Lid with dispensing feature

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-12503275-B2
Application number	US-202418772729-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jul 15, 2024
Priority date	Aug 22, 2018
Publication date	Dec 23, 2025
Grant date	Dec 23, 2025

Abstract

A lid for a container. The lid can comprise a central wall and a dispensing feature comprising a dispenser flap foldably connected to the central wall, a projection extending from the dispenser flap, and a ledge. The dispenser flap can be movable to a dispensing position in which the dispenser flap is spaced from the ledge to at least partially form a dispensing opening. The projection can be in locking engagement with the ledge when the dispenser flap is in the dispensing position.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of forming a lid comprising:
forming a central wall; and forming a dispensing feature comprising a dispenser flap foldably connected to the central wall, a projection extending from the dispenser flap, and a ledge, wherein the projection comprises a top surface that is curved downwardly from a centerline of the projection along a direction that is parallel to at least a portion of the ledge; the dispenser flap is movable to a dispensing position in which the dispenser flap is spaced from the ledge to at least partially form a dispensing opening, the projection being in locking engagement with the ledge when the dispenser flap is in the dispensing position.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the projection comprises a front surface extending at least upwardly from the dispenser flap to a corner of the projection, and the corner is positioned below the ledge when the projection is in locking engagement with the ledge.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the top surface extends from the corner, and the top surface engages the ledge when the projection is in locking engagement with the ledge.

4 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the dispenser flap is foldably connected to the central wall by at least a hinge, the ledge is spaced apart from the hinge by a first distance, the corner of the projection is spaced apart from the hinge by a second distance, and the second distance is greater than the first distance.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the forming the central wall comprises forming a recessed panel extending in the central wall and that is recessed with respect to the central wall, the recessed panel comprising the ledge.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the forming the dispensing feature comprises forming a cut in the recessed panel, the dispenser flap being separable from the recessed panel along the cut when the dispensing feature is in an initial position.

7 . The method of claim 6 , wherein the cut comprises two semicircular side portions and a front portion extending from respective ends of the side portions, the front portion extending along at least the ledge when the dispensing feature is in the initial position.

8 . The method of claim 7 , wherein the dispenser flap is foldably connected to the central wall along a hinge, and the cut further comprises two end portions extending from respective ends of the side portions and into the hinge.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the top surface engages the ledge when the projection is in locking engagement with the ledge.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the dispenser flap is foldably connected to the central wall by at least a hinge, the ledge is spaced apart from the hinge by a first distance, at least a portion of the projection is spaced apart from the hinge by a second distance, and the second distance is greater than the first distance.

11 . A method comprising:
obtaining a lid comprising a central wall and a dispensing feature, the dispensing feature comprising a dispenser flap foldably connected to the central wall, a projection extending from the dispenser flap, and a ledge, wherein the projection comprises a top surface that is curved downwardly from a centerline of the projection along a direction that is parallel to at least a portion of the ledge; actuating the dispensing feature by moving the dispenser flap to a dispensing position in which the dispenser flap is spaced from the ledge to at least partially form a dispensing opening; and locking the dispensing feature in the dispensing position by engaging the projection in locking engagement with the ledge.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the projection comprises a front surface extending at least upwardly from the dispenser flap to a corner of the projection, and the engaging the projection in locking engagement with the ledge comprises positioning the corner below the ledge.

13 . The method of claim 12 , wherein the top surface extends from the corner, and the engaging the projection in locking engagement with the ledge comprises engaging the top surface with the ledge.

14 . The method of claim 11 , further comprising a recessed panel extending in the central wall, wherein the recessed panel is recessed with respect to the central wall, and the recessed panel comprises the ledge.

15 . The method of claim 14 , wherein the dispenser flap is separable from the recessed panel along a cut prior to the actuating the dispensing feature.

16 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the engaging the projection in locking engagement with the ledge comprises engaging the top surface with the ledge.

17 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the dispenser flap is foldably connected to the central wall by at least a hinge, the ledge is spaced apart from the hinge by a first distance, at least a portion of the projection is spaced apart from the hinge by a second distance, and the second distance is greater than the first distance.

Assignees

• Graphic Packaging Int Llc

Inventors

• Baird Kyle

Classifications

• B65D2543/00092

  circular · CPC title

• B65D2543/00527

  NO contact · CPC title

• B65D2543/00685

  Totality · CPC title

• B65D2543/00537

  on the outside, or a part turned to the outside of the mouth of the container · CPC title

• B65D2543/00046

  Drinking-through lids · CPC title