Claims
- 1. The method of employing, selectively, an adapter of a series of different adapters, with the same molded hinged lid assembly functioning as a closure for each of a group of selectable different containers, each of the containers having an integrally-formed, open-top neck, each container being characterized in that it has a different body shape and physical configuration,
- said method comprising the steps of:
- providing a different adapter for each of the different containers, each adapter having the same upper zonal sector, but each adapter having a different base sector,
- configuring each adapter at the base sector thereof so as physically to conform to one of the shapes and configurations of the different containers, for surmounting and coupling functionally with the open-top neck of one of the different containers, thereby lockingly establishing a fluid-tight seal therewith,
- configuring each adapter to define an identical top wall surmounting the upper zonal sector of each adapter, and forming the top wall of each adapter with a through opening communicating with the open-top neck of each container and establishing a passageway for discharging therethrough material stored in and to be dispensed from the container,
- further configuring each adapter at its upper zonal sector thereof for lockingly receiving therewithin and for pivotally supporting thereon the same molded hinged lid assembly for selectively sealing and opening the opening in the top wall of each said adapter,
- providing the lid assembly with a lid and hinge assembly for surmounting and coupling with each said adapter of the different adapters at each upper zonal sector thereof in fluid-tight interlocking engagement therewith,
- the method being characterized in that the same, hinged lid assembly is used, without modification, with each container of the series of differently configured containers through each said adapter of the series of different adapters, each said adapter being interposed between to couple each corresponding specific container with the same hinged lid assembly.
- 2. A separate, selectable, different adapter of a series of different adapters for use in combination with a given respective selectable corresponding different container of a series of different containers, the combination comprising:
- a container selectable from a series of containers, each of the series of containers having a different body configuration,
- each said container having an integrally formed neck open at an upper extremity thereof for introduction of product into and for discharging therefrom of product stored in said container,
- an adapter selectable from a series of different adapters,
- each said adapter being integrally formed with a cap including a cover plate, and each said cover plate being formed with a discharge port,
- each said cover plate being formed with a depending skirt having a means for lockingly engaging said neck of each said different container of said series of containers,
- a plurality of hinged lid assemblies, each of said hinged lid assemblies having the same shape and configuration,
- each said cover plate of each said adapter being formed with a downwardly projecting slot for securement of said hinged lid assembly therewithin,
- each said hinged lid assembly to overlie and to couple with each said adapter of the series of different adapters, each said adapter of the series of different adapters being operable to surmount each said container of the series of selectable corresponding different containers,
- each said lid assembly including a lid having a top wall and a plug on an underside of said wall, for entry into each said discharge port in each said adapter to control discharge therethrough of material stored in each said container,
- locking means carried by each said lid assembly for selectively securing each said lid assembly on each said different adapter of each corresponding said different container,
- a living hinge integrally formed with each said lid at a lower sector thereof for facilitating pivotal opening and closing of each said lid assembly,
- each said locking means of each said lid assembly including a flange integrally formed with said top wall of said lid for insertion downwardly into said slot in said cover plate of each said adapter,
- each said flange being formed at a lower extremity thereof with an internal, inwardly-directed lug for engaging and for locking beneath said depending skirt of each said adapter adjacent a base of said slot formed in said cover plate.
Parent Case Info
This application is a Continuation-in-Part of application Ser. No. 08/668,864 filed Jun. 24, 1996, abandoned. The instant application is a Continuation-in Part of application Ser. No. 08/668,864 filed Jun. 24, 1996.
US Referenced Citations (8)
Continuation in Parts (1)
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Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
668864 |
Jun 1996 |
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