Abstract:
An improved container lid comprising an integral lid retaining channel which is configured to accept and be press fit onto the circumferential rim of a container, such as, for instance, a coffee cup is disclosed in preferred and various alternate embodiments. The improved container lid of the invention may comprise any material suitable for container lids such as paper, waxed paper, plastic, or other materials known in the art. The improved container lid of the invention is adapted to be retained upon, for example, a lip of a beverage container while the beverage container is in use. Thus, the improved container lid of the invention prevents accidental loss of the container lid and may be used in an open or closed position.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional patent application is respectfully filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office claiming the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/652,930, filed in the USPTO on May 30, 2012, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not applicable. 
     INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to the field of containers with lids, specifically, lids adapted to be removably attached to containers. One example of such a container is a beverage cup, such as beverage cups fabricated from plastic or Styrofoam which are typically used to hold a flowable substance such as hot coffee or the like and which are adapted to receive removably attached lids that are press fit onto the rim of a cup. Other examples of such containers include, milk jugs with threadingly attached lids, pill bottles with tamper-proof removably attached lids, laundry detergent bottles, paint cans and any other container that is adapted to receive a removably attached lid. More specifically, in one embodiment, the invention relates to an improved beverage cup lid which is adapted to mount onto the rim of a beverage container in an open position by removably attaching a lid retaining channel disposed in the top of the lid to a rim of the beverage container. The container lid of the present invention allows a user to removably attach the lid to the rim of a container in an open position, so that, in the example of the beverage cup, condiments can be added to a contained beverage or a beverage can be consumed while the lid is removably attached to the cup in an open position, thus allowing the lid to be retained for further use. 
     2. Background Art 
     Containers, which include but are not limited to beverage containers, such as disposable coffee cups, iced drink cups, milk jugs, pill bottles, salt and pepper shakers, dispensing containers, such as those used to dispense sugar or flour, and other containers having removably attached lids have been marketed and used for many years. The containers of the prior art may be typically constructed of an inexpensive material such as Styrofoam®, plastic such as, for example, Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) plastic, paper, or some other light weight material suitable for containing a substance. Recently, certain recyclable and biodegradable materials have been selected for use, for example, in beverage and other containers. Such biodegradable plastics are typically derived from renewable sources such as starch and vegetable oil and can be decomposed into water, carbon dioxide and non-toxic compounds at the end of their life stage, and, as such, are engineered to be broken down by enzyme producing organisms. Biodegradable containers are increasing in usage as environmental concerns grow over time. 
     Typically, containers are also supplied with removable lids that are designed to removably attach to a rim of the container by, for example, a press fit onto the rim of the container, or, alternatively the lid may threadingly engage with the container rim in order to keep a contained substance, which may be a flowable substance such as for example a beverage, detergent, or any other flowable substance from splashing out of the container and, in the case of a hot beverage example, to keep the beverage from rapidly reducing temperature due to heat transfer from the hot beverage to the atmosphere. In the more general sense, the same desire is present for containers that contain other flowable substances or non-flowable substances such as, for example, sugar, flour, spices, pills contained in a pill bottle, liquids, discrete items such as small fasteners, coins or any other items stored in a container. It is therefore usually desired that a container also be supplied with a lid to prevent spillage, thermal loss as in the coffee example, contamination, and the like. 
     However, the container lids of the prior art are prone to becoming lost or accidentally discarded when removed from the container by the user. The lid may be removed by the user, for instance, when the user desires to add condiments such as creamer, ice, sugar or other sweetener, or any other product the user desires, to a beverage contained in a beverage container. The container lids of the prior art are usually light weight and therefore may be blown away from the user by the wind, causing loss of the lid. The result of the loss of the container lid, in this example, is that the beverage is no longer effectively prevented from splashing out of the container, and furthermore, if the beverage is a hot beverage such as, for example, coffee or hot cocoa, it will cool much more rapidly than if a lid were utilized, and may therefore become unacceptable for consumption by the user. This same limitation holds true for other containers of the prior art such as, for example, milk jugs, pill bottles, reusable food storage containers, and the like. 
     What is needed therefore is a container lid that is adapted to attach to a typical container in an open position such that the lid is not lost or accidentally discarded while the container is being accessed by the user and is therefore retained for further use as desired by the user. 
     The apparatus of the container lid of the invention is adapted to meet this existing need in the prior art by the novel features described and claimed herein. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention comprises a system and/or method that has one or more of the following features and/or steps which, alone or in any combination, may comprise patentable subject matter. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the invention comprises a container lid comprised of features that allow the lid to be removably attached to the rim of a container in an open position, allowing a user to access the contents of the container, such as, for example, when a user desires to provide sugar or creamer to a coffee beverage. Specific features are included in the lid of the invention that form a cup container lid retaining channel, which allows the cup lid of the invention to be removably attached to a rim of a beverage container when a user presses the cup lid retaining channel onto a rim of a beverage container. The cup lid of the invention is comprised of numerous alternate embodiments for forming the cup lid retaining channel which are discussed below and include equivalent structures known to those of ordinary skill in the mechanical arts. 
     The cup lid of the invention may be left removably attached to a cup in the open position as long as the user desires. When it is desired install it on a cup in the closed position, the user may remove the cup lid from the cup rim, and then may orient the cup lid of the invention in an orientation wherein the bottom of the cup lid is substantially planar with the cup rim, whereupon the user may press the cup lid of the invention onto the cup rim, causing the cup lid of the invention to be removably attached on the cup rim by a press fit that is realized between the cup rim accepting channel and the cup rim. In this manner, the cup lid of the invention is removably attached to a cup rim, preventing spillage of any flowable substance contained inside the cup, preventing change of temperature of the flowable substance, and other desirable advantages, such as, for instance, keeping outside contaminants from contacting the flowable substance. The container lid of the present invention may also be utilized to drink from a container containing a beverage when the lid is installed on a beverage container in either an open or a closed position. 
     The use of the improved container lid of the invention results in less likelihood that the lid will be lost, which provides many benefits such as, reduction in heat loss due to loss of a contained flowable substance, fewer spills of a flowable substance, less probability of a slip and fall injury due to spilled flowable substances, reduced napkin use, reduced interference with other activities such as driving, and happier consumers. 
     The present invention may be adapted to be utilized on any kind of container, regardless of the structure used to attach the lid to the container in a closed position. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and form a part of the specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. The drawings are only for the purpose of illustrating the preferred embodiments of the invention and are not to be construed as limiting the invention. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1 a    depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the improved container lid removably attached to a container in a closed position. 
         FIG. 1 b    depicts a top view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, with the improved container lid removably attached to a container in a closed position. 
         FIG. 1 c    depicts a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention with the improved container lid removed from the closed position and removably attached in an open position to a container. 
         FIG. 2 a    depicts a side view of a first alternate embodiment of the invention showing an improved container lid of the invention removably attached to a container in a closed position. 
         FIG. 2 b    depicts a top view of a first alternate embodiment of the invention, with the improved container lid removably attached to a container in a closed position. 
         FIG. 2 c    depicts a side view of a first alternate embodiment of the invention, with the improved container lid removably attached to a container in an open position. 
         FIG. 3 a    depicts a side view of a second alternate embodiment of the invention showing the improved container lid removably attached to a container in a closed position. 
         FIG. 3 b    depicts a top view of a second alternate embodiment of the invention showing the improved container lid removably attached to a container in a closed position. 
         FIG. 3 c    depicts a side view of a second alternate embodiment of the improved container lid of the invention. 
         FIG. 4 a    depicts a side view of a third alternate embodiment of the invention showing the improved container lid removably attached to a container in an open position. 
         FIG. 4 b    depicts a top view of a third alternate embodiment of the invention showing the improved container lid removably attached to a container in a closed position. 
         FIG. 4 c    depicts a top view of a third alternate embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 5 a    depicts a cross section side view of a fourth alternate embodiment of the invention with the container lid of the invention removably attached to a container in a closed position. 
         FIG. 5 b    depicts a top view of a fourth alternate embodiment of the invention adapted to removably attach to a circular container. 
         FIG. 5 c    depicts a top view of a fourth alternate embodiment of the invention adapted to removably attach to a square container. 
         FIG. 5 d    depicts a cross section side view of a fourth alternate embodiment of the invention with the container lid of the invention removably attached to a container in an open position. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the improved container lid removably attached to a container in a closed position. 
         FIG. 7  depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the improved container lid removably attached to a container in a closed position. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the improved container lid removably attached to a container in a closed position. 
         FIG. 9  depicts a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the improved container lid removably attached to a container in a closed position. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The following documentation provides a detailed description of the invention. While a preferred embodiment and several alternate embodiments are shown, it is to be understood that equivalent structures are within the scope the claims. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b  and 1 c   , a preferred embodiment of the improved container lid  100  is depicted installed on a container  102 .  FIG. 1 a    depicts container lid  100  removably attached to container  102  in a closed position. Container  102  may be, for example, a typical beverage container which is designed to hold beverages of any type, and may therefore hold hot beverages such as, coffee or hot cocoa. However, any substance, including flowable and non-flowable substances, may be contained in container  102 . Container  102  further comprises a container rim  101  extending around the periphery of container  102 . It should be noted that although container  102  is shown as substantially circular in cross section, and thus container lid  100  is also substantially circular in configuration as viewed from the top in  FIG. 1 b   , container  102  cross sectional shape and improved container lid  100  shape may be any shape such as elliptical, rectangular, square or any other shape. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 a   , the improved container lid of the invention  100  is installed upon container rim  101  in a closed position by holding improved container lid  100  over container rim  101  such that the plane created by the circumference of bottom periphery flange  104  is substantially coplanar with the plane established by container rim  101 , and pressing the improved container lid of the invention  101  downward, such that bottom periphery flange  104  guides improved container lid  100  into place, such that container rim accepting channel  105  engages container rim  101  in a press fit, which removably attaches improved container lid  100  in place using a press fit in a closed position as shown in  FIG. 1 a   , and preventing flowable substances such as beverages or other liquids, or non-flowable substances such as discrete objects, from spilling out of container  102 , and, in the example in which the contained substance is a beverage, also serves to enable such beverage contained within container  102  to maintain temperature. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 a   , a preferred embodiment of the improved container lid of the invention  100  is shown as comprising a lid retaining channel  103  that has a first wall  120 , a second wall  121 , and a bottom  122  which together form a contiguous surface with annular side wall  112  and lid top surface  115  such as to form, except for aperture  110 , drain hole  108  and vent hole  116 , a contiguous surface for improved container lid  100  such that a flowable substance is substantially prevented from spilling out of the container when improved container lid  100  is installed in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 1 a   . In the preferred embodiment shown, lid retaining channel  103  is dimensioned to accept container rim  101  when improved container lid  100  is pressed into place in the open position depicted in  FIG. 1   c.    
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 b   , a top view of a preferred embodiment of the improved container lid of the invention  100  is shown. In the preferred embodiment shown, lid retaining channel  103  is arcurate in shape and is of substantially the same radius as the periphery of container rim  101 , which, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 b   , is substantially circular. However, it should be noted that the periphery of container rim  101  may be any cross sectional shape including but not limited to circular as shown in the figure, elliptical, square, rectangular or any other shape. Lid retaining channel  103  is shaped to fit the container with which the lid is intended to match, and therefore takes substantially the same shape as the periphery of container rim  101 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 b   , container lid  100  may further comprise well  107  which may have a sloping bottom surface and well drain hole  108 . These optional features allow flowable substance to be captured in well  107  and to drain into container  102  through well drain hole  108  which may be disposed at substantially the lowest point of the sloping bottom surface of well  107 . Such collection of flowable substance may occur, for instance, when an improved container lid of the invention  100  is installed in a closed position on a container, which is a beverage container, containing a flowable substance which is a beverage. In this example, a user may drink from the container through aperture  110 , leaving a small amount of liquid that is not consumed by the user, and which drains into well  107 , whereupon it may drain back into container  102  thus preventing unnecessary drippings from collecting on lid top surface  115 . Well  107 , well drain hole  108 , aperture  110  and vent hole  116  are optional elements and need not be present in all embodiments of the invention. Thus, the improved container lid of the invention  100  may include any of these or none of these elements in the various alternate embodiments. Still referring to  FIG. 1 b   , optional vent hole  116  allows air to enter container  102  in the event that container  102  is tipped to allow flowable liquid to exit the container through aperture  110 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1 a , 1 b  and 1 c    lid top surface  115  is substantially planar, although in alternate embodiments lid top surface  115  need not be planar, but may be any shape desired. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 b   , lid retaining channel  103  may further comprise at least one retaining channel protrusion  113  which protrudes into lid retaining channel  103  to provide a point press fit with container rim  101  when improved container lid  100  is installed on container rim  101  in an open position. Lid retaining channel  103  may comprise any number of retaining channel protrusions  113 , or, alternatively, may comprise no retaining channel protrusion  113 . A preferred embodiment comprises a plurality of retaining channel protrusions  113 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 c   , a side view of a preferred embodiment of the improved container lid of the invention  100  is shown installed on a container in an open position. As shown in  FIG. 1 c   , improved container lid  100  is removably attached to container  102  by a press fit engagement between lid retaining channel  103  and container rim  101 . In this open position, the contents of container  102  may be accessed by the user. In the example in which container  102  is a beverage container, it can be seen that improved container lid  100  is retained during the period of time when a user is accessing the contents of container  102 , which may be, for example, a beverage. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 c   , lid retaining channel  103  is configured to accept the container rim  101  in a press fit when it is desired to configure the container lid of the invention on container rim  101  in an open position. When it is desired to return the improved container lid  100  to be re-installed onto container  102  in a closed position, the user simply removes the container lid  100  from the press fit engagement between lid retaining channel  103  and container rim  101  which holds container lid  100  in the open position, and then presses the improved beverage container lid  100  back on to the top of container  102  until container rim accepting channel  105  engages container rim  101  in a press fit. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2 a , 2 b  and 2 c   , an alternate embodiment of the improved container lid of the invention  100  is depicted in which lid retaining channel  200  is configured as shown as being formed between a first retaining channel protuberance  201  and a second retaining channel protuberance  204 . Lid retaining channel  200  comprises a first wall  202 , a second wall  203  and a channel bottom  205  which together form a contiguous surface with annular side wall  112  and lid top surface  115  such as to form, except for aperture  110 , well drain hole  108  and vent hole  116 , a contiguous surface for first alternate embodiment container lid  206  such that a flowable substance is substantially prevented from spilling out of the container when first alternate embodiment container lid  206  is installed in the closed position as shown in  FIG. 2 a   . Lid retaining channel  200  is adapted to receive container rim  101  in a press fit when first alternate embodiment container lid  206  is installed on container  102  in an open position. In the first alternate embodiment container lid  206  of the invention depicted in  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   , lid retaining channel  200  may thus be formed between first retaining channel protuberance  201  and second retaining channel protuberance  204 . Lid retaining channel  200  is dimensioned to accept container rim  101  in a press fit when it is desired to utilize the first alternate embodiment container lid  206  in an open position. In this manner, first alternate embodiment container lid  206  is retained during the period of time when first alternate embodiment container lid  206  is installed on container  102  in an open position, such that the lid is not lost or misplaced and thus remains available for further use. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   , lid retaining channel  200  may further comprise at least one retaining channel protrusion  113  which protrudes into lid retaining channel  200  to provide a point press fit with container rim  101  when first alternate embodiment container lid  206  is installed on container rim  101  in an open position. Lid retaining channel  200  may comprise any number of retaining channel protrusions  113 , or, alternatively, may comprise no retaining channel protrusion  113 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   , first alternate embodiment container lid  206  may further comprise well  107  which may have a sloping bottom surface and well drain hole  108 . These optional features allow a flowable substance to be captured in well  107  and to drain into container  102  through well drain hole  108  which may be disposed at substantially the lowest point of the sloping bottom surface of well  107 . Such collection of flowable substance may occur, for example, when first alternate embodiment container lid  206  is installed in a closed position on a container containing a beverage. In this example, a user may drink from the container through aperture  110 , leaving a small amount of liquid that is not consumed by the user, and which drains into well  107 , whereupon it may drain back into container  102  through well drain hole  108  thus preventing unnecessary drippings from collecting on lid top surface  115 . Well  107 , well drain hole  108 , aperture  110  and vent hole  116  are optional elements and need not be present in all embodiments of the invention. Thus, the first alternate embodiment container lid  206  may include any of these or none of these these elements in the various alternate embodiments. Still referring to  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   , optional vent hole  116  allows air to enter container  102  in the event that container  102  is tipped to allow flowable liquid to exit the container through aperture  110 . In the first alternate embodiment shown in  FIGS. 2 a  and 2 b   , lid top surface  115  is substantially planar, although in further alternate embodiments lid top surface  115  need not be planar, but may be any shape desired. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3 a , 3 b  and 3 c   , a second alternate embodiment container lid  302  is depicted in which lid retaining channel  300  is formed as a channel in a first mound  301  and a second mound  304 . While  FIG. 3 b    depicts two mounds, first mound  301  and second mound  304 , the invention may comprise any number of mounds. Lid retaining channel  300  may comprise a first wall  305 , a second wall  306  and a bottom  307  which together form a contiguous surface with annular side wall  112  and lid top surface  115  such as to form, except for aperture  110 , drain hole  108 , and vent hole  116 , a contiguous surface for second alternate embodiment container lid  302  such that a flowable substance is substantially prevented from spilling out of the container when second alternate embodiment container lid  302  is installed on container  102  in a closed position as shown in  FIG. 3 a   . Lid retaining channel  300  is configured to accept the container rim  101  when it is desired to remove the second alternate embodiment container lid  302  of the invention and install it on container  102  for safekeeping. In this manner, the second alternate embodiment container lid  302  is retained during the period of time when the second alternate embodiment container lid  302  is installed on container  102  in an open position. 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 a    second alternate embodiment container lid  302  may further comprise well  107  which may have a sloping bottom surface and well drain hole  108 . These optional features allow flowable substance to be captured in well  107  and to drain into container  102  through well drain hole  108  which may be disposed at substantially the lowest point of the sloping bottom surface of well  107 . Such collection of flowable substance may occur, for example, when second alternate embodiment container lid  302  is installed in a closed position on a container containing a beverage. In this example, a user may drink from the container through aperture  110 , leaving a small amount of liquid that is not consumed by the user, and which drains into well  107 , whereupon it may drain back into container  102  through well drain hole  108  thus preventing unnecessary drippings from collecting on lid top surface  115 . Well  107 , well drain hole  108 , aperture  110  and vent hole  116  are optional elements and need not be present in all embodiments of the invention. Thus, second alternate embodiment container lid  302  may include any of these or none of these these elements in the various alternate embodiments. Referring to  FIG. 3 b   , optional vent hole  116  allows air to enter container  102  in the event that container  102  is tipped to allow flowable liquid to exit the container through aperture  110 . In the preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 3 b   , lid top surface  115  is substantially planar, although in alternate embodiments lid top surface  115  need not be planar, but may be any shape desired. 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 3 a , 3 b  and 3 c   , lid retaining channel  300  may further comprise at least one retaining channel protrusion  113  which protrudes into lid retaining channel  300  to provide a point press fit with container rim  101  when second alternate embodiment container lid  302  is installed on container rim  101  in an open position. Lid retaining channel  300  may comprise any number of retaining channel protrusions  113 , or, alternatively, may comprise no retaining channel protrusion  113 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 4 a , 4 b  and 4 c   , a third alternate embodiment container lid  401  is depicted in which lid retaining channel  400  is formed in annular side wall  112 . Lid retaining channel  400  comprises an upper wall  402 , a lower wall  403  and a back wall  404  which together form a contiguous surface with annular side wall  112  and lid top surface  115  such as to form, except for aperture  110 , drain hole  108  and vent hole  116 , a contiguous surface for third alternate embodiment container lid  401  such that a flowable substance is substantially prevented from spilling out of the container when third alternate embodiment container lid  401  is installed in a closed position. In this alternate embodiment, channel  400  is configured to accept the container rim  101  in a press fit such that third alternate embodiment container lid  401  may be removably attached to container  102 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 4 a , 4 b  and 4 c   , third alternate embodiment container lid  401  may further comprise well  107  which may have a sloping bottom surface, well drain hole  108 . These optional features allow flowable substance to be captured in well  107  and to drain into container  102  through well drain hole  108  which may be disposed at substantially the lowest point of the sloping bottom surface of well  107 . Such collection of flowable substance may occur, for example, when third alternate embodiment container lid  401  is installed in a closed position on a container containing a beverage. In this example, a user may drink from the container through aperture  110 , leaving a small amount of liquid that is not consumed by the user, and which drains into well  107 , whereupon it may drain back into container  102  through well drain hole  108  thus preventing unnecessary drippings from collecting on lid top surface  115 . Well  107 , well drain hole  108 , aperture  110  and vent hole  116  are optional elements and need not be present in all embodiments of the invention. Thus, the third alternate embodiment container lid  401  of the invention may include any of these or none of these these elements in the various alternate embodiments. Still referring to  FIGS. 4 a , 4 b  and 4 c   , optional vent hole  116  allows air to enter container  102  in the event that container  102  is tipped to allow flowable liquid to exit the container through aperture  110 . In the third alternate embodiment container lid  401  shown in  FIG. 4 a   , lid top surface  115  is substantially planar, although in further alternate embodiments lid top surface  115  need not be planar but may be any shape desired. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5 a , 5 b  5 c  and 5 d   , a fourth alternate embodiment container lid  500  is shown.  FIG. 5 a    depicts the fourth alternate embodiment of the invention in a cross section side view, in which fourth alternate embodiment container lid  500  is removably attached to container  503  at interface  502 . The removable attachment means at interface  502  may be a press fit between the inner surface  505  of container lid side wall  504  and container  503  outer surface; or, the removable attachment means may be a threaded engagement between the inner surface  505  of container lid side wall  504  and container  503  outer surface, in which the inner surface  505  of container lid side wall  504  comprises threads adapted to receive matching threads formed on container  503  outer surface such that fourth alternate embodiment container lid  500  may be threadingly engaged with container  503  at interface  502 . Fourth alternate embodiment container lid  500  further comprises lid retaining channel  501  that comprises a first side wall  506 , a second side wall  507  and a bottom  508  which together form a contiguous surface with container lid side wall  504  and lid top surface  115  such as to form a contiguous surface for fourth alternate embodiment container lid  500  such that a flowable substance is substantially prevented from spilling out of the container when fourth alternate embodiment container lid  500  is installed in a closed position as depicted in  FIG. 5 a   .  FIG. 5 b    depicts a top view of the fourth alternate embodiment container lid  500  of the invention. In this view, fourth alternate embodiment container lid  500  is shown as circular in its outer shape such that it would be adapted to removably attach in a closed position with a circular-shaped container. However, it is to be understood that fourth alternate embodiment container lid  500  may take any outer shape including elliptical, rectangular, square or any other shape known in the container art, and thus may be removably attached to such shaped containers. Thus, the fourth alternate embodiment container lid  500  of the invention is not constrained to have only a circular shape as viewed from the top, but may be any shape that is adapted to removably attach to a container of any given shape. Lid retaining channel  501  may be recessed into lid top surface  115  so as to receive container rim  509  of container  503  as shown in  FIG. 5 d   , by a press fit formed between lid retaining channel  501  and container rim  509 . In the exemplary fourth alternate embodiment container lid  500  depicted in  FIG. 5 b   , lid retaining channel  501  is arcurate in shape as viewed from the top and is adapted to receive an arcurate container rim  509 , as would be the case, for example, if container  503  were circular in cross section.  FIG. 5 c    shows another exemplary embodiment of the fourth alternate embodiment of container lid  500  which is adapted to removably attach in a closed position and an open position on a substantially square container  503 . In  FIG. 5 c   , lid retaining channel  501  is linear in shape as viewed from the top and is adapted to receive a linear container rim  509 , as would be the case, for example, if container  503  were square or rectangular in cross section. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the improved container lid  100  is depicted as removably attached to a container  102  in a closed position. Aperture  110 , well  107 , drain hole  108 , vent hole  116 , and lid retaining channel  103  are shown in their relative positions in this preferred embodiment. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a further perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the improved container lid  100  is depicted as removably attached to a container  102  in a closed position. Aperture  110 , well  107 , drain hole  108 , vent hole  116 , and lid retaining channel  103  are shown in their relative positions in this preferred embodiment. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 8 , a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the improved container lid  100  is depicted as removably attached to a container  102  in an open position. Drain hole  108 , lid retaining channel  103  are shown in their relative positions in this preferred embodiment. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , a further perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the improved container lid  100  is depicted as removably attached to a container  102  in an open position. Drain hole  108 , vent hole  116  and lid retaining channel  103  are shown in their relative positions in this preferred embodiment. 
     Although a detailed description as provided in the attachments contains many specifics for the purposes of illustration, anyone of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that many variations and alterations to the following details are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the following preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth without any loss of generality to, and without imposing limitations upon, the claimed invention. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, and not merely by the preferred examples or embodiments given.