Lid for containers and methods

Abstract

A plastic lid for a container includes a body having an outer periphery with a lip constructed and arranged to releasably attach to the container. A tab extends from the lip. The tab includes a tab boundary including first and second peripheral edges joined at a radiused portion. The tab also includes a floor within the tab boundary. There is at least one depression within the floor. The first peripheral edge has an incline increasing from the radiused portion to the lip. The second peripheral edge is substantially flat from the radiused portion to the lip. A plastic storage device includes the plastic container with the plastic lid.

1 . A plastic lid for a container; the lid comprising:
 (a) a body having an outer periphery with a lip constructed and arranged to releasably attach to the container; and   (b) a tab extending from the lip; the tab including:
 (i) a tab boundary including first and second peripheral edges joined at a radiused portion; 
 (ii) a floor within the tab boundary; 
 (iii) at least one depression within the floor;
 (A) the first peripheral edge having an incline increasing from the radiused portion to the lip; and 
 (B) the second peripheral edge being substantially flat from the radiused portion to the lip. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . A plastic lid according to  claim 1  wherein the tab includes at least two depressions within the floor. 
     
     
         3 . A plastic lid according to  claim 1  wherein the incline of the first peripheral edge is angled at least 3.9 degrees. 
     
     
         4 . A plastic lid according to  claim 1  wherein the incline of the first peripheral edge is angled no more than about 7.8 degrees. 
     
     
         5 . A plastic lid according to  claim 1  wherein a thickness of the first peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion is at least twice the thickness of the second peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion. 
     
     
         6 . A plastic lid according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) a thickness of the first peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion is at least 0.2 inch; and 
 (b) a thickness of the second peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion is at least 0.1 inch. 
 
     
     
         7 . A plastic lid according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the body has at least one corner; and 
 (b) the tab is extending from the at least one corner. 
 
     
     
         8 . A plastic lid according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the body is rectangular having four corners; and 
 (b) the tab is extending from one of the corners. 
 
     
     
         9 . A plastic lid according to  claim 8  wherein:
 (a) the tab includes at least two depressions within the floor; 
 (b) the incline of the first peripheral edge is angled 6.0-7.8 degrees; and 
 (c) a thickness of the first peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion is at least twice the thickness of the second peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion. 
 
     
     
         10 . A plastic lid according to  claim 1  wherein the radiused portion is on a radius of about 0.290-0.350 inches. 
     
     
         11 . A plastic lid according to  claim 1  wherein:
 (a) the lip includes an outer leg, an inner leg, and a bight section therebetween;
 (i) the outer leg and inner leg being spaced at least 0.30 inch therebetween. 
 
 
     
     
         12 . A plastic lid according to  claim 11  wherein the outer leg includes a flange extending therefrom. 
     
     
         13 . A plastic storage device comprising:
 (a) a plastic container having a base and a surrounding wall; the surrounding wall having an end rim; and   (b) a plastic lid including:
 (i) a body having an outer periphery with a lip constructed and arranged to releasably attach to the rim of the container; and 
 (ii) a tab extending from the lip; the tab including:
 (A) a tab boundary including first and second peripheral edges joined at a radiused portion; 
 (B) a floor within the tab boundary; 
 (C) at least one depression within the floor;
 (1) the first peripheral edge having an incline increasing from the radiused portion to the lip; and 
 (2) the second peripheral edge being substantially flat from the radiused portion to the lip. 
 
 
   
     
     
         14 . A plastic storage device according to  claim 13  wherein:
 (a) the tab includes at least two depressions within the floor. 
 
     
     
         15 . A plastic storage device according to  claim 13  wherein:
 (a) the incline of the first peripheral edge is angled 6.0-7.8 degrees. 
 
     
     
         16 . A plastic storage device according to  claim 13  wherein:
 (a) a thickness of the first peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion is at least twice the thickness of the second peripheral edge adjacent to the radiused portion. 
 
     
     
         17 . A plastic storage device according to  claim 13  wherein:
 (a) the plastic container has at least one corner; 
 (b) the body has at least one corner; and 
 (c) the tab is extending from the at least one corner. 
 
     
     
         18 . A plastic storage device according to  claim 13  wherein:
 (a) the body is round without corners; and 
 (b) the tab is extending from the round body.