Plastic container and lid construction

Abstract

A combination molded plastic bucket and lid includes a series of outwardly extending ribs on the top edge of the bucket and inwardly extending flanges on a depending outer skirt of the lid which engage with the bucket ribs to provide a wedging action that holds the lid tightly in a sealing position on the top of the bucket. A zig-zag tear strip permits removal of a portion of the lower most lid flange. The top of the bucket includes a groove adapted to receive a projection or tongue seal.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A bucket and removable lid construction comprising, in combination: 
 a bucket having a generally cylindrical side wall with an open top, said top including a first radially outwardly extending, circumferential top rib, said top rib including a top side and an underside, said bucket also including a second radially outwardly extending side rib vertically spaced from the underside of the first rib and including a second rib underside; and    a lid including a center panel for covering the open top of the bucket, said lid further including a peripheral, annular section with an outer depending skirt, said outer skirt including: a first radially inwardly extending, circumferential locking flange for engaging against the underside of the bucket top rib, said skirt further including a second radially inwardly extending locking flange for engaging against the underside of the bucket second rib, said second locking flange spaced from said first locking flange approximately the distance of the spacing of the bucket ribs to enable the first and second locking flanges to retain the lid on the bucket, and said skirt further including a skirt extension from the second flange, said skirt and skirt extension including a tear strip to permit removal of portions thereof, said tear strip including portions of the second flange which are permanently removed from engagement with the second rib upon removal of the tear strip, other portions of the second flange remaining for engagement with the second rib upon removal of the tear strip said first flange being circumferentially engaged with the first rib upon removal of the tear strip.    
     
     
         2 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the top of the bucket includes a groove extending at least partially around the circumference of the bucket and the lid peripheral section includes an inside face having a downwardly depending tongue for engaging said groove.  
     
     
         3 . The construction of  claim 1  wherein the tear strip includes an end tab for manual gripping.  
     
     
         4 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the bucket first rib includes an inside wall and outside wall radially spaced outwardly from the inside wall, and said lid further includes an inner hoop spaced radially inward from the outer skirt, said inner hoop and outer skirt respectively engaging the inside wall and outside wall of the top rib.  
     
     
         5 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the bucket side wall further includes a third radially outwardly extending side rib spaced from the second side rib and wherein the skirt of the lid further includes a third radially inwardly extending flange for engaging the third bucket rib.  
     
     
         6 . The combination of  claim 5  wherein the third bucket wall rib includes a top side and the third flange of the skirt engages the third bucket rib top side.  
     
     
         7 . The combination of claims  1  or  5  wherein the lid flanges include inclined surfaces, whereby placement or removal of the lid from the bucket is facilitated.  
     
     
         8 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the bucket and lid are molded plastic.  
     
     
         9 . The combination of  claim 1  wherein the lid skirt is elastic.  
     
     
         10 . The construction of  claim 1  wherein the lid includes a depending inner flange spaced from the skirt and sealingly engaged against the inner side wall of the bucket when the lid is on the bucket.  
     
     
         11 . The construction of  claim 1  wherein the lid includes at least a first circular hoop spaced radially inward from the skirt and generally parallel to the skirt.  
     
     
         12 . The construction of  claim 1  wherein the lid includes a first circular hoop spaced radially inward from the skirt and a second circular hoop spaced radially inward from the first circular hoop.  
     
     
         13 . The construction of  claim 12  wherein the first circular hoop fits against the inside wall of the bucket.  
     
     
         14 . The construction of claims  11 ,  12  or  13  including reinforcing fillets connecting at least two of the hoops.  
     
     
         15 . A container and removable lid construction comprising, in combination: 
 a container having a side wall with an open top, said top including a first outwardly extending top rib, said top rib including a top side and an underside, said container also including a second outwardly extending side rib vertically spaced from the first rib and having an underside; and    a lid for covering the open top of the container, said lid including a peripheral, depending outer skirt, said outer skirt including: 
 (a) a first inwardly extending, circumferential locking flange for engaging against the underside of the container top rib,  
 (b) a second inwardly extending, circumferential locking flange for engaging against the underside of the second container side rib, said second locking flange spaced from the first locking flange approximately the distance of the spacing of the container side ribs to enable the locking flanges to retain the lid on the container, and  
 (c) a skirt extension from the second locking flange, said skirt extension comprising a tear strip of material from the skirt including selected portions of said second locking flange.  
   
     
     
         16 . The construction of  claim 15  wherein the tear strip includes alternating parts of the second locking flange and the skirt extension.  
     
     
         17 . The construction of  claim 15  wherein the tear strip includes an end tab for manual gripping.  
     
     
         18 . The construction of  claim 15  in combination with a tongue and groove seal between the lid and top side of the top rib of the container.  
     
     
         19 . A bucket and removable lid construction comprising, in combination: 
 a bucket having a generally cylindrical side wall with an open top, said top comprising a first radially outwardly extending circumferential top rib, said top rib including a top side and an underside, said bucket also including a second radially outwardly extending side rib vertically spaced from the underside of the first rib and including a second rib underside; and    a lid for covering the open top of the bucket, said lid including a peripheral, annular section with an outer depending skirt, said outer skirt including:    a first radially inwardly extending, elastically deformable circumferential locking flange for engaging against the underside of the bucket top rib, said skirt further including a second radially inwardly extending, elastically deformable locking flange for engaging against the underside of the bucket second rib, said second locking flange spaced from said first locking flange approximately the distance of the spacing of the bucket ribs to enable the first and second locking flanges to retain the lid on the bucket, and said skirt further including a skirt extension from the second flange, said skirt and skirt extension including a tear boundary to define a tear strip for removal from the lid, said tear strip including portions of the second flange which are permanently removed from engagement with the second rib upon removal of the tear strip, other portions of the second flange remaining for engagement with the second rib upon removal of the tear strip, said first flange being circumferentially engaged with the first rib upon removal of the tear strip.    
     
     
         20 . The combination of  claim 19  wherein the top side of the first rib includes a groove extending at least partially around the circumference of the bucket, and the lid peripheral section includes an inside face having a downwardly depending tongue for engaging and sealing said groove.  
     
     
         21 . The combination of  claim 19  wherein the bucket first rib includes an inside wall and outside wall radially spaced outwardly from the inside wall, and said lid further includes an inner hoop spaced radially inward from the outer skirt, said inner hoop and outer skirt respectively engaging the inside wall and outside wall of the top rib.  
     
     
         22 . The combination of  claim 19  wherein the bucket side wall further includes a third radially outwardly extending side rib spaced from the second side rib and wherein the skirt of the lid further includes a third radially inwardly extending flange for engaging the third bucket rib.  
     
     
         23 . The combination of  claim 22  wherein the third bucket wall rib includes a top side and the third flange of the skirt engages the third bucket rib top side.  
     
     
         24 . The combination of  claim 19  wherein the lid flanges include inclined surfaces, whereby placement or removal of the lid from the bucket is facilitated.  
     
     
         25 . The combination of  claim 19  wherein the bucket and lid comprise molded plastic material.