Segmented Retention Closure

Abstract

A segmented retention closure forms a lid that detachably attaches to a container for holding and orienting an item, such as debris, a gardening tool, a baseball, and a string of lights. The closure comprises a panel and a rim. The rim detachably attaches the panel to an opening of the container. The panel substantially covers an opening in the container. The panel has a perimeter region and a central region. Gaps extend from the perimeter region to the central region. The gaps segregates the panel into panel sections, such that each panel section has freedom to bend, laterally flex, and fold in relation to the other sections. An aperture positions concentric to the panel and in communication with the gap. The aperture also has adjustable size and dimension, such that the aperture and the gap can conform to the shape and dimensions of the item for reception.

What I claim is: 
     
         1 . A segmented retention closure for receiving, holding, dispensing, and orienting at least one item, the closure comprising:
 a panel, the panel defined by an outer face, an inner face, a perimeter region, and a central region, the panel configured to form a closure;   a rim, the rim adapted to form a perimeter around the panel;   at least one gap, the at least one gap disposed to extend from the perimeter region to the central region of the panel, the at least one gap configured to segregate the panel into a plurality of panel sections, wherein the at least one gap enables each panel section to bend, laterally flex, and fold in relation to the other panel sections; and   at least one aperture, the at least one aperture defined by an inner surface, the at least one aperture adapted to form a terminus for the at least one gap at the central region of the panel, wherein the at least one gap is configured to segregate the inner surface of the at least one aperture, wherein the at least one aperture is configured to bend, laterally flex, and fold.   
     
     
         2 . The closure of  claim 1 , wherein the closure is configured to detachably attach to a container. 
     
     
         3 . The closure of  claim 2 , wherein the container is a five gallon bucket. 
     
     
         4 . The closure of  claim 3 , wherein the panel has a generally circular shape and has a diameter of about 11⅞ inches. 
     
     
         5 . The closure of  claim 4 , wherein the rim comprises an inner ridge. 
     
     
         6 . The closure of  claim 5 , wherein the inner ridge is configured to engage an opening in the container in a snap fit mating relationship. 
     
     
         7 . The closure of  claim 6 , wherein the rim comprises a tab. 
     
     
         8 . The closure of  claim 7 , wherein the tab enables facilitated detachment of the panel from the container. 
     
     
         9 . The closure of  claim 8 , wherein the tab is about ¾ inches wide. 
     
     
         10 . The closure of  claim 9 , wherein the rim comprises an outer lip and a fin. 
     
     
         11 . The closure of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one gap is about ⅛ inch wide. 
     
     
         12 . The closure of  claim 11 , wherein the gap is configured to receive, hold, dispense, and orient at least one item. 
     
     
         13 . The closure of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one item includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: general debris, a handle for a gardening tool, a baseball, a baseball bat, a spool of rope or wire, and a string of lights. 
     
     
         14 . The closure of  claim 13 , wherein the at least one gap is a curved S-shape. 
     
     
         15 . The closure of  claim 14 , wherein the at least one gap has a radius of curvature of about  6  ⅛ inches. 
     
     
         16 . The closure of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one aperture includes at least one member selected from the group consisting of: a hole, a slot, a slit, a groove, a cut-out, and a notch. 
     
     
         17 . The closure of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one aperture has a diameter of about 1 inch. 
     
     
         18 . The closure of  claim 17 , wherein the at least one aperture has an inner surface that is configured to receive, hold, dispense, and orient the at least one item. 
     
     
         19 . A segmented retention closure for receiving, holding, dispensing, and orienting at least one item, the closure comprising:
 a panel, the panel defined by an outer face, an inner face, a perimeter region, and a central region, the panel configured to form a closure;   a rim, the rim adapted to form a perimeter around the panel;   a tab, the tab disposed to join with the rim, the tab configured to enable facilitated manipulation of the panel;   at least one gap, the at least one gap disposed to extend from the perimeter region to the central region of the panel, the at least one gap configured to segregate the panel into a plurality of panel sections, wherein the at least one gap enables each panel section to bend, laterally flex, and fold in relation to the other panel sections; and   at least one aperture, the at least one aperture defined by an inner surface, the at least one aperture adapted to form a terminus for the at least one gap at the central region of the panel, wherein the at least one gap is configured to segregate the inner surface of the at least one aperture, wherein the at least one aperture is configured to bend, laterally flex, and fold.   
     
     
         20 . A segmented retention closure for receiving, holding, dispensing, and orienting at least one item, the closure comprising:
 a container, the container defined by a sidewall, an open end, and a closed end;   a panel, the panel defined by an outer face, an inner face, a perimeter region, and a central region, the panel configured to form a closure over the open end of the container;   a rim, the rim defined by an inner ridge, the rim adapted to form a perimeter around the panel, the inner ridge configured to engage the opening of the container in a snap fit mating relationship;   at least one gap, the at least one gap disposed to extend from the perimeter region to the central region of the panel, the at least one gap configured to segregate the panel into a plurality of panel sections, wherein the at least one gap enables each panel section to bend, laterally flex, and fold in relation to the other panel sections; and   at least one aperture, the at least one aperture defined by an inner surface, the at least one aperture adapted to form a terminus for the at least one gap at the central region of the panel, wherein the at least one gap is configured to segregate the inner surface of the at least one aperture, wherein the at least one aperture is configured to bend, laterally flex, and fold.