ERGONOMIC GRIP LID

Abstract

Disclosed are various embodiments of a system and its components. The system includes a container and an ergonomic lid. The ergonomic lid includes a plurality of protrusions extending from an external surface of the ergonomic lid. The ergonomic lid also includes a closure mechanism located on an internal surface of the ergonomic lid configured to mechanically attach the ergonomic lid to the container.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/374,774, filed on Aug. 13, 2016, and entitled “ERGONOMIC GRIP LID,” which is incorporated by reference as if set forth herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Lids on jars or similar containers can often become stuck and hard to rotate open. For example, the lid may have been closed with too much force, causing the lid to over-rotate beyond its design parameters. As another example, tight manufacturing tolerances may cause the lid to be machined to where it fits the container too closely. As a result, a greater than expected amount of static friction binds the lid to the container. In some instances, viscous fluids or similar substances can accumulate in the interface between the lid and the container and subsequently harden, thereby sealing the lid to the container. Such viscous fluids can include food products (e.g., jams, jellies, syrups, etc.), paints, glues, epoxies, and similar compounds.

These situations often present issues for people attempting to open lids on jars. For example, those with low grip strengths or physical disabilities may not be able to grip the lid tightly enough to rotate the lid. In these examples, the lid will not move no matter how much the individual tries to rotate the lid. As another example, the amount of static friction between a person's hand and the surface of the lid may not be high enough for the person to overcome the amount of static friction binding the lid to the container. In these examples, a person's hand may slip when they attempt to rotate the lid.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the present disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is a drawing depicting an example of an ergonomic grip lid for a jar.

FIG. 2 is a drawing depicting an example of an ergonomic grip lid for a jar, wherein the ergonomic grip lid includes a lip to assist in stacking of jars.

FIG. 3 is a drawing depicting an alternative view of the example of an ergonomic grip lid for a jar of FIG. 2, wherein the ergonomic grip lid includes a lip to assist in stacking of jars.

FIG. 4 is a drawing depicting an example of the ergonomic grip lid interlocking with another ergonomic grip lid in order to increase storage efficiencies.

FIG. 5 is a drawing of an alternative embodiment of the ergonomic grip lid.

FIG. 6 is a drawing of an alternative embodiment of the ergonomic grip lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Disclosed are various approaches to improvements to lids and gripping devices. These approaches facilitate rotating lids that are stuck or hard to rotate, allowing individuals with low grip strength to rotate lids that they would otherwise be unable to rotate. These approaches, as further described below, rely on the rotational torque that a person can generate with his or her body to open a lid instead of relying on an individual's grip strength. As a result, individuals with low grip strength can open lids on jars that they might not otherwise be able to open. Further, the configuration of the lids and gripping devices does not waste storage space. In some instances, the lids may even improve stability when stacking jars or similar containers next to, or on top of, each other.

FIG. 1 depicts a container 103, such as a jar, and an ergonomic lid 106. As illustrated, the ergonomic lid 106 has a plurality of protrusions 109 extending from an external surface of the ergonomic lid 106. These external protrusions 109 are shaped and spaced so that an individual can fit multiple fingers around the ergonomic lid 106 by sliding a finger into the space between two of the protrusions 109. When an individual rotates his or her hand, the fingers cause torque to be applied to the individual protrusions 109, allowing the user to rotate the ergonomic lid 106. So long as the individual has his or her fingers between the protrusions 109, the individual can rotate the ergonomic lid 106. Accordingly, a user does not have to apply pressure to the external surfaces of the ergonomic lid 106 to rotate it open or closed. This allows individuals with low, little, or no grip strength (e.g., the elderly, individuals suffering from arthritis, or individuals with low grip strength generally) to open and close the ergonomic lid 106 of the container 103.

Generally, the protrusions 109 will be of uniform size and the spacing between the protrusions 109 will be uniform in size. The spacing between the protrusions 109 may also be equal to the width of the protrusions 109 in some embodiments. Such configurations have several benefits. For example, an individual can use the ergonomic lid 106 without having to worry about finger placement. For instance, an individual would not have to first identify a specific space between two of the protrusions 109 for the thumb, a second space for the index finder, a third space for the middle finger, a fourth space for the ring finger, and fifth space for the pinky finger. This simplifies the use of the ergonomic lid 106. However, embodiments where the protrusions 109 and the spacing between the protrusions 109 are shaped for specific fingers (e.g., a specific space for the thumb, a specific space for the index finger, a specific space for the middle finger, a specific space for the ring finger, and a specific space for the pinky finger) may be more comfortable for some users. In addition, protrusions 109 of uniform size spaced apart at uniform distances allows for the respective containers 103 to which the uniform ergonomic lids 106 are attached to be stored more efficiently than if a non-uniform sizing were used. An example of such an embodiment is depicted in FIG. 4.

The ergonomic lid 106 of FIG. 1 also includes a closure mechanism 113 on the internal surface of the ergonomic lid 106. The closure mechanism 113 is configured to mechanically attach the ergonomic lid 106 to the container 103. In some instances, the closure mechanism 113 may create a hermetic seal with the container 103 when the ergonomic lid 106 is engaged with the container 103. The closure mechanism 113 can include a variety of mechanisms, such as a continuous thread for screwing the ergonomic lid 106 on and off, a lug that allows the container 103 to be secured after a partial rotation, as well as other mechanisms.

FIG. 2 depicts an example of the ergonomic lid 106, in some embodiments, attached to the container 103. In these embodiments, the ergonomic lid 106 can include a lip 203 on top of the ergonomic lid 106. The lip 203 can be sized to hold the bottom of the container 103. This allows the ergonomic lid 106 to secure the base of a second container 103 placed on top of the ergonomic lid 106. As a result, when multiple containers 103 are stacked on top of each other, they are provided with a secure base that prevents the second container 103 from slipping off of or moving on top of the first container 103.

The lip 203 can be formed from any number of materials. In some embodiments, the lip 203 can be formed from the same material as the ergonomic lid 106. In these instances, the lip 203 may be an integrated portion of the ergonomic lid 106. In other embodiments, the lip 203 can be formed from a different type of material than the ergonomic lid 106. For example, the lip 203 can be formed from a flexible material, such as a rubber or silicone based compound that provides some flexibility and friction to hold the base of a container 103 stacked on top of the ergonomic lid 106. FIG. 3 depicts an example of the ergonomic lid 106 of FIG. 2 that includes the lip 203 when viewed from above.

FIG. 4 depicts two containers 103 standing next to each other. Each container has a respective ergonomic lid 106 attached. As illustrated, the protrusions 109 from one ergonomic lid 106 fit within the spaces between the protrusions 109 of the other ergonomic lid 106. Accordingly, the containers 103 can be stacked next to each other, such that the wall of one container 103 adjoins the wall of the other container 103. As a result, no storage space is lost when the two containers 103 are stored next to each other (e.g., on a shelf). In addition, the interlocking protrusions 109 of the two ergonomic lids 106 provide additional stability because moving one of the containers 103 would require moving both of the containers 103. As more containers 103 with ergonomic lids 106 are stored next to each other (e.g., a shelf full of containers 103), the security and stability provided due to the interlock between individual ergonomic lids 106 of individual containers 103 increases.

FIG. 5 depicts an alternative embodiment of the ergonomic lid 106 of FIG. 1. The embodiment is included for illustrative purposes only in order show how the principals of the present disclosure can be extended to other embodiments or configurations. In the embodiment depicted, an ergonomic lid 503 is configured to replace the metal ring or band of a Mason jar lid or similar lid. As illustrated, the ergonomic lid 503, when screwed down, would press a separate disc-shaped lid 506 against the rim of the Mason jar to seal the Mason jar. The disc-shaped lid 506 can either be integrated with the ergonomic lid 503 or a separate component used in conjunction with the ergonomic lid 503.

FIG. 6 depicts another alternative embodiment of the ergonomic lid 106 of FIG. 1. The embodiment is included for illustrative purposes only in order show how the principals of the present disclosure can be extended to other embodiments or configurations. An ergonomic apparatus 603 for rotating a lid 606 affixed or attached to a container 103 is depicted. The ergonomic apparatus 603 includes a plurality of protrusions 109 extending from an external surface and an attachment mechanism located on the internal surface of the ergonomic apparatus 509. The attachment mechanism serves to provide a grip to the lid 606 of the container 103 using friction when the ergonomic apparatus 603 is placed over the lid 606, as depicted. The attachment mechanism can include any flexible seal that will fit around the lid 606 yet still allow for friction to bind the ergonomic apparatus 603 to the lid 606. The attachment mechanism can include a rubber-based seal, a silicone-based seal, or other seals or similar attachment mechanisms.

After the ergonomic apparatus 603 has been placed over the lid 606, the ergonomic apparatus 603 can be rotated to unscrew or otherwise detach the lid 606 from the container 103. Due to the friction provided by the attachment mechanism, the ergonomic apparatus 603 can provide a stronger grip that is less likely to slip relative to an individual's hand attempting to grip and rotate the lid 606.

As depicted, the ergonomic apparatus 603 for rotating the lid 606 can have a number of protrusions 109. Generally, the protrusions 109 may be of uniform size and the spacing between the protrusions 109 may be uniform in size. The spacing between the protrusions 109 may be equal to the width of the protrusions. This configuration has a number of benefits, some of which are further described in this application. A first benefit is that an individual can use the ergonomic apparatus 603 for rotating the lid without having to worry about finger placement. For example, an individual would not have to first identify a specific spaces for the thumb, index finder, middle finger, ring finger, and pinky finger. This simplifies the use of the ergonomic apparatus 603 for rotating the lid. However, embodiments where the protrusions 109 and the spacing between the protrusions 109 are shaped for specific fingers (e.g., a specific space for the thumb, a specific space for the index finger, a specific space for the middle finger, a specific space for the ring finger, and a specific space for the pinky finger) may be more comfortable for some users.

Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (e.g., X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.

Claims

1. An ergonomic lid, comprising:

a plurality of protrusions extending from an external surface of the ergonomic lid; and

a closure mechanism located on an internal surface of the ergonomic lid, wherein the closure mechanism is configured to mechanically attach the ergonomic lid to a container.

2. The ergonomic lid of claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism comprises a continuous thread.

3. The ergonomic lid of claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism comprises a lug.

4. The ergonomic lid of claim 1, wherein:

each of the plurality of protrusions are uniform in size; and

each of the plurality of protrusions are spaced apart by a uniform length.

5. The ergonomic lid of claim 4, wherein:

the uniform length is equal to a width of each of the plurality of protrusions; and

each space between any adjacent pair of the plurality of protrusions is shaped to match a shape of each of the plurality of protrusions.

6. The ergonomic lid of claim 1, further comprising a lip shaped to hold a base of the container.

7. The ergonomic lid of claim 1, wherein the closure mechanism located on the internal surface of the ergonomic lid creates a hermetic seal with the container when the ergonomic lid is fastened to the container.

8. An ergonomic apparatus for rotating a lid, comprising:

a plurality of protrusions extending from an external surface of the ergonomic apparatus; and

an attachment mechanism located on an internal surface of the ergonomic apparatus, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a grip that attaches the ergonomic apparatus to the lid with friction.

9. The ergonomic apparatus of claim 8, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a rubber-based seal.

10. The ergonomic apparatus of claim 8, wherein the attachment mechanism comprises a silicone-based seal.

11. The ergonomic apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

each of the plurality of protrusions are uniform in size; and

each of the plurality of protrusions are spaced apart by a uniform length.

12. The ergonomic apparatus of claim 11, wherein:

the uniform length is equal to a width of each of the plurality of protrusions; and

each space between any adjacent pair of the plurality of protrusions is shaped to match a shape of each of the plurality of protrusions.

13. The ergonomic apparatus of claim 8, wherein:

each of the plurality of protrusions are non-uniform in size; and

each of the plurality of protrusions are spaced apart by a non-uniform length.

14. The ergonomic apparatus of claim 8, wherein the lid is affixed to a container via a threaded connection.

15. A system, comprising:

a container; and

an ergonomic lid, comprising: a plurality of protrusions extending from an external surface of the ergonomic lid; and a closure mechanism located on an internal surface of the ergonomic lid configured to mechanically attach the ergonomic lid to the container.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the closure mechanism comprises a continuous thread.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the closure mechanism comprises a lug.

18. The system of claim 15, wherein the closure mechanism located on the internal surface of the ergonomic lid creates a hermetic seal with the container when the ergonomic lid is fastened to the container.

19. The system of claim 15, wherein:

each of the plurality of protrusions are uniform in size; and

each of the plurality of protrusions are spaced apart by a uniform length.

20. The system of claim 15, wherein:

the container comprises a first container;

the system further comprises a second container; and

the ergonomic lid further comprises a lip shaped to hold a base of the second container.