Holding device for thermoplastic lids

Abstract

A holding device includes a first wall including a first cutout portion and a second wall including a second cutout portion intersecting the first wall at an angle less than 180 degrees. The cutout portions of the holding device function to hold objects in a space between the first and second walls.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A holding device, comprising: 
 a first wall including a first cutout portion; and    a second wall including a second cutout portion intersecting the first wall at an angle less than 180 degrees;    wherein the cutout portions are operable to hold an object adjacent the first and second walls.    
     
     
         2 . The holding device of  claim 1 , further including at least one connecting portion extending perpendicularly from and connecting the first and second walls through the angle.  
     
     
         3 . The holding device of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one connecting portion connects first or second edge portions of the first and second walls.  
     
     
         4 . The holding device of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one connecting portion is polygonal in shape.  
     
     
         5 . The holding device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one connecting portion is rectangular in shape.  
     
     
         6 . The holding device of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one connecting portion is triangular in shape.  
     
     
         7 . The holding device of  claim 5 , wherein the holding device includes first and second connecting portions.  
     
     
         8 . The holding device of  claim 7 , wherein the first connecting portion connects the first edge portions of the walls and the second connecting portion connects second edge portions of the walls.  
     
     
         9 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the angle is 90 degrees.  
     
     
         10 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the holding device is made of plastic.  
     
     
         11 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second walls are polygonal in shape.  
     
     
         12 . The holding device of  claim 11 , wherein the first and second walls are rectangular in shape.  
     
     
         13 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the cutout portions is polygonal in shape.  
     
     
         14 . The holding device of  claim 13 , wherein each of the cutout portions is step-shaped.  
     
     
         15 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein the device includes at least one ridge extending perpendicularly from a rear side of one of the walls.  
     
     
         16 . The holding device of  claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second cutout portions includes at least one step portion extending from front sides of the first and second walls for holding an object thereon.  
     
     
         17 . A holding device for a thermoplastic lid, comprising: 
 a first wall including a first cutout portion;    a second wall including a second cutout portion intersecting the first wall at an angle less than 180 degrees;    at least one connecting portion extending perpendicularly from and connecting the first and second walls through the angle; and    at least one ridge extending perpendicularly from a rear side of one of the walls.    
     
     
         18 . The holding device of  claim 17 , wherein the first and second cutout portions each includes at least one step portion extending from front sides of the first and second walls.  
     
     
         19 . The holding device of  claim 18 , wherein the device includes at least one ridge extending perpendicularly from a rear side of the first or second wall.  
     
     
         20 . The holding device of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one connecting portion connects first or second edge portions of the first and second walls.  
     
     
         21 . The holding device of  claim 20 , wherein the at least one connecting portion is polygonal in shape.  
     
     
         22 . The holding device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one connecting portion is rectangular in shape.  
     
     
         23 . The holding device of  claim 21 , wherein the at least one connecting portion is triangular in shape.  
     
     
         24 . The holding device of  claim 17 , wherein the holding device includes first and second connecting portions.  
     
     
         25 . The holding device of  claim 24 , wherein the first connecting portion connects the first edge portions of the walls and the second connecting portion connects second edge portions of the walls.  
     
     
         26 . The holding device of  claim 17 , wherein the angle is 90 degrees.  
     
     
         27 . The holding device of  claim 17 , wherein the holding device is made of plastic.  
     
     
         28 . A combination, comprising: 
 a holding device for stacking thermoplastic container lids including first and second intersecting planar walls, wherein each of the walls includes a cutout portion; and    at least one thermoplastic lid disposed between the cutout portions of the walls and held in place therein.    
     
     
         29 . The combination of  claim 28 , wherein the cutout portions are polygonal in shape.  
     
     
         30 . The combination of  claim 29 , wherein the cutout portions are step-shaped.  
     
     
         31 . The combination of  claim 30 , wherein each of the cutout portions includes at least one step portion extending perpendicularly from the respective wall at an edge portion of the respective cutout portion.  
     
     
         32 . The combination of  claim 31 , wherein thermoplastic container lids may be placed on the step portions of the holding device to be held therein.  
     
     
         33 . The combination of  claim 32 , wherein the thermoplastic container lids are polygonal in shape.  
     
     
         34 . The combination of  claim 33 , wherein the thermoplastic container lids are rectangular in shape.  
     
     
         35 . The combination of  claim 34 , wherein the thermoplastic container lids are circular in shape.  
     
     
         36 . The combination of  claim 28 , wherein the holding device further includes at least one connecting portion extending perpendicularly from and connecting first and second walls through an angle.  
     
     
         37 . The combination of  claim 36 , wherein the angle is 90 degrees.  
     
     
         38 . The combination of  claim 37 , wherein the at least one connecting portion includes mounting holes for use with a fastener in attaching the holding device to a surface.  
     
     
         39 . A method of holding thermoplastic container lids, the method comprising the steps of: 
 providing a device for holding thermoplastic container lids including first and second intersecting planar walls, wherein each of the walls includes a cutout portion; and    placing thermoplastic container lids between the cutout portions of the first and second walls.    
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39 , further including the step of attaching the holding device to a surface.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 39 , wherein the holding device includes at least one ridge extending from a rear side of the first or second wall.