FLIP LID CONTAINER

Abstract

Implementations of the present disclosure include a lid, a container having an opening wherein the lid is configured to cover the opening, a first hinge configured to allow the lid to rotate about an axis, and a second hinge configured to limit the range of rotation of the lid. In some implementations, the lid includes an extended portion that projects away from a side surface of the container when the lid is on top of the container such that when the lid is on top of the storage container, the lid can be raised from the storage container by applying an upward force to the extended portion. In some implementations, the lid includes a groove around the perimeter of the lid wherein the groove is configured to receive the rim of the container when force is applied to the lid.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/727,492, which was filed on Nov. 16, 2012, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a flip lid container

BACKGROUND

Existing food containers do not provide lids that can securely store food and also open and close easily when it is desirable to serve food from the food containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate an example flip lid container of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of the present disclosure provide a flip lid container to securely store food and to easily serve food therefrom. Implementations of the present disclosure include a lid, a container having an opening wherein the lid is configured to cover the opening, a first hinge, and a second hinge. Implementations of the first hinge can include a first part attached to the lid and a second part attached to the container wherein the first part and second part are configured to allow the lid to rotate about an axis. Implementations of the second hinge can include a first part attached to the lid and a second part attached to the container wherein the first part and second part are configured to limit the range of rotation of the lid. In some implementations, the lid includes an extended portion that projects away from a side surface of the container when the lid is on top of the container such that when the lid is on top of the storage container, the lid can be raised from the storage container by applying an upward force to the extended portion. In some implementations, the lid includes a groove around the perimeter of the lid wherein the groove is configured to receive the rim of the container when force is applied to the lid.

Implementations of the present disclosure can be used for any purpose but especially can be used in outdoor environments to protect food from environmental contaminates.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example flip lid container 100 of the present invention. The flip lid container 100 comprises a removable lid 110, a storage container 120, a slide hinge 130, and a snap-lock hinge 140.

In some implementations, the removable lid 110 includes a groove 110a around the perimeter of the lid. In some implementations, the removable lid 110 includes a groove around a portion of the perimeter of the lid. As shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, the groove is configured to securely engage the rim 120a of the storage container. In some implementations, the removable lid 110 also includes an extended rim portion 110b. As shown in FIG. 2B, the extended rim portion 110b extends over the rim of the storage container when the lid is closed on top of the storage container. In other words, the extended rim portion 110b is a portion of the lid that projects away from a side surface of the storage container 120 when the lid is on top of the storage container such that when the lid is on top of the storage container, the lid can be raised from the storage container by applying an upward force to the extended rim portion. In some implementations, the extended rim portion can extend an entire side of the removable lid 110.

In some implementations, the slide hinge 130 includes a female part containing an aperture extending lengthwise (e.g., female part 130a). In some implementations, the slide hinge also includes an elongated male part (e.g., male part 130b) configured to fit lengthwise into the aperture of the female part.

In some implementations, the female part of the slide hinge may be provided on the lid and the male part may be provided on the storage container. In some implementations, the female part may be provided on the storage container and the male part may be provided on the lid.

When the female and male parts are mated by, for example, inserting the male part into the aperture of the female part, the lid can rotate about an axis defined by the male part.

The present disclosure is not limited to the slide hinge 130 illustrated in FIG. 1. Any hinge that is configured to allow the lid to rotate about an axis defined by the hinge can be used as a slide hinge.

The snap-lock hinge 140 is provided to limit the range of rotation of the lid. In some implementation, the snap-lock hinge includes a female part (e.g., female part 140a) configured to snap onto and rotate about a male part (e.g., male part 140b). The female part is further configured such that the female part (e.g., part 140a) makes contact with the rim of the storage container when the lid is rotated a certain number of degrees. As shown in FIG. 3, when the female part of the slide hinge makes contact with the rim of the storage container, the lid cannot rotate any further.

In some implementations, the snap-lock hinge is configured to limit the range of rotation of the lid to 115 degrees from the closed position. In some implementations, the snap-lock hinge is configured to limit the range of rotation of the lid to a degree greater than 115 degrees from the closed position. In some implementations, the snap-lock hinge is configured to limit the range of rotation of the lid to a degree less than 115 degrees from the closed position.

In some implementations, the female part of the snap-lock hinge may be provided on the lid and the male part of the snap-lock hinge may be provided on the storage container. In some implementations, the female part of the snap-lock hinge may be provided on the storage container and the male part of the snap-lock hinge may be provided on the lid.

The present disclosure is not limited to the snap-lock hinge 140 illustrated in FIG. 1. Any snap-lock hinge that is configured to limit the range of rotation of the lid can be used as a snap-lock hinge.

To securely store food (e.g., for transport from one location to another) in the flip lid container, the grove of the lid is aligned with the rim of the storage container and force can be applied to the lid to securely engage the lid with the rim of the storage container.

To serve food from the flip lid container, a user can open the lid by lifting the extended rim portion of the lid until the lid stops rotating due to the snap-lock hinge. Thereafter, the lid can be closed by lowering the extended rim portion of the lid on top of the storage container.

As shown in FIG. 1, in some implementations, the lid is detachable from the storage container.

The flip lid container of the present disclosure is not limited to storing and serving food but can be used for any purpose. The flip lid container or parts thereof can be made of any material including plastic, aluminum, glass, rubber, any other material, or a combination of the foregoing. The flip lid container of the present disclosure is not limited to any particular shape or size.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “an implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in an embodiment” or “an implementation” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a lid;

a container having an opening wherein the lid is configured to cover the opening;

a first hinge having a first part attached to the lid and a second part attached to the container wherein the first part and second part are configured to allow the lid to rotate about an axis; and

a second hinge having a first part attached to the lid and a second part attached to the container wherein the first part and second part are configured to limit the range of rotation of the lid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first part and second part of the first hinge engage and disengage with each other by a sliding action.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first part and second part of the second hinge engage and disengage with each other by a snap action.

4. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the first part and second part of the second hinge engage and disengage with each other by a snap action.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first part of the second hinge is configured to make contact with the rim of the container when the lid is rotated from a closed position a predetermined degree to limit rotation of the lid.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lid includes an extended portion wherein the extended portion projects away from a side surface of the container when the lid is on top of the container such that when the lid is on top of the storage container, the lid can be raised from the storage container by applying an upward force to the extended portion.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the lid includes a groove around the perimeter of the lid wherein the groove is configured to receive the rim of the container when force is applied to the lid.

8. An apparatus comprising:

a lid;

a container having an opening wherein the lid is configured to cover the opening;

a first hinge means for slideably engaging and disengaging the lid from the container and allowing the lid to rotate about an axis, and

a second hinge means limiting the range of rotation of the lid.

9. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the lid includes an extended portion wherein the extended portion projects away from a side surface of the container when the lid is on top of the container such that when the lid is on top of the storage container, the lid can be raised from the storage container by applying an upward force to the extended portion.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the lid includes a groove around the perimeter of the lid wherein the groove is configured to receive the rim of the container when force is applied to the lid.

11. A method of using the apparatus of claim 7 comprising aligning the grove of the lid with the rim of the container and applying force to the lid to engage the lid with the rim of the container.

12. A method of using the apparatus of claim 6 comprising applying an upward force to the extended portion of the lid until the lid stops rotating due to the second hinge.