Title of Invention	"A LID FOR A CONTAINER"
Abstract	A reclosable lid 10 for a container holding a flowable substance has a first piece or cover 12, and a movable second piece or disk 50. The cover 10 has a top wall 14, a side wall 16 and a mounting portion 22 for connecting the lid 10 on the container. The cover 12 has an opening 28 adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid 10. The cover 12 further includes a slot 30 located in the top wall 14. The disk SO has at least one aperture 78, a post 54, and a projection 52, The aperture 78 and the projection 52 are each cooperatively dimensioned with the opening 28. The post 54 is adapted to be received by the slot 30 in the cover 12. The disk 50 is movable between a first position wherein at least a portion of the projection 52 is received in the opening 28 in the first position, and a second position wherein the aperture 78 is aligned with the opening 28 in the second position. A support ledge 102 and a support edge 104 on an inner surface 100 of the cover 12 are adapted to provide rotatable support to the disk 50,

Title of Invention

"A LID FOR A CONTAINER"

Abstract

A reclosable lid 10 for a container holding a flowable substance has a first piece or cover 12, and a movable second piece or disk 50. The cover 10 has a top wall 14, a side wall 16 and a mounting portion 22 for connecting the lid 10 on the container. The cover 12 has an opening 28 adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid 10. The cover 12 further includes a slot 30 located in the top wall 14. The disk SO has at least one aperture 78, a post 54, and a projection 52, The aperture 78 and the projection 52 are each cooperatively dimensioned with the opening 28. The post 54 is adapted to be received by the slot 30 in the cover 12. The disk 50 is movable between a first position wherein at least a portion of the projection 52 is received in the opening 28 in the first position, and a second position wherein the aperture 78 is aligned with the opening 28 in the second position. A support ledge 102 and a support edge 104 on an inner surface 100 of the cover 12 are adapted to provide rotatable support to the disk 50,

Full Text	RECLOSABLE CONTAINER LID TECHNICAL FIELD; The present invention relates to a lid for a flowable substance container. More specifically, the present invention relates to a reclosable lid for use with a drink container. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: Lids for containers are well-known in the beverage container industry, In general terms, (ids for single-use or disposable containers have three main components: a top wall or surface, a mounting portion, and an opening. Typically, the mounting portion is adapted to engage an upper rim of the container to seal the lid on the container. The opening is adapted to permit the flow of the container contents through the lid, Existing lid designs suffer from a number of problems including untimely spillage through the opening due to the lack of a reliable means for sealing the opening. The inability to effectively seal the opening can also result in a significant loss of heat from the container contents through the opening. To address these and other problems, a number of lid designs include a movable cover portion for the opening. However, most existing movable covers lack structural integrity and as a result, do not effectively seal the opening. Also, a number of movable covers are difficult to operate due tn their compler design. In addition, a rent majority of movable covers interfere with a user consuming the container contents through the opening. U.S. Patent No, 4,579,245 to Narushko provides an example of a container lid with a in ovals The lid has a labara segment, that forms channel, when is adapted to receive the closing flap. The dosing flap is a curved piece that must be inserted into the channel. The closing flap is movable between an open position and a closed position. Because the movement of the closing flap is controlled by a series of notches, grooves, tabs and handles located on the channel and the closing flap, the closing flap is difficult to operate and the effectiveness of the lid is compromised. Another example of a lid having a movable cover for the opening is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,790,444 to Terzi. There, the hood or lid has an opening formed from a depending spout that is inserted into the container opening. The covet has exterior dimensions equivalent to the lid and is placed over the lid. The cover has an opening that must be aligned with the spout and the lid opening to form the drink passageway. The cover has a plurality of sockets, which when properly aligned, seal the lid opening, The cover is supported on the lid by a series of intricate structures and an annular gasket Due to its complex array of structures, the lid and cover are difficult to assemble and operate, Furthermore, the array of structures can inhibit the alignment of the lid opening and the cover opening negatively affecting the formation of the drink passageway. Therefore, there is a definite need for areclosable container lid that reliably seals the opening. In addition, there is a need for such a lid that is easy to operate and does not interfere with a user consuming the container contents through the opening. The present invention is provided to solve these and other problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION: The present invention relates to a reclosable lid for use with a flowable substance container. The lid has a first piece or cover, and a reclosable second piece or disk. The cover has a top wall and a side wall depending from the top wall. The side wall has a mounting portion for connecting the lid on the container. The cover includes an opening in the top wall, the opening adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid. The cover further includes a slot located in the top wall and a recessed portion located in both the top wall and the side wall. The disk has at least one aperture, a post, and a projection. The aperture and the projection are each cooperatively dimensioned with the opening. The aperture is adapted to form apassageway when aligned with the opening. The post is adapted to be received by the slot in the cover. The disk is movable between a first and second position, wherein at least a portion of the projection is received in the opening in the first position and the wherein the aperture is aligned with the opening in the second position. The disk has at least one well adapted to facilitate stacking the lids in a vertical configuration. The cover includes at least one support member having a cavity extending radially inward from the side wall. The cavity of the support member forms a support ledge on an inner surface of the cover that is adapted to provide rotatable support to the disk. The disk is further supported by an internal edge that is formed on the inner surface by the recessed portion, which extends radially inward from the side wall, The disk is movable between the first and second positions by a user engaging and actuating the post. While the disk is moved between the first and second positions, the disk is rotatably supported by the support ledge and the support edge. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the lid includes a cover and an overlay. The cover has a top wall and a side wall depending from the top wall. The side wall has a mounting portion for connecting the lid on the container. The lid includes an opening in the top wall, the opening adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid. The lid further includes a recessed portion located in both the top wall and the side wall. *. The overlay has a top wall and a side wall depending from the top wall. The side wall has a mounting portion adapted to connect the overlay to the cover. Also, the overlay has a projection in the top wall and at least one aperture. In addition, the overlay has at least one gripping element adapted to facilitate rotational movement of the overlay. The overlay and the disk are cooperatively dimensioned such that they are in rotational engagement when the overlay is positioned on the disk. The overlay is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein a portion of the projection is received in the opening in the fusty position and wherein the aperture is aligned with the opening in the overlay in the second position. We Claim: 1. A lid for a container holding a flowable substance, the lid comprising: a cover adapted to be attached to the container, the cover having an opening, a support member extending inward from an outer wall of the cover, and a slot; and a moveable element rotatably supported by the support member, the element having an aperture and an actuator accessible through the slot, wherein the element is moveable by the actuator between a first position where the aperture is misaligned with the opening, and a second position where the aperture is aligned with the opening. 2. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover has a top wall, wherein the opening and the slot are positioned in the top wall. 3. The lid as claimed in claim 2 wherein the top wall is annular. 4. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover has a mounting portion, the mounting portion adapted to be attached to the container. 5. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover has a recessed central portion depending from the top wall. 6. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support member extends inward from a sidewall of the cover. 7. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support member comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced support members extending radially inward from a sidewall of the cover. 8. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the element has a projection wherein the projection is received in the opening when the element is in the first position. 9. The lid as claimed in claim 8 wherein the projection is a color perceptively different from a color of the cover to indicate a closed position. 10. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator is a post received by the slot and wherein the element is moved between the first position and the second position by manipulating the post. 11. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the element is a disk. 12. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the element is a ring. 13. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover defines an interior region, the element positioned in the interior region. 14. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the element has a second aperture, wherein the element is moveable to a third position wherein the second aperture is aligned with the opening. 15. The lid as claimed in claim 14 wherein the element is moved from the first position to the second position in a first direction, and the element is moved from the first position to the third position in a second direction. 16. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover is thermoformed. 17. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the element is thermoformed. 18. The lid as claimed in claim 8 wherein the projection has a first color in the first position. 19. The lid as claimed claim 18 wherein the disk displays a second color in the second position. 20. A lid substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the accompanying drawings.

Full Text

RECLOSABLE CONTAINER LID
TECHNICAL FIELD;
The present invention relates to a lid for a flowable substance container. More specifically, the present invention relates to a reclosable lid for use with a drink container.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
Lids for containers are well-known in the beverage container industry, In general terms, (ids for single-use or disposable containers have three main components: a top wall or surface, a mounting portion, and an opening. Typically, the mounting portion is adapted to engage an upper rim of the container to seal the lid on the container. The opening is adapted to permit the flow of the container contents through the lid,
Existing lid designs suffer from a number of problems including untimely spillage through the opening due to the lack of a reliable means for sealing the opening. The inability to effectively seal the opening can also result in a significant loss of heat from the container contents through the opening. To address these and other problems, a number of lid designs include a movable cover portion for the opening. However, most existing movable covers lack structural integrity and as a result, do not effectively seal the opening. Also, a number of movable covers are difficult to operate due tn their compler design. In addition, a rent majority of movable covers interfere with a user consuming the container contents through the opening.
U.S. Patent No, 4,579,245 to Narushko provides an example of a container lid with
a in ovals The lid has a labara segment, that forms channel, when is adapted
to receive the closing flap. The dosing flap is a curved piece that must be inserted into the channel. The closing flap is movable between an open position and a closed position. Because the movement of the closing flap is controlled by a series of notches, grooves, tabs and handles located on the channel and the closing flap, the closing flap is difficult to operate and the effectiveness of the lid is compromised.
Another example of a lid having a movable cover for the opening is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,790,444 to Terzi. There, the hood or lid has an opening formed from a depending spout that is inserted into the container opening. The covet has exterior dimensions equivalent to the lid and is placed over the lid. The cover has an opening that must be aligned with the spout and the lid opening to form the drink passageway. The cover has a plurality of sockets, which when properly aligned, seal the lid opening, The cover is supported on the lid by a series of intricate structures and an annular gasket Due to its complex array of structures, the lid and cover are difficult to assemble and operate, Furthermore, the array of structures can inhibit the alignment of the lid opening and the cover opening negatively affecting the formation of the drink passageway.
Therefore, there is a definite need for areclosable container lid that reliably seals the opening. In addition, there is a need for such a lid that is easy to operate and does not interfere with a user consuming the container contents through the opening.
The present invention is provided to solve these and other problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a reclosable lid for use with a flowable substance container. The lid has a first piece or cover, and a reclosable second piece or disk. The cover has a top wall and a side wall depending from the top wall. The side wall has a mounting portion for connecting the lid on the container. The cover includes an opening in the top wall, the opening adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid. The cover further includes a slot located in the top wall and a recessed portion located in both the top wall and the side wall.
The disk has at least one aperture, a post, and a projection. The aperture and the projection are each cooperatively dimensioned with the opening. The aperture is adapted to form apassageway when aligned with the opening. The post is adapted to be received by the slot in the cover. The disk is movable between a first and second position, wherein at least a portion of the projection is received in the opening in the first position and the wherein the aperture is aligned with the opening in the second position. The disk has at least one well adapted to facilitate stacking the lids in a vertical configuration.
The cover includes at least one support member having a cavity extending radially inward from the side wall. The cavity of the support member forms a support ledge on an inner surface of the cover that is adapted to provide rotatable support to the disk. The disk is further supported by an internal edge that is formed on the inner surface by the recessed portion, which extends radially inward from the side wall,
The disk is movable between the first and second positions by a user engaging and actuating the post. While the disk is moved between the first and second positions, the disk is rotatably supported by the support ledge and the support edge.
In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the lid includes a cover and an overlay. The cover has a top wall and a side wall depending from the top wall. The side wall has a mounting portion for connecting the lid on the container. The lid includes an opening in the top wall, the opening adapted to permit the flow of the substance through the lid. The lid further includes a recessed portion located in both the top wall and the side wall.
*.
The overlay has a top wall and a side wall depending from the top wall. The side wall has a mounting portion adapted to connect the overlay to the cover. Also, the overlay has a projection in the top wall and at least one aperture. In addition, the overlay has at least one gripping element adapted to facilitate rotational movement of the overlay.
The overlay and the disk are cooperatively dimensioned such that they are in rotational engagement when the overlay is positioned on the disk. The overlay is movable between a first position and a second position, wherein a portion of the projection is received in the opening in the fusty position and wherein the aperture is aligned with the opening in the overlay in the second position.

We Claim:
1. A lid for a container holding a flowable substance, the lid comprising:
a cover adapted to be attached to the container, the cover having an opening, a support member extending inward from an outer wall of the cover, and a slot; and
a moveable element rotatably supported by the support member, the element having an aperture and an actuator accessible through the slot, wherein the element is moveable by the actuator between a first position where the aperture is misaligned with the opening, and a second position where the aperture is aligned with the opening.
2. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover has a top wall, wherein the
opening and the slot are positioned in the top wall.
3. The lid as claimed in claim 2 wherein the top wall is annular.
4. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover has a mounting portion,
the mounting portion adapted to be attached to the container.
5. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover has a recessed central portion
depending from the top wall.
6. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support member extends inward from a
sidewall of the cover.
7. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the support member comprises a plurality
of circumferentially spaced support members extending radially inward from a
sidewall of the cover.
8. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the element has a projection wherein
the projection is received in the opening when the element is in the first position.
9. The lid as claimed in claim 8 wherein the projection is a color perceptively
different from a color of the cover to indicate a closed position.
10. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the actuator is a post received by the slot
and wherein the element is moved between the first position and the second
position by manipulating the post.
11. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the element is a disk.
12. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the element is a ring.
13. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover defines an interior region, the
element positioned in the interior region.
14. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the element has a second aperture, wherein
the element is moveable to a third position wherein the second aperture is
aligned with the opening.
15. The lid as claimed in claim 14 wherein the element is moved from the first
position to the second position in a first direction, and the element is moved from
the first position to the third position in a second direction.
16. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the cover is thermoformed.
17. The lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the element is thermoformed.
18. The lid as claimed in claim 8 wherein the projection has a first color in the
first position.
19. The lid as claimed claim 18 wherein the disk displays a second color in the second
position.
20. A lid substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated by the
accompanying drawings.

Documents:

279-delnp-2004-abstract.pdf

279-delnp-2004-assignment.pdf

279-delnp-2004-claims.pdf

279-delnp-2004-correspondence-others.pdf

279-delnp-2004-correspondence-po.pdf

279-delnp-2004-description (complete).pdf

279-delnp-2004-drawings.pdf

279-delnp-2004-form-1.pdf

279-delnp-2004-form-19.pdf

279-delnp-2004-form-2.pdf

279-delnp-2004-form-3.pdf

279-delnp-2004-form-5.pdf

279-delnp-2004-gpa.pdf

279-delnp-2004-pct-206.pdf

279-delnp-2004-pct-304.pdf

279-delnp-2004-pct-308.pdf

279-delnp-2004-pct-409.pdf

279-delnp-2004-pct-416.pdf

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Patent Number

222394

Indian Patent Application Number

00279/DELNP/2004

PG Journal Number

34/2008

Publication Date

22-Aug-2008

Grant Date

06-Aug-2008

Date of Filing

09-Feb-2004

Name of Patentee

SOLO CUP COMPANY

Applicant Address

1700 OLD DEERFIELD ROAD, HIGHLAND PARK, ILLINOIS 60035, U.S.A.

Inventors:

#	Inventor's Name	Inventor's Address
1	HUSTON DAWN ELLEN	224 THRUSH CIRCLE, LINDENHURST, ILLINOIS 60046, U.S.A.
2	WIEDMEYER WARREN GILES	23215, 11TH PLACE, TREVOR, WISCONSIN 53179, U.S.A.
3	SULLIVAN STEPHEN WILLIAM	2237 NORTH HARVEST HILL PLACE, ROUND LAKE BEACH, ILLINOIS 60073, U.S.A.
4	CHIN RICH MATTHEW	4612 PRATT AVENUE, LINCOLNWOOD, ILLINOIS 60712, U.S.A.
5	AHMED MOHAMMED MAQSOOD	4624 WEST LAWRENCE AVENUE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60630, U.S.A.
6	GITSCHLAG JOHN STEWART	6708 NORTH LAKEWOOD #3C, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS 60626, U.S.A.
7	LANGELAN DAVID RAYMOND	1116 RANDOLPH STREET, OAK PARK, ILLINOIS 60302, U.S.A.
8	JOINES JAMES TAM JR.	415 KINGSPORT DRIVE, GURNEE, ILLINOIS 60031, U.S.A.
9	ANHALT MARK GERALD	4107 WEST BARNWOOD COURT, FRANKLIN, WISCONSIN 53182, U.S.A.
10	RUTTER BRYCE G.	528 GRAESER ROAD, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63141, U.S.A.
11	BONE BRAIN C.	11155 FAIRBOROUGH COURT, ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI 63146, U.S.A.
12	DOTY HEATH A.	7512 DALE AVENUE, RICHMOND HEIGHTS, MISSOURI 63117, U.S.A.
13	SMITH STEPHEN ALAN	868 APPOMATTOX CIRCLE, NAPERVILLE, ILLINOIS 60540, U.S.A.
14	SMITH KEVIN RAY	2415 NORTH SALEM LANE, ROUND LAKE BEACH, ILLINOIS 60073, U.S.A.
15	CHAUHAN RAJENDRA RANJITBHAI	5045 HOWARD STREET, SKOKIE, ILLINOIS 60077, U.S.A.
16	HURST WILLIAM EDWARD	2490 SUN VALLEY ROAD, LISLE, ILLINOIS 60532, U.S.A.

PCT International Classification Number

B65D 47/26

PCT International Application Number

PCT/US02/23352

PCT International Filing date

2002-07-24

PCT Conventions:

#	PCT Application Number	Date of Convention	Priority Country
1	09/923,763	2001-08-06	U.S.A.