U.S. patent application number 11/531544 was filed with the patent office on 2008-03-13 for stackable lid.
This patent application is currently assigned to Sonoco Development, Inc.. Invention is credited to James P. Stevens, Kurt Ziegenfelder.
Application Number | 20080060965 11/531544 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38792254 |
Filed Date | 2008-03-13 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080060965 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Stevens; James P. ; et
al. |
March 13, 2008 |
Stackable Lid
Abstract
A lid for a container is provided. The lid may include a central
panel, an annular wall, an outer flange, an upwardly projecting
ring, and an internal lip. The annular wall extends around the
outer periphery of the central panel. The annual wall defines a
recessed area adapted to engage an inward portion of the container.
The outer flange extends outwardly from an upward region of the
annular wall to a curled outer edge. The curled outer edge extends
inward of and above a top edge of the container, such that the top
edge of the container and the outer edge of the lid may support a
second container stacked upon the first container. The internal lip
extends inwardly from the upward region of the annular wall such
that it provides a surface for fingers to grab and aid in the
removal of the lid from the container.
Inventors: |
Stevens; James P.;
(Florence, SC) ; Ziegenfelder; Kurt; (Florence,
SC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
ALSTON & BIRD LLP
BANK OF AMERICA PLAZA, 101 SOUTH TRYON STREET, SUITE 4000
CHARLOTTE
NC
28280-4000
US
|
Assignee: |
Sonoco Development, Inc.
|
Family ID: |
38792254 |
Appl. No.: |
11/531544 |
Filed: |
September 13, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/508 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00296
20130101; B65D 2543/00731 20130101; B65D 43/021 20130101; B65D
2543/00027 20130101; B65D 2543/00851 20130101; B65D 2543/00092
20130101; B65D 2543/00648 20130101; B65D 2543/00685 20130101; B65D
2543/00796 20130101; B65D 2543/00509 20130101; B65D 21/022
20130101; B65D 2543/00435 20130101; B65D 2543/00277 20130101; B65D
2543/00546 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/508 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/00 20060101
B65D021/00 |
Claims
1. A lid for a container having a bottom portion and a top portion,
the top portion includes a top rim defining a top opening and
extending inwardly from a top edge of the container to a distal
end, said lid comprising: a central panel configured to
substantially cover the top opening; an annular wall extending
around and from the central panel to an upward region; an outer
flange extending outwardly from the upward region of the annular
wall to an outer edge such that the outer flange substantially
covers and is proximate the top rim and the outer edge extends
inward of and above the top edge of the container; a recessed area
defined by the upward region of the annular wall and the outer
flange, the recessed area being outwardly facing and configured to
receive the distal end of the top rim for securing the lid to the
container; and an internal lip extending inwardly from the upward
region of the annular wall, the internal lip being configured to
provide a surface for fingers to grab and aid in the removal of the
lid from the container.
2. The lid according to claim 1 further comprising a ring extending
upwardly from the outer flange.
3. The lid according to claim 2 wherein the ring is substantially
aligned with the annular wall.
4. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the annular wall includes
a tapered lower region between the central panel and the upward
region.
5. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the internal lip of the
lid is below the top edge of the container.
6. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the central panel is below
the top edge of the container.
7. A lid comprising: a central panel having an outer periphery; an
annular wall extending around the outer periphery from a lower
region to an upward region, wherein the lower region is tapered and
defines a recessed area; an outer flange extending outwardly from
the upward region to a curled outer edge; an internal lip extending
inwardly from the upward region along the annular wall; and an
upwardly projecting ring that is substantially aligned with the
annular wall.
8. The lid according to claim 7, wherein the curled outer edge
extends above the upwardly projecting ring and the recessed area is
directly below the outer flange.
9. A container assembly for storing a product comprising: a first
container having a side wall extending from a bottom end to a top
end and defining an interior for storing the product, wherein the
top end defines a top edge of the container and a top opening; and
a lid for closing the top opening, wherein the lid includes a
central panel having an outer periphery, an annular wall extending
around the outer periphery from a lower region to an upward region,
wherein the lower region defines a recessed area for engaging an
inward portion of the container, an outer flange extends outwardly
from the upward region to a curled outer edge, wherein the curled
outer edge extends inward of and above the top edge of the
container.
10. The container assembly according to claim 9 further comprising
a second container having a bottom end and an inward facing surface
defining an inner diameter of the second container, wherein the top
edge of the first container supports the bottom end of the second
container and the outer edge of the lid corresponds with the inward
facing surface of the second container.
11. The container assembly according to claim 9 wherein the lid
includes an internal lip that extends inwardly from the upward
region for facilitating the removal of the lid from the top
opening.
12. The container assembly according to claim 11, wherein the first
container further includes an end member, wherein the end member
has an outer edge portion for engaging the top end of the side wall
and an inner edge portion extending inwardly to a distal end and
defining a top rim, wherein the recessed area engages the distal
end and the outer flange extends over the top rim.
13. The container assembly according to claim 12, wherein the lid
further includes an upwardly projecting ring that is substantially
aligned with the annular wall.
14. The container assembly according to claim 13, wherein the
annular wall defines a perimeter and the internal lip extends along
the perimeter.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1) Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention generally relates to lids or molded
caps for containers. More particularly, the invention relates to
plug-style lids that seal container openings by engaging an inward
surface or portion of the containers.
[0003] 2) Description of Related Art
[0004] A wide range of rigid containers are used to store and
handle products and materials. A typical container includes a body
for providing an inner storage area and an opening for providing
access to the storage area. A lid or other type of enclosure is
used to close off the opening to secure and protect the products
within the container during shipping and handling. In some
applications, such as with containers storing oxygen-sensitive
products and/or liquid products, the lid may be adapted for
hermetically sealing the opening. Sealing the container may help
preserve the stored products for a longer period of time or prevent
the stored product from leaking out of the container.
[0005] Often the sealed lid must be adapted to withstand the rigors
associated with shipping and handling. For example, in some
applications, such as paint cans or containers, plug-style lids are
often used. In general, a plug-style lid is a lid that is adapted
to form an interference fit with an inner surface of the container.
A plug-style lid usually forms a seal that can withstand shipping
and handling.
[0006] However, a tool is often necessary to remove the plug-style
lid from the container. Requiring a tool is less than desirable
because the tool must be maintained, stored, and readily available.
Also, in many cases, the use of the tool distorts the lid or
container such that resealing the container is impractical and thus
limits the shelf life of the stored products once the lid is
initially removed.
[0007] Containers are often stacked one on top of another other
during shipping or storage. Therefore it is desirable for the lid
of one container to be able to support one or more containers that
are stacked above it.
[0008] In light of the foregoing, it would be desirable to provide
a lid for closing an opening of a container that is adapted to
withstand the rigors of shipping and handling. Also, it would be
desirable if the lid is suitable for stacking or capable of being
removed from the container without the use of a separate tool.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The present invention addresses one or more of the above
needs by providing a lid for a container. The lid is securable to
an inner portion of the container for closing an opening within the
container. The lid provides an outer flange adapted for stacking a
second container on top of the first container. The lid may also
include a portion adapted for a user's fingers to grab and aid in
the removal of the lid. In some embodiments, the lid may be
removable from the container without the need for a separate
removal tool.
[0010] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the
lid includes a central panel, an annular wall, an outer flange, and
an internal lip. The central panel is configured to cover the
opening of the container. The annular wall extends around the outer
periphery of the central panel from a lower region to an upward
region. The annual wall defines a recessed area adapted to engage a
distal end of a top rim of the container. The outer flange extends
outwardly from the upward region of the annular wall to an outer
edge. The outer edge extends inward of and above a top edge of the
container. The outer edge corresponds to an inner diameter of a
second container, such that the top edge of the first container may
support the bottom end of a second container and the outer edge may
engage an inward facing surface of the second container for
stacking purposes. The internal lip extends inwardly from the
upward region of the annular wall such that it provides a surface
for fingers to grab and aid in the removal of the lid from the
container.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
[0011] 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:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container and a lid
according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container and the lid of
FIG. 1, wherein the lid is partially out of the top opening of the
container;
[0014] FIG. 3 a cross-sectional view of the container and the lid
of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 and illustrating a user grasping the
internal lip to remove the lid from the container;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second container stacked
onto the first container of FIG. 1; and
[0016] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the containers
of FIG. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0017] 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.
[0018] 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.
[0019] 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 FIG. 5, the bottom
closure 170 includes an outer periphery 171 that defines a channel
for receiving the bottom end 151 of the side wall. The bottom end
151 may be affixed within the channel by a variety of methods,
including crimping, adhering, and/or welding the side wall to the
bottom closure as known in the art. The bottom end 151 of the side
wall together with the bottom closure 170 is referred to herein as
the bottom portion 152 of the container. Also, an inward facing
surface 172 of the bottom closure, which extends generally
lengthwise of the container 150 and inside of the side wall 160
defines an inner diameter of the bottom portion of the
container.
[0020] As best seen in FIG. 3, a top rim 56 of the container
defines a top opening 58 that may be closed by the lid 10 of the
present invention. More specifically, the container 50 may further
include an end member 64 that is attached to the top end 53 of the
side wall. The end member is generally a ring-shaped structure that
includes a radially outer edge portion and a radially inner
portion. The radially outer edge portion of the end member is
curled such that it defines a generally annular channel for
receiving the top end of the side wall. The top end 53 may be
affixed within the channel by a variety of methods, including
crimping, roll-seaming, adhering, and/or welding the side wall to
the end member as known in the art. The top of the curled outer
edge portion defines a top edge 66 of the container. The radially
inner portion defines the top rim 56 of the container that extends
inwardly from the top edge 66 to a distal end 62 that defines the
top opening 58 of the container. As shown, the top rim may include
a portion that extends downwardly from the top edge of the
container.
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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.degree. 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.degree.. 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.
[0023] 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.
[0024] 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.
[0025] 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.
[0026] As best seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, once the lid is engaged in
the opening 58, the outer flange 18 generally extends over the top
rim 56. The outer flange 18 curls upwardly near its outer edge 20,
such that the outer edge extends 20 inward of and above the top
edge 66 of the container. The extension of the outer edge inward of
and above the top edge of the container provides a stacking feature
for the present invention. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the outer
edge 20 of the lid 10 in the first container 50 facilitates the
stacking of a second container 150 onto the first container 50.
More specifically, the top edge 66 of the first container may
receive and support the bottom portion 152 of the second container
150. The outer edge 20 substantially corresponds with the inner
diameter of the bottom portion 152 of the second container which
inhibits the second container 150 from moving or sliding
perpendicular to the first container 50. Inhibiting the movement of
the second container 150 increases the stability of the stacked
configuration of the containers 50, 150.
[0027] 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 FIGS. 2 and 3. Although the length in which the
internal lip extends inwardly varies, in general the internal lip
is long enough to allow a user to grasp the internal lip in order
to pull the internal lip and aid in the removal of the lid from the
top opening. In the illustrated embodiment, the internal lip is
substantially constant around the lid. In other applications, the
length of the internal lip may vary or the internal lip may extend
for only a portion of the lid.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
* * * * *