Patent Publication Number: US-2011056939-A1

Title: Reclosable container lid

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     1. Technical Field 
     The invention relates generally to container lids, and more particularly to a self closing, reclosable lid for use with a container. 
     2. Relevant Art 
     Generally, most containers are made with a corresponding lid used to close and sometimes seal the container. Typically, container lids may include a spout or similar means adapted to permit the flow of the container&#39;s contents from within the container and through the lid. 
     However, many existing container lid designs typically require that the user use two hands to open the container lid. Typically, one hand is used to secure or hold on to the container and the other is used to “twist” or “pry” the container lid on or off and effectively provide access to the container&#39;s contents. 
     SUMMARY 
     A recloseable lid is provided including a lid portion defining an opening to dispense the contents of a container, and a closeable flap portion including a sealing member and a resilient member. The closeable flap portion is pivotable between a first position, where the resilient member is flexed and the sealing member is not engaged with the opening and a second position, where the sealing member is engaged with the opening and the resilient member is not flexed. 
     In one aspect, a slide lock may be disposed on the closeable flap portion to engage with the lid portion and secure the closeable flap portion in the second position. 
     In another aspect, a reclosable lid is provided including a lid portion defining an opening to dispense the contents of a container, and a closeable flap portion including a sealing member and a resilient member. The closeable flap portion is pivotable between a first position, where the resilient member is in a flexed state and the sealing member is away from the opening and a second position, where the sealing member is engaged with the opening and the resilient member is in an unflexed state. A slide lock, including a tab, disposed on the closeable flap portion is also provided. The tab is configured to engage a corresponding slot on the lid portion when the closeable flap portion is in the second position. 
     In yet another aspect, a reclosable lid is provided including a lid portion defining an opening and including a spout and a handle positioned diametrically opposed substantially on a circumference of the lid portion, and a grippable section formed on a diameter of the lid portion between the spout and handle. The reclosable lid also includes a closeable flap portion including a front end, a mid-section and a rear end, where the front end is configured to extend over the spout, the mid-section over the grippable section and the rear end over at least a portion of the handle when the closeable flap portion is in a closed position. The closeable flap portion includes a sealing member, a resilient member, and a hinge structure. The rear end of the closeable flap portion is depressable to cause the sealing member to rotate about the hinge structure away from the opening and place the resilient member in a compressed state to move the closeable flap portion to an opened position. A slide lock including a tab is disposed on the mid section of the closeable flap portion, where the tab is configured to mate with a corresponding slot on the lid portion to maintain the closeable flap portion in the closed position. 
     This brief summary has been provided so that the nature of this disclosure may be understood quickly. A more complete understanding of the disclosure can be obtained by reference to the following detailed description of the various embodiments thereof in connection with the attached drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing features and other features of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the drawings of an illustrated embodiment. In the drawings, the same components have the same reference numerals. The illustrated embodiment is intended to illustrate, but not to limit the disclosure. The drawings include the following Figures: 
         FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of a recloseable container lid without a slide lock in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 1B  is a perspective view of a recloseable container lid with a slide lock in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIGS. 2A and 2B  are top and bottom views, respectively of the lid portion of the reclosable container lid in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross sectional view of closeable flap portion in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIGS. 4A and 4B  are cross-sectional views illustrating the closeable flap portion engaged with the lid portion in an open and closed position in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the closeable flap portion without a slide lock engaged with the lid portion in a closed position in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is an illustration of the engagement between a sealing member of the closeable flap portion and an opening defined on the lid portion in accordance with an embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIGS. 1A and 1B  are perspective views of a reclosable lid  100  and  100   a,  respectively, both adapted to be used with a container  102  in accordance with embodiments. The container  102  includes a container body  103  that defines a volume used to hold or contain a substance which may be made to flow from the container, for example a liquid, a powder and the like. The container body  103  may have a generally circular, oval or rectangular cross-section that terminates at a continuous upper edge or rim. The rim defines a circular open top portion of the container body  103 . In some embodiments, the rim may have formed thereon container threads (not shown) for mounting and securing the container body  103  to a lid, for example, reclosable lid  100  or  100   a.    
     As shown in  FIG. 1A , in one embodiment, the reclosable lid  100  includes a lid portion  104 , and a closable flap portion  106 . In an alternative embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1B , optionally, a slide lock  108  may be integrated into the closable flap portion  106  to lockably secure the closeable flap portion  106  to the lid portion  104  and seal the container body  103 . It should be understood that references to the components described with reference to either recloseable lid  100  or  100   a  in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  are generally the same for each embodiment, with the exception that the slide lock  108  and associated components are described with reference to the embodiment of recloseable lid  10   a  in  FIG. 1B . 
     Referring now to the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1A and 1B , the lid portion  104  of the reclosable lid  100  or  100   a  includes a generally cylindrical shaped body portion  110  having a spout  112  formed on a circumference of the lid portion  104 . The spout  112  is formed diametrically opposed from a handle  114  also formed on the circumference of the lid portion  104 . The lid portion  104  includes internal threads  116  (see  FIG. 2B ) that are positioned to allow the lid portion  104  to engage with the corresponding container threads (not shown) provided at the rim of the container body  103  and secure the lid portion  104  to the container body  103 . 
       FIGS. 2A and 2B  are top and bottom views, respectively of the lid portion  104  in accordance with an embodiment.  FIG. 2A  shows the top of the lid portion with the closeable flap portion  106  removed for clarity. As shown in  FIG. 2A , the lid portion  104  includes an annular platform section  202  upon which various surface features and structures of the lid portion  104  may be formed or mounted. As described below, many of the various surface features and structures matingly correspond to, or operationally interact with various other surface features and structures that are part of the closable flap portion  106 . 
     In one embodiment, each of the surface features and structures are aligned along a diameter of the lid between the spout  112  and the handle  114 . The alignment of the surface features and structures in this manner facilitates operation of the closable flap portion  106  using only one hand, if desired. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2A , the platform section  202  defines an opening or hole  204  that provides a causeway from the underside of lid portion  104  through the platform section  202 . The opening  204  is positioned immediately adjacent the spout  112 . The opening  204  allows the contents of container  102  to be poured out from container body  103  via the spout  112  when the lid portion  104  is coupled to the container body  103 . 
     Immediately adjacent the opening  204 , toward the handle  114  side of the opening, a raised section  206  is formed on platform section  202 . The raised section  206  is generally formed as a loop of material that provides a hand grippable section  118  (see  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B). The loop defines an open space  119  (see  FIGS. 1A ,  1 B) that separates the grippable section  118  from the platform section  202  to provide a space for a user&#39;s fingers to curl under the grippable section, which allows the user to grasp the reclosable lid. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1B , when the closeable flap portion  106  is positioned on the raised support section  206 , a user may grip the reclosable lid  100   a,  such that the user&#39;s thumb may become aligned with the direction of travel of the slide lock  108  such that the user may more easily manipulate the slide lock  108  between a locked and an unlocked position. 
     The raised section  206  is positioned at a height from platform section  202  that places the raised section  206  slightly below the height of spout  112  and handle  114 . In this way, when closeable flap portion  106  is positioned on the raised section  206  as described below, the closeable flap portion  106  operationally mates properly with the spout  112 , the handle  114  and other structures described below. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2A , beside providing a means to grasp the lid portion  104 , the grippable section  118  may also provide a support surface for positioning a raised hinge post  210  that provides a point for the closeable flap portion  106  to pivot or rotate when the closeable flap portion  106  is being opened or closed. In the embodiment of  FIG. 1B , a channel slot  208  may be positioned on the support surface for operational use with the slide lock  108  when the slide lock is used to place the closeable flap portion  106  in the locked position. 
     Referring again to recloseable lid  100  or  100   a,  a channel  212 , having guide walls  213 , is formed on a portion of the platform section  202  immediately forward of handle  114 . The channel  212  is configured to receive and engage with a resilient member provided on the closable flap portion  106 , such as a spring mechanism or similarly resilient mechanism. The surface of the channel  212  including the guide walls  213  provides a reactive surface upon which the resilient member may be made to flex, bend or coil when an appropriate force is applied to the resilient member as described below. 
     Handle  114  defines an empty or hollowed section  214  that opens upward away from platform  202 . The hollowed section  214  creates an empty space configured to receive a rear portion of the closable flap portion  106  when the closable flap portion  106  is made to rotate about hinge post  210  and open as described below. In one embodiment, the hollowed section  214  may include an abutment  216  used to impede or limit the travel of the closeable flap portion  106  within the hollowed section. The movement of the portion of the closeable flap portion  106  that enters the hollowed section is limited by the engagement of the rear end  314  of the closeable flap portion  106  and a surface of the abutment  216 . 
       FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of closeable flap portion  106  in accordance with an embodiment, including the slide lock  108 . It should be understood that the closeable flap portion  106  has the same structure as shown in  FIG. 3 , albeit without the slide lock  108  and associated components as shown in  FIG. 1A . 
     The closeable flap portion  106  includes a top wall or top surface  302  that extends the length of the closeable flap portion  106  upon which are surface features and structures configured to engage with the surface features and structures disposed on the lid portion  104  as described above. 
     In one embodiment, the top surface  302  includes a front end  304  that is sized and configured to fit over spout  112  ( FIG. 2A ). In operation, the front end  304  sealingly attaches to the spout  112  when the reclosable flap portion  106  is in a closed position. 
     The top surface  302  also includes a rear end  314  that includes a raised or upwardly curved surface feature  316 . The raised surface feature  316  provides a resistive surface upon which a user&#39;s thumb or finger, for example, may be placed when the user is grasping handle  114 . As described below, the resistive surface provides a surface upon which the user&#39;s thumb may catch or grasp to allow the user to depress the curved surface feature  316  on rear end  314  to force the rear end  314  into the hollowed section  214  of handle  114  allowing the front end  304  of the flap portion to pivot to the open position. 
     Inward of the front end  304 , the closeable flap portion  106  includes a sealing member  306 . The sealing member  306  that extends an appropriate length from the top surface  302  to come to rest over the opening  204  of lid portion  104  ( FIG. 2A ) when the closeable flap portion  106  is in the closed position. The sealing member  306  is shaped and sized to fit over opening  204  and configured to positively seal the opening  204  when the closeable flap portion  106  is in the closed position. Although shown generally having a cylindrical shape, the sealing member  306  may have any shape that fits over the opening  204  and provides the appropriate sealing force when the closeable flap portion  106  is in the closed position. 
     Adjacent the sealing member, the closeable flap portion  106  may include a lock groove  308  that is integrally cut, machined or formed into the top surface  302 . The slide lock  108  may be snap-fit into the open channel  308  and allowed to move or slide within the lock groove  308 . The lock groove  308  includes an open channel  310  configured to engage with a stem  309  of the slide lock  308  that terminates with an outwardly projecting tab  312  that generally points along the travel path of the slide lock  108 . The lock groove  308  and corresponding open channel  310  may have a variety of cross sectional shapes, including but not limited to rectangular, square, and circular. 
     In one embodiment, the slide lock  108  is configured to engage with the lock groove  308  such that the stem  309  slides within the open channel  310  between a first or locked position and a second or unlocked position. 
     Movement of the slide lock  308  into the locked position is effectuated by moving the slide lock in a first direction that causes tab  312  to slide into and engage with the corresponding slot channel  208  ( FIG. 2A  and  FIG. 4 ) of lid portion  104 . The slot channel  208  is configured to capture the tab  312  so that the closeable flap portion  106  is kept from being allowed to open and prohibits the contents of the container  102  from being dispensed. Conversely, the slide lock  108  may be moved in a second direction that removes the tab  312  from the slot allowing the closeable flap portion  106  to be opened if desired. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 3 , a resilient member  318  is provided on the closable flap portion  106  to provide an automatic lid biasing means formed of an appropriate elastomeric material, such as silicone. The resilient member  318  allows the lid to be self closing, having a constant bias towards returning to its uncompressed shaped once the resilient member becomes compressed, flexed or folded. In one embodiment, the resilient member  318  extends inwardly from a positioning member  320  on the top surface  302  and into the channel  212  of lid portion  104 . The resilient member  318  may be formed as a flat loop structure, a flat strip of material or other suitable shape that provides the requisite biasing means. Alternatively, the resilient member may take the shape of any well known biasing structures, for example, coiled springs and the like. In addition, the resilient member  318  may be made of other than silicone, such as metal and the like. 
     As described below, the resilient member  318  extends into lid portion  104  such that the resilient member  318  is aligned with and made to engage with the surface of the channel  212  between guide walls  213 . In operation, a properly placed downward force applied to the closeable flap portion  106  is reacted with a counter-force supplied by channel  212  to the resilient member  318  to cause the resilient member to compress, flex, bend or coil. The engagement between the resilient member and the channel creates a bias in the closeable flap portion  106  that generally returns the closeable flap portion  106  to the closed position if the downward force is not adequately maintained. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  are cross-sectional views illustrating the closeable flap portion  106  of recloseable lid  100   a  operationally engaged with the lid portion  104  in closed and open positions, respectively, and showing the slide lock  108  in the locked and unlocked positions in accordance with an embodiment.  FIG. 4C  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the closeable flap portion  106  of recloseable lid  100  operationally engaged with the lid portion  104  in a closed position without the slide lock  108 , in accordance with an embodiment. The open position of recloseable lid  100  is as shown in  FIG. 4B , albeit without the slide lock  108  and its associated components. 
     In  FIGS. 4A and 4C , the recloseable lids  100   a  and  100 , respectively, are shown in a first or closed position. In one embodiment, the lid portion  104  includes internal threads  116  used to secure the lid portion  104  onto corresponding threads disposed on container body  103  ( FIG. 1A ). It should be noted that other well known methods of securing lid portion  104  to the container body  103  may be implemented, such as for example, force fitting the lid portion  104  onto the rim of the container body  103 . 
     When in the closed position, the closeable flap portion  106  is engaged with the lid portion  104  to be able to positively seal or close the container body  103 . 
     In operation, as shown in  FIGS. 4A and 4C , in the first or closed position, the front end  304  of the closeable flap portion  106  is sealingly disposed over the spout  112 . The sealing member  306  is disposed and seated over the opening  204  to sealingly mate with the opening  204  and ensure that the contents of container  102  may not pass through the recloseable lid. 
     One embodiment of the engagement between the opening  204  and the sealing member  306  is shown in  FIG. 5 . In this embodiment, sealing member  306  includes a flexible and resilient end portion  502  fit, formed or coupled to a positioning member  504 . The end portion  502  is sized and shaped larger than the diameter of the opening  204  and the positioning member  504 . The positioning member  504  has a length that causes a portion of the positioning member  504  to enter opening  204  when the closeable flap portion  106  is in the closed position. Accordingly, since the positioning member  504  may extend into the opening  204 , when the sealing member  306  is made to engage with the opening  204 , the positioning member  504  forces the resilient end portion  502  into the opening  204 . The oversized, resilient end portion  502  is made to engage with the internal wall  506  of the opening  204  in a “force fit” manner which creates a seal between the end portion  502  and the opening  204 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 4A , while in the closed position, resilient member  318  is in a substantially non-flexed or non-compressed position and thus, there is no inherent bias setup in the closeable flap portion  106 . 
     Referring to recloseable lid  10   a,  when closeable flap portion  106  is closed, slide lock  108  may be deployed to “lock” the closeable flap portion  106  and keep the closeable flap portion from opening. Generally, a user may grasp the grippable section  118 , such that with the user&#39;s thumb is positioned on the exterior portion of the slide lock  108 . Advantageously, the user can manipulate the slide lock  108  with a single hand. 
     In one embodiment, the stem  309  of slide lock  108  is configured to slide within the open channel  310  and move along the lock groove  308  between a first or locked position and a second or unlocked position. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4A , slide lock  108  is moveable along a travel path  404  (arrow  404 ), which is generally along the diameter of lid portion  104  between the spout  112  and the handle  114 . The tab  312  of slide lock  108  points outwardly along the travel path  404 , such that when the slide lock  108  is moved in a first direction, for example, towards spout  112 , the tab  312  slides into and engages with slot  406  ( FIG. 4B ) formed on slot channel  208 . The slot  406  captures the tab  312  so that the front end  304  and the sealing member  306  of closeable flap portion  106  are maintained in their closed and sealed relationships with the spout  112  and the opening  204 , respectively. In addition, when slide lock  108  is in the locked position, the rear end  314  of the closeable flap portion  106  may not be depressed to open the front end  304 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 4A and 4C , to cause the closeable flap portion  106  to open, the closeable flap portion may be made to rotate about a pivot point, which causes the front end  304  to rise up and open. A hinge structure  402  may be positioned on the top surface  302  to engage with hinge post  210 , to facilitate the rotation. 
     In operation, to cause the locked closeable flap portion  106  of recloseable lid  100   a  to open as shown in  FIG. 4B , the user causes slide lock  108  to be moved in lock groove  308  in a second direction along path  404  that removes the tab  312  from the slot  406 . 
     With reference to  FIG. 4B , with the slide lock  108  in the unlocked position as with closeable flap portion  100   a  or if the slide lock  108  is not used as with closeable flap portion  100 , in either embodiment, the user may grasp handle  114  such that the user&#39;s thumb may contact the upwardly curved surface feature  316  on the rear end  314  of closeable flap portion  106 . The user may push down or depress (arrow  410 ) the curved surface feature  316  in a manner that is similar to or resembles depressing or pushing a button. When the rear end  314  is pushed downward, the closeable flap portion  106  rotates about hinge structure  402 . The resilient member  318  is forced into a compressive contact with channel  212  causing the resilient member to bend or flex. As the rear end  314  is pushed downward, the rear end  314  is forced into the space created by the hollowed section  214  of handle  114 . The rear end  314  of closeable flap portion  106  may be pushed downward until it contacts abutment  216 . When contact is made, the front end  304  is opened to its fullest extent. The opening of front end  304  of closeable flap portion  106  removes the seal between front end  304  and spout  112  and removes the sealing member  306  from engagement with the opening  204 . 
     As long as the rear end  314  of closeable flap portion  106  remains pushed downward, the front end remains open. Therefore, to hold the closeable flap portion  106  in the open position, the downward force on the rear end  314  is maintained to overcome the biasing force generated by the flexed resilient member  318 . It should be understood that the closeable flap portion  106  automatically returns to the closed position in the absence of an appropriate counter-force to the biasing force. 
     Once the user removes the counter-force from rear end  314 , the resilient member  318  may unfold to force the closeable flap portion  106  to counter-rotate (arrow  412 ) about hinge structure  402  back to the closed position. 
     Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to specific embodiments, these embodiments are illustrative only and not limiting. Many other applications and embodiments of the present disclosure will be apparent in light of this disclosure and the following claims.