Abstract: A plastic drink-through lid of the type having a deck, a peripheral skirt, and a partially separable, preformed tab in the deck to form a drink-through hold which does not extend through the peripheral skirt. The tab has an upstanding thumb catch preformed thereon. The fold back hinge is formed in the deck immediately adjacent the tab and spaced less than about one-half of the lid radius from the periphery. This creates a very short throw which allows a user to open the tab and lock it back with the thumb of the same hand that is holding the cup.

Abstract: A resealable closure for beverage containers uses initial physical interference to initiate a seal between a sealing flap and a dispensing port in a lid of the resealable closure. Once the initial seal is achieved, a pressure differential develops, resulting in additional force tending to bias the sealing flap toward the dispensing port. The sealing flap is actuated by an external drive means, that can also be a dust cover to prevent debris from contaminating any surfaces that may come into contact with the contents of the beverage container. There is a slack between initial movement of the external drive means and initial movement of the sealing flap, during which the pressure differential is preferably equalized through the unsealing of a vent hole in the resealable closure.

Abstract: A drink-thru lid for a drinking cup including an annular mounting portion for sealingly engaging the drinking cup, wherein the annular mounting portion includes a downwardly extending annular skirt. The lid further includes a tear-back section extending from the annular skirt to a hinge portion located in a medial portion of the lid. The tear-back section includes a raised protrusion extending outwardly from an upper surface of the lid. A recess is further formed in a medial portion of the lid on the opposite side of the hinge portion from the raised protrusion, wherein the tear-back section may be torn away from the lid on its sides and pivoted about the hinge portion until the raised protrusion is received within the recess for holding said pivotal flap open. The raised protrusion and the recess are shaped such that the raised protrusion is frictionally engaged by the end walls of the recess.

Abstract: The meter box lid has an opening extending between its top and bottom sides with a door movable to an open or closed position. Also provided is a U-shaped shelf or holder which can be removably coupled to the bottom side of the lid for forming a cavity below the bottom side of the lid for holding a transponder for meter reading purposes such that the lid without the holder can be provided to users who do not use transponders or with the holder to users who use transponders for meter reading purposes.

Abstract: A dispenser package for a fluent product that includes a plastic container having an axially extending cylindrical neck, and a closure secured to the open end of the neck. The closure includes a plastic fitment having a dispensing opening and a cylindrical wall received within the neck. The container neck has a radially opening circumferential channel, while the fitment has a radially projecting circumferential bead received by snap fit into the channel to secure the fitment to the neck. A top is pivotally secured to the fitment or to the container neck for selectively opening and closing the dispensing opening. In the preferred embodiments of the invention, the dispensing opening is circular, and the top has an annular wall that forms a plug seal within the dispensing opening when the top is in the closed position. The top is flush with the fitment or the axial end of the container neck in the closed position to form a compact visual structure.

Abstract: A lid includes a flat portion having a first aperture and a second aperture formed therein, a hinge positioned about a center of the flat portion such that the first aperture is on one side of the hinge and the second aperture is on an opposite side of the hinge, a cover, having two directly opposing sidewalls each with a protrusion, rotatably attached to the flat portion via the hinge, a valve housing integrally formed with the flat portion, a valve, and a valve retainer for retaining the valve within the valve housing. The cover pivots relative to the flat portion so as to engage either the first aperture or the second aperture, and when the protrusion on one sidewall of the cover is pivoted towards the first aperture, the protrusion on the other sidewall simultaneously pivots away from the second aperture.

Abstract: A drink-through cup lid, adapted to matingly engage the upper peripheral edge of a drinking cup so as to selectively maintain the lid in a covering relationship on the cup, includes a rim engaging portion and a central cover portion. The central cover portion further has a hinged portion which is selectively depressible to so as to provide a drinking opening in the lid, the hinged portion is biased so as to selectively substantially return to its normally closed position within the plane of the central cover portion upon removal of pressure there-against. The hinged portion includes a hollow raised tab integrally formed thereon. A recess which is integrally formed on the central cover portion of the lid is adapted to selectively receive the raised tab of the hinged portion in detachable locking engagement.

Abstract: A plug comprises a plug body serving as the plug of a container for holding beverage and a lid body. A hinge and a lock device are arranged opposing to each other. A lip portion protrudes from the top plate of the plug body. A liquid-passage hole is formed in the lip portion. The upper surface of the lip portion is made into a tapering shape that is highest at the lock device side and lowest at the hinge side. The resilient member that forces the lid body towards an opening direction protrudes from the top plate of the lid body. An air hole is set in the top plate of the plug body and the resilient member is set to vertically block the air hole when the lid body is closed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a lid 1 for a beverage cup. The lid 1 has a generally annular side wall 6, a rib 7 depending from the side wall 6, and a top wall 5 extending radially inward from the side wall 6. The lid 1 further includes a central region 4 positioned radially inward of the top wall 5. The central region 4 has a well 4b with a notched portion 24. The lid 1 also includes a projection 18 extending from a portion of the side wall 6. A living hinge formed by a line of weakness at the base 23 of the projection 18 permits the projection 18 to pivoted between an open position and a closed position. The central region 4 has a shoulder portion 24 that engages the tip 20 of the projection 18 to secure the projection 18 in the open position.

Abstract: A dispensing closure with a hinged flap for conveniently opening and closing a dispensing aperture. The closure is a one-piece molded part having an integral living hinge. A mechanism for releasably locking the flap in a stay-open position and thereby resisting any tendency of the hinge to resiliently bias the flap towards a closed position is provided. The stay-open mechanism comprises a cooperating pair of surfaces molded into the flap and main body of the closure which are arranged to snap into and out of locking engagement when the flap is deliberately moved into or out of the open position.

Abstract: A drink-through lid for a disposable cup that contains a condiment port for the convenient addition of condiments to the beverage without having to remove the lid from the cup. The condiment port is on the opposite side of the lid from the drinking port to insure that the beverage does not contact the condiment port while the user is drinking out of the drinking port. When not in use, the condiment port is substantially blocked by a resilient cap that is integral with the cover. This cap can be selectively deformed to open the condiment port and introduce condiments into the beverage. The cap is biased to return to its original closed position when the deforming pressure is removed. The cap preferably forms a trough when deformed to help funnel the condiments into the condiment port and help prevent spilling.

Abstract: A method of providing access to the contents of a disposable drink cup having a plastic drink-through lid of the type having a deck, a peripheral skirt, and a partially separable, preformed tab in the deck to form a drink-through hold which does not extend through the peripheral skirt. The tab has an upstanding thumb catch preformed thereon. The fold back hinge is formed in the deck immediately adjacent the tab and spaced less than about one-half of the lid radius from the periphery. This creates a very short throw which allows a user to open the tab and lock it back with one finger of the same hand that is holding the cup.

Abstract: The invention is a recloseable lid for a drinking cup comprising a cap with a dispensing aperture through which liquid can pass. A plug is movably mounted to the cap and is sized to seal the dispensing aperture when a portion of the plug is inserted into the dispensing aperture.

Abstract: The invention provides a beverage container which can be readily handled by a child, and which is spill-proof, sterile and can be pre-filled for use as a single-use beverage container. The beverage container can be mass-produced inexpensively, pre-filled and disposable. A top portion and spout are constructed to be spill resistant and sealable for ease of manufacture and use by a toddler learning to drink from a cup.

Abstract: A plastic cap has one or more hinged flaps that cover openings in the cap, as well as a stepped sealing ring against which the top of a plastic bottle seals. The sealing ring is stepped, much like the rows of seats in a circular stadium. This stepped arrangement permits the cap to be used with many different bottle rim diameters and automatically corrects any ovality of the bottle rim by forcing it to flex into a more circular shape as it engages the steps of the stepped ring.

Abstract: A plastic drink-through lid of the type having a deck, a peripheral skirt, and a partially separable, preformed tab in the deck to form a drink-through hold which does not extend through the peripheral skirt. The tab has an upstanding thumb catch preformed thereon. The fold back hinge is formed in the deck immediately adjacent the tab and spaced less than about one-half of the lid radius from the periphery. This creates a very short throw which allows a user to open the tab and lock it back with the thumb of the same hand that is holding the cup.

Abstract: A lid includes a top having a cover receiving portion having a first aperture and a second aperture formed therein, a hinge positioned about a center of the cover receiving portion such that the first aperture is on one side of the hinge and the second aperture is on an opposite side of the hinge, and a cover having two directly opposing sidewalls rotatably attached to the cover receiving portion via the hinge. Each sidewall includes a protrusion extending therefrom shaped to fit within one of the first and second apertures. The cover pivots relative to the cover receiving portion so as to engage either the first aperture or the second aperture, and when the protrusion on one sidewall of the cover is pivoted towards the first aperture, the protrusion on the other sidewall simultaneously pivots away from the second aperture.

Abstract: A lid for a container holding a flowable substance has an annular top wall. A side wall depends from the top wall, and has a mounting portion for connecting the lid on the container. The top wall has an opening that is adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid. The top wall also has a retaining member. The lid further has a closure member positioned on the mounting portion. The closure member is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein at least a portion of the closure member is received in the opening in the first position and at least a portion of the closure member is received in the retaining member in the second position. The opening and the closure member are cooperatively dimensioned such that the closure member is removably inserted in the opening. The retaining member and the closure member are cooperatively dimensioned such that the closure member is removably inserted in the retaining member.

Abstract: A coffee server for serving brewed coffee is insulated with a partial vacuum pulled in a void (36) between the walls of an outer vessel (20) and an inner vessel (32). The outer and inner vessels are fabricated of metal and have a top narrow neck opening (22) and (34) that are attached together with a hermetic seal (42). The partial vacuum is for minimizing heat loss conducted through the combined vessels permitting coffee placed inside to retain its useable heat content for at least six hours without additional heat being added. A pour spout neck (44) is fitted to the vessel necks and provides a liquid flow path when the server is tilted to pour coffee that is stored inside. An offset brew though stopper (52) including a hinged cover (58), is removably attached to the pour spout neck with the cover pivoted to permit coffee from a brewer to enter the server through an offset portion of the stopper during the filling process.

Abstract: A lid for use with a container may include a panel and a first dispensing opening on the panel. The lid may also include a first closure on the panel, where the first closure may include a second dispensing opening. The first closure may be configured to at least partially cover the first dispensing opening.

Abstract: A container and a lid for closing it are disclosed. The container has an open end, a closed end and a peripheral sidewall therebetween. The peripheral sidewall has a rolled rim at the edge thereof adjacent the open end of the container. The lid has a dome-shaped structure. A peripheral rim curl is provided for locking the lid to the rolled rim of the container to close the open end. The lid also has a central region and a plurality of arched struts extending radially between the central region and the peripheral rim curl. At least one tabular hinged drinking region is provided in the lid. The tabular hinged drinking region is structured and arranged to be depressed into the container, thereby providing at least one flow-through opening in the tabular hinged drinking region of the lid. Preferably, the depressed tabular hinged drinking region is self-locking.

Abstract: A lid, suitable for “take-away” hot and cold beverage containers, which reduces spillage of the container contents and allows the user to store the container contents for consumption at a later date. The lid comprises a main body portion, incorporating an aperture for discharging the container contents, and a flexible arm portion, connected to the body portion and having a closure member positioned thereon. When a user requires to store the contents of the container for consumption at a later date, the flexible arm portion can be bent over the top of the main body portion and the closure member engaged in the aperture so as to seal it. The main body portion may also include a recess, suitably shaped to receive the closure member, wherein, when the user requires to discharge the container contents through the aperture, the closure member can be engaged in the recess such that the arm portion does not interfere with the discharge of the container contents through the aperture.

Abstract: The present invention is a generally parallelepiped shaped container including generally parallel opposite lateral side panels, generally parallel opposite longitudinal side panels and a generally flat bottom panel. A first generally flat top panel is provided near the first lateral side panel and a second generally flat top panel is provided near the second lateral side panel, the first and second top panels being interconnected to form a generally continuous top portion of the container. A dispensing neck extends upwardly from the first top panel and a cover member is removably positioned over the open end of the dispensing neck. The shape of the container and the cover member are such that the height of the cover member, when on the dispensing neck is less than the height of the second top panel so that the containers may be stacked one above the other without applying pressure to either the cover member or the dispensing neck.

Abstract: A straw adapter 2 is removably disposed in the opening of a beverage container 1, and a straw 22 is attached to the straw adapter 2. A straw cap 12 is mounted on the straw adapter 2, for covering the straw attached to the straw adapter 2. Operations of the straw cap 12 opens and closes an air hole opening/closing valve 6.

Abstract: A closure for sealing an opening of a tubular container is disclosed, the closure having a paperboard central panel with a plurality of secondary panels extending angularly therefrom forming a surface around the perimeter of the central panel. A plastic skirt is adhered around the perimeter of the central panel and to one side of the secondary panels opposite the surface to reinforce it. A metal foil layer is adhered to the surface, the foil having a side facing the sidewall of the container with a heat-activated adhesive layer thereon. The closure is positioned on the container with the central panel in registration with the opening and the heat-activated adhesive layer engaging the sidewall of the container. The seal between the closure and the container is effected by subjecting the container to an electromagnetic induction field, whereby eddy currents induced in the metal foil by the field cause the heat-activated adhesive to form a bond between the container sidewall and the secondary panels.

Abstract: A form, fill and seal packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing a carton, molds a closure directly onto the carton. The machine includes a carton erection station adapted to receive a carton in a generally flat form and to erect the flat form carton into a tubular form defining an internal carton region. A direct injection molding station has an internal mold tool and an external mold tool. The internal mold tool is configured for receipt within the internal carton region and the internal mold tool and the external mold tool are configured to receive and clamp the carton therebetween. The direct injection molding station further includes a polymer injection system for injecting polymer from a location external of the carton to the internal mold tool. The closure is directly molded in place on the carton. A mold tool set, a method for carrying out the molding and a closure molded thereby are also disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic food storage container includes a container body having a bottom and a peripheral wall, an upper end of the container body having a peripheral rim; a lid having a peripheral edge adapted to matingly engage the peripheral rim; a region of the lid having a lifting tab extending outwardly from the peripheral edge, and a vent located in the region.

Abstract: A splash-proof lid assembly is a substantially planar unit which is made up of a disc and a bottom section that is rotatably connected to the disc. By rotating the bottom section to the underside of the disc, a chamber is formed which allows for drinking from a cup once the lid is placed on the cup.

Abstract: A new and improved plastic closure is disclosed herein. The closure contains a breakout seal that leaves the opening flush with the wall of the closure, an interference fit lock for the seal, bypass walls to maintain freshness when the lid is closed, and induction heat sealing of the closure to the container.