System, apparatus and method for removable lids

Abstract

The present invention is directed to the system, apparatus and method for removable lids to enable users to install a lid to a container, and especially manufactured fiber (MF) containers and create a tamper resistant seal. In one embodiment of the present invention, the detachable lid includes a mounting member and a cover. A locking mechanism may be employed to secure the cover and mounting member to one another in a tamper resistant manner. The removable nature of the lid allows different types of material to be used when the lid and the container are manufactured together. For example, the lid may be made of a rigid material, while the container may be made from less expensive and more environmentally safe containers made from molded fiber and similar lightweight but less rigid biodegradable materials.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A system for preserving contents of a container, the system comprising:
 a. a mounting member comprising a first inner opening, and an first mating member extending on an outer edge of the mounting member;   b. a cover attached to the mounting member with a hinge, wherein the cover comprising a mating protrusion on an outer edge of the cover configured to engage the first mating member of the mounting member;   c. a container comprising an outwardly extending lip, a second inner opening, and a bottom wall,
 wherein the mounting member is configured to engage the outwardly extending lip; 
 wherein the mounting member engages the outwardly extending lip when the bottom wall of the container is placed through the first inner opening of the mounting member, 
 wherein the mating protrusion of the cover is configured to secure the cover to the mounting member when the cover is pressed against the mounting member, thereby sealing the second inner opening of the container. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the mounting member and the cover include complimentary locking tabs which may be sealed together when the cover is secured on the mounting member to serve as a tamper resistant lock. 
     
     
         3 . A detachable lid comprising:
 a. a mounting member comprising a first inner opening and an first mating member extending on an outer edge of the mounting member, wherein the mounting member is configured to receive a container comprising an outwardly extending lip through the first inner opening, wherein the mounting member engages the outwardly extending lip when the container is placed into the mounting member's first inner opening;   b. a cover attached to the mounting member with a hinge, wherein the cover comprising a mating protrusion on an outer edge of the cover, wherein the mating protrusion is configured to securely engage the first mating member of the mounting member, wherein when the cover is pressed on the mounting member, the mating protrusion engages the first mating member, thereby creating a detachable seal on the opening of the container.   
     
     
         4 . A method of mounting a detachable lid to a container, wherein the method comprising:
 a. receiving a container comprising an outwardly extending lip, a second inner opening, and a bottom wall,   b. receiving a mounting member with a first inner opening, and an first mating member on an outer edge of the mounting member, wherein the mounting member is configured to engage the outwardly extending lip of the container;   c. receiving a cover with a mating protrusion on an outer edge of the cover configured to engage the first mating member of the mounting member;   d. placing the bottom wall of the container through the first inner opening of the mounting member, thereby engaging the outwardly extending lip of the container with the mounting ring;   e. pressing the cover and the mounting member toward each other to engage the first mating member and the mating protrusion, and thereby secure the cover to the mounting member.