A container lid and a container having a container lid

Abstract

A container lid for attachment to a container body having a container opening and the container lid being for closing the container opening. Container lid having a closure portion and a connection portion whereby the connection portion facilitates connection of the container lid to a container body and the closure portion closes the container opening. Container lid having a handle that has a handle body portion and a handle connection portion and the handle being connected to container lid by the handle connection portion to be movable between operative and stowed positions whereby in the operative position the handle can be gripped to rotate the container lid relative to the container body. Opposite sides of the handle body portion are engaged and supported by surfaces of the container lid in the operative position when the handle is rotated for transmitting rotational load from the handle to the container lid.

Description

A CONTAINER LID AND A CONTAINER HAVING A CONTAINER LIDTechnical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container lid and to a container having a lid according to the invention. The present invention has been developed principally for use as a food or drink container for temporary storage of pre-prepared food or drink, in particular for the temporary storage of single meals such as soups, stews, pasta etc, and can include thermal containers that can maintain food or drink at a desired temperature for extended periods. The present invention has also been developed for use by persons that have difficulty in opening the lid of containers, such as small children, the elderly and those suffering from the ability to grip and turn a container lid with sufficient force to turn the lid. It will be convenient to describe the invention in relation to these types of containers, however it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to these types of containers.Background of the Invention

[0002] The discussion of the background to the invention that follows is intended to facilitate an understanding of the invention. However, it should be appreciated that the discussion is not an acknowledgement or admission that any aspect of the discussion was part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the application.

[0003] Containers suitable for the temporary storage of single meals such as soups, stews, pasta etc, are available. These are available in the form of glass, plastic and metal containers and these can be thermal or non- thermal insulating containers. The containers have a volume such as from about 250ml to about 1 litre. Such containers usually have a container body with an opening and a lid to close the opening. The lid will often attach to the container body by screw thread, although snap fit or friction fit (ie push fit) connections and others, also exist.

[0004] A recognised difficulty with many existing food and drink containers is the ease with which the container lid can be removed from the container body. Particularly for small children, the elderly and those suffering from reduced hand or finger gripping force,removing a container lid from the container body can be difficult where the lid must be rotated for removal. Often the container lid has a wide diameter that requires the user to spread their fingers wide and to use the ends or tips of their fingers to rotate the container lid open. Those with hands that have a span which is smaller than the diameter of the lid will find this turning motion difficult. Additionally, because thermally insulated containers are designed to be used with liquids or foods that may be hot, the lids can become more difficult to open due to negative pressure that builds within the container as the hot liquid or food slowly cools. The negative pressure can hold the lid against lifting and can increase the level of friction between the container lid and the container body, making it more difficult to twist open.

[0005] Some container lids have a lift-up handle principally provided to carry the container. These handles can be moved from a stowed position to an upright position whereby in the upright position the handle can be used for carrying the container. The stowed position is adopted so that the dimensions of the container are reduced (typically the height of the container) so that the container is less bulky for storage or transport, or when the container lid is being cleaned, such as in a dishwasher.

[0006] Korean patent publication KR2032352B1 discloses a thermal insulation container in which the container lid has a rotatable handle that has a stowed position and an upright position, the handle is formed in a U- shape and rotates about pins that connect to the container lid.

[0007] Australian design publication AU 201913377-S discloses a food container that has a rotatable, U-shaped handle that can rotate between a stowed position and an upright position about pins that connect to the container lid.

[0008] Chinese patent publication CN203244220U discloses a thermal insulation container in which the container lid has a pair of U-shaped handles that each rotate in the opposite direction about pins that connect to the container lid, between stowed and upright positions, so that in the stowed position the handles extend almost fully about the circular circumference of the container lid and in the upright position the pair of handles are substantially parallel.

[0009] The handles disclosed in the above publications are all provided for carrying the container to which they are connected. However, the handles can also be used to assist in rotating the container lid to remove or disconnect it from the container body, by grasping the handles in the upright position and then twisting the handles to release the container lid from the container body, usually by unscrewing the container lid from the container body. Handles can be beneficial for containers storing hot liquids or foods to assist to open the container lid when negative pressure has developed within the container as discussed above. The handles can also be used in the reverse manner to reattach or reconnect the container lid to the container body, but this is usually less of a difficulty for someone using a container.

[0010] The use of the handles to release the container lid from the container body is a secondary use of the handles and for most people that use a container with these types of handles, they can remove the container lid in the normal manner simply by grasping the container lid and twisting it. For this reason, it appears that design of the connection between the handle and the container lid has mainly focused on ensuring that the handle can be secured in the stowed position, but can rotate freely to the upright position when required for carrying the container and that the connection of the handle to the container lid will not fail when the container is full and under maximum load, and is being carried by the handle. For most containers, it seems that the design of the connection between the handle and the container lid is not based on the use of the handle to twist the container lid open.

[0011] The present invention aims to provide a handle that is specifically provided to assist removing the container lid of a container.Summary of the Invention

[0012] According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container lid for attachment to a container body, which has a container opening and the container lid being for closing the container opening, a. the container lid having a closure portion and a connection portion whereby the connection portion facilitates connection of the container lid to a container body and the closure portion closes the container opening,b. the container lid having a handle that has a handle body portion and a handle connection portion and the handle being connected to the container lid by the handle connection portion to be movable between operative and stowed positions whereby in the operative position the handle can be gripped to rotate the container lid relative to the container body, c. and whereby opposite sides of the handle body portion are engaged and supported by surfaces of the container lid in the operative position when the handle is rotated for transmitting rotational load from the handle to the container lid.

[0013] In a container lid according to the present invention, opposite sides of the handle body portion are engaged and supported by surfaces of the container lid in the operative position when the handle is rotated for transmitting rotational load from the handle to the container lid. The benefit of that arrangement is that the twisting load that is applied to the handle to rotate the container lid relative to the container body, such as to remove a container lid from a container body, is transferred to the supporting surfaces. That is, the twisting load is shifted to the interaction between opposite sides of the handle body portion and the supporting surfaces. Beneficially, the load bearing area between the opposite sides of the handle body portion and the supporting surfaces can be arranged to be more than sufficient to react the twisting load. This differs from prior art container lids as described above that have handles which are not designed to be used for twisting open the container lid, but which are nevertheless used for that purpose. Those prior art container lids connect to the container lid by connectors that are usually in the form of hinge pins which are not necessarily suitable for absorbing the twisting load and can thus fail or break when the container lid is being opened or closed, leading to the handle becoming inoperative, both as a handle to carry the container as well as an assistance to open the container.

[0014] In a container lid according to the present invention, the intention is that when the handle is in the operative position and is rotated, rotational load transmitted from the handle to the container lid is transmitted substantially by the body portion, so that little or no rotational load is transmitted by the handle connection portion.

[0015] The opposite sides of the handle body portion can be any suitable sides, although in prototype versions to date, the opposite sides are at the bottom end of the handle body portion. However, it will be appreciated that the handle body portion could be supported using other arrangements such as one or more surfaces of the container lid engaging and support a central portion of the handle body portion on one side and a further one or more surfaces of the container lid engaging and supporting the bottom end of the handle body portion on the opposite side.

[0016] When the container lid has surfaces to engage and support opposite sides of the bottom end of the handle body portion, the opposite sides of the handle body portion, such as opposite sides of the bottom end of the handle body portion, can be external sides or internal sides. For example, external sides of the handle body portion can be opposite side surfaces at the bottom end of the handle body portion, while internal sides of the handle body portion can be opposing surfaces formed in a slot, groove or channel formed in the bottom end of the handle body portion, such as through a bottom edge of the handle body portion.

[0017] The supporting surfaces can take any suitable form. In some forms, the supporting surfaces are facing walls of a groove that is formed in the container lid, such as in the closure portion of the lid. In these forms of the invention, when the handle is moved to the operative position, the bottom end of the handle body portion enters the groove and either engages facing walls of the groove upon entry, or engages those facing walls upon movement of the handle to the operative position. The bottom end of the handle body portion will engage the facing walls of the groove upon entry into the groove if the spacing of the facing walls is about equal to the width or thickness of the bottom end. In this respect, the bottom end of the handle body portion can be a close but loose fit within the groove, or it can be a tight fit, such as a light friction fit.

[0018] Reference above to the provision of a groove in the closure portion of the lid is intended to include slots or channels or other forms of like constructions.

[0019] The supporting surfaces can alternatively be provided by an upstanding wall that is sized to enter a slot, groove or channel formed in the bottom end of the handle body portion.

[0020] Still alternatively, the supporting surfaces can be provided by discrete abutments that are upstanding from the closure portion of the container lid, whereby at least a pair of abutments are provided extending from the closure portion for engaging the bottom end of the handle body portion, such as towards opposite ends of the bottom end of the handle body portion. Further abutments can be provided, including three abutments comprising a pair of abutments for engaging one side of the handle body portion and a third abutment for engaging the opposite side. The third abutment can be a long abutment while the pair of abutments can be shorter abutments. The abutments can be positioned to transmit rotational load to the container lid in both of opposing rotational directions of rotation of the handle. In another form of the invention, at least four abutments, for example positioned two on each side, such as at or towards opposite ends of the bottom end of the handle body portion, can be provided.

[0021] The bottom end of the handle body portion can be formed as a straight edge or chord (which is a straight line) that extends between opposite sides of the handle body portion. A bottom end formed in this manner is compatible with the forms of supporting services discussed above. For example, a straight edge is suitable for use with a groove that is a straight groove, so that the bottom edge will enter the groove in the container lid when the handle is in the operative position. Alternatively, the bottom end of the handle body portion can be two or more bottom sections, for example if the handle body portion is formed as an arc where the handle body portion will have spaced apart end sections at opposite ends of the arc. In this form of the invention, the two bottom sections of the handle body portion will enter the groove in the container lid when the handle is in the operative position. In this form of the invention, the groove can be a single groove that extends across the container lid but only the end sections of the groove receive. Alternatively, the groove can comprise a pair of spaced apart groove sections or sub- grooves into which the bottom sections of the handle body portion can enter when the handle is in the operative position. The groove can be absent between the pair of spaced apart groove sections or sub- grooves.

[0022] The groove can be formed inboard of side edges or the periphery of the container lid and in the closure portion, or the upper surface of the closure portion of the container lid. The groove can thus be closed at opposite ends, but open upwardly. The groove can include one side wall extending between the end walls, or it can include a pair of parallel side wallsextending between the end walls. Thus, the groove can have a cross-sectional L-shape with one side wall and with that side wall forming the wall of a step in the upper surface of the container lid. In this latter form of the invention, one or more abutments can be spaced from the side wall for engagement with the bottom end of the handle body portion. Alternatively, the groove can have a cross-sectional U-shape with two side walls. In this latter form of the invention, one side wall can have a greater height than the other side wall. In this form of the invention, the recess formed in the upper surface of the container lid to accommodate the handle in the stowed position can extend to the lower height side wall of the groove, and the greater height side wall of the groove can extend to the upper surface of the container lid adjacent the recess.

[0023] A container lid according to the present invention advantageously can employ a hinge assembly in the form of hinge pins the same as or similar to prior art arrangements as hinges to allow the handle to rotate. This is because, that despite that the hinge pins might not be suitable to react the twisting load when the handle is twisted, that twisting load is reacted by the interaction between the bottom end of the handle body portion and the groove rather than the hinge pins and so the hinge pins are not subject to the twisting load.

[0024] The handle body portion has opposite side edges to which the handle connection portion in the form of connectors, such as the hinge pins discussed above can extend. These pins can be circular pins for example, as used in some of the prior art. These circular pins can be accommodated in hinge openings, which in some forms of the invention are circular openings in the container lid for example. Alternatively, circular pins can be accommodated in non-circular hinge openings, such as elongate slots, grooves or channels. The elongate slots, grooves or channels can be linear or straight, or they can be curved or angled.

[0025] In some embodiments of the invention, one or both of the side edges of the handle body portion have a hinge assembly formed by a non-circular projection assembly that is located within a non-circular hinge opening, such as an elongate slot.

[0026] The expression hinge assembly thus covers any type of hinge including hinge pins and projection assemblies, while the expression hinge opening covers any type of opening including circular or non-circular openings.

[0027] Where the container lid has non-circular openings for accommodating a hinge assembly comprising hinge pins or non-circular projection assemblies, the non-circular openings can be non-circular slots having first and second slot portions that are lateral to each other. In these forms of the invention, the hinge pins or the projection assembly interacts with the slot, or travels within the slot to guide or restrain movement of the handle, whereby movement of the handle from the stowed position to the operative position causes the hinge pins or the projection assembly to shift within the slot from the first slot portion to the second slot portion.

[0028] A particular benefit of the use of a non-circular projection assembly housed or accommodated within a slot is that the non-circular form of the projection assembly and the interaction of the projection assembly with the slot means that movement or position of the handle can be controlled and supported. This will be discussed in more detail later herein.

[0029] In some forms of the invention the upper surface of the container lid is generally planar when the handle is in the stowed position. The upper surface thus comprises a generally planar surface of the closure portion and a generally planar surface of the stowed handle. The respective planar surfaces of the closure portion and the handle can be generally coplanar. For this, in the stowed position the handle can be accommodated in a recess that extends into the closure portion, below the planar surface of the closure portion. The handle can be accommodated so that the planar surface of the handle is generally at the same level as the planar surface of the closure portion in the stowed position. The handle can itself have a surface which is an upper surface when the handle is in the stowed position and the handle upper surface can be generally planar or co-extensive with the container lid upper surface when the handle is in the stowed position. The planar surface of the handle can be at the same level as the planar surface of the closure portion, or just above or below the planar surface of the closure portion.

[0030] In forms of the invention in which the container lid has a recess within which in the handle is accommodated in the stowed position, the recess can be a close fit about the handle and for this, the recess can extend to an upstanding wall that extends closely about the full periphery, circumference or edge of the handle and that extends upwardly to the planar surface of the handle. In these forms of the invention, the handle can include a fingergrip to facilitate lifting of the handle from the stowed position to move the handle to the operative position. The finger grip can be formed by a recess in the periphery of the handle and the edge of the finger recess can be spaced from the upstanding wall so that a finger can be inserted into the finger recess of the container lid upper surface where the finger recess is formed in the periphery of the handle.

[0031] Alternatively or additionally, the recess of the container lid can include a finger entrance section adjacent the periphery of the handle.

[0032] The operative position of the handle is displaced from the stowed position and in some forms of the invention, the operative position of the handle is about 90° to the stowed position. Where the container lid has as generally planar upper surface when the handle is in the stowed position, the operative position of the handle can be about 90° to the upper surface. Entrance of the bottom end of the handle body portion into the groove in the container lid can support the handle in the operative position, so that the handle will remain in the operative position until the bottom end of the handle body portion is moved out of the groove to allow the handle to return, such as by rotation, to the stowed position. The bottom end of the handle body portion can be a loose but close fit within the groove, or even a light friction fit within the groove.

[0033] The handle can have any suitable shape and could be square, rectangular or part circular. In some forms of the invention, the container lid is generally circular and the handle is part circular. The handle could be a segment of a circle for example, or could be formed as an arc, each having a part circular outer periphery. In some forms of the invention, the part circular outer periphery can extend through approximately 180°. The part circular outer periphery can extend through a lesser amount, such as through approximately 160°, or approximately 140° for example.

[0034] The opposite side edges of the handle body portion can be opposite sections of the part circular outer periphery so that the hinge assembly can be located in one or both of the opposite, part circular outer periphery sections. The part circular outer periphery can terminate in a straight edge or chord (which is a straight line) that extends between opposite ends of the part circular outer periphery. Alternatively, if the handle is formed as an arc, the handle will have a part circular outer periphery and an inner periphery, that can be a partcircular inner periphery and end sections of the handle will extend between the respective inner and outer part circular peripheries. In these forms of the invention, the hinge assembly can be located at or adjacent where the part circular outer periphery meets an end section, or a bottom edge, chord or extension between the inner and outer part circular peripheries.

[0035] In the stowed position, where the hinge assembly is a non-circular projection assembly, there is interaction between the hinge assembly and the first slot portion that can assist to secure or retain the handle in the stowed position. Alternatively, or additionally, the handle can be secured in the stowed position by interaction with a resilient stopper or stoppers that the handle can push past into the stowed position and that resist return movement from the stowed position towards the operative position. The stopper or stoppers can be positioned for interaction with the periphery of the handle and they can resiliently distort as the handle engages the stopper or stoppers to push past and into the stowed position. Alternatively, the handle can resiliently distort to push past the stopper or stoppers, or the handle can shift slightly relative to the stopper or stoppers. For example, the interaction between the hinge assembly and the hinge openings can allow slight shifting of the handle as it moves in the region of the stopper or stoppers to allow the handle to push past the stopper or stoppers.

[0036] The stopper or stoppers are intended to retain, or assist to retain the handle in the stowed position in the absence of a load tending to shift the handle from the stowed position to the operative position. That load would normally be a finger load of a person using a container to which the lid of the invention is fitted to lift the handle from the stowed position. So the stopper or stoppers are intended to only provide limited resistance to movement of the handle from the stowed position.

[0037] A single stopper can be provided. Alternatively, multiple stoppers can be provided. In some forms of the invention, a pair of spaced apart stoppers are provided. Where the handle is formed to have a part circular outer periphery, the pair of spaced apart stoppers can be spaced apart on opposite sides of a centre of the outer periphery.

[0038] In some forms of the invention, the hinge assembly and the slot can act like a cam arrangement in which the position of the handle relative to the container lid is dependent on the position of the hinge assembly within or along the slot. In some forms of the invention,the handle can only be located in the stowed position when the hinge assembly is in the first slot portion and it can only be located in the operative position when the hinge assembly is located in the second slot portion. However, each of the first and second slot portions have length and the hinge assembly will move through or along the first slot portion before entering and moving through or along the second slot portion. During that movement, the orientation of the handle will change as the handle transitions between the stowed and operative positions. The handle can thus be in the first slot portion but not in the stowed position and likewise, the handle can be in the second slot portion but not in the operative position.

[0039] In some forms of the invention, first and second slot portions each have end walls at opposite ends of the slot that the projection assembly abuts to terminate movement of the projection assembly within the slot at the respective stowed and operative positions. In other forms of the invention, movement of the handle is terminated in the stowed position by the handle abutting a surface of the container lid, such as a surface of a recess provided in the container lid to accommodate the handle in the stowed position, rather than movement of the handle being terminated in the stowed position by the projection assembly engaging the end wall of the first slot portion. The handle can also be arranged to abut a surface of the container lid in the operative position so that the projection assembly does not abut the end wall of the second slot portion to terminate movement of the handle in the operative position. Alternatively, the handle can abut an end wall of the slot in one of the stowed and operative positions and can abut a surface of the container lid in the other of the stowed and operative positions. The projection assembly and slot can thus interact for both movement of the handle and termination of movement, or just for movement, with termination of movement being by engagement of the handle with surfaces of the container lid.

[0040] It is intended that movement of the projection assembly within the slot is driven by finger rotation of the handle. As the handle is lifted from the stowed position, the projection assembly interacts with the first slot portion and moves within that portion. As the handle continues to be lifted the projection assembly enters the second slot portion and eventually reaches the operative position. When a non-circular projection assembly is used, the non-circular projection assembly interacts with the slot so that the handle cannot be lifted from the stowed position to the operative position without the projection assemblymoving along the slot from the first slot portion to the second slot portion. The projection assembly is not required to move to the ends of the first and second slot portions, but it can move to one or both ends in the stowed and operative positions. The projection assembly can engage one or both of the ends of the first and second slot portions in the stowed and operative positions.

[0041] In some forms of the invention, the projection assembly is a close fit within the slot so that engagement with the slot surfaces guides the projection assembly. The first slot portion will often be generally horizontal when the container lid is fitted to a container that is resting on a flat surface for example, an in that orientation, the first slot portion can have spaced apart upper and lower surfaces with upper and lower surfaces of the projection assembly in sliding engagement with the upper and lower surfaces as the projection assembly moves within the first slot portion. When the first slot portion is generally horizontal, the second slot portion can be generally vertical so that the first and second slot portions intersect at right angles and are generally perpendicular to each other to form an L- shape, and the second slot portion has spaced apart side surfaces. The upper and lower surfaces of the first slot portion can intersect with the side surfaces of the second slot portion by a curved intersection portion comprising curved surfaces, so that leading and trailing ends of the projection assembly are guided through the intersection portion by the curved surfaces for smooth transition between the first and second slot portions. The intersection portion between the first and second slot portions can comprise curved surfaces regardless of whether the first and second slot portions are generally perpendicular to each other as described above. The first and second slot portions are required to be lateral to each other and curved surfaces can connect the first and second slot portions at whatever the angle is between them. The angle can be an obtuse angle (greater than 90°) or an acute angle (less than 90°).

[0042] The slot can alternatively be curved at a constant, or a non- constant radius so that the first and second slot portions are each curved and either there is no intersection portion between them, so that facing ends of the first and second slot portions meet, or there is an intersection portion, but that portion is likewise a curved portion.

[0043] In some forms of the invention, the projection assembly has a length that is close to equal to the length of the respective first and second slot portions. In these forms of the invention, a leading end of the projection assembly can be located in, at or adjacent to the intersection portion between the first and second slot portions when the projection assembly is located within the first slot portion. Likewise, a trailing end of the projection assembly can be located in, at or adjacent to the intersection portion between the first and second slot portions when the projection assembly is located within the second slot portion. In some forms of the invention, the projection assembly will immediately, or almost immediately commence rotation as it transitions between the first and second slot portions in either direction.

[0044] A projection assembly can be provided on one side of the handle body portion only, or it can be provided on both sides.

[0045] The projection assembly can take any suitable non-circular form. The projection assembly can be monolithic, or it can have two or more parts. In some forms of the invention, the projection assembly has a length between first and second ends and a width, and the length having a greater dimension than the width at any point along the length. Each of the first and second ends can be curved or rounded for interacting with the surfaces of the slot, i.e. the first and second slot portions and the intersection portion. The projection assembly can taper from the first end to the second end so that the first end has a smaller radius than the second end. The projection assembly can be oriented in the first slot portion so that the first end of smaller radius is at or adjacent the intersection portion of the slot and so that the second end of larger radius is at or adjacent the end of the slot remote from the intersection portion. In the second slot portion, the projection assembly can be oriented so that the first end of smaller radius is at or adjacent the end of the second slot portion remote from the intersection portion and so that the second end of larger radius is at or adjacent the intersection portion.

[0046] The projection assembly could alternatively be generally rectangular, and with curved corners for example.

[0047] The projection assembly could alternatively be formed from two or more parts, such as a pair of spaced apart pins, bosses or posts. For example, a first small diameter postcan be spaced apart from a second larger diameter post. These first and second posts could have the radius of the curved or rounded first and second ends of the projection assembly discussed above, so that instead of forming the projection assembly as a monolithic structure, a multi part structure is provided.

[0048] The non-circular form of the projection assembly allows the projection assembly to be configured for greater load capacity. As described above, much of the prior art connects handles to container lids by pins and the size of the means that they have low load carrying capacity. The load carrying capacity is sufficient to bear the weight of the container and container filing, but not necessarily a twisting load applied to open a container lid, particularly one that is screwed hard onto a container. A non-circular projection assembly can have a greater load carrying capacity and can be specifically designed to carry greater load. The load carrying capacity is greater still if projection assemblies are formed or provided on each side of a handle.

[0049] The slot or slots that accommodate the projection assembly or assemblies can be partially of fully formed in the opposite ends of the groove. For example, in some forms of the invention, the second slot portion or portions can be formed in the opposite end or ends of the groove, while the first slot portion can be formed in an adjacent wall section of the container lid. The intersection portion of the slot or slots can be formed fully or partially in the opposite end or ends of the groove and if partially formed in the opposite end or ends of the groove, the intersection portion can be partially formed in an adjacent wall section of the container lid. By forming the second slot portion in the opposite end or ends of the groove, the bottom end of the handle body portion is deposited in the groove during movement of the projection assembly or assemblies into the second slot portion. If the container lid includes a recess to accommodate the handle in the stowed position, the adjacent wall section of the container lid in which the first slot portion can be formed can be a wall section of the container lid that extends upwardly from the recess. The intersection portion can be partially formed in this adjacent wall section of the container lid.

[0050] In particular, the non-circular projection assembly restricts rotational movement of the handle to prevent the handle from rotating about an axis in line with the projections. This means that the handle cannot be fully lifted until the handle has moved into theoperative position and the bottom of the handle body portion has entered the groove in the container lid. When the container lid is substantially horizontal and the handle approaches the operative position, the non-circular projection assembly guides the movement of the handle so that the bottom of the handle enters the groove in the container lid. The bottom of the handle body portion enters the groove in the container lid and then the lid can be twisted open, ensuring that no force is translated into the projections. This avoids the user twisting the handle and breaking the projections as the projections are not inherently designed to bear the load of twisting and opening the lid.

[0051] While the above description has been made in relation to a container lid, the invention also provides a container that includes a container body and a container lid of the above-described kind.Brief Description of the Drawings

[0052] In order that the invention may be more fully understood, some embodiments will now be described with reference to the figures in which:

[0053] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container that includes a container lid according to one embodiment of the present invention and which includes a handle in a stowed position.

[0054] Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view through ll-ll of Figure 1.

[0055] Figure 3 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 with the handle in an operative position.

[0056] Figure 4 is a detailed view of a slot provided in the container lid for interacting with the projection assembly of a handle.

[0057] Figure 5 is a plan view of the handle of the containers of Figures 1 to 3, while Figure 5A is a detailed view of the projection assembly of the handle.

[0058] Figures 6A-D show the container lids of Figures 1 to 3 with the handle shown respectively in the stowed position and the operative position, with a detailed view of each figure provided.

[0059] Figure 7A-B show the container lid of Figures 1 to 3 with the handle in an intermediate position between the stowed position and the operative position of Figures 6A-B with a detailed view provided.

[0060] Figures 8A-B are detailed illustrations of the handle and groove interaction.

[0061] Figure 9 is an exploded view of a container lid and handle and showing the groove into which the bottom end of the handle body portion enters in the operative position.

[0062] Figures 10A, B illustrate a handle having alternative projection assemblies, while Figure 10C illustrates a curved slot for use with the projection assembly Figure 10B.

[0063] Figures 11A, B illustrate a handle having alternative hinge assemblies.

[0064] Figures 12A-C illustrate a handle connected to a container lid having a linear slot and showing the transition from the stowed position to the operative position.

[0065] Figures 13A-13D illustrate a further embodiment of the invention, in which a handle includes a pair of opposed, offset circular pins or bosses.

[0066] Figure 14 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention, in which a handle includes a pair of opposed, offset circular pins or bosses and a groove formed between three upstanding abutments.Detailed Description of the Drawings

[0067] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container 10 that has a container body 12 and a container lid 14. The container lid 14 can connect to container body 12 in any suitable manner, but in the illustrated embodiment, the connection is a threaded connection. The container 10 is a particular form of thermal container for containing food products, such as drinks, soups, stews etc. However, the container 10 could be any type of container, including a non-food container.

[0068] The container 10 includes a handle 16 that extends upwardly from a bottom end 18 of the container body 12 and the handle 16 is to be distinguished from a further handle 20 that forms part of the container lid 14. The handle 16 is intended for example, for lifting thecontainer 10 with both the lid 14 attached or removed, and for manipulating the container 10 either to remove contents from the container 10 or to hold the container 10 when eating from it. The handle can also be used to hold the container in position within a compartment of some forms of lunch box. In contrast, the handle 20 is provided to assist removing the container lid 14 from the container body 12.

[0069] The threaded connection between the container lid 14 and the container body 12 is formed in a connection portion 15 of the container lid 14 and the connection portion 15 extends to a closure portion 25 that extends across the opening of the container body 12, to close the opening. In the present embodiment, the handle 20 is provided to assist rotating the container lid 14 relative to the container body 12 to unscrew the container lid 14 from the container body 12, or to screw the container lid 14 onto the container body 12.

[0070] Figure 2 is a cross sectional view of the container 10, taken through ll-ll of Figure 1. Figure 2 shows the screw thread connection circled at T between the container lid 14 and the container body 12 and also shows that in the connected condition of the container lid 14 to the container body 12, the container lid 14 seals against a seal 22 to hermetically seal the lid 14 against the body 12. In this respect, the container body 12 has an opening 24 that the container lid 14 closes and engagement between the container lid 14 and the seal 22 prevents the escape of contents by leakage within the container body 12 past the container lid 14 and assists thermal retention.

[0071] The handle 20 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 is shown in a stowed position and in that position, an upwardly facing surface 26 of the handle 20 is generally coplanar with an upper surface 28 of the container lid 14. Precise accuracy in the coplanar alignment of the surfaces 26 and 28 is not important, but generally the surfaces 26 and 28 are in approximately the same plane in the stowed position of the handle 20.

[0072] It follows that in the stowed position of the handle 20 of Figures 1 and 2, the handle 20 is accommodated within a recess 30 (see Figure 3) formed in the container lid 14 and adjacent the upper surface 28.

[0073] The recess 30 is formed as a semi-circle and is bounded by an upstanding wall 38. The handle has a straight bottom edge 32 which extends along a facing straight wall 33 of therecess 30. The handle 20 has curved side walls 34 (See Figure 3) that have the same radius of curvature, while the facing inside surface 39 of the wall 38 has a slightly greater radius of curvature. The handle 20 is thus a close or snug fit within the recess 30 and in the stowed position, the wall 33 closely faces the bottom edge 32 of the handle 20 and the inside surface 39 of the wall 38 closely faces the curved side walls 34.

[0074] The periphery of the handle 20 is interrupted to form the separate side walls 34 and a crescent shaped or concave finger grip 36. The finger grip 36 creates an opening in the closure portion 25 within the recess 30 for a finger to be inserted into the recess 30 adjacent the finger grip 36 and to lift the handle 20 by finger engagement with the finger grip 36. The recess 30 is formed in the closure portion 25 and has a variable depth so that between the finger grip 36 and the facing inside surface 39 of the wall 38, the recess is deeper than the section of the recess which underlies the upper surface 26 of the handle 20. The handle 20 rests on the portion of the recess which underlies the upper surface 26 when the handle 20 is in the stowed position, but as seen in Figure 2, the deeper section of the recess 30 allows a finger to be inserted to a position below the edge of the finger grip 36 to lift the handle 20. Figure 3 shows the container 10 with the handle 20 lifted into the operative position, in which it extends upright and generally perpendicular to the stowed position of Figures 1 and 2.

[0075] In the operative position of Figure 3, the handle 20 extends generally vertically and generally perpendicular to the plane of the upper surface 28 of the container lid 14. In the operative position of Figure 3, a twisting load can be applied to the handle 20 in order to twist the container lid 14 in an opening direction, to unscrew the lid 14 from the container body 12, or in the opposite direction in order to firmly screw the container lid 14 onto the container body 12. This allows persons, in particular children, the elderly or the disabled, who have reduced dexterity or strength to grip the side of the container lid 14 at the connection portion 15 and to apply a sufficient twisting load to remove the container lid 14 from the container body 12, or to properly reapply the container lid 14 to the container body 12. The handle is more easily grasped by more of the hand and so assists removal and return of the container lid 14 from / to the container body 12.

[0076] Conveniently, the handle 20 can be lifted from the stowed position to the operative position only when required for opening and closing the container 10. When the container lid 14 is connected to the container body 12 and the container 10 is being stored or transported, there is no need for the handle 20 to be in the operative position. Accordingly, for most of the time, the handle 20 will be retained in the stowed position.

[0077] However, when the container lid 14 is to be removed from the container body 12, the handle 20 can be lifted from the stowed position to the operative position and then it can be used for twisting or turning the container lid 14 relative to the container body 12. Once any twisting load is finished, the handle 20 can be lowered back into the stowed position of Figures 1 and 2.

[0078] A twisting load applied to the handle 20 will apply load to the connection between the handle 20 and the container lid 14. That connection is a hinge or rotatable connection and if the connection is not sufficiently robust, the connection can fail if a sufficient twisting load is applied to the handle 20. A container of the present invention includes a connection that can be made more robust than pin connectors of the prior art, as explained below.

[0079] Figures 4 and 5 are detailed views showing part of the connection arrangement that connects the handle 20 to the container lid 14. Figure 4 is a view of the wall 38 that bounds the recess 30, at a position adjacent to the bottom edge 32 of the handle 20. Figure 4 shows that the wall 38 includes a slot 40 that has a first, generally horizontal slot portion 42 and a second generally vertical slot portion 44. The first and second slot portions 42 and 44 extend laterally to each other, generally perpendicular or at right angles to each other. The first and second slot portions 42 and 44 intersect at an intersection portion 46 that comprises an inner curved wall 47 and an outer curved wall 48.

[0080] Figure 5 illustrates the handle 20 and shows projection assemblies 50 extending from a side wall 34 of the handle 20. For clarification, in the earlier discussion, the handle 20 as represented in the drawings was described as comprising a handle body portion and a handle connection portion. In respect of the figures being described herein, it will be convenient for the handle body portion to be identified as the handle 20, while the handle connection portion comprises the projection assemblies 50 and later, the pins 88.

[0081] The projection assemblies 50 project outwardly from the side wall 34 of the handle 20. Figure 5A shows that the projection assemblies 50 have a tapered end 52 that extends into the slot 40 and the tapered end 52 has a first end 54 of smaller radius and a second end 56 of greater radius with generally tapered linear surfaces extending there between. It will be evident that the projection assemblies 50 are of a different and greater size than a circular pin that is normally used to attach handles to a container I id, and so the projection assemblies 50 have a greater load carrying capacity than such circular pins. Moreover, the interaction of the projection assemblies 50 with the slots 40 controls movement of the handle 20 as it shifts between the stowed position of Figures 1 and 2 to the operative position of Figure 3.

[0082] Figures 6A to 6D show the handle 20 in each of the stowed and operative positions respectively with detailed views of the interaction between the projection assemblies 50 and the slots 40 shown. In Figure 6A and B, the projection assembly 50 is in the first slot portion 42 of the slot 40 shown in Figure 4 with the first end 54 of the projection assembly 50 extending into the intersection portion 46. It is to be noted that the second end 56 of the projection assembly 50 can be spaced from the inner end 58 of the slot 40, although in other forms of the invention, there is engagement between the second end 56 and the inner end 58.

[0083] Figure 6C and 6D show the handle 20 in the operative position and in that position, the projection assembly 50 is shown in the second slot portion 44, with the second end 56 being located within the intersection portion 46 and the first end 54 being adjacent to but not in touching engagement with the inner end 60 of the second slot portion 44.

[0084] Figures 7A and 7B show an intermediate position of the handle 20, between the stowed and operative positions and showing the projection assembly 50 having moved within the slot 40 and being guided about the slot 40, by contact with slot surfaces, from the first slot portion 42 through the intersection portion 46 and into the second slot portion 44. It is the lifting of the handle 20 that drives the projection assembly 50 to move in this manner within the slot 40, but orientation of the handle 20 is dependent on the interaction between the projection assembly 50 and the slot 40 and in particular, the position of the projection assembly 50 within the slot 40.

[0085] The projection assemblies 50 interact with the upper and lower surfaces 62 and 64 (see Figure 4) of the slot 40 in sliding engagement as they move through the slots 40 between the first and second slot portions 42 and 44 and between the stowed and operative positions shown in Figures 1 to 3. The upper and lower surfaces 62 and 64 of the slot 40 act like a cam surface to guide each projection assembly 50 through the slot 40 and also control movement of the handle 20 between the stowed and operative positions. It will be appreciated, that the angle of the handle 20 has a direct relationship between the position of the projection assembly 50 within the slot 40. This is important, because the interaction between the projection assembly 50 and the slot 40 resists lifting movement of the handle 20 away from the stowed position without a person deliberately lifting the handle by hand. Thus, if the container 10 is overturned in a school bag for example, interaction between the projection assembly 50 and the slot 40 will tend to retain the handle 20 in the stowed position.

[0086] Likewise, when the handle 20 has been moved to the operative position, interaction between the projection assembly 50 and the slot 40 will maintain the handle 20 in the upright position and will tend to retain the handle 20 in that position in absence of a force applied by hand to move the handle 20 back to the stowed position. Similarly, when the handle 20 has been moved to the stowed position, interaction between the projection assembly 50 and the slot 40 will maintain the handle 20 in the stowed position and will tend to retain the handle 20 in that position in absence of a force applied by hand to move the handle 20 back to the operative position.

[0087] The interaction of the projection assembly 50 with the slot 40 has particular importance in certain embodiments of the invention in which the bottom end 65 of the handle 20 enters a groove 66 within the container lid 14 in the operative position. Such a groove 66 is shown in Figures 8A, B and 9 Figures 8A and 8B are taken through the same cross section as Figure 2. The groove 66 extends across the closure portion 25, terminating within or at the inside surface 39 of the wall 38 bounding the recess 30 and opposite ends of the groove 66 include at least a portion of the slots 40. Between the opposite ends extend spaced apart but generally parallel side walls 68, 69 and a base 70 that extends between the side walls 68 and 69. As shown in Figure 8, the sidewall 68 extends from the upper surface 28 of the container lid 14 generally at right angles to the upper surface 28. The sidewall 69extends from the surface 72 of the recess 30. It can be seen that the sidewall 68 has a greater height than the sidewall 69.

[0088] The bottom edge 32 of the handle 20 engages the base 70 of the groove 66 when the handle 20 is in the operative position. Engagement between the bottom edge 32 and the base 70 occurs before the first end 54 of the projection assembly 50 engages the inner end 60 of the second slot portion 44. This was described earlier in relation to Figures 4, 6A to 6D. Moreover, Figure 6C and 6D illustrate that the projection assembly 50 is a close fit within the second slot portion 44, but there is still some play between the respective surfaces of the second slot portion 44 and the projection assembly 50 so that the fit is not a tight fit and does not prevent some slight movement of the projection assembly 50 within the second slot portion 44. It is of course acceptable for the projection assembly 50 to fit within the second slot portion 44 more tightly, and a light friction fit is acceptable.

[0089] With the bottom end 65 of the handle 20 accommodated within the groove 66, it will be appreciated that if a twisting load is applied by hand to the handle 20, facing surfaces of the bottom end 65 of the handle 20 will bear against facing surfaces of the sidewalls 68 and 69 of the groove 66, thus spreading the twisting load applied to the handle 20 across a broad surface area of the container lid 14. Depending upon the direction of rotation of the handle 20, the handle 20 will tend to twist about a mid-axis MA (see Figure 3) so that the bottom end 66 of the handle 20 bears against the side wall 68 at one end of the bottom end 66 and against the sidewall 69 at the opposite end. The transition between which of the sidewalls 68 and 69 the bottom end 66 bears against is at the mid-axis MA.

[0090] The discussion above in relation to the projection assembly 50 being a close but not particular tight fit within the second slot portion 44 is made to illustrate that in the container 10, the twisting load applied to the handle 20 can be reacted between the bottom end 65 and the sidewalls 68 and 69 of the groove 66, without any load being subsequently applied between the projection assembly 50 and the slot 40. Of course, the projection assembly 50 and the slot 40 can be shaped so as to assist to absorb twisting load, but that is not thought to be necessary given the broad engagement provided between the handle 20 and the groove 66 in the operative position.

[0091] The figures further illustrate stoppers 74 (see Figures 1, 3, 8A and 8B) that extend from an upper edge of the wall 38 of the recess 30. The stoppers 74 are intended to overlie the upper surface 26 of the handle 20 when the handle 20 is in the stowed position in order to resist movement of the handle 20 out of the stowed position in absence of a finger load being applied to do that. The handle 20 includes scalloped edges 76 (see Figures 3 and 5) to accommodate the stoppers 74 when the handle 20 is in the stowed position. The scalloped edges 76 allow the upper surfaces of the stoppers 74 to be generally flush with the upper surface 26 of the handle 20 in the stowed position. The stoppers 74 can resiliently flex, or the projection assembly 50 can be loose enough within the first slot portion 42, so that the handle 20 can shift slightly to move past the stoppers 74. The stoppers 74 are only intended to provide limited resistance, so that a person who inserts their finger into the finger grip 36 to lift the handle 20, does not have to apply significant force to move the handle 20 past the stoppers 74.

[0092] The projection assembly 50 shown in the earlier figures is just one form of assembly that can be adopted. Figures 10A and 10B show two alternative arrangements.

[0093] Figure 10A shows a projection assembly 78 that is formed by two spaced-apart pins or bosses 80, 82. The pins or bosses 80,82 are both circular and both have the same diameter, but in an alternative embodiment, the pin or boss 82 could have a smaller diameter than the pin or base 80, thus forming a similar construction to the tapered projection assembly 50. The projection assembly 78 could be used in the same or similar slot configuration that, accommodates the projection assembly 50.

[0094] The pair of pins or bosses 80, 82 of the projection assembly 78 represents a structure formed from two parts which differs from the monolithic structure of the projection assembly 50.

[0095] Figure 10B shows a curved or arcuate assembly 84 and this embodiment could be used where the slot for accommodating the projection assembly 84 is a curved slot 85 such as shown in Figure 10C.

[0096] Figures 11A, B show a handle 86 that employs an alternative form of hinge assembly in the form of a circular pin or boss 88. The circular pin or boss 88 can beaccommodated within a circular opening in a container lid so that the handle 86 can rotate about the pivot axis PA of the pin or boss 88. The handle 86 of Figures 11A, B has the same construction as the handle 20 of the earlier figures with the exception that the handle 86 does not include a projection assembly of the previously described forms. Accordingly, features of the handle 86 can be assumed to be the same as features of the handle 20, other than in respect of the hinge assembly.

[0097] The projection assemblies of the previously described forms each have an elongate dimension. This is clearly the case with the projection assemblies 50 and 84 (see Figures 5A and 10B), but it is also the case with the projection assembly 78 of Figure 10A, in which the elongate dimension is provided by the pair of pins or bosses 80, 82. In contrast, in Figures 11A, B, the handle 86 includes a pair of opposed, circular pins or bosses 88 (only one of which is seen in Figure 11B) that are offset from the general plane A-A, A*-A* of the handle 86.

[0098] Figure 11A is a side view of the handle 86 in the stowed and operative positions, while Figure 11B is a perspective view of the handle 86 in the same two positions. It is to be noted that in both positions, the pins 88 have only rotated about the pivot-axis PA of the pins 88 and have not shifted or translated.

[0099] The pins 88 extend inwardly from tabs 90. The pins 88 fit into circular openings formed in the container lid. Such a circular opening could be formed in the region of the inner end 58 of the slot 40 shown in Figure 6A, to replace the slot 40. When the handle 86 is rotated about the axis PA of the pins 88, the forward end 92 of the handle 86 shifts into a groove 87 formed in the lid to which the handle 86 is attached. Thereafter, the handle 86 can be used to turn or twist the lid in the same manner as has been discussed before.

[0100] Figures 12A-C show a handle 94 that has a slightly different operation to the handle 86. The handle 94 also employs a projection assembly in the form of a pair of pins 98, but the pins extend outwardly from the side edge of opposite sides of the handle 94, ie similar to the pins 88 of Figures 11A and 11B but extending outwardly rather than inwardly. Moreover, the pins 96 of the handle 94 are accommodated within a linear or straight slot 98, rather than a curved or angled slot of Figures 1 to 10, or the circular opening of Figures 11A,B.

[0101] Figures 12A-C show the handle 94 connected to a container I id, which is of the same construction as the container lid 14 described earlier. Accordingly, the container lid of Figures 12A-C will be marked container lid 14 and features of the container lid 14 of Figures 12A-C can be assumed to be the same as the container lid 14 previously described, other than in respect of the slot that accommodates the pins 96 of the handle 94.

[0102] Figures 12A-C show three degrees of movement of the handle 94 as it transitions between the stowed position of Figure 12A to the operative position of Figure 12C.

[0103] In Figure 12A, the handle 94 is in the stowed position and in that position, the pins 96 on either side of the handle 94 are in an upper position of a vertically oriented slot 98. The slot 98 is formed in one end of the groove 66 of the lid 14 and is seen in Figure 12A within the cut- away section of the lid 14. There is a second and opposed slot at the opposite end of the groove 66 which is not visible in Figure 12A.

[0104] In Figure 12B, the handle 94 has been shifted by rotation to the upright position shown Figures 11A, B, but the pins 96 remain in the upper position of the vertically oriented slot 98.

[0105] Figure 12C, the handle 94 has been shifted downwardly to the operative position in which the pins 96 are in the lower portion of the slot 98. The downward shift of the handle 94 pushes the bottom end of the handle 94 into the groove 66 of the container lid 14. The handle 94 can now be used to turn or twist the lid 14 as previously discussed.

[0106] It is to be noted that the pins 98 could be employed with the non- linear slots shown in the earlier figures, although this would allow the handle to rotate about the axis of the pins within the non- linear slots, which is prevented by the use of non- linear projection assemblies.

[0107] Figures 13A-13D show a further embodiment of the invention, in which a handle 100 includes a pair of opposed, offset circular pins or bosses 102 (only one of which is shown) formed in the same manner as the offset circular pins or bosses 88 shown in Figures 11A and 11B. The handle 100 has a bottom edge or bottom surface that includes a slot, groove or channel 104 and the container lid 14 includes an upstanding wall 106. When the handle 100 moves to the operative position as shown in Figure 13A from the stowed position of Figure13B, the wall 106 is received into the channel 104. Thereafter twisting of the handle 100 to turn the container lid 14 results in rotational load being transmitted from the handle 100 to opposite surfaces of the wall 106.

[0108] Figure 14 illustrates yet another embodiment of the invention in which a handle 110 includes a pair of opposed, offset circular pins or bosses (neither of which is visible in Figure 14) and a groove or area 112 is formed between three upstanding abutments 114, 115, 116. The upstanding abutments 114 and 115 are positioned on one side of the bottom edge of the handle 110 in the operative position, while the upstanding abutment 116 is positioned on the opposite side. The upstanding abutment 116 is shown as a single abutment, but could it be separated into a pair of abutments like the upstanding abutments 114 and 115 instead. The embodiment of figure 14 operates in the same manner as the earlier embodiments in that twisting of the handle 110 in the operative position transmits rotational load from the handle 110 to the abutments 114 and 116 in one direction of rotation and to the abutments 115 and 116 in the opposite direction of rotation.

[0109] Certain terminology has been used in the description to assist the clarity of description but is not intended to be limiting. For example, spatial descriptors such as upper and upright and other like descriptors, refer to the container lid as oriented when the lid is fitted to a container and the container resting on a flat and horizontal surface. This terminology is to be understood in this context and should not be considered applicable when the container lid is otherwise oriented, such as will frequently and ordinarily occur with a container of the kind relevant to the present invention.

[0110] Where any or all of the terms "comprise", "comprises", "comprised" or "comprising" are used in this specification (including the claims) they are to be interpreted as specifying the presence of the stated features, integers, steps or components, but not precluding the presence of one or more other features, integers, steps or components.

[0111] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It is understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0112] Future patent applications may be filed in Australia or overseas on the basis of or claiming priority from the present application. It is to be understood that the following claims are provided by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of what may be claimed in any such future application. Features may be added to or omitted from the claims at a later date so as to further define or re-define the invention or inventions.

Claims

Claims1. A container lid for attachment to a container body, which has a container opening and the container lid being for closing the container opening, a. the container lid having a closure portion and a connection portion whereby the connection portion facilitates connection of the container lid to a container body and the closure portion closes the container opening, b. the container lid having a handle that has a handle body portion and a handle connection portion and the handle being connected to the container lid by the handle connection portion to be movable between operative and stowed positions whereby in the operative position the handle can be gripped to rotate the container lid relative to the container body, c. and whereby opposite sides of the handle body portion are engaged and supported by surfaces of the container lid in the operative position when the handle is rotated for transmitting rotational load from the handle to the container lid.

2. A container lid according to claim 1, whereby when the handle is in the operative position and is rotated, rotational load transmitted from the handle to the container lid is transmitted substantially by the handle body portion, so that little or no rotational load is transmitted by the handle connection portion.

3. A container lid according to claim 1 or 2, the supporting surfaces comprising facing walls of a groove that is formed in the container lid, such as in the closure portion of the lid and whereby a bottom end of the handle body portion enters the groove when the handle is in the operative position.

4. A container lid according to claim 3, the groove being formed inboard of the periphery of the container lid and in the closure portion of the container lid, so that the groove is closed at opposite ends, and open upwardly.

5. A container lid according to claim 4, the groove comprising a pair of parallel side walls extending between the end walls so that the groove has a cross-sectional U-shape.

6. A container lid according to claim 5, one side wall of the groove having have a greater height than the other side wall.

7. A container lid according to claim 1, the supporting surfaces comprising an upstanding wall that is sized to enter a slot, groove or channel formed in the bottom end of the handle when the handle is in the operative position.

8. A container lid according to claim 1, the supporting surfaces comprising discrete, spaced apart abutments that are upstanding from the closure portion of the container lid, whereby at least three abutments are provided extending from the closure portion for engaging the bottom end of the handle body portion, the abutments comprising a first abutment being positioned on one side of the bottom end of the handle body portion when the handle is in the operative position, and second and third abutments being positioned on the opposite side of the bottom end of the handle body portion when the handle is in the operative position, the abutments being positioned to transmit rotational load to the container lid in both of opposing rotational directions of rotation of the handle.

9. A container lid according to any one of claims 1 to 8, the bottom end of the handle body portion being formed as a straight edge or chord, or is formed in two or more bottom sections.

10. A container lid according to any one of claims 1 to 9, the handle body portion having opposite side edges and at least one of the side edges having a non-circular projection assembly at or adjacent the least one side edge that is located within a non-circular slot in the closure portion, the projection assembly interacting with the slot to restrain the handle so that the handle has a set orientation depending on the position of the projection assembly within the slot in the transition of the handle between the operative and stowed positions.

11. A container lid according to claim 10, the projection assembly being tapered, or comprising a pair of spaced-apart pins or bosses, or being curved or arcuate.

12. A container lid according to claim 10 or 11, the slot in the closure portion having first and second intersecting slot portions that are lateral to each other, such as beinggenerally perpendicular to each other and having a curved intersection portion between them, whereby the projection assembly interacts with the slot to restrain rotation of the handle so that rotation of the handle from the inoperative position to the operative position requires the projection assembly to shift within the slot from the first slot portion to the second slot portion.

13. A container lid according any one of claims 10 to 12, non-circular slot being an L-shaped slot.

14. A container lid according to any one of claims 10 to 13, the slot being at least partially formed in one end of a groove that the bottom end of the handle enters in the operative position the handle.

15. A container lid according to claim 10 when dependent on claim 3, when the container lid is substantially horizontal and the handle is being moved to approach the operative position, the interaction between the projection assembly and the slot is such that a bottom end of the handle body portion is guided to fall into the groove.

16. A container lid according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the handle body portion having opposite side edges and each of the edges having a handle connection portion in the form of a hinge assembly, the hinge assembly comprising a circular pin rotatably located in a circular opening and the handle being rotatable about the axis of the circular pins between the operative and stowed positions, the handle body portion having a general plane and the circular pin being offset from the general plane.

17. A container lid according to any one of claims 1 to 10, the handle body portion having opposite side edges and each of the edges having a handle connection portion in the form of a hinge assembly at or adjacent the side edges, the hinge assembly comprising a circular pin rotatably located in a linear slot, and the handle being rotatable about the axis of the circular pins within the slots and being translatable along the slots between the operative and stowed positions.

18. A container lid according to claim 17, the handle being rotatable about the axis of the pins from the stowed position to an upright position and then being translatable from the upright position to the operative position.

19. A container lid according to any one of claims 1 to 18, the closure portion having an upper surface that is generally planar when the handle is in the stowed position, so that the upper surface comprises a generally planar surface of the closure portion and a generally planar surface of the stowed handle, and respective planar surfaces of the closure portion and the handle being generally coplanar, the handle being accommodated in a recess that extends into the closure portion, below the planar surface of the closure portion and the recess extending to an upstanding wall that extends about the periphery of the handle in the stowed position and that extends upwardly to the planar surface of the handle.

20. A container comprising a container body, and a container lid according to any one of claims 1 to 19.

Images