Liquid saving disc

Abstract

The present invention concerns an insert for covering an upper surface of material in a container. The insert has a disc-shaped central body portion with generally planar upper and lower surfaces and at least one finger grip extending upwardly from the upper planar surface. An annular sidewall extends around a periphery of the central portion and an annular hinge extends around the sidewall. An annular flange extends around the sidewall and is connected to the sidewall by the hinge. A removable hang tab having an aperture formed therein extends from a free edge of the flange. At least one annular groove is formed in the planar upper surface to define an area for forming a hole through the central body portion. A plurality of radially extending score lines are preferably formed in the flange.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An insert for covering an upper surface of material in a container having an opening comprising: 
 a central body portion having a lower surface adapted to contact the upper surface of the material in the container and having an upper surface;    an annular hinge extending around and connected to said central body portion; and    an annular flange extending around and attached to said hinge, said flange having an outer free edge with a diameter larger than an interior diameter of the container whereby when said insert is placed in the container through the opening, said free edge contacts an interior wall of the container and said flange deflects at said hinge.    
     
     
         2 . The insert according to  claim 1  including a removable hang tab having an aperture formed therein and extending outwardly from said flange.  
     
     
         3 . The insert according to  claim 2  including a plurality of perforations formed at a junction of said hang tab and said flange.  
     
     
         4 . The insert according to  claim 1  including a plurality of radially extending score lines formed in said flange.  
     
     
         5 . The insert according to  claim 1  including at least one finger grip extending upwardly from said upper surface of said central body portion.  
     
     
         6 . The insert according to  claim 5  including another finger grip extending upwardly from said upper surface of said central body portion and spaced from said at least one finger grip.  
     
     
         7 . The insert according to  claim 5  wherein said at least one finger grip includes a pair of spaced apart upstanding legs, a pair of edge portions extending between adjacent ends of said legs, and a cap extending between top edges of said legs, said legs, said edge portions, and said cap defining a cavity opening at said lower surface of said central body portion.  
     
     
         8 . The insert according to  claim 1  including an annular upwardly extending sidewall connected between a periphery of said central body portion and said hinge.  
     
     
         9 . The insert according to  claim 8  wherein said sidewall has an inverted U-shaped cross section.  
     
     
         10 . The insert according to  claim 1  including said at least one continuous groove formed in said upper surface of said central body portion for removal of an area of said central body portion to form a hole through said central body portion.  
     
     
         11 . The insert according to  claim 10  wherein said at least one groove is formed by a plurality of perforations.  
     
     
         12 . The insert according to  claim 1  wherein said inset is formed from a plastic material.  
     
     
         13 . An insert for covering an upper surface of a material in a container having an opening comprising: 
 a central body portion having a lower surface adapted to contact an upper surface of the material in the container and having an upper surface;    at least one finger grip extending upwardly from said upper surface;    an annular upwardly extending sidewall attached at a periphery of said central body portion;    an annular hinge extending around and attached to said sidewall;    an annular flange extending around and attached to said hinge; and    at least one annular groove formed in said upper surface of said central body portion for removal of an area of said central body portion to form a hole through said central body portion.    
     
     
         14 . The insert according to  claim 13  wherein said flange has an outer free edge with a diameter larger than an interior diameter of the container whereby when said insert is placed in the container through the opening, said free edge contacts an interior wall of the container and said flange deflects at said hinge.  
     
     
         15 . An insert for covering an upper surface of a material in a container having an opening comprising: 
 a central body portion having a lower surface adapted to contact an upper surface of the material in the container and having an upper surface;    a pair of spaced apart finger grips extending upwardly from said upper surface;    an annular upwardly extending sidewall attached at a periphery of said central body portion;    an annular hinge extending around and attached to said sidewall;    an annular flange extending around and attached to said hinge; and    a plurality of annular grooves formed in said upper surface of said central body portion each for removal of a corresponding area of said central body portion to form a hole through said central body portion.