MOLDED, RECYCLABLE, COMPOSTABLE CELLULOSE FIBER LID ASSEMBLY FOR A CONTAINER
Lid assemblies, containers, and methods of producing them are disclosed herein. A lid assembly, comprising a dome portion, a rim-receiving portion, and a compression ring are configured to attach to a container and provide a seal between the lid assembly and the container. The lid assembly is made of a reusable, recyclable, and compostable material, such as molded paper, pulp, natural cellulose fibers cellulose fiber, tapioca, wood, agricultural recycled crop materials, plastics (PLA), clay, metals, petro plastics, silicone, PVC's, and PET styrene.
This application is a non-provisional patent application that claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/163,431, titled MOLDED, RECYCLABLE CELLULOSE FIBER LID ASSEMBLY FOR A CONTAINER, filed Mar. 29, 2009, and U.S. Provisional patent application No. 61/048,084, titled TWO-PIECE INTERNALLY FITTED LID ASSEMBLY WITH BAFFLE, filed Apr. 25, 2008, both of which are incorporated herein in their entireties by reference thereto.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention is related to containment systems, and more particularly to lids and covers for use with one or more containers.
BACKGROUNDTake out disposable beverage, food, and other containers have a manifest need for lids or closures which prevent the contents of the container from spilling out of the opening used for filling and drinking during normal movement. These lids or closures also provide varying degrees of insulation from temperature change.
Conventional methods to achieve spill protection and insulation use plastic thermoformed lids which snap over the top and exterior of the beverage container, taking advantage pliability and memory of the plastic lid and the paper cup to achieve a snap-lock throughout the circumference of the lip of the beverage container opening. Another variation of conventional lids is to create an embossment in the internal wall of the container below the lip of the container which runs the circumference of the container or is in place at parts of the circumference which when the lid or closure is fitted internally to the container have a matching embossment which snap seals using a similar principle to the external snap lip mentioned above. Other conventional means to secure a lid or closure to the beverage container include flexible gaskets and threaded screw closure mechanisms.
Plastic materials, however, are not biodegradable or compostable, so the convenience of these lids is offset by their poor environmental impact. Plastic materials are chosen over molded paper, pulp, or other natural cellulose fibers because such compostable materials are substantially not elastic or flexible enough to be produced through molded or formed paper machinery in the same manner in which plastic lids are made. Molded paper, pulp, or other natural cellulose fibers, however, are not only easily recyclable, but are compostable as well. This generally means that the materials can break down into material at a rate comparable to paper, and into a material that can support plant life. However, despite the attractive environmental characteristics of compostable materials, conventional methods cannot produce a convenient lid from these materials, in part because of the lack of memory and flexibility.
SUMMARYThe present disclosure is directed to a molded recyclable, disposable, and/or compostable cellulose fiber lid assembly that overcomes drawbacks experienced in the prior art. One aspect provides an internally fitted lid assembly with a baffle and a separable dome that overcomes drawbacks experienced in the prior art. The lid assembly can be made of recyclable and/or compostable material. A generally accepted definition of compostable is a material that is able to break down into carbon dioxide, water and biomass at the same rate as paper. Compostable material generally looks like compost, does not produce toxic material and is generally able to support plant life. Some aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a lid assembly made from a compostable material, including a dome portion configured to at least substantially cover an opening of a container. The dome portion includes a top surface; a sidewall extending downwardly from the top surface; and a flange extending radially outwardly from the sidewall. The lid assembly also includes a baffle member comprising: a rim receiving portion configured to receive a rim of the opening of the container; a baffle sidewall extending downwardly and radially inwardly from the rim-receiving member; and a baffle extending radially inwardly from the baffle sidewall. The dome portion is configured to fit inside the baffle member with the flange the baffle sidewall at a portion above the baffle, such that when the dome portion is pressed down onto the baffle member, the flange frictionally engages the baffle member and presses the baffle sidewall against a surface of the container.
In other aspects, the present disclosure is directed to a two-piece lid assembly. The two-piece lid assembly includes a dome portion comprising: a top portion having an upper surface; a rim-receiving portion connected to the top portion, the rim-receiving portion extending around a perimeter of the dome portion; and a plurality of tabs spaced circumferentially at a perimeter of the dome portion and extending downwardly and radially outwardly from the rim-receiving portion. The two-piece lid assembly also includes a compression ring configured to fit over the rim-receiving portion and at least a portion of the tabs, the compression ring being sized slightly smaller than the dimension of the tabs such that when the compression ring is placed over the dome portion the tabs are pressed inwardly to engage a surface of a container to secure the lid assembly to a lip defining an opening in the container. The dome portion and the compression ring are made of a compostable material.
Another embodiment provides a method of constructing a compression ring for a lid assembly and an insulating sleeve. The method includes forming a frusto-conical shaped structure from compostable paper or cellulose fibers, the structure having a first end and a second end, the first and second ends having a first and second diameter, wherein the first diameter is larger than the second diameter such that an angle of the structure between the first and second ends defines a draft-angle. The method continues by forming the first end into a compression ring including a plurality of ridges and contours to match a dome portion of a lid assembly. The method continues by forming the second end into a frusto-conical sleeve shape with substantially straight sidewalls, wherein the draft angle corresponds to a draft angle of at least one cup size. The method also includes severing the structure between the compression ring and the second end to produce a compression ring and an insulating sleeve.
Still other embodiments of the present disclosure are drawn to a container made of a compostable material, comprising a container having a body portion and a rim; a hinge connected to the container; and a lid assembly. The lid assembly includes a dome portion; a rim-receiving portion connected to the dome portion and extending downwardly and radially outwardly from the dome portion, the rim-receiving portion being configured to engage with the rim of the container; and a plurality of tabs extending downwardly and outwardly from the rim-receiving portion, the tabs being spaced circumferentially around the rim-receiving portion. The lid assembly also includes a compression ring sized to be placed over the rim-receiving portion and the plurality of tabs, such that the compression ring presses the tabs downwardly and inwardly over the rim to create a seal between the lid assembly and the container when the lid assembly is in a closed position.
In the drawings, identical reference numbers identify similar elements or features. The sizes and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes of various elements and angles are not drawn to scale, and some of these elements are arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve drawing legibility. Further, the particular shapes of the elements as drawn are not intended to convey any information regarding the actual shape of the particular elements, and have been solely selected for ease of recognition in the drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the disclosure will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.
DESCRIPTIONThe present disclosure describes embodiments of a lid assembly for use with a container. Several specific details of the disclosure are set forth in the following description and in
The lid assembly 14 has an internally fitted baffle portion 32 removeably insertable into the opening 28 and a dome portion 34 removeably positionable on the baffle portion 32 to provide a closure over the cup's opening. The baffle portion 32 has a top lip 36 that fits over the lip 26 of the cup 12, an side wall 38 connected to the lip 36, and a generally horizontal baffle member 40 projecting radially inward from the side wall 38. The baffle's sidewall 38 has an outer diameter slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the cup's 12 sidewalls 22 adjacent to the cup's opening 28. The baffle's sidewalls 38 also have a draft angle that substantially matches the draft angle of the cup's 12 sidewalls 22. Accordingly, the baffle's sidewalls 38 fit within and substantially against or immediately adjacent to the sidewalls 22 of the cup 12 within the opening 28, and the baffle's top lip 36 is positioned over the lip 26 of the cup 12.
The baffle member 40 projects radially inward a short distance to form a barrier that helps block the beverage from sloshing or spraying out the cup's opening 28, such as when a user is carrying or jostling a beverage in the cup 12. The baffle member 40, however, does not substantially interfere with drinking the beverage in a normal way by tipping the cup 12 so the beverage flows over the baffle member 40 and into the user's mouth.
The lid assembly 14 of the illustrated embodiment is disposable, recyclable, and environmentally sustainable. The lid assembly 14 can be made from renewable resources which are or may be recycled materials, recyclable materials, biodegradable materials, compostable materials, made from organics: i.e. cellulose fiber, tapioca, wood, agricultural recycled crop materials, plastics (PLA), etc. Or non-organics such as clay, metals, petro plastics, i.e., Silicone, PVC's, PET styrene, etc. In the molded pulp version, as an example, a smooth and pleasing surface can be added to the paper through heat and press-in-place techniques. Other surfaces and/or textures can be used in other embodiments.
The lid assembly is made of paper, cellulose or other applicable material, and it provides better insulation of the temperature of the contained beverage or liquid. The internal fit area of the baffle's side wall 38 against the cup 12 is many times larger in surface area than the surface engagement between a cup 12 and a conventional, plastic, externally fitted, “snap on” lid. Accordingly, the lid assembly 14 of the disclosed embodiments provides a seal that is superior in preventing leaks, spills, or heat loss. Because the lid assembly 14 is internally fitted, it adds strength to the frame and structure of the cup 12. The lid assembly 14 helps the cup 12 resist collapse (or “pop-off”) which can result from weakening caused by heat and or moisture, pressure from the consumers' grip, deformation during impact of a drop, or deformation pressure. In fact, the lid assembly 14 is configured to encourage tighter bonding more with the cup 12 and lip 26. The design of the illustrated lid assembly 14 with the intended fit uses the deformation pressure from the user's hand to facilitate the lid assembly's 14 contact, bond, and sealed engagement with the upper edge 24 and/or sidewalls 22 of the cup 12. As stated before, a cup or other container of any other shape can be used with a lid assembly 14 shaped and configured to engage the shape of the container.
The baffle portion 32 can be used as described above with the dome portion 16 installed, or the baffle portion 32 can be installed on the cup 12 without the dome portion 16 in place. The lid assembly 14 is therefore constructed so as to improve the consumer's beverage consuming experience, at least in part because a large part of taste is accomplished through olfactory senses. The lid assembly 14 allows the nose and olfactory senses to participate in the aroma of the beverage, particularly when the dome portion 16 is not installed. The lid assembly 14 can be served with a cup to a use with the baffle portion installed and the dome portion 16 can be provided separately if desired. The baffle portion 32 resists sloshing and acts as an overflow and spill prevention device, since the horizontal position of the baffle member 40 directs liquid back down and into cup during normal shaking and jostling. The consumer can, however, still easily tilt the cup 12 with the baffle portion 32 installed for drinking to allow liquid to pass over the baffle member 40 and into the mouth. The consumer can easily add condiments to liquid without having to remove the baffle portion 32. The baffle member 40 also allows better view and sense of liquid within the cup 12 and allows the consumer to see and feel approach of hot or cold liquid and avoid a surprise of unanticipated temperature.
When the dome portion 16 is affixed to the baffle for travel, driving convenience, or insulation, the baffle portion 32 continues to provide hydrostatic interference internally to prevent “gyser-ing”, which is common today in conventional plastic externally fitted snap lids. The dome portion 16 can be generally frusto-conical, cylindrical, partially spherical, flat or other shape designed to match the cup 12 or other container to allow “open” or “closed” function to be built into lid assembly 14. The internally fitted aspect of the lid assembly 14 also allows for a thermally neutral zone at the dome of the container, because the dome portion 16 and the baffle portion 32 trap some insulating air between the liquid (or other contents) in the container and ambient air.
The baffle portion 32 and/or the dome portion 16 can be embossed or printed for instruction, identification or advertisement. In addition, the shape of either the baffle portion 32 or dome portion 16 can be adjusted for marketing or consumer experience requirements. The baffle portion 32 and/or dome portion 16 can be coated or impregnated with various desirable coating and additives to further enhance performance in sealing, strength, permeability, etc. of the lid assembly 14. In some embodiments, the dome portion 16 and the baffle portion 32 can be assembled prior to delivery.
Embodiments of this lid assembly 14 provide an arrangement that is easier for the consumer to use as it is substantially self “seating.” The internally fitted lid assembly 14 seals a larger area of the cup opening 28 because of the matching the draft angle of wall of the baffle portion 32 with the draft angle of the beverage container. This arrangement accomplishes a number of beneficial results. For example, in one embodiment, this larger paper to paper surface area (e.g., a band ′/4″ to 1″ wide around the upper circumference of the cup 12) will, through close association with the contained liquid and or ambient moisture through steam or wicking, result in surface tension and thereby create a seal as a result of the pressure differential between the outside of the cup 12 because of the moisture trapped in the lid assembly 14 around the baffle's side wall 38.
When the baffle portion 32 is placed into the cup 12 or other container, the baffle portion 32 at times may come into contact with the liquid inside the container and some displacement of the liquid will occur. The displacement will serve to moisten the material of the baffle portion 32 and the area of the baffle portion 32 will allow the liquid to displace internally over the baffle portion 32 without “geyser-ing”, as well as allowing the barrier's side wall 38 to, in effect, “squeegee” the liquid down into the cup 12 and not upward out of and over the sides of the cup 12. This effect is further enhanced by the natural wicking and moisture absorption of paper or cellulose used in some embodiments and which can result in expansion or swelling of the paper of both container and the baffle portion 32 (internally and externally), thereby tightening the seal and increasing friction.
Accordingly, any moisture that wicks into the lid assembly 14 serves to enhance the seal through the properties of surface tension, pressure differential induced suction and a global expansion of the paper fibers from the slight saturation resulting from ambient atmospheric moisture from such close proximity to heat and water from hot beverage or condensation resulting from close proximity to a cold beverage.
This can be accomplished as a result of an additional feature of the embodiments; the use of a biodegradable and re-pulpable (in common paper recycling systems) coated paper which is very resistant on its surface to moisture while allowing the internal fibers to absorb small amounts of atmospheric ambient moisture.
In addition to the robust closure provided by the above characteristics; the internally fitted baffle portion 32 can also be further augmented in some embodiments by the inclusion of a flexible and malleable gasket 56 (shown in
Another benefit of the internally fitted lid assembly 14 that seals and seats as described above is the radial strength improvement gained. The baffle portion's 32 relatively tall side wall 38 creates a large sealing area that greatly increases the radial strength of the container and helps prevent container compression and lid popover. In fact, the strength provided by the lid assembly 14 allows for the use thinner, more efficient cups because the lid assembly 14 provides more of the structural strength than current lids.
This internally fitted lid assembly 14 also augments the strength of the container when subjected to heat and moisture, a known weakness of existing beverage containers. The internally fitted lid assembly 14 is not as likely to pop off the cup 12 because the radial compression serves to make the seal more tightly.
Another benefit of the internally fitted lid assembly in accordance with one or more embodiments includes the chosen cellulose material that allows the exterior surface as well to be printed prior to formation as a lid, when the lid it is in flat form on standard high speed machinery with information and/or advertising.
Various components described herein can be nested with similar components. In other words, each of the compression ring 70 and the dome portion 62 of the various embodiments described herein can be nested with like units, which is beneficial for shipping and/or storage.
One advantage provided by the disclose embodiments is a superior seal between the lid assembly 80 and the container 92. This is in part because the rim-receiving portion 86 is configured to engage the rim 90 at a lower portion of the rim 90. The container 92 shown here, like many disposable containers, has a rolled rim 90 at the opening of the container. The rim 90 generally has a cross-sectional shape of a circle, that can be divided into upper and lower hemispheres. In some embodiments, the rim-receiving portion 86 is shaped and sized to extend over the upper hemisphere and a portion of the lower hemisphere, so the rim-receiving portion 86 contacts part of the lower hemisphere of the rim 90. In some configurations, the rim-receiving portion 86 can be shaped to allow a miniscule space between the rim-receiving portion 86 and the upper hemisphere of the rim 90 to ensure that when the tabs 68 are deflected inward by the compression ring 82, the rim-receiving portion 86 is pulled onto the upper hemisphere of the rim and pinches the lower hemisphere of the rim 90 from both the inside and the outside of the container 90. This engagement achieves a superior seal between the lid assembly 80 and the container 92. In one embodiment, the seal is enhanced because the inside layer or portion of the material forming the rim-receiving portion 86 (e.g., pulp, paper, or other fibrous material) can absorb moisture and swell into further conforming engagement with the rim.
When the compression ring 100 bends the free ends 76 of the tabs 68 downwardly and radially inwardly, at least a portion of the tabs 68 and/or the bottom of the rim-receiving portion 86 are effectively wrapped over a portion of the rim's lower hemisphere. Also, the compression ring 100 blocks the tabs 68 from moving radially away from the rim 90, thereby securely and sealably holding the lid assembly 80 on the container 92 and avoiding inadvertent removal of the lid assembly 80 from the container 92.
Turning now to
In the illustrated embodiment, the compression ring 140 has a retaining portion 146 attached to the tab-engaging portion 148, and the radially inwardly extending shoulder 150 is attached to the lower part of the retaining portion 146. The retaining portion 146 is configured to receive the free ends 152 of the tabs 154 therein when the compression ring 142 is in the intermediate position 158 before the lid assembly 140 is snapped onto the container. The shoulder 150 also helps maintain the dome portion 144 and the compression ring 142 together as one unit. This allows the dome portion 144 and the compression ring 142 to be preassembled and to remain together, such as during shipping or prior at attaching to the container. Accordingly, a user, such as a customer or a coffee-barista or the like, can grab the entire pre-assembled lid assembly 140 (rather than assembling the two pieces of the lid assembly 140 when handling the lid assembly 140), place it onto a beverage cup or other container, and simply snap the compression ring 142 into its fully installed position. In this embodiment, the lid assemblies 140 can also be nested together for, as an example, storage and/or shipping.
The lid assembly 230 of the illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced dimples 242, which can increase the seal between the lid assembly 230 and a container. The size and placement of the dimples 242 can vary, depending on the intended use of the container and lid assembly. If, for example, more of a seal is advantageous, more dimples 242 can be used, or larger or smaller dimples 242. The dimples can appear at different vertical positions relative to the rim-receiving portion 240, as well. The dimples 242 can be molded with the lid assembly 230 during initial manufacture, or they can be pressed into the lid assembly 230 at a later stage. The lid assembly 230 with the dimples 242 can be nested with other similar lid assemblies for ease of packaging and shipping. The lid assembly 230 shown in
Although
From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the disclosure. Furthermore, aspects of the disclosure described in the context of particular embodiments may be combined or eliminated in other embodiments. Further, while features and characteristics associated with certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described in the context of those embodiments, other embodiments may also exhibit such features and characteristics, and not all embodiments need necessarily exhibit such features and characteristics to fall within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the disclosure is not limited, except as by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A lid assembly for use with a container having a rim around an opening in the container, the lid assembly comprising:
- a dome portion comprising: a top portion; a rim-receiving portion connected to the top portion, the rim-receiving portion extending around the dome portion; and a plurality of tabs spaced circumferentially at a perimeter of the rim-receiving portion and extending radially outwardly from the rim-receiving portion;
- a compression ring configured to fit over the rim-receiving portion and at least a portion of the tabs, the compression ring being sized such that, when the compression ring is placed over the dome portion, the tabs are pressed inwardly to engage the rim of the container to secure the lid assembly over the opening in the container;
- wherein the dome portion and the compression ring are made of a compostable material.
2. The lid assembly of claim 1 wherein the compostable material comprises at least one of molded paper, pulp, and natural cellulose fibers.
3. The lid assembly of claim 1 wherein the top portion of the dome portion comprises a drinking spout, and an airhole.
4. The lid assembly of claim 1 wherein the dome portion and compression ring are round, triangular, square, rectangular, or polygonal.
5. The lid assembly of claim 4 wherein the dome portion and compression ring are each a polygon with between 5 and 8 sides, inclusive.
6. The lid assembly of claim 1 wherein the rim-receiving portion has a cross-sectional shape of a generally inverted U, comprising a radially interior segment and a radially exterior segment, connected by a convex portion, wherein the convex portion is shaped to substantially match the rim of the container.
7. The lid assembly of claim 6 wherein the radially interior segment is configured to engage a portion of the container below the rim of the container when the compression ring is in place on the dome portion.
8. The lid assembly of claim 6 wherein the radially interior and radially exterior segment of the rim-receiving portion are configured to be pressed against opposing surfaces of the container when the compression ring is placed on the dome portion and moves the tabs radially inward.
9. The lid assembly of claim 8 wherein the rim of the container has a cross-sectional shape with an upper and a lower hemisphere, and the radially interior and radially exterior segments of the rim-receiving portion are configured to engage the lower hemisphere of the rolled rim on the inside and outside of the container, respectively.
10. The lid assembly of claim 1 wherein the compression ring comprises a shoulder that extends radially inwardly from a lower portion of the compression ring.
11. The lid assembly of claim 1 wherein the compression ring has an upper diameter and a lower diameter, wherein the lower diameter is larger than the upper diameter such that the compression ring slopes downwardly and outwardly from an upper portion to a lower portion.
12. The lid assembly of claim 11 wherein the compression ring comprises a shoulder that extends radially inwardly from a lower portion of the compression ring, and wherein the dome portion has an outer diameter larger than the upper diameter of the compression ring and larger than the shoulder's radially inward projection, such that the compression ring retains the dome portion.
13. The lid assembly of claim 11 wherein the compression ring comprises a shoulder that extends radially outwardly from the lower portion of the compression ring.
14. The lid assembly of claim 1 wherein the dome portion and the compression ring are connected by a connection strip.
15. The lid assembly of claim 14 wherein the connection strip is at least one of flexible, perforated, and frangible.
16. The lid assembly of claim 14 wherein the compression ring is connected to the dome portion with the compression ring upside-down, such that the compression ring can be folded over and onto the dome portion.
17. The lid assembly of claim 1 wherein the tabs have a cam surface that engages the compression ring and is configured to move radially inwardly and engage a surface of the container to create a seal between the lid assembly and the container when the lid assembly is placed on the container and the compression ring is moved to a closed position.
18. The lid assembly of claim 17 wherein the cam surface is convex and protrudes upwardly from the tabs.
19. The lid assembly of claim 1 wherein the tabs, dome portion, and compression ring are configured to produce an audible snapping noise when the compression ring is placed over the dome portion and the tabs are pressed radially inwardly to engage the surface of the container.
20. The lid assembly of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of locking portions which extend upwardly from the compression ring, and are configured to be pressed radially inwardly to engage the rim of the container.
21. The lid assembly of claim 1 wherein the compression ring is made of a shrinkable material, the compression ring being shrunk over the dome portion during assembly.
22. The lid assembly of claim 1 wherein the dome portion and the compression ring are configured to be nested with other lid assemblies.
23. A container assembly, comprising:
- a container having a body portion and a rim;
- a hinge connected to the container; and
- a lid assembly connected to the hinge, the lid assembly being made of a compostable material, the lid assembly comprising: a dome portion; a rim-receiving portion connected to the dome portion and extending downwardly and radially outwardly from the dome portion, the rim-receiving portion being configured to engage with the rim of the container; a plurality of tabs extending downwardly and outwardly from the rim-receiving portion, the tabs being spaced circumferentially around the rim-receiving portion; and a compression ring sized to be placed over the rim-receiving portion and the plurality of tabs, such that the compression ring presses the tabs downwardly and inwardly over the rim to create a seal between the lid assembly and the container when the lid assembly is in a closed position.
24. The container of claim 23 wherein the compostable material comprises at least one of molded paper, pulp, and natural cellulose fibers.
25. The container of claim 23 wherein at least some of the plurality of tabs has a cam surface configured to engage with a portion of the compression ring to cause the compression ring to press the tabs downwardly and inwardly over the rim.
26. The container of claim 25 wherein the cam surface comprises a convex cam surface that protrudes upward and outward from the tabs.
27. The container of claim 23 wherein the rim has a circular cross-sectional shape with an upper and a lower hemisphere, and wherein the rim-receiving portion is configured to engage the rolled rim at the lower hemisphere of the rolled rim at least on the inside or the outside of the container.
28. The container of claim 26 wherein the rim-receiving portion is further configured to engage a portion of the container below the rolled rim.
29. The container of claim 23 wherein the compression ring has an upper portion with an upper diameter, a lower portion with a lower diameter, and an intermediate portion with an intermediate diameter, and wherein the intermediate diameter is greater than the upper diameter and the lower diameter.
30. The container of claim 29 wherein the tabs have a diameter that is smaller than the intermediate diameter of the compression ring but greater than at least one of the upper diameter or the lower diameter such that the compression ring retains the lid assembly when the lid assembly is not in the closed position.
31. The container of claim 23 wherein the lid assembly is configured to be nested with other lid assemblies.
Type: Application
Filed: Apr 24, 2009
Publication Date: Nov 19, 2009
Inventors: David Pierce (Renton, WA), Edward Urquhart (Clyde Hill, WA)
Application Number: 12/430,040
International Classification: B65D 47/32 (20060101); B65D 51/18 (20060101); B65D 43/03 (20060101); B65D 43/04 (20060101);