Abstract:
Several embodiments of overcaps for containers are shown for protecting lid portions of container during shipment, storage, and heating. The overcaps are readily releasable from the containers without undue stress.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The invention is directed to an overcap for a container and more particularly to an overcap molded from thermoplastic material for use in connection with a container which may also be molded or thermoformed from plastic material.  
           [0002]    Various types or overcaps for containers, such as plastic bowls or metal cans, are currently available in the marketplace. These caps are useful for maintaining cleanliness of the underlying sealed container lid, and/or providing a location for advertising and pricing indicia, etc.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    A flexible, thermoplastic overcap is provided for covering a container opening, and more particular for covering a previously closed and sealed container. The over cap may or may not be provided with small openings for subsequent use during microwave container contents following opening of the container&#39;s closure panel or lid.  
           [0004]    The overcap includes an end panel for covering or overlying the container end and includes a depending, peripheral skirt portion extending general along a wall portion of the container. The skirt portion includes an inwardly extending ledge or latch portion for underlying a lip, or flange or other protrusion forming part of or carried by the container. The ledge or latch portion provides an aggressive retention feature for securely maintaining the overcap upon the container during shipping, storage and shelving of the container and the product contained therein.  
           [0005]    An object of the invention is to provide a mechanism for permitting easy removal of the overcap from the container. This can be accomplished by providing spaced, generally parallel, slots in the depending skirt portion of the overcap for proving a handle or lever portion for withdrawing the ledge or latch portion outwardly from engagement under the lip or flange portion of the container  
           [0006]    A further object of the invention, for use with containers having a tubular body and a generally circular cross-section is to provide a series of three, substantially equally spaced latching member within the depending skirt portion of the overcap. Each latching member may extend along the periphery for approximately 120 degrees so that upon release of one member, the overcap may be readily shifted laterally to provide for easy removal of the overcap from the related container.  
           [0007]    Another object of the invention is to provide a modified form of overcap wherein preferably three latching members may each have a peripheral length which subtends about 40 to 60 degrees but are spaced with their center lines spaced on the order of 120 degrees so that, hereagain, release of one latching member will allow easy lateral shifting of the overcap and removal from the end of container.  
           [0008]    A still further object of the invention is to provide the latch member with an elongated release handle which extends slightly below the lowermost edge of the depending skirt portion to provide a visual aid in quickly locating the position of the latching member  
           [0009]    Another object of the invention is to provide an opening or window extending along a periphery of the overcap, in or adjacent to the depending skirt portion, the purpose of which is to receive therein a portion of the container lip, or flange portion, or closure seam to locate the ledge or latch portion of the overcap in position to securely located the overcap upon the container. Preferably, a series of three of the openings or windows have their centerlines space 120 degrees about the periphery of a generally circular overcap. It is contemplated that for such windows may be used in connection with containers having a generally rectangular cross-section or with those having a generally oval cross-section such as is conventionally used for canned hams and the like.  
           [0010]    Other objects will be apparent to those having skill in the container art from a consideration of the following description of several preferred embodiments. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    [0011]FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a container having a first form of overcap located thereon.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 2 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the overcap of FIG. 1 and illustrates the ledge or latch portion on the overcap engaging the lip or flange portion  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of a container having a second form of overcap located thereon.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 4 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the overcap of FIG. 3 and illustrates the ledge or latch portion on the overcap engaging the lip or flange portion  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 5 is a pictorial representation of a container having a third form of overcap located thereon.  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 6 is an enlarged, fragmentary, perspective view of the overcap of FIG. 5 and illustrates the ledge or latch portion on the overcap engaging the lip or flange portion 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0017]    As is indicated above, FIGS. 1 and 2 are pictorial representations of a container, generally indicated by the numeral  10 , leaving a first form of overcap  12  located thereon. Three skirts  14 ,  16  and a third skirt located on the unseen side of overcap  12 , each extend for nearly 120 degrees about the periphery of overcap  12  and having a demarcation slot  18  between each skirt portion. Each skirt portion includes a window  20  formed by a peripheral opening in or adjacent to the skirts  14 ,  16 , for receiving a portion of a container lip, or flange or seam so that an inwardly extending ledge  24  engages therewith for securely fastening over cap  12  to container  10 .  
         [0018]    [0018]FIGS. 3 and 4 are pictorial representations of a container, generally indicated by the numeral  110 , leaving a first form of overcap  112  located thereon. Three skirts  114 ,  116  and a third skirt located on the unseen side or overcap  112 , each extend for nearly 120 degrees about the periphery of overcap  112  and having demarcation slots  118 ,  118  defining the ends of handle portions  122  between each skirt portion. Each skirt portion includes a window  120  formed by a peripheral opening in or adjacent to the skirts  114 ,  116 , for receiving a portion of a container lip, or flange or seam so that an inwardly extending ledge  124  engages therewith for securely fastening over cap  112  to container  110 . A lowermost edge  130  of handle portion  122  is seen extending below lowermost edge  134  of skirt  114  or  116  to clearly indicate the location of handle portion  122  for readily releasing one handle portion from engagement with the container  110  so that overcap  112  can be moved laterally and easily release from container  110 .  
         [0019]    [0019]FIGS. 5 and 46 are pictorial representations of a container, generally indicated by the numeral  210 , having a first form of overcap  212  located thereon. Three skirts  214 ,  216  and a third skirt located on the unseen side of overcap  212 , each extend for nearly 80 degrees about the periphery of overcap  212  and having demarcation slots  218 ,  218  defining the ends of handle portions  222  which extend about 40 degrees between each skirt portion. Each skirt portion includes a window  220  formed by a peripheral opening in or adjacent to the skirts  214 ,  216 , for receiving a portion of a container lip, or flange or seam so that an inwardly extending ledge  224  engages therewith for securely fastening over cap  212  to container  210 . A lowermost edge  230  or handle portion  222  is seen as coextending with lowermost edge  234  of skirt  214 ,  216  to provide a smooth lower edge portion of overcap  212 . Handle portion  222  is movable upwardly for readily releasing ledge portion  224  from engagement with the container  210  so that overcap  212  can be moved laterally and easily released from container  210 .