Apparatus for closing an opening in a container

Abstract

An apparatus for closing an opening in a container, and a container including such an apparatus are provided. The apparatus includes a body arranged to close the opening in a container. The body may define a cavity for receiving the container. The body includes an aperture which may be closed by a lid. The body is provided with a handle. Outer and inner peripheral walls depend from a top portion of the body. The walls together define a channel for receiving part of the container.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for closing an opening in a container, comprising: 
 a body arranged to close the opening in the container, the body defining an aperture to allow material to pass out of and/or into the container; and    a means for closing the aperture.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising means for effecting a seal between the body and the container.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body defines a cavity for receiving at least part of the container.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the body defines a cavity for receiving at least part of the container.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the cavity is defined at least by an outer peripheral wall arranged, in use, to extend around an outside surface of a container received into the cavity, and wherein a second, inner, wall extends inside, substantially parallel to and spaced apart from the outer wall to define a channel therebetween for receiving a part of the container when in use.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the means for effecting a seal comprise a seal disposed on an inside surface of the outer peripheral wall.  
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising means for gripping the container.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , further comprising means for gripping the container.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the means for gripping comprises gripping teeth disposed in the channel.  
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the means for closing the aperture comprises a lid which is slidably mounted on the body for movement between open and closed positions.  
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising means for generating a sound arranged to generate a sound when the lid is moved from the closed position.  
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , comprising means for releasably mounting a decorative fitting.  
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle.  
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is transparent.  
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the body is partially transparent.  
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is adjustable, to enable it to be used with different sizes of container.  
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein a plurality of spaced apart fingers depend from at least part of a periphery of the aperture.  
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising means for releasably mounting a container of moisture absorbent material.  
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , in combination with a cereal box.  
     
     
         20 . An apparatus for closing an opening in a container, comprising: 
 a body arranged to close the opening in the container, the body defining an aperture to allow material to pass through the opening in the container; and    a lid which is slidably mounted on the body for movement between open and closed positions.    
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 20 , in combination with a cereal box.