Patent Publication Number: US-10329056-B2

Title: Lid lever for container

Description:
The current invention relates to a container with a lid lever. More particularly, the current invention relates to providing a lid lever for a container for effectively detaching a lid mounted on the container without any damage. 
     DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
     The use of air tight containers for various industrial and domestic applications is very well documented. Various agro based and chemical industries use air tight containers for storing food products and chemicals. Air tight containers ensure that the substance stored inside the container retains its original properties and does not get spoiled. The lid of the container needs to be tightly engaged to the rim of the container so as to make the container air tight. Hand tools such as screw drivers are often used to open the lid of such containers since the lid is so tightly attached to the container. Using a screwdriver will in most cases damage the lid. While it is usually still possible to attach the lid to the container after opening, the damaged lid will result in a poorer seal. 
     Various methods and devices have been used in the past to provide lid levers which can be used to remove a lid while maintaining the air sealing property of the container. U.S. Pat. No. 3,773,208 by Curry J describes a foldable portion integrated within the skirt portion which makes it possible to reposition the cover on the container with maintained sealing action after the cover has been removed from the container. European Patent No 1,483,163 by Kjeld Nielsen talks about a flap which is manually pulled to lift the lid from the edge of the rim of the container. 
     In another example, a container has a skirt portion for providing stiffness to the rim portion of the lid as disclosed in European Patent No 1,052,183 by Holger Thorso. However, when the lid lever is introduced into the skirt container, the skirt portion is broken by cuts in the skirt portion allowing the lid lever to pivot outwardly towards the free end. These cuts effectively break the skirt portion and reduce the stiffening effect of the skirt portion which further reduces the sealing property of the container. 
     Another European Patent, No. 1,562,837 by Ronald Fischer describes an opening mechanism for a bucket where a more steady unlatching lifting movement of the lid is achieved. Similarly European Patent No 1,871,677 talks about a device for releasing the lid of the container. None of the prior art documents ensure structural integrity of the rim and the skirt of the container. 
     In other examples, lid levers are generally integrated within the skirt of the container as disclosed in for example U.S. Pat. No. 6,644,492 by Paul Bernard Mitchell. The patent discloses the use of lid levers to disengage a lid from the rim of the container. Many times people don&#39;t see the lid lever as it is integrated within the skirt and they then use screw drivers to force the lid open. When doing this they often deform the rim of the container, thereby reducing its effectiveness. 
     In light of the foregoing discussion, there exists a need for providing an innovative lid lever mechanism for disengaging the lid from the container. Moreover there is a need for providing a lid lever which utilizes the effort of the user in lifting the lid rather than deforming the rim of the container. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a container with an integrated lid lever where the lid lever is more effective than prior art containers with lid levers. The lid lever is integrated into the container between two cuts formed in a primary skirt. According to this specification, the word “cuts” should be interpreted to include weakened areas which can be broken when force is applied, for example perforations, lines having a very thin wall section, etc. 
     Another object of the present invention is to provide effective lifting of the lid by designing the lid lever such that it protrudes past an outer surface of the primary skirt of a container. This makes the lid lever more effective as well as making it more distinguishable from the primary skirt thereby making it easy to locate. 
     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a lid lever which provides additional stiffness to the rim portion and the primary skirt of the container while detaching a lid therefrom. 
     According to the present invention, a container is provided according to the introductory portion of claim  1 , wherein the lid lower edge engaging surface of the lid lever is arranged in such a way that the outer edge of the lid lower edge engaging surface of the lid lever extends outwardly past a circular line which is co-centric with and which has the same diameter as the outer edge of the lid lower edge engaging surface of the primary skirt. 
     An additional invention is disclosed in the additional independent claim  4 . In this second invention, a container is provided according to the introductory portion of claim  4  with a secondary skirt in the area between the two cuts in the primary skirt. The primary skirt circumferentially surrounds and protects a rim portion of the container. The secondary skirt lightens the load taken by the rim portion of the container and primary skirt when the lid lever is pulled to detach a lid. The secondary skirt maintains the structural integrity of the lid, primary skirt and the rim portion of the container. 
     Additional advantageous embodiments are disclosed in the dependent claims. 
     It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising/comprised of” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       In the following, the present invention will be described in greater detail with reference to embodiments shown by the enclosed figures. It should be emphasized that the embodiments shown are used for example purposes only and should not be used to limit the scope of the present invention. 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a container along with a lid lever, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a portion between a first cut and a second cut, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  shows a sectional view of the portion between the first cut and the second cut along the X-X′ axis shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4 a    shows a sectional side view of a portion of the lid lever between the first cut and the second cut along the X-X′ axis shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4 b    shows a sectional side view of a portion of the primary skirt along the Y-Y′ axis shown in  FIG. 1 , according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  shows a bottom view of the portion between the first cut and the second cut, according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 6  shows a top view of the container according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     As used in the specification and claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, the term “an article” may include a plurality of articles unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     Those with ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the elements in the Figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the Figures may be exaggerated, relative to other elements, in order to improve the understanding of the present invention. 
     There may be additional components described in the current application that are not depicted on one of the described drawings. In the event such a component is described, but not depicted in a drawing, the absence of such a drawing should not be considered as an omission of such design from the specification. 
     Before describing the present invention in detail, it should be observed that the present invention utilizes a combination of system components which constitutes a container with an integrated lid lever for effectively disengaging a lid from a rim portion of the container. Accordingly, the components and the method steps have been represented, showing only specific details that are pertinent for an understanding of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those with ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the present invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the present invention. 
     A perspective view of a container  100  is shown in  FIG. 1  according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The container  100  has a bottom portion  102  and a sidewall portion  104  extending from the bottom portion  102 . The area surrounded by an upper edge of the sidewall portion  104  provides an opening  106  at the top. The opening  106  is configured to be covered by a lid (not shown in the figures). The sidewall portion  104  further comprises an inner surface  108 , an outer surface  110  and a rim portion  112 . The rim portion  112  is present on the upper edge of the sidewall portion  104 . 
     The container  100  further includes a primary skirt  114  which extends downward from the rim portion  112  of the container  100  and covers the majority of the circumference of the container  100 . The primary skirt  114  comprises an inner surface  116  and an outer surface  118 . The primary skirt  114  includes a first set of ribs  120  which extends from the inner surface  116  of the primary skirt  114  to the outer surface  110  of the sidewall portion  104 . The first set of ribs  120  are placed at regular intervals around the circumference of the container  100 . The first set of ribs  120  fixedly attaches the primary skirt  114  to the outer surface  110  of the sidewall portion  104  providing additional stiffness to the rim portion  112 . 
     The primary skirt  114  provides stiffness to the rim portion  112  of the container  100 . The primary skirt  114  further includes a lid lower edge engaging surface  122  having an inner edge  124  and an outer edge  126  as shown in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 a    and  FIG. 4 b   . A lower edge of the lid (not shown in figures) rests on the lid lower edge engaging surface  122  when the lid is mounted on the container  100 . The lower edge of the lid of the container  100  is thereby protected by the lid lower edge engaging surface  122 . If the lid lower edge engaging surface  122  were not present, then there exists a risk that when one sets the container  100  next to another container (not shown in figures), the lower edge of the lid could get caught on an upper edge (not shown in figures) of an adjacent container and the lid of the container  100  would then be lifted off. Hence, to avoid this, the lower edge of the lid is hidden by the outer surface  118  of the primary skirt  114 . 
     The primary skirt  114  comprises a first cut  128 , a second cut  130  and a lid lever  132  is then integrated between the first cut  128  and the second cut  130  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The lid lever  132  comprises an inner surface  134  and an outer surface  136 . The lid lever  132  is configured to dislodge the lid secured on the rim portion  112  of the container  100  when the lid lever  132  is pivoted outwardly as will be described in more detail below. 
     A perspective view of a portion between the first cut  128  and the second cut  130  is shown in  FIG. 2  according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The lid lever  132  is integrated between the first cut  128  and the second cut  130 . The container  100  further comprises a secondary skirt  138  along the circumference of the upper edge of the sidewall portion  104 . The secondary skirt  138  comprises an inner surface  140  and an outer surface  142 . The secondary skirt  138  extends downward from the rim portion  112  of the container  100 . The secondary skirt  138  is positioned between the inner surface  134  of the lid lever  132  and the outer surface  110  of the sidewall portion  104  between the first cut  128  and the second cut  130 . 
     The secondary skirt  138  is positioned as a flange according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. A perspective sectional view of the portion between the first cut  128  and the second cut  130  along the X-X′ axis of  FIG. 1  is shown in  FIG. 3  according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The secondary skirt  138  also includes a second set of ribs  144  to stiffen the construction of the lid lever  132 . 
     The secondary skirt  138  is integrated within the primary skirt  114  between the first cut  128  and the second cut  130 . A first rib  120   a  of the first set of ribs  120  is adjacently placed beside the first cut  128  and a second rib  120   b  of the first set of ribs  120  is adjacently placed beside the second cut  130  respectively as shown in  FIG. 2 . The secondary skirt  138  is placed between these two ribs  120   a ,  120   b . In the current embodiment, the secondary skirt  138  is connected to the first rib  120   a  at its one end and to the second rib  120   b  at its other end. The ribs of the first set of ribs  120  are present around the circumference of the rim portion  112  of the container  100 , but not including the area between the first cut  128  and the second cut  130 . 
     Ribs from a second set of ribs  144  extend from an inner surface  140  of the secondary skirt  138  to the outer surface  110  of the sidewall portion  104 . The second sets of ribs  144  along with the first set of ribs  120  provide additional stiffness to the rim portion  112  of the container  100 . In the embodiment shown in the figures, see for example  FIG. 2 , the second set of ribs comprises 5 separate ribs. It should be appreciated that any number of ribs can be added to the second set of ribs  144  according to various embodiments of the present invention. Furthermore, as shown in the figures the ribs of the second set of ribs  144  are arranged between the first and second ribs  120   a , 120   b  of the first set of ribs. Furthermore, it can be seen that the ribs of the second set of ribs  144  are offset from the first and second rib  120   a , 120   b . Likewise it can be said that the ribs of the second set of ribs  144  are arranged between the first and second cuts  128 ,  130 . It can also be seen that the ribs  144  are offset from the first and second cuts  128 ,  130 . The lid lever  132  also includes at least one support rib  146  which adds to the stiffness of the lid lever  132  as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The lid lever  132  includes at least one protrusion  148  at its lower edge to occupy the fingers of a user. The number of protrusions  148  can be one, two or three according to various embodiments of the present invention. However, it should be appreciated that in another embodiment there can be any number of protrusions  148 . The lid is dislodged when the lid lever  132  is pulled laterally outward towards a free end by inserting fingers into the protrusions  148  without damaging the lid of the container  100 . 
     The presence of the primary skirt  114 , the secondary skirt  138  and the design of the lid lever  132  allows a user to effectively open the lid of the container  100  without any damage. The lid lever  132  exerts a load on the primary skirt  114  when it is laterally pulled outward to dislodge the lid. The secondary skirt  138  is configured to support the load exerted onto the primary skirt  114 , thereby maintaining the stiffness of the rim portion  112 . The secondary skirt  138  prevents deformation of the rim portion  112  and the primary skirt  114 , thereby allowing more effective usage of the lid lever  132 . 
     A sectional side view of the portion of the lid lever between the first cut  128  and the second cut  130  along the X-X′ axis of  FIG. 1  is shown in  FIG. 4 a    according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. A sectional side view of a portion of the primary skirt  114  along the Y-Y′ axis of  FIG. 1  is shown in  FIG. 4 b    according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. In other words, the sectional view of the lid lever  132  is seen in  FIG. 4 a    while the sectional view of the primary skirt  114  and the rim portion  112  is seen in  FIG. 4   b.    
     A bottom view of the portion between the first cut  128  and the second cut  130  is shown in  FIG. 5  according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The figure shows a hatched portion indicating the extended portion of the lid lever  132 . A top view of the container  100  is shown in  FIG. 6  according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The lid lower edge engaging surface  122 , the inner edge  124  and the outer edge  126  are shown in  FIG. 3 ,  FIG. 4 a    and  FIG. 4 b   . The area between the inner edge  124  and the outer edge  126  comprises the lid lower edge engaging surface  122 . The lid lower edge engaging surface  122  runs parallel with the primary skirt  114  covering the circumference of the container  100 . 
     The lid lever  132  also contains a lid lower edge engaging surface  122 . The lid lower edge engaging surface  122  of the lid lever  132  comprises an inner edge and an outer edge  150 . It should be noted that the inner edge  124  of the lid lower edge engaging surface  122  of the primary skirt  114  as well as the lid lever  132  coincide along the entire circumference of the container  100 . The outer edge  126  of the lid lower edge engaging surface  122  of the primary skirt  114  covers the majority of the circumference of the container  100 , but does not include the area between the first cut  128  and the second cut  130 . The lid lower edge engaging surface  122  of the lid lever  132  extends past an imaginary circular line (not shown in figures) which is concentric with the outer edge  126  of the primary skirt  114 . In other words it can be said that the imaginary circular line and the outer edge  126  are of the same diameter. 
     It can also be said that, the lid lower edge engaging surface  122  between the first cut  128  and the second cut  130 , due to the presence of the lid lever  132  extends to the outer edge  150  as shown in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4 a   . The portion of the lid lower edge engaging surface  122  of the lid lever  132  between the first cut  128  and the second cut  130  has a radial distance ‘D’. The radial distance ‘D’ is the distance measured from the inner edge  124  to the outer edge  150  of the lid lower edge engaging surface  122  of the lid lever  132 . Similarly, a radial distance ‘d’ is the distance measured from the inner edge  124  to the outer edge  126  of the lid lower edge engaging surface  122  of the primary skirt  114 . The radial distance ‘D’ is greater than the radial distance ‘d’ according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     The inner surface  134  of the lid lever  132  and the inner surface  116  of the primary skirt  114  coincide as shown in  FIG. 3 . A ridge  152  extends from the first edge  150  as shown in  FIG. 3 . The ridge  152  holds and further prevents the lower edge of the lid from dislodging in event of an application of an external force. 
     The extended part of the lid lever  132  i.e. the radial distance ‘D’ gradually increases from the first cut  128  to a midpoint  154  of the portion of the lid lever  132  between the first cut  128  and the second cut  130  and then gradually decreases from the midpoint  154  to the second cut  130  as shown in  FIG. 5 . The distance from the outer surface  136  of the lid lever  132  to the outer edge  150  of the lid lower edge engaging surface  122  of the lid lever  132  is maximum at the midpoint  154 . As the lid lever  132  is integrated in the primary skirt  114  of the container  100 , the extended part of the lid lever  132  helps to distinguish the lid lever  132  from the primary skirt  114 . 
     In the figures, the lid lever is shaped with a smooth arc shape. However in another embodiment, the lid lever  132  can be one of many different shapes. For example, in another embodiment, the lid lever could have a shape comprising double arcs, or one could imagine a square shape, etc. . . . 
     It should be appreciated that the bottom portion  102 , the sidewall portion  104 , the primary skirt  114 , the lid lever  132 , and the secondary skirt  138  are all made of the same material according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this case, the bottom portion  102 , the sidewall portion  104 , the primary skirt  114 , the lid lever  132 , and the secondary skirt  138  could all be integrally moulded in a single plastic injection moulding operation. The container  100  is preferably manufactured using moulded plastics material. However, the materials can vary with the method of manufacturing. 
     The present invention has been described herein with reference to a particular embodiment for a particular application. Although selected embodiments have been illustrated and described in detail, it may be understood that various substitutions and alterations are possible. Those having ordinary skill in the art and access to the present teachings may recognize additional various substitutions and alterations are also possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and as defined by the following claim.