Patent Publication Number: US-6910623-B2

Title: Paperboard can with an integrated lid having a hinge on the lid

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation-in-part of and claims the benefit of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/527,996, filed Mar. 17, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,390,358 which, in turn, is a continuation-in-part and claimed priority of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/437,968, filed Nov. 10, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,349,866 which, in turn, claimed priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/120,030, filed Feb. 13, 1999. 
   STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable. 
   REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
   Not Applicable. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention is directed to paperboard lids for paperboard containers and, more specifically, to an integrated paperboard lid having a hinge on the lid. The present invention is also directed to lids for paperboard containers, and more specifically, to lids that are fabricated in whole or in part, from plastic material. 
   2. Background Art 
   Paper containers are often used to hold consumer items such as cereals, grains, etc. To open the container, often, the consumer simply opens the entire top of the container. This allows access to the inner liner that holds the products. This arrangement is typical of boxes of breakfast cereal. Other boxes include a perforated portion on the side of the box, near the top, or on the top of the box, near the side. The perforated portion, when separated from the box, creates an openable flap that allows access to the interior of the box. This type of construction, which is often found on boxes of grain, soap and other products, does not allow for effective closing of the box. 
   It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a container that is convertible from a substantially sealed orientation to a substantially open, dispensing orientation and back to the substantially sealed orientation. 
   It is also an object of the present invention to provide a container that is capable of remaining in a substantially open, dispensing orientation without obstructing the dispensing of contents contained therein. 
   It is a further object of the present invention to provide a container that is capable of reclosing from a substantially open orientation to a substantially sealed orientation without the loss of contents contained therein. 
   It would also be desirable to provide a lid for a paperboard can that is fabricated in whole or in part from plastic material. 
   It would be further desirable to provide a whole or partially plastic lid that is configured to have a stay-open feature. 
   These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims and drawings. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is directed to a paperboard container for releasably dispensing contents contained therein. The container is convertible from a substantially sealed orientation to a substantially open, dispensing orientation and back to the substantially sealed orientation. 
   The paperboard container comprises a tubular body having an upper edge defining an upper opening. A lid includes a substantially planar lid panel member having a peripheral edge region, the lid panel member being operably configured to extend across at least a portion of the upper opening. 
   The lid further includes a surrounding band, operably affixed to the lid panel member along the peripheral edge region thereof. At least portions of the surrounding band are affixed to the tubular body along at least a portion of the upper edge thereof. The lid further has a fixed back portion, a hinge portion, and a movable front portion, pivotable between a closed position and an open position. The paperboard container further includes a container bottom opposite said lid. 
   The paperboard container further comprises, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a membrane extending across the upper opening of the tubular body portion, under the lid panel, and substantially independent of the lid portion. The membrane may be positioned on the top edge of the upper opening of the tubular body portion. Alternatively, the membrane may be inserted into and affixed to inside surfaces of the upper opening of the tubular body portion. 
   The hinge portion may further comprise at least one locking tab operably extending from the hinge portion, when the movable front portion of the lid is in the open position, for frictionally engaging the membrane, to maintain the movable front portion of the lid in the open position. 
   The lid panel may be plug-shaped, so as to extend into the upper opening of the tubular body portion, when the movable front portion of the lid is in its closed position. 
   The movable front portion of the lid may include at least one tooth for engaging the container member upper edge when the top member is in its sealed orientation. The hinge portion may include at least two tabs extending rearwardly toward the rear portion, the at least two hinges being sized to engage the membrane when the movable front portion of the lid is in its open orientation and to hold the front portion in the open orientation. 
   The bottom preferably comprises a bottom panel inserted into and adhered to inside surfaces of a bottom end region of the tubular body portion. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lid is formed by insertion of the lid panel into the band, the lid panel having a width and length greater than the width and length of the band, causing peripheral edges of the lid panel to become upturned and positioned against inside surfaces of the band, and the upturned peripheral edges of the lid panel are adhered to the inside surfaces of the band. 
   A topmost edge region of the band may be curled inward. Alternatively, a topmost edge region of the band is left in a straight vertical orientation. In a still further alternative embodiment, a topmost edge region of the band is curled outward. 
   According to one alternative embodiment of the invention, the upper edge of the tubular body is curled inward. Alternatively, the upper edge of the tubular body may be left in a straight vertical orientation. In a still further alternative embodiment, the upper edge of the tubular body is curled outward. 
   In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the lid is fabricated at least in part from plastic. Specifically, the invention comprises a container for releasably dispensing contents contained therein, the container being convertible from a substantially sealed orientation to a substantially open, dispensing orientation and back to the substantially sealed orientation. 
   The container comprises a paperboard tubular body having an upper edge defining an upper opening and a lid, including a substantially planar lid panel member having a peripheral edge region. The lid panel member is operably configured to extend across at least a portion of the upper opening. 
   The lid further includes a band operably connected to the lid panel member along the peripheral edge region thereof. The band extends generally at right angles to the lid panel. At least portions of the band are juxtaposed and affixed to the tubular body along at least a portion of the tubular body proximate the upper edge thereof. The lid has a fixed back portion for maintenance in a position juxtaposing the band to the interior of the tubular body at its upper edge, a hinge portion, and a movable front portion, pivotable at the hinge portion, between a closed position adjacent the edge , and an open position enabling access to an interior region of the tubular body. A container bottom is disposed opposite the lid. 
   The lid is preferably fabricated from at least one of the following materials: polystyrene, polypropylene, LDPE, HDPE or other polymers. 
   The lid preferably may further comprise means for enabling the lid to be fixedly yet releasably positioned in a stable, open, raised position, subsequent to opening of the container and pivoting of the movable front portion of the lid up to a predetermined position. 
   The means for enabling releasable, fixed positioning of the lid in a stable, open, raised position, subsequent to opening of the container and pivoting the movable front portion of the lid up to a predetermined position, may, in turn, comprise at least one retaining ridge, operably emanating inwardly from an inside surface of the band, disposed within the fixed back portion of the lid; and an outwardly extending lip portion, operably disposed on the movable portion of the lid at least adjacent the retaining ridge, and configured to interferingly engage with the at least one retaining ridge, when the movable portion of the lid is raised to an open position, to enable the at least one retaining ridge to hold the movable portion of the lid in a stable, releasable, raised position. 
   The container may further comprise a membrane extending across the upper opening of the tubular body portion, under the lid panel, and substantially independent of the lid portion. The membrane may be positioned on the top edge of the upper opening of the tubular body portion, below the lid. 
   The membrane may be inserted into and affixed to the inside surfaces of the upper opening of the tubular body portion. 
   In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lid panel is plug-shaped, so as to extend into the upper opening of the tubular body portion, when the movable front portion of the lid is in its closed position. 
   The bottom preferably comprises a bottom panel inserted into and adhered to inside surfaces of a bottom end region of the tubular body portion. 
   The lid is preferably monolithically formed from a single piece of plastic material, or injected into a mold. 
   The container may further comprise a gripping tab emanating from a portion of the surrounding band adjacent the movable front portion, operably configured for the facilitated manual opening of the lid. 
   The lid may further include a lip emanating outwardly from an upper edge region of the band, around the substantial entire circumference of the band. The lip may rest on the upper edge of the tubular body of the container upon insertion of the lid into the tubular body, to assist in maintaining the lid in a secured position inside the tubular body. 
   The band of the lid may include a beveled portion to facilitate insertion of the lid into the tubular body of the container. 
   In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the lid comprises a discrete lid panel and a discrete surrounding band, affixed to the discrete lid panel. 
   In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the means for enabling the lid to be positioned in a stable, open, raised position, subsequent to opening of the container and pivoting the movable front portion of the lid up to a predetermined position, may, in turn, comprise a retaining block, operably formed on an emanating upwardly from an upper surface of one of the front and rear portions of the lid; and means for receiving and frictionally gripping the retaining block, operably disposed on one of the rear and front portions of the lid, upon pivoting of the movable front portion toward the fixed back portion. 
   The container may further include at least one reinforcing rib on the lid, extending from an inside surface of the band, inwardly and downwardly to an upper surface of the lid panel, for providing structural reinforcement of the band. 
   The container may further include at least one circumferentially extending ridge, emanating from an outside surface of the band, for providing frictional engagement between the band and the inside surface of the upper end of the tubular body, upon insertion of the lid into the tubular body. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the paper can apparatus of the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the paper can of  FIG. 1 , showing the flip open top in an opened position. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective exploded view of the paper can of  FIGS. 1-3 , of the present invention. 
       FIG. 4  is an end elevation, in section, of the paper can of  FIGS. 1-3 , showing a sealing membrane in place between the lid and the tubular body, according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 5  is an end elevation, in section, of the paper can of  FIGS. 1-3 , showing a membrane positioned within the top opening of the tubular body, according to another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 6  is a plan view of an alternative lid panel, according to an alternative embodiment of the invention that provides for a “stay-open” feature. 
       FIG. 7  is a side elevation, in section, of an alternative paper can container, incorporating the lid panel of FIG.  6 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of an alternative lid panel. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the alternative lid panel of  FIG. 8 , showing how the lid panel can be configured to provide enhanced friction, relative to the tubular body portion. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of an alternative lid panel. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the alternative lid panel of  FIG. 10 , showing how the lid panel can be configured to provide enhanced friction, relative to the tubular body portion. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view of another alternative lid panel, according to another alternative embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of another alternative lid panel, according to another alternative embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 14  is a fragmentary perspective view of a detail of an alternative construction to the embodiment of FIG.  13 . 
       FIG. 15  is a fragmentary perspective view of a detail of an alternative construction to the embodiment of FIG.  13 . 
       FIG. 16  is a perspective view of another alternative lid panel as attached to a paper can apparatus, according to another embodiment of the invention, with the flip-open top portion of the lid in an open position. 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the lid panel of FIG.  16 . 
       FIG. 18  is a perspective view of the lid panel of  FIG. 16  shown with the flip-top portion of the lid secured in an open position. 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of another alternative lid construction, preferably formed from a plastic material. 
       FIG. 20  is a side elevation, in section, of the lid construction of  FIG. 19 , taken along lines  20 — 20 , of FIG.  19 . 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
   While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will be described in detail herein, several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present invention is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
   One embodiment of a paperboard container  10  of the present invention is shown generally in  FIGS. 1-3 . The container  10  includes a main body or tube portion  12  having a top edge  14  and a bottom edge  16 . The body  12  has side walls defining a chamber that is opened at its top and bottom. The body  12  shown in the drawings is generally quadrilateral in plan view. However, the body could be circular, triangular, or any other desired shape. Two piece lid  18  is formed from an encircling band  20  and a lid panel  22 . Container  10  also includes bottom panel  24 . 
   The top edge  26  of lid  18  may be straight or curled, as desired for a particular application. Band  20  preferably has two vertical lines of perforations or deep score lines  28 . Lid panel  22  may be provided with a transverse score  30 , that may serve as a fold line, for facilitating opening of the flip top portion  32  of the lid  18 . Band  20  may be formed as a strip of material that has been formed into a tube, and then cut into short sections, into each of which a corresponding lid panel  22  may be inserted and affixed. 
   Once the completed lid  18  has been fabricated, it may be placed onto and affixed to the top edge  14  of body  12 . Typically, lid  18  will have length and width dimensions that are greater than the top edge  14  of body  12 . Accordingly, band  20  will circumferentially surround the top of body  12 . 
   A portion of the inner surface of band  20  will be provided with an adhesive material, or a heat-or sonically activatable layer (for example a lamination of sonically weldable material), to affix lid  18  in place. 
   Preferably, the portion  34  of lid  18  that remains fixed to body  12  will be provided with a substantial amount of adhesive, or sonically or heat-activatable material, on the inner surface of its portion of band  20 . However, the flip top portion  32  preferably will have only a few spots of adhesive or heat or sonically activatable material. This is so that upon application of a moderate amount of upward pulling, the weak bonds between the band portion of flip top  32 , can be broken, band  20  can be severed along score/perforation lines  28 , and flip top portion  32  pivoted about score  30  upward and away from top edge  14  of body  12 . 
   As previously mentioned, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the lid may be completely formed, prior to affixation to the top of body  12 . For example, band  20  may be wrapped around lid panel  22  prior to affixation of lid  18  to body  12 . Alternatively, band  20  may be affixed to body  12 , prior to insertion of lid panel  22 . In either embodiment, placement of the lid panel  22  into band  20  may be accomplished by any suitable manner, such as the technique illustrated in Christensson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,599,123. In such a technique, either or both of the bottom surface of the lid panel  22 , or the inside surface of the band  20 , would be covered in a sonically weldable material. The presence of such a material may be provided by laminating a layer of sonically weldable material to a base layer of, for example, sufficiently heavy cardboard material. The outer surface of the base layer may further have an additional lamination layer that is covered in printing, graphics, etc. 
   To position the lid panel, the band is surrounded by a clamping structure that may incorporate an ultrasonic horn structure. Above the band, a female die member is provided with an aperture that is of the desired dimensions. A laminated lid panel member is placed above the die, and a male forming member pushes the lid panel member through the female die member and into the band. Edge regions of the lid panel member (see  FIG. 6 ) will be turned upward and into contact with portions of the inside surface of the band. The male forming member may include expandable structures or other structures that will enhance the contact between the upwardly turned portions of the lid panel and the adjacent portions of the band. The ultrasonic horn will be activated, and a localized weld will be formed. 
   Alternatively, a heat activatable layer may be employed, and heating of the layer may be accomplished by generally heating the clamping structures used to position the lid panel in the band. 
   After the lid panel has been welded to the band, the top edge(s) of the band and/or the upwardly turned portion of the lid panel may be curled inward, if desired, using known techniques for inwardly turning the edges of tubular bodies. The curled inward portion of the band may or may not be curled so much as to actually cover the upturned peripheral edges of the lid panel. In the figures, the curled inward portion does not cover the upturned peripheral edges of the lid panel. Alternatively, the top edge region of the band may be left in a straight vertical orientation. Similarly, the top edge region of the tubular body portion may be left in a straight vertical orientation, as illustrated, or curled inwardly or outwardly, if desired. 
   Depending upon the shape of the male forming member, and the size of the unformed lid panel, the lid panel may be formed with a deep profile, to form a plug structure that fits snugly into the inside of the top of body  12 , so that top edge  14  of body  12  actually wedges between the plug structure and band  20 . In this manner, a form of seal can be created, to help maintain freshness of perishable contents of the container. A second cooperating male die member may also be used to mate with the first male die member, to facilitate creation of the plug configuration. 
   After the lid has been attached to the container, the container is inverted, and the product to be packaged is poured or otherwise placed in the container, through the open bottom of the tubular body portion. A bottom panel  24  is then inserted and affixed to the bottom end of the tubular body portion, using any desired conventional technique. For example, the bottom panel may be laminated, with an inner surface layer of a heat or sonically activatable material, or glueable. Upon insertion of the bottom panel, using a male forming member, and holding the bottom of the container with a surrounding die, that is heated or includes an ultrasonic horn, the peripheral edges of the bottom panel may be adhered to inside surfaces of the bottom end region of the tubular body member. 
   In the embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 , each of the tubular body  12 , lid panel  22  and band  20  may be fabricated from one or more layers of paperboard material, such as cardboard, paperboard, corrugated or flexible films, though other materials may be employed, as desired or dictated by the requirements of any particular application. The material may be laminated with one or more layers (inside or outside) of a moisture resistant material, to resist intrusion of moisture into the interior of container  10  and to aid in sealing. 
   As an alternative to sizing and placing the lid on the tubular body portion in such a way that the band surrounds and is in contact with the outside of the top of the tubular body portion, the lid may be configured so that the band lies to the inside of the tubular body portion wall. While this may require some accommodation at the flip top portion, such as by beveling a portion of the band to clear the top edge of the body, such modifications may readily be accomplished by one of ordinary skill in the art, having the present disclosure before them. 
   The paper cans of the present invention may include an inner sealing membrane that may be provided in order to further preserve freshness of perishable or semi-perishable contents, until purchase by a consumer. Such interior membranes may also serve as further evidence of tampering, if broken or otherwise disturbed. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5  illustrate two embodiments of the paper can of the present invention, incorporating interior membranes. 
   In  FIG. 4 , container  10 ′ has tubular body  12 ′, and lid  18 ′, formed from band  20 ′ and lid panel  22 ′. Membrane  40 ′ is interposed between lid  18 ′ and the top edge  14 ′ of tubular body  12 ′. Preferably, membrane  40 ′ is fabricated from any suitable paper or plastic material, and covers the entire top opening of tubular body  12 ′. In addition, preferably membrane  40 ′ is substantially thinner than the material of tubular body  12 ′ or lid  18 ′. Membrane  40 ′ may be held in place by a bead of adhesive material (not shown) or may itself be fabricated from a heat or sonically activatable material, to adhere to top edge  14 ′ and the adjacent outside surface of tubular body  12 ′, if desired. Alternatively, membrane  40 ′ may be precisely cut, so that it does not extend significantly down the outside surfaces of tubular body  12 ′. The placement of membrane  40 ′ onto tubular body  12 ′ may be accomplished according to any one of several known techniques. Accordingly, a detailed discussion of the methods and/or apparatus used is not believed necessary for a complete understanding of this aspect of the container. 
   After placement of membrane  40 ′ on tubular body  12 ′, lid  18 ′ may then be applied to or affixed to tubular body  12 ′, in either of the ways previously discussed, with respect to the container embodiment of  FIGS. 1-3 . 
   In the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 5 , membrane  40 ″ is inserted into the top opening of tubular body  12 ″ and is affixed around its edges to the inside surface of tubular body  12 ″. Membrane  40 ″ may be inserted into tubular body  12 ″ and held in place by a circumferentially placed bead of adhesive (not shown). Alternatively, membrane  40 ″ (or at least one layer thereof) may be fabricated from a heat or sonically activatable material, so that upon insertion of membrane  40 ″, using a male forming member (not shown), the activatable layer may be activated by a collar surrounding tubular body  12 ″ (not shown) that incorporates a heating element or an ultrasonic horn. Such schemes are known in the art, through examples such as the previously mentioned Christensson &#39;123 patent. 
   In either of the embodiments of  FIG. 4  or  5 , the membranes  40 ′,  40 ″ may be provided with perforations, pull tabs, scores, or other features (not shown, but known in the art of sealing membranes) for facilitating breaching or removal of at least a portion of the membrane  40 ′ or  40 ″, to permit access to the contents of the container  10 ′,  10 ″. 
     FIG. 6  is a top plan view of an alternative lid panel  122 , for use in an alternative embodiment paper can  100 , shown in FIG.  7 . Lid panel  122  includes a series of cuts  130 ,  132 ,  134 ,  136 ,  138 ,  140  and  142 , and two fold lines  144 ,  146 . When lid panel  122  is placed into a container, having a configuration like the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , for example, the resulting container is that shown in FIG.  7 . Container  100  includes tubular body  112 , having top edge  114 . Lid  118  includes band  120  and lid panel  122 . When the flip top portion  150  is pivoted upward, it pivots around fold lines  144 ,  146 . Cuts  134 ,  136  and  138  form a tab  148  that, upon pivoting of flip top portion  150 , presses down into membrane  160 . The resulting tension creates friction that tends to hold flip top portion  150  in the position indicated in FIG.  7 . 
   Other embodiments of the invention are shown in  FIGS. 8-11 . These embodiments illustrate lid panels that would be used, in which the lid panel is drawn deeply enough, and positioned relative to the surrounding band, and the top edge of the tubular body portion, that the lid panel acts as a “plug” to engage the inside surface of the top of the tubular body portion. The container (not shown) associated with the lid panel  219  and  319  of  FIGS. 8 and 10 , may otherwise be of the configuration shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , but with the plug-like feature previously mentioned. Lid panels  219  and  319  are similar to lid panel  122 . The difference lies in the peripheral edges of lid front portions  217  and  317 . Lid front portions  217  and  317  include equidistantly spaced teeth  212  and  312  ( FIGS. 9 and 11 ) on their peripheral edges. Engagement of teeth  212  and  312  with the tubular body portion (not shown) creates a further frictional engagement between the lid and the inside surface of the top edge region of the tubular body portion that will help maintain the pivoting portions of the lid panels  219 ,  319  in their respective closed positions. 
   Still another alternative embodiment for the lid panel is shown in FIG.  12 . The container (not shown) associated with  FIG. 12  may have substantially the same construction as the container  100  of FIG.  7 . It varies in the construction of lid panel  419 . Fold line  421  separates the lid panel front portion  417  from the lid panel rear portion  420 . Fold line  421  includes three spaced tabs or détentes  429 , that may be equally or unequally spaced. The tab  429  is formed to extend toward the lid panel rear portion  320 . To form each of tabs  429 , a partial cut, in a semi-circular shape, is formed on the bottom side of lid panel  419 . The engagement of tabs  429  with the membrane (not shown) creates a further frictional engagement between the lid and the membrane that will help maintain the flip top portion of the lid in its opened position. 
   In alternative embodiments of the foregoing constructions, all or part of the various lid structures shown in  FIGS. 1-12  may be fabricated from plastic materials, with the remaining body structure still being fabricated from paperboard. 
     FIGS. 13-15  illustrate further alternative embodiments of the invention. 
     FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an alternative lid construction. Lid  500  is preferably fabricated from a plastic material, such as polystyrene or polypropylene. Lid  500  may be monolithically formed, by stamping or molding. Alternatively, lid  500  may be formed from initially separate components that are joined, e.g., by sonic or heat welding or adhesive joining. 
   Lid  500  includes vertical band  502 , and lid panel  504 . Lid panel  504 , in turn, includes generally fixed portion  506 , and movable portion  508 . Fixed portion  506  is separated from movable portion  508  by hinge area  510 , that may be formed by two parallel creases or lines of weakening (as shown) or by a single line of weakness (not shown). Lid panel  504  is joined to or formed to band  502 , preferably at a level  509  between the top and bottom edges of band  502 . This will leave a portion of the inside surface of band  502 , below lid panel  504  available to be adhesively affixed (or sonically or heat sealed) to an upper outer surface of the top edge of a tubular container body, as in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . 
   Band  502  is additionally provided with a pair of opposed vertical cuts, lines of perforation, or other lines of weakness  512 . When the movable portion  508  of the lid is raised, the edges of the band along line  512  provide a frictional interference with the edges of band  512  of the non-movable portion, in a manner substantially the same as in the previously described embodiments. In an alternative embodiment, line of weakness  512 ′ is at an angle to level  509 , e.g., 45°. Line  512 ′ and level  509  will intersect at approximately the hinge area  510 . 
   In order to facilitate opening of lid  500 , tab  514  is provided, emanating from a lower edge region of band  502 , adjacent moveable portion  508 . Score  516  separates tab  514  from band  502 . Tab  514  is held against the side of the body of the container (not shown) by a dot of adhesive  518 . Opening of the container is achieved by lifting up tab  514  and pulling up and back toward fixed portion  506 . 
   In addition to or as an alternative to the frictional engagement of the free edges of the band adjacent line  512 / 512 ′, a stay-open feature is provided. For example, male locking block  520  may be provided, emanating upwardly from movable portion  508  of lid panel  504 . A female locking receiver region  522  is provided in fixed portion  506 , in the form of a region of perforations or other line of weakness, having a peripheral shape, preferably the same or slightly smaller in dimension than the peripheral shape of male locking block  520 . As the movable portion is pivoted back, in the direction of the curved arrow, block  520  pushes against region  522 , pushing out the area surrounded by the line of weakness, until a top portion of block  520  is insertably received into the opening thus created. If the fit is close enough, the periphery of the hole created “grabs” block  520  and serves to hold the movable portion of the lid open. 
     FIG. 14  illustrates two alternative embodiments of the invention. Where mere friction might be deemed insufficient, a notched structure may be provided. For example, the region shown in  FIG. 14  may be a depression formed (e.g., by molding) in the movable portion of the lid, with a transverse ridge formed along one top edge of the depression. A raised block (not shown) having a corresponding transverse notch may be formed in the non-movable portion of the lid, so that upon opening of the container and pivoting back of the movable portion, the ridge in the depression engages and latches, preferably with a snap fit, into the corresponding notch, to hold up the movable portion of the lid. Conversely, the region of  FIG. 14  may be a depression formed in the non-movable portion of the lid, with the corresponding raised block with transverse notch being formed on the movable portion of the lid. 
     FIG. 15  shows a still further alternative embodiment of the invention, in which raised blocks are formed on both the movable and non-movable portions of the lid. The block  600  on the movable portion of the lid has a transverse notch  602 . The block  604  on the non-movable portion of the lid has a transverse ridge  606 . The blocks  600  and  604  are positioned so that upon raising of the movable portion of the lid, notch  602  receives, with a snap fit, ridge  606 . In an alternative to  FIG. 15 , the notch may be formed on block  604 , and the ridge formed on block  600 . 
   In another embodiment, shown in  FIGS. 16-18 , container  700  includes tube portion  702 , another alternative lid construction  704  and membrane  706 . Tube portion  702 , as has been described above, is preferably constructed from paper or paperboard material, and includes top edge  708  and bottom edge  710 . 
   Lid  704  is shown in  FIGS. 16-18  as preferably fabricated from a plastic material, such as polystyrene, polypropylene, LDPE, HDPE or other polymers. Lid  704  is preferably a single piece, preferably monolithically formed by molding. Alternatively, lid  704  may also be formed from independent components which are joined or formed together, such as by sonic or heat welding or adhesive joining. 
   Lid  704  includes lid panel  712  and vertical band  714 . Lid panel  712  is the substantially horizontal component of lid  704 , and further includes fixed portion  716 , moveable portion  718  and hinge portion  720 . Lid  704  is intended to be inserted, plug-like, into the open top end of tube portion  702 . As can be seen from  FIG. 17 , fixed portion  716  is joined to moveable portion  718  by hinge portion  720 , which allows moveable portion  718  to hingedly pivot relative to fixed portion  716 . Further, while hinge portion  720  is shown as a general line of weakness, including several parallel creases, hinge portion may be formed by score lines, or any other line which facilitates hinged movement of the moveable portion of the lid relative to the fixed portion of the lid. 
   Vertical band  714  extends upwardly from lid panel  712 , and includes cut lines  722  and  724 , lip  726 , tab  728  and stay-open feature  730 . As can be seen from  FIG. 17 , cut lines  722  and  724  extend through both the vertical portion of vertical band  714 , as well as through the more horizontal lip portion  726  of vertical band  714 , to facilitate manipulation of moveable portion  718  relative to fixed portion  716 . Cut lines  722  and  724  may include a complete severing of the adjacent moveable and fixed portions of vertical band  714 , or may be initially, temporarily connected. For instance, connection between a portion of the moveable and fixed portions of the lid may be maintained during the formation process. Alternatively, such a temporary connection may be achieved through score lines, or through an alternative connector independent of the lid, such as adhesive, tape strips, etc. This initial, temporary connection may help prevent the moveable portion of lid  704  from being inadvertently opened during formation of the container, or during storage, shipping or retail shelving of the container. 
   Lip  726  is shown as substantially horizontal in orientation, extending outward from the vertical portion of vertical band  714 . Lip  726  is preferably of a dimension, which substantially matches the thickness of tube portion  702 , such that lid  704  sits directly and flush on top edge  708  of tube portion  702 . This construction eliminates the need to manipulate the top edge  708  of the tube portion  702 , either prior to or during insertion of lid  704  into tube portion  702  to form the container  700 . Thus, top edge  708  need not be curled outwardly, curled inwardly or altered in any other manner. 
   Tab  728  is shown in  FIGS. 16-18  as extending from vertical band  714  of lid  704 . Tab  728  extends beyond top edge  708  of tube portion  702  when lid  704  is positioned inside tube portion  702 . Accordingly, tab  728  hangs over the edge of the container to allow a user to lift up moveable portion  718  of lid  704 . It is likewise contemplated that the tab may take other configurations, as well as other positions on the moveable portion of the lid. 
   Stay-open feature  730  is shown in  FIG. 17  as comprising ridges  732 . While the vertical band of movable portion  718  frictionally engages the vertical band of fixed portion  716  to both resist opening of the lid and to help maintain the movable portion of the lid in an open position for dispensing of the contents of container  700 , stay-open feature  730  preferably includes ridges  732  which help maintain fixed portion  716  in an upright, open and dispensing orientation such as that shown in  FIGS. 16 and 18 . Specifically, portions of lip  726  snap behind ridges  732 , when the lid is raised, to create an interference engagement, holding movable portion  718  up in an upright, dispensing orientation. Of course, it is likewise contemplated that numerous other stay-open mechanisms may be used in conjunction with the present lid, such as depression-detent, ridge-groove or other mating combinations on the respective fixed  716  and moveable  718  portions of lid  704 . 
   Vertical band  714  may further include a beveled portion  734  positioned between lid panel  712  and the substantially vertical portion of vertical band  714 . Beveled portion  734  facilitates insertion of lid  704  into tubular body  702 . One or more circumferentially extending ribs  742  (shown in  FIG. 17  only) may also be provided, emanating from the outside surface of band  714 , for providing frictional engagement between the band and the inside surface of the upper end of the tubular body, to provide at least temporary retention of the lid (e.g., to prevent it from being popped off by the squeezing force of the tube), prior to setting of whatever adhesive or other material may be employed to permanently affix the lid to the body. In addition, the rib(s)  742  on the movable portion of the lid may provide additional frictional assistance in holding the movable portion down in the closed position, between openings. 
   Membrane  706  is shown in  FIG. 16  as attached to the inside walls of tube portion  702 , below lid  704 . Membrane  706  may be attached to tube portion  702  independent from lid  704 , such as by sonic or heat welding, gluing or adhesive. Membrane  706  is shown in  FIG. 16  partially removed to reveal the contents  707 , such as dry cereal, for example. In another alternative embodiment, the membrane may also be attached to the lid in only selected areas to trigger breaking of the membrane seal upon opening of the lid. Of course, those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate the various ways that the membrane may be inserted into the container, independent of or in combination with the lid. 
   In addition, the embodiment of  FIGS. 16-19  may be provided with a series of vertically-oriented, inwardly-projecting ribs  740 . These ribs  740  may provide strength and reinforcement to vertical band  714 . This may help prevent inward crushing or curling of the top edge of the container. The number, placement and dimensions of ribs  740  may be varied as desired and appropriate for any given application. However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, for a lid having a length of about 21 cm, a width of about 7 cm and a depth of about 1 cm, ribs  740  may have a width (distance they project from the inside surface of vertical band  714 ) of about 0.5 cm. In addition, ridges  732  may have a width of about 1.5-2 mm. Such dimensions may facilitate the “grabbing” of ridges  732  by lip  726 , as occurs, when the lid is placed in the position shown in FIG.  18 . 
   Although specific dimensions are provided, it is to be understood that these dimensions may be varied as appropriate, without departing from the scope of the invention. 
   Another alternative lid construction is shown in  FIGS. 19 and 20 . Lid  800  is, like lid  704 , a plug-like lid that is inserted down into the open top of a tubular body. Lid  800  is preferably formed as a single, monolithic piece, such as by injection molding. Lid  800  is preferably formed from a plastic material such as, such as polystyrene, polypropylene, LDPE, HDPE or other polymers. Lid  800  has a fixed back portion  802  and a movable front portion  804 . 
   Back portion  802  has a panel portion  806 , with an encircling upright portion (or band)  808 , that ends in a turned-over top edge portion  810 , and an outwardly extending lip  812 . Similarly, front portion  804  has a panel portion  814 , with an encircling upright portion (or band)  816 , that ends in a turned-over top edge portion  818 , and an outwardly extending lip  820 . 
   Lid  800  is provided with a stay-open feature. At the rear end of front portion  804 , band  816 , edge portion  818  and lip  820  terminate in downwardly sloping surfaces  822  and  824 , which slope toward hinge region  826 . Between sloping surfaces  822  and  824 , step  828  is provided which is elevated slightly above lid panel portion  814 . Block  830  emanates upwardly from step  828 . Block  830  preferably has slightly sloping sides, to facilitate formation through injection molding. The forward corners  832  and  834  are preferably substantially rounded. The rearward corners project outward slightly to form ribs  836  and  838 . 
   At the front end of rear portion  802 , band  808 , edge portion  810  and lip  812  terminate in downwardly sloping wedge shaped regions  840  and  842 , between which wedge-shaped gap  844  is formed, with step  846  defining the bottom of the gap  844 . On wedge shaped regions  840  and  842 , bumps  850  and  852  are formed which extend into gap  844 . The spacing between bumps  850  and  852  is intended to be less that the outside distance between the outside surfaces of ribs  836  and  838 . 
   Inasmuch as lid  800  is preferably formed from injection molding, all of the raised features, such as step  828 , block  830 , wedge shaped portions  840  and  842 , and step  846  are all hollow underneath, as reflected in  FIG. 20 , a sectional side elevation of lid  800 . 
   In operation, when front portion  804  is tipped upward to an orientation perpendicular to rear portion  802 , block  830  moves between regions  840  and  842 , to enter gap  844 . Ribs  836  and  838  engage and “snap” past bumps  850  and  852 , to releasably hold front portion  804  in the raised position, until forcibly pushed back down into a closed position. 
   Lid  800  may be affixed to a tubular container body, in substantially the same manner as the embodiment of  FIGS. 16-18 , and likewise may be employed with a separately-inserted membrane, in a similar manner. Lid  800  may also include circumferentially running ribs on the outside surfaces of bands  808  and  816  (not shown) to facilitate frictional forces for holding the lid closed. Hinge region  826  may include a crease or score extending from one side to the other, between steps  828  and  846 , and/or may include intermittent perforations through the plastic to enhance bending capacity. 
   The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the pending claims are so limited as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.