Patent Application
20080060965
Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, this invention may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
The present invention provides a lid for a container. The construction and type of container may vary. According to the illustrated embodiment, the container 50 includes a side wall 60 that defines an interior for storing products or materials. The side wall can be formed from various materials, including but not limited to metal (e.g., the side wall can be formed through a stamping and rolling process), composite (e.g., the side wall can be formed of paperboard laminated with an impervious liner of various constructions), or plastic (e.g., the side wall can be thermoformed or molded from polymer material(s)). The side wall 60 extends from a first end, referred to herein for descriptive purposes only as the top end 53, and a second end, referred to herein for descriptive purposes only as the bottom end 51.
The bottom end defines a bottom opening. The bottom opening may be closed by any suitable closure, such as a crimped metal end or double seamed end or the like, as known in the art. For example and as best seen in the second container 150 of
As best seen in
The lid 10 of the present invention includes a central panel 12, an annular wall 14, and an outer flange 18. The central panel 12 is configured to cover the top opening 58. For example, in the illustrated embodiment the central panel 12 is shaped and dimensioned to substantially correspond to the circular top opening 58. The annular wall 14 extends around the periphery of the central panel 12 from a lower region 15 to an upward region 16. The outer flange 18 extends outwardly from the upward region 16 of the annular wall to an outer edge 20.
The lower region 15 of the annular wall generally extends upwardly at a predetermined angle from the central panel 12. The angle between the central panel 12 and the lower region 15 may vary. For example, the lower region 15 may be perpendicular to the central panel 12 or be at an obtuse angle to the central panel 12. According to the illustrated embodiment, the lower region 15 of the annular wall extends upwardly at a 97° angle from the central panel 12. The outer surface of the lower region defines an outer diameter. The outer diameter varies from the central panel to the upward region in applications where the angle between the lower region and central panel is greater than 90°. More specifically, the outer diameter of the lower region becomes smaller as the annular wall extends from the upward region to the central panel and thus defines a tapered lower region.
The outer surface of the annular wall 14 also defines a recessed area 24. The recessed area 24 is shaped to engage the distal end 62 of the rim 56. For example, as shown in the illustrated embodiment, the annular wall defines an annular groove.
According to the illustrated embodiment, the top opening 58 of the container may be closed by inserting the central panel 12 into and through the top opening. The outer diameter of the lower region of the annular wall 14 corresponds to the diameter of the top opening such that at least a portion of the lower region 15 of the annular wall may be inserted through the opening. The difference between the outer diameter of the lower region and the diameter of the opening may vary. In general, the greater the difference between the outer diameter of the lower region and the diameter of the opening, the greater the interference between the annular wall and the top opening. Tapering the annular wall as discussed above may facilitate the insertion of at least a portion of the annular wall through the top opening.
The annular wall 14 is inserted through the opening 58 until the recessed area 24 defined in the annular wall engages the distal end 62 of the rim 56 and thus secures the lid to the container. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the recessed area 24 may be immediately below the outer flange 18 such that the outer flange may function as a stop to help prevent the annular wall from being inserted beyond the recessed area.
As best seen in
The lid may further include an internal lip 26. The internal lip 26 extends inwardly from the upward region 16 of the annular wall and is configured to provide a portion for fingers to grab. The space between the internal lip 26 and the central panel 12 may be large enough to allow a user's fingers to fit between the internal lip and the central panel as the user grasps the internal lip, as shown in
In some embodiments, the lid 10 may be removable from the container 50 by a user grapping and pulling one the internal lip 26 and without the need of a separate removal tool. However, in other applications, a separate removal tool may be required depending on the level of seal desired between the lid 10 and the container 50. More specifically, according to some embodiments the interference fit between the container 50 and the lid 10 is great enough that a separate removal tool is required to aid in the removal of the lid 10.
The lid may further include an upwardly projecting ring 22 that extends from the outer flange 18 in a direction away from the central panel 12. As illustrated, the ring 22 may be substantially aligned with the annular wall 14. The ring may be used to facilitate the processing and handling of lids. For example, the ring may be configured to engage the lower region of an annular wall of a second lid to facilitate the stacking of lids during a manufacturing or packaging process.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.
