comprising an inner central planar portion which is depressed relative to the circular base member but raised relative to the annular planar portion when the lid is in an upright position.
In an embodiment, the lid further comprises a sipping aperture—for example, in situations where it is desirable that the user be able to sip the contents of the container without removing the lid. The sipping aperture is preferably positioned on the raised circular base member. The raised circular base member can be chamfered on at least 50% of an outside diameter thereof. In an embodiment, the sipping member is positioned on a raised portion of the raised circular base member. The sipping member can be positioned on a portion of the raised circular base member which is not chamfered.
In an embodiment, the lid further comprises at least one aperture in the topwall of the brim sealing channel such that sealing of the lid onto the brim of a container is visually ascertainable through the aperture. In an embodiment, the lid comprises at least one aperture in each quadrant of the topwall of the brim sealing channel.
The outer sidewall can comprise a lowermost portion which flares outward away from the central planar portion of the lid.
In one embodiment, the groove has inside angle of between 60 and 130 degrees. In one embodiment, the groove has inside angle of between 70 and 120 degrees. In one embodiment, the groove has inside angle of between 80 and 110 degrees. In an embodiment, the groove has inside angle of 90 degrees.
The lid can be structured such that the material from which the lid is fabricated is thinner in the bottom portion of the groove than portions of the groove adjacent to the remainder of the annular planar portion.
Also provided is a method of manufacturing a lid with a flexible inner seal portion for fitting onto containers having differently angled inner walls, the lid comprising:
a central planar portion;
a brim sealing channel surrounding the central planar portion, forming a circumference;
wherein the brim sealing channel comprises an inner sidewall, and outer sidewall, the inner and outer sidewalls each having a main axis substantially perpendicular to a topwall, wherein the inner sidewall, outer sidewall, and top sidewall form the brim sealing channel;
an annular planar portion around the central planar portion and depressed relative to the topwall and relative to the central planar portion, which annular portion connects with a lower portion of the inner sidewall;
at least one indentation disposed annularly on the outer sidewall, distal to the top wall, and projecting into the brim sealing channel relative to a main plane of the outer sidewall main axis substantially perpendicular to the topwall which indentation presses against an outer side wall of a container on which the lid is placed;
a lower portion of the inner sidewall, distal to the topwall, which lower portion seals against an inner side wall of a container on which the lid is placed;
optionally, an upper portion of the inner sidewall, proximal to the topwall, which upper portion seals against an inner side wall of a container on which the lid is placed, wherein the lower portion of the inner sidewall and the upper portion of the inner sidewall are connected to each other via an everted portion of the inner sidewall that projects away from the brim sealing channel;
wherein the annular planar portion comprises at least one groove therein having a bottom portion below a plane of the remainder of the annular planar portion and below a plane of the central planar portion when the lid is placed in an upright position, and wherein the material from which the lid is fabricated is thinner in the bottom portion of the groove than portions of the groove adjacent to the remainder of the annular planar portion,
and wherein the material from which the lid is fabricated is thinner in the bottom portion of the groove than portions of the groove adjacent to the remainder of the annular planar portion,
comprising drawing a polypropylene sheet at a temperature of 250° F. or above into mold comprising a V-shaped groove, wherein the V-shaped groove in a solid is below 100° F., so as to form the lid.
In an embodiment of the method herein, the polypropylene sheet drawn into the mold touches a flat planar surface of the mold before it touches the inside of the V-shaped groove in the mold. For example, see
In an embodiment, the lid has an outermost diameter of 92-95 mm.
A lid is provided comprising:
a base member comprising a central planar portion;
an inner sidewall that surrounds the base member and that comprises a bottom portion configured to be in contact with a side wall of a container on which the lid is placed;
an outer sidewall that surrounds the inner sidewall and that comprises at least one indentation that projects towards the inner sidewall, the indentation configured to be in contact with the side wall of the container on which the lid is placed;
a top wall that connects the inner sidewall with the outer sidewall;
a brim sealing channel that extends around the base member and that is defined by the inner and outer sidewalls and the top wall;
an annular planar portion that connects the bottom portion of the inner sidewall with the base member, the annular planar portion positioned below the topwall and the base member;
an upper portion of the inner sidewall, which is proximal to the topwall, and above a first generally concave rib which has an apex extending into the brim sealing channel, which first generally concave rib is positioned above a second generally concave rib which has an apex extending into the brim sealing channel, but wherein the apex of the first rib extends away from a plane of the inner sidewall further into the brim sealing channel than the apex of the second rib extends into the brim sealing channel, and wherein both the first apex and second apex seal against an inner side wall of a container on which the lid is placed,
and wherein the second rib is positioned above a connection of the inner sidewall with the annular planar portion, and wherein a lowermost portion of the first rib and an uppermost portion of the second rib are connected to each other via an everted portion of the inner sidewall that projects away from the brim sealing channel towards a center of the lid.
In an embodiment, the annular planar portion further comprises at least one groove therein having a bottom portion below a plane of the remainder of the annular planar portion and below a plane of the central planar portion, and wherein the at least one groove is thinnest at a bottom portion of the groove.
In an embodiment, the apex of the first rib extends away from a plane of the inner sidewall further into the brim sealing channel than the apex of the second rib extends into the brim sealing channel such that both apexes seal against an inner wall of a container on which the lid is placed, wherein the inner wall of the container is angled from 2° to 8° relative to a vertical axis in a direction away from a center of the lid.
In an embodiment, the lid is manufactured from polypropylene. In an embodiment, the central planar portion is circular. In an embodiment, the central planar portion is raised relative to the annular planar portion.
In an embodiment, the base member further comprises a peripheral rim portion that is raised relative to the annular planar portion, and the central planar portion is depressed relative to the peripheral rim portion and raised relative to the annular planar portion.
In an embodiment, the lid further comprises a sipping aperture. In an embodiment, the sipping aperture is positioned on the peripheral rim portion. In an embodiment, the peripheral rim portion is chamfered on at least 50% of an outside diameter thereof. In an embodiment, the sipping member is positioned on a raised portion of the peripheral rim portion. In an embodiment, the sipping member is positioned on a portion of the peripheral rim portion which is not chamfered.
In an embodiment, the lid further comprises at least one aperture in the topwall that defines the brim sealing channel such that sealing of the lid onto the brim of a container is visually ascertainable through the aperture. In an embodiment, the lid comprises at least one aperture in each quadrant of the topwall that defines the brim sealing channel.
In an embodiment, the outer sidewall comprises a lowermost portion which flares outward away from the central planar portion of the lid.
In an embodiment, the lid is 92-95 mm in diameter. In an embodiment, the polypropylene of the lid is 0.5 to 0.6 mm thick. In an embodiment, the polypropylene of the lid is 0.53 mm thick. In an embodiment the lid comprises high-impact polypropylene.
In an embodiment, the arc length of the apex of first and second rib is substantially the same. In an embodiment, the cross-section sector size of the first and second rib is substantially the same.
“And/or” as used herein, for example, with option A and/or option B, encompasses the separate embodiments of (i) option A, (ii) option B, and (iii) option A plus option B.
Where a numerical range is provided herein, it is understood that all numerical subsets of that range, and all the individual integers contained therein and one tenth portions thereof, are provided as part of the invention as individual embodiments. Thus, a lid for which the range provided is from 90-95 mm in diameter includes lids which are 90.0 mm, 90.1 mm, 90.2 mm, 90.3 mm and so forth in diameter, as well as lids which are 92-94 mm in diameter, 92-95 mm in diameter and so forth.
All combinations of the various elements described herein are within the scope of the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
Since different volume frusto-conical cups having the same diameter circular mouth will each have a different wall draft angle (for example, wall draft angles of 6.5 deg., 5 deg., 4 deg., and 3.5. deg. for exemplary 12 fl. oz., 16 fl. oz., 20 fl. oz. and 24 fl. oz. cups, respectively, having a mouth (or opening) diameter of 89.5 mm) providing a single lid that will fit independently on all of the different cup sizes presents a challenge in at least making one or more liquid-tight seals against the different wall draft angles. A lid which seals on the outside of the cup does not have this challenge—since it depends merely on the diameter of the opening which is consistent among the different volume cups. But a cup that has an inner seal or two inner seals, is a more problematic situation. For example, cup draft angle can affects the integrity of both the upper and lower inner seals in the case of a lid having both upper and lower inner seals. A lid that can meet the requirements of sealing against a wall draft angle range of 6.5 deg. to 3.5 deg. must meet a 3 deg. swing.
In general, in the case of a lid having both a lower and upper inner seal, the lower inner seal is preferably formed thinner so that it will flex and take the contour of the cup and the paper cup join as much as possible. Allowing for, e.g. a 0.01″ (0.29 mm) interference between the wall of the cup and the lid at the lower inner seal, creates a more definite lower seal. This means that the lower seal is actually forced against the side wall of the cup, while the upper seal merely sits snugly against the wall. However, in the case of, e.g., 12 fl. oz. vs 24 fl. oz. frusto-conical cup, because the lower inner seal of the lid has more interference with the side wall of the 12 fl. oz. cup, it is harder to push the lid on to the cup and thus the useful “snap” sound of sealing is lost. In contrast, the lid fits easily onto the 24 fl. oz. cup as there is less interference and thus less resistance to applying the lid and thus a better “snap.” A solution is disclosed herein, including the illustrations in
The elevated base member 15 includes a peripheral rim portion 16 in which is formed a sipping aperture 19.
A problem that occurs during application of the lid onto a container is that upward force causes wrinkling of the inner sidewall 3, in particular the lower portion 8 of the inner sidewall 3, of the brim sealing channel 6 of the lid 30. In order to address this issue, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
Also provided is a lid with a flexible annular planar portion for fitting onto containers having differently angled inner walls, the lid comprising: a central planar portion; a brim sealing channel surrounding the central planar portion, forming a circumference; wherein the brim sealing channel comprises an inner sidewall, and outer sidewall, the inner and outer sidewalls each having a main axis substantially perpendicular to a topwall, wherein the inner sidewall, outer sidewall, and top sidewall form the brim sealing channel; an annular planar portion around the central planar portion and depressed relative to the topwall and relative to the central planar portion, which annular portion connects with a lower portion of the inner sidewall; at least one indentation disposed annularly on the outer sidewall, distal to the top wall, and projecting into the brim sealing channel relative to a main plane of the outer sidewall main axis substantially perpendicular to the topwall which indentation presses against an outer side wall of a container on which the lid is placed; a lower portion of the inner sidewall, distal to the topwall, which lower portion seals against an inner side wall of a container on which the lid is placed; optionally, an upper portion of the inner sidewall, proximal to the topwall, which upper portion seals against an inner side wall of a container on which the lid is placed, wherein the lower portion of the inner sidewall and the upper portion of the inner sidewall are connected to each other via an everted portion of the inner sidewall that projects away from the brim sealing channel; wherein the annular planar portion comprises at least one groove therein having a bottom portion below a plane of the remainder of the annular planar portion and below a plane of the central planar portion when the lid is placed in an upright position, and wherein the material from which the lid is fabricated is thinner in the bottom portion of the groove than portions of the groove adjacent to the remainder of the annular planar portion.
Another solution to the problem is provided herein and exemplified in
To address this problem, a lid with differentially positioned double inner ribs is provided. As exemplified in an embodiment in
This application claims benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/426,768, filed Nov. 28, 2016, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/US2017/063352 | 11/28/2017 | WO | 00 |
Number | Date | Country | |
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62426768 | Nov 2016 | US |