Container lid with closure member

US6679397B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Solo Cup Company · US

Inventors

• Stephen Alan Smith · Naperville, US
• Dawn Huston · Lindenhurst, US
• Warren Giles Wiedmeyer · Pleasant Prairie, US
• Stephen Sullivan · Round Lake Beach, US
• Rich Matthiew Chin · Lincolnwood, US
• Mohammed Ahmed · Niles, US
• John Stewart Gitschlag · Chicago, US
• David Langelan · Oak Park, US
• Rajendra Chauhan · Skokie, US
• William Hurst · Lisle, US
• James Tam Joines, Jr. · Gurnee, US
• Kevin Ray Smith · Detroit, US
• Mark Anhalt · Franklin, US
• Brian Norman Clarke · Huntingdon, GB

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 6, 2001
• Grant date: Jan 20, 2004
• Expiry date: Aug 6, 2021

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65D2543/00796
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A lid for a container holding a flowable substance has an annular top wall. A side wall depends from the top wall, and has a mounting portion for connecting the lid on the container. The top wall has an opening that is adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid. The top wall also has a retaining member. The lid further has a closure member positioned on the mounting portion. The closure member is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein at least a portion of the closure member is received in the opening in the first position and at least a portion of the closure member is received in the retaining member in the second position. The opening and the closure member are cooperatively dimensioned such that the closure member is removably inserted in the opening. The retaining member and the closure member are cooperatively dimensioned such that the closure member is removably inserted in the retaining member. The closure member has a flexible connector arm which facilitates movement of the closure member between the first and second positions.