LID FOR CONTAINERS AND METHODS
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.
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.
BACKGROUNDPlastic 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.
Improvements in lid designs are desirable.
SUMMARYA 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.
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.
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.
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. 1-8In 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.
As can be seen in
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
As can be seen in
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.
As can be seen in
In reference now to
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.
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.
Still in reference to
Still in reference to
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.”
The above represents examples of principles of this disclosure. Many embodiments can be made utilizing these principles.
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.
Type: Application
Filed: Nov 16, 2009
Publication Date: May 19, 2011
Inventors: CATHERINE E. KETTNER (Appleton, WI), GREG J. VANDENHEUVEL (Appleton, WI), CHRISTOPHER L. SINA (Neenah, WI)
Application Number: 12/618,817
International Classification: B65D 43/02 (20060101);