Lid for a container

Abstract

A lid may include a lower portion and an upper portion that is pivotally attached to the lower portion. The lid may also include a locking member coupled to a bottom surface of the upper portion of the lid. The locking member may be slidable between a locked and an unlocked position. When the locking member is in the locked position, the upper portion of the lid may be pivotally coupled to the lower portion of the lid and movable between an open position that allows the one or more fluids to be poured from the container and a closed position that prevents the one or more fluids from being poured from the container.

Claims

1. A lid sized and configured to be attached to a container, the container sized and configured to be filled with one or more fluids, the lid comprising: a lower portion, the lid being sized and configured to be attached to a container at the lower portion; an aperture in the lower portion of the lid sized and configured to provide fluid communication with an attached container; an upper portion of the lid coupled to the lower portion of the lid, the upper portion movable between an open position to allow one or more fluids to exit the attached container through the aperture and a closed position to prevent the one or more fluids from exiting the attached container through the aperture; and a locking member coupled to the upper portion of the lid, the locking member slidable between a locked and an unlocked position, one or more receiving portions of the locking member being aligned with one or more receiving portions of the upper portion of the lid when the locking member is in the unlocked position, and the one or more receiving portions of the locking member being not aligned with the one or more receiving portions of the upper portion of the lid when the locking member is in the locked position; wherein when the upper portion of the lid is coupled to the lower portion of the lid, the locking member is in the locked position; and wherein when the locking member is in the unlocked position, the upper portion of the lid is not coupled to the lower portion of the lid.

2. The lid as in claim 1, further comprising a flexible member coupled to the locking member and contacting the lower portion of the lid, the flexible member biasing the upper portion of the lid into the closed position.

3. The lid as in claim 2, wherein a first portion of the flexible member is disposed in a receiving portion in the lower portion of the lid; and wherein when the locking member slides between the locked and the unlocked position, the first portion of the flexible member moves within the receiving portion in the lower portion of the lid.

4. The lid as in claim 2, wherein a first portion of the flexible member is disposed in a receiving portion in the lower portion of the lid; wherein a second portion of the flexible member is disposed in a receiving portion in the locking member; and wherein the flexible member is disposed between the locking member and the lower portion of the lid.

5. The lid as in claim 1, wherein the locking member is slidably connected to a bottom surface of the upper portion of the lid.

6. The lid as in claim 1, further comprising a gripping portion of the locking member that facilitates movement of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions; and a sidewall that extends around a perimeter of the lower portion of the lid and an opening in the sidewall beneath the gripping portion of the locking member where a digit of a user may be inserted to move the locking member between the locked and the unlocked positions.

7. The lid as in claim 1, wherein when the locking member is in the locked position and the upper and lower portions of the lid are coupled: one or more engaging portions of the lower portion of the lid are disposed in the one or more receiving portions of the upper portion of the lid and in the one or more receiving portions of the locking member; and one or more flanges of the locking member abut the one or more engaging portions to lock the one or more engaging portions into the one or more receiving portions.

8. The lid as in claim 7, wherein each of the one or more engaging portions forms a pivot point around which the upper portion of the lid pivots between the closed and the open positions.

9. A lid sized and configured to be attached to a container, the container sized and configured to be filled with a fluid, the lid comprising: a front; a rear positioned opposite the front; sides between the front and the rear; a lower portion; a spout at least partially disposed in the lower portion proximate the front; an upper portion; and a locking member selectively coupling the upper and lower portions of the lid, the locking member slidable between a locked and an unlocked position, at least a portion of the locking member disposed proximate the rear of the lid in the locked position; wherein when the upper and lower portions of the lid are coupled, the locking member is in the locked position, and the upper portion is movable about an axis between a closed position in which the upper portion covers the spout and an open position in which the upper portion does not cover the spout, the axis extending towards the sides; and wherein the locking member slides along a path extending forward and backward relative to the lid between the locked and unlocked positions.

10. The lid as in claim 9, further comprising a flexible member disposed between the upper portion of the lid and the lower portion of the lid, the flexible member biasing the upper portion of the lid into the closed position.

11. The lid as in claim 10, wherein the flexible member is coupled to the locking member in a fixed position and the flexible member is slidable within a receiving portion in the lower portion of the lid.

12. The lid as in claim 10, wherein the receiving portion in the lower portion of the lid comprises a guide, and a first portion of the flexible member is disposed in the guide in the lower portion of the lid; wherein a second portion of the flexible member is connected to the locking member; and wherein when the locking member slides between the locked and the unlocked position, the flexible member moves within the guide.

13. The lid as in claim 9, wherein the locking member is slidably connected to the upper portion of the lid; wherein one or more receiving portions of the locking member are aligned with one or more receiving portions of the upper portion of the lid when the locking member is in the unlocked position; and wherein the one or more receiving portions of the locking member are not aligned with the one or more receiving portions of the upper portion of the lid when the locking member is in the locked position.

14. The lid as in claim 9, further comprising a sidewall that extends along a perimeter of the lower portion, and an aperture between the upper and lower portions of the lid where a digit of a user may be inserted to move the locking member between the locked and the unlocked positions.

15. The lid as in claim 14, wherein the locking member includes a gripping portion extending into the aperture.

16. The lid as in claim 9, further comprising a first support wall and a second support wall extending upwardly from a central wall of the lower portion of the lid; and further comprising a first engaging portion disposed on an inner surface of the first support wall and a second engaging portion disposed on an inner surface of the second support wall, the locking member and the upper portion of the lid pivotally coupled to the first and second engaging portions when the locking member is in the locked position.

17. The lid as in claim 16, wherein the locking member locks the first engaging portion in a first receiving portion of the locking member and a first receiving portion of the upper portion of the lid; and wherein the locking member locks the second engaging portion in a second receiving portion of the locking member and a second receiving portion of the upper portion of the lid.

18. A lid sized and configured to be attached to a container, the container sized and configured to be filled with a fluid, the lid comprising: a lower portion; a spout at least partially disposed in the lower portion; an upper portion pivotally coupled to the lower portion, the upper portion movable between an open position and a closed position, the upper portion covering the spout when the upper portion is in the closed position, the upper portion uncovering the spout when the upper portion is in the open position; a locking member movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking member coupled with the upper portion of the lid in each of the locked position and the unlocked position and while moving between the locked position and the unlocked position; and a flexible member disposed between the locking member and the lower portion of the lid, the flexible member biasing the upper portion of the lid into the closed position, wherein: a first portion of the flexible member is disposed in a receiving portion in the lower portion of the lid; and the first portion of the flexible member is movable within the receiving portion in the lower portion of the lid responsive to movement of the locking member between the locked position and the unlocked position.

19. The lid as in claim 18, wherein a second portion of the flexible member extends downwardly relative to the locking member and the upper portion of the lid, the flexible member contacts the lower portion of the lid, and the flexible member is at least partially compressed when the upper portion of the lid is in the open position.

20. A lid sized and configured to be attached to a container, the container sized and configured to be filled with one or more fluids, the lid comprising: a lower portion of the lid sized and configured to be attached to a container; an opening in the lower portion of the lid sized and configured to provide fluid communication with an attached container; an upper portion of the lid movable relative to the lower portion of the lid between an open position to allow one or more fluids to flow through the opening and a closed position to prevent the one or more fluids from flowing through the opening; a locking member movable between a locked position and an unlocked position, the locking member coupling the upper portion and the lower portion of the lid in the locked position, the locking member allowing the upper portion and the lower portion of the lid to be decoupled in the unlocked position, the locking member movable along an axis aligned with a front portion and a rear portion of the lid between the locked and unlocked positions; a gripping portion of the locking member that facilitates movement of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions; and a sidewall that extends around a perimeter of the lower portion of the lid and an opening in the sidewall beneath the gripping portion of the locking member to facilitate a user moving the locking member between the locked and the unlocked positions.

21. The lid as in claim 20, wherein: one or more receiving portions of the locking member are aligned with one or more receiving portions of the upper portion of the lid when the locking member is in the unlocked position; and the one or more receiving portions of the locking member are not aligned with the one or more receiving portions of the upper portion of the lid when the locking member is in the locked position.

22. The lid as in claim 21, wherein when the locking member is in the locked position and the upper and lower portions of the lid are coupled: one or more engaging portions of the lower portion of the lid are disposed in the one or more receiving portions of the upper portion of the lid and in the one or more receiving portions of the locking member; and one or more flanges of the locking member abut the one or more engaging portions to lock the one or more engaging portions into the one or more receiving portions.

23. The lid as in claim 20, further comprising a flexible member coupled to the locking member and contacting the lower portion of the lid, wherein: the flexible member is configured to bias the upper portion of the lid into the closed position; the flexible member is disposed between the locking member and the lower portion of the lid.

24. The lid as in claim 23, wherein: a first portion of the flexible member is disposed in a receiving portion in the lower portion of the lid; a second portion of the flexible member is disposed in a receiving portion in the locking member; and when the locking member moves between the locked position and the unlocked position, the first portion of the flexible member moves within the receiving portion in the lower portion of the lid.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The appended drawings contain figures of preferred embodiments to further illustrate and clarify the above and other aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention. It will be appreciated that these drawings depict only preferred embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit its scope. Additionally, it will be appreciated that while the drawings may illustrate preferred sizes, scales, relationships and configurations of the invention, the drawings are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention. The invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:

(2) FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an exemplary container and lid, illustrating the lid in a closed position;

(3) FIG. 1B is another perspective view of an exemplary container and lid, illustrating the lid in an open position;

(4) FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the container and lid shown in FIG. 1;

(5) FIG. 3A is an enlarged upper perspective view of the lid;

(6) FIG. 3B is an enlarged lower perspective view of the lid;

(7) FIG. 4A is an enlarged upper perspective view of a locking member;

(8) FIG. 4B is an enlarged lower perspective view of the locking member;

(9) FIG. 5A is an enlarged front, upper perspective view of a lower portion of the lid;

(10) FIG. 5B is an enlarged rear, upper perspective view of a lower portion of the lid;

(11) FIG. 6A is an enlarged cross-sectional side view of the lid and a portion of the container shown in FIG. 1 along lines 6A-6A; and

(12) FIG. 6B is an enlarged cross-section side view of the lid and a portion of the container shown in FIG. 2 along lines 6B-6B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(13) The present invention is generally directed towards a lid for a container. The principles of the present invention, however, are not limited to lids for containers. It will be understood that, in light of the present disclosure, the lids and containers disclosed herein may have a variety of shapes, sizes, configurations, and arrangements. It will also be understood that lids and containers may include any suitable number and combination of features, components, aspects, and the like. In addition, while the lids and containers shown in the accompanying figures are illustrated as having particular styles and configurations, it will be appreciated that the lids and containers may have any suitable style or configuration. Further, the lids and containers disclosed herein may be successfully used in connection with other types of objects and devices.

(14) Additionally, to assist in the description of various exemplary embodiments of the lids and containers, words such as top, bottom, front, rear, sides, right, and left are used to describe the accompanying figures which may be, but are not necessarily, drawn to scale. It will be further appreciated that the lids and containers may be disposed in a variety of desired positions or orientations, and used in numerous locations, environments, and arrangements.

(15) Briefly, a lid may be sized and configured to be attached to a container, and the container may be sized and configured to be filled with one or more fluids. The lid may include a lower portion, an upper portion, and a locking member. The locking member may be coupled to the upper portion of the lid and the locking member may be movable between locked and unlocked positions. When the locking member is in the locked position, the upper portion of the lid may be pivotally coupled to the lower portion of the lid and movable between open and closed positions. A flexible or biasing member may bias the lid into the closed position. A detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the lid and container system now follows.

(16) Please note that exemplary embodiments are disclosed and described in detail below. It will be understood that different embodiments may have different parts, components, features and aspects; and the different parts, components, features and aspects may not be required. Further, it will be understood that different embodiments may include various combinations of these parts, components, features and aspects depending, for example, upon the intended use of the system.

(17) As illustrated in FIGS. 1A and 1B, an exemplary embodiment of a lid system 10 may include a container 11 and a lid 12. The lid 12 may include a spout 14 and the spout may be disposed in a lower portion 16 of the lid 12. The spout 14 may be at least partially disposed in an outer sidewall 18 of the lower portion 16 of the lid 12. The lower portion 16 of the lid 12 may be selectively attached to the container 11 and the lid may include an upper portion 20 that is selectively attached to the lower portion.

(18) The upper portion 20 may act as a closure or cover that selectively allows or prevents fluid from exiting the container 11 through the spout 14. When the upper portion 20 is in a closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 1A, the upper portion may cover the spout 14, preventing fluid from exiting the container. In greater detail, the spout 14 may include a lip 24 and the upper portion 20 of the lid 12 may contact, engage or abut the lip to prevent fluid from exiting the container 11. Specifically, a part of the upper portion 20 of the lid 12, such as a section 26, may have a shape generally corresponding to the lip 24 of the spout 14, such that when the upper portion is in the closed position, the section contacts, engages or abuts the lip to prevent the contents from spilling or leaking.

(19) A user may apply a downward force to a rear portion 22 of the upper portion 20 of the lid 12, preferably opposite the spout 14, which may move the upper portion to the open position illustrated in FIG. 1B. In further detail, when the user applies the downward force to the rear portion 22, the upper portion 20 may act as a lever and may pivot around one or more pivot points to move between the closed position illustrated in FIG. 1A and the open position illustrated in FIG. 1B.

(20) As illustrated in FIG. 1B, when the upper portion 20 is in the open position, the spout 14 may be uncovered and contents may be poured from the container 11. Thus, the spout 14 may provide an opening 27 to the container 11. A force on a front portion 28 of the upper portion 20 may move the upper portion to the closed position. As will later be described in further detail, if the lid 12 includes a flexible or biasing member, the user may not need to apply a force to close the lid.

(21) One or more sidewalls 29 may extend generally downwardly from the upper portion 20 of the lid 12. The sidewalls 29 may have a generally circular configuration and may be generally aligned with the sidewall 18 of the lower portion 16 of the lid 12. In particular, at least a portion of the sidewalls 29 of the upper portion 20 of the lid 12 may be disposed inside the sidewall 18 of the lower portion 16, which may help create a lid with pleasing aesthetics.

(22) As illustrated in FIG. 2, the lid system 10 may also include a seal or gasket 30, a flexible member 32, and a locking member 34. The gasket 30 may be disposed between the container 11 and the lower portion 16 of the lid 12, and the flexible member 32 may be disposed between the lower and upper portions 16, 20 of the lid 12. In greater detail, the locking member 34 may be disposed between the lower and upper portions 16, 20 of the lid 12, and the flexible member 32 may be disposed between the locking member and the lower portion of the lid.

(23) The upper portion 20 and the lower portion 16 of the lid 12 may help control the flow of contents from the container 11. In particular, the spout 14 may extend generally upward from a central wall 36 of the lower portion 16 of the lid. As illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the central wall 36 may act as a barrier that prevents contents in the container 11 from contacting the flexible member 32 or the locking member 34 when dispensing the contents through the spout 14. The central wall 36 may also act as a barrier that limits contents to exiting the container through the spout 14.

(24) The upper portion 20 may be in the closed position when contents of the container 11 are stirred, mixed, blended, and/or shaken. When the upper portion 20 is in the closed position, the upper portion may cover the spout 14 and prevent the contents from exiting the container through the spout. With the upper portion 20 covering the spout 14 and the central wall 36 acting as a barrier over a remaining portion of the opening of the container 11, the contents may be sealed in the container and the lid 12 may provide a fluid-tight seal. Because the lower surface of the central wall 36 may be generally smooth and free from any grooves or crevices, the lower portion 16 of the lid 12 may be relatively easy to clean.

(25) An end of the flexible member 32 may be coupled and/or integrally formed with the locking member 34. The flexible member 32 may extend generally downwardly from the locking member 34 at an angle and a portion of the flexible member may be disposed in a receiving portion or guide, which may be disposed on the central wall 36 of the lower portion 16. The flexible member 32 may flex, bend, and/or compress when the lid is opened by applying a force to the rear portion 22 of the upper portion 20. In particular, the force may compress the flexible member 32 and, when the force is removed, the flexible member may resiliently decompress or return to its former shape and/or length, which may automatically close the lid.

(26) The locking member 34 may allow the upper portion 20 to be selectively coupled to the lower portion 16. When the locking member 34 is in the locked position, the upper portion 20 may be pivotally coupled to the lower portion 16, and the upper portion 20 may be movable between the open and closed positions. When the locking member 34 is in the unlocked position, the upper portion 20 of the lid 12 may be uncoupled and easily removed from the lower portion 16 of the lid.

(27) The lower portion 16 may be sized and configured to be attached to the container 11. In particular, the lower portion 16 may be selectively attached to the container 11 by one or more threads 38. This may allow the lid 12 to be detached from the container 11 by unscrewing the lower portion 16 from the container 11, and this may allow the container to be easily filled with fluids such as dressings, powdered drinks, and the like.

(28) The lid system 10 may be constructed from durable, long-lasting materials. The lid system 10 may also be constructed from materials that allow it to be reused and/or recycled. The container 11 and/or the lid 12 may, for example, be constructed from a relatively rigid material such as plastic. In particular, the container 11 and/or the lid 12 may be constructed from materials such as high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or other materials with similar properties and/or characteristics. In view of this disclosure, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the lid system 10 and its various parts, such as the container 11 and/or the lid 12, may be constructed from various materials with desired properties such as different types of plastics, glass, metal, composites and the like. Additionally, the container 11 and/or the lid 12 may be constructed from at least partially transparent or translucent materials, which may allow the user to see the type and amount of fluids in the container. Further, the flexible member 32 may be constructed from a relatively durable material that is flexible, resilient, and/or spring-like to allow the flexible member to be resiliently deformed. The flexible member 32 may be constructed from, for example, plastic and/or steel. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the flexible member 32 may be constructed from a wire. For instance, the wire may include a first portion or end that extends in a generally straight line, a generally circular, loop-shaped body portion, and a second portion or end with a generally V-shaped configuration. The ends and body portion may be sized and configured to allow the flexible member 32 to be compressed or deform when the lid 12 is opened, and the flexible member may be sized and configured to help close the lid. The flexible member 32 may also be sized and configured to bias the lid 12 into the closed position. It will be appreciated, after reviewing this disclosure that the flexible member 32 may also be bent or shaped to include one or more angled portions, and the flexible member may have other suitable shapes, sizes, configurations and arrangements depending, for example, upon the intended use of the lid system 10.

(29) As illustrated in FIG. 3A, the upper portion 20 may include a slightly curved or rounded upper surface. If a user desires to dispense contents from the container, the user may press down on the rear portion 22 of the upper surface of the upper portion 20 using his or her thumb or finger. The rear portion 22 may include a depression, curved area, or other indicator to indicate where a force should be applied. The force may cause the upper portion 20 to pivot around one or more pivot points and move from a closed position to an open position. If the user desires to prevent the contents from exiting the container 11, such as when mixing the contents, the user may simply lift his or her finger or thumb from the rear portion 22, and the flexible member 32 may automatically return the upper portion 20 to the closed position.

(30) As illustrated in FIG. 3B, a bottom portion of the upper portion 20 may include a downwardly extending projection, such as a ridge 40, and the ridge may be set back or spaced apart from the rim 26 or outer periphery of the upper portion 20 of the lid 12. The ridge 40 may fit inside the spout 14 when the upper portion 20 is in the closed position. In particular, the ridge 40 may contact, abut and/or engage an inner circumference or portion of the spout 14 to help secure contents inside the container and prevent leakage. Advantageously, the ridge 40 may help create a consistent, reliable seal around the spout 14.

(31) As illustrated in FIG. 3B, the upper portion 20 of the lid 12 may include two receiving portions 42, such as slots. As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the locking member 34 may include two receiving portions 44, such as grooves. As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the lower portion 16 of the lid 12 may include two engaging portions 46, such as pins or protrusions. The engaging portions 46 may be disposed in the receiving portions 42 of the upper portion 20 and the receiving portions 44 of the locking member 34. In particular, the engaging portions 46, such as the protrusions, may extend inwardly through the receiving portions 42, such as slots, of the upper portion 20 and into the receiving portions 44, such as the grooves, of the locking member 34. When the engaging portions 46 of the lower portion 16 are disposed in the receiving portions 42, 44 of both the upper portion 20 and the locking member 34, the locking member 34 may be moved to a locked position that locks the engaging portions of the lower portion 16 in the receiving portions of both the upper portion 20 and the locking member 34. In greater detail, when the engaging portions 46 are disposed in both the receiving portions 42 of the upper portion 20 and the receiving portions 44 of the locking member 34, the locking member may be slid into the locked position. In addition, the receiving portions 44 of the locking member 34 may include flanges 48 that helps lock the engaging portions 46 in the receiving portions 42, 44. The flanges 48, for instance, may abut the engaging portions 46 to help lock the engaging portions into the receiving portions 44.

(32) When the locking member 34 is in the locked position, the engaging portions 46 may act as or form pivot points around which the upper portion 20 of the lid 12 may pivot between the open and closed positions. For example, the engaging portions 46, such as protrusions, may act as pivot points for the upper portion 20 when the engaging portions are disposed in the receiving portions 42, 44, such as slots and grooves.

(33) The locking member 34 may be coupled to a lower surface of the upper portion 20 in a manner that allows the locking member to slide with respect to the upper portion. For example, the locking member 34 may be coupled to the lower surface of the upper portion 20 of the lid 12 by disposing the locking member within a receiving portion and the locking member may be disposed into the receiving portion by a snap fit or other suitable connection. As illustrated in FIG. 3B, one or more protrusions 49 may help couple the locking member 34 to the upper portion 20 of the lid 12.

(34) When the locking member 34 is in the locked position, the upper portion 20 of the lid 12 may be pivotally coupled to the lower portion 16 of the lid 12, and the upper portion 20 may be movable between the open and closed positions. When the locking member 34 is in the unlocked position, the upper portion 20 may be uncoupled and removed from the lower portion 16, if desired.

(35) As illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the locking member 34 may include one or more gripping portions 50, such as flanges, protrusions, grooves, and the like, which may facilitate gripping of the locking member and movement of the locking member between the locked and unlocked positions. The flexible member 32 may be coupled to the locking member 34 by inserting a portion of the flexible member into an opening 52 in the locking member. For example, the flexible member 32 may be constructed from a resilient material, such as metal, and may be in the form of a wire. Thus, the opening 52 in the locking member 34 may be sized and fitted to receive an end of the flexible member 32. The opening 52 may be elongated and extend generally parallel to a body of the locking member 34. The end of the flexible member 32 inserted into the opening 52 and the opening may have corresponding shapes and sizes to allow the flexible member to be securely connected to the locking member 34. The loop-shaped portion of the flexible member 32 may be disposed at least proximate the locking member 34 and the angled portion of the flexible member may be disposed an at angle between about 45? and about 90? relative to the locking member. In addition, the angled portion may be disposed at an angle between about 60? and about 90? relative to the locking member 34. The angled portion may have a generally V-shaped or U-shaped configuration.

(36) A receiving portion, such as a guide 54, which is illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, may receive a portion of the flexible member 32. For example, the guide 54 may receive the angled portion of the flexible member when the upper portion 20 is connected to the lower portion 16 of the lid 12. The guide 54 may be located on the upper surface of the central wall 36 of the lower portion 16. As will be explained in further detail with respect to FIGS. 6A and 6B, a portion of the flexible member 32 may be disposed in and move within the guide 54 when the locking member 34 moves between a locked and unlocked position.

(37) As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, a portion of the outer sidewall 18 of the lower portion 16 may extend generally upwardly from the central wall 36 of the lower portion 16 and an aperture 56 may allow a user to insert his or her digit or digits into the lid 12 and grip the gripping portion 50 of the locking member 34. The aperture 56 may be disposed generally beneath the gripping portion 50 of the locking member 34. The width of the aperture 56 may, for example, be approximately the same as the width of the locking member 34, though in some embodiments, it may be wider or narrower. The user may insert his or her digit or digits into the aperture 56 and move the locking member 34 to the locked position by moving the locking member 34 in a first direction. The user may move the gripping portion 50 in an opposite direction to move the locking member 34 to the unlocked position. For example, the user may insert his or her digit or digits into the aperture 56 and move the locking member 34 to the locked position by pulling the gripping portion 50 of the locking member 34 away from the spout 14. The user may insert his or her digit or digits into the aperture 56 and move the locking member 34 to the unlocked position by pushing the gripping portion 50 of the locking member towards the spout 14.

(38) As illustrated in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the lower portion 16 of the lid may include one or more support walls 60. The support walls 60 may be disposed within a circumference, outer perimeter and/or sidewall 18 of the lower portion 16 of the lid 12. The support walls 60 may extend upwardly from an upper surface of the central wall 36 of the lower portion 16 and the height of the support walls 60 may be approximately equal to a height of the sidewall 18. The support walls 60 may be sized and configured to support the upper portion 20 of the lid 12. In greater detail, the support walls 60 may be disposed in a generally parallel relationship and generally perpendicular to the upper surface of the central wall 36. The engaging portions 46 may be disposed on opposing surfaces of the support walls 60 and the engaging portions may be disposed directly across from each other on the inner surfaces of the support walls 60. The upper portion 20 of the lid 12 may pivot about an axis of rotation that is generally aligned with the engaging portions 46. The engaging portions 46 may be disposed at a height approximately equal to a height of the spout 14, which may allow the upper portion 20 to lay substantially flat across the spout 14 when in a closed position.

(39) As illustrated in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the flexible member 32 may be generally disposed between the lower and upper portions 16, 20 of the lid 12. As previously described, a first portion of the flexible member 32 may contact, engage or be coupled to the upper portion 20 of the lid 12 and a second portion of the flexible member 32 may contact, engage or be coupled to the lower portion 16 of the lid. As shown in the accompanying figures, the generally U-shaped or V-shaped portion of the flexible member 32 may be disposed in the guide 54 in the lower portion 16 of the lid 12. The flexible member 32 may flex, bend, and/or compress when a force is applied to the upper portion 20 and the upper portion may move into the open position. When the force is removed, the flexible member 32 may automatically move the upper portion 20 to a closed position. Thus, the flexible member 32 may bias the lid 12 into the closed position.

(40) In operation, when the upper portion 20 is connected to the lower portion 16 of the lid 12, a user may press on the rear portion 22 to pivot the upper portion into the open position. This may allow the user to pour the contents of the container 11 out through the spout 14. When the user no longer presses on the upper portion 20, the lid 12 may automatically move into the closed position because the flexible member 32 may bias the lid into the closed position. If it is desired to disconnect the upper portion 20 from the lower portion 16 of the lid, the locking member 34 may be unlocked and the engaging portions 46 may be removed from the receiving portions 42, 44. This may facilitate cleaning of the lid 12. The upper portion 20 may be attached to the lower portion 16 of the lid 12 by inserting the engaging portions 46 into the receiving portions 42, 44, disposing a portion of the flexible member 32 in the opening 52 in the locking member 34 and another portion of the flexible member in the guide 54, and locking the locking member. If desired, the lid 12 may be connected or disconnected from the container 11 by, for example, a threaded connection.

(41) Advantageously, the lid 12 may be simple to use and operate. In addition, because the lid 12 has few parts, the lid may be quickly and easily assembled, cleaned, and disassembled. Further, the parts may be efficiently manufactured and the lid 12 may be easily repaired and/or replaced.

(42) The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as only illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims, rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.