Reclosable container lid

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 50 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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation application of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 447,085, filed May 28, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 923,763, filed Aug. 6, 2001, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,732,875 on May 11, 2004, which applications are incorporated by reference and made a part hereof.FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. TECHNICAL FIELD [0003] 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 [0004] Lids for containers are well-known in the beverage container industry. In general terms, lids 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 ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0018] Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following specification taken in conjunction with the following drawings.

Problems solved by technology

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.

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 to their complex design.

In addition, a vast majority of movable covers interfere with a user consuming the container contents through the opening.

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.

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.

Images