Lid

Abstract

A lid configured to substantially seal the opening of a container when engaged with the container. The container may be configured to house a consumable substance. The lid may have a circumferential lip and a continuous surface extending from the inner surface of the lid in an amount that is greater than the height of the lip. The continuous surface may be non-collapsible. The lid and continuous surface may be used as a dipping vessel for the consumable substance when disengaged with the container.

1 . A system comprising:
 a) a container:
 i) having an opening; and 
 ii) configured to house a consumable substance; and 
   b) a lid:
 i) configured to substantially seal the opening when engaged with the container; 
 ii) configured to be a dipping vessel for the consumable substance when disengaged with the container; and 
 iii) configured with: 
 (1) a circumferential lip; and 
 (2) a continuous surface extending from the inner surface of the lid in an amount that is greater than the height of the lip, the continuous surface being non-collapsible. 
   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the container has a inner volume greater that the inner volume of the dipping vessel 
     
     
         3 . An apparatus comprising:
 a) a lid configured to substantially seal an opening for a container, the lid having a circumferential lip; and   b) a continuous surface extending from the inner surface of the lid in an amount that is greater than the height of the lip, the continuous surface being non-collapsible.   
     
     
         4 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the container has an inner volume greater that the volume formed by the continuous surface. 
     
     
         5 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , further including at least one additional continuous surface projecting from the inner surface of the lid. 
     
     
         6 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein a portion of the continuous surface includes the same material as at least a portion of the lid. 
     
     
         7 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the continuous surface is self supporting. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein at least a portion of the continuous surface includes a substantially rigid material. 
     
     
         9 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the continuous surface is configured to fit in the container opening. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the continuous surface and the inner surface of the lid form a bowl. 
     
     
         11 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the lid is configured to fasten to the opening. 
     
     
         12 . An apparatus according to  claim 11 , wherein the lid is configured to fasten to the opening by at least one of the following:
 a) a thread;   b) a stopper;   c) a suction;   d) a snap;   e) friction;   a gasket;   g) a clamp;   h) a zipper;   i) a fastener;   j) an adhesive; or   k) a combination of the above.   
     
     
         13 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the continuous surface and the inner surface of the lid form at least one of the following shapes:
 a) Calathiform;   b) Calix;   c) cylinder;   d) goblet;   e) chalice;   f) mug;   g) stein;   h) square;   i) rectangular;   j) trapezoidal;   k) circular; or     1 ) a combination of the above.   
     
     
         14 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 a) the container is configured to hold a viscous substance;   b) the lid is configured to disengage the container; and   c) the continuous surface is configured as a dipping vessel for the viscous substance.   
     
     
         15 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein:
 a) the container is configured to hold a consumable substance;   b) the lid is configured to disengage the container; and   c) the continuous surface is configured to be placed on a surface with the continuous surface upright as a dipping vessel for the consumable substance.   
     
     
         16 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the top of the lid is substantially planar. 
     
     
         17 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the container is configured to hold at least one of the following:
 a) soup;   b) stew;   c) salsa;   d) paint;   e) chips;   f) fondue;   g) liquid;   h) a powder substance;   i) gelatinous material; or   j) a combination of the above.   
     
     
         18 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the continuous surface is configured to:
 a) house a material; and   b) be covered with a sealing material.   
     
     
         19 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the continuous surface comprises at least one measurement indicator. 
     
     
         20 . An apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the continuous surface comprises at least one projecting edge along the lip of the continuous surface.