Lockable and reversible lid for a base container

Abstract

A lockable, reversible lid for a container having a lip. The lid includes a cover having a perimeter, a first side and a second side. A locking tab pivotally extends from an end portion of the perimeter, such that the locking tab is disposable between the container body and the container lip when the lid is positioned upon the container with the first side disposed toward the container. The lid may be inverted by slipping the locking tab past the container lip, removing the lid, and setting the inverted lid on the container with the first side disposed away from the container.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A reversible container lid for a container having a lip, the lid comprising:
 a cover having a perimeter, a first side and a second side;   a wall having a first end extending from at least a portion of the perimeter of the cover and a second end distal from the perimeter; and   a locking tab extending from at least a portion of the second end of the wall,   wherein the locking tab is flexible about the second end of the wall such that the locking tab is diposable between the container and the container lip when the lid is positioned upon the container and the first side is disposed toward the container.   
     
     
         2 . The lid of  claim 1 , further comprising a step radially outwardly extending from the perimeter of the cover and between the perimeter of the cover and the first end of the wall. 
     
     
         3 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the wall further comprises a first portion and a second portion separated by a radially outwardly extending flange. 
     
     
         4 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the locking tab is pivotable about a line of weakness. 
     
     
         5 . The lid of  claim 4 , wherein the line of weakness is a perforation. 
     
     
         6 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is positionable on the container such that the second side is disposed toward the container. 
     
     
         7 . A container comprising:
 a base container having a bottom panel, at least one side wall extending generally upward from a perimeter of the base, the at least one side wall having a top end defining a top opening within the side wall, and the top end having a generally downwardly extending lip extending away from the defined opening;   a reversible lid having a cover including a perimeter, a first side, and a second side;   a wall having a first end extending from at least a portion of the perimeter of the cover and a second end distal from the perimeter;   a locking tab pivotally extending from at least a portion of the second end of the wall, wherein the locking tab is pivotable about the second end of the wall into a position between the container and the container lip when the lid is positioned upon the container and the first side is disposed toward the container, the pivoted locking tab preventing the removal of the reversible lid without pivoting the locking tab away from the container lip.   
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the locking tab is configured to extend the length of the lip of the base container. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the reversible lid is formed of a resilient material. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the base container is formed of a resilient material. 
     
     
         11 . A lid for a container having a base and a side wall extending from a perimeter of the base, an outwardly extending base step extending from the side wall and outwardly from the perimeter of the base, and a base lip extending outwardly from the step, the lid comprising:
 a covering top;   a cover step extending outwardly from the covering top; and   a locking lip extending outwardly from the cover step;   wherein the lid is reversible between a locked state and an unlocked state, wherein in the locked state the locking lip is tuckable between the base lip and the side wall of the base, and in the unlocked state the base step rests on the cover step.   
     
     
         12 . The lid of  claim 1  wherein the locking lip is formed of a resilient material. 
     
     
         13 . The lid of  claim 1  wherein the locking lip comprises a lid wall flexibly connected to a locking tab, wherein in the locked state the base lip is between the lid wall and the locking tab. 
     
     
         14 . The lid of  claim 13  wherein in the locked state the locking tab extends from the lid wall toward the base step. 
     
     
         15 . The lid of  claim 11  wherein in the locked state the covering top is a first distance from the base and in the unlocked state the covering top is a second distance, greater than the first distance, from the base. 
     
     
         16 . The lid of  claim 11  wherein in the unlocked state the container is useable as a greenhouse and in the locked state the container is suitable for stacking with other containers.