U.S. patent application number 12/618817 was filed with the patent office on 2011-05-19 for lid for containers and methods.
Invention is credited to CATHERINE E. KETTNER, CHRISTOPHER L. SINA, GREG J. VANDENHEUVEL.
Application Number | 20110114638 12/618817 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43365658 |
Filed Date | 2011-05-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110114638 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KETTNER; CATHERINE E. ; et
al. |
May 19, 2011 |
LID FOR CONTAINERS AND METHODS
Abstract
A plastic lid for a container includes a body having an outer
periphery with a lip constructed and arranged to releasably attach
to the container. A tab extends from the lip. The tab includes a
tab boundary including first and second peripheral edges joined at
a radiused portion. The tab also includes a floor within the tab
boundary. There is at least one depression within the floor. The
first peripheral edge has an incline increasing from the radiused
portion to the lip. The second peripheral edge is substantially
flat from the radiused portion to the lip. A plastic storage device
includes the plastic container with the plastic lid.
Inventors: |
KETTNER; CATHERINE E.;
(Appleton, WI) ; VANDENHEUVEL; GREG J.; (Appleton,
WI) ; SINA; CHRISTOPHER L.; (Neenah, WI) |
Family ID: |
43365658 |
Appl. No.: |
12/618817 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/260 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 43/021 20130101;
B65D 2543/00842 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/260 |
International
Class: |
B65D 43/02 20060101
B65D043/02 |
Claims
1. A plastic lid for a container; the lid comprising: (a) a body
having an outer periphery with a lip constructed and arranged to
releasably attach to the container; and (b) a tab extending from
the lip; the tab including: (i) a tab boundary including first and
second peripheral edges joined at a radiused portion; (ii) a floor
within the tab boundary; (iii) at least one depression within the
floor; (A) the first peripheral edge having an incline increasing
from the radiused portion to the lip; and (B) the second peripheral
edge being substantially flat from the radiused portion to the
lip.
2. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein the tab includes at
least two depressions within the floor.
3. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein the incline of the
first peripheral edge is angled at least 3.9 degrees.
4. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein the incline of the
first peripheral edge is angled no more than about 7.8 degrees.
5. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein a thickness of the
first peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion is at least
twice the thickness of the second peripheral edge adjacent to the
radiused portion.
6. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein: (a) a thickness of
the first peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion is at
least 0.2 inch; and (b) a thickness of the second peripheral edge
adjacent to the radiused portion is at least 0.1 inch.
7. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the body has at
least one corner; and (b) the tab is extending from the at least
one corner.
8. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the body is
rectangular having four corners; and (b) the tab is extending from
one of the corners.
9. A plastic lid according to claim 8 wherein: (a) the tab includes
at least two depressions within the floor; (b) the incline of the
first peripheral edge is angled 6.0-7.8 degrees; and (c) a
thickness of the first peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused
portion is at least twice the thickness of the second peripheral
edge adjacent to the radiused portion.
10. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein the radiused portion
is on a radius of about 0.290-0.350 inches.
11. A plastic lid according to claim 1 wherein: (a) the lip
includes an outer leg, an inner leg, and a bight section
therebetween; (i) the outer leg and inner leg being spaced at least
0.30 inch therebetween.
12. A plastic lid according to claim 11 wherein the outer leg
includes a flange extending therefrom.
13. A plastic storage device comprising: (a) a plastic container
having a base and a surrounding wall; the surrounding wall having
an end rim; and (b) a plastic lid including: (i) a body having an
outer periphery with a lip constructed and arranged to releasably
attach to the rim of the container; and (ii) a tab extending from
the lip; the tab including: (A) a tab boundary including first and
second peripheral edges joined at a radiused portion; (B) a floor
within the tab boundary; (C) at least one depression within the
floor; (1) the first peripheral edge having an incline increasing
from the radiused portion to the lip; and (2) the second peripheral
edge being substantially flat from the radiused portion to the
lip.
14. A plastic storage device according to claim 13 wherein: (a) the
tab includes at least two depressions within the floor.
15. A plastic storage device according to claim 13 wherein: (a) the
incline of the first peripheral edge is angled 6.0-7.8 degrees.
16. A plastic storage device according to claim 13 wherein: (a) a
thickness of the first peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused
portion is at least twice the thickness of the second peripheral
edge adjacent to the radiused portion.
17. A plastic storage device according to claim 13 wherein: (a) the
plastic container has at least one corner; (b) the body has at
least one corner; and (c) the tab is extending from the at least
one corner.
18. A plastic storage device according to claim 13 wherein: (a) the
body is round without corners; and (b) the tab is extending from
the round body.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This disclosure concerns plastic lids used for disposable
containers. In particular, this disclosure concerns an improved tab
for a plastic lid for a disposable container.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Plastic storage devices, such as disposable containers, are
known. Such containers will typically have a storage portion and a
removable lid. The lid and the container are typically configured
to provide a good seal, sometimes a waterproof seal, between the
lid and the container. Structure can be built into the lid to help
facilitate fastening and removal of the lid from the container.
Such structure may include, for example, a tab that projects from
an end of the lid.
[0003] Improvements in lid designs are desirable.
SUMMARY
[0004] A plastic lid for a container is provided. The lid includes
a body having an outer periphery with a lip constructed and
arranged to releasably attach to the container. A tab extends from
the lip. The tab includes a tab boundary including first and second
peripheral edges joined at a radiused portion. The tab also
includes a floor within the tab boundary. There is at least one
depression within the floor. The first peripheral edge has an
incline increasing from the radiused portion to the lip. The second
peripheral edge is substantially flat from the radiused portion to
the lip.
[0005] In another aspect, a plastic storage device is provided
including a plastic container having a base and a surrounding wall.
The surrounding wall has an end rim. A plastic lid is provided. The
plastic lid includes a body having an outer periphery with a lip
constructed and arranged to releasably attach to the rim of the
container. A tab extends from the lip. The tab includes a tab
boundary including first and second peripheral edges joined at a
radiused portion, a floor within the tab boundary, and at least one
depression within the floor. The first peripheral edge has an
incline increasing from the radiused portion to the lip. The second
peripheral edge is substantially flat from the radiused portion to
the lip.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a lid
constructed in accordance with principles of this disclosure;
[0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a storage device including
the lid of FIG. 1 and a container;
[0008] FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the lid of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 4 is a top plan view of the lid of FIG. 1;
[0010] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lid of FIG. 4, the
cross-section being taken along the line A-A of FIG. 4;
[0011] FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of section 6-6 of FIG. 4;
[0012] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the
lid of FIG. 1; and
[0013] FIG. 8 is a top plane view of another embodiment of a lid
constructed in accordance with principles of this disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A. Some Problems with Existing Arrangements
[0014] Existing lids for storage containers utilize either a flat
tab or a three-dimensional tab. Flat tabs are useful because they
can accommodate almost all forms of automated equipment that will
be handling the lids. Three-dimensional tabs are easier to grip by
a user, and they feel stronger. Three-dimensional tabs, however,
can only be utilized with certain types of automated equipment.
[0015] What is needed is a tab that includes the advantages of
both, without the drawbacks. Therefore, what is needed is a tab
that can accommodate most forms of automation, as well as being
easy to grip and of strength.
B. The Embodiment of FIGS. 1-8
[0016] FIG. 1 depicts a plastic lid 10 having a tab 12, constructed
in accordance with this disclosure. The lid 10 can be used as part
of a plastic storage device 14 (FIG. 2). The plastic storage device
14 includes the lid 10 releasably attached to a container 16.
[0017] In this embodiment, the lid 10 includes a body 18. The body
18 includes a generally planar portion 20 surrounded by an outer
periphery 22. The outer periphery 22 has a lip 24 that is
constructed and arranged to releasably attach to the container
16.
[0018] As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 2, and 4, in this pictured
embodiment, the lid 10 has a generally rectangular outer periphery
22 including a first pair of parallel sides 26, 27 and a second
pair of parallel sides 28, 29. In this embodiment, in between sides
26 and 28, sides 28 and 27, and sides 27 and 29 are rounded corners
30, 31, and 32, respectively. In between sides 26 and 29 is the tab
12, which extends from the lip 24, and is located at a corner of
the lid 10.
[0019] In this embodiment, the sides 26, 27 are longer than the
sides 28, 29, to form a rectangular structure. Of course, in other
embodiments, the lid 10 could be square with rounded corners, or it
could be other shapes without corners ("cornerless") such as round
or oval. (See FIG. 8 for an embodiment of a round lid 10, which
carries the same reference numerals for like parts, including tab
12 projecting from round body 18.) The container 16 (FIG. 2) is
shaped generally the same as the lid 10, except there is no tab
shape on the container 16. In this embodiment, the container 16 has
at least one corner 17, and in the specific embodiment depicted, is
rectangular with 4 corners. In the embodiment of FIG. 10, the
container (not shown) will have a mouth that is round in shape.
[0020] As can be seen in FIG. 5, the lip 24 is raised and generally
projecting above the central planar portion 20 of the lid 10. The
lip 24 is constructed and arranged to form a seal with a rim or
mouth 34 (FIG. 2) of the container 16. In FIG. 5, in this
embodiment, the lip 24 is shown as having a radially inwardly
protruding section 36 and a generally straight wall 38 forming the
outermost surface. In between the straight wall 38 and the inwardly
protruding section 36 is a connecting section 40. In this
embodiment, the connecting section 40 includes at least 3 segments
including an uppermost portion 42, and outer segment 44 between the
straight wall 38 and the upper most portion 42, and an inner
segment 46 between the uppermost portion 42 and the inward
protruding section 36. The inwardly protruding section of the lip
24 forms an inner leg 52 (FIG. 5). The inner leg 52 has an inwardly
extending knee 54 that protrudes inwardly from a remaining portion
of the inner leg 52. The straight wall 38 forms an outer leg 56,
and the connecting section 40 forms a bight section 58
therebetween. In preferred embodiments, the outer leg 56 is spaced
from the inner leg 52, in particular the knee 54, by at least 0.30
inch therebetween. In some embodiments, the spacing between the
outer leg 56 and inner leg 52 will be between 0.40 and 0.50 inch,
for example between 0.41 and 0.45 inch.
[0021] In this embodiment, the lid 10 further includes an indented
section 48 adjacent to the central planar portion 20. The indented
section 48 is recessed relative to the planar portion 20. Adjacent
to the indented section 48 is an outer section 50. The outer
section 50 is between the indented section 48 and the lip 24. The
configuration of the outer section 50, indented section 48, and
planar portion 20 is for providing strength to the lid 10, in
addition to creating an ornamental and attractive appearance.
[0022] As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 3, and 5, in the embodiment
shown, the outer leg 56 includes a generally horizontal flange 60
extending therefrom. In this embodiment, the flange 60 is generally
parallel to the planes forming the planar portion 20, the indented
section 48, and the outer section 50. It is shown as generally
perpendicular from the outer leg 56.
[0023] In reference now to FIGS. 6 and 7, one embodiment of tab 12
constructed in accordance with principles of this disclosure is
depicted. In this embodiment, the tab 12 includes a tab boundary
62. The tab boundary 62 extends from the lip 24, and in particular,
from the outer leg 56 of the lip 24. In this embodiment, the tab
boundary 62 includes a first peripheral edge 64 and a second
peripheral edge 66 joined at a radiused section or portion 68
therebetween. In this embodiment, the first peripheral edge 64
extends from the lip 24 along the side 26, while the second
peripheral edge 66 extends from the lip 24 along the side 29. The
first and second peripheral edges 64, 66 then intersect with each
other along radiused portion 68.
[0024] In general, the first and second peripheral edges 64, 66 are
constructed and arranged to provide tab 12 such that it can
accommodate almost all forms of automation and so that it is strong
and easy to grip. In the embodiment shown, these functions are
accomplished by having the first peripheral edge 64 being formed
with an incline 70 increasing from the radiused portion 68 to the
lip 24. The second peripheral edge 66 is substantially flat from
the radiused portion 68 to the lip 24. In general, the
substantially flat second peripheral edge 66 allows the tab 12 to
be handled by most automation. The ramped incline of the first
peripheral edge 64 provides three-dimensional depth to the tab 12,
which adds strength and better handling ability to the tab 12, than
if it were just a flat edge.
[0025] The incline of the first peripheral edge 64 should be
sufficient enough to introduce a three-dimensional depth to allow
for strength and better handling. In general, the first peripheral
edge 64 will be angled at least 3.9 degrees from the radiused
portion 68 in a direction toward the lip 24. The first peripheral
edge 64 should be angled no more than about 7.8 degrees, or else
other manufacturing difficulties are introduced. In general, a
suitable range for the angle of the first peripheral edge is about
6.0 to 7.8 degrees, and in the embodiment shown, is about 7.8
degrees. The radiused portion 68 will be on a radius appropriate
for the selected size of the lid 10, and in the embodiment shown,
is about 0.290-0.350 inch.
[0026] Still in reference to FIG. 6, a thickness of the first
peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion 68 is shown at 70.
A thickness of the second peripheral edge 66, which is uniform from
the radiused portion 68 to the lip 24 is shown at 72. In the
embodiment shown, the thickness 70 of the first peripheral edge
adjacent to the radiused portion 68 is at least twice the thickness
72 of the second peripheral edge 66 adjacent to the radiused
portion 68. Useful dimensions include the thickness 70 of the first
peripheral edge 64 adjacent to the radiused portion 68 is at least
0.2 inch thick, for example about 0.24-0.26 inch thick. The
thickness 72 of the second peripheral edge 66 is at least 0.1 inch
thick, for example 0.11-0.12 inch thick.
[0027] Still in reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the tab 12, in the
embodiment shown, includes a floor 74 within the tab boundary 62.
The floor 74 defines at least one depression 76 therewithin. In the
embodiment shown, there are at least two depressions 76, 78 within
the floor 74. The depressions 76, 78 form recesses or indents
extending away from the floor 74. In the embodiment shown, the
depression 76 is adjacent to the second peripheral edge 66, while
the depression 78 is adjacent to the first peripheral edge 64.
[0028] The tab 12 can be wider at the point which it connects with
the remaining part of the lid 10. This does not change the size of
the radiused portion 68, but could change the angle of the first
edge 64. In many embodiments, each tab 10 is designed to fit the
overall size of the container, using the same "family design."
[0029] The above represents examples of principles of this
disclosure. Many embodiments can be made utilizing these
principles.
* * * * *