Container lid with castellated cork

In various embodiments, a container lid with a castellated cork seal includes a plurality undulating u-shaped ridges that form peaks and troughs throughout a channel. The undulating u-shaped ridges throughout the channel may provide a surface for receiving a bottom of a separate container in a stacked configuration. In certain embodiments, when the lid is secured on top of a container, the u-shaped ridges protrude downwardly into the container for providing cantilevered support. In particular embodiments, the exemplary container lid includes detachable tear strips along a side wall of the container lid. Removing the tear strips allows access to one or more lift tabs for applying upward leverage to the exemplary container lid for removing the lid from a container.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to container lids.

BACKGROUND

Generally, containers such as industrial containers are used for transporting and/or storing various materials (e.g., liquids and solids), sometimes in stacked configurations. Conventional lids for these containers may include gaskets for creating seals with the containers, but it is well known that gaskets in typical container lids are prone to failure, may trap liquid or other materials in the gasket, and are generally difficult to manufacture. Moreover, container lids are generally not designed to withstand loads of one or more stacked containers, and stacking containers on conventional lids often results in cracks, bending, and other vulnerabilities in the lids.

Generally, stacking one or more containers upon traditional container lids may eventually break or compromise the structural integrity of small vertical walls/notches included in traditional lid designs, which may further compromise the fidelity of the container lid seal. Other traditional container lids may not include any particular location/lid portion for accepting the bottom of a stacked container, and rather the traditional container lid may accept the entire circumference of the container bottom at the bottom of a u-shaped cork. In this scenario, it is common for the containers to become stuck in the stacked configuration.

Therefore, there exists a long-felt but unresolved need for container lids that provide tight and gasketless seals, can withstand heavy loads, and do not disturb the contents of the container.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF DISCLOSURE

Briefly described and according to one embodiment, aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to container lids, and more particularly to container lids with castellated cork seals. The present embodiments provide improvements over traditional container lids that accept the bottom of a stacked container by providing an undulating cork surface, wherein the bottom of a stacked container is accepted at the portions of the cork surface that are at an elevation above a lower portion of the cork surface.

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the container lid includes a seal portion for accepting the upper rim of a container, and a u-shaped castellated cork portion for at least partially securing the container lid to the container in a closed position. In one embodiment, the castellated cork includes undulating peaks and troughs (e.g., castellated ridges). In further embodiments, the lid includes a tear strip located along the bottom portion of an outer rim of the container lid. According to at least one embodiment, the container lid is circular in shape. In one or more embodiments, the container lid may be manufactured to fit any container shape (e.g., rectangular, ovoid, etc.).

The container lid discussed herein may be formed in any suitable way. In various embodiments, the container lid is formed by injection molding. In particular embodiments, the container lid is 3D-printed or created via other additive manufacturing techniques. In further embodiments, various components of the container lid are formed or created separately and the various components of the container lid are joined or otherwise suitably connected to form the container lid. In one embodiment, the container lid may be a one piece and unitary lid.

As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the container lid discussed herein may be used for sealing containers used for storing any variety of materials, including, but not limited to: food, paints, oils, consumer goods, construction materials, inks, chemicals, lubricants, adhesives, coatings, roofing mastics, driveway sealers, flavorings, sanitation supplies, building products, ice melt compounds, powders, pet food, and other such materials. The container lid may be formed from any suitable material or materials for storing or transporting such materials. In various embodiments, the container lid is manufactured from plastic (e.g., polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, etc.). In particular embodiments, the container lid is manufactured from a metal or composite material.

In one embodiment, the present disclosure discusses a gasketless container lid comprising: a top portion; a side portion comprising a detachable tear strip; and a castellated cork seal mechanism, the castellated cork seal mechanism comprising: at least one first portion comprising a substantially u-shaped protrusion extending downwardly from the lid top portion to a first particular depth; and at least one second portion integrally connected to the first portion comprising a substantially u-shaped protrusion extending downwardly from the lid top portion to a second particular depth. In various embodiments, the second particular depth is greater than the first particular depth. In particular embodiments, the castellated cork seal mechanism further comprises at least one third portion, the at least one third portion comprising a substantially flat protrusion extending downwardly from a bottom of the at least one first portion to a third particular depth. According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the third particular depth is substantially the same depth as the second particular depth. In a particular embodiment the third particular depth is not the same depth as the second particular depth.

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the gasketless container lid further comprises one or more ribs extending downwardly from a bottom of the container lid, a first rib of the one or more ribs integrally formed with at least a portion of the at least one first portion of the castellated cork seal mechanism and perpendicular thereto. In certain embodiments, a second rib of the one or more ribs is integrally formed with at least a portion of the at least one second portion of the castellated cork seal mechanism and perpendicular thereto. In one embodiment, a third rib of the one or more ribs are integrally formed with at least a portion of the at least one third portion of the castellated cork seal mechanism and perpendicular thereto.

In a particular embodiment, the gasketless container lid is substantially circular. In certain embodiments, the container lid is substantially rectangular. According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the castellated cork seal mechanism extends linearly at a position proximate the perimeter of the container lid and in substantially the same shape as the container lid. In a certain embodiment, the side portion extends below a lowest point of the castellated cork seal mechanism. In one embodiment, the detachable tear strip extends below a lowest point of the castellated cork seal mechanism.

In a particular embodiment, a gasketless container lid is disclosed, the gasketless container lid including: a top surface at a first elevation terminating at a perpendicular rim extending upwardly to a second elevation; a seal portion comprising a seal surface at substantially the second elevation terminating at a side wall extending downwardly from the second elevation, wherein the side wall comprises a removably attached tear strip; a cork seal comprising: a first portion extending downwardly from the seal portion substantially perpendicular to the seal surface at the second elevation to a third elevation; and a second portion extending downwardly from the rim at the second elevation, the second portion forming an undulating cork surface between the first portion and second portion, wherein a first section of the undulating cork surface is at the third elevation and a second section of the undulating cork surface is at a fourth elevation.

In one embodiment, the gasketless container lid comprises a channel comprising at least some of the first portion, the second portion, and the undulating cork surface between the seal portion and the rim for receiving a protrusion from a bucket stacked on the container lid. In certain embodiments, the protrusion from the bucket stacked on the container lid rests upon the undulating surface at the fourth elevation. In various embodiments, the fourth elevation is between the first elevation and the third elevation. In particular embodiments, the undulating cork surface slopes from the third elevation to the fourth elevation. According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the container lid further comprises one or more ribs integrally formed with a cork surface of the container lid, the one or more ribs perpendicular to the cork surface and each connected to a least a portion of the channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The above and further features of the disclosed exemplary container lid will be recognized from the following detailed descriptions and drawings of particular embodiments. In various embodiments, a container lid with a castellated cork is disclosed. In particular embodiments, the lid includes a seal portion for accepting the upper rim of a container, and a u-shaped castellated cork portion for at least partially securing the container lid to the container in a closed position. In one embodiment, the castellated cork includes undulating peaks and troughs (e.g., castellated ridges). In further embodiments, the lid includes a tear strip located along the bottom portion of an outer rim of the container lid. According to at least one embodiment, the container lid is circular in shape. In one or more embodiments, the container lid may be manufactured to fit any container shape (e.g., rectangular, ovoid, etc.).

The container lid discussed herein may be formed in any suitable way. In various embodiments, the container lid is formed by injection molding. In particular embodiments, the container lid is 3D-printed or created via other additive manufacturing techniques. In further embodiments, various components of the container lid are formed or created separately and the various components of the container lid are joined or otherwise suitably connected to form the container lid. In one embodiment, the container lid may be a one piece and unitary lid.

As will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, the container lid discussed herein may be used for sealing containers used for storing any variety of materials, including, but not limited to: food, paints, oils, consumer goods, construction materials, inks, chemicals, lubricants, adhesives, coatings, roofing mastics, driveway sealers, flavorings, sanitation supplies, building products, ice melt compounds, powders, pet food, and other such materials. The container lid may be formed from any suitable material or materials for storing or transporting such materials. In various embodiments, the container lid is manufactured from plastic (e.g., polyethylene, high-density polyethylene, etc.). In particular embodiments, the container lid is manufactured from a metal or composite material.

As will be described in greater detail throughout the disclosure, the u-shaped castellated cork seal provides benefits over traditional container lids, such as: 1) cantilevered support for the container lid seal; 2) increased support across the container lid when stacking containers; 3) reduced protrusion of a u-shaped cork into a container body without compromising the strength of the container lid seal; and 4) reduced trapping or adherence of materials stored within a container body, such as paint, around portions of the container lid.

Referring now to the figures, FIG.1shows a top perspective view of an exemplary container lid100, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As mentioned briefly above, the exemplary container lid100is configured to be securely positioned on the top of a container, such as a paint container, a general bucket for transporting materials, or any other appropriate container, and to further provide a gasketless leak-resistant seal when securely positioned on the top of the container. Accordingly, and in various embodiments, the exemplary container lid100includes a top surface102and an outer wall104. In the present embodiment, the top surface102is substantially circular-shaped for covering or spanning the top opening of a container, although, it should be understood from the disclosure herein that the top surface102may be any suitable shape.

In particular embodiments, the outer wall104may serve as the outermost surface or perimeter of the container lid100. Furthermore, the top surface102and the outer wall104are separated (or integrally joined) by a depression cavity106, where the depression cavity106includes various lid components described in further detail below in the discussion associated withFIGS. 7 and 8. In particular embodiments, the depression cavity106includes a plurality of undulating or “castellated” surfaces which together form a cork-like seal on the container, and also form a surface suitable to receive one or more additional containers in stacked configurations (i.e., the bottom of a container is accepted in the depression cavity106).

In various embodiments, when the exemplary container lid100is securely positioned on top of a container, the castellated cork extends downward into the container body. In one embodiment, the downward extension of the castellated cork into the container body provides cantilevered support, wherein the bottom most portion of an outer rim108of the container lid100extends downward (outside of the container body) to an elevation below the components of the castellated cork (“peaks” and “troughs” to be discussed below).

In certain embodiments, the cantilevered support provided by the castellated cork structure prevents a handler of the container lid100from easily removing the container lid100from a container without removing a tear strip110. For example, consider a handler attempting to remove the container lid100from a paint bucket. In order for the handler to remove the container lid100, the handler may lift or pry the container lid100upward and at an angle, thereby pulling the bottom most portion of the outer rim108of the container lid100away from the body of the container. In various embodiments, and in response to the outer rim108of the container lid100being pulled away from the container body, the cantilevered structure of particular components of the container lid (such as the castellated cork) may press into the inner body of the container with a substantially equal force, thereby preventing the container lid100from easily being removed. According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the castellated cork does not prevent the container lid100from being removed from a container, but rather provides additional support and prevents the lid100from being easily removed.

Continuing withFIG. 1, and shown in the present embodiment, the tear strip110is included along the bottom most portion of the outer rim108. According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the container lid100may be secured onto the top of a container with the tear strip110intact. Further, a handler of the container lid100may remove the tear strip110by peeling the tear strip110away from the exemplary container lid100. In various embodiments, removing the tear strip110reveals a plurality of pull tabs112that a user may use to grip onto and pull (outward and upward) from when removing the container lid100from a container. In certain embodiments, removing the tear strip110also reveals a plurality of gaps114separating the plurality of pull tabs112. In one embodiment, the plurality of gaps114define each of the plurality of pull tabs112and allow for a particular portion of the exemplary lid100(e.g., a pull tab112) to be pulled away from a container for removing the exemplary lid100.

As discussed above, in some embodiments, without the plurality of gaps114separating the plurality of pull tabs112, removing the exemplary container lid100may be a cumbersome task for a handler of the lid100. For example, pulling on one of the plurality of pull tabs112effectively allows for the portion of the exemplary lid100corresponding to the pull tab112to become unsealed (e.g., the pull tab112) because that particular portion may be pulled while the remainder of the lid100remains secured to the exemplary lid100. Continuing with the above example, if the exemplary container lid100did not include the plurality of pull tabs112, a handler may need to pull a larger portion of the container lid100(e.g., an entire side of the lid) to disengage the lid100from the container. In particular embodiments, at least a portion of the tear strip110and the plurality of pull tabs112form the container lid100outer wall104.

Turning now toFIG. 2, a top view of the exemplary lid100is shown, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in the present embodiment, the depression cavity106extends circularly around the container lid100, proximate to an upper outer rim202, where the upper outer rim202is an uppermost portion of the outer wall104(not shown). In a particular embodiment, adjacent to the depression cavity106is an upper rim204, which protrudes upwardly from the top surface102of the container lid100. As shown in the present embodiment, an area300indicates a portion of the container lid100to be described in greater detail below in the discussion ofFIG. 3.

In one embodiment,FIG. 3illustrates a top view of the area300, a particular portion of the exemplary container lid100. In the present embodiment, the depression cavity106is shown including periodic lengths of a surface, a cork surface302, where the cork surface302may accept one or more additional containers in stacked configurations. According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the cork surface302corresponds reciprocally to peaks of the castellated cork on the underside of the container lid100, as will be described in greater detail below in association with the discussion ofFIG. 4.

Referring now toFIG. 4, a bottom perspective view of the exemplary container lid100is shown, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In particular embodiments, and mentioned briefly above, the exemplary container lid100is configured to be securely positioned on the top of a container, such as a paint container, a general bucket for transporting materials, or any other appropriate container, and to further provide a leak-resistant seal when securely positioned on the top of the container. According to various aspects of the present disclosure, and shown in the present embodiment, the container lid100includes a protruding castellated cork402for at least partially providing the leak-resistant seal. In one embodiment, the castellated cork402includes alternating and undulating peaks404and troughs406, where a trough406of the castellated cork402extends further downward into a container than a peak404when the exemplary lid100is in a closed position on top of a container. In particular embodiments, a sloped wall408integrally connects the peaks404and troughs406between the highest and lowest portions of the peaks404and troughs406. In some embodiments, a portion of the castellated cork402maintains a constant extended length (e.g., protrusion elevation) around the circumference of the castellated cork402, as shown at the cork portion410.

Turning now toFIG. 5, a bottom view of the exemplary lid100is shown, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in the present embodiment, the container lid100may include vertical support ridges502perpendicular to the castellated cork seal402for providing additional structural support. In various embodiments, the vertical support ridges502are integrally connected to the underside of the top surface102of the container lid100, as well as integrally connected to various locations along the castellated cork402surface. According to various aspects of the present disclosure, the vertical support ridges502disperse pressure applied to the castellated cork402into the underside of the top surface102(or vice versa) when additional containers are stacked onto the exemplary container lid100or when a force is being applied to remove the lid100from a container.

In some embodiments, the vertical support ridges502are generally triangularly shaped. In other embodiments, the vertical support ridges502may be quadrant shaped, or any other appropriate shape. In some embodiments, the container lid100includes no support ridges502. As shown in the present embodiment, an area600indicates a portion of the container lid100to be described in greater detail below in association with the discussion ofFIG. 6.

Referring now toFIG. 6, a view of the area600, a particular portion of the exemplary container lid100, is shown according to one aspect of the present disclosure. As shown in the present embodiment, and discussed briefly above, the vertical support ridges502may be integrally connected to the peaks404, the troughs406, the cork portion410(not shown), or any other suitable portion of the castellated cork402. According to various aspects of the present disclosure, any number of support ridges502may be included on the container lid100(as appropriate), and the support ridges may be positioned in various configurations (as appropriate). For example, each peak404and/or trough406may include one bisecting support ridge502, or each peak404and/or trough406may include multiple support ridges502of regular or irregular spacing. In some embodiments, the peaks404and/or troughs406may not include any support ridges502.

Turning now toFIG. 7, a cross section through a trough406of the castellated cork402is shown, according to one aspect of the present disclosure. In the present embodiment, the depression cavity106is shown extending downward to a cork surface302. In certain embodiments, the cork surface302undulates in elevation around the depression cavity106reciprocal to the configuration of both the peaks404and troughs406, and the bottom of a container may be accepted at the portions of the cork surface302corresponding to the reciprocals of the peaks404.

Continuing withFIG. 7, in particular embodiments, the depression cavity106is defined by a seal portion side wall702and a rim side wall704(or “perpendicular rim”), according to various aspects of the present disclosure. In one embodiment, a seal portion706of the container lid100is located in a space between the container lid outer wall104and the seal portion side wall702. The seal portion706may include one or more seal surfaces for providing a gasketless seal on a container, aspects of which are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,181,819, filed Mar. 5, 2005, entitled “Lid and Container,” as well as in U.S. Pat. No. 7,963,419, filed Oct. 10, 2006, and entitled “Lid and Container,” both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In a particular embodiment, the seal portion side wall702extends downward from the upper outer rim202to a distance/elevation that is less extended than the outer rim108(e.g., the outer rim108extends further downward than the seal portion side wall702). In the embodiment shown inFIG. 7, the upper rim204protrudes upward from the top surface102of the lid and extends around a radial circumference of the container lid100.

In one embodiment, the cross section shown inFIG. 7illustrates an upper portion708of the depression cavity106that maintains a substantially constant width710between the seal portion side wall702and the rim side wall704, and a lower portion712(the remainder) of the depression cavity106begins to taper downward to the cork surface302according to the corresponding trough406protruding from the bottom of the container lid100. As shown, the cork surface302at the trough406has a smaller cross-section than the substantially constant width710.

Turning toFIG. 8, a cross section through a peak404of the castellated cork402is shown, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. In the present embodiment, the upper portion708of the depression cavity106is substantially similar to the upper portion708shown inFIG. 7; however, the bottom portion of the castellated cork402has sloped upward such that the cork surface302inFIG. 8is at a higher elevation than the cork surface302shown inFIG. 7. According to various aspects of the present disclosure, when the cork surface302corresponds to the elevation at a peak404, as shown inFIG. 8, the cork surface302may accept the bottom of a stacked container.

Also shown in the present embodiment is the cork portion410. In one embodiment, the cork portion410remains at a constant elevation despite the undulation of the peaks404and troughs406of the castellated cork402. In particular embodiments, the undulating peaks404and troughs406are substantially u-shaped (when viewed in a cross section) while the cork portion410narrows to a point. In various embodiments, the cork portion410is integrally connected to the outer most portion of the castellated cork402.

In one embodiment, the cork portion410acts as a support wall and provides increased structural support to the undulating peaks404and troughs406. In some embodiments described herein, the cork portion410is described as an integral part of the castellated cork402, forming a wall of the castellated cork402. As will be understood, in some embodiments, the cork portion410that spans between the undulating peaks404and troughs406may not be integrally formed with the castellated cork402, but may be separate components of the container lid coupled to portions of the castellated cork402.

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, including the cork portion410between the undulating peaks404and troughs406of the castellated cork402may provide additional structural support for the container lid and may help eliminate the need for other support structures, including support ribs or small vertical walls/notches within the depression cavity106(a common practice in traditional lid design). Accordingly, the cork portion410, as shown in the present embodiment, provides an improvement over traditional container lids.

According to particular aspects of the present disclosure, sloped walls integrally connect the peaks404and troughs406between the highest and lowest portions of their respective elevations. In one embodiment, the sloped walls are an integral part of the castellated cork402and provide load bearing support to the container lid100when the container lid100is supporting the weight of one or more containers stacked on top of it. As seen in the present embodiment, two sloped walls connect one peak404of the castellated cork402with two troughs406and the resulting structure is similar to a truss. In certain embodiments, the truss-like structure (e.g., the u-shaped castellated cork402) formed as a result of the sloped walls integrally connecting to the peaks404and troughs406may eliminate the need for support ribs within the depression cavity106. Such support ribs may induce stress points in a lid design and utilizing a castellated cork (e.g., castellated cork402) may eliminate these stress points and result in a container lid with better structural qualities.

In various embodiments, the peaks404of the cork surface302may vary in length and frequency. For example, and in some embodiments, there may be many shorter (e.g., 1 inch in length) peak404portions of the cork surface302within the depression cavity106, or there may be fewer, longer (e.g., 3 inches in length) peak404portions of the cork surface302within the depression cavity106. In various embodiments, the configuration and ratio of the length and frequency of the length of the undulation of the cork surface302is optimized to disperse the stress upon the exemplary container lid100when additional containers are stacked thereon. Other types of container lids may include small vertical walls/notches to accept the bottom of a stacked container. Stacking one or more containers upon these traditional container lids may eventually break or compromise the structural integrity of the small vertical walls/notches, which may further compromise the fidelity of the container lid seal. Other traditional container lids may not include any particular location/lid portion for accepting the bottom of a stacked container, and rather the traditional container lid may accept the entire circumference of the container bottom at the bottom of a u-shaped cork. In this scenario, it is common for the containers to become stuck in the stacked configuration. The present embodiments provide improvements over traditional container lids that accept the bottom of a stacked container by providing the undulating cork surface302, wherein the bottom of a stacked container is accepted at the portions of the cork surface302that are at an elevation above a lower portion of the cork surface302(e.g., at a peak404).

Traditionally, container lids including downwardly protruding components for improved seals may extend further into a container, collecting or trapping the product contained therein. For example, consider a traditional container lid (without a castellated cork seal) in a secured position on top of a paint can/container. Typically, different paints mixed to form a desired color will separate during storage (or after a certain period of time), where one color rises to the top of the container and the other color(s) settle in layers below. In this example, the surface area of the downwardly protruding component may collect and trap at least some of the paint near the top of the container, thereby creating a disproportionate ratio of colors in the paint due to certain paint colors of a mixture rising to the top and becoming trapped by the lid. According to the present disclosure, aspects of the disclosed embodiments aim to resolve this issue by including a castellated cork402, rather than a single width and height component, in order to reduce the surface area of the lid that may potentially come into contact with the matter stored within container.

CONCLUSION

Accordingly, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that, in view of the above detailed description of the various embodiments and articles of the present disclosure, the present disclosure is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many methods, embodiments, and adaptations of the present disclosure other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present disclosure and the above detailed description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present disclosure. Accordingly, while the present disclosure is described herein in detail in relation to various embodiments, it is to be understood that this detailed description is only illustrative and exemplary of the present disclosure and is made for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the present disclosure. The detailed description set forth herein is not intended nor is to be construed to limit the present disclosure or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements of the present disclosure. The scope of the present disclosure is defined solely by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof