The present invention relates to the branch of production of packaging for storage and transportation of goods or materials, for example, such as closures (lids) for containers, more specifically, to closures (lids) combined with auxiliary devices not intended for closure, even more specifically, to lids for a container (hereinafter, the lid) with means for storage of auxiliary devices in a specific position, in particular, elastic elements, and with auxiliary package for additional items or materials, and may be used, for example, for closing containers or reservoirs with food products and contain auxiliary devices for consumption of food products.

Many similar items are known to the applicant including the following item taken as a prototype.

A lid for a container comprising a hollow casing with an upper part and a lower part, the upper part of the casing being formed by side walls and an end wall and comprising a means for keeping auxiliary devices made in the form of elastic petal- shaped elements arranged in one plane, the lower part of the casing contains a side wall and means of coupling with the container, is known to the applicant. Means of coupling with the container are made in the form of side walls of the lower part of the lid, designed to couple with the upper edge of the container when the latter is closed with the known lid. The known lid is described in Patent UA 72910 published on 27 August 2012 and in Patent UA 82788 published on 12 August 2013.

The above features provide positioning and storing of auxiliary devices when the known lid is used as well as removing thereof when the container, closed with the known lid, is opened. The above means of coupling with the container provide, preferably, radial fixation of the lid on the container and do not provide sufficient axial fixation of the lid on the container due to the lack of additional fixation elements. This may also lead to skewness when the lid is positioned on the container during the closure process which affects the reliability of positioning and subsequent use of the lid. Furthermore, lack of additional means of coupling with the container does not allow using the same lid on containers with different types of edges, intended to fix the lid, for example, such as edges with circular cross- section which are typical for paper containers (cups, etc.) or edges with a more flat section which may be found on plastic containers. This affects operational flexibility of the lid. Further, testing of the known lid described above has showed that embodiment of petal-shaped elements in the elastic form only cannot provide the required reliability of positioning and fixation of auxiliary devices inside the lid as well as to prevent auxiliary devices from coming into contact with contents of the container when the lid is positioned on the container that may be caused by insufficient rigidity of the lid, geometrical parameters of petal-shaped elements and arrangement thereof along the height insidethe lid. The testing also demonstrated possible complications with positioning of auxiliary devices inside the lid before it is positioned on the container exactly during an automatic container closure process which may be carried out on automatic lines, in particular, in food industry, and subsequent removal of auxiliary devices when the container, closed with the lid clamed, is used that may also be due to the factors described above.

This invention is based on the object to improve reliability of positioning and fixation of the lid on the container and, at the same time, to reduce efforts required to place the lid on the container or remove it therefrom as well as to improve rigidity of the lid casing and operational flexibility of the lid by ensuring that the lid may be used with containers varying by type of upper edge.

An additional object is to improve reliability of positioning and fixation of auxiliary devices inside the lid, to prevent auxiliary devices from coming into contact with contents of the container when the lid is positioned on the container and to simplify positioning of auxiliary devices inside the lid before the lid is positioned on the container by automatic container closure lines and removing of auxiliary devices when the container, closed with the lid claimed, is used.

This object is solved, so that the known lid for the container, comprising a hollow casing with an upper part and a lower part and the upper part of the casing being formed by side walls and an end wall and comprising means for keeping auxiliary devices, made in a form of elastic petal-shaped elements arranged in one plane and the lower part of the casing comprises a side wall and means of coupling with the container, in according to the invention, the means of coupling with the container designed as fillets having a form of segments arranged along a perimeter of the inner surface of the lower part of the casing. Flanges arranged along the perimeter of an inner surface of the lower part of the casing above the fillets. Flanges comprise a bearing surface on a side of the fillets and a gripping surface having a hook in a lower part thereof. A distance from a plane of positioning the petal- shaped elements to an end surface of the upper part of the lid h is within 0.2...0.8 of the lid height H. A distance from the bearing surface of flanges hj to the plane of positioning petal-shaped elements is not less than a height of flanges h ₂ . A total surface area of the petal-shaped elements S is within 0.5...0.8 of a sectional area of the upper part of the easing Si at a site where petal-shaped elements are positioned.

Equipping the known lid with means of coupling with the container comprising fillets having the form of ring segments arranged along the perimeter of the inner surface of the lower part of the casing and flanges arranged along the perimeter of the inner surface of the lower part of the casing above fillets helps to improve reliability of positioning and fixation of the lid on the container by providing additional means for axial fixation of the lid on the container. Using both fillets and flanges of the above design helps to improve rigidity of the casing and operational flexibility of the lid by using the lid with containers varying by type of the upper edge. For example, the lid may be fixed in the axial direction on containers with a circular section edge by means of flanges arranged along the perimeter of the inner surface of the lower part of the casing above fillets, specifically, when it comes into contact with the gripping surface and the hook in its lower part, and on containers with a more flat edge it may be fixed by means of flanges and fillets, when the container edge comes into contact with the surface of a fillet on the one side (to prevent spontaneous, accidental movement of the lid in an upward direction) and into contact with the bearing surface of the flange on the other side (to prevent movement of the lid in a downward direction).

This inventor has empirically determined that continuous design of fillets and flanges, i.e. with no interruptions along the length of the lower surface of the casing requires to increase efforts to disconnect the means of coupling with the container from the container, which may cause to deformation of the lid, especially, when the lid is made of polymeric materials, or reduce usability of the container with the lid. Therefore, designing the means of coupling with the container to make them discrete, such as individual segments or individual elements, help to reduce efforts required to remove the lid from the container when both containers with a rounded edge and containers with a flat edge are used.

Further, flanges having the above design (in particular, in the form of ribs) help to improve rigidity of the lid and, at the same time, to simplify the lid by eliminating the need for equipping the lid with separate means of ensuring rigidity. Numerous tests completed by the inventor with the lid so designed have showed that certain geometric parameters can improve reliability of positioning and fixation of auxiliary devices inside the lid, prevent auxiliary devices from coming into contact with contents of the container when the lid is positioned on the container and simplify positioning of auxiliary devices inside the lid before it is positioned on the container by using automatic container closure lines and remove auxiliary devices when the container, closed with the lid claimed, is used instead of providing for certain parameters of rigidity which imposes restrictions on the material used for production of the lid. It was determined that the distance hi from the bearing surface of flanges to the plane of positioning petal-shaped elements should be not less than height h ₂ of the flanges to prevent auxiliary devices from coming into contact with contents of the container when the lid is positioned on the container. When the distance h] is less than the interval specified, there is a high probability that auxiliary devices may come into contact with contents of the container. Further, the distance from the plane of positioning petal-shaped elements to the end surface of the upper part of the lid h within 0.2...0.8 of the lid height H may improve reliability of positioning and fixation of auxiliary devices inside the lid by providing sufficient volume for auxiliary devices. The distance h being less than 0.2 of the lid height H does not allow to provide sufficient volume, while the distance h being more than 0.8 of lid height H does not allow to ensure secure fixation of auxiliary devices and is inappropriate from a technological point of view. Still further, the total surface area of petal-shaped elements S within 0.5...0.8 of sectional area of the upper part of the casing at the site of positioning petal-shaped elements Si help to simplify positioning of auxiliary devices inside the cover before it is positioned on the container by automatic container closure lines and removing auxiliary devices when the container, closed with the lid claimed, is used. When the total surface area of petal-shaped elements S is less than 0.5 of area Si, as described above, loss of auxiliary devices is more probable when the lid is positioned on the container or when the container with lid positioned thereon is used, and when the total surface area of petal-shaped elements S is more than 0.8 of area Si, as described above, more efforts may be required to place auxiliary devices inside the lid (e.g., before the lid is positioned on the container) or to remove auxiliary devices from of the lid (e.g., when the lid is used).

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the upper part and the lower part of the casing may be intercoupled to form a horizontal section. This embodiment helps to provide positioning of petal-shaped elements and flanges inside the lid when it is positioned on the container, and to further improve rigidity of its casing.

In another embodiment, the casing may have the upper part that is shaped as a truncated cone and the cylindrical-shaped lower part. This embodiment of parts of the lid casing allows to use the lid with containers shaped with a round edge, and further to improve rigidity of the container.

In yet another embodiment, the lower part of the casing may be formed by at least two coaxial cylindrical surfaces having different diameters intercoupled, so that the surface with a smaller diameter is positioned above the surface of a larger diameter. The surface of a larger diameter helps to simplify positioning of the lid on the container and, at the same time, to position fillets on the surface with a smaller diameter.

In yet another embodiment, fillets may be shaped as ring segments positioned along the diameter of the lower part of the casing. This embodiment of fillets further helps to reduce efforts required to remove the lid from the container with a flat edge.

In yet another embodiment, fillets may be positioned at the site where coaxial cylindrical surfaces of the lower part of the casing are coupled. Such positioning of fillets helps further to simplify positioning of the lid on the container and, at the same time, position fillets on the surface with a smaller diameter.

In yet another embodiment, fillets may be designed to have a triangular cross- section with a side coupled with the inner surface of the lower part of the casing. This embodiment of fillets helps to simplify positioning of the lid on the container with a flat edge or removing the lid from the container. In yet another embodiment, flanges may be positioned at the site where the horizontal section is coupled with side walls of the lower part of the casing. Such arrangement of flanges further improves rigidity of the casing of the lid.

In yet another embodiment, flanges may be shaped as separate flat ribs positioned radially to the cylindrical-shaped lower part. Such embodiment of flanges further improves rigidity of the lid casing and helps to reduce efforts required to remove the lid from the container with a rounded edge.

In yet another embodiment, petal-shaped elements may be positioned along the perimeter of the upper part of the casing to form the inner circumference and the outer circumference. Such embodiment of petal-shaped elements helps further to improve reliability of positioning and fixing auxiliary devices inside the lid, to avoid contact of auxiliary devices with contents of the container when the lid is positioned on the container and to simplify positioning of auxiliary devices inside the lid before the latter is positioned on the container by automatic container closure lines as well as to remove auxiliary devices when the container, closed with the lid claimed, is used, especially when auxiliary devices having different shapes and configurations are used.

In yet another embodiment, the diameter of the outer circumference of positioning petal-shaped elements d is within 0.8...0.95 of the diameter of the lower part of the casing D. The diameter d being within these limits further reduces possible loss of auxiliary devices when the lid is positioned on the container and when the container with the lid claimed is used.

In yet another embodiment, notches are positioned between petal-shaped elements at an angle a within the range 10...20 ° to the radius of the outer circumference of positioning petal-shaped elements. Notches so designed help auxiliary devices, positioned on petal-shaped elements, to come into contact with at least two of such neighbouring elements, so that the contact area of devices with petal-shaped elements expands to further improve reliability of positioning and fixation of auxiliary devices inside the lid.

The invention claimed is illustrated by the following example of embodiment of the lid and the following drawings, where:

- Fig. 1 shows a general view of the lid,

- Fig. 2 shows a side view of the lid in section,

- Fig. 3 shows view A of Fig. 2,

- Fig. 4 shows a side view of the lid in section with auxiliary devices placed thereon when the lid is positioned on containers varying by edge type.

Figurative materials that illustrate the invention claimed as well as a particular embodiment of the lid are merely example in nature and are in no way intended to limit the claims, appended hereto, but to explain the essence of the invention.

The lid comprises a hollow casing 1 with an upper part 2 shaped as a truncated cone and a cylindrical-shaped lower part 3 intercoupled to form a horizontal section 4. The upper part of the casing 2 is formed by side walls 5, an end wall 6 and comprises means of keeping auxiliary devices. The means are made in the form of elastic petal-shaped elements 7 arranged in one plane. The lower part of the casing 3 comprises a side wall 8 and means of coupling with the container. The side wall 8 is formed by at least two interconnected coaxial cylindrical surfaces 9 and 10 having different diameters. The surface with a smaller diameter 9 is positioned above the surface with a larger diameter 10.

Means of coupling with the container comprise fillets 11 and flanges 12. Fillets 1 1 are shaped as ring segments with a triangular cross-section, a side of which is coupled with the inner surface of the lower part of the casing 3. Segments are positioned along the perimeter of the inner surface of the lower part of the casing 3 at the site where coaxial cylindrical surfaces 9 and 10 are coupled. Flanges 12 are positioned at the site of coupling the horizontal section 4 with side walls 8 of the lower part of the casing 3 along the perimeter of the inner surface of the lower part of the casing 3 above fillets 11. Flanges 12 are made in the form of separate flat ribs positioned radially to the cylindrical form of the lower part of the casing 3. Flanges 12 comprise a bearing surface 13 and a gripping surface 14. The bearing surface 13 is positioned on the side of fillets. The gripping surface 14 comprises a hook 15 in the lower part. The distance from the plane of positioning petal-shaped elements 7 to the end wall 6 of the upper part of the lid h is within 0.2...0.8 of the lid height H, preferably, 0.5 of the lid height H. The distance from the bearing surface 13 of flanges to the plane of positioning petal-shaped elements h] is not less than the height of flanges h ₂ , in particular, equals this height. The total surface area of petal-shaped elements S is within 0.5...0.8 of the sectional area of the upper part 2 of the casing at the site where petal-shaped elements Si are positioned, preferably, 0.7 of area Si.

Petal-shaped elements 7 are positioned along the perimeter of the upper part of the casing 2 to form the inner circumference 16 and the outer circumference 17. The diameter of the outer circumference 17 of positioning petal-shaped elements d is within 0.8...0.95 of the diameter of the lower part of the casing D, preferably, 0.85 of diameter D. Notches 18 are positioned at an angle a in the range of 8...20 ⁰ to the radius of the outer circumference of positioning petal-shaped elements, preferably, at an angle α=12 ° are formed between petal-shaped elements 7. The lid is made of polymeric materials such as plastic.

The lid, according to the invention, is used as follows. First, auxiliary devices 19 are placed inside the lid in its upper part between the end wall 6 and petal-shaped elements 7. Auxiliary devices 19 may include flatware (a fork, a spoon, a knife, etc.), either of plastic or paper, or a medium with product information or any other or similar item. Then, the casing 1 of the lid with auxiliary devices 19 is positioned on the container 20 and pressed, so that fillets 1 1 and flanges 12 couple with a container edge. The edge of the container enters into coupling with the hook 15 on the gripping surface 14 of flanges or is placed between the bearing surface 13 of flanges and the surface of fillets 11 and rests on the bearing surface 13 (depending on the type of a container edge). Fig. 2 shows the use of the same lid positioned on the container 20 with a circular section edge 21 and the container 20 with a preferably flat section edge 22. The lid claimed is, in particular, to be positioned on the container by an automatic food product pre-packaging and packaging line with a conveyer belt. A paper or plastic reservoir, in particular, with a round section edge may be used as a container. Then, when the container is used, the casing of the lid 1 is removed from the container 20 by decoupling flanges 12 and fillets 1 1 from the container edge 20, and auxiliary devices 19 are then removed from the upper part 2 of the lid by unbending petal-shaped elements 7 and are used as intended. Auxiliary devices 19 may be repositioned in the upper part of the lid 2 and the lid may be repositioned on the container, where necessary, by repeating the actions in a reverse order.

Thus, the invention allows to improve reliability of positioning and fixation the lid on the container and, at the same time, to reduce efforts necessary to position the lid on the container or remove it therefrom, to improve rigidity of the lid casing and operational flexibility of the lid, and to improve reliability of positioning and fixation of auxiliary devices inside the lid, to prevent auxiliary devices from coming into contact with contents of the container when the lid is positioned on the container and to simplify positioning of auxiliary devices inside the lid, before it is positioned on the container by automatic container closure lines and to remove auxiliary devices therefrom when the container, closed with the lid claimed, is used.