GB2448111A

GB2448111A - Stacking lid

Info

Publication number: GB2448111A
Application number: GB0700291A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Neville Jolley
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2007-01-09
Filing date: 2007-01-09
Publication date: 2008-10-08
Also published as: GB0700291D0

Abstract

A lid 10 for a stackable container 21 comprising a substantially flat circular body 12 having a flexible peripheral skirt 13, extending downwards to fit the top of a first container 21, and a substantially identical peripheral sidewall 15. The peripheral sidewall 15 extends upwardly and oppositely to the skirt to receive a second container 21 A, the skirt 13 and sidewall 15 preferably having a radially inward projection 16 for engaging a detent on the outer wall of said containers 21, 21A. The object of the lid is to prevent falling of stacked containers 21, 21A.

Description

1 2448111 A lid for a stackable Container This invention relates to

lids for stackable containers, and in particular to removable lids or covers which are secured in place over the outside of the container.

Backjround of the Invention Containers for various items are frequently stacked on shelving provided in storage areas and in sales areas of shops to facilitates the maximum use of the shelving space.

Unfortunately, items stacked one on another are potentially unstable and the uppermost items may become dislodged giving rise to damage if the items falls from the shelving onto the floor, or personnel injury if a dislodged C ntainer I onto a shopper or storekeeper. This is a particular problem with canned items in which the cans are both IS hard and heavy.

In order to alleviate the above problem, some prior art containers have been provided with lids with formations e.g. a recess, which accept the base of an identical container placed on the lid. Such a container is shown in FR-A -2755 950. In an alternative arrangement, shown in US2002 148833, a safety ring is provided which sits on the top of the container allowing another container to be stacked on the closure ring.

These prior art aids to stacking are asymmetric and need to placed onto the container in a specific orientation. The present invention provides a safety container closure that may be applied either way up to an open container and which interconnects vertically stacked containers to prevent accidental dislodging of individual containers.

Statements of Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a removable lid for a container and which comprises a substantially flat body having a flexible peripheral skirt extending downwards and in use engaging an outer wall of the container, and a sidewall aligned with the skirt and extending upwardly and oppositely to the skirt.

The lid is preferably moulded as a single component from a suitable plastics material such as a polyolefin, preferably at least one of low density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene and polypropylene.

The skirt and sidewall nay be provided with at least one radially inward pmjectioii for engaging a detent on the outer wall of the container. The projection is preferably a continuous rib, or a discontinuous rib.

The closure is preferably a circular lid for use with a cylindrical container.

Description of the,Drpwins

The present invention will be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view if a container cover according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a section on the line 11-TI of' Fig. I, and Fig. 3 shows a section through the cover in situ on a container.

Detailed J)escnption of the Invention With reference to Figs. 110 3 of the drawings, there is shown a container 21 with a co- operating removable cover or lid 10. The lid 10 and container 21 may any of any cross-sectional shape as is desired, however the present example comprises a circular lid for use in covering or closing one end of a cylindrical container 21.

The lid 10 comprises a substantially flat circular body 12 which may have strengthening ribs ( not shown) provided thereon and which is dimensioned to cover the container 21.

A flexible annular peripheral skirt 13 extends downwardly from the outer peripheral margin of the body 11. The skirt 13 in use surrounds and resiliently grips onto the outer wall 22 of the container 2110 hold the lid in place on the container and is sufficiently flexible facilitate removal and re-fitting.

The skirt 13 may be provided on its radially inner side with a radially inwardly projecting circumferential rib 14 which engages in a detent on the container, for example in the gap formed below a rolled seam 23 on the container, or other construction feature. The rib is located at a convenient distance from the base 12 for engaging the detent. The rib 14 is preferably a continuous rib, but be discontinuous in some circumstances.

The body 11 is also provided with an outer peripheral sidewall 15 aligned with the skirt 13 and whih extends upwardly of the body in the opposite direction to the skirt 13. The sidewall 15 is also provided with a radially inwardly projecting annular rib 16 so that the skirt 13 and sidewall 15 are substantially identical.

Since the skirt and sidewall are substantially identical, the lid 10 is symmetrical about the horizontal bisecting line and can be utilised either way up as a lid for a container 21.

A first container 21 fitted with the lid 10 has an upstanding walliS or skirt 13 which in use may receive a second container 21 A stacked on top of the first container. The lid 10 locates the base of the second container 21A stabilising the second container. In this way a column of containers may be formed one on the other, from which individual containers are less liable to be dislodged as compared with containers having no interconnection between individual containers.

Claims

Claims 1. A lid for a container comprising a substantially flat body

having a flexible peripheral skirt extending downwards and in use engaging an outer wall of the container, and a peripheral sidewall extending upwardly and oppositely to the skirt and which is substantially identical thereto.
2. A lid as claimed in Claim 1 wherein the skirt and sidewall are provided with at least one radially inward projection for engaging a detent on the outer wall of the container.
3. A lid as claimed in Claim 2, wherein the projection comprises a continuous, or discontinuous, rib formed on the inner side of the wall or skirt.
4. A lid as claimed in any one of Claims I to 3 and comprising a circular lid for use with a cylindrical container.
5. A lid as claimed in any one of Claims I to 4 wherein the lid is moulded as a single component from a suitable plastics material.
6. A lid for a container and which is substantially as described herein and with reference to the accompanying drawings.
7. A container including a lid as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6.