Unite States Patent [19]
`Cotroneo
`
`[11]
`[45]
`
`4,307,817
`Dec. 29, 1981
`
`[54] _ LID AND CONTAINER COMBINATION
`[76] Inventor: 'George Cotroneo, RR. 1, Alton,
`0mm, Canada, LON 1A0
`[21] Appl. No.: 136,185
`[22] F1 d
`M 31 1980
`1 e :
`ar.
`,
`
`a
`
`gig/1099
`""""""" " """"""
`21 5 mlé 1’
`"
`' """"""""""""" "
`'
`'
`[58] Field of s arch
`'
`220/306 307 DIG i9_
`e
`""""""" " 215/32’O 35’5 DI'G 1’
`’
`’
`'
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`1,980,364 11/1934 Thomas
`2,080,685 5/1937 Ashe ..... ..
`
`220/306 X
`220/320 X
`
`2,778,525 1/ 1957 Hermer . . . . . . . . . . .
`
`. . . . . . .. 220/ 306
`
`220/306
`2,913,140 11/1959 Vuillemenot
`220/306
`3,392,873 7/1968 Old, Jr. ......... ..
`220/307
`3,485,436 12/1969 Mirasol, Jr. .
`220/306
`3,556,338 l/ 1971 Wilkinson ..... ..
`220/306
`3,805,994 4/1974 Cherry et al.
`220/307
`3,817,420 6/1974 Heisler .......... ..
`4,178,001 12/1979 Stanley et al. .................... .. 277/152
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`976221 10/1950 France _
`174552 3/1961 Sweden .
`Primary Examiner—George T. Hall
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Rogers, Bereskin & Parr
`.
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`The invention relates to a container and lid combination
`in which a ?exible skirt is injection molded with either
`the container or lid to provide the combination with a
`seal. The skirt extends either radially inwardly from an
`inner container surface or radially outwardly from the
`underside of the lid, and is so shaped that as the lid is
`located about the container rim the skirt is de?ected to
`a position in which it is biased because of the elasticity
`of the elastomeric material from which it is constructed
`to press against the inner container surface or underside
`of the lid in sealing engagment. In a preferred embodi
`ment a circumferential bead is molded to one of the
`inner container surface and underside of the lid, and
`' co-operates with the skirt to releasably secure the lid to
`the container.
`
`.
`
`14 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures
`
`"Will"
`11
`
`' ---- -
`
`CLARIANTX 1012 Page 1
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`US. atent
`
`Dec. 29, 1931
`Dec. 29, 1981
`
`4,307,817
`4,307,817
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`CLARIANTX 1012 Page 2
`
`CLARIANTX 1012 Page 2
`
`

`

`1
`
`LID AND CONTAINER COMBINATION
`
`4,307,817
`
`2
`which de?nes at an upper end thereof a circular rim 18,
`an opening 20 circumscribed by the rim 18, and a sub
`stantially cylindrical inner container surface 22. The rim
`18 is circumscribed by a radially outwardly extending
`lip 24 which serves to strengthen the rim 18. A continu
`ous bead 26 is molded around the inner container sur
`face 22 for use in securing the lid 10 to the container in
`a manner discussed more fully below.
`‘The lid 10 includes an upper lid portion 26, a cylindri
`cal lid sidewall 28 which extends downwardly there
`from, and a centrally located dished lid portion 30. The
`lid 10 is dimensioned to be located about the rim 18 with
`an annular, sidewall 32 of the dished lid portion 30 10'
`cated substantially parallel to the inner container sur
`face 22 and slightly spaced-apart therefrom. More will
`be saidbelow about the relative spacing of the inner
`container surface 22 and the annular sidewall 32.
`The lid 10 includes a ?exible skirt 34 having an annu
`lar base 36 that circumscribes the annular wall 32 (on
`the underside of a lid 10). The skirt 34 includes an annu
`lar skirt portion 38 which extends radially outwardly
`from the base 36. (The words “radially outwardly” are
`used in the sense that the skirt portion 38 is directed
`generally away from the axis 14, and should not be
`understood as requiring the skirt portion 38 additionally
`to be oriented in a plane perpendicular to the axis 14).
`The skirt 34 is molded in a first position (illustrated in
`FIG. 2) in which the skirt portion 38 is inclined down
`wardly from the base 36 at an angle which is preferrably
`just a few degrees below horizontal. The inventor has
`found that persons in the molding trade have considered
`the injection molding of such a skirt, located in the
`interior of a closed structure, as relatively unfeasible.
`The inventor has found that, if the skirt 34 is inclined
`downwardly from the annular wall 32, molding appara
`tus can be readily withdrawn from the lid 10 without
`damaging the skirt 34. The skirt 34 will deform elasti
`cally downwardly (and the lid sidewall 28 and annular
`sidewall 32 will de?ect away from one another) to per
`mit such a withdrawal of molding apparatus, and it‘ is
`believed that such an elastic deformation is possible
`even where the skirt is inclined several degrees above
`horizontal. (It should be noted that an angle near hori
`zontal is preferred to enhance the locking action pro
`vided by the skirt 34 when the lid 10 is ?t about the
`container 12, which will be discussed in greater detail
`below.) To make the skirt 34 even more elastically
`deformable during molding, the skirt is preferably ta
`pered as illustrated with the base 36 having a thickness,
`for example, of 0.011 inches and with the skirt portion
`38 in such circumstances tapering down to, for example,
`0.007 inches at its radially innermost extremity.
`The manner in which the lid 10 is attached to the
`container 12 will now be described with reference to
`FIGS. 2 and 3. The lid 10 is pushed downwardly about
`the container rim 18 causing the skirt portion 38 to
`engage the container rim 18 and de?ect upwardly
`towards the underside of the lid 10 relative to the annu
`lar sidewall 32. As the lid 10 is lowered further, the skirt
`34 passes over and is de?ected radially inwardly by the
`bead 25. The skirt 36 thereafter de?ects radially out
`wardly to once again engage the inner container surface
`22 in an operative position (illustrated in FIG. 3) in
`which the skirt 34 is biased because of the elasticity of
`the elastomeric material to press against the inner con
`tainer surface 22 in sealing engagement. The radially
`outer skirt portion 38 now engages the underside of the
`bead 25 which acts as a stop to impede the removal of
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`The invention relates to a novel lid and container
`combination in which a ?exible skirt is injection molded
`with either the container or lid to provide a seal for the
`combination.
`There is today a great demand for plastic containers
`of generally cylindrical shape. Lids for closing such
`containers have commonly been constructed with ?at,
`upper lid portions and generally cylindrical sidewalls
`shaped to grip container surfaces. Perhaps one of the
`most common ways of making a lid attachable to such a
`container is to mold a lip radially outwardly from the
`rim of the container for engagement with a groove
`provided in a radially inner surface of the lid sidewall.
`Such an arrangement provides positive gripping action,
`and an air-tight seal if properly dimensioned. A variety
`of alternative ways of making a lid attachable to such a
`container have been proposed or used, but these are too
`numerous to be fully discussed here. The invention
`affords a novel way of attaching a lid to and sealing a
`container.
`The invention provides a container and lid combina
`tion in which the container has a sidewall defining a
`rim, an opening circumscribed by the rim, and an inner
`container surface adjacent to the rim. The lid is adapted
`to be located about the container rim, and includes a
`dished lid portion which extends into the opening in the
`container when the lid is located about the container
`rim. A ?exible skirt is injection molded with one of the
`inner container surface and the dished lid portion of an
`elastomeric material, the skirt being so shaped that, as
`the lid is located about the container rim, the skirt is
`deflected to an operative position in which the skirt is
`biased because of the elasticity of the elastomeric mate
`rial to press against the other one of the inner container
`surface and dished lid portion to seal the interior of the
`container. Securing means are attached to at least one of
`the container and the lid for releasably securing the lid
`40
`_to the container when the lid is located about the con
`tainer rim.
`The invention will be better understood with refer
`ence to drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a container
`and lid combination constructed according to the inven—
`tion;
`FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the lid and
`container in a vertical plane containing the axis of radial
`symmetry of the lid and container;
`FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional illustrating how the lid
`can be located on the container;
`FIG. 4 is a side cross~sectional view illustrating an
`other embodiment of the lid and container combination;
`55
`and,
`.
`FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view illustrating how
`the alternative embodiment of the lid and container can
`be assembled.
`.
`Reference is made to FIG. 1 which illustrates a lid 10
`and a container 12 injection molded by conventional
`techniques from an elastomeric material such as poly
`ethylene. The structure of the lid 10 and container 12
`displays radial symmetry about an axis 14, and is better
`illustrated in the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 2 and 3.
`The container 12 has essentially the same structure as
`65
`any other conventional plastic container commonly
`used to contain food products. The container 12 has a
`vertical sidewall 16 of generally cylindrical shape,
`
`45
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`50
`
`60
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`CLARIANTX 1012 Page 3
`
`

`

`20
`
`4,307,817
`3
`4
`bead 62 of generally semi-circular cross-section is
`the lid 10 from the container 12 until suf?cient upward
`ly-directed prying force is applied to the lid 10.
`molded with the annular wall 52 on the underside of the
`lid 50. It will be appreciated from what follows below
`To obtain the desired seal the lid 10 and container 12
`can be dimensioned as follows. A clearance “a” in the
`that the bead 62 serves as a stop, in much the same
`order of 0.020 inches can be provided between the inner
`manner as does the bead 25.
`The manner in which the lid 50 is attached to the
`. container surface 22 and the annular sidewall 32. In
`container 52 will now be described with reference to
`such circumstances, the skirt 34 can have a width “b” in
`FIGS. 4 and 5. The lid 50 is pushed downwardly about
`the order of 0.040 inches and the bead can have a thick
`ness -“c” in the order of 0.010 inches. (It will be appreci
`the container rim 18 causing the annular wall 32 to
`de?ect the skirt portion 58 downwardly towards the
`ated that the dimensioning of portions of the lids and
`containers in FIGS. 1-5 have been exaggerated for the
`interior of the container 52. As the lid 50 is lowered
`further, the skirt 54 passes over and is de?ected radially
`purposes of illustration, and do not purport to show a
`preferred dimensioning). It will be appreciated that an
`outwardly by the bead 60. The skirt 56 thereafter de
`advantage of the lid and container combination 10, 12 of
`?ects radially inwardly to engage the annular wall 32 in
`FIGS. 1-3 over the prior art device speci?cally de
`an operative position (illustrated in FIG. 5) in which the
`skirt 54 is biased because of the elasticity of the elasto
`scribed above is that the lid and container combination
`meric material to press against. the annular wall 32 in
`10, 12 not only serves to provide a sealed compartment,
`sealing engagement. The radially inner skirt portion 58
`but does so while remaining relatively non-sensitive to
`lack of uniformity in lid and container dimensioning.
`now engages the top of the head 62 which thereafter
`acts as a stop to impede the removal of the lid 50 from
`Variations in such relative dimensioning can be accom
`modated by the ?exible skirt 32.
`the container 52 until suf?cient upwardly-directed pry
`ing force is applied to the lid 50.
`To facilitate the molding of the skirt 34 it is preferable
`To obtain the desired seal the lid 50 and the container
`to keep the skirt 34 as narrow as possible and conse
`quently in the order of several tens of thousandths of an
`52 can be dimensioned by analogy to the lid 50 and
`container 52. Once again, the dimensioning of portions
`inch. The skirt 34 is preferrably molded at an annular
`of the lid 50 and container 52 have been exaggerated for
`line‘ 40 where the annular wall 32 meets the bottom 42
`of the dished lid portion 30. So located, the skirt 34 is
`the purposes of illustration and do not proport to show
`any preferred dimensioning. It will be appreciated that
`more free to de?ect radially inwardly when mold por
`the embodiment of FIGS. 4 and 5, like the embodiment
`tions are withdrawn from the lid 10.
`Reference is now made to FIGS. 4 and 5 which illus
`of FIGS. 2 and 3, can tolerate some non-uniformity in
`lid and container dimensioning without losing the re
`trate an alternative embodiment of a lid and container
`quired seal, and without losing positive locking action
`combination constructed according to the invention
`comprising a lid 50 and a container 52. The lid and
`between the lid and container.
`'
`It will be appreciated that by appropriate choice of
`container 50, 52 have substantially the same structure as
`,elastomeric material and by appropriate shaping and
`the lid and container 10, 12, and consequently features
`dimensioning of the skirt, a lid and container combina
`common to the two embodiments of the invention have
`been indicated with like reference numerals. For a fuller
`tion constructed according to the invention can be pro
`vided with a seal which simply prevents the leakage of
`description of such features, reference may be made to
`the description above.
`viscous liquid substances from the container or which is
`made effective enough to prevent the entry of air into
`The container 52 is injection molded with a ?exible,
`the ‘container, depending on the manufacturer’s choice.
`circumferential skirt 54 having an annular base 56 that
`The seal will be appropriately selected for the ultimate
`circumscribes the rim 18. The skirt 54 includes an annu
`lar skirt portion 58 which extends radially inwardly
`use to which the lid and container combination will be
`put.
`from the base 56. (The words “radially inwardly” are
`used in the sense that the skirt portion 58 is directed
`> The invention has been described with particular
`reference to substantially cylindrical containers and
`generally towards the axis 14, and should not be under~
`circular lids having generally radial symmetry. It is
`stood as requiring the skirt portion 38 additionally to be
`oriented in a plane perpendicular to the axis 14.) The
`contemplated, however, the lids and containers con
`skirt 54 is molded in a ?rst position (illustrated in FIG.
`structed according to the invention can have a variety
`of shapes including, for example, rectangular and oval
`4) in which the skirt portion 58 is inclined upwardly
`shapes. It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the
`from the base 56 at an angle which is preferably a few
`art of molding plastics that, if a rectangular or similar
`degrees above horizontal, and as close to horizontal as
`possible. If the skirt 34 is inclined upwardly from the
`shape is chosen for the lid and container, then the edges
`rim' 18, molding apparatus can be readily withdrawn
`or corners of such a shape are preferably rounded to
`from the lid 50 without damaging the skirt 54. It is
`facilitate the molding of the circumferential skirt lo
`believed that such an elastic deformation is possible
`cated either on the container or lid, and in particular to
`even where the skirt is inclined several degrees below
`facilitate the withdrawal of mold portions without un
`horizontal. Although there is less likelihood of damag
`duly damaging the skirt which will now re?ect the
`ing the skirt 54 during molding if it inclined outwardly
`shape of the rectangular or other straight-sided surface
`from the interior of the container 52, the skirt 54 is
`which it circumscribes. Furthermore, it is contemplated
`that the sealing skirt may be molded in the manner
`~preferrably molded at an angle near horizontal to en
`hance the locking action provided by the skirt 54 when
`described above to either a lid or container without
`the lid 50 is ?t on a container 52. (This will be discussed
`providing a header a similar stop on the corresponding
`in ‘greater detail below.) To further enhance the ?exibil
`member. In such circumstances, the skirt would provide
`ity of the skirt 54, the skirt 54 is preferrably tapered in
`only a sealing function, and need not be involved in the
`securing of the lid to the container. Consequently, any
`the same manner as the skirt 34 referred to above.
`The lid 50 is not provided with an annular skirt as is
`of a variety of techniques conventional or otherwise can
`its counterpart the lid 10. Instead, a circumferential
`be used in such circumstances to secure the lid to the
`
`45
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`CLARIANTX 1012 Page 4
`
`

`

`20
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`25
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`30
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`35
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`4,307,817
`5
`container. For example, a projection could be molded
`to the radially inner surface of the lid sidewall for en
`gagement with the underside of the container lip.
`I claim:
`1. A container and lid combination in which:
`the container has a sidewall de?ning a rim, an open
`ing circumscribed by the rim, and an inner con
`tainer surface adjacent to the rim;
`the lid is adapted to be located about the container
`rim, the lid including a dished lid portion which
`extends into the opening in the container when the
`lid is located about the container rim;
`a ?exible skirt is injection molded of an elastomeric
`material with one of the inner container surface
`and the dished lid portion, the skirt being so shaped
`that as the lid is located about the container rim the
`skirt is deflected relative to the one of the inner
`container surface and the dished lip portion by the
`other one of the inner container surface and the
`dished lid portion to an operative position in which
`the skirt is biased because of the elasticity of the
`elastomeric material to press against the other one
`of the inner container surface and the dished por
`tion in sealing engagement thereby sealing the inte
`rior of the container; and securing means attached
`to at least one of the container and the lid for re
`leasably securing the lid to the container when the
`lid is located about the container rim.
`2. A combination as claimed in claim 1 in which the
`securing means comprise a stop, attached to the other
`one of the inner container surface and the dished lid
`portion, which the skirt passes over when the lid is
`located about the container rim and which thereafter
`engages the skirt when the skirt is in the operative posi
`tion to impede the removal of the lid from the container.
`3. A combination as claimed in claim 2 in which the
`stop comprises a bead extending from and circumscrib
`ing one of the inner container surface and the dished lid
`portion.
`4. A combination as claimed in claims 1, 2 or 3 in
`which the container sidewall is generally cylindrical in
`shape and the skirt has a generally annular shape.
`5. A container and lid combination in which:
`the container is injection molded and has a container
`sidewall which de?nes a rim, an opening circum
`scribed by the rim, and a inner container surface
`adjacent to the rim;
`a lid adapted to be located about the container rim,
`the lid including a dished lid portion which extends
`into the opening in the container when the lid is
`located about the container rim;
`a ?exible skirt is injection molded with the container,
`the skirt extending radially inwardly from and
`circumscribing the inner container surface, the
`skirt being so shaped that, as the lid is located about
`the container rim, the skirt is deflected relative to
`the inner container surface by the dished lid por
`tion towards the interior of the container to an
`operative position in which the skirt is biased be
`cause of the elasticity of the elastomeric material to
`press against the dished portion in sealing engage
`ment, thereby sealing the interior of the container;
`and, securing means attached to at least one of the
`container and lid for releasably securing the lid to
`the container when the lid is located about the
`container rim.
`6. A combination as claimed in claim 5 in which the
`securing means comprise a stop, attached to the dished
`
`6
`portion, the dished portion which the skirt passes over
`as the lid is located about the container rim and which
`thereafter engages the skirt when the skirt is in the
`operative position to impede the removal of the lid from
`the container.
`7. A combination as claimed in claim 5 in which the
`securing means comprise a stop so positioned on the
`underside of the dished lid portion that, as the lid is
`located about the container rim, the stop deflects at least
`a portion of the skirt radially outwardly and then clears
`the skirt to enter the interior of the container where
`upon the skirt locates against the dished portion in the
`operative position, whereby the stop is positioned rela
`tive to the skirt to impede the removal of the lid from
`the container.
`8. A combination as claimed in claim 6 or 7 in which
`the stop comprises a bead which circumscribes the un
`‘ derside of the dished lid portion.
`9. A combination as claimed in claims 5, 6 or 7 in
`which the container sidewall is generally cylindrical in
`shape and the skirt has a generally annular shape.
`10. A container and lid combination in which:
`the container has a container sidewall de?ning a rim,
`an opening circumscribed by the rim, and an inner
`container surface adjacent to the rim;
`the lid is injection molded of an elastomeric material
`and adapted to be located about the container rim,
`the lid including a dished lid portion which extends
`into the opening in the container when the lid is
`located about the container rim and a ?exible, cir
`cumferential skirt extending radially outwardly
`from the underside of the dished lid portion, the
`skirt being so shaped that, as the lid is located about
`the container rim, the skirt is de?ected by the inner
`container surface towards the underside of the lid
`to an operative position in which the skirt is biased
`because of the elasticity of the elastomeric material‘
`to press against the inner container surface in seal
`ing engagement, thereby sealing the interior of the
`housing; and,
`securing means attached to at least one of the con
`tainer and lid for releasably securing the lid to the
`container when the lid is located about the con
`tainer rim.
`11. A combination as claimed in claim 10 in which the
`securing means comprise a stop attached to the inner
`container surface which the skirt passes over as the lid
`is fit about the container when the lid is located about
`the container rim and which thereafter engages the skirt
`when the skirt is located in the operative position to
`impede the removal of the lid from the container.
`12. A combination as claimed in claim 10 in which the
`securing means comprise a stop as positioned on the
`inner container surface that, as the lid is located about
`the container rim, the skirt is deflected radially in
`wardly as the skirt passes over the stop and then de
`?ects radially outwardly to engage the inner container
`surface in the operative position, whereby the stop is
`positioned to impede the removal of the lid from the
`container.
`13. A combination as claimed in claim 6 or 7 which
`the stop comprises a bead which circumscribes the inner
`container surface.
`14. A combination as claimed in claims 10, 11 or 12 in
`which the container sidewall is generally cylindrical in
`shape and the skirt has a generally annular shape.
`* * * 1k
`*
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`CLARIANTX 1012 Page 5
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