Container lid for retaining object and related methods

Abstract

A system for displaying an object on a lid of a container, the system comprising: a container including an end having an opening; an object; and a container lid comprising a cover portion, a rim portion around the periphery of the cover portion and able to be coupled to the end of the container having the opening, and a retainer for retaining the object to the container lid, the retainer comprising at least one of an aperture in the container lid for receiving at least a portion of the object or at least one nub on the container lid that aids in retaining the object. A container lid for retaining an object on the lid. A method of packaging an object to a container lid. A method of using a container lid for distributing an object retained on the lid. A method of using an object retained on a container lid.

1 . A system for displaying an object on a lid of a container, the system comprising:
 a container including an end having an opening; an object; and   a container lid comprising a cover portion, a rim portion around the periphery of the cover portion and able to be coupled to the end of the container having the opening, and a retainer for retaining the object to the container lid, the retainer comprising at least one of an aperture in the container lid for receiving at least a portion of the object or at least one nub on the container lid that aids in retaining the object.   
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the aperture comprises a slot in the cover portion. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein a first portion of the object is partially disposed within the aperture and a second portion of the object rests on the rim portion. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer further comprises at least one cavity in the rim portion, and a first portion of the object is partially disposed in the aperture and a second portion of the object is frictionally fit in the at least one cavity of the rim portion. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the second portion of the object comprises at least one corner with the at least one corner being frictionally fit in the at least one cavity of the rim portion of the container lid. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein the second portion of the object comprises at least one side with the at least one side being frictionally fit in the at least one cavity of the rim portion of the container lid. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the second portion of the object further comprises at least one side with the at least one side being frictionally fit in the at least one cavity of the rim portion of the container lid. 
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer further comprises at least one aperture and at least one nub that retains the object. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the retainer comprises at least one nub on the cover portion that retains the object. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein the at least one nub includes a protuberance that extends over the object that helps to retain the object. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container lid is thermoformed from extruded plastic sheet material. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the object is selected from the group consisting of a gift card, a loyalty card, a phone card, a trading card, a playing card, any other card, a game piece, a coupon, a media or multi-media storage device, and any other suitable article or device. 
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the object is wrapped in a protective film. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the container is a cup. 
   
   
       15 . A container lid for retaining an object on the lid, the container lid comprising:
 a cover portion;   a rim portion around the periphery of the cover portion and able to be coupled to a portion of a container; and   a retainer for holding an object to the container lid, the retainer comprising at least one of an aperture in the container lid for receiving at least a portion of the object or at least one nub on the container lid that aids in retaining the object.   
   
   
       16 . The container lid of  claim 15 , wherein the aperture comprises a slot in the cover portion. 
   
   
       17 . The container lid of  claim 15 , wherein the retainer further comprises at least one cavity in the rim portion in which a portion of the object may be frictionally fit. 
   
   
       18 . The container lid of  claim 15 , wherein the retainer comprises at least one aperture and at least one nub that retains the object. 
   
   
       19 . The container lid of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one nub includes a protuberance that extends over the object that helps to retain the object. 
   
   
       20 . The container lid of  claim 15 , wherein the container lid is thermoformed from extruded plastic sheet material. 
   
   
       21 . The container lid of  claim 15 , wherein the container is a cup. 
   
   
       22 . A method of packaging an object to a container lid, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing an object;   providing a container lid comprising:   a cover portion;   a rim portion around the periphery of the cover portion and able to be coupled to a portion of a container; and   a retainer for holding an object to the container lid; and   inserting the object into the retainer.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein prior to the step of providing the object, further comprising the step of wrapping the object in a protective film. 
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the retainer comprises a slot in the cover portion, and the inserting step comprises inserting a first portion of the object in the slot. 
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein the retainer further comprises at least one cavity in the rim portion, and the inserting step further comprises frictionally fitting at least a second portion of the object in the at least one cavity. 
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein the retainer comprises at least one nub on the cover portion that retains the object, and the inserting step comprises inserting the object within the at least one nub. 
   
   
       27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the at least one nub includes a protuberance, and the inserting step further comprises inserting the object such that the protuberance extends over the object and helps to retain the object. 
   
   
       28 . A method of using a container lid for distributing an object retained on the lid, the method comprising the steps of:
 obtaining a container lid comprising: a cover portion; a rim portion around the periphery of the cover portion and able to be coupled to a portion of a container; and a retainer for holding an object to the container lid;   obtaining the object to be distributed on the lid;   securing the object in the retainer on the lid;   coupling the lid to the container; and   distributing the container with the object retained on the container lid.   
   
   
       29 . A method of using an object retained on a container lid, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing a container lid with a retained object comprising: a cover portion; a rim portion around the periphery of the cover portion and able to be coupled to a portion of a container; and a retainer for holding the object to the container lid, the retainer comprising at least one of an aperture in the container lid for receiving at least a portion of the object or at least one nub on the container lid that aids in retaining the object;   removing the object from the lid; and   using the object for a purpose.   
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the object is a game piece, and the using step comprises comparing information on the game piece with information elsewhere. 
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the object is a decoder, and the using step comprises holding the decoder near an area of information to allow decoded information to be viewed through the decoder. 
   
   
       32 . The method of  claim 31 , wherein the area of information is located on the container. 
   
   
       33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the object is used in a payment process. 
   
   
       34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the object is used in an electronic device.