Abstract:
A lid and container assembly includes a container having a rim portion that defines a container opening, and a lid having (i) a cover portion positioned over the container opening, and (ii) a skirt extending from the cover portion and positioned circumferentially around the rim portion. The skirt defines an interior facing surface and an exterior facing surface. The skirt includes a sealing band extending from the interior facing surface positioned in contact with the rim portion. The sealing band defines a vertex along the extent of the sealing band. The vertex possesses (i) a first height at a first circumferential position of the sealing band, and (ii) a second height at a second circumferential position of the sealing band. The second height is greater than the first height. Height of the vertex asymptotically increases as the sealing band extends from the first circumferential position to the second circumferential position.

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/737,463, filed Nov. 15, 2005. The disclosure of this provisional patent application is hereby totally incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to the field of lids, containers, and associated assemblies. In particular, this invention relates to lids, containers, and associated assemblies which are configured to contain beverages such as soup. This invention further relates to lids, containers, and associated assemblies which are configured to undergo heating in a microwave appliance whereby liquid in the container is heated for subsequent consumption by a consumer. 
     It would be advantageous to provide a lid, container, and associated assembly that allow a user to drink liquid contained in the container, while including an improved seal to prevent liquid from leaking at the lid-container interface during the drinking process, especially after the liquid and the lid and container were heated in a microwave appliance. In addition, it would be advantageous to provide such a lid that may be easily removed from the container by the user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a lid and container assembly of a first embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  shows a top elevational view of the lid and container assembly of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  shows a cross-sectional view of the lid and container assembly taken along the line III-III of  FIG. 2 ; 
         FIG. 4  shows an enlarged fragmentary view of the lid and container assembly near circular line IV of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows an enlarged fragmentary view of the lid and container assembly near circular line V of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 6  shows a top elevational view of the lid of  FIG. 1  indicating radial positions on the skirt of the lid; 
         FIG. 7  shows a graph of the vertex depth or height of a lower band on the lid at various radial positions of  FIG. 6   
         FIG. 8  shows a graph of the width of the lower band at various radial positions of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lid of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  shows a cross-sectional view of the lid and container assembly taken along the line III-III of  FIG. 2 , but showing the assembly in a tilted orientation as would be assumed when a consumer tilts the assembly in order to expel liquid from the assembly into a mouth of the consumer; 
         FIG. 11  shows a perspective view of a lid and container assembly of a second embodiment of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 12  shows a top elevational view of the lid and container assembly of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  shows a cross-sectional view of the lid and container assembly taken along the line XIII-XIII of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  shows an enlarged fragmentary view of the lid and container assembly near circular line XIV of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  shows an enlarged fragmentary view of the lid and container assembly near circular line XV of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 16  shows a top elevational view of the lid of  FIG. 11  indicating radial positions on the skirt of the lid; 
         FIG. 17  shows a graph of the vertex depth or height of a lower band on the lid at various radial positions of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 18  shows a graph of the width of the lower band at various radial positions of  FIG. 16 ; 
         FIG. 19  shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the lid of  FIG. 11 ; and 
         FIG. 20  shows a cross-sectional view of the lid and container assembly taken along the line XIII-XIII of  FIG. 12 , but showing the assembly in a tilted orientation as would be assumed when a consumer tilts the assembly in order to expel liquid from the assembly into a mouth of the consumer. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , there is shown an assembly  10  that includes a lid  12  and a container  14 . The lid  12  is shown positioned on and attached to the container  14  in  FIG. 1 . The container  14  is configured to retain a liquid. The liquid may be a food item such as soup or coffee. The lid  12  is configured to allow the liquid to escape from the container  14  without removal of the lid from the container. The lid is comprised of a semi-rigid polymer material. 
     The lid  12  comprises a face  20  defined within an upper lid rim  30 . The face is generally flat with an angled portion  22  that leads to a depression  24 . A drink hole  26  is formed in the depression  24  of the face. The drink hole  26  is designed and dimensioned to allow liquid contained within the container  14  to pass through the drink hole  26  when the container is tipped. A vent hole  28  is positioned on the face  20  of the lid  12  opposite the drink hole  26 . The vent hole  28  is designed and dimensioned to allow air to flow into the container  14  as the contents of the container are expelled through the drink hole  26 . Note that the drink hole  26  is larger than the vent hole  28  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     The lid  12  further comprises a skirt  32  that depends from the upper lid rim  30 . The skirt  32  is configured to assume a ring-like shape. As shown in  FIGS. 3-5 , the skirt  32  extends down from the upper lid rim  30  and surrounds a top rim  16  of the container  14  when the lid  12  is seated on the container  14 . The skirt  32  terminates in a lower lip  34  of the lid  12 . The upper rim  30  and the depending skirt  32  of the lid  12  form a circumferential channel  36  that extends around the lid just under the upper rim  30 . A plurality of ribs  38  are positioned in the channel. Each rib  38  includes a shoulder  39  designed to contact the top rim  16  of the container when the lid  12  is seated on the container. The ribs  38  also provide structural support for the upper portion of the lid  12 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 ,  5 , and  9 , an upper band  40  and a lower band  42  are positioned on an interior facing surface of the skirt  32 . Both the upper band  40  and the lower band  42  protrude inwardly from the interior facing surface of the skirt  32  and extend circumferentially around the skirt. The upper band  40  is positioned along the shoulder portions  39  of the ribs  38 . The lower band  42  is positioned parallel with the upper band  40  at a distance below the upper band  40 . As best seen in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the upper band  40  and lower band  42  are positioned a sufficient distance apart such that the top rim  16  of the container  14  will fit between the upper band  40  and the lower band  42 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the lower band  42  of the lid  14  extends radially inward from the inside surface of the skirt  32 . The lower band  42  includes two opposing sides that extend away from the surface of the skirt  32  at an angle θ 1  and meet at a vertex  44 . The vertex  44  provides the furthest distance the band  42  extends from the skirt  32  at any given point on the band  42 . The distance from the skirt  32  to the vertex  44  of the lower band  42  is defined by distance H V  in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . The band also has a vertical width defined by distance W B  in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the distance H V  of the vertex  44  from the skirt  32  (i.e., the “height” of the vertex or the “height” of the band) is variable or non-uniform over the length of the lower band  42 . In particular, the vertex  44  has a relatively small “height” H V  on the vent hole  28  side of the lid  12 , but has a much greater “height” H V  on the drink hole  26  side of the lid  12 . For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 7 , the vertex  44  only extends between 0.005 inches to 0.015 inches (and preferably 0.010 inches) outward from the surface of the skirt  32  at angular or circumferential position 0°. However, as the band  42  is formed circumferentially around the skirt of the lid, the vertex  44  extends further and further away from the surface of the skirt  32 , until at angular position 180°, the vertex is between 0.025 inches and 0.035 inches (and preferably 0.030 inches) away from the surface of the skirt. From this position the vertex gradually decreases and moves closer to the surface of the skirt until the vertex returns to between 0.005 inches and 0.015 inches (and preferably 0.010 inches) at angular position 0°. 
     Similar to the variation in the distance H V  from the vertex  44  of the lower band  42  to the skirt  32 , the vertical width W B  of the lower band also changes based on the angular or circumferential position of the band  42 . In particular, with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , the width W B  of the band  42  is relatively small near the vent hole  28  portion of the lid, but is larger near the drink hole  26  portion of the lid. For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 8 , the width W B  of the band  42  is between 0.025 inches and 0.035 inches (and preferably 0.030 inches) at angular position 0°. The width W B  of the band  42  then gradually increases until it reaches between 0.085 inches and 0.095 inches (and preferably 0.090 inches) at angular position 180°. Thereafter, the width W B  of the band gradually decreases back to between 0.025 inches and 0.035 inches (and preferably 0.030 inches) at angular position 0°. This gradual increase in the width of the band is also shown in  FIG. 9  where the lower band  44  is shown as gradually increasing in width W B  from the vent hole side of the lid to the drink hole side of the lid. 
     The variable size of the lower band  42 , including varying band width W B  and varying band height H V  provide several advantages. For example, as best seen in  FIG. 4 , when the height H V  of the lower band  42  and the width W B  of the band are greatest, the top rim  16  of the container  14  snugly fits between the upper band  40  and the lower band  42 . This snug fit between the top rim  16  of the container and the upper band  40  and the lower band  42  of the lid helps to prevent any liquid from passing between the top rim  16  of the container  14  and the lid  12  when the container  14  is tipped toward the drink hole side  27  as shown in  FIG. 10 , especially after the assembly  10  and liquid contained therein had just been heated in a microwave appliance. Therefore, the assembly  10  provides the advantage of improved leak protection when the container  14  is tipped by a user for drinking liquid from the drink hole of the lid. 
     An example of an additional advantage provided by the lid  12  described herein is that because the height H V  and width W B  of the lower band  42  are lesser on the vent hole side  29  of the lid  12 , the lid  12  is easier to remove from the container  14  on this side of the lid. In particular, a less restrictive fit is provided between the top rim  16  of the container  14  and the upper and lower bands  40  and  42  for the portion of the lid  12  shown in  FIG. 5  when compared to the relatively snug fit shown in  FIG. 4 . In addition, the profile of the lower band  42  is smaller in  FIG. 5 , facilitating passage of the top rim  16  of the container  14  past the lower band  42  of the lid  12 . Thus, a user may be instructed to remove the lid  12  from the container  14  on the vent hole side  29  of the container. By following these instructions, the user will have a relatively easy time removing the lid  12  from the container  14 , as the lower band  42  of the lid will more easily pass by the top rim on the vent side  29  of the lid. 
     Although the embodiment described with regarding to  FIGS. 1-10  is a preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that other implementations and adaptations are possible. For example, the change in the height and width of the lower band need not conform to the sinusoidal form shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The change in the band may, for example, be more abrupt such that  FIGS. 7 and 8  resemble a square wave form. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the lower band may be non-existent on the vent hole side of the lid. In such an embodiment,  FIGS. 7 and 8  would show the height and width of the lower band as zero at some circumferential portion of the band closer to 0° (e.g., from 270° down to 0° and up to 90°). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 11 , there is shown another assembly  110  that includes a lid  112  and a container  114 . The lid  112  is shown positioned on and attached to the container  114 . The container  114  is configured to retain a liquid. The liquid may be a food item such as soup or coffee. The lid  112  is configured to allow the liquid to escape from the container  114  without removal of the lid from the container. The lid is comprised of a semi-rigid polymer material. 
     The lid  112  comprises a face  120  defined within an upper lid rim  130 . The face is generally flat with an angled portion  122  that leads to a depression  124 . A drink hole  126  is formed in the depression  124  of the face. The drink hole  126  is designed and dimensioned to allow liquid contained within the container  114  to pass through the drink hole  126  when the container is tipped. A vent hole  128  is positioned on the face  120  of the lid  112  opposite the drink hole  126 . The vent hole  128  is designed and dimensioned to allow air to flow into the container  114  as the contents of the container are expelled through the drink hole  126 . Note that the drink hole  126  is larger than the vent hole  128  as shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . 
     The lid  112  further comprises a skirt  132  that depends from the upper lid rim  130 . The skirt  132  is configured to assume a generally ring-like shape. As shown in  FIGS. 13-15 , the skirt  132  extends down from the upper lid rim  130  and surrounds the top rim  116  of the container  114  when the lid  112  is seated on the container  114 . The skirt  132  terminates in a lower lip  134  of the lid  112 . The upper rim  130  and the depending skirt  132  of the lid  112  form a circumferential channel  136  that extends around the lid just under the upper rim  130 . The skirt  132  is configured to define a shoulder  138  (see  FIGS. 14 and 15 ) that is designed to contact the top rim  116  of the container  114  when the lid  112  is seated on the container. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 14 ,  15 , and  19 , a band  142  is positioned on an interior facing surface of the skirt  132 . The band  142  protrudes inwardly from the interior facing surface of the skirt  132  and extends circumferentially around the skirt. The band  142  is positioned parallel with the shoulder  138  of the skirt at a distance below the shoulder  138 . As best seen in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the shoulder  138  and the band  142  are positioned a sufficient distance apart such that the top rim  116  of the container  114  will fit between the shoulder  138  and the band  142 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 , the band  142  of the lid  114  extends radially inward from the interior facing surface of the skirt  132 . The band  142  includes two opposing sides that extend away from the interior facing surface of the skirt  132  at an angle θ 2  and meet at a vertex  144 . The vertex  144  provides the furthest distance the band  142  extends from the skirt  132  at any given point on the band  142 . The distance from the skirt  132  to the vertex  144  of the band  142  is defined by distance H V  in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . The band  142  also has a vertical width defined by distance W B  in  FIGS. 14 and 15 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 16 and 17 , the distance H V  of the vertex  144  from the skirt  132  (i.e., the “height” of the vertex or the “height” of the band) is variable or non-uniform over the length of the band  142 . In particular, the vertex  144  has a relatively small “height” H V  on the vent hole  128  side of the lid  12 , but has a much greater “height” H V  on the drink hole  126  side of the lid  112 . For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 17 , the vertex  144  only extends between 0.005 inches to 0.015 inches (and preferably 0.010 inches) outward from the surface of the skirt  132  at angular or circumferential position 0°. However, as the band  142  is formed circumferentially around the skirt of the lid, the vertex  144  extends further and further away from the surface of the skirt  132 , until at angular position 180°, the vertex is between 0.025 inches and 0.035 inches (and preferably 0.030 inches) away from the surface of the skirt. From this position the vertex gradually decreases and moves closer to the surface of the skirt until the vertex returns to between 0.005 inches and 0.015 inches (and preferably 0.010 inches) at angular position 0°. 
     Similar to the variation in the distance H V  from the vertex  144  of the lower band  142  to the skirt  132 , the vertical width W B  of the lower band also changes based on the angular or circumferential position of the band  142 . In particular, with reference to  FIGS. 16 and 18 , the width W B  of the band  142  is relatively small near the vent hole  128  portion of the lid, but is larger near the drink hole  126  portion of the lid. For example, in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 18 , the width W B  of the band  142  is between 0.023 inches and 0.033 inches (and preferably 0.028) inches at angular position 0°. The width W B  of the band  42  then gradually increases until it reaches between 0.096 inches and 0.106 inches (and preferably 0.101 inches) at angular position 180°. Thereafter, the width W B  of the band gradually decreases back to between 0.023 inches and 0.033 inches (and preferably 0.028 inches) at angular position 0°. This gradual increase in the width of the band is also shown in  FIG. 19  where the band  144  is shown as gradually increasing in width W B  from the vent hole side of the lid to the drink hole side of the lid. 
     The variable size of the band  142 , including varying band width W B  and varying band height H V  provide several advantages. For example, as best seen in  FIG. 14 , when the height H V  of the band  142  and the width W B  of the band are greatest, the top rim  116  of the container  114  snugly fits between the shoulder  138  and the band  142 . This snug fit of the top rim  116  of the container between the shoulder  138  and the band  142  of the lid helps to prevent any liquid from passing between the top rim  116  of the container  114  and the lid  112  when the container  114  is tipped toward the drink hole side  127  as shown in  FIG. 20 , especially after the assembly  20  and liquid contained therein had just been heated in a microwave appliance. Therefore, the assembly  110  provides the advantage of improved leak protection when the container  114  is tipped by a user for drinking liquid from the drink hole of the lid  112 . 
     An example of an additional advantage provided by the lid  112  described herein is that because the height H V  and width W B  of the band  142  are lesser on the vent hole side  129  of the lid  112 , the lid  112  is easier to remove from the container  114  on this side of the lid. In particular, a less restrictive fit is provided between the top rim  116  of the container  114  and the shoulder  138  and band  142  for the portion of the lid  112  shown in  FIG. 15  when compared to the relatively snug fit shown in  FIG. 14 . In addition, the profile of the band  142  is smaller in  FIG. 15 , facilitating passage of the top rim  116  of the container  114  past the band  142  of the lid  112 . Thus, a user may be instructed to remove the lid  112  from the container  114  on the vent hole side  129  of the container. By following these instructions, the user will have a relatively easy time removing the lid  112  from the container  114 , as the band  142  of the lid will more easily pass by the top rim on the vent side  129  of the lid. 
     Although the embodiment described with regarding to  FIGS. 11-20  is another preferred embodiment, it will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that other implementations and adaptations are possible. For example, the change in the height and width of the lower band need not conform to the sinusoidal form shown in  FIGS. 17 and 18 . The change in the band may, for example, be more abrupt such that  FIGS. 17 and 18  resemble a square wave form. Furthermore, in one embodiment, the band  142  may be non-existent on the vent hole side of the lid. In such an embodiment,  FIGS. 17 and 18  would show the height and width of the band  142  as zero at some circumferential portion of the band closer to 0° (e.g., from 270° down to 0° and up to 90°). 
     It should be appreciated that there are advantages to individual advancements described herein that may be obtained without incorporating other aspects described above. Therefore, the invention should not be limited to the description of the preferred embodiments contained herein.