Lid for a container for smokeless tobacco products

Abstract

A lid for a container for storing a smokeless tobacco product includes a laterally-extending wall having opposing first and second surfaces and defining a periphery. The wall has a central axis extending perpendicularly to the first and second surfaces. A sidewall extends from the second surface substantially parallel to the central axis and about the periphery of the wall, with the wall and the sidewall being formed of a polymeric material. The lid also includes a metallic cladding engaged with the wall so as to extend laterally across the first surface.

1 . A lid for a container for storing a smokeless tobacco product, the lid comprising:
 a laterally-extending wall having opposing first and second surfaces and defining a periphery, the wall having a central axis extending perpendicularly to the first and second surfaces;   a sidewall extending from the second surface about the periphery of the wall, with the wall and the sidewall being formed of a polymeric material; and   a metallic cladding engaged with the wall so as to extend laterally across the first surface.   
     
     
         2 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall includes a groove recessed in an exterior surface thereof, wherein the groove is configured to receive a peripheral edge of the cladding. 
     
     
         3 . The lid of  claim 2 , wherein the peripheral edge of the cladding is angled to reside in the groove. 
     
     
         4 . The lid of  claim 2 , wherein the groove is recessed radially inward toward the central axis of the wall from the exterior surface of the sidewall by a distance greater than or about equal to a thickness of the cladding. 
     
     
         5 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the cladding comprises a metallic sheet. 
     
     
         6 . The lid of  claim 5 , wherein the metallic sheet is embossed. 
     
     
         7 . The lid of  claim 5 , wherein the metallic sheet comprises a raised ridge adjacent to a periphery thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The lid of  claim 7 , wherein the raised ridge is self-supporting. 
     
     
         9 . The lid of  claim 5 , wherein the metallic sheet has a thickness between about 0.1 mm and about 0.5 mm. 
     
     
         10 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall extends substantially parallel to the central axis of the laterally-extending wall. 
     
     
         11 . The lid of  claim 1 , further comprising a rib structure projecting from the second surface of the laterally extending wall, the rib structure comprising a plurality of rib segments arranged in spaced relation proximate the periphery of the wall. 
     
     
         12 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall further comprises a radially inward extending detent extending circumferentially around the central axis of the laterally-extending wall. 
     
     
         13 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein an adhesive layer is positioned between the cladding and the first surface. 
     
     
         14 . The lid of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive layer is a coating pre-applied to the cladding. 
     
     
         15 . The lid of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive layer is actuated by heat to form a bond between the cladding and the wall when the cladding is subjected to a magnetic field. 
     
     
         16 . The lid of  claim 13 , wherein the adhesive layer comprises a heat-actuated adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . A method of manufacturing a lid for a container for storing a smokeless tobacco product, the method comprising:
 receiving a lid structure comprising a laterally-extending wall having opposing first and second surfaces and defining a periphery, the wall having a central axis extending perpendicularly to the first and second surfaces, and a sidewall extending from the second surface about the periphery of the wall, with the wall and the sidewall being formed of a polymeric material;   receiving a metallic cladding;   arranging the metallic cladding adjacent to the first surface of the laterally-extending wall such that the cladding extends laterally across the first surface and with a heat-actuated adhesive positioned between the metallic cladding and the first surface; and   exposing the metallic cladding and the heat-actuated adhesive to a magnetic field so as to actuate the heat-actuated adhesive to bond the metallic cladding to the first surface.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sidewall includes a groove recessed in an exterior surface thereof, and the method further comprises arranging a peripheral edge of the metallic cladding within the groove. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising embossing the metallic cladding. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising the step of coating the heat-actuated adhesive onto either at least a portion of a surface of the metallic cladding or at least a portion of the first surface of the laterally-extending wall of the lid structure prior to said arranging step. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the coating step comprises printing the heat-actuated adhesive on at least a portion of a surface of the metallic cladding. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein either the metallic cladding or the lid structure is received pre-treated with the heat-actuated adhesive. 
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising forming a peripheral ridge in the metallic cladding.