Lid for disposable containers of differing sizes

• US 5,678,720 A
• Filed: 10/27/1995
• Issued: 10/21/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/27/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Fortress Credit Corp. (SoftBank Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Amhil Enterprises Ltd.
• Inventors: Van Melle, Hugh
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoap, Allan N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): HYLTON, ROBIN ANNETTE
• Application Number:
  US08/549,520
• Time in Patent Office: 725 Days
• Field of Search: 215/317, 215/319, 215/321, 220/287, 220/212, 220/352, 220/353, 220/356, 220/306, 220/309
• US Class Current: 220/287
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2251/08 Closures specially adapted for closing container mouths of differing size or configuration, e.g. screw/snap combination
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00092 circular
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00296 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00351 Dome-like
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00527 NO contact
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00537 on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00629 Massive bead
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00685 Totality
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00731 Groove or hollow bead
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00805 Segments
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 43/0212 only on the outside, or a part turned to the outside, of the mouth B65D43/0206 takes precedence

Abstract

A lid is provided for closing off the open end of one of respective first and second containers, each container a different diameter and having a peripherally disposed bead at its open end. An axially disposed annular inner wall projects downwardly from a central cover portion, and defines a generally circular first annular channel open towards the bottom face of the lid. The upper limit of insertion of the peripherally disposed bead of a first container is defined by a generally planar edge. The wall defining the first annular channel has a radially inwardly extending central portion that forms a first reduced waist portion, which is shaped and dimensioned to retain the peripherally disposed bead of the first container, and also defines the upper limit of insertion of the bead of a second container which has a larger diameter, into a second channel formed in the lid. The second channel is further defined by a radially inwardly extending central portion that forms a second reduced waist portion, which is shaped and dimensioned to retain the peripherally disposed bead of the second container. An annular skirt portion extends downwardly and outwardly at the lower extremity of the lid.

Claims

1. A container lid for closing off one of different diameter open ends of one of a first container and a second container, wherein each container has a peripherally disposed bead at its open end, said lid comprising:

a central covering panel;

an axially disposed annular wall projecting downwardly from said central covering panel;

a radially inwardly extending first reduced waist portion formed in said axially disposed annular wall;

a first annular channel formed in said axially disposed annular wall immediately above said first reduced waist portion;

a first planar ledge extending inwardly radially at the top of said first annular channel, and adjoining said central covering panel;

wherein said first reduced waist portion and said first annular channel together define a circular first cavity shaped and dimensioned to receive and retain said peripherally disposed bead of a first container;

wherein said first planar ledge defines the upper limit of insertion of the peripherally disposed bead of a first container into said container lid;

a radially inwardly extending second reduced waist portion disposed in said axially disposed annular wall below said first reduced waist portion;

a second annular channel disposed in said axially disposed annular wall immediately above said second reduced waist portion;

wherein said second reduced waist portion and said second annular channel together define a circular second cavity shaped and dimensioned to receive and retain a peripherally disposed bead of a second container; and

an annular skirt portion extending downwardly and outwardly from said axially disposed annular wall.

2. The container lid of claim 1, wherein said radially inwardly extending first reduced waist portion is juxtaposed said second annular channel, and wherein said radially inwardly extending first reduced waist portion thereby defines the upper limit of insertion of the bead of a second container into said container lid.

3. The container lid of claim 1, wherein said first reduced waist portion is discontinuous along said axially disposed annular wall.

4. The container lid of claim 3, wherein said discontinuous first reduced waist portion has a plurality of regularly intermittently disposed projections along said axially disposed annular wall.

5. The container lid of claim 3, wherein said second reduced waist portion is discontinuous along said axially disposed annular wall.

6. The container lid of claim 5, wherein said discontinuous second reduced waist portion has a plurality of regularly intermittently disposed projections along said axially disposed annular wall.

7. The container lid of claim 1, wherein said container lid is vacuum formed from polystyrene.

8. The container lid of claim 1, wherein said container lid is a dome lid.

9. The container lid of claim 1, further comprising a radially inwardly extending third reduced waist portion disposed in said axially disposed annular wall below said second reduced waist portion;

wherein a third annular channel is disposed in said axially disposed annular wall immediately above said third reduced waist portion; and

wherein said third reduced waist portion and said third annular channel together define a circular third cavity shaped and dimensioned to receive and retain said peripherally disposed bead of a third container.

10. The container lid of claim 9, further comprising a radially inwardly extending fourth reduced waist portion disposed in said axially disposed annular wall below said third reduced waist portion;

a fourth annular channel disposed in said axially disposed annular wall immediately above said fourth reduced waist portion; and

wherein said fourth reduced waist portion and said fourth annular channel together define a circular fourth cavity shaped and dimensioned to receive and retain said peripherally disposed bead of a fourth container.

11. The container lid of claim 1, wherein said second annular channel includes a second planar ledge at the top of said second annular channel, wherein said second planar ledge extends inwardly so as to adjoin to said first reduced waist portion, whereby said second planar ledge defines the upper limit of insertion of the bead of a second container into said container lid.

12. The container lid of claim 11, wherein said first reduced waist portion is discontinuous along said axially disposed annular wall.

13. The container lid of claim 12, wherein said discontinuous first reduced waist portion has a plurality of regularly intermittently disposed projections along said axially disposed annular wall.