Abstract:
A container is the form of a cup which includes an integral lid hingedly connected to the wall of the cup at a position adjacent to the rim. The wall of the cup includes a groove disposed entirely below the rim of the cup with the peripheral edge of the lid captured in the groove when the lid is closed and positioned below the rim thereby accomplishing a seal of the lid to the cup.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a container and more particularly to a container having an integral lid which is hingedly connected to the container and which when closed provides a seal about the periphery of the lid by seating within a groove formed in the wall of the container. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In fast-food restaurants and similar such establishments, beverages at present are normally served in a round container having a conically upwards and outwards sloping side wall and typically such containers are used with loose lids that can be fitted over the upper rim of the container. The lid typically is provided with a weakening in the center or other position of the lid through which a drinking straw can be pushed for consuming the contents of the container without the need to remove the lid. 
   Such containers have numerous drawbacks in that the use of a lid which caps such a container is not effective in preventing the beverage from leaking from the container during use and particularly if the container were to be upset. Such occurs because the container has a relatively thin wall which is easily deformed when it is upset and the lid will loosen causing the contents of the container to be dispensed even though such is not desired. 
   To overcome such problems existing in the typical prior art disposable containers, a self-sealing portable container was sought after. Various types of structures have been disclosed such, for example, as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,358,175, which is a container formed of a foldable sheet material which requires assembly, interconnection of flaps and a tongue-slot combination. U.S. Pat. No. 4,850,528 discloses a self-locking, self-closing container using a spring-action pleated top. U.S. Pat. No. 5,676,306 discloses a container having a sealing top formed by a series of crease lines folding inwardly and forming a series of rectangles, each having a diagonal corner portion to form a closure panel. U.S. Pat. No. 4,135,512 discloses a container having an integral flat lid hinged to a cylindrical wall. The lid extends in a downward slope and locks in a closed position between two ridges formed in opposite sides of the wall. The lid contains a plurality of openings therein so that liquid contained in the container can pass through the closed lid along with medication held on top of the lid. The most pertinent prior art known to applicant is that shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,960,987 and 6,164,488. These two patents disclose a container having an integral lid hinged about the wall of the container to selectively close and seal the same on demand. The integral lid is formed by a crease within the wall of the container and the crease defines the bottom end of the lid. The lid&#39;s top end is arcuate and extends above the top portion of the cup. The user can then move the lid to a closed position so that it engages a ridge causing the lid to conform to the shape of the top portion of the cup with the lid extending generally upwardly with the lid defining an aperture through which the contents of the container may be dispensed. Although devices of this type do function somewhat effectively, it has been found that the leakage around the lid is such that the utility of the package is somewhat limited and creates undesirable spillage of the contents during attempted use of the container. 
   There is thus a need for a simple self-sealing container utilizing an integral lid which accomplishes a positive and effective seal when the lid is closed so that leakage from the container is eliminated during normal use thereof. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A container having an integral lid which container includes a wall interconnecting a rim and a bottom with the rim having a first diameter, a lid having a peripheral edge and being hingedly connected to the wall at a position adjacent to the rim and a groove in the wall disposed entirely below the rim with the peripheral edge of the lid being captured in the groove when the lid is closed and is positioned below the rim accomplishing a seal at the periphery of the lid. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a container having an integral lid constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention with the lid open; 
       FIG. 2  is a left-side view of the container as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional, partial schematic showing the formation of a sealing groove in the wall of the container as shown in  FIG. 2  and taken about the lines  3 — 3  of  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a rear view of the container as illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a container constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention with the lid in the closed and sealed position; and 
       FIG. 6  is a partial schematic cross-sectional view taken about the lines  6 — 6  of  FIG. 5  showing the lid in its sealed position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now more particularly to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated in a perspective view a container having an integral lid constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. As is therein shown, the container  10  includes a bottom  12  and a rim  14  and a continuous wall  16  interconnecting the bottom  12  and the rim  14 . A lid  18  which is integral with the wall  16  extends upwardly from the wall above the rim  14 . A score line  20  formed in the material from which the wall  16  and the lid  18  is formed functions as a hinge to permit closure of the lid  18  as will be described more fully hereinafter. 
   The structure thus far described will typically be formed by die cutting from a blank of material of any type desired which is typically utilized to form disposable containers. For example such material may include a polyurethane foam, food grade polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or a packaging laminate comprising a core layer of materials such as paper, foil, cardboard, chipboard, fluteboard, or the like which is coated on either or both sides thin layers of thermoplastic material, for example, polyethylene and may also include high density polyethylene. 
   The lid  18  may have a tab  22  extending from the outer end  24  thereof. The tab  22  may be utilized to lift the lid from its closed position if such is desired. Disposed below the rim  14  is a groove  26  which extends from the first end  28  of the score line  20  to the opposite end  30  thereof. The groove  26  is continuous and extends in its entirety below the level of the rim  14 . 
   Referring now more particularly to  FIG. 2 , the structure of  FIG. 1  is illustrated in a left-side view. As is therein shown, the groove  26  is clearly disposed below the rim  14  and the groove commences at the left end portion  28  of the score line  20  which forms the hinge for the lid  18 . As also illustrated, the groove  26  is disposed farther below the rim  14  on the wall  16  opposite the hinge  20  than it is at the hinge  20 . Such structure provides a wall  29  (when the lid is closed) which will retain any fluid as shown in  FIG. 5  that may remain adjacent the lid during consumption. As is illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the wall  16  of the container  10  may be flared slightly outward as is the case with most liquid containers although it will be recognized that such is not necessary in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
   As is shown in  FIG. 3  which illustrates the groove  26  in greater detail, the groove  26  is formed by continuously moving the wall  16  of the container outwardly to form a continuous inner surface  32  for the groove  26 . As above described, the groove is continuous and runs from one end to the other of the score line  20 , namely between the ends  28  and  30  thereof. 
   Referring now more particularly to  FIG. 4 , which is a rear view of the container in accordance with the present invention as shown in  FIG. 1 . As is therein shown, the score line  20  which forms the hinge for the lid  18  is specifically indicated as preferably existing for a segment of 44 degrees. It should, however, be understood that although this is the preferred segment for the hinge, that the segment may extend from approximately 35 to approximately 60 degrees without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. As is also indicated in  FIG. 4 , the tab  22  may have a score line  34  to permit bending of the tab  22  when the lid is closed. There may also be provided perforations  36  about the point on the lid where the tab  22  joins the periphery of the lid  18  for the purpose of removing the tab and that portion of the lid to provide an aperture through which the contents of the container  10  may be dispensed as by sipping, pouring or the like. It should also be noted that additional perforations  38  may be provided in the lid  18  if desired so that a straw may be inserted through the lid into the contents of the container  10  for sipping the same. 
   It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, particularly with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  4 , that the lid  18  is essentially an extension of the side wall  16  forming the wall of the container and when in the open position maintains the same outwardly directed curvature as does the wall  16  of the container  10 . It will also be noted that the rim  14  at the top of the container  10  has a first diameter D- 1  as better seen in  FIG. 5 . The diameter of the lid  18  has a second diameter D- 2 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The diameter D- 2  is greater than the diameter D- 1  for a purpose to be described more fully with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
   Referring now more specifically to  FIG. 5 , there is illustrated in a perspective view the container in accordance with the principles of the present invention with the lid  18  in the closed position. As can be seen, the lid  18  has been hinged downwardly about the score line  20  and then pushed into a downward position so that the contour of the outer surface of the lid  18  now moves downwardly at the end  24  thereof and the periphery of the lid  18  engages the internal surface  32  of the groove  26  as shown more fully in  FIG. 6 . By the diameter of the lid  18  being greater than the diameter of the rim D- 1 , the lid when pushed downwardly will move into a position so that its periphery fully engages the groove  26  along its inner surface  32  between the ends  28  and  30  of the score line or hinge  20  so that an effective seal is accomplished for the contents of the container  10  to substantially eliminate leakage of the contents thereof. 
   There has thus been disclosed a container having an integral lid which is formed so that the periphery of the lid engages a groove formed continuously in the wall of the container between the ends of the hinge securing the lid to the wall of the container, such that the lid when placed in the closed condition engages the groove to seal the container.