LIDS FOR SECURING ITEMS IN CONTAINERS

Abstract

Various embodiments for a lid for a container are provided. In one embodiment, a lid has a rectangular top with a circular opening, as well as a plurality of protruding flaps extending outward from a side of the rectangular top. The plurality of protruding flaps are sized to be received by corresponding connectors on a container. The lid also has a tubular receptacle affixed to the circular opening, which has a curvature and extends upward and outward from the rectangular top.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application entitled “Portable Tamperproof Lockable Lid”, Ser. No. 61/318,679, filed 29 Mar. 2010, the entire contents of the application is herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD

This application relates generally to lids for securing items in containers and more specifically to lids that limit access to items deposited into the containers.

BACKGROUND

In many industries, companies use special trash receptacles or containers to handle disposal of sensitive materials. Examples of materials that may be so disposed include sensitive customer data, card billing statements, drafts of documents, and the like. These companies may hire outside waste management companies to retrieve the containers and dispose of the collected sensitive materials. The waste management company then securely disposes of the contents (e.g., by shredding) before returning the container to its location within the companies' facilities.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a right, isometric view of a container system, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a right view and rear view of a container system, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a lid, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a top, right, isometric view of a rectangular receptacle, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a rectangular receptacle, according to an example embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a side of a lid, according to an example embodiment; and

FIG. 7 is a top view of a lid, according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Example methods and systems for a lid for securing items in a container are described. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of example embodiments. It will be evident, however, to one of ordinary skill in the art that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details.

In general, a removable lid for a container is provided. The removable lid may have a receptacle to receive articles of deposit. The receptacle may be designed to help prevent retrieval of articles deposited within the container. The removable lid may be secured to the container so that the contents inside the container are not readily accessible.

FIG. 1 is a right, isometric view of an example container system 100, according to an example embodiment. The container system 100 includes a container 102 that is used to hold items for further disposal. The container 102 may be sized for use in a variety of industries to secure items for further disposal. Items that may be held in the container include, by way of example, pill containers, prescription printouts, papers, computer media, and the like. In some embodiments, the container 102 is a 65 gallon container. An example of one such container is manufactured by Rubbermaid Incorporated. Examples of other sized containers 102 include 32 gallon containers and 96 gallon containers. However, other sizes of containers 102 may be used.

The container system 100 may include a lid 104 secured to one side of the container 102. In some embodiments, the lid 104 is secured by a single connector or multiple connectors on one side of the container 102. The corresponding connectors may be hinges that are affixed to the container 102 and the lid 104. The connection of the lid 104 to the hinge or other connector may create a slot or opening between the lid 104 and each hinge. In some embodiments, the slots may be sized to enable a person to grasp a portion of the connector and use it as a handle. In other embodiments, the slots may be small and may not permit grasping of the connector. Other types of connectors that connect the lid 104 to the container 102 with or without a limited angle of rotation may be used. In another embodiment, the corresponding connectors may be handles that are affixed to the top side portions of the container 102.

As shown, a removable lid 106 may be connected to the container 102 and used to secure items in the container in place of the lid 104. In some embodiments, the lid 104 may remain attached to the container 102 while in other embodiments the lid 104 may be removed. The removable lid 106 may be dimensioned to be approximately the same size as the lid 104. In some embodiments, the removable lid 106 may be dimensioned to be larger than the lid 104. In one embodiment, the removable lid 106 is removably fit onto the container 102 so that the removable lid 106 can be easily detached. In another embodiment, the removable lid 106 is securely fastened to the container 102 so that the removable lid 106 is not readily removable by a person or persons not authorized to remove the removable lid 106. For example, employees of a waste management company may be authorized to remove the removable lid 106, whereas employees of a company using the container system 100 for disposal of articles may not be authorized to remove the removable lid 106. In some embodiments, the slots between the lid 104 and each hinge may be sized to receive one or more portions of the removable lid 106. That is, one or more portions of the removable lid 106 may take up the entire opening of the slot, or just a portion of the slot

The removable lid 106 may include three or more side walls 110 extending along substantially all of three or more sides of a rectangular top 108. The rectangular top 108 may be generally rectangular, but not completely rectangular. For example, the rectangular top 108 may generally be rectangular in shape but have rounded corners. In addition, the rectangular top 108 may be otherwise shaped (e.g., as a circle, an oval, etc) for aesthetic, design, or other purposes.

The side walls 110 may be integral or affixed to the rectangular top 108, and may extend downward from the rectangular top 108 at a variety of angles. For example, side walls 110 that are integral to the rectangular top 108 may be cut out from the same pattern as the rectangular top 108. In one embodiment, the side walls 110 extend downward from the rectangular top 108 at approximately 90 degree angles, respectively. The side walls 110 may have a height to facilitate securing the removable lid 106 to the container 102. In one embodiment, the removable lid 106 may be sized to approximately 25⅝ inches in length and 24 inches in width, and the side walls 110 may extend downward approximately 1 inch from the rectangular top of the lid to fit removable lid 106 onto the container 102. In addition, the side walls 110 may be affixed to one another at one or more corner junctions. For example, in one embodiment, each side wall 110 is welded to another side wall 110 to form four distinct corners on the removable lid 106. In one embodiment, one or more reinforcement members may be welded and/or otherwise affixed to the underside of the rectangular top 108 and/or to interior portions of side walls 110.

In some embodiments, the removable lid 106 may be configured with a mechanism for receiving a locking device. For example, a locking device such as a cable lock can be secured by a user into the mechanism. The mechanism may comprise a variety of shapes, sizes, or elements to facilitate securing the removable lid 106 to the container 102. In one embodiment, the mechanism may be a loop or other feature that is secured onto the rectangular top 108 of the removable lid 106.

In another embodiment, the removable lid 106 may be manufactured with a slot 128 in the rectangular top 108 that may receive a device that is part of the container 102. The slot may be dimensioned to accept a device, such as a loop for securing a cable lock, that is part of the container 102. For example, in one embodiment, the slot 128 is dimensioned approximately 1 inch in width and ½ an inch in length for accepting a locking device that is part of the container 102.

The rectangular top 108 of the removable lid 106 has an opening. In some embodiments, the opening may be generally rectangular in shape, and in other embodiments, the opening may be generally circular. The opening may be located in approximately the center of the rectangular top of 108, on one side of the rectangular top of 108, or may otherwise be located on the rectangular top of 108. The opening may be dimensioned to be a variety of sizes, as long as those sizes are less than the size of the rectangular top 108. In one embodiment, the opening is dimensioned to be approximately 20 inches by 12 inches.

The removable lid 106 may be configured with a receptacle to receive an article of deposit. The receptacle may be configured in a variety of ways, such as a tubular receptacle or a rectangular receptacle. In one embodiment, the removable lid 106 has a single rectangular receptacle 125 for receiving an article of deposit into the container 102. In one embodiment, the rectangular receptacle 125 may be a separate piece affixed to the top of the removable lid 106. That is, the rectangular receptacle 125 is affixed as a separate piece atop the opening in the rectangular top 108 of the removable lid 106. In general, the term “separate piece” may mean a piece that is permanently and/or removably affixed to a removable lid. For example, a separate piece may be manufactured and/or assembled together with the removable lid, or it may be manufactured and/or assembled to the removable lid at some later time.

The rectangular receptacle 125 may be dimensioned to be a variety of sizes depending on the articles that the receptacle is intended to receive. In one embodiment, the rectangular receptacle 125 is sized to approximately 21 inches in length, approximately 13 inches in width and has a height that extends upward approximately 5 inches from the rectangular top 108. In another embodiment, the rectangular receptacle is sized to approximately 11 inches in length, approximately 6½ inches in width and has a height that extends upward approximately 2½ inches from the rectangular top 108.

The rectangular receptacle 125 may include two or more side walls 121, 122, 123, and 124 having exterior and interior portions. The rectangular receptacle 125 may also include multiple shelves 130, 140 to facilitate reception of articles of deposit and/or to prevent someone from easily retrieving an article deposited into the rectangular receptacle 125. The rectangular receptacle 125 may also have a cover 125 that covers a portion of the top of the rectangular receptacle 125.

The rectangular receptacle 125 may have a first angled shelf 130 that is affixed to a top, inside portion of a first side wall 121 of the rectangular receptacle 125. The rectangular receptacle 125 may additionally have a second angled shelf 140 that is affixed to a lower, interior portion of an opposite side wall 122 of the rectangular receptacle 125. The first angled shelf 130 and the second angled shelf 140 may be additionally affixed to an interior portion of third and the fourth side walls 123, 124 of the rectangular receptacle 125. For example, in one embodiment, one or both of the first angled shelf 130 and the second angled shelf 140 may be welded and/or otherwise affixed to the interior portions of the side walls 123, 124 of the rectangular receptacle 125. While two shelves are shown, more or less shelves could be used in other embodiments.

In one example embodiment, the rectangular receptacle 125 may have three side walls and the first angled shelf 130 comprises a fourth side wall. In such an embodiment, the first angled shelf 130 is affixed to a top portion of the both side walls 123 and 124, such that the first angled shelf 130 extends along the width between the two side walls.

The removable lid 106, the rectangular receptacle 125, shelves 130 and 140 and other features described herein may be made of a variety of materials depending on the durability needs, configuration, cost, etc. In one embodiment, the removable lid 106 is made of 18-gauge steel. In another embodiment, the removable lid 106 is comprised of aluminum alloy, such as 5061 aluminum alloy, 5052 aluminum alloy, 3171 aluminum alloy, and/or other aluminum alloys with characteristics suitable for use the systems described in this application. In another embodiment, other metals and/or materials, such as fiberglass, super tough polyamide 6,6 (more commonly known as super tough nylon) resin, polypropylene, polyethylene, carbon fiber, other grade steels, polycarbonates and/or composite materials known in the art may use used to form all or part of the removable lid 106, the rectangular receptacle 125, shelves 130, 140, and other features described herein. In one embodiment, the removable lid 106, the rectangular receptacle 125, shelves 130, 140, and other features described herein are manufactured using fabricating techniques. Other manufacturing techniques may also be used.

The removable lid 106 may also have multiple protruding flaps to facilitate securing the removable lid 106 to the container 102. These protruding flaps may be further described with reference to one example embodiment of a container system 200 having protruding flaps 222, 224 that is illustrated in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 illustrates some embodiments of FIG. 1 from a different perspective, and it additionally shows different features and also includes a different receptacle. However, any of the features described or shown with respect to FIG. 2 may be used with any of the embodiments in FIG. 1, and/or vice versa.

The container system 200 includes the rectangular top 108 of the removable lid 106. The removable lid 106 may include one or more protruding flaps 222, 224 that help secure the removable lid 106 to the container 102.

The removable lid 106 may have one or more side walls 110 extending downward from the rectangular top 108 along substantially all of three sides of the rectangular top 108. The fourth side may have one or more partial side walls 212 extending downward from the rectangular top 108. Partial side walls 212 may only extend along a partial length or lengths of a fourth side of the rectangular top 108. For example, the removable lid 106 may include the rectangular top 108 having three side walls 110 extending along substantially all of the lengths of three sides of the rectangular top 108, and two partial side walls 212 extending along two different portions of a fourth side of the rectangular top 108.

The protruding flaps 222, 224 may extend outward from a fourth side of the rectangular top 108. For example, in one embodiment, the protruding flaps 222, 224 extend outward from a fourth side of the rectangular top 108 of the removable lid 106. The protruding flaps 222, 224 may be sized and/or shaped to fit through one or more handles or hinges 218 in the container 102. That is, some containers 102 may have hinges 218 used to connect a lid 104 to the container 102. In other embodiments, the container 102 may include one or more handles affixed to one the top of one or more sides of the container 102 to facilitate carrying the container 102 and/or securing removable lid 106. For example, the removable lid 106 may be secured to the container 102 by inserting the protruding flaps 222, 224 through the space between the hinges 218 and the lid 104. Thus, the existing features of the container 102 (the hinge/handle) are used to aid in securing the removable lid 106 to the container 102.

Instead of and/or in addition to having a rectangular receptacle as shown in one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, a container system may also have other types of receptacles for receiving deposits. With reference again to one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the container system 200 is configured with a tubular receptacle 275 for receiving deposits.

The rectangular top 108 may contain one or more circular openings 225 to which one or more tubular receptacles 275 can be affixed. The circular openings 225 may be located anywhere in the rectangular top 108. In one embodiment, a single circular opening 225 is located in a central part of the rectangular top 108. However, the circular opening 225 may otherwise be located on the rectangular top 108.

The tubular receptacle 275 may serve as a deposit point for an article of deposit. The tubular receptacle 275 may be straight or curved to facilitate reception of articles of deposit. For example, in one embodiment, the tubular receptacle 275 has a curvature such that it extends outward from the rectangular top 108 at a 45 to 100 degree angle. The angle of the tubular receptacle 275 may depend on where in the rectangular top 208 the tubular receptacle 275 is located. For example, if the tubular receptacle 275 is located close to a side of the rectangular top 108, it may be less curved than if the tubular receptacle 275 is located closer to the center of the rectangular top 108. That is, the tubular receptacle 275 may be curved and sized such that someone cannot reach in to the container 102 or otherwise easily pull something out.

The various features of the protruding flaps 222, 224 and the removable lid 106 are further illustrated with reference one embodiment of the removable lid 106 illustrated in FIG. 3. Features described with respect to FIG. 3 may also be applied to those embodiments illustrated in FIG. 1 or FIG. 2. The protruding flaps 222, 224 may extend outward from the rectangular top 108 of the removable lid 106 and additionally each contain a bend 312 upward or downward at or towards the end of the protruding flaps 222, 224. The bend 312 in protruding flaps 222, 224 may range from 30 degrees to 90 degrees to further facilitate securing the removable lid 106 to a container. The protruding flaps 222, 224 may also be sized to securely fit the handles and/or hinges of a specific sized container. In general, the protruding flaps 222, 224 may extend outward from the rectangular top 108 at a length of 1 to 5 and may range in 1-7 inches in width. However, greater and lesser lengths and/or widths may be used. While the protruding flaps 222, 224 are shown to include the bend 312 at the end of the outward extending length, in other embodiments, the protruding flaps 222, 224 may end without a bend or with a bend at a different place. In addition, multiple bends may be used. The bend 312 may extend the length of protruding flaps 222, 224 up to 5 inches or more in total length.

In other embodiments, the protruding flaps 222, 224 may extend outward and/or have widths corresponding to the containers to which they are fastened. For example, in order to fasten to a 65 gallon container, the protruding flaps 222, 224 may extend outward at least 3 inches from the removable lid 106 and may each be approximately 5¼ inches in width. The protruding flaps 222, 224 each may additionally contain a 45 degree bend 312 that extends each of the protruding flaps 222, 224 an additional inch in length. In another embodiment, the protruding flaps 222, 224 may be spaced according to any handles or hinges of the container 102. For example, with a 65 gallon container, the protruding flaps 222, 224 may be spaced approximately 8¼ inches from each other, and spaced approximately 3⅜ from the sides of the removable lid 106 to fit removably under the hinges 218 in the container 102.

The removable lid 106 may also contain a viewing window 330. The viewing window 330 may be dimensioned to be various sizes or shapes. For example, in one embodiment, the viewing window 330 is rectangular and dimensioned to be approximately 10 inches by 3 inches. In another embodiment, the viewing window is circular and dimensioned to be approximately 4 inches in diameter. The removable lids 106 described herein may contain a single viewing window 330 or multiple viewing windows 330. The viewing window 330 may be a clear window or a colored window. The viewing window 330 may allow a user to look into a container and see how full the container is. The viewing window 330 may be made of a polycarbonate such as Lexan, Plexiglas, glass, and/or any other transparent and/or semi-transparent type of material. The viewing window 330 may also be painted to obscure viewing.

The rectangular receptacle 125 described in FIG. 1 can be further described with respect to one embodiment of the rectangular receptacle 125 illustrated in FIG. 4. The rectangular receptacle 125 may have a first angled shelf 130 that is affixed to one side of the rectangular receptacle 125. In one embodiment, the first angled shelf 130 extends out at approximately a 30 degree angle from the rectangular top 108 of the rectangular receptacle 125. However, the first angled shelf 130 may also extend at any angle ranging from 15 to 85 degrees at any length. The angle of the first angled shelf 130 may vary due to the dimensions of the rectangular receptacle 125, the size of the articles that the rectangular receptacle 125 is designed to receive, the size of the opening in the rectangular top 108 and/or the size of the removable lid 106 to which the rectangular receptacle 125 is secured.

The rectangular receptacle 125 may additionally have a second angled shelf 140 that is affixed to an opposite side of rectangular receptacle 125 as the first angled shelf 130. The second angled shelf 140 may extend outward at any angle from the bottom portion of the rectangular receptacle 125. In one embodiment, the second angled shelf 140 extends outward from the opposite side of the rectangular receptacle 125 at approximately a 30 degree angle from the bottom of the rectangular receptacle 125. The second angled shelf 140 may extend outward at any length such that the items deposited into the rectangular receptacle 125 can contact the second angled shelf, and then fall further into the container. In one embodiment, the second angled shelf 140 extends outward below the length of the first angled shelf 130, so that items being deposited into the container first come into contact with the first angled shelf 130. The items may then intersect second angled shelf 140, causing the items to fall into the container. In some embodiments, the configuration of the first angled shelf 130 and the second angled shelf 140 may prevent someone from easily retrieving an article that has been deposited into the container 102.

The rectangular receptacle 125 may also have a cover 135 extending along all or part of the rectangular receptacle 125. In one embodiment, the cover 135 is mounted halfway toward the front of the rectangular receptacle 125 preventing the removal of material placed into the rectangular receptacle 125 and/or the container. The cover 135 may be sized to cover any portion of the rectangular receptacle 125. In one example embodiment, the cover 135 covers approximately 30-40% of the rectangular receptacle 125. The cover 135 and the first angled shelf 130 may be affixed on the same or opposite sides of the rectangular receptacle 125. In one embodiment, the cover 135 is affixed to one side of the rectangular receptacle 125 and the first angled shelf 130 is affixed to the other side of the rectangular receptacle 125.

While FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the rectangular receptacle 125 with the first angled shelf 130 and the cover 135 both extending along the entire width of a side of the rectangular receptacle 125, the rectangular receptacle 125 may have a first angled shelf 130, second angled shelf 140 and/or cover 135 that extends only partially along the width of a side of the rectangular receptacle 125.

The first angled shelf 130 and/or the second angled shelf 140 may be substantially planar and/or one or both shelves may have a bend in part of the shelves to facilitate reception of articles of deposit and/or prevention of retrieval of articles of deposit. For example, one embodiment of rectangular receptacle 125 having a non-planar first angled shelf 130 is illustrated in FIG. 5.

The rectangular receptacle 125 affixed to the removable lid 106 has a first angled shelf 130 that has a first length 501 along a first angle, a bend 505, and a second length 507 along a second angle. The first length 501 and the second length 507 may be any length (e.g., ranging from 1 to 11 inches) depending upon the size of the rectangular receptacle and/or the container. The first angle and the second angle may be any angle (e.g., ranging from 0 to 90 degrees). In one embodiment, the first length 501 is approximately 7 inches, the first angle is approximately 30 degrees, the second length 507 is approximately 1¾ inches and the second angle is approximately zero degrees.

The removable lid 506 may also have a second angled shelf 140, that may or may not have a bend, and a substantially planar cover 135, that covers a portion of the top of the rectangular receptacle 525, such that an article that is deposited into the rectangular receptacle 525 is not readily retrievable. In another embodiment, the first angled shelf 130 is substantially planar and the second angled shelf 140 has a bend 505, along with a first length 501 and a second length 507. In yet another embodiment, both first angled shelf 130 and second angled shelf 140 have a bend 505 and a first and second length. The bend angle, first length and second angle may vary between the two shelves 130, 140

FIG. 6 further illustrates one embodiment of the tubular receptacle 275. The tubular receptacle 275 may be a separate piece from removable lid 106. In other embodiments, the tubular receptacle 275 may be integral to the removable lid 106.

In one embodiment, the tubular receptacle 275 is affixed to the removable lid 106 using a securing plate 640 that is affixed to the removable lid 106 with multiple screws 650. That is, the tubular receptacle 275 may have the securing plate 640 affixed to one end of the tubular receptacle 275. The opposite end of the tubular receptacle 275 may be inserted from the underside of the removable lid 106 through a circular opening 225, and the rest of the tubular receptacle 275 may be pulled through the circular opening 225. The securing plate 640 may be then affixed to the underside of the removable lid 106 using the multiple screws 650.

In one embodiment, the tubular receptacle 275 protrudes through the removable lid 106 and extends downward from 0.25 inches to two inches below the underside of the removable lid 106. In one embodiment, the diameter of the tubular receptacle 275 is approximately 4 inches. However, the diameter of the tubular receptacle 275 can be a variety of sizes such that it accepts the receipt of an article of deposit, such as diameters ranging from 1½ to 6 inches.

A removable lid that has a tubular receptacle may also contain any of the same additional features described above. For example, with reference to a top view of one embodiment illustrated in FIG. 7, a removable lid 106 may have multiple circular openings 225. The circular openings 225 may each have a tubular receptacle affixed to them. In one embodiment, one circular opening 225 has a tubular receptacle affixed to it, while the other circular opening 225 may contain a viewing window 330 affixed to it. The removable lid 106 may also have multiple protruding flaps 222, 224 that help secure the removable lid 106 to a container.

In certain embodiments, a component of the container system may include one or more elements formed as an integral part of the component. For example, in one embodiment, such integral elements are made with the same material as other portions of the component, e.g., 18-gauge steel, and are formed during the fabricating (or other manufacturing) process otherwise used to create the component. However, other embodiments may include elements of a component that are attached, secured, and/or otherwise integrated in a separate process and/or that comprise a material that differs in some respects from the material or materials comprising other elements of the component and/or system. For example, a side member of a system or component may comprise wood and/or steel while an adjustment member of that same system comprises aluminum.

Various embodiments for a lid for a container are provided. In one embodiment, the lid comprises a rectangular top having an opening. A plurality of protruding flaps extending outward from a side of the rectangular top. The protruding flaps are sized to be received by corresponding connectors on a container. The lid also comprises a receptacle having four side walls that is dimensioned to be secured atop the opening in the rectangular top and to receive an article of deposit. The rectangular receptacle includes a first angular shelf extending along a first side wall of the rectangular receptacle that is affixed to a top of the first side wall of the rectangular receptacle and angles downward therefrom. The rectangular receptacle also includes a second angular shelf extending along an opposite side wall of the rectangular receptacle and is affixed to a bottom of the opposite side wall and angles downward therefrom, and extends beneath the first angled shelf.

In one embodiment, the lid has a rectangular top with a circular opening, as well as a plurality of protruding flaps extending outward from a side of the rectangular top, the plurality of protruding flaps sized to be received by corresponding connectors on a container. The lid also has a tubular receptacle affixed to the circular opening, which has a curvature and extends upward and outward from the rectangular top.

In one embodiment, a lid assembly for a container is provided. The lid assembly comprises a lid having an opening, and a plurality of walls extending upward from the lid, that generally surround the opening. The lid assembly also includes at least two tabs extending from a side of the lid, that are designed to engage connectors on a container, and a first shelf affixed to and extending angularly downward from an upper portion of one of the plurality of walls in a first direction and a second shelf affixed to and extending angularly downward from a lower portion of an opposite one of the plurality walls in a second direction. The first direction is from the one of the plurality of walls towards a center of the opening, and the second direction is from the opposite one of the plurality of walls towards the center of the opening.

Removable lid, rectangular receptacles, tubular receptacles and other features may be manufactured using fabricating techniques. For example, in one embodiment, a removable lid is manufactured to include first cutting a rectangular top out of one or more patterns of steel, and then bending and welding the side walls of the rectangular top. In addition, the rectangular receptacle is also cut from a pattern, including the shelves within the rectangular receptacle. The various component parts of the rectangular receptacle are then bended and welded. The rectangular receptacle is then welded atop an opening in the removable lid. The tubular receptacle, and/or other features described herein may be similarly manufactured.

Although the application has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the application. Various examples of such changes have been given in the foregoing description. Accordingly, the disclosure of embodiments is intended to be illustrative of the scope of the application and is not intended to be limiting. For example, to one of ordinary skill in the art, it will be readily apparent that the embodiments discussed herein may be implemented in a variety of ways, and that the foregoing discussion of certain of these embodiments does not necessarily represent a complete description of all possible embodiments.

Claims

1. A lid for a container, the lid comprising:

a rectangular top having an opening;

a plurality of protruding flaps extending outward from a side of the rectangular top, the plurality of protruding flaps sized to be received by corresponding connectors on a container; and

a receptacle having four side walls and dimensioned to be secured atop the opening in the rectangular top and to receive an article of deposit, the rectangular receptacle including a first angular shelf extending along a first side wall of the rectangular receptacle, the first angular shelf being affixed to a top of the first side wall of the rectangular receptacle and angling downward therefrom and a second angular shelf extending along an opposite side wall of the rectangular receptacle, the second angular shelf being affixed to a bottom of the opposite side wall and angling downward therefrom,

wherein the second angular shelf extends beneath the first angled shelf.

2. The lid of claim 1, further comprising:

a slot in the rectangular top to receive a locking device to secure the lid to the container.

3. The lid of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of protruding flaps contains a bend extending along the width of each of the protruding flaps.

4. The lid of claim 3, wherein the each bend in the plurality of protruding flaps causes the plurality of protruding flaps to each bend approximately 45 degrees along the width of each of flap.

5. The lid of claim 1, wherein the plurality of protruding flaps includes two protruding flaps spaced approximately 8/14 inches from one another.

6. The lid of claim 1, further comprising:

a cover affixed to a portion of a top of the rectangular receptacle.

7. The lid of claim 1, wherein the corresponding connectors are hinges.

8. The lid of claim 1, wherein the lid is removable.

9. The lid of claim 1, wherein the opening in the rectangular top is dimensioned to be rectangle approximately 20 inches by 12 inches.

10. The lid of claim 1, further comprising:

three side walls extending downward respectively from three sides of the rectangular top.

11. The lid of claim 1, wherein the first angled shelf has a bend extending along the width of the first angled shelf.

12. The lid of claim 11, wherein the bend causes the first angled shelf to bend approximately 30 degrees.

13. A lid for a container, the lid comprising:

a rectangular top having a circular opening in the rectangular top;

a plurality of protruding flaps extending outward from a side of the rectangular top, the plurality of protruding flaps sized to be received by corresponding connectors on a container; and

a tubular receptacle affixed to the circular opening, the tubular receptacle having a curvature and extending upward and outward from the rectangular top.

14. The lid of claim 13, wherein the tubular receptacle has a diameter of approximately 4 inches.

15. The lid of claim 13, wherein the tubular receptacle has a curvature of approximately 90 degrees.

16. The lid of claim 13, further comprising:

an additional circular opening to retain a viewing window.

17. The lid of claim 13, further comprising:

three side walls extending downward respectively from three sides of the rectangular top.

18. A lid assembly for a container, the lid assembly comprising:

a lid having an opening defined therein;

a plurality of walls extending upward from the lid, the plurality of walls generally surrounding the opening;

at least two tabs extending from a side of the lid, the at least two tabs to engage connectors on a container;

a first shelf affixed to and extending angularly downward from an upper portion of one of the plurality of walls in a first direction; and

a second shelf affixed to and extending angularly downward from a lower portion of an opposite one of the plurality walls in a second direction, wherein the first direction is from the one of the plurality of walls towards a center of the opening, and wherein the second direction is from the opposite one of the plurality of walls towards the center of the opening.

19. The lid assembly of claim 18, wherein the connectors are hinges.