Lid and Apparatus Including Lid

Abstract

An apparatus comprises a first container with a first rim around a first opening, a second container with a second rim around a second opening, and a lid comprising at least a first and an opposite second side. The lid is configured to fit around the outside of the first rim of the first container and is configured to fit against the inside of the second rim of the second container.

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising: a first container with a first rim around a first opening; a second container with a second rim around a second opening; and a lid comprising at least a first and an opposite second side; wherein the lid is configured to fit around the outside of the first rim of the first container and is configured to fit against the inside of the second rim of the second container.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a peripheral channel forming a recess in the second side, wherein the peripheral channel has an innermost and outermost internal wall, the outermost internal wall of the peripheral channel is configured to grip around the outside of the rim of the first container when the second side of the lid is fitted to the opening of the first container, and the innermost internal wall of the peripheral channel is configured to fit against and grip the inside of the rim of the second container when the second side of the lid is fitted to the opening of the second container.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the outermost internal wall of the peripheral channel comprises a clipping formation configured to grip around the outside of the rim of the first container, wherein the clipping formation comprises a lip at a bottom portion of the outermost internal wall to clip around the outside of the rim of the first container.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein, when the lid is fitted on the first container, the clipping formation is achieved by the outermost internal wall of the peripheral channel being flush with the outside of the rim of the first container.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the rim of the second container and the innermost internal wall of the peripheral channel are configured to cooperate together when the lid is fitted onto the opening of the second container.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inside of the rim of the second container is slanted such that a bottom portion of the inside of the rim of the second container is further away from the centre of the container than a top portion of the inside of the rim of the second container, and wherein the innermost internal wall of the peripheral channel is slanted such that a bottom portion of the innermost internal wall of the peripheral channel is further away from the centre of the lid than a top portion of the innermost internal wall of the peripheral channel, such that when the lid is fitted onto the opening of the second container the innermost internal wall of the peripheral channel fits flush with the inside of the rim of the second container.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a flange is located at an end of an external wall of the peripheral channel.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the peripheral channel is wider than the rim of the first and second containers, wherein the width of the peripheral channel is such that the outside of the rim of the second container is not in contact with the outermost internal wall of the peripheral channel and the inside of the rim of the first container is not in contact with the innermost internal wall of the peripheral channel.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first side of the lid comprises a groove between the innermost external wall of the peripheral channel and the centre of the lid, and the first container has an underside which is configured to cooperate with the groove on the first side of the lid.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first side of the lid comprises a recess at the centre of the lid and the second container has an underside which is configured to cooperate with the recess of the lid.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the first side of the lid comprises a recess at the centre of the lid and wherein the first side of the lid is configured to curve upwards between the groove and the recess.

12. The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the first container is configured such that the side or sides of the first container extends beyond a bottom of the first container, and wherein the curvature of the first side of the lid between the groove and the recess is configured to fit into the underside of the first container between the side or sides and the bottom of the first container when the first container is fitted into the groove on the first side of the lid.

13. The apparatus of any preceding claim 1, wherein the underside of the second container comprises a protruding channel around the centre of the second container configured to achieve a partial vacuum when the underside of the second container forms a cooperative fit with the lid.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first container is compostable, the second container is made from plants, and the rim of the first container and the rim of the second container are circular.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the apparatus is a food retaining apparatus such that the first and second containers are food containers.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first container, the second container and the lid are made from plants, and are circular with a diameter between 16 and 19 centimetres.

17. A lid comprising: at least a first side and a second side, wherein the first and second sides are at opposite sides of the lid; wherein the lid is configured to fit around the outside of a rim of a container and is configured to fit against the inside of a rim of a different container.

18. The lid of claim 17, wherein the lid comprises a peripheral channel on the second side of the lid, the peripheral channel having an outermost internal wall and an innermost internal wall, wherein the innermost internal wall is configured to engage with the rim of the container and the outermost internal wall is configured to engage with the rim of the different container.

19. The lid of claim 18, wherein the outermost internal wall of the peripheral channel is configured to have a clipping formation, wherein the clipping formation comprises a lip at the bottom portion of the outermost internal wall of the peripheral channel.

20. The lid of claim 18, wherein the innermost internal wall of the peripheral channel is slanted such that a bottom portion of the innermost internal wall of the peripheral channel is further away from the centre of the lid than a top portion of the innermost internal wall of the peripheral channel.

21. The lid of any one of claims 18, wherein the lid comprises a groove on the topside of the lid between the innermost external wall of the peripheral channel and the centre of the lid.

22. The lid of any one of claims 18, wherein the lid comprises a recess on the topside of the lid at the centre of the lid, and wherein the first side of the lid is configured to curve upwards between the groove and the recess.

23. The lid of any one of claims 18, wherein the lid is made from plants and is circular.

24. A method comprising: providing the apparatus of claim 1; selecting between the first and second containers; putting food in the selected container; closing the selected container with the lid to enclose the food.

25. A building comprising a room, wherein the room comprises the apparatus of claim 1, and food.

Description

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0071] An example embodiment of the present invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following Figures in which:

[0072] FIG. 1 is a front view of an apparatus comprising a lid, a first container and a second container;

[0073] FIG. 2 is an expanded front view of the lid of FIG. 1.

[0074] FIG. 3A is a front view of the lid fitted on the first container;

[0075] FIG. 3B is a front view of the lid fitted on the second container;

[0076] FIG. 4A is a front view of a close-up of the peripheral channel of the lid of FIG. 1 with a lip on the outermost internal wall and a slanted innermost internal wall;

[0077] FIG. 4B is a front view of a close-up of an alternative peripheral channel of the lid of FIG. 1 which comprises only a lip on the outermost internal wall;

[0078] FIG. 4C is a front view of a close-up of an alternative peripheral channel of the lid of FIG. 1 which comprises only a slanted innermost internal wall;

[0079] FIG. 5A is a front view of an alternative lid with only groove on the top side of the lid;

[0080] FIG. 5B is a front view of the alternative lid including an upward curvature between the groove on the top side of the lid and the centre of the lid;

[0081] FIG. 5C is a front view of an alternative lid with only a recess on the top side of the lid; and

[0082] FIG. 5D is a front view of an alternative lid with only a flange at an end of the outermost external wall of the peripheral channel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXAMPLE EMBODIMENT

[0083] With reference to FIG. 1, there is a kit of parts 100 comprising a lid 102, a first container 104 and a second container 106. The lid 102 is configured to fit on either the first container 104 or the second container 106. The first container 104 comprises an outward protruding rim and the second container 106 comprises a slanted rim. The rim of the second container 106 may also comprise an outward overhang which allows a user to easily handle the second container 106. The lid comprises a first side and second opposite side, herein referred to as a topside and underside, respectively. The opening of the first container may be wider than the bottom. The second container may be more curved than the first container and be more resemblant to a bowl than the first container. The first container and the second container may already be in use in catering sectors with established dimensions and uses.

[0084] FIG. 2 illustrates the lid 102. The lid 102 comprises a peripheral channel 200 on the underside of the lid 102 which forms a recess around the perimeter of the lid 102. The peripheral channel 200 exists around the entire perimeter of the lid 102 regardless of the shape of the lid 102, e.g. whether the lid 102 is rectangular or circular. The peripheral channel 200 has an outermost external wall 202, an outermost internal wall 204 and an innermost internal wall 206. The peripheral channel 200 also has an innermost external wall 208. The lid 102 further comprises a lip 210 and a slanted innermost internal wall 212, each configured to cooperate with a rim of the first container 104 and the second container 106, respectively.

[0085] The topside of the lid 102 also comprises a groove 214 between the innermost external wall 208 of the peripheral channel 200 and the centre of the lid 102. The groove 214 is configured to cooperate with an underside of a container, such as the first container 104, so that the container may be stacked on top of the lid 102 (not shown).

[0086] The lid comprises an upward curvature 216 between the groove 214 and the centre of the lid 102. The curvature 216 is configured to allow the topside of the lid to bear greater forces exerted on it from above, such as heavier weights. This is particularly important when the second container 106, or a further second container, is stacked on top of the lid 102. Preferably, the curvature 216 aids in preventing deformation of the lid 102 when multiple filled and sealed second containers are stacked on top of the lid 102.

[0087] The topside of the lid 102 further comprises a recess 218 about the centre of the lid 102. The recess 218 is configured to cooperate with an underside of a container, such as the second container, so that the container may be stacked on top of the lid 102 (not shown).

[0088] Lid 102 also comprises a flange 220 at an end of the outermost external wall 202 of the peripheral channel 200. The flange 220 is to be used to aid in removing the lid 90 when fitted on a container. This is of particular use when the lid 102 is secured onto a container such that the outermost internal wall 204 is used to cooperatively fit on the container, such as the first container 104. That is, the flange 220 allows the lid 90 to be easily removed, i.e. through leverage.

[0089] It is noted that the features of the lid 102 of FIG. 2 are not illustrated to scale. Preferably, the lid 102 is circular with a diameter of 18 to 19 centimetres. The innermost internal wall has a diameter of 16 to 17 centimetres. The outermost internal wall has a diameter of 18 to 19 centimetres. The peripheral channel 200 may have a width of 0.5 to 1.5 centimetres and have a depth between 0.5 to 1 centimetre. The groove 214 is 0.5 to 1 centimetre wide and 0.5 to 1 centimetre deep. The lid 102 has a height of 1 to 2 centimetres, preferably 1.5 centimetres. The recess 218 has a diameter of 8 to 9 centimetres and is 0.1 to 0.5 centimetres deep. The length of the flange 220 may be 0.1 to 0.2 centimetres. Preferably, the lid 102 has a uniform thickness of 0.3 millimetres.

[0090] FIG. 3 illustrates the lid 102 fitted on the first container 104 (FIG. 3A) and fitted on the second container 106 (FIG. 3B). Securing the lid 102 onto either the first container 104 or the second container 106 requires the use of force to ensure a secure fit. For example, to secure the lid onto the first container 104, a force is required to make the lip of the lid 102 fit around the rim of the first container 104. Similarly, a force is required to make the slanted innermost internal wall of the lid 102 fit around the rim of the second container 106.

[0091] With reference to FIG. 3A, the peripheral channel 200 is configured such that the lid 102 is fitted on the first container 104 by contact between the outermost internal wall 204 of the peripheral channel 200 and the outside of the rim of the first container 104. In other words, the lid 102 is configured to cooperate with the outside of the opening of the first container 104. The lid 102 may form an outside fit around the outside of the opening of the first container 104. The lid 102 cooperates with the first container 104 to cover and close off the opening of the first container 104. That is, the lid 102 is secured onto the first container 104.

[0092] The lid 102 may be secured onto the first container 104 by placing the lid on top of the opening of the first container 104, aligning the peripheral channel and the rim of the first container 104, and applying a downward force on the lid 102 such that the rim fits inside the peripheral channel 200. The rim of the first container 104 fits inside the peripheral channel 200 such that the lip 210 of the lid 102 grips the underside of the rim. When fitted, the lid closes the entire opening of the first container 104 thus preventing any contents, such as food, within the sealed first container 104 from escaping.

[0093] When fitted on the first container 104, the lid 102 can be removed by the user applying an upward force on the flange at the end of the outermost external wall of the lid. By applying leverage to the lid, the user is capable of removing the rim of the first container from the lip of the lid 102. The lid can be made of a flexible material, such as plastic. This can allow the lid to flex when such an upward force is applied to the lid 102, further allowing the lid 102 to be removed from the first container 104.

[0094] The first container 104 comprises a space underneath the bottom of the container. In particular, this space is configured to allow the first container to be stacked on the topside of the lid. In particular, the space underneath the first container is such that the curvature of the lid fits within said space. This therefore allows a plurality of first containers to be stacked on one another without the need to change lid 102.

[0095] Similarly, with reference to FIG. 3B, the peripheral channel of the lid 102 is configured such that the lid 102 is fitted on the second container 106 by contact between the innermost internal wall 206 of the peripheral channel 200 which cooperates with the inside of an opening of the second container 106. That is, the lid 102 may form an inside fit around the inside of the opening of the second container 106. It may be that the opening of the second container 106 comprises a rim which the lid 102 cooperates with to cover and close off the opening of the second container 106. That is, the lid 102 is secured onto the second container 106.

[0096] The lid 102 may be secured onto the second container 106 by placing the lid 102 on top of the opening of the second container 106, by aligning the peripheral channel and the rim of the second container 106, and applying a downward force on the lid 102. The rim of the second container 106 fits inside the peripheral channel 200 such that the slanted innermost internal wall of the peripheral channel grips against the slanted rim of the second container 106. When fitted, the lid closes the entire opening of the second container 106 thus preventing any contents, such as food, within the sealed first container 106 from escaping.

[0097] When fitted on the second container 106, the lid 102 can be removed by the user applying an upward force on the flange at the end of the outermost external wall of the lid. By applying leverage to the lid, the user is capable of removing the rim of the second container from the lip of the lid 102. The lid can be made of a flexible material, such as plastic. This can allow the lid to flex when such an upward force is applied to the lid 102, further allowing the lid 102 to be removed from the second container 104. A flange on the lid 102 is not necessarily required to allow for easy removal of the lid 102 when fitted on the second container 106. This is because the outermost internal wall of the lid 102 is not in contact with the rim of the second container 106 and can therefore be used to achieve leverage when removing the lid 102 from the second container 106. Therefore, although the flange of the lid 102 assists removal, it is not necessary to achieve easy removal of the lid 102.

[0098] The bottom of the second container 106 may comprise a protruding channel. This protrusion is configured to allow the second container to be stacked on the topside of the lid. That is, the protruding channel is such that it cooperates with the recess on the topside of the lid 102. This therefore allows a plurality of second containers to be stacked on one another without the need to change the lid 102.

[0099] It may be that the peripheral channel 200 of the lid 102 is configured such that when fitted on the first container 104, the innermost internal wall 206 is not in contact with the rim of the first container 104. The peripheral channel 200 of the lid 102 may be such that when fitted on the second container 106, the outermost internal wall 204 is not in contact with the rim of the second container 106. That is, when fitted on either the first container 104 or the second container 106, the peripheral channel 200 is wide enough to completely house the rim of either the first container 104 or the second container 106. In other words, when fitted, the rim of the container is only in contact with one side of the peripheral channel 200. This allows the lid 102 space to flex into when a user applies leverage to remove the lid 102 when fitted on a container. Particularly, it allows the peripheral channel space to flex because the peripheral channel has at least one internal wall which is not in contact with the container.

[0100] The lid 102 is configured to fit onto both the first container 104 and the second container 106 by using either the outermost 204 or innermost 206 internal wall of the peripheral channel 200 of the lid 102, respectively. That is, the lid is capable of fitting onto two different containers by two different means.

[0101] With reference to FIG. 4, close-up views of embodiments of the peripheral channel 200 are provided. FIG. 4A illustrates a peripheral channel 200 which has a lip 210 at the outermost internal wall 204 and a slanted innermost wall 212, as illustrated previously. The lip 210 can be used to grip around a rim of a container, such as a rim around the opening of the first container 104. That is, the rim of the container may protrude outwardly from the edge of the container. Alternatively, the lip 210 may grip around an inward indentation that exists on the edge of the container, such as on the first container 104. The position of the lip 210 on the outermost internal wall is configured such that the lid 102 cooperates with the rim of the first container 104, whether the rim protrudes outwardly such that the lip 210 is to grip around, or whether an inward indentation such that the lip 210 is to cooperate with. That is, this embodiment of the peripheral channel is capable of cooperating with two different containers with different types of rims. This allows a user to achieve a secure fit on different containers using the same lid.

[0102] FIG. 4B illustrates an alternative peripheral channel 200 with only a lip 210 at the outermost internal wall 204. The lip is configured to operate in a similar manner as described with reference to FIG. 4A. However, the innermost internal wall 206 is not slanted and instead is flat. In this embodiment, the innermost internal wall 206 is configured to create an interference fit when fitted onto a container requiring the innermost internal wall 206 to secure the lid. That is, the innermost internal wall 206 is configured to cooperate with a flat rim of a container. The interference fit is configured to secure the lid 102 onto the flat-rimmed container.

[0103] FIG. 4C illustrates an alternative peripheral channel 200 with only a slanted innermost internal wall 212. The peripheral channel 200 can be used to cooperate with a slanted rim of a container, such as the second container 106 as described in reference to FIG. 4A. That is, the slanted rim of the container can have a similar slant to the peripheral channel 200 such that the lid 102 can be secured onto the container. Similar to FIG. 4B, the outermost internal wall 204 of the peripheral channel 200 is configured to create an interference fit when fitted onto a container requiring the outermost internal wall 204 to secure the lid. That is, the outermost internal wall 206 is configured to cooperate with a flat rim of a container. The interference fit is configured to secure the lid 102 onto the flat-rimmed container.

[0104] Although not shown, it may be that each of the peripheral channels of FIG. 4 also comprise a flange, for example as illustrated in FIG. 2. This would preferably be the case for the alternative peripheral channel as illustrated in FIG. 4C because, without a flange, it would be difficult for a user to remove the lid when fitted on a flat-rimmed container. In other words, it would be difficult for the user to achieve leverage and pry off the lid from the container due to there being little to grip on the outermost external wall 202.

[0105] It will be understood that the lid may comprise any number and combination of the previously described features. In particular, FIG. 5 illustrates a plurality of alternative lids, each comprising a peripheral channel 200 with both a lip 210 at the outermost internal wall 14 and a slanted innermost internal wall 212, but missing one or more of the other features. These illustrations are not intended to limit the possible combination of features, but rather provide examples of alternative lids. It will be appreciated that any combination of the peripheral channels of FIG. 4 may also be used to achieve an alternative lid in accordance with the examples illustrated in FIG. 5.

[0106] FIG. 5A illustrates a lid with a groove 214 between an innermost external wall of the peripheral channel 200 and the centre of the lid. The groove 214 is such that an underside of a container, such as the first container 104, may be stacked on top of the lid 102 (not shown). That is, the underside of the container cooperates with groove 214. It may be that the thickness of the lid is uniform. This could be achieved by either having the topside depressed towards the underside of the lid, or have the underside of the lid follow the topside.

[0107] FIG. 5B illustrates an example of the underside following the topside of the lid. In this embodiment, the lid comprises the groove 214 and the curvature 216 between groove 214 and the centre of the lid. This allows for additional space inside a container when the lid is secured on the container. The curvature further allows the lid 70 to bear a greater force from above, i.e. force applied to the topside of the lid.

[0108] With reference to FIG. 5C, the topside of lid 80 also comprises the recess 218 at the centre of the lid. The recess 218 is such that an underside of a container may be stacked on top of the lid 80 (not shown). That is, the underside of the container cooperates with recess 218.

[0109] With reference to FIG. 5D, the lid only comprises the flange 220 at an end of the outermost external wall 202 of the peripheral channel 200. The flange 220 is to be used to aid in removing the lid 90 when fitted on a container. This is of particular use when the lid 90 is secured onto a container such that the outermost internal wall 204 is used to cooperatively fit on the container, such as the first container 104. That is, the flange 220 allows the lid 90 to be easily removed, i.e. through leverage.

[0110] In use, a user may have a stock of the first container 104, second container 106 and lid 102. The containers may be placed next to each other, for example, in a room. The user can put food inside a container and the lid 102 is used to secure the container. It may be that the user puts food inside a plurality of containers and secures the containers with a plurality of the lid 102. Accordingly, apparatus 100 is useful for takeaway or similar food vendors. The food placed in the container may be salad, or more generally food from a buffet. The user can fit the lid 102 on the container without thinking about which lid to use for their selection of container.