CONTAINER LID SYSTEM WITH TAMPER INDICATOR

Abstract

A container lid system is provided. The system has a lid with a top cover and coupling trough and at least two retaining tabs. When the lid is attached to a beverage container, the retaining tabs travel over the bead rim of the container, and grip the lid onto the beverage container. The lid may be detached from the beverage container by lifting on the retaining tab, and thus permanently deforming the tab such that the deformation indicates that the lid has been tampered with. The lid is constructed such that the retaining tabs have sufficient force to grip the beverage container and form a liquid-tight seal with the beverage container's pressurized contents. The lid's retaining tabs, however, are constructed to bend when a force is applied to them, wherein that force is one that a person can exert with a finger. Thus, the lid can be easily press-fitted onto a container and removed by hand.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is also related to U.S. Pat. No. 8,596,491 entitled “CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” issued on Dec. 3, 2013; U.S. Pat. No. 8,695,845 entitled “TOP MOUNTING CAN CONTAINER” issued on Apr. 15, 2014; U.S. Pat. No. 8,381,935 entitled “CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” issued on Feb. 26, 2013; U.S. Pat. 8,714,393 entitled “CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” issued on May 6, 2014; U.S. Pat. 8,590,730 entitled “TOP MOUNTING CAN CONTAINER” issued on Nov. 26, 2013; U.S. Pat. No. 8,708,181 entitled “LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” issued on Apr. 29, 2014; U.S. Pat. No. 8,701,914 entitled “TWO-PART RECYCLABLE CUP” issued on Apr. 22, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/412,602 entitled “TOP MOUNTING BOTTLE CONTAINER” filed on Mar. 5, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/680,011 entitled “CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” filed on Nov. 17, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/680,049 entitled “CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” filed on Nov. 17, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/733,153 entitled “CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” filed on Jan. 3, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/263,993 entitled “LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER” filed on Apr. 28, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/269,016 entitled “A CONTAINER LID WITH ONE OR MORE CAVITIES” filed on May 2, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/274,576 entitled “A CONTAINER LID WITH A FOOD COMPARTMENT AND A SIP-HOLE” filed on May 9, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/313,907 entitled “A CONTAINER LID SYSTEM WITH A LID PORTION AND FOOD CONTAINER PORTION” filed on Jun. 24, 2014; and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/005,862 entitled “A CONTAINER LID SYSTEM WITH A LID PORTION AND FOOD CONTAINER PORTION” filed on May 30, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 29/500,266 entitled “BENDABLE DRINKING STRAW” filed on Aug. 22, 2014; U.S. Patent Application 62/038,209 entitled “BENDABLE SAFETY STRAW” filed on Aug. 16, 2014; and U.S. Patent Application 62/105,256 entitled “BENDABLE SAFETY STRAW AND LIDS WITH FOOD COMPARTMENT” filed on Jan. 20, 2015, all of which are by the same inventor of the present application. Each of these applications is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to lids for beverage containers, and particularly to a new and novel lid system that can be removed by hand.

BACKGROUND

Beer, soda, juice, milk, tea, iced coffee and other beverages are sold in individual glass or plastic beverage containers that are often located in the refrigerated section of retail establishments. Often these individual containers are opened by removing the metal or plastic cap, and the beverage contained within the container is directly consumed.

These bottles, however, have several shortcomings. First, they have narrow openings and consumers often prefer to drink from containers that have a wide opening. In such an event, the consumer may pour the contents into a conventional drinking glass and dispose of the beverage container. Second, to maintain the pressure of a carbonated beverage within the container, the rim may be threaded with a cap that can be removed by the consumer. But consumers prefer to drink out of containers without threading because a smoother feel is more pleasing to the mouth. Third, those containers that do not have threading require a crimped lid that must be pried off with a bottle opener. A consumer may not have such an opener, diminishing the convenience of that beverage container. Finally, consumers do not reuse these containers for everyday use; rather, once the consumer drinks directly from the container or transfers the contents to a drinking glass, the container is discarded or recycled.

Wide-rim containers, such as those containing jam, peanut butter, and nuts may have a replaceable lid wherein, once the contents are consumed and the lid is no longer utilized, the wide-rimmed container converts into a household drinking glass. But these types of containers utilize metal caps that provide a sufficient seal for food items but are not engineered to provide a strong seal for carbonated and/or pressurized beverages.

There have been attempts in the prior art to resolve these issues, but they too have their shortcomings. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 1,441,742 contains ears that are secured by a ring that is placed over the ears and compresses the ears into the container. Similarly, U.S. Pat. No. 34,976 and 3,532,244 employ a ring. The problem with each of these designs is that the ring is applied to the lid “forcibly and with great power” (U.S. Pat. No. 34,976), and therefore the end user would need to dislodge that ring with greater force and power—requiring tooling to do so. Often, instead of sliding the ring off, the user cuts the ring; and once cut, the ring, being under great tension, may suddenly and violently dislodge, injuring the user. Also, installing the ring adds additionally manufacturing steps, increasing cost and complexity.

Another attempt is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,774,797, where the lid has a complete skirt around the container rim that is crimped as is conventionally done in narrow-rimmed containers. A tab is attached to one edge of the crimped lid and allows a user to dislodge the lid. The problem with this design is the manufacturer must place the lid on the bottle and then crimp it for a proper seal. The lid does not allow for a press-fit. Also, the lid is designed for a narrow-rimmed container.

What is needed therefore is a lid system that overcomes these deficiencies and provides consumers with a container that may be reused as a conventional wide-rimmed drinking glass. This solution not only reduces waste, it also increases the product appeal of the beverage.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides an elegant solution to the needs described above and provides numerous additional benefits and advantages as will be apparent to persons of skill in the art. One aspect provides a beverage container lid for use with a beverage container having a bead rim, the bead rim defining an opening and having a cross-sectional shape with an upper bead point and an outer bead point. The lid has a top cover adapted to cover the opening and a coupling trough connected to the top cover and shaped to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the bead rim. The coupling trough circumscribes the bead rim and extends from the upper bead point to a position at or higher than the outer bead point. The lid also has at least two retaining tabs connected to and extending downwardly away from the coupling trough, the tabs having a coupling trough extension shaped to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the bead rim, wherein the coupling trough extension circumscribes a portion of the bead rim and extends from the coupling trough to a position that is below the outer bead point, wherein the coupling trough extension has a bend axis with a yield strength. A diagonal receiving wall is connected to and extends downwardly away from the coupling trough extension, and the diagonal receiving wall has a strength rib, a distal end and a length. The strength rib increases the moment of inertia of the diagonal receiving wall along an axis parallel to the bend axis. The bend axis and the diagonal receiving wall length are constructed such that the yield strength is overcome with a force of less than 20 N applied to the diagonal receiving wall distal end.

In other aspects, the coupling trough has a cut or a stamped score line adjacent to at least one of the coupling trough extensions. The top cover also may have a cover strength rib. The diagonal receiving wall distal end may also have a finger grab area with a downward stamped projection with an exposed grip edge. A gasket may also be disposed at least partially in the coupling trough, and the lid may further have at least four retaining tabs.

Other aspects include a visual indicator that the lid has been tampered with when the bend axis irreversibly deforms when the force of less than 20 N is applied to the diagonal receiving wall distal end.

In yet another aspect, the lid is constructed such that it can elastically withstand a compression force when the lid is pressed onto the beverage container. The compression force is sufficient to elastically deform the coupling trough extension about the bend axis such that the coupling trough extension can move past the outer bead point and return at least partially to its pre-deformed shape. The lid may further include a gasket disposed at least partially in the coupling trough, wherein when the coupling trough extension returns at least partially to its pre-deformed shape, the gasket forms a liquid- and gas-tight seal with the container. The lid may further be constructed to have a restorative force that returns the coupling trough extension at least partially to its pre-deformed shape, and wherein that restorative force is sufficient to maintain the lid onto the beverage container when the contents of the beverage container exert a pressure of at least 500 KPa on the cover.

The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not meant to be exhaustive. Other aspects, objects, and advantages of this invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention can be better understood with reference to the following figures. The components within the figures are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed on clearly illustrating example aspects of the invention. In the figures, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the different views and/or embodiments. It will be understood that certain components and details may not appear in the figures to assist in more clearly describing the invention.

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the novel container lid system, with tamper indicator attached, on a beverage container.

FIG. 2 is an isometric exploded view of the novel lid system of FIG. 1 with the lid detached from the gasket and beverage container.

FIG. 3A is a cross section of the novel lid system of FIG. 1, taken along line 3A-3A of FIG. 4A, attached to a beverage container.

FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a cross section of the novel lid system of FIG. 1, taken along line 3C-3C of FIG. 4A, attached to a beverage container.

FIG. 3D is a cross section of the novel lid system of FIG. 1 taken along line 3C-3C of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 4A is an isometric top view of the novel lid system of FIG. 1, without the beverage container.

FIG. 4B is an isometric bottom view of the novel lid system of FIG. 1 with a gasket and without the beverage container.

FIG. 5A is an isometric top view of a second embodiment of a novel container lid system without the beverage container, where the cover has cover strengthening ribs.

FIG. 5B is an isometric bottom view of the novel lid system of FIG. 5A with a gasket and without the beverage container.

FIG. 6A is an isometric view of the novel lid system of FIG. 1 with the lid attached to a beverage container.

FIG. 6B is an enlarged view of a portion of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 7A is a cross section of the novel lid system of FIG. 1, when the lid first contacts the beverage container.

FIG. 7B is a cross section of the novel lid system of FIG. 1, when the lid is compressed onto the beverage container, and the coupling trough extension clears the outer edge of the beverage container bead rim.

FIG. 7C is a cross section of the novel lid system of FIG. 1, when the lid is securely fixed to the beverage container.

FIG. 8A is a cross section of the novel lid system of FIG. 1, when the lid is securely fixed to the beverage container.

FIG. 8B is a cross section of the novel lid system of FIG. 1, when a force is first applied to the distal end of the diagonal receiving wall of a retaining tab.

FIG. 8C is a cross section of the novel lid system of FIG. 1, when the force is further applied to the distal end of the diagonal receiving wall of a retaining tab.

FIG. 8D is a cross section of the novel lid system of FIG. 1, when the force is further applied to the distal end of the diagonal receiving wall, thereby irreversible deforming the lid.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the lid that has been irreversible deformed when it has been detached from the beverage container.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the stress v. strain relationship.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Following is a non-limiting written description of example embodiments illustrating various aspects of the invention. These examples are provided to enable a person of ordinary skill in the art to practice the full scope of the invention without having to engage in an undue amount of experimentation. As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, further modifications and adaptations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is limited only by the claims.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. Particular example embodiments of the present invention may be implemented without some or all of these features or specific details. In other instances, components well known to persons of skill in the art have not been described in detail in order not to obscure unnecessarily the present invention.

The invention that will be described herein relates to an easy to open, press fit metal lid for a wide-rimmed (or no-neck) container that converts into an everyday household drinking glass. Further aspects that are associated with the embodiments of the invention are multiple downward-oriented tabs, a strong seal, and tamper-evident features that indicate when the wide-rimmed metal lid has been removed from the wide-mouth glass container.

Referring to FIG. 1, a beverage container lid 10 is shown attached to a beverage container 20 by way of retaining tabs 30. In this embodiment, four retaining tabs 30 are used and only two are visible from this perspective, but any number from two to twelve tabs may be employed. The retaining tabs 30 hook around a bead rim 40 of the beverage container 20, discussed in more detail below. FIG. 2 shows in exploded view the lid 10, with an optional gasket 50 that is disposed between the bead rim 40 and the lid 10. The gasket 50 may be constructed of a resilient material such as rubber, plastic, silicon or other composite materials, and makes for a more reliable seal between the lid 10 and the beverage container 20. The gasket 50 may be configured as a ring shape or may be configured from a single layer of material. Because the lid 10 is designed to contain contents within the container 20 that may be under pressure (such as beer or soda), the contents will push on the lid 10 with some pressure. The lid 10 is designed to press-fit onto the container 20, and the gasket 50 deforms to accommodate the press-fit, and simultaneously seals the contents of the container 20.

FIGS. 3A, 3B, 3C and 3D illustrate in greater detail the various components of the lid 10 that allow it to attach to the bead rim 40 of the container 20. FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of the lid 10 attached to a container 20, taken along line 3A-3A of FIG. 4A; FIG. 3B shows a portion of this view enlarged. The bead rim 40 of the container 20 has a cross-sectional shape with an upper bead point 60 and an outer bead point 70 (this is shown also in FIG. 7A). Here the bead rim 40 as shown is circular, with the upper part of the circle defining the upper bead point 60 and the outermost edge of the circle defining the outer bead point 70. Other bead rim cross-sectional shapes are possible, including but not limited to rectangular. The lid 10 has a top cover 80 adapted to cover the opening of the beverage container 20. A coupling trough 90 is connected to the top cover 80 and shaped to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the bead rim 40. FIGS. 3C and 3D, which are taken along the line 3C-3C in FIG. 4A, illustrate the coupling trough 90 in more detail. The coupling trough 90 circumscribes the bead rim 40 and extends from the upper bead point 60 to a position at or above the outer bead point 70. The relative positions above and below are intended to mean vertically above or below when the top cover 80 is oriented horizontally.

Returning to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the lid 10 also has at least two retaining tabs 30 connected to and extending downwardly away from the coupling trough 90. The tabs 30 have a coupling trough extension 100 shaped to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the bead rim 40, wherein the coupling trough extension 100 circumscribes a portion of the bead rim 40 and extends from the coupling trough 90 to a position that is below the outer bead point 70. The relative positions above and below are intended to mean vertically above or below when the top cover 80 is oriented horizontally. Because the lid 100 and the coupling trough extension 100 are constructed to be compliant in very tight ranges, the coupling trough extension 100 conforms to the shape of the bead rim 40 that is below the outer bead point 70. The coupling trough extension 100 has a bend axis 110 where the coupling trough extension 100 bends to fit over and move past the outer bead point 70. While FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate the lid 10 already installed on the container 20, the press-fit aspects of the present disclosure are detailed below with reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C. The bend axis 110 has a yield strength that is discussed in more detail with reference to FIG. 10.

The tab 30 also has a diagonal receiving wall 120 that is connected to and extends downwardly away from the coupling trough extension 100. The diagonal receiving wall 120 has a strength rib 130 shown in better detail in FIGS. 3D and 4A. The diagonal receiving wall 120 has a distal end 140 and a length L. The strength rib 130 increases the moment of inertia of the diagonal receiving wall 120 along an axis parallel to the bend axis 110. The diagonal receiving wall 120 is shaped to flare away from the coupling trough extension 100. This flared (or diagonal) shape serves several functions which are best illustrated with further reference to FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C. First, when the lid 10 is press-fit onto the container 20, the diagonal receiving wall 120 provides a larger area into which the container 20 may be inserted, and as the container 20 is brought closer to the top cover 80, the diagonal receiving wall 120 guides the bead rim 40 into proper position. Second, the flared shape allows for space 150 between the container 20 and the diagonal receiving wall distal end 140, such that a consumer may place a finger within the space 150 and pull the tab 30 away from the container 20 in the direction of arrow 160.

To assist the consumer in maintaining a good grip, the diagonal receiving wall distal end 140 may also have a finger grab area 170 with a downward stamped projection 180 with an exposed grip edge 190 as shown in FIG. 6B.

FIG. 6B also illustrates that the coupling trough 90 circumscribes the bead rim 40 and extends from the upper bead point 60 to a position at or above the outer bead point 70. It further shows how the coupling tough extension 100 extends from the coupling trough 90 to a position below the outer bead point 70, and that the coupling trough extension 100 circumscribes only a portion of the bead rim 40.

FIG. 4B illustrates an isometric exploded bottom-side view of the lid 10 with four tabs 30 and a ring-shaped gasket 50, although as previously disclosed, the gasket 50 may be made from a sheet of material. The gasket 50 is at least partially disposed in the coupling trough 90. The gasket 50 may additionally cover the underside of the top cover 80. The gasket 50 may optionally be adhered to the coupling trough 90 or the underside of the top cover 80 by any means such as adhesive or thermal bonding.

FIGS. 5A and 5B illustrate a second embodiment where the top cover 80 has at least one cover strength rib 200. The cover strength rib 200 helps control flexing of the cover when the consumer is attempting to remove the lid from the container. This embodiment also has a cut(s) or stamped score line(s) 210 adjacent to at least one of the coupling trough extensions 100. The cut or stamped score line 210 and the coupling trough extension 100 define the bend axis with a yield strength. The cut or stamped score line 210 assists the consumer in lifting the tab 30 and releasing the lid 10 from the container 20.

FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C illustrate the press-fit feature of the lid 10. In FIG. 7A, the container 20 has been aligned with the lid 10 by way of the diagonal receiving wall 120. Without compression in the direction of arrow 220, the bottom edge of the coupling trough extension (shown at position 230) could not travel over the outer bead point 70. Once compression is applied (FIG. 7B) however, the bend axis 110 begins to elastically deform, moving the diagonal receiving wall distal end 140 in the direction of arrow 160. This also moves the bottom edge of the coupling trough extension (shown at position 230) outward so that it can clear the outer bead point 70. Further compression (FIG. 7C) moves the bottom edge of the coupling trough extension (shown at position 230) past the outer bead point 70, causing the restorative force 240 of the lid 10 to return the lid to at least partially its pre-deformed shape and allowing the coupling trough extension 100 to envelope the bottom side of the bead rim 40. It is further advantageous that the lid 10 at least partially return to its pre-deformed shape because having some tension in the lid prevents the lid from moving, thereby reducing the possibility of leaks. This restorative force 240 maintains the lid on the container, even when the contents of the container are under pressure. The pressure in a can of soda or beer varies based on the amount of CO2 contained in the drink and the temperature. For example, it has been reported that a refrigerated can of 7UP® contains 210 kPa of pressure, Pepsi-Cola® contains 276 kPa at approximately 16° C., and Coca-Cola Classic® at 34° C. has an internal pressure of approximately 380 kPa. So the restorative force 240 must accommodate approximately this range of pressures.

FIGS. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D illustrate the tamper-evident removal feature of the lid 10. FIG. 8A shows the lid 10 attached to the container 20 prior to a consumer attempting to dislodge the lid 10. At FIG. 8B the user is beginning to apply force to the diagonal receiving wall distal end 140 in the direction of arrow 160 but has not yet allowed the lower edge of the coupling trough extension 230 to clear the outer bead point 70. In FIG. 8C, the lower edge of the coupling trough extension 230 has cleared the outer bead point 70, and in FIG. 8D, the user continues to apply force and causes the tab 30 to permanently and irreversible deform. At this point, if the user ceases to apply force, the lid 10 will remain in the deformed state, indicating that the lid 10 has been tampered with. FIG. 9 is a side view, without the beverage container, of the lid 10 after tampering.

The number of retaining tabs can vary from two to twelve. Optimally, however, four tabs provide a structure that effectively seals in a beverage under pressure and allows for the safe removal of the lid. In a four-tab configuration, a consumer may pull up on one tab and permanently deform that tab. At that point, the lid's grip on the container is uneven, causing the lid to flex away from the container where the tab has been deformed. This flexure permits the contents to degas while the lid is still fixed to the container. The consumer then pulls up and deforms a retaining tab adjacent to the already deformed tab in order to completely remove the lid from the container. This two-tab removal prevents the lid from propelling off the container when a single tab is pulled up or deformed.

Referring to FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the stress v. strain relationship. Stress is the amount of force per unit area applied to the material, while strain is the amount of deformation an object experiences compared to its original size and shape. The portion to the left of the yield strength is elastic deformation, meaning that once the stress (i.e., force) is removed, the material will return to its original size and shape. The portion to the right of the yield strength is plastic deformation that is irreversible—so when the stress is removed the material will not return to its original size and shape. The type of material used, the shape of that material and the placement of the stress will all affect the shape of the stress/strain graph. Therefore the lid is constructed such that the stress (i.e., force) experienced by the bend axis 110 is elastic for the movement required to press-fit the lid 10 onto the container 20 (i.e., the movement of the lid 10 from the position in FIG. 7A to the position in FIG. 7B), and plastic when a larger force is applied to the retaining tab 30 (i.e., the movement of the tab 30 from the position in FIG. 8C to the position in FIG. 8D). In other words, the linear portion of the stress/strain graph should allow for the compression fit, but pulling of the retainer tab 30 past the linear region permanently deforms the tab.

Because one of skill in the art should recognize that infinite design choices may be implemented to meet these criteria, it should be apparent that the claims that follow are intended to cover all these variants. For example, one potential design may use aluminum which is a more pliable material, while another design may use steel that is less pliable. Not only may the material be varied, but the relative thickness throughout the lid may be changed. So for a material that has a yield strength that is too low, extra material may be placed on the deformation region to increase the yield strength enough to allow a sufficient amount of strain to accommodate the press fit. And by adding more material to accommodate the press fit, the amount of force needed to overcome the yield strength would increase. To make the lid easily removable by a consumer, the length L of the tab 30 (i.e., the diagonal receiving wall 120) might need to be lengthened to amplify the torsional force experienced at the bend axis 110. Therefore, it should be apparent that a lid design with various thicknesses, lengths and shapes may not work when constructed out of different materials. Further, the embodiments described herein have referred to a metal lid. It would be apparent to those of skill in the art that other suitable materials may be used, such as, but not limited to, plastics and composites.

In the preferred embodiment, the lid is constructed by stamping it out of a piece of steel. The thickness of the steel is relatively constant throughout the lid. The benefit to stamping is that is inexpensive and requires few manufacturing steps. For areas where the lid is to experience force and the design would require a more rigid structure, the steel can be stamped to change the moment of inertia in the direction of the expected force. For example, the strength rib 130 changes the moment of inertia of the diagonal receiving wall 120 such that the diagonal receiving wall 120 does not bend (or at least minimally bends) when a force is applied to the distal end 140. This construction effectively transfers the bending energy applied to the distal end 140 to a position where there is no structure that changes the moment of inertia—i.e., the bend axis 110. This could also be achieved by adding material to the diagonal retaining wall 120, but that would require additional manufacturing steps. Likewise, the top cover 80 may have strengthening ribs 200 to prevent the flexing of the top cover 80 when the consumer is attempting to remove the lid.

The strength of fingers varies between individuals, but it has been reported that the pull strength of the index finger in the population has a mean of between 40 and 60 N, with a standard deviation of 19-25 N. See MEASUREMENT AND PREDICTION OF SINGLE AND MULTI-DIGIT FINGER STRENGTH, A. DiDomenico and M. Nussbaum, Ergonomics, 2003, Vol. 46, No. 15, pgs. 1531-1548. Therefore to accommodate a significant portion of the population, including one standard deviation below the mean, the maximum pull force in the retainer tab should be no more than 20 N. But because this force is applied to the distal end of the diagonal receiving wall 140, the force is amplified at the bend axis 110. Increasing the length L of the retaining tab 30 and its diagonal receiving wall 120 will further amplify the force at the bend axis 110, sufficient enough to overcome the yield strength at the bend axis 110 and cause permanent, irreversible deformation. Thus, the bend axis 110 and the diagonal receiving wall length L should be constructed such that the yield strength is overcome with a force of less than 20 N applied to the diagonal receiving wall distal end 140.

The previous examples showed a wide-rimmed container that, when viewed from a side profile, looks more like a drinking glass than a wide-rimmed glass bottle. Although the wide-rimmed container may be configured in various slender and elegant shapes, the purest form for the wide-rimmed container is a straight-walled, cylinder shape. Other elegant shapes include walls that taper slightly outward from the bottom of the container to form a subtle inverted conical shape. In the preferred embodiments, the wide-rimmed container would appear to have no neck. A no-neck container is a modern progressive design choice that is quite novel, although the container may be formed in a myriad of other shapes.

The invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments that illustrate examples of the invention but do not limit its scope. Various example systems have been shown and described having various aspects and elements. Unless indicated otherwise, any feature, aspect or element of any of these systems may be removed from, added to, combined with or modified by any other feature, aspect or element of any of the systems. As will be apparent to persons skilled in the art, modifications and adaptations to the above-described systems and methods can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which is defined only by the following claims. Moreover, the applicant expressly does not intend the following claims “and the embodiments in the specification to be strictly coextensive.” Phillips v. AHW Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1323 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (en banc).

Claims

1. A beverage container lid for use with a beverage container having a bead rim, the bead rim defining an opening and having a cross-sectional shape with an upper bead point and an outer bead point, the lid comprising:

a top cover adapted to cover the opening;

a coupling trough connected to the top cover and shaped to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the bead rim, wherein the coupling trough is constructed to circumscribe the bead rim and extend from the upper bead point to a position at or higher than the outer bead point;

at least two retaining tabs connected to and extending downwardly away from the coupling trough, the tabs comprising: a coupling trough extension shaped to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the bead rim, wherein the coupling trough extension is constructed to circumscribe a portion of the bead rim and extend from the coupling trough to a position that is below the outer bead point, wherein the coupling trough extension further comprises a bend axis with a yield strength; a diagonal receiving wall connected to and extending downwardly away from the coupling trough extension, the diagonal receiving wall having a strength rib, a distal end and a length; and

wherein the strength rib increases the moment of inertia of the diagonal receiving wall along an axis parallel to the bend axis; and

wherein the bend axis and the diagonal receiving wall length are constructed such that the yield strength is overcome with a force of less than 20 N applied to the diagonal receiving wall distal end.

2. The beverage container lid of claim 1, wherein the top cover comprises a cover strength rib.

3. The beverage container lid of claim 1, wherein the diagonal receiving wall distal end comprises a finger grab area.

4. The beverage container lid of claim 3, wherein the finger grab area comprises a downward stamped projection with an exposed grip edge.

5. The beverage container lid of claim 1, further comprising a gasket disposed at least partially in the coupling trough.

6. The beverage container lid of claim 1, further comprising at least four retaining tabs.

7. The beverage container lid of claim 1, wherein the lid is constructed such that it can elastically withstand a compression force when the lid is pressed onto the beverage container, and wherein the compression force is sufficient to elastically deform the coupling trough extension about the bend axis such that the coupling trough extension can move past the outer bead point and return at least partially to its pre-deformed shape.

8. The beverage container lid of claim 7, further comprising a gasket disposed at least partially in the coupling trough, wherein when the coupling trough extension returns at least partially to its pre-deformed shape, the gasket forms a liquid- and gas-tight seal with the container.

9. The beverage container lid of claim 8, wherein the lid comprises a restorative force that returns the coupling trough extension to at least partially its pre-deformed shape, and wherein that restorative force is sufficient to maintain the lid onto the beverage container when the contents of the beverage container exert a pressure of at least 300 KPa on the cover.

10. The beverage container lid of claim 9, wherein the contents of the beverage container exert a pressure of at least 500 KPa on the cover.

11. The beverage container lid of claim 1, wherein the bend axis irreversibly deforms when a force of less than 20 N is applied to the diagonal receiving wall distal end, thereby providing a visual indication that the lid has been tampered with.

12. A beverage container lid for use with a beverage container having a bead rim, the bead rim defining an opening and having a cross-sectional shape with an upper bead point and an outer bead point, the lid comprising:

a top cover adapted to cover the opening;

a coupling trough connected to the top cover and shaped to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the bead rim, wherein the coupling trough is constructed to circumscribe the bead rim and extend from the upper bead point to a position at or higher than the outer bead point;

at least two retaining tabs connected to and extending downwardly away from the coupling trough, the tabs comprising: a coupling trough extension shaped to conform to the cross-sectional shape of the bead rim, wherein the coupling trough extension is constructed to circumscribe a portion of the bead rim and extend from the coupling trough to a position that is below the outer bead point; a diagonal receiving wall connected to and extending downwardly away from the coupling trough extension, the diagonal receiving wall having a strength rib, a distal end and a length; and

the coupling trough further comprising a cut or a stamped score line adjacent to at least one of the coupling trough extensions, wherein the coupling trough extension and the cut or a stamped score line define a bend axis with a yield strength;

wherein the strength rib increases the moment of inertia of the diagonal receiving wall along an axis parallel to the bend axis;

wherein the cut or stamped score line, bend axis and the diagonal receiving wall length are constructed such that the yield strength is overcome with a force of less than 20 N applied to the diagonal receiving wall distal end.

13. The beverage container lid of claim 12, wherein the top cover comprises a cover strength rib.

14. The beverage container lid of claim 12, wherein the diagonal receiving wall distal end comprises a finger grab area.

15. The beverage container lid of claim 14, wherein the finger grab area comprises a downward stamped projection with an exposed grip edge.

16. The beverage container lid of claim 12, further comprising a gasket disposed at least partially in the coupling trough.

17. The beverage container lid of claim 12, further comprising at least four retaining tabs.

18. The beverage container lid of claim 12, wherein the lid is constructed such that it can elastically withstand a compression force when the lid is pressed onto the beverage container, and wherein the compression force is sufficient to elastically deform the coupling trough extension about the bend axis such that the coupling trough extension can move past the outer bead point and return at least partially to its pre-deformed shape.

19. The beverage container lid of claim 18, further comprising a gasket disposed at least partially in the coupling trough, wherein when the coupling trough extension returns at least partially to its pre-deformed shape, the gasket forms a liquid- and gas-tight seal with the container.

20. The beverage container lid of claim 19, wherein the lid comprises a restorative force that returns the coupling trough extension to at least partially its pre-deformed shape, and wherein that restorative force is sufficient to maintain the lid onto the beverage container when the contents of the beverage container exert a pressure of at least 300 KPa on the cover.

21. The beverage container lid of claim 20, wherein the contents of the beverage container exert a pressure of at least 500 KPa on the cover.

22. The beverage container lid of claim 12, wherein the bend axis irreversibly deforms when a force of less than 20 N is applied to the diagonal receiving wall distal end, thereby providing a visual indication that the lid has been tampered with.