Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PLASTIC CONTAINER AND LID CONSTRUCTION
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is based on U.S. patent application Serial No. 10/722,169
filed
November 25, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Serial
No.
10/621,549, filed July 17, 2003, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S,
application Serial No.
10/600,250 filed June 20, 2003, and which is a division of Serial No.
09/925,246 filed August
8, 2001 (now U.S. Patent No. 6,619,498), which is a continuation of
application Serial No.
09/492,199 filed January 27, 2000 (now abandoned), each of which is
incorporated herewith
by reference and/or for which priority is claimed.
BACKGROUND OF TIIE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a molded plastic container or bucket and a
compatible
lid wherein the lid is removably secured to the open end of the container.
Many designs of molded plastic buckets or containers are known, for example,
as
disclosed in the following patents of John W. Von Holdt, Sr.: Patent Nos.
4,375,948;
4,574,974; 4,512,494; 4,512,493; 4,452,382; 4,380,305; 4,308,970; and
4,210,258. Buckets
or containers for food, paint, solvents and chemicals have been made from
molded plastic
materials in accord with the teachings of such patents. However, molded
plastic buckets may
lack the strength of buckets fabricated from metal. Thus special designs for
plastic buckets
may be adopted to obtain, for example, desired structural integrity, hoop
strength and
stacking strength. Hoop strength relates to the function or characteristic of
the container to
resist lateral deformation or change in the cross sectional shape of the
container when lateral
forces act upon the sides of the container. Stacking strength relates to the
function or
characteristic of the container to support vertical loads such as those which
may occur when
containers are stacked upon each other.
Also the design of the mouth or open end of a plastic bucket or container and
a
compatible lid presents a challenge to provide a lid that is properly retained
and sealed on the
open top of the bucket. Von Holdt in U.S. Patent No. 5,538,154 entitled Snap-
On Flexible
Lid discloses a plastic lid with a peripheral flange constructed to enhance
the "drop strength"
of the lid while retaining flexibility adequate to permit removal of the lid
from a container.
Drop strength relates to the function or characteristic of the lid to maintain
attachment to a
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container even when dropped from various heights. Von Holdt in U.S. Patent No.
5,437,386
entitled Container with Tamper-Evident Lid Removal Means discloses additional
embodiments of compatible molded plastic bucket and lid constructions.
Attachment of a lid to the open end of a molded plastic bucket often involves
frictional or interference engagement or interaction between a rib, lip or
groove molded in the
open end of the bucket and a circumferential flange projection or groove in
the lid. For
example, the lid may include a radially, inwardly extending flange, rib or lip
that is engaged
with an outwardly extending rib on the outside wall of the bucket. A typical
prior art lid and
bucket combination is depicted in the cross section in Figure 1. A bucket side
wall 10
includes two circumferential, outwardly extending radial ribs 12, 14 which are
each
cooperative with a separate, inwardly extending circumferential, radial
flange, 18, 20 on a
skirt 13 of the lid 11. Flanges 18, 20 fit over the bucket ribs 12, 14 and
thereby hold or retain
the lid 11 on the bucket. The flanges 18, 20 resist release or removal of the
lid 11 from the
top or open end of the bucket.
Such prior art constructions work well. However, the need for a tamper
resistant,
improved lid construction for use in combination with a molded plastic bucket
has remained.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In a principal aspect, the present invention comprises a molded plastic bucket
or
container and a compatible lid combination wherein the bucket includes at
least two, radially
outwardly extending, generally horizontal flanges or ribs at the top or open
end of the bucket,
and wherein the lid includes a depending skirt with at least two inwardly
extending flanges or
ribs that cooperate with the bucket ribs by engaging the bucket ribs. In this
manner, the lid is
held by cooperative engagement of the lid flanges with the bucket ribs.
Further, the lid
includes a downwardly extending, circumferential tongue adapted to fit in a
circumferential
groove in the top edge of the bucket. The profile of the inside of the
depending skirt of the
lid is shaped to thwart tampering with the seal of the lid on the container. A
removable tear
seal is also incorporated in skirt of the lid. The tear seal has a zigzag
shape which enables
removal of portions of the lower lid flange when the seal is removed
Thus it is an object of the invention to provide an improved molded plastic
bucket and
lid combination.
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A further object of the invention is to provide a molded plastic bucket with
outwardly
projecting lid retention ribs at the open end of the bucket and a lid with
inwardly extending
ribs or flanges that hook over the bucket ribs to thereby effect sealing and
retention of the lid
on the bucket.
Another object of the invention is to provide a bucket design and lid
construction
which is tamper resistant and which can be made from molded plastic.
Another object of the invention is to provide a molded plastic bucket and lid
wherein
multiple buckets each closed by a lid may be easily stacked.
A further object of the invention is to provide a combination molded plastic
bucket
and separable lid wherein the lid includes an improved seal.
Another object of the invention is to provide a combination plastic bucket and
lid
which incorporates multiple points of contact to effect a seal between the
open end of the
bucket and the lid.
A further object of the invention is to provide a bucket and lid made from
molded
plastic which is economical to manufacture, may be made for a reasonable cost
of materials,
and which has necessary structural integrity and strength, including hoop
strength, stacking
strength and drop strength.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the invention are set
forth in the
detailed description which follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the detailed description which follows, reference will be made to the
drawing,
comprised of the following figures:
Figure 1 is a cross sectional view of a typical prior art lid construction for
a molded
plastic bucket;
Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of a first embodiment of the lid and bucket
construction of the present invention;
Figure 3 is an isometric view of the embodiment of the lid and bucket
construction of
the invention as depicted in Figure 2 illustrating the attachment of the lid
to the bucket;
Figure 4 is an enlarged isometric view of the security release strip
associated with the
lid of the embodiment of Figure ~,;
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Figure S is an exploded, isometric view of the embodiment of Figure 2;
Figure 6 is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the
invention
depicting the manner of stacking multiple unfilled containers or buckets.
Figure 7 is a cross sectional view of the bucket of Figure 6 with a compatible
lid;
Figure 8 is an enlarged partial cross sectional view of the lid and bucket
construction
of Figure 7;
Figure 9 is partial side elevation of the lid of the embodiment of Figure 7
illustrating
the lid tear strip;
Figure 10 is a partial side elevation of the lid of the embodiment of Figure 7
illustrating an end of the lid tear strip;
Figure 11 is an isometric exploded view of a bucket and lid of Figure 7 with
the tear
strip partially removed;
Figure 12 is a partial cross sectional. view of an alternate design of the
bucket rim and
lid rim or periphery; and
Figure 13 is a partial cross sectional view of an alternate design of the
bucket rim and
lid rim or periphery.
Figure 14 is a cross sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the
invention
wherein portions of both an upper and a lower locking flange cooperative with
an upper and
lower rib of a container are removed by removal of a tear strip, the figure
being a cross
sectional view of the invention as incorporated in a generally cylindrical
container;
Figure 15 is a partial plan view of the tear strip of Figure 14;
Figure 16 is a side cross sectional view of a container including a bucket and
lid
which incorporates a further alternative embodiment of the invention wherein a
tear strip
removes portions of an upper flange and an entire lower flange cooperative
respectively with
an upper lid and a lower lid of a container; and
Figure 17 is a partial plan view of the tear strip construction of Figure 16.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Figure 1 illustrates a typical prior art lid 1 l and bucket or container 16.
The lid 11
includes a depending flange or skirt 13 with radially inwardly extending ribs
or flanges 18, 20
that cooperate with radially outwardly extending ribs 12, 14 associated with
the top or open
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end 17 of the side wall 10 of bucket 16. Rib 12 is at the extreme upper, open
end 17 of the
bucket 16 and has a generally rectangular cross section. Rib 12 extends around
the entire
circumference of the bucket, pail, or container 16. Similarly, the lower rib
14 extends around
the circumference of bucket side wall 10 of bucket 16.
The ribs 12 and 14 are vertically spaced from one another and preferably are
continuous with a uniform cross section about the circumference of the bucket
16. The
inwardly extending, locking ribs or flanges 18 and 20 of the lid 11 are
similarly spaced and
engage respectively under the bucket ribs 12 and 14 to hold the lid 1 l
tightly on bucket 16.
An optional flexible gasket 22 may be provided to seal the bottom of lid 10
against upper
surface 21 of the outwardly radially extending rib 12 of bucket 16. 'The
container 16 and lid
11 are fabricated from molded plastic material.
Figures 2-5 depict a first embodiment of an improved lid 26 and a compatible
bucket,
pail or container 44. Referring to those figures, lid 26 includes a recessed
central panel or
section 28 which connects with an upwardly extending, vertical wall or hoop 30
that extends
around the circumference of the central section 28. The hoop 30 is integrally
connected to a
radially outwardly extending annular, planar section 32. The annular section
32 further
connects with an upwardly and outwardly extending, inclined wall or hoop
section 34 which,
in turn, connects with a radially outwardly extending annular planar section
36, connected to
a downwardly extending skirt 38 described in greater detail below.
Upwardly and downwardly extending vertical reinforcing fillets 31, 33
respectively
are optionally provided at spaced intervals about the periphery of section 32.
Fillets 31, 33
function to stiffen the lid 26 including the hoops 30, 34. The lid 26 further
includes a
downwardly extending, internal lip or flange 40 which projects vertically
downwardly from
hoop 34 and is parallel to and sl?aced outwardly from the hoop 30 so that
flange 40 will fit
against the inside side surface 45 of bucket side wall 46. The flange 40 thus
defines another
hoop and further functions as an inside lid seal. The flange 40 is, in cross
section, in the form
of a wedge with a narrow portion of the wedge at the lower end 42 of the
flange 40. This
shape facilitates sealing of and positioning of the lid 10 onto container or
bucket 44 since
flange 40 is wedged into engagement with the inside surface 45 of vertical,
bucket side wall
46 at the upper end or open end of the bucket 44. The flange 40 is flexible or
elastic to
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promote sealing. Fillets 33 spaced about the circumference of flange 40 insure
the flange 40
will be biased toward the wall 46 to effect a seal on surface 45.
The bucket 44 includes an upper, circumferential, outwardly extending,
horizontal rib
50. Horizontal top surface 51 of the rib 50 includes a groove or channel 52
for receipt of a
downwardly extending tongue ox wedge seal 48 of lid 26. In the preferred
embodiment, the
channel 52 and the seal 48 are fully circumferential. However, other
configurations are
possible so long as the seal 48 and channel 52 are compatible and provide a
sealing function.
The radial or horizontal spacing of seal 48 and flange 40 is chosen to enhance
a sealing and
wedging, grasping or gripping function of the lid 26 onto the bucket 44. An
alternative to the
seal 48 and groove 52 comprises a compressible seal (not shown) fitted against
the top
surface 51 of rib 50 similar to the seal of Figure 1.
The upper rib 50 includes a circumferential, inwardly extending, lower land 54
which
acts as a contact surface for a portion of the lid 26 as described below.
Spaced vertically
downwardly from the radially extending rib 50 on the outside of the bucket
side wall 46 is a
second circumferential rib 56 which includes a lower, horizontal land 57. As
an optional
feature, a third generally radial, outwardly extending rib 58 projects from
the outside of the
bucket side wall 46 for further cooperation with the lid 26. Rib 58 includes
an inclined upper
land 63.
The lid 26 includes a first inwardly extending locking rib or flange 60
attached to the
downwardly extending, outer skirt 38. The locking flange 60 includes a surface
61 which
engages against the lower land 54 of bucket rib 50 to tightly retain the lid
10 in position on
bucket 44.
The skirt 38 further includes a second, inwardly extending flange 62 which
provides a
first, latching surface 64 and a second, inwardly inclined face 66. The face
66 extends over a
top land or surface 59 of the bucket rib 56. It is noted that the locking
flanges 60 and 62
engage respectively with parallel, spaced surfaces 54, 57 of the radially
outwardly extending
ribs 50, 56 at the mouth of the bucket 44. Thus, the lid flanges 60 and 62
are, in essence,
wedged against the ribs 50 and 56 respectively as a result of their spacing
and configuration.
A further feature comprises a third inwardly extending rib or flange 68 of lid
26
attached to bottom of the skirt 38. Flange 68 extends inwardly to engage
against or be
positioned adjacent the top surface 63 of the radially outwardly and
downwardly extending
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rib ~8 of the bucket 44. The flange 68 is preferably connected to the skirt 38
along a zigzag
tear strip boundary 70 so that a tab 69 molded to provide a free end of flange
68 may be
gripped and a tear strip, defined by rib 68 and portions of rib 62, may be
removed or torn
away from the skirt 38 to enable the lid 26 to be removed from the bucket 44.
As depicted in
Figures 3-5, the tear strip incorporates the rib or flange 68 as well as
portions of rib or flange
62. Removal of the tear strip releases the holding force associated with those
portions of
flange 62 that have been removed. The described configuration therefore
facilitates ease of
removal as well as replacement of a lid 26 on an open container 44. Also, if
flange 68 is
subjected to undesired tampering, the flange 68 will tear along a boundary 70
and thus
tampering may be evidenced.
In review, the optional wedge seal 48 that fits in the channel 52 enhances
sealing of
the lid 26 to the bucket 44. Additionally, the downwardly extending flange 40
serves to seal
the lid 26 to the bucket 44. The bridging planar radial section 36 connecting
the flange 40
and skirt 38 is elastic and deformable so as to enable the skirt 38 to be
deformed to permit
removal of the lid 26. The inwardly extending flanges 60, 62 and 68 are
defined by angled
surfaces which facilitate the movement or attachment of the lid 26 by virtue
of a snap action
wherein the flange or skirt 38 will deform elastically and then snap the
various flanges 60, 62
into position to appropriately engage ribs 50,56 of the bucket and wedge the
lid 26 against the
top of the bucket 44. The angled walls (e.g., face 66 of flange 62) defining
the flanges 60, 62
further facilitate the removal and subsequent replacement of the lid 26 after
the tear strip has
been removed. Face 65 below flange 60 has a similar function.
As depicted in the drawing, the lid 26 includes a recessed central section or
panel 28.
This panel 28 enables buckets 44 to be stacked one upon the other inasmuch as
the side wall
46 of each bucket 44 has, or may have, a draft angle and thus the lower end of
the bucket 44
is sized to fit on top of the lid 26 in the area defined by the central
section or panel 28.
With the lid construction of the present invention, the wedging and locking
functions
associated With the design of the edge or skirt of the lid 26 provide an
improved and more
permanent seal of the lid 26 to the bucket. The use of two inwardly extending
flanges to
provide a wedging and locking function is preferred along with a zig-zag tear
seal which
permits removal of part of flange 62. However, it is possible to vary the
number of lid
flanges and bucket ribs, and to vary positioning of the ribs vertically along
the side of a
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bucket wall in combination with inwardly extending flanges shaped in various
configurations
and tear strips associated with the lid 26. The sealing channel 52 in the
bucket top also may
be varied. That is, the channel 52 in bucket 44, which cooperates with the
downwardly
depending circumferential rib 48 of the lid, may be replaced by a gasket seal
of some type,
for example. Also, the ribs and flanges are described as continuous, but may
be
discontinuous. The zig-zag tear seal may also vary in configuration and
include one or more
flanges 60, 62, 68.
Referring next to Figures 6-1 l, there is illustrated an alternative
embodiment of the lid
and -bucket construction of the invention. A bucket 74 includes a sidewall 76
which is made
from molded plastic material and defines a generally frustoconical section
about a vertical
axis 78. The bucket sidewall 76 extends from the bottom 80 of the bucket
upwardly and
terminates with the open top 82.
The open top 82 includes a circumferentiai, first upper rib 84 with a
depending groove
86 in the top surface thereof. Spaced from rib 84 is a second rib 86 which
extends about the
outside circumference of the wall 76.
Positioned below the flange or rib 88 is a depending skirt 90 having an
outwardly and
vertically downwardly inclined face 92, a generally vertical wall 94 and a
connecting
inwardly extending molded land or planar section 96 connected to the wall 76.
The molded
wall 76 in combination with the skirt 90 functions to provide enhanced hoop
strength to the
container 74.
As depicted in Figures 7 and 8, the upper end 82 of the side wall 76 is
designed to be
used in combination with a lid 96. The lid 96 includes a center circular panel
or section 98
which is connected by an inclined annular section 100 to a generally
horizontal annular
section 102. The annular section 102 connects to a downwardly depending inner
circumferential flange 104 and upwardly extending inclined outward extending
hoop 106.
The hoop 106 further connects with an annular planar section 108 which extends
generally
horizontally outwardly and perpendicular to the axis 78 when the bucket is in
the
configuration or orientation depicted in Figure 6. The annular section 108
includes a
downwardly extending tongue seal 110 which fits into the recessed groove 86.
The lid of 96 further includes a depending skirt 112 spaced from the flange
104 and
extending downwardly from annular section 108. The skirt 112 includes a first,
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circumferential, inwardly extending flange 114 having a flange surface 116
which engages
against the underside of the rib 84. The skirt 112 further includes a second
circumferential
inwardly extending rib member or flange 118 which cooperates with the bucket
rib 88 by
engaging the underside thereof: The skirt 112 further includes a downwardly
depending
section or extension or strip 120 which is connected to the skirt 112 along a
junction 122 to
define a zigzag tear strip 120 as depicted in greater detail in Figures 9 and
10. As shown in
Figures 9 and 10, the tear strip 120 has a zigzag pattern and incorporates
portions or
circumferentially spaced segments of the flange 118: Thus, the flange 118 is
defined by a
series of connected segments such as 118A and 118B in Figures 9 and 10. The
segments
118A and 118B of the flange 118 are separated by a thin molded portion in the
skirt 112 so as
to enable removal of the tear strip 120 by gripping or pulling end tab 124 to
thereby remove
those rih sections 118B maintained on the tear strip 120.
The embodiment of Figures 6 through 11 functions in a manner similar to that
of the
embodiment of Figures 2 - 5. That is the inwardly extending flanges 118 of the
lid 96
cooperate with outwardly extending ribs 88 of the bucket 74. A zig-zag tear
strip is provided
which, when removed, eliminates a portion of the locking effect provided by
the lower
inwardly extending flange 118. Thus, the combination includes a zig-zag tear
strip and a
double locking flange and rib configuration. The combination may further
include a
downwardly extending tongue 110 of a lid 96 which cooperates with a groove in
the top of
the bucket. Enhanced hoop strength is provided by the configuration of the
elements
comprising the lid as well as the elements comprising the open end of the
container or bucket.
The lid incorporates an arrangement of circular spaced hoops which may be
elastically
deformed to effect engagement and locking with the open end of the container
or bucket.
The various hoops provide hoop strength yet also permit appropriate
deformation for removal
and replacement of the lid.
Figures 12 and 13 illustrate further alternative embodiments of the
construction of the
periphery of the lid and the compatible rim of a bucket. Referring first to
Figure 12, a bucket
200 includes a cylindrical or generally cylindrical bucket side wall 202
having an outer face
or surface 204. The bucket 200 further includes a rim 206. The rim includes a
circumferential, but outwardly projecting rib 208 having, an underside or
under surface 210
and a top surface 212 adjoined by an outwardly inclined depending generally
vertical face
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214. The top rib or flange 208 extends a first maximum radial distance Rl from
a centerline
axis (not shown) of the bucket 200. The underside surface 210 is inclined
downwardly from
horizontal in the range of 5° - 15°.
A second outwardly extending rib 220 is spaced vertically downwardly from the
first
rib 208. The second rib 220 includes an underside or undersurface 222 which is
generally
parallel to the underside 210 of the first rib 208. Both undersurfaces 210 and
222 are inclined
downwardly in the range previously disclosed. The second rib 220 includes a
maximum
outward radial extent R2 from the centerline axis of the bucket. An optional
third flange or
rib member 224 positioned vertically downwardly from the second rib 220 may be
included
and may include a generally circular, downwardly extending outer extension 226
to provide
additional hoop strength to the rim area of the bucket 200.
The rim 206 of the bucket 200 further includes an upwardly projecting tongue
230
having a first or outer sealing surface 232 and an inwardly spaced inward
sealing surface 234.
The inward or inner sealing surface 234 is the inside face of the bucket wall
202. The inner
face 234 and the outer face 232 converge toward one another and are joined by
an arcuate
apex surface 236.
The periphery or rim of a lid 2S0 includes an outer flange 252 spaced from an
inside
skirt 254 both of which depend from a generally horizontal connecting section
256. The
connecting section 256 comprises a groove 258 generally compatible or
congruent in cross
sectional shape with the tongue 230. However, the groove 258 is fabricated so
that a slight
space or separation exists between the top or apex 236 of the tongue 230 and
the bottom of
the groove 258. The side faces 232 and 234 of the tongue 230 engage or fit
against the side
surfaces of the groove 258 to provide a very good seal between lid 250 and
bucket 200. The
top extension of the lid 256 includes an outward run 260 in opposed relation
to the rib 206
and, more particularly, to the top surface of the rib 206. This top extension
260 may be
spaced slightly from the top side of the rib 206 inasmuch as the outer flange
252 or outer skirt
252 of the lid 250 is somewhat flexible or elastic and will be compressed or
tend to flex
inwardly toward the inner skirt 254 when the rim 206 of the bucket 202 is
positioned within
the peripheral section of the lid 250. In other words, the flexure of the
outer skirt 252 and the
extension or connection between that skirt 252 and inner skirt 254 of the lid
250 will
compress to thereby effect the seal against the side surfaces of the tongue
230 and to fit
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tightly against the upper or first rib 208. In doing so; interference between
the top surface of
the rib 208 and the peripheral extension 260 of the lid 250 is minimized or
avoided. This
promotes the seal between the lid 250 and bucket 200.
The downwardly depending flange or skirt 252 further includes an inwardly
extending
flange or lid member comprising a first inwardly extending rib member 270. The
first
inwardly extending rib member 270 includes a downwardly and inwardly inclined
surface
272 in opposed relation to the underside 210 of the first rib 208. The
inclined surface 272
forms an acuteangle with respect to the underside 210 of the first rib 208.
The rib 270
extends inwardly toward the centerline axis of the bucket to a radial extent
R3 which radial
extent is equal to or greater than the radial extent of the second rib 220;
namely, radial extent
R2.
The outer skirt or flange 252 further includes a second inwardly extending
flange or
rib member 280. The flange or rib member 280 is spaced so that a top side
surface 282 of the
rib 280 will be in opposed relationship to the underside 222 of second rib
220. The surfaces
282 and 222 are in flush opposed relationship one to the other to provide an
enhanced locking
construction between lid 250 and bucket 200. A zig-zag tear strip 286 which
provides zig-
zag tearing along a line or partition 288 provides for removal of a strip of
material from the
lid 250. Removal of such a strip ~of material will effect removal of portions
of the second
inwardly extending rib 280 thereby removing the locking feature associated
with the removed
portion of the second rib 280. The rib 280 provides an enhanced locking
feature relative to
the lid 250 because of the angular relationship between the underside surfaces
222 and 210 of
the second rib 220 and first rib 208, respectively, relative to the inwardly
extending second
flange or lid rib 280 and the first lid rib 270. Thus, by engineering the
relationship of the
construction of the ribs of the bucket 200 and the inwardly extending ribs of
the lid 250 as
well as the amount of tear strip 286 that is removed when the tear strip 286
is removed from
the lid 250 or flange 252, one is able to control the effort required to
replace the lid once the
bucket is apen and to then re-remove the lid from the bucket. Additionally,
the utilization of
providing a tongue member incorporated in the rim of the 'bucket for
engagement with a
groove in the peripheral section of the lid provides an enhanced resealing
capability not
previously observed with other relationships between a bucket 200 and lid 250.
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Figure 13 illustrates a slightly revised version of the construction of Figure
12. In
Figure 13 the relationship of the angular sides of a tongue 300 to a groove
302 in a lid 304 is
varied slightly. Nonetheless, a sealing surface or point 306 on one side of
tongue 300 is
provided and a sealing point or section 308 on the opposite side of the tongue
is provided
between bucket 299 and skirt 310 of lid 304. Again, a first rib 312 of the
bucket engages a
first rib 314 of the lid. A second rib 316 of bucket 299 cooperates with a
second inwardly
extending flange or rib 318 of lid 304. The radial relationships of the ribs
arid the
engagement of the surfaces on the underside of the ribs 312 and 316 are as
previously
described for the embodiment of Figure 12. A tear strip 320 is provided to
remove sections
of the outer flange of the lid 304 again such removal affecting the
interaction between the
second rib 316 of bucket 299 arid the second rib 318 of the lid 304 as
previously described.
Thus, the embodiment of Figure 13 illustrates a manner in which the
relationship of the
surfaces forming the ribs may be varied and a manner in which the construction
of the tear
strip as well as the tongue and groove construction of the bucket lid and the
bucket may be
varied slightly to remain within the scope and spirit of the invention.
Figures 14 and 15 illustrate a further embodiment of the invention. Figures 16
and 17
illustrate yet another embodiment of the invention.
The embodiment of Figures 14 and 1 S comprises the combination of a bucket and
lid
wherein a tear strip removes poxtions of both an upper and lower locking
flange associated
with an upper and lower radially outwardly extending rib of a container. Thus,
a cover or lid
includes inwardly radially projecting locking flanges and the container
includes outwardly
extending ribs. A tear strip removes portions of both of the inwardly
extending flanges in
order to facilitate removal of the lid from the bucket.
Figures 16 and 17 illustrate the embodiment wherein the tear strip associated
with the
lid and the combination of first and second inwardly radially extending
flanges effects
removal of the entire. lower flange and portions of the upper flange. Thus,
upon removal of
the tear strip, only portions of the upper flange or first flange associated
with the lid remain
engageable with the first outwardly extending rib associated with the
container.
Referring again to Figures 14 and 15, there is depicted a bucket 200 having a
first or
top outwardly radially projecting rib 202 and a second spaced lower or second
projecting rib
204. The rib 202 and 204 project radially outwardly along the upper rim of the
container 200
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and are designed for cooperation with inwardly projecting flanges of a cover
or lid 206. The
cover or lid 206 thus includes a downwardly depending skirt 208 having a first
inwardly
projecting flange 210 and a second spaced inwardly locking or projecting
flange 212. The
flanges 210 and 212 project radially inwardly and engage respectively with the
ribs 202 and
204 to retain a lid 206 on the bucket or container 200. Note that Figure 14 is
a cross sectional
view and is exemplified by a medial or vertical axis of symmetry 214. Thus, in
the
embodiment depicted, the container 200 and the lid 206 are generally
cylindrical. However,
the configuration of the container 200 and lid 206 is not a limiting feature
of the invention.
Other configurations such as polygonal, rectangular or the like may be
utilized to incorporate
the invention.
Figure I S illustrates the tear strip or skirt 208. The tear strip 208 is
designed to be
removable and thus includes a removable section or portion 220 and a permanent
retention
section or portion 222. Engaging a tab to effect removal of the removable
portion 220 will
effect removal of portions of both the upper and lower or first and second
inwardly extending
flanges 210 and 212. Thus, portions of the remaining skirt section 222 are
available to
engage portions of the outwardly projecting lids 202 and 204.
Figures 16 and 17 show an embodiment wherein the bucket or container 300
includes
a lid 302 with inwardly projecting flanges 304 and 306 of the type previously
described. The
inwardly projecting flanges cooperate with outwardly projecting ribs 308 and
310,
respectively. Downwardly depending skirt 312 includes a removable portion 314
and a
permanent retained portion 316. Removal of the removable portion 314 effects
removal of
the entire lower or second flange 306 and retention of portions of the locking
flange 308. In
other words, removal of the tear strip removes portions of the upper flange
304 and the
entirety of the lower flange 306.
Various other combinations of ribs, flanges, tear strips, and other elements
as
described may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Thus,
while there has been set forth preferred embodiments of the invention, it is
to be understood
that the invention is to be limited only by the following claims and
equivalents thereof.
McCarthy Tetrault LLP TDO-RED #8237585 v. 1
