Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
Inventor: Michael Liming et al.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
IMPROVED TAMPER EVIDENT LID
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This Application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Serial No.
62/804,871, filed on February 13, 2019, to Michael Liming et al., entitled
"Improved Tamper
Evident Lid," currently pending, the entire disclosure of which is
incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to lids for containers and
particularly to an improved tamper
evident lid, which in addition to providing evidence of tampering, also
prevents spillage or leakage
of contents.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Tamper evident lids are often used to enclose and secure
containers for food items and
other contents. These lids incorporate locking features that restrict the
ability to remove the lid
from the container without deforming the lid or providing evidence of
tampering. One problem
with current tamper evident lids is that they do not provide an effective seal
around the perimeter
of the container opening and thereby allow excess contents within the
container to leak out or
otherwise exit the container through the lid. This is in part due to the fact
that the tamper evident
locking features in current tamper evident lids form gaps and spaces extending
from the interior
of the lid and through the outer sidewall. FIG. 1 provides an illustration of
the leaking problem for
the tamper evident lids existing in the prior art. As shown, the contents
within the container (such
as ice cream) can easily leak or ooze out of the locking features in the
tamper evident lid due to
the gaps and spaces extending from the interior of the lid and through the
outer sidewall.
CA 3072437 2020-02-13
Inventor: Michael Liming et al.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
[0004]
Another problem with current tamper evident lids is that they present
several
manufacturing difficulties. In particular, the construction of the locking
features in current tamper
evident lids require the forming tool parts to contact and slide across one
another during the
molding of the lid, which causes excessive wear on the forming components of
the manufacturing
process. This is in part because current tamper evident lids utilize several
projections and ribs
within the locking features to support the locking features and provide visual
representations of
possible tamper evidence, which requires additional molding operations that
require the forming
tool parts to contact and slide across one another.
[0005] Accordingly, a need exists for a tamper evident lid that can
effectively secure a container
and restrict leakage of contents from the container. In addition, a need
exists for a tamper evident
container and manufacturing method thereof that can prevent excessive forming
tool wear due to
sliding contacts between forming tool parts during the molding of the tamper
evident lid.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention is directed generally to an improved
tamper evident lid for
containers, including without limitation, containers for holding ice creams,
dairy products and
other food products and consumables. The improved tamper evident lid may
provide a solution for
securely covering a top end of a container with tamper evident indicators that
indicate whether the
lid has been previously removed from the container. The tamper evident lid may
include an annular
sidewall and cover portion connected to the annular sidewall to create an
enclosed upper end of
the lid. The annular sidewall may include an upper sidewall section and a
lower sidewall section
connected together along a weakened portion extending circumferentially around
the annular
sidewall. The weakened portion may be constructed as an indention or gap
defined partially
through the sidewall to create a line of weakness between the upper and lower
sidewall sections.
2
CA 3072437 2020-02-13
Inventor: Michael Liming et al.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
[0007]
The lid may include one or more locking components that are provided on
the interior of
the annular sidewall and circumferentially spaced around the lid. The locking
components can
operate in connection with the weakened portion of the lid to indicate whether
the lid has been
removed or attempted to be removed from the container or otherwise tampered
with after being
secured thereon. The locking components may include an inward projecting wall
that extends
radially inward from the interior surface of the lower sidewall section and a
top wall that extends
from the projecting wall back toward the interior surface of the sidewall. The
projecting wall and
top wall can operate as a continuous structure that extends the entire length
of the locking
component and encloses the locking component to separate the interior of the
lid.
[0008] The lid may include a void space opposite each locking
component, where each void space
may be configured as a gap or partial opening extending through the annular
sidewall and defined
by the projecting wall and top wall of the locking component. The top wall of
the locking
component may extend to and connect to the interior surface of the upper
sidewall section bottom
edge to completely enclose the void space along the interior of the sidewall,
which may restrict
contents within the container from exiting, oozing or leaking through the
locking components
when the lid is secured on the container. According to one embodiment, the
void space may be
configured as a continuously uninterrupted open space extending into annular
sidewall and
enclosed along the interior by the projecting wall and the top wall of the
locking component.
[0009] The void spaces may be generally aligned with and integral with
the weakened portion
extending circumferentially around the annular sidewall to provide a
continuous line of weakness
around the lid. The connecting edge that connects the upper wall of the
locking component to the
upper sidewall section may further function as a line of weakness coextensive
with the weakened
portion extending around the sidewall.
3
CA 3072437 2020-02-13
Inventor: Michael Liming et al.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
[0010]
The lid may include a pair of ribs provided on the interior surface of
the sidewall adjacent
to each locking components. Each rib may be configured as a vertically
oriented protrusion located
near each end of the locking components. The ribs may be configured to
facilitate aligning and
stacking the lid with additional lids.
[0011] The lid can be placed on a container so that the locking
components engage the upper rim
of the container and be secured underneath upper rim. Once engaged, the lid is
restricted from
being removed from the container without deforming the annular sidewall and
providing evidence
of tampering. Each locking component may be configured to restrict the lid
from being removed
from the container without pulling or bending the lower sidewall section. The
weakened portion
provides a line of weakness around the circumference of the annular sidewall
such that if the
sidewall is pulled away from the container to allow the locking components to
be lifted over the
container upper rim, the annular sidewall may deform or tear along the
weakened portion to
provide a visual indication of tampering.
[0012] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will be
apparent from the following
detailed description of the preferred embodiments of the accompanying drawing
figures.
DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0013] In the accompanying drawing, which forms a part of the
specification and is to be read in
conjunction therewith in which like reference numerals are used to indicate
like or similar parts in
the various views:
[0014] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a container with a
tamper evident lid as known in
the prior art illustrating the leaking problem common with such tamper
evidence lids;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a tamper evident lid for a
container in accordance with
one embodiment of the present invention;
4
CA 3072437 2020-02-13
Inventor: Michael Liming et at.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
[0016] FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the tamper evident lid of
FIG. 2;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the tamper evident lid of FIG.
2;
[0018] FIG. 5 is a bottom plan view of the tamper evident lid of FIG. 2;
[0019] FIG. 6 is a top perspective sectional view of the tamper evident
lid of FIG. 2 taken along
line 6'-6' in FIG. 4, illustrating the interior of the lid and the locking
components provided on the
interior of the lid in accordance with one embodiment of the present
invention;
[0020] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tamper evident
lid of FIG. 2, illustrating the
construction of the annular sidewall of the lid at line 7'-7' in FIG. 4 in
accordance with one
embodiment of the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of the tamper evident
lid of FIG. 2, illustrating the
construction of the annular sidewall and corresponding locking component of
the lid at line 8'-8'
in FIG. 4 in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the tamper evident
lid of FIG. 2 illustrating
the lid placed onto a container and the locking component engaging the
container rim in
accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 10 is a partial interior perspective view of a locking
component for a tamper evident
lid in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;
[0024] FIG. 11 is a partial exterior perspective view of the locking
component of FIG. 10;
[0025] FIG. 12 is a partial interior cross-sectional perspective view
of the locking component of
FIG. 10; and
[0026] FIG. 13 is a partial exterior cross-sectional perspective view
of the locking component of
FIG. 10.
CA 3072437 2020-02-13
Inventor: Michael Liming et al.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] The invention will now be described with reference to the
drawing figures, in which like
reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. For purposes of clarity in
illustrating the
characteristics of the present invention, proportional relationships of the
elements have not
necessarily been maintained in the drawing figures.
[0028] The following detailed description of the invention references
specific embodiments in
which the invention can be practiced. The embodiments are intended to describe
aspects of the
invention in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice
the invention. Other
embodiments can be utilized and changes can be made without departing from the
scope of the
present invention. The present invention is defined by the appended claims and
the description is,
therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense and shall not limit the scope
of equivalents to which
such claims are entitled.
[0029] Referring to the figures, the present invention is directed to a
tamper evident lid 10 for use
with containers, including without limitation, containers for holding ice
creams, dairy products
and other food products and consumables. Lid 10 may be configured for
placement over the open
end of a container and secured around the container's top rim so as to cover
the container opening
and prevent the removal of lid 10 without evidence of tampering. As described
herein, lid 10 may
be secured over the upper rim of a container and include a tamper-evident
feature that snaps
underneath the rim in accordance with conventional tamper-evident lids to
restrict the removal of
lid 10 without permanent deformation of lid 10, which may indicate evidence of
tampering. As
described in greater detail below, lid 10 of the present invention can include
a construction with
an improved seal design that can limit excess contents within the container
from leaking out or
exiting through the lid.
6
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Inventor: Michael Liming et al.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
[0030]
Turning to FIGS. 2-6, tamper-evident lid 10 according to one embodiment
may include an
annular sidewall 12 and a cover portion 14. Annular sidewall 12 may be
configured as a generally
vertically oriented circumferential wall defining the outer perimeter of lid
10. Annular sidewall 12
may further be configured to generally conform to the round, oval,
rectangular, or other shape of
the upper end of the container to which lid 10 is used. As best shown in FIGS.
2-4, annular sidewall
12 may include an upper sidewall section 16 and a lower sidewall section 18.
Annular sidewall 12
may also include weakened portion or residual line 20 extending generally
horizontally around the
circumference of annular sidewall 12 that may segment, break, or otherwise
provide a distinction
of annular sidewall 12 into its upper and lower sidewall sections 16 and 18.
Weakened portion 20
may be positioned between the top end of lower sidewall section 18 and the
bottom end of upper
sidewall section 16 and connect lower sidewall section 18 to upper sidewall
section 16. Depending
on the particular embodiment of the present invention, weakened portion 20 may
be configured as
a reduced thickness region of annular sidewall 12 (as shown in the figures) or
as any other suitable
means for creating a circumferential line of weakness having a reduced
strength relative to the
remainder of annular sidewall 12. According to certain embodiments, weakened
portion 20 may
further comprise a visual tamper evident indication, to provide visual proof
if lid 10 has been, or
has been attempted to be, removed. The tamper evident indication may be
without limitation
discoloration, disfigurement, bending, breaks, or other visual indicators
known in the art.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 2-6, cover portion 14 may be configured with a
disc-type shape that
spans across the interior of lid 10 and may be secured to upper sidewall
section 16 using any
suitable means. It will be appreciated that cover portion 14 may be configured
with alternate shapes
to conform to alternate shapes of a container including without limitation
oval, triangular,
rectangular, or other desired shapes. Cover portion 14 may be constructed from
paperboard, lined
7
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Inventor: Michael Liming et al.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
paperboard, plastic or any other suitable material depending on the particular
embodiment of the
present invention and application of lid 10. Cover portion 14 may be
configured to enclose the top
end opening of the container when lid 10 is secured onto the container and
restrict the spillage,
leakage, or otherwise removal of contents from the container.
[0032] As best shown in FIGS. 3-6 and described in greater detail
below, lid 10 may include one
or more locking components 22 provided on annular sidewall 12 and
circumferentially spaced
around lid 10. Locking components 22 can operate in connection with weakened
portion 20 to
indicate whether lid 10 has been removed or attempted to be removed from the
container after
being secured thereon as described in greater detail below. FIG. 6 illustrates
lid 10 according to
one embodiment with five circumferentially spaced locking components 22;
however, it is
recognized that any number of desired locking components 22 may be utilized in
various
embodiments of the present invention. The one or more locking components 22
may be configured
to snap under or otherwise lock beneath the upper rim of a container and
restrict the removal of lid
from the container (see FIG. 9). It will be appreciated that lid 10 may
utilize a snapping method
of securing to container; however, any other suitable method of securing or
attaching lid 10 may
also be used, including a twisting, or screwing method of attachment.
[0033] FIGS. 7 and 8 provide schematic sectional views of lid 10
illustrating the configuration and
arrangement of annular sidewall 12 and cover portion 14 in accordance with one
embodiment of
the present invention. As best shown in FIG. 7, upper sidewall section 16 may
include an annular
ridge or projection 24 that extends circumferentially around the upper end of
annular sidewall 12
and projects slightly inward toward the interior of lid 10. As shown in FIG.
7, the inward projection
of annular projection 24 can create a ledge or engaging surface 26 to which
cover portion 14 may
be secured. Beneath annular projection 24, upper sidewall section 16 may
extend downward and
8
CA 3072437 2020-02-13
Inventor: Michael Liming etal.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
include one or more protrusions or ridges 28 extending circumferentially
around the inner surface
of upper sidewall section 16. Ridges 28 may be configured to engage the upper
rim of a container
when lid 10 is secured onto the container. Upper sidewall section 16 may then
terminate at a bottom
edge 30 defined by weakened portion 20 extending around the circumference of
annular sidewall
12.
[0034] As shown in FIG. 7, weakened portion 20 may not extend
completely through the thickness
or width of annular sidewall 12 and as a result, bottom edge 30 of upper
sidewall section 16 may
be partially connected to an upper edge 34 of lower sidewall section 18 toward
the interior portion
of annular sidewall 12. As best shown in FIG. 7, according to certain
embodiments, weakened
portion may be configured as an indention or gap defined into and partially
through annular
sidewall 12 to create a line of weakness circumferentially around annular
sidewall 12 and between
upper sidewall section 16 and lower sidewall section 18. In other embodiments,
the weakened
portion 20 may be perforated or be of various thicknesses and/or widths.
Slightly above bottom
edge 30, upper sidewall section 16 may further include an inwardly projecting
lip 32 that may be
configured to engage the lower portion of a container upper rim 102 (see also
FIG. 9). As further
illustrated in FIG. 7, inwardly projecting lip 32 may be spaced slightly above
bottom edge 30 and
project inward from annular sidewall 12 toward the interior of lid 10. In
addition, as shown in FIG.
7 (as well as FIG. 8) upper and lower sidewall sections 16 and 18 may be
integrally connected to
one another by a portion of annular sidewall 12 located laterally adjacent to
weakened portion 20
on the interior of annular sidewall 12, but can otherwise remain spatially
separated from one
another by means of weakened portion 20.
[0035] As further shown in FIG. 7, lower sidewall section 18 may
include an upper edge 34 that
connects to bottom edge 30 of upper sidewall section 16 along the interior of
annular sidewall 12
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Inventor: Michael Liming et al.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
via weakened portion 20. Weakened portion 20 may further spatially separate
upper edge 34 (of
lower sidewall section 18) and bottom edge 30 (of upper sidewall section 16)
toward the outer
portion of annular sidewall 12 and function to separate annular sidewall 12
into upper and lower
sidewall sections 16 and 18 as shown in FIG. 7. Beneath upper edge 34 (and
weakened portion
20), lower sidewall section 18 may extend downward toward to a bottom terminal
edge 36. As
further shown in FIG. 7, lower sidewall section 18 may include an inner
surface 38 that extends
from bottom terminal edge 36 to upper edge 34 of lower sidewall section 18 and
bottom edge 30
of upper sidewall section 16.
[0036] FIG. 8 provides a schematic sectional view of annular sidewall
12 of lid 10 illustrating the
configuration and arrangement of one of the locking components 22 provided on
the interior of
annular sidewall 12. As described above, lid 10 may have one or more locking
components 22
depending on the particular embodiment, and it will be appreciated that lid 10
may include a
plurality of locking components 22 (see FIG. 6). As best shown in FIG. 8,
locking components 22
may be positioned on inner surface 38 of lower sidewall section 18 in a
circumferentially-spaced
arrangement (see also FIG. 6). As best shown in FIG. 8, each locking component
22 can project
inwardly and angularly away from inner surface 38 of lower sidewall section 18
and into the
interior of lid 10. Additionally, according to certain embodiments, each
locking component 22
may further include visual indicators of tampering. The tamper evident
indication may be without
limitation discoloration, disfigurement, deformation, bending, breaks, cracks,
or other visual
indicators known in the art.
[0037] As further shown in FIG. 8, each locking component 22 can
include a projecting surface
wall 40 extending inward from inner surface 38 of lower sidewall section 18
and an upper or top
wall 42 connected to projecting wall 40 and extending outward back toward
annular sidewall 12.
CA 3072437 2020-02-13
Inventor: Michael Liming et at.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
According to one embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 8, projecting wall 40 may
have an
angled/sloped surface that extends from inner surface 38 at an upward angle
and top wall 42 may
extend generally horizontally outward from the terminal edge of projecting
wall 40 back toward
inner surface 38 and annular sidewall 12. It will also be appreciated that
projecting surface wall
40 may alternatively extend generally horizontally away from inner surface 38
and then upward
in a general vertical arrangement in certain embodiments. Locking component 22
and projecting
wall 40 and top wall 42 may also have any other suitable configuration,
including without
limitation, a rounded, rectangular or other suitable shape depending on the
particular embodiment
of the present invention. In addition, according to certain embodiments top
wall or membrane 42
may alternatively have a slightly angled configuration while extending from
projecting surface
wall 40 back toward sidewall 12.
[0038] Both projecting surface wall 40 and top wall 42 may comprise a
solid structure lacking
gaps, holes, or other spacing which may prevent the leaking, oozing or
spillage of contents from
the container. In particular, both projecting surface wall 40 and top wall 42
may form a continuous
enclosure that encloses the interior of annular sidewall 12 around the space
or gap formed between
upper sidewall section 16 and lower sidewall section 18 and the weakened
portion 20 formed
therebetween. As best shown in FIG. 8, top wall 42 may extend away from
projecting wall 40 back
toward the inner surface of annular sidewall 12 to define an enclosed upper
boundary of locking
component 22. Top wall 42 may further be configured as a continuous top wall
that extends the
entire length of locking component 22 to separate the interior space within
lid 10 from the exterior
environment around lid 10.
[0039] As further shown in FIG. 8, locking component 22 may connect to
both lower sidewall
section 18 and upper sidewall section 16. Projecting wall 40 may extend away
from inner surface
11
CA 3072437 2020-02-13
Inventor: Michael Liming et al.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
38 of lower sidewall section 18 in a radially inward orientation and top wall
42 may extend away
from projecting wall toward the inner surface of upper sidewall section 16
adjacent bottom edge
30. As best shown in FIG. 8, at the position of each locking component 22,
upper sidewall section
16 may have an increased thickness at its lower end (between bottom edge 30
and lip 32) that
extends into the interior of lid 10. This increased thickness can form an
inward projection 44 along
the interior of upper sidewall section 16 immediately above locking component
22. As best shown
in FIG. 8, top wall 42 may connect to inward projection 44 at a connecting
edge 45 between the
lateral ends of locking component 22 (top wall 42 may also connect to lower
sidewall section 18
along its upper edge 34 at the ends of locking component 22). Connecting edge
45 may extend
along the entire length of locking component 22 (and top wall 42) in order to
separate the interior
of lid 10 from its exterior. Connecting edge 45 may also be generally aligned
with weakened
portion 20 extending circumferentially around annular sidewall 12 and may
operate as a continued
line of weakness around annular sidewall 12 along with weakened portion 20.
[0040] As further shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, annular sidewall 12 may
include at least one rib or bar
46 located on the interior surface of the annular sidewall 12 and adjacent to
an end portion of each
locking component 22. As illustrated in in FIGS. 7 and 8, according to one
embodiment, annular
sidewall 12 may include a pair of ribs or bars 46 provided adjacent to each
lateral end of each
locking component 22. Ribs 46 may be utilized to assist in aligning lid 10
when stacked or nested
with a second or lower lid 10 by engaging with annular upper ridge 24 of a
second or lower lid 10.
As such, the ribs 46 are configured to facilitate the stacking of the lid 10
with another second lid
by engaging an annular projection of said second lid 10. This stacking may be
utilized during
transport or storage of lids 10. As shown, ribs 46 may be vertically
orientated and provided on the
inner surface 38 of lower sidewall section 18. Ribs 46 may also be slightly
spaced away from
12
CA 3072437 2020-02-13
Inventor: Michael Liming et al.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
locking components 22 and not directly connected to locking components 22. In
one embodiment,
ribs 46 and annular upper ridge 24 are shaped and positioned such that the
ribs 46 of a first or
upper lid 10 engage the chamfered, angled or sloped surface 50 of the annular
upper ridge 24 of a
second or lower lid 10.
[0041] As further shown in FIG. 8, lid 10 may include a void space 48
extending into an exterior
surface of annular sidewall 12 that corresponds to each locking component 22.
As shown, each
void space 48 may be defined into the outer surface of lower sidewall section
18 that is aligned
with and corresponds to a locking component 22. As shown in FIG. 8, void space
48 may also be
generally aligned and be integral with the circumferential, weakened portion
20 extending
circumferentially around annular sidewall 12. Void space 48 may extend through
lower sidewall
section 18 and into locking component 22 and may form a larger gap or spacing
into sidewall 12
relative to the height/width of weakened portion 20. According to one
embodiment, void space 48
may have a width greater than the width of the adjacent weakened portion 20.
[0042] As best shown in FIG. 8, the upper and interior boundary of void
space 48 may be defined
by bottom edge 30 of upper sidewall section 16 (toward the exterior of annular
sidewall 12) and
by projecting surface wall 40 and top wall 42 of locking component 22 (toward
the interior of
annular sidewall 12) so that void space 48 is isolated from the interior of
lid 10. Top wall 42 of
locking component 22 may extend to and connect to bottom edge 30 (via inward
projection 44 and
connecting edge 45) to completely enclose void space 48 or seal an inner
portion thereof along
locking component 22 and separate void space 48 from the interior of lid 10.
Void space 48 may
further be constructed as a continuously uninterrupted space defined into or
through the exterior
surface of lower sidewall section 18 (and annular sidewall 12) and enclosed
along its interior by
projecting wall 40 and top wall 42 of locking component 22. In such an
embodiment, voice space
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CA 3072437 2020-02-13
Inventor: Michael Liming et al.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
48 may be without any obstructions within the open space formed into annular
sidewall 12 along
the entire length of voice space 48. Accordingly, void space 48 may be without
any braces or
supports (or other obstructions) extending vertically at intermediate
positions along the length of
void space 48 and its corresponding locking component 22.
[0043] As best shown in FIG. 8, according to one embodiment, void space
48 may correspond in
location to a locking component 22 located along the annular sidewall 12. The
surface wall 40 and
top wall 42 of locking component 22 may act as an enclosed upper boundary of
void space 48
along the interior of sidewall 12. In particular, as best shown in FIG. 8, top
wall 42 of locking
component 22 can be configured as a continuous wall or thin membrane that
seals or encloses or
otherwise prevents direct exposure of the void space 48 from the interior of
lid 10 and can prevent
any contents within the container from spilling, oozing, or leaking out
through locking
components 22, thereby separating the void space 48 from the interior of the
lid 10. As shown,
connecting edge 45 that connects top wall 42 of locking component 22 to upper
sidewall section
16 can function to provide a continuous connection along the upper boundary of
void space 48.
[0044] Void space 48 may be configured to provide flexibility to lid 10
during the attachment and
removal process. The gap or space in the annular sidewall 12 as defined by
void space 48 may
provide flexibility to the annular sidewall 12 to prevent complete breaking or
loss of functionality
of lid 10 during removal or attachment. Void space 48 may further provide
flexibility to the
corresponding locking component 22 and support to the locking component 22
during attachment
and removal process.
[0045] FIG. 9 provides a schematic sectional illustration of lid 10
after being secured onto a
container 100 with an upper rim 102. As shown, upper sidewall section 16 of
lid 10 can engage
rim 102 of container 100 and locking component 22 can be secured underneath
rim 102. As a
14
CA 3072437 2020-02-13
Inventor: Michael Liming et al.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
result, lid 10 is restricted from being removed from container 100 without
deforming annular
sidewall 12 by tearing away lower sidewall section 18 of annular sidewall 12.
Each locking
component 22 may be configured to restrict lid 10 from being removed from
container 100 after
being secured to container 100 by preventing the removal of lid 10 without
pulling or bending
lower sidewall section 18. Weakened portion 20 (along with connecting edges 45
connecting each
locking component 22) may provide a line of weakness around the circumference
of sidewall 12
such that if sidewall 12 is pulled away from container 100 to allow locking
components 22 to be
lifted over container upper rim 102, annular sidewall 12 may deform or tear
along weakened
portion 20 to provide a visual indication of tampering. Other visual
indications of tampering may
also be utilized and provided by the configuration of locking components 22
and weakened portion
20.
[0046] FIGS. 10-13 provide partial views of lid 10 to illustrate the
configuration of locking
components 22 according to one embodiment of the present invention. As best
shown in FIGS. 10
and 12, from the interior of lid 10, angled projecting wall 40 and top wall 42
may project inward
from inner surface 38 of lower sidewall section 18 and connect together to
form a fully enclosed
and continuous projection (along with extension portion 44 of upper sidewall
section 16 that
connects to top wall 42 along connecting edge 45) within the interior of lid
10. Additionally, as
best shown in FIG. 10, two ribs 46 can be positioned next to the ends of
locking component 22,
while remaining separated and not in contact with angled projecting wall 40.
[0047] As best shown in FIGS. 11 and 13, from the exterior surface of
lid 10, void space 48 can
extend into annular sidewall 12 along the same height and position of the one
or more locking
component 22 along inner surface 38. As best shown in FIG. 13, void space 48
can extend into
annular sidewall 12 with a similar shape as locking component 22 and be
defined along its interior
CA 3072437 2020-02-13
Inventor: Michael Liming et al.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
by angled projecting wall 40 and top wall 42 (and bottom edge 30 of upper
sidewall section 16).
Further, void space 48 may be defined into an exterior surface of a
corresponding locking
component 22, wherein the void space 48 extends through the annular sidewall
12 and into the
locking component 22. As further shown in FIG. 13, both projecting wall 40 and
top wall 42 can
provide a continuous barrier between the interior of lid 10 and the exterior
of lid 10 and separate
void space 48 from the interior of lid 10. As further shown in FIGS. 10-13,
the solid structures of
both projecting wall 40 and top wall 42 can provide a continuous barrier,
devoid of any gaps or
spacing, between the interior of lid 10 and the exterior of lid 10 and sperate
void space 48 from
the interior of lid 10. This continuous barrier may prevent contents from the
container from
spilling, leaking, or otherwise coming in contact with the void space 48, and
prevent spillage,
leaking, oozing, or other exiting from the lid 10, while lid 10 is secured to
container.
[0048] The configuration of lid 10 of the present invention also
provides advantages over
previously designed tamper evident lid constructions in the manufacturing
process. The continuous
top wall 42 of locking component 22 (which seals void space 48 from the
interior of lid 10) enables
more efficient manufacturing of lid 10 by eliminating or reducing the metal-on-
metal slide action
within the manufacturing mold. The metal-on-metal slide action is eliminated
or reduced by
allowing a gap between the moving tool components. Contrary to previous tamper
evident lid
designs that rely on a plurality of teeth vertically oriented along the length
of the voice space, the
continuous opening along the length of the voice space 48 allows for increased
spacing, thereby
reducing tool wear during the manufacturing process of lid 10. This increased
spacing allows the
manufacturing tools to be spaced further apart, and prevents any sliding,
cross cutting, or other
contact between tools while manufacturing the lid 10. This can be achieved in
manufacturing
methods requiring molds as well as manufacturing methods that do not require
molds. The
16
CA 3072437 2020-02-13
Inventor: Michael Liming et al.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
manufacturing advantages of the present invention are in addition to the other
advantages as
described above. In addition to the manufacturing advantages, the present
invention can prevent
the contents of container 100 (such as ice cream or other food products) from
leaking out through
the locking components 22 of lid 10 from the continuous top wall 42 and
sealing of void space 48
from the interior of lid 10.
[0049] From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one
well adapted to attain all the
ends and objects hereinabove set forth together with other advantages which
are obvious and which
are inherent to the structure. It will be understood that certain features and
sub combinations are
of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and sub
combinations. This is
contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims. Since many possible
embodiments of the
invention may be made without departing from the scope thereof, it is also to
be understood that
all matters herein set forth or shown in the accompanying drawings are to be
interpreted as
illustrative and not limiting.
[0050] The constructions described above and illustrated in the
drawings are presented by way of
example only and are not intended to limit the concepts and principles of the
present invention.
Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments of a novel
invention. As is evident
from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the present invention are
not limited by the
particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is therefore
contemplated that other
modifications and applications, or equivalents thereof, will occur to those
skilled in the art. The
terms "having" and "including" and similar terms as used in the foregoing
specification are used
in the sense of "optional" or "may include" and not as "required". Many
changes, modifications,
variations and other uses and applications of the present construction will,
however, become
apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the specification and
the accompanying
17
CA 3072437 2020-02-13
Inventor: Michael Liming et al.
Docket No. 16695.11123
Title: Improved Tamper Evident Lid
Patent Application
drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and
applications which do
not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered
by the invention
which is limited only by the claims which follow.
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CA 3072437 2020-02-13
