CN114423683A

CN114423683A - Cap for a container

Info

Publication number: CN114423683A
Application number: CN201980100755.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 迈可·麦逵禾
Original assignee: This Bottle Cap Co ltd
Current assignee: This Bottle Cap Co ltd
Priority date: 2019-07-27
Filing date: 2019-07-27
Publication date: 2022-04-29
Also published as: MX2022000989A; EP4003851A4; KR20220038429A; JP7391182B2; JP2022545169A; WO2021021095A1; BR112022001463A2; EP4003851A1; CA3148920A1

Abstract

A lid for a container is disclosed, the lid being formed such that the lid has a top panel and a circular side wall. Two opposite sides of the circular side wall are looped to each other, one periphery of the circular side wall is connected to one surface of the top plate, thereby forming a closed end, and the other periphery of the circular side wall on the opposite side of the closed end forms an open end. The cut-out is on the circular side wall. The cutouts form an annular member at the open end of the lid, the annular member being separated from the body of the lid by first and second cutouts between the open end of the body and the annular member.

Description

Cap for a container

Technical Field

The present application relates to lids for containers, and in particular to lids that remain attached to a container after opening the container.

Background

Typically, the lid of a conventional container is completely separated from its container once the container is opened. Thus, the separate lids are susceptible to being dropped, accidentally placed, and/or misplaced/lost. Furthermore, the separate lid may be prone to soiling from contact with the ground or other uncontrolled surface when dropped, resulting in the lid no longer being reusable. In addition, discarding or misplacing/losing separate lids can and will contaminate the environment and cause additional environmental problems. Therefore, to address these problems, the industry has developed lids that will remain connected to their containers when the containers are in an open position. Thereby preventing the lids from being separated from their containers, dropped, accidentally discarded, misplaced/lost; preventing the covers from being soiled by contact with the ground or other uncontrolled surface; or to prevent contamination of the environment or other environmental problems.

However, current caps having the above-described functionality may use complex designs and complex attachment structures that require some difficult physical manipulation by the user to return the cap to a closed, sealed state. The manufacture of lids having these structures can also be complicated or expensive.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic view illustrating an embodiment of a cap for a container according to an embodiment.

Fig. 2A to 2G are schematic views illustrating different embodiments of a cap for a container.

Fig. 3 is a three-dimensional schematic view showing an embodiment in which the lid is separated from the container.

Fig. 4 illustrates a portion of a manufacturing system for engraving a cut line in a lid, in accordance with an embodiment.

Fig. 5 illustrates a cut line engraved in a cover according to an embodiment.

Fig. 6 illustrates a spindle of a manufacturing system for engraving a cut line in a lid, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 7 illustrates a blade for engraving a cut line in a lid, according to an embodiment.

Fig. 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 illustrate blade patterns of blades for engraving incision lines in a cover according to an embodiment.

Fig. 13, 14, 15, and 16 illustrate grooves placed in a spindle to assist in engraving a kerf line according to an embodiment.

Fig. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 illustrate a lid according to an embodiment that may be held in an inverted position against a container after removal from the container.

Fig. 24, 25, 26 and 27 illustrate another lid that may be held in an inverted position against the container after removal from the container.

Fig. 28 shows an alternative pattern of cuts on a lid according to an embodiment.

Fig. 29, 30 and 31 show another alternative pattern of cuts on a lid according to an embodiment.

Fig. 32, 33 and 34 show another alternative pattern of cuts on a lid according to an embodiment.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a three-dimensional schematic view showing an embodiment of a cap for a container of the present invention. As shown in fig. 1, the cap 10 of the present example includes a body 1 having a top plate 11 and a circular side wall 12. The two opposite sides of the circular side wall 12 are looped to each other. One circumference of the circular sidewall 12 is connected to one surface of the top plate 11, thereby forming the closed end 1'. The other perimeter of the circular side wall 12 on the opposite side of the closed end 1' forms the open end 1 "(as shown in fig. 3). The cap 10 of this example also comprises an annular member 2 located at the open end 1 "of the body 1. The annular member 2 is separated from the body 1 by lines of penetration which may form part of the construction of the lid 10. For example, the lines of penetration are formed as part of an injection molding process or other manufacturing process that forms the lid 10.

For example, the penetration line may also be formed by an incision. Although in the following description, the penetration line is generally referred to as an incision line, the penetration line may be formed by a method other than an incision. The annular member 2 is separated from the body 1 by a first cut line 3 between the open end 1 "of the body 1 and the annular member 2. The first slit line 3 has a plurality of connecting pins 31. A plurality of connecting pins 31 positioned along the first slit line 3 connect the main body 1 and the annular member 2 at both sides of the first slit line 3. Both ends of the first incision line 3 are separated by a plurality of connection portions 5. A plurality of connecting portions 5 connect the body 1 and the ring member 2 together. The plurality of second incision lines 4 are positioned at one side of the plurality of connection portions 5. A plurality of second incision lines 4 are also located on the body 1 or the ring member 2. Both ends of the plurality of second incision lines 4 are not connected to themselves. The plurality of second incision lines 4 do not overlap the first incision lines 3.

As shown in fig. 2A, in the present example, a plurality of connecting portions 5 are formed between the first incision line 3 and the plurality of second incision lines 4. In the present invention, the shape of the plurality of connecting portions 5 is not particularly limited. The shape of the plurality of connecting portions 5 depends on the shape of the first incision lines 3 and the second incision lines 4 located at both sides of the plurality of connecting portions 5. In the present example, the plurality of connecting portions 5 are in the shape of rectangular parallelepipeds (as shown in fig. 3). In the present invention, the number of the plurality of connecting portions 5 is not particularly limited. However, in the present example, the number of the plurality of connecting portions 5 is 2. In the present invention, the interval between each of the plurality of connection portions 5 is also not particularly limited. However, in the present example, each of the plurality of connecting portions 5 is divided by portions of the plurality of second incision lines 4.

In the present invention, the number of the plurality of second incision lines 4 is not particularly limited. However, in the present example, the number of the plurality of second incision lines 4 is 2. As shown in fig. 2A, only the body 1 has a plurality of second incision lines 4. One of the two second incision lines 4 is connected to a portion of the first incision line 3. In addition, portions of the plurality of second incision lines 4 are parallel to the first incision line 3.

In the present invention, the first incision line 3 and the plurality of second incision lines 4 are not particularly limited. The first incision line 3 and the plurality of second incision lines 4 may each preferably be straight lines, curved lines, broken lines, arc lines, or a combination thereof. In the present example, the first incision line 3 is a straight line. The plurality of second incision lines 4 may also be more preferably L-shaped lines, S-shaped lines, Z-shaped lines or a combination thereof. In the present example, the plurality of second incision lines 4 are zigzag lines. In the present invention, the corners 41 of the plurality of second incision lines 4 are not particularly limited. The corners 41 of the plurality of second incision lines 4 are preferably curved corners, chamfered corners, sharp corners or a combination thereof. In the present example, the corners 41 of the plurality of second incision lines 4 are curved corners.

In the present invention, the first incision line 3 and the plurality of second incision lines 4 surround a portion of the circular sidewall 12 or the annular member 2, but do not completely surround the circular sidewall 12 or the annular member 2. The lengths of the first incision line 3 and the plurality of second incision lines 4 around the circular sidewall 12 or the annular member 2 are not particularly limited. In the present example, the length of the first incision line 3 around the circular sidewall 12 or the annular member 2 is longer than the length of each of the plurality of second incision lines 4 around the circular sidewall 12 or the annular member 2. In the present invention, it is preferred that the first incision line 3 surrounds a circular side wall 12 or annular member 2 greater than 3/4, and more preferably a circular side wall 12 or annular member 1 greater than 4/5. In this example, the first kerf line 3 surrounds a circular sidewall 12 or annular member 2 that is greater than 4/5. In the present invention, it is preferred that the plurality of second incision lines 4 surround a circular side wall 12 or annular member 2 of less than 3/4, more preferably a circular side wall 12 or annular member 2 of less than 1/2, and most preferably a circular side wall 12 or annular member 2 of less than 1/4. In this example, the plurality of second incision lines 4 surround a circular sidewall 12 that is less than 1/5.

Fig. 2B is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the cap for a container of the present invention. The cover of this example is the same as the cover shown in fig. 1 except that the plurality of second incision lines 4 and the plurality of second incision lines 4 shown in fig. 2A are opposite to each other. However, the opening direction of the lid is still the same as that of the lid shown in fig. 2A (both are rotated in the counterclockwise direction, i.e., in the right direction in fig. 2A or 2B).

Fig. 2C is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the cap for a container of the present invention. The lid of this example is identical to the lid shown in fig. 1, except that only the ring member 2 has a plurality of second cut lines 4 and the plurality of second cut lines 4 surround ring members 2 less than 1/5.

Fig. 2D is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the cap for a container of the present invention. The lid of this example is the same as the lid shown in fig. 1 except that the number of the plurality of second incision lines 4 is 1, the second incision lines 4 extend from the main body 1 to the annular member 2 or from the annular member 2 to the main body 1, the second incision lines 4 and the first incision lines 3 are not connected, the corners 41 of the second incision lines 4 (Z-shaped lines) are sharp, and the second incision lines 4 surround the circular side wall 12 less than 1/5 and the annular member 2 less than 1/5.

Fig. 2E is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the cap for a container of the present invention. The lid of this example is the same as the lid shown in fig. 1 except that the plurality of second incision lines 4 are L-shaped lines and the corners 41 of these L-shaped lines are sharp corners.

Fig. 2F is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the cap for a container of the present invention. The cover of this example is the same as the cover shown in fig. 1 except that the plurality of second slit lines 4 and the first slit lines 3 are not parallel to each other and the plurality of second slit lines 4 are S-shaped lines.

Fig. 2G is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the cap for a container of the present invention. The lid of this example is the same as the lid shown in fig. 2E, except that the corners 41 of the plurality of second incision lines 4 (L-shaped lines) are curved corners and one of the second incision lines 4 surrounds a circular sidewall 12 less than 1/2.

Fig. 3 is a three-dimensional schematic view showing an embodiment of the present invention in which a cover for a container is separated from the container, wherein the cover shown may be any one of the covers in any one of the above examples. Hereinafter, practical applications of the cover provided by the present invention will be described in further detail using the cover shown in fig. 1.

In the present invention, the cap 10 provided may be used with any conventional container without any particular limitation as long as the cap 10 and the container 20 can be assembled together. In the present invention, the shape of the cap 10 is not particularly limited. As shown in fig. 3, the inside of the lid is circular. In the present invention, the shape of the container 20 is also not particularly limited. As shown in fig. 3, the opening 210 of the container is a circular opening. In the present invention, the container 20 is preferably a round bottle or a round can. As shown in fig. 3, the container 20 is a bottle having a circular opening.

The body 1 of the cap 10 provided in the present invention can control the opening and closing of the opening 210 of the container. As shown in fig. 3, the inside of the body 1 has a thread 110. By means of the complementary thread structure 2100 at the outside of the opening 210 of the container, the body 1 can be unscrewed (in a counter-clockwise direction) and screwed (not shown) on the opening 210 of the container (in a clockwise direction) by rotation. In the present invention, when the body 1 of the provided cap 10 is screwed onto the opening 210 of the container, the closed end 1' of the body 1 will abut the opening 210 of the container. At the same time, the open end 1 "of the body 1 will face the opening 210 of the container and cover and fit over the opening 210 of the container. Thus, while the container 20 remains sealed, the opening 210 of the container is in a closed state.

In the present invention, the outer side of the body 1 of the cap 10 may be provided with a knurled portion 120. When the container 20 is to be opened, the knurled portion 120 may assist in applying a force to rotate and separate the body 1 and the annular member 2. In the present invention, the first incision line 3 placed between the body 1 and the ring member 2 of the provided cap 10 may have a plurality of connection pins 31 to connect the body 1 and the ring member 2 according to actual needs. The shape, size, number, and interval of the plurality of connecting pins 31 are not particularly limited. When the size and number of the plurality of connecting pins 31 of the first notch line 3 are small and the interval of the plurality of connecting pins 31 is large, the force required to break the plurality of connecting pins 31 is small. In contrast, when the size and number of the plurality of connection pins 31 of the first notch line 3 are large and the interval of the plurality of connection pins 31 is small, the force required to break the plurality of connection pins 31 is large. In the present example, the size and number of the plurality of connecting pins 31 of the first slit line 3 are small, and the interval of the plurality of connecting pins 31 is large. In addition, the plurality of second incision lines 4 do not have the plurality of connecting pins 31. Therefore, the force required to break the plurality of connecting pins 31 is small. Subsequently, the user can separate the body 1 and the ring member 2 more easily; that is, the lid 10 can be more easily opened from the opening 210 of the container.

In the present invention, when the body 1 of the cap 10 provided by the present invention is unscrewed from the opening 210 of the container, the plurality of connecting portions 5 connect the body 1 and the ring member 2 together. Since the ring member 2 is fitted under the convex portion 2200 of the opening 210 of the container, the ring member 2 will not be detached from the opening 210 of the container. As a result, the connection between the body 1 and the ring member 2 separated from the opening 210 of the container will allow the body 1 and the container 20 to remain connected. Also, the plurality of connection portions 5 may also allow the main body 1 to be maintained in an open state. The plurality of connecting portions 5 will prevent the body 1 from interfering with the opening 210 of the container. The plurality of connecting portions 5 will also reduce the free movement of the body 1. As a result, the plurality of connection portions 5 can prevent the main body 1 from contacting other objects due to free movement thereof when the contents are emptied from the container 20. For example, when the container 20 is a water bottle, the plurality of connection parts 5 will prevent the main body 1 from contacting any part of the user's face and body when the user drinks water from the water bottle. In addition, the plurality of connection portions 5 can also prevent the residue inside the body 1 from easily overflowing by reducing the free movement of the body 1. And since the annular member 2 fitted over the opening 210 of the container is free to rotate; therefore, the plurality of connecting portions 5 will not be easily torn off.

In the present invention, the provided cap may be manufactured by using any material known in the art, wherein the material for the cap is preferably plastic. The cover may be manufactured by any process known in the art. For example, the manufacturing process of the cap is by injection molding. The first incision line and the plurality of second incision lines may be formed by any known method. In all of the above examples, the first incision line and the plurality of second incision lines are formed by rotary cutting, and the incisions are completed by a cutting tool or laser cutting.

In general, the present invention provides a cap for a container that is simple in design and construction. The plurality of connection portions may be created only by using the first incision line and the plurality of second incision lines. The created plurality of connection portions may connect the container with a lid separate from the container to prevent the lid from being lost or discarded. The created plurality of connecting portions may also hold the lid in an open state in which the lid does not interfere with the opening of the container and free movement of the lid is reduced. The end result is a lid with improved handling convenience. Unlike the conventional cap, the cap of the present invention does not need to be additionally provided with a blocking structure to achieve the same function as the above-described cap.

Fig. 4 shows a portion of a manufacturing system 70 for engraving cut lines in a cover 73. A cover 73 is mounted on the spindle 71 and supported by the base 72. The cover 73 rotates as it passes over the blade support structure 75 holding the blade 76, as shown in fig. 5. Rotation of the cover 73 relative to the blade 76 causes a line of cuts to be carved in the cover 73.

Fig. 6 shows the spindle 71 mounted on the spindle support 76.

Fig. 7 shows a path 121 in which the lid 73 travels along the blade 76 to create a cut line in the lid 73.

Fig. 8, 9, 10, 12 and 12 show blade patterns of blades for engraving cut lines in a cover.

Fig. 8 shows a blade pattern 130 using

blades

131, 132, and 133 to create cut lines in the caps 73 that cause the connecting portion of each cap to attach the cap to the ring segments. The blade 131 includes a first blade section and a second blade section located on a different plane than the first blade section. The third blade section forms an angled connection between the first blade section and the second blade section. Similarly, blade 132 includes a first blade section and a second blade section that lies on a different plane than the first blade section. The first blade section is in the same plane as the first blade section of blade 131. The second blade section is in the same plane as the second blade section of blade 131. The third blade section forms an angled connection between the first blade section and the second blade section. Blade 133 is coplanar with the first blade section of blade 131. When the lid is mounted on the container, the connecting portion ensures that the lid remains attached to the container even after the lid is removed from the container opening (as described above) by attachment to the ring. The notches in the

blades

131, 132 and 133 form a bridge between the lid and the ring-shaped section. The bridge is broken after the cap is mounted on the container and the container is opened by unscrewing the cap.

Fig. 9 shows a blade pattern 140 using

blades

141, 142, 143, 144, 145, 146 and 147 to create cut lines in the caps 73 that cause the connecting portion of each cap to attach the cap to the ring section.

Blades

141, 144, and 147 all lie in a first plane. Both

blades

143 and 146 lie in a second plane.

Blades

142 and 145 are both located in a third plane between the first plane and the second plane.

Blades

142 and 145 form a smaller incision than the other blades in the plurality of blades.

Blades

142 and 145 are oriented diagonally between the first plane and the second plane. Alternatively,

blades

142 and 145 may be oriented horizontally or vertically when located between the first and second planes.

When the lid is mounted on the container, the attachment of the connecting portion to the ring ensures that the lid remains attached to the container even after the lid is removed from the container opening (as described above). The notches in the

blades

141, 143, 146 and 147 form a bridge between the lid and the annular section. The bridge is broken after the cap is mounted on the container and the container is opened by unscrewing the cap.

Fig. 10 shows a blade pattern 150 using

blades

151, 152, 153, 154 and 155 to create cut lines in the caps 73, which cause the connecting portion of each cap to attach the cap to the ring segments. Blade 151 lies in a first plane and has a first gap and a second gap. Blade 153 and blade 155 are both located in a second plane. Both blade 152 and blade 154 lie in a third plane between the first and second planes. Blade 152 is located near the first gap and blade 154 is located near the second gap.

Blades

152 and 154 form a smaller incision than the other blades in this configuration.

Blades

152 and 154 are oriented diagonally between a first plane and a second plane. Alternatively,

blades

152 and 154 may be oriented horizontally or vertically when located between a first plane and a second plane. When the lid is mounted on the container, the attachment of the connecting portion to the ring ensures that the lid remains attached to the container even after the lid is removed from the container opening (as described above). The notches in the

blades

151, 153 and 155 form a bridge between the cover and the ring section. The bridge is broken after the cap is mounted on the container and the container is opened by unscrewing the cap.

Fig. 11 shows a blade pattern 160 that uses blade 161, blade 62, blade 163, blade 164, blade 165, blade 166, and blade 167 to create a cut-line in cover 73 that causes the connecting portion of each cover to attach the cover to the ring segments. The

blades

163, 164 and 146 all lie in a first plane. Both

blades

165 and 167 lie in a second plane.

Blades

161 and 162 are both located in a third plane between the first and second planes.

Blades

161 and 162 form a smaller incision than the other blades in the plurality of blades.

Blades

161 and 162 are oriented diagonally between a first plane and a second plane. Alternatively,

blades

161 and 162 may be oriented horizontally or vertically when located between the first and second planes. When the lid is mounted on the container, the attachment of the connecting portion to the ring ensures that the lid remains attached to the container even after the lid is removed from the container opening (as described above). The notches in blade 163, blade 164, blade 165, blade 166, and blade 167 form a bridge between the cover and the ring section. The bridge is broken after the cap is mounted on the container and the container is opened by unscrewing the cap.

Fig. 12 shows a blade pattern 170 using

blades

171, 172, and 173 that lie in a first plane. Blade 174 and blade 175 lie in a second plane.

Blades

176 and 177 are oriented diagonally between the first plane and the second plane. Alternatively,

blades

176 and 177 may be oriented horizontally or vertically when positioned between the first plane and the second plane. When the lid is mounted on the container, the attachment of the connecting portion to the ring ensures that the lid remains attached to the container even after the lid is removed from the container opening (as described above). The notches in blade 163, blade 164, blade 165, blade 166, and blade 167 form a bridge between the cover and the ring section. The bridge is broken after the cap is mounted on the container and the container is opened by unscrewing the cap.

The spindle may include a groove that reflects the position of the blade to facilitate carving of the cut line in the cover. For example, fig. 13 shows a spindle 180 having a spindle head 181 that includes a recess 182 that is wide enough to accommodate all of the blade edges of a blade or blade pattern.

Fig. 14 shows a spindle 200 having a spindle head 201 that includes a groove 202 and a groove 203 each wide enough to receive one blade edge from a blade or blade composite of a blade pattern. In the embodiment shown in fig. 14, each "horizontal" blade edge has its own matching recess, where there is no recess for either a vertical or diagonal blade or blade portion.

Fig. 15 shows a spindle 190 having a spindle head 191 that includes

recesses

192, 193, 194 and 195 that are each wide enough to receive one blade edge (as represented by the blade edge of blade 196) from a blade or blade section. In the embodiment shown in fig. 15, each "horizontal" blade has its own mating recess, and each vertical or diagonal blade or blade portion has its own mating recess.

Fig. 16 shows a spindle 290 having a spindle head 294 that includes

grooves

291, 292, and 293 that are each wide enough to accommodate one blade or one blade section from a blade pattern. For example, blade combination 295 has a blade edge 296, a blade edge 297, and a blade edge 298. For example, there is a groove 292 for diagonal blades, such as

diagonal blades

152 and 154 shown in fig. 10.

Fig. 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22 and 23 illustrate a lid 301 that may be held in an inverted position against the container 300 after removal from the container 300. Specifically, in fig. 17, a cover 301 is shown secured to a container 300. The first cutout 303 and the second cutout 304 form a connecting portion 305 and a connecting portion 306 between the cover 301 and the ring member 302. In the embodiment shown in fig. 17, there is an area 307 between the position where the connecting portion 305 is connected to the ring member 302 and the position where the connecting portion 306 is connected to the cover 301. The height of lid 301 and the diameter of lid 301 affect the length of region 307 and the presence or absence of region 307 because the dimensions of region 307, first cut 303 and second cut 304 are all dependent on shaped connecting portion 305 and shaped connecting portion 306, such that lid 301 may be held in an inverted position against container 300 by connecting portion 305 and connecting portion 306 when lid 301 is removed from container 300.

In the inverted position, the top surface 308 of the lid 301 is held in a position where the top surface 308 faces the container 300. The length of the connecting portion 305 and the length of the connecting portion 306 are selected such that the elasticity of the connecting portion 305 and the elasticity of the connecting portion 306 allow a user to move the lid 301 against the container 300 to an inverted position by stretching the connecting portion 305 and the connecting portion 306, and then the elasticity of the connecting portion 305 and the elasticity of the connecting portion 306 hold the lid 301 against the container 300 in the inverted position while the user drinks from the container.

When the user temporarily completes drinking from the container 300, the elasticity of the connecting portion 305 and the elasticity of the connecting portion 306 allow the user to move the lid 301 from the flipped position to an initial open position from which the lid 301 can be screwed back onto the container 300. For the case of a lid having a flip top design, the lid may be reattached by snapping the lid back onto the container.

Fig. 18 shows the cap 301 after unscrewing the cap 301 from the container 300. The connecting

portions

305 and 306 hold the cover 301 to the ring member 302. The top surface 308 of the lid 301 faces away from the container 300.

Fig. 19 shows a close-up view of the cap 301 after unscrewing the cap 301 from the container 300. After removing the cover 301, the lip 310 of the cover 301 is exposed. The connecting

portions

Fig. 20 shows a close-up view of the lid 301, wherein the lid 301 has been pushed away from the container 300. The connecting

portions

305 and 306 hold the cover 301 to the ring member 302. The length of the connecting

portions

305 and 306 is insufficient to allow the lid 301 to be flipped over the lip 310 of the container 300 before sufficient force is applied to the lid 301. The lip 310 prevents the lid 301 from being placed in an inverted position with the top surface 308 facing the container 300 due to the short extension of the connecting

portions

305 and 306. Upon application of greater pressure by the user, the connecting

portions

305 and 306 stretch sufficiently to flip the lid 301 over the lip 310, thereby bringing the lid 301 into an inverted position with the top surface 308 facing the container 300.

Fig. 21 and 22 show the lid 301 in an inverted position, wherein the top surface 308 faces the container 300. The resiliency of the connecting

portions

305 and 306 hold the lid 301 in the inverted position with the top surface 308 facing the container 300.

Fig. 23 is a top view illustrating the resiliency of the connecting

portions

305 and 306 holding the lid 301 in an inverted position with the top surface 308 facing the container 300.

The height and diameter of the lid determine the length of the connecting portion necessary to allow the lid to be placed and held in an inverted position with the top surface of the lid facing the container. Fig. 24 and 25 show a container 400 having a lid 401 sized to fit over a lip 410 of the container 400.

Fig. 24 and 25 show the cap 401 having been unscrewed and pushed off the container 400. The connecting

portions

405 and 406 hold the cover 401 to the annular member 402. The length of connecting

portions

405 and 406 is insufficient to allow cap 401 to flip over lip 410 of container 400, annular member 402, and ridge 411 of container 400 before sufficient force is applied to cap 401. Lip 410, annular member 402 and ridge 411 prevent lid 401 from being placed in an inverted position with top surface 408 facing container 400 due to the short extension of connecting portion 405 and connecting portion 406. Upon application of greater pressure by the user, connecting portion 405 and connecting portion 406 will expand sufficiently to flip lid 401 over lip 410, annular member 402 and ridge 411 such that lid 401 is in an inverted position with top surface 408 facing container 400.

Fig. 26 shows the lid 401 in an inverted position with the top surface 408 facing the container 400. The resiliency of the connecting

portions

405 and 406 hold the lid 401 in an inverted position with the top surface 408 facing the container 400.

Fig. 27 is a top view illustrating the resiliency of connecting

portions

405 and 406 holding lid 401 in an inverted position with top surface 408 facing container 400.

The cut may be inverted. For example, in fig. 28, a lid 501 is shown secured to a container 500. The first and

second cutouts

503 and 504 form a connecting portion 505 and a connecting portion 506 between the cover 501 and the ring member 502. In the embodiment shown in fig. 17, there is a region 507 between the position where the connecting portion 505 is connected to the ring member 502 and the position where the connecting portion 506 is connected to the cap 501. The height of the lid 501 and the diameter of the lid 501 affect the length of the area 507 and the presence or absence of the area 507, since the dimensions of the area 507, the first cut 503 and the second cut 504 all depend on the form-fit connection 505 and the form-fit connection 506, so that when the lid 501 is removed from the container 500, the lid 501 can be held in an inverted position against the container 500 by the connection 505 and the connection 506.

The cut-outs may extend into the lid to make it easier to flip the lid into the flipped position. For example, fig. 29 shows a lid 601 on a container 600. Fig. 30 shows the cap 601 which has been unscrewed and pushed away from the container 600. The connecting portion 605 and the connecting portion 606 hold the cover 601 to the annular member 602. The cut-out forming the connecting portion 605 extends into the cover 601. The cut-out forming the connecting portion 606 extends into the cover 601.

The length of connecting portion 605 and connecting portion 606 is insufficient to allow lid 601 to be flipped over lip 610 of the container before sufficient force is applied to lid 601. Upon application of greater pressure by the user, connecting portion 605 and connecting portion 606 stretch sufficiently to allow cover 601 to flip over the lip.

Fig. 31 shows lid 601 in a flipped position with top surface 608 facing downward. The elasticity of the

connection portions

605 and 606 holds the cover 601 in the flip position in which the top surface 608 faces downward. The attachment of connecting portion 605 and cover 601 at the bottom of recess 612 and the attachment of connecting portion 606 and cover 601 at the bottom of recess 613 results in less stretching of connecting portion 605 and connecting portion 606 to place cover 601 in the inverted position. This means that less force is required and it is therefore easier to put the lid 601 into the inverted position. Alternatively, lid 601 may be placed in an inverted position with top surface 608 facing container 600.

A specially shaped tab extending from the lid may be added to hold the lid in the flipped position. For example, fig. 32 shows a lid 701 on a container 700. As shown, two cut lines delineate the connecting portion 705, the connecting portion 706, and the tab 710. The tabs 710 extend into the gaps 711 of the annular member 702.

Fig. 33 shows the lid 701 unscrewed and pushed away from the container 700. Connecting

portions

705 and 706 hold cover 701 to annular member 702.

Fig. 34 shows cover 701 in a flipped position with top surface 708 facing downward. The resiliency of connecting

portions

705 and 706, coupled with the shape and position of tabs 710, hold cover 701 in an inverted position with top surface 708 in a downward direction.

Claims

1. A lid for a container, the lid comprising:

a body having a top plate with a top surface and a circular side wall, wherein two opposite sides of the circular side wall are looped to each other, one perimeter of the circular side wall is connected to one surface of the top plate, forming a closed end, and the other perimeter of the circular side wall on the opposite side of the closed end forms an open end;

an annular member located at the open end of the body;

a first cutout between the open end of the body and the annular member, the first cutout having a first end and a second end, the first end being spaced apart from the second end; and

a second cutout on the body or the ring member, the second cutout having a first end and a second end, the first end of the second cutout being spaced apart from the second end of the second cutout;

wherein the position and length of the first and second cut-outs are selected such that when the cap is on the container and the cap is unscrewed, the body is separated from the ring-shaped member except for the first and second connection portions formed by the first and second cut-outs; and is

Wherein the first cut-out comprises a portion through the annular member such that a tab connected to the circular sidewall protrudes from the circular sidewall when the lid is unscrewed, and the annular member comprises a notch previously occupied by the tab, and the tab is located within the notch when the lid is screwed down, the tab having a sloped sidewall shaped so as not to interfere with unscrewing the lid.

2. The cap of claim 1, wherein the container is a round bottle or a round can.

3. The lid of claim 1, wherein the second cutout surrounds a portion of the circular sidewall or the annular member, but does not completely surround the circular sidewall or the annular member.

4. The lid of claim 1, wherein the second cutout surrounds less than 3/4 of the circular sidewall or the annular member.

5. The lid of claim 1, wherein the second cutout surrounds less than 1/2 of the circular sidewall or the annular member.

6. The lid of claim 1, wherein the first cutout comprises connector pins.

7. The cap of claim 1:

wherein a first end of the first cutout penetrates into the circular sidewall and a second end of the first cutout penetrates into the circular sidewall; and

wherein a first end of the second cutout penetrates into the circular sidewall and a second end of the second cutout penetrates into the circular sidewall.

8. The lid of claim 5, wherein the positions and lengths of the first and second cutouts are selected such that the length of the first connecting portion and the length of the second connecting portion are sufficiently long to allow a user to stretch the first and second connecting portions by applying a force sufficient to place the body in a flipped position with the top surface of the top panel facing the container, and such that the length of the first connecting portion and the length of the second connecting portion are sufficiently short such that the resiliency of the first connecting portion and the second connecting portion retains the body in the flipped position once the user places the body in the flipped position.

9. A method of providing a lid for a container, the method comprising:

forming a body having a top plate with a top surface and a circular side wall, wherein two opposing sides of the circular side wall are looped to each other, and wherein one perimeter of the circular side wall is connected to one surface of the top plate, thereby forming a closed end, such that the other perimeter of the circular side wall on the opposite side of the closed end forms an open end;

forming an annular member at the open end of the body; and

separating the ring-shaped member from the body by a first cut and a second cut, wherein the position and length of the first cut and the second cut are selected such that when the lid is on the container and the lid is unscrewed, the body is separated from the ring-shaped member except for a first connecting portion and a second connecting portion formed by the first cut and the second cut;

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the container is a round bottle or a round can.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the second cutout surrounds a portion of the circular sidewall or the annular member, but does not completely surround the circular sidewall or the annular member.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein the first and second light sources are selected from the group consisting of a red light source, a green light source, and a blue light source,

13. The method of claim 9, wherein when the body is separated from the ring member, the length of the first connection portion and the length of the second connection portion are long enough to allow a user to stretch the first connection portion and the second connection portion by applying a force sufficient to place the body in an inverted position with the top surface of the top plate facing the container, and such that the length of the first connection portion and the length of the second connection portion are short enough such that the resiliency of the first connection portion and the second connection portion holds the body in the inverted position once the user places the body in the inverted position.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the first cutout comprises connector pins.