CA2086062C - Blow-molded lid for ribbed cups - Google Patents
Blow-molded lid for ribbed cups Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2086062C CA2086062C CA 2086062 CA2086062A CA2086062C CA 2086062 C CA2086062 C CA 2086062C CA 2086062 CA2086062 CA 2086062 CA 2086062 A CA2086062 A CA 2086062A CA 2086062 C CA2086062 C CA 2086062C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- bead
- inwardly
- inner periphery
- annular wall
- periphery
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Abstract
A blow-molded lid is provided for closing a cup which has a circular top edge and a rib projecting outwardly from the top edge. The lid includes an outwardly projecting bead which in axial section curves downwardly and inwardly to a radius smaller than the maximum radius of the rib. The bead thus defines an inwardly concave groove adapted to snap over the rib. The lid incorporates a strengthening configuration closely upwardly adjacent to the bead, the strengthening configuration including a step-like formation.
Description
This invention relates generally to containers, and has to do particularly with the design of a lid member which can be blow-molded, and which is capable of achieving a secure, water-tight grip on the upper peripheral bead of a cup.
In the past, lids for cups have generally been either injection molded or vacuum formed (in the case of shallow lids). It is the general view in the industry that blow-molding, in which a polymer composition is extruded into the centre of a mold cavity and then "blown" outwardly against the walls of the cavity, would not be accurate enough to produce a lid capable of achieving a water-tight and secure fit on a cup.
A further problem arises when a cup lid is designed to integrally include an upwardly extending ornamentation, for example the head of a cartoon character.
Where the ornamentation extends upwardly firom a location close to the other periphery of the lid (where the connection to the cup takes place), the lid portion intended to cooperate with the cup tends to be weakened, with the attendant risk of an insecure, leaky attachment. It will be understood that, when a lid incorporates an upwaFdly projecting ornamentation of the kind just maitioned, it lacks the horizontal flat wall which normally provides strength and deformation-resistance to the lid.
It is or. object of one aspect of this invention to provide a lid profile capable of being blow-molded, and capable of achieving the kind of secure fit mentioned above.
It is a further object of an aspect of this invention to provide a lid profile in which the attachment portion is strengtharod, such as to allow an upstanding integral ornamentation for the lid without significantly weakening the lid portion that is mounted to the cup.
Finally, it is an object of another aspect of this invention to provide a lid profile as just described, having adjacent the outer periphery a strengthening configuration which provides deformation resistance not only to the portion of the lid which cooperates directly with the cup, but also to the upstanding ornamentation portion.
In the past, lids for cups have generally been either injection molded or vacuum formed (in the case of shallow lids). It is the general view in the industry that blow-molding, in which a polymer composition is extruded into the centre of a mold cavity and then "blown" outwardly against the walls of the cavity, would not be accurate enough to produce a lid capable of achieving a water-tight and secure fit on a cup.
A further problem arises when a cup lid is designed to integrally include an upwardly extending ornamentation, for example the head of a cartoon character.
Where the ornamentation extends upwardly firom a location close to the other periphery of the lid (where the connection to the cup takes place), the lid portion intended to cooperate with the cup tends to be weakened, with the attendant risk of an insecure, leaky attachment. It will be understood that, when a lid incorporates an upwaFdly projecting ornamentation of the kind just maitioned, it lacks the horizontal flat wall which normally provides strength and deformation-resistance to the lid.
It is or. object of one aspect of this invention to provide a lid profile capable of being blow-molded, and capable of achieving the kind of secure fit mentioned above.
It is a further object of an aspect of this invention to provide a lid profile in which the attachment portion is strengtharod, such as to allow an upstanding integral ornamentation for the lid without significantly weakening the lid portion that is mounted to the cup.
Finally, it is an object of another aspect of this invention to provide a lid profile as just described, having adjacent the outer periphery a strengthening configuration which provides deformation resistance not only to the portion of the lid which cooperates directly with the cup, but also to the upstanding ornamentation portion.
More particularly, this invention provides, in a blow-molded lid for use in closing a cup which has a side wall with a substantially circular top edge, the cup further having a rib at said top edge projecting outwardly with respect to the side wall, the improvement comprising:
an outwardly projecting bead integral with the lid, the bead in axial section curving downwardly and inwardly to attain a radius slightly smaller than the maximum radius of the rib, the bead thereby defining an inwardly concave groove adapted to snap over the rib, and a strengthening configuration in the lid closely upwardly adjacent to the bead, the strengthening configuration including a step-like formation.
Further, this invention provides a blow-molded lid for use in closing a cup which has a side wall with a substantially circular top edge, the cup further having a rib at said top edge projecting outwardly with respect to the side wall, the lid comprising:
an outwardly projecting bead integral with the lid, the bead in axial section curving downwardly and inwardly to attain a radius slightly smaller than the maximum radius of the rib, the bead thereby defining an inwardly concave groove adapted to snap over the rib, and a strengthening configuration in the lid closely upwardly adjacent to the bead, the strengthening configuration including a step-like formation.
Finally, this invention provides, in combination:
A. a cup having a side wall with a substantially circular top edge, the cup further having a rib at said top edge projecting outwardly with respect to the side wall;
and B. a lid for closing said cup, the lid comprising an integral outwardly extending tread, the bead in axial section curving downwardly and inwardly to attain a radius slightly smaller than the maximum radius of the rib, the bead thereby defining an inwardly concave groove adapted to snap over the rib, and a strengthening configuration in the lid closely upwardly adjacent to the bead, the strengthening configuration including a step-like formation.
~~I. I)1~C ()N ~F 'l~-IE I)ItA~~I~
an outwardly projecting bead integral with the lid, the bead in axial section curving downwardly and inwardly to attain a radius slightly smaller than the maximum radius of the rib, the bead thereby defining an inwardly concave groove adapted to snap over the rib, and a strengthening configuration in the lid closely upwardly adjacent to the bead, the strengthening configuration including a step-like formation.
Further, this invention provides a blow-molded lid for use in closing a cup which has a side wall with a substantially circular top edge, the cup further having a rib at said top edge projecting outwardly with respect to the side wall, the lid comprising:
an outwardly projecting bead integral with the lid, the bead in axial section curving downwardly and inwardly to attain a radius slightly smaller than the maximum radius of the rib, the bead thereby defining an inwardly concave groove adapted to snap over the rib, and a strengthening configuration in the lid closely upwardly adjacent to the bead, the strengthening configuration including a step-like formation.
Finally, this invention provides, in combination:
A. a cup having a side wall with a substantially circular top edge, the cup further having a rib at said top edge projecting outwardly with respect to the side wall;
and B. a lid for closing said cup, the lid comprising an integral outwardly extending tread, the bead in axial section curving downwardly and inwardly to attain a radius slightly smaller than the maximum radius of the rib, the bead thereby defining an inwardly concave groove adapted to snap over the rib, and a strengthening configuration in the lid closely upwardly adjacent to the bead, the strengthening configuration including a step-like formation.
~~I. I)1~C ()N ~F 'l~-IE I)ItA~~I~
One embodiment of this invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which like numerals denote like parts throughout the several views, and in which:
Figure 1 is a spaced-apart elevational view of a cup and a lid for the cup;
and Figure 2 is a partial sectional view taken at the line 2-2 in Figure 1.
~I~~'A~L.E~ ~ES~~.~F ~~ ~tyEl~~T1~N
Attention is first directed to Figure 1, in which the numeral 10 generally denotes a cup having a conical side wall 12, a bottom wall knot seen in the Figure), and an outwardly projecting peripheral rib 14 around the upper, open end.
Looking at Figure 2, it can be seen that the rib 14 is solid and integral with the side wall 12. In the preferred form, the cup 10 is injection molded.
Returning to Figure 1, a lid generally shown at the numeral 16 includes a base portion 18, and an upper, decorative portion 20.
The particular structure to which this invention is directed is incorporated into the base portion 18, and is clearly illustrated in section in Figure 2.
Looking at both Figures, the base portion 18 incorporates an annular ledge 22 proj~ting outwardly from the lower limit of ttae top portion 20, and being integral at its outward limit with a downwardly extending cylindrical wall 24.
The latter is integral with an outwardly extending annular portion 26 which curves downwardly and inwardly to define a bead 28. As particularly well seen in Figure 2, the bead 28 curves inwardly so as to defiine an inwardly concave groove running around the base portion 18. From the bottom of the bead 28, the base ~rtion 18 continuous downwardly and outwardly, to define an apron 30 which 'has a bell-like, concave-outward configuration. At the bottom of the apron 30, the material curves inwardly to define a short lip 32.
Figure 2 clearly shows the rib 14 of the cup 10 fitting snugly within the grove defiaied by the bead 28 of the base portion 18. The combination of the annular ledge 22 and the cylindrical wall 24 provides a strengthening, step-like configuration directly adjacent the bead 28, helping to stabilize the bead during the assembly operation. 'I7~e assembly is particularly facilitated by the presence of the ~g~~
bell-like apron 30, which acts as a guiding funnel allowing the rib 14 of the cup to snap into place within the bead 28. It is to be noted that the maximum outer circumference of the bead 28 is slightly greater than the minimum inner circumference of the apron ~0, thus causing a slight amount of mechanical 5 interference. This interference can be overcome by applying sufficient pressure, such that the material of the lid 16 and the cup 10 deform to allow the rib 14 to snap into place.
While one specific embodiment of this invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove, it will be evident to those 10 skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein, without departing from the essence of this invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Figure 1 is a spaced-apart elevational view of a cup and a lid for the cup;
and Figure 2 is a partial sectional view taken at the line 2-2 in Figure 1.
~I~~'A~L.E~ ~ES~~.~F ~~ ~tyEl~~T1~N
Attention is first directed to Figure 1, in which the numeral 10 generally denotes a cup having a conical side wall 12, a bottom wall knot seen in the Figure), and an outwardly projecting peripheral rib 14 around the upper, open end.
Looking at Figure 2, it can be seen that the rib 14 is solid and integral with the side wall 12. In the preferred form, the cup 10 is injection molded.
Returning to Figure 1, a lid generally shown at the numeral 16 includes a base portion 18, and an upper, decorative portion 20.
The particular structure to which this invention is directed is incorporated into the base portion 18, and is clearly illustrated in section in Figure 2.
Looking at both Figures, the base portion 18 incorporates an annular ledge 22 proj~ting outwardly from the lower limit of ttae top portion 20, and being integral at its outward limit with a downwardly extending cylindrical wall 24.
The latter is integral with an outwardly extending annular portion 26 which curves downwardly and inwardly to define a bead 28. As particularly well seen in Figure 2, the bead 28 curves inwardly so as to defiine an inwardly concave groove running around the base portion 18. From the bottom of the bead 28, the base ~rtion 18 continuous downwardly and outwardly, to define an apron 30 which 'has a bell-like, concave-outward configuration. At the bottom of the apron 30, the material curves inwardly to define a short lip 32.
Figure 2 clearly shows the rib 14 of the cup 10 fitting snugly within the grove defiaied by the bead 28 of the base portion 18. The combination of the annular ledge 22 and the cylindrical wall 24 provides a strengthening, step-like configuration directly adjacent the bead 28, helping to stabilize the bead during the assembly operation. 'I7~e assembly is particularly facilitated by the presence of the ~g~~
bell-like apron 30, which acts as a guiding funnel allowing the rib 14 of the cup to snap into place within the bead 28. It is to be noted that the maximum outer circumference of the bead 28 is slightly greater than the minimum inner circumference of the apron ~0, thus causing a slight amount of mechanical 5 interference. This interference can be overcome by applying sufficient pressure, such that the material of the lid 16 and the cup 10 deform to allow the rib 14 to snap into place.
While one specific embodiment of this invention has been illustrated in the accompanying drawings and described hereinabove, it will be evident to those 10 skilled in the art that changes and modifications may be made therein, without departing from the essence of this invention as set forth in the appended claims.
Claims (24)
1. In a blow-molded lid for use in closing a cup which has a side wall with a substantially circular top edge, the cup further having a rib at said top edge projecting outwardly with respect to the side wall, the improvement comprising:
an outwardly projecting bead integral with the lid, the bead in axial section curving downwardly and inwardly to attain a radius slightly smaller than the maximum radius of the rib, the bead thereby defining an inwardly concave groove adapted to snap over the rib; and a strengthening configuration in the lid closely upwardly adjacent to the bead, the strengthening configuration including a step-like formation.
an outwardly projecting bead integral with the lid, the bead in axial section curving downwardly and inwardly to attain a radius slightly smaller than the maximum radius of the rib, the bead thereby defining an inwardly concave groove adapted to snap over the rib; and a strengthening configuration in the lid closely upwardly adjacent to the bead, the strengthening configuration including a step-like formation.
2. The improvement claimed in claim 1, in which the lid defines an upwardly projecting ornamentation extending substantially from the location of said strengthening configuration, such that the strengthening configuration also braces and supports said ornamentation against collapse in response to extraneous forces.
3. The improvement claimed in claim 1, in which the step-like formation includes a substantially annular wall having an outer and an inner periphery, and a substantially cylindrical wall extending from one periphery of the annular wall.
4. The improvement claimed in claim 3, in which the said periphery is the outer periphery.
5. The improvement claimed in claim 1, in which the step-like configuration includes: a first annular wall extending inwardly from the upper portion of the bead and defining a first inner periphery, a cylindrical wall extending upwardly from said first inner periphery of the first annular wall, and a second annular wall extending inwardly from the top of the cylindrical wall and defining a second inner periphery; the lid further defining an upwardly projecting ornamentation having a base region which extends integrally upwardly and inwardly from said second inner periphery.
6. The improvement claimed in claim 1, further comprising an apron extending downwardly and outwardly from the lower, inner extremity of said bead to a lower, outer extremity, for the purpose of facilitating the guiding of said bead into registry with said rib.
7. The improvement claimed in claim 6, in which the apron has a bell-like, concave outward flare, and includes a lip extending inwardly from said lower, outer extremity of the apron.
8. The improvement claimed in claim 2, in which the step-like formation includes a substantially annular wall having an outer and inner periphery, and a substantially cylindrical wall extending from one periphery of the annular wall.
9. The improvement claimed in claim 8, in which the said one periphery is the outer periphery.
10. The improvement claimed in claim 2, in which the step-like configuration includes: a first annular wall extending inwardly from the upper portion of the bead and defining a first inner periphery, a cylindrical wall extending upwardly from said first inner periphery of the first annular wall, and a second annular wall extending inwardly from the top of the cylindrical wall and defining a second inner periphery; said upwardly projecting ornamentation having a base region which extends integrally upwardly and inwardly from said second inner periphery.
11. The improvement claimed in claim 10, further comprising an apron extending downwardly and outwardly from the lower, inner extremity of said bead to a lower, outer extremity, for the purpose of facilitating the guiding of said bead into registry with said rib.
12. The improvement claimed in claim 11, in which the apron has a bell-like concave outward flare, and includes a lip which extends inwardly from the lower, outer extremity of the apron.
13. In combination:
(a) a cup having a side wall with a substantially circular top edge, the cup further having a rib at said top edge projecting outwardly with respect to the side wall; and (b) a lid for closing said cup, the lid comprising an integral outwardly extending bead, the bead in axial section curving downwardly and inwardly to attain a radius slightly smaller than the maximum radius of the rib, the bead thereby defining an inwardly concave groove adapted to snap over the rib; and a strengthening configuration in the lid closely upwardly adjacent to the bead, the strengthening configuration including a step-like formation.
(a) a cup having a side wall with a substantially circular top edge, the cup further having a rib at said top edge projecting outwardly with respect to the side wall; and (b) a lid for closing said cup, the lid comprising an integral outwardly extending bead, the bead in axial section curving downwardly and inwardly to attain a radius slightly smaller than the maximum radius of the rib, the bead thereby defining an inwardly concave groove adapted to snap over the rib; and a strengthening configuration in the lid closely upwardly adjacent to the bead, the strengthening configuration including a step-like formation.
14. The combination claimed in claim 13, in which the lid defines an upwardly projecting ornamentation extending substantially from the location of said strengthening configuration, such that the strengthening configuration also braces and supports said ornamentation against collapse in response to extraneous forces.
15. The combination claimed in claim 13, in which the step-like formation includes a substantially annular wall having an outer and an inner periphery, and a substantially cylindrical wall extending from one periphery of the annular wall.
16. The combination claimed in claim 15, in which the said one periphery is the outer periphery.
17. The combination claimed in claim 16, in which the step-like configuration includes:
a first annular wall extending inwardly from the upper portion of the bead and defining a first inner periphery, a cylindrical wall extending upwardly from said first inner periphery of the first annular wall, and a second annular wall extending inwardly from the top of the cylindrical wall and defining a second inner periphery; the lid further defining an upwardly projecting ornamentation having a base region which extends integrally upwardly and inwardly from said second inner periphery.
a first annular wall extending inwardly from the upper portion of the bead and defining a first inner periphery, a cylindrical wall extending upwardly from said first inner periphery of the first annular wall, and a second annular wall extending inwardly from the top of the cylindrical wall and defining a second inner periphery; the lid further defining an upwardly projecting ornamentation having a base region which extends integrally upwardly and inwardly from said second inner periphery.
18. The combination claimed in claim 13, further comprising an apron extending downwardly and outwardly from the lower, inner extremity of said bead to a lower, outer extremity, for the purpose of facilitating the guiding of said bead into registry with said rib.
19. The combination claimed in claim 18, in which the apron has a bell-like, concave outward flare, and includes a lip extending inwardly from said lower, outer extremity of the apron.
20. The combination claimed in claim 14, in which the step-like formation includes a substantially annular wall having an outer and an inner periphery, and a substantially cylindrical wall extending from one periphery of the annular wall.
21. The combination claimed in claim 20, in which the said one periphery is the outer periphery.
22. The combination claimed in claim 14, in which the step-like configuration includes:
a first annular wall extending inwardly from the upper portion of the bead and defining a first inner periphery, a cylindrical wall extending upwardly from said first inner periphery of the first annular wall, and a second annular wall extending inwardly from the top of the cylindrical wall and defining a second inner periphery; said upwardly projecting ornamentation having a base region which extends integrally upwardly and inwardly from said second inner periphery.
a first annular wall extending inwardly from the upper portion of the bead and defining a first inner periphery, a cylindrical wall extending upwardly from said first inner periphery of the first annular wall, and a second annular wall extending inwardly from the top of the cylindrical wall and defining a second inner periphery; said upwardly projecting ornamentation having a base region which extends integrally upwardly and inwardly from said second inner periphery.
23. The combination claimed in claim 22, further comprising an apron extending downwardly and outwardly from the lower inner extremity of said bead to a lower, outer extremity, for the purpose of facilitating the guiding of said bead into registry with said rib.
24. The combination claimed in claim 23, in which the apron has a bell-like, concave outward flare, and includes a lip extending inwardly from said lower, outer extremity of said apron.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB9224317.9 | 1992-11-20 | ||
| GB929224317A GB9224317D0 (en) | 1992-11-20 | 1992-11-20 | Blow-molded lid for ribbed cup |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2086062A1 CA2086062A1 (en) | 1994-05-21 |
| CA2086062C true CA2086062C (en) | 2004-03-23 |
Family
ID=10725385
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA 2086062 Expired - Fee Related CA2086062C (en) | 1992-11-20 | 1992-12-22 | Blow-molded lid for ribbed cups |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2086062C (en) |
| GB (1) | GB9224317D0 (en) |
Families Citing this family (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA2122802C (en) * | 1994-05-03 | 1996-11-12 | Jacob Van Halteren | Blow molded closure |
| US5996836A (en) * | 1997-07-11 | 1999-12-07 | Betras Plastics, Inc. | Drinking container and holder for same |
| USD435194S (en) | 1999-09-17 | 2000-12-19 | Betras Plastics, Inc. | Long-necked drinking container |
-
1992
- 1992-11-20 GB GB929224317A patent/GB9224317D0/en active Pending
- 1992-12-22 CA CA 2086062 patent/CA2086062C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9224317D0 (en) | 1993-01-13 |
| CA2086062A1 (en) | 1994-05-21 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |