LID WITH TWO CLAMPING GROOVES

Lids are known with a central lid portion and with at least one first peripheral clamping groove for being clamped on a rim of a cup-shaped receptacle. Such receptacles are used for beverages and those receptacles have different volumes, for example 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.75 or 1.0 L, or even more. Those receptacles are different in height, diameter of the upper opening and/or in the conicity of the wall, i.e. the angle of inclination of the wall to the outside.

As long as the diameters of such receptacles are different, also different lids are needed with different diameters of the clamping groove to densely fit on the corresponding rim of the receptacle. Consequently, for each receptacle with a particular diameter also a specific lid is provided. Accordingly, for all receptacles, a corresponding number of lids has to be stored and then the correct lid has to be selected for clamping on the rim of the specific receptacle.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a lid that is usable for different receptacles, such that fewer lids have to be stored for the receptacles, wherein the advantages like density, etc., of the known lids are maintained.

The object is solved by a lid with the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, a second peripheral clamping groove is formed adjacent to the first clamping groove to be clamped on a rim of another cup-shaped receptacle with greater diameter than the first receptacle. The diameter is the diameter of the opening of the receptacle and for the receptacle with an opening of greater diameter, the second peripheral clamping groove is used and for the receptacle with an opening diameter of smaller dimension, the first peripheral clamping groove is used.

It is conceivable that not only a second peripheral clamping groove, but also a third or even a fourth one are provided.

The corresponding peripheral clamping grooves are adapted to densely fit on the corresponding rim, wherein such a rim may be a beaded, curled, or an otherwise formed and shaped rim of a corresponding cup-shaped receptacle.

According to one embodiment of the invention, first and second clamping grooves may each comprise an outer groove wall and an inner groove wall, wherein the outer groove wall of the first clamping groove is connected to the inner groove wall of the second clamping groove. Such grooves are mainly arranged adjacent to one another in horizontal direction, wherein also displacement of the corresponding clamping grooves in vertical direction is possible.

To provide corresponding dense fitting of clamping groove and wall or rim of the receptacle, the inner groove walls of first and second clamping grooves are essentially straight and outwardly inclined with respect to the vertical direction. The straight portion of the inner groove wall is then in contact with inner surface of the wall of the receptacle. It is possible that the outer diameter of those straight portions of the inner groove wall are slightly larger than the inner diameter of the wall of the receptacle, such that the wall in its part where it contacts inner groove wall is slightly expanded to the outside or compressed.

The corresponding receptacles are not only different in diameter of the opening, but may also differ in inclination of their walls, i.e. in conicity. To improve fitting of the corresponding grooves with such receptacles, it may be an advantage if the inner groove walls of first and second clamping grooves have different angles of inclination. Those angles of inclination are adapted to the different conicities of the receptacles.

To simplify the production of the grooves, it may be considered that the outer groove walls of the first and second clamping grooves have essentially the same form. This may also be valid for the inner groove walls.

In general, first and second clamping grooves may have essentially the same cross sections, such that they can be used for different receptacles with the same conicity and only different diameters of the openings. Of course, the grooves may also have different cross sections that can also be adapted with respect to different rim forms of corresponding receptacles. For example, one clamping groove may be adapted to a beaded rim and the other one to a curled rim or the like.

In case the receptacles have diameters at their openings, which means top diameters, that are very different, the corresponding clamping grooves may be arranged in the same height with respect to the central lid portion. However, in case the top diameters of the

corresponding receptacles are not very different, then it might be advisable that first and second clamping grooves are arranged in different heights with respect to the central lid portion to avoid any interference of the rim of the receptacle with one of the grooves in case the other groove is used for clamping on such a rim.

According to one embodiment of the invention, an outer groove wall may comprise a lower essentially straight wall section, a first and a second inwardly inclined wall section, and an upper curved wall section, wherein the second inwardly inclined wall section and the curved wall section are connected by an inwardly projecting constriction, in particular in the form of a tip.

Such constrictions are also used by any other lid according to the invention, wherein the constriction is used for snugly fitting the rim of the receptacle into the groove and holding same in place and simultaneously also providing some kind of sealing to prevent any spilling of beverage included in the receptacle. Of course, such a constriction is used for any groove.

Generally, corresponding lids are stacked and the upper lid will be removed for then closing of corresponding receptacle. In case the lids are stacked, any nesting that will complicate the removing of the lid should be avoided. For such a reason, second inwardly inclined wall section may have a lower stacking surface to contact the upper curved wall section of a further lid in case of lid stacking.

Corresponding inclined wall section will contact the upper curved wall section prior to any clamping of the lids to each other.

To improve the insertion of a corresponding rim in one of the grooves, the outer groove wall of the first clamping groove and the inner groove wall of the second clamping groove may form an essentially V-shaped middle section. The corresponding surfaces of this middle section will guide the rim or the wall of the corresponding receptacle in direction to the corresponding upper curved wall.

The guiding of such a receptacle may be improved in case lower end of the V-shaped middle section has a rounded tip arranged upwardly with respect to a lower surface of the central lid portion.

To support the removal of the lid, it might be recommendable that the outer groove wall of the second clamping groove comprises a radially outwardly extending flange at its free end. This flange may be used for removing the lid which snugly fits to the rim with a corresponding groove to provide the density.

For covering the receptacle in the area of the upper opening, it may also be considered that the free end of the outer groove wall of the second clamping groove extends beyond the lower surface of the central lid portion. In such a way, the upper part of the receptacle is covered by this outer groove wall and at the same time the lower surface of the central lid portion is arranged within the receptacle. The lower surface of the central lid portion may be used as an upper limiting surface for a beverage filled in the receptacle and in case this lower surface contacts the upper level of the beverage this may be considered as having an appropriate filling level of the beverage. Moreover, the lower surface of the central lid portion can prevent any swashing of the beverage within the receptacle.

In case the lid is clamped onto a receptacle, the corresponding user has generally not enough time to watch if the lid is appropriately clamped onto the rim, but the user will only judge the clamping by way of a corresponding clamping feeling. To obtain such clamping feeling, it is generally an advantage in case a depth of the groove from its upper end to the constriction is larger than a corresponding width of the rim of the receptacle in vertical direction. In such a way the rim will snap in the curved upper wall portion of the groove and this snapping in can be felt by the user or may even be heard.

In particular, for such lids with an increased diameter to provide at least two clamping grooves, any stiffening means might be recommendable, as, for example, such stiffening means that are arranged between the first and second inwardly inclined wall sections of each clamping groove or at least of one clamping groove.

Such stiffening means may comprise one or more indentations at least partially extending in circumferential direction and, in particular, provided at equidistant intervals.

The density of the closure by the lid may further be enhanced in case the absolute value of the angle of inclination of an upper part of the projecting constriction is lower than the absolute value of an angle of inclination of a lower part of the constriction. This means that the angle of inclination of the lower part of the constriction supports the insertion of the rim into the curved portion of the groove, but that the corresponding smaller angle of

inclination of the upper part of the projecting constriction provides a greater resistance to the rim in case the lid is removed. By such greater resistance also the density is improved.

To allow a small gap between the lower part of the constriction and the rim which also supports the snapping on feeling of the lid, see our discussion above, a radius of curvature of the upper curved wall section may increase in direction to the projecting constriction. This means that the upper curved wall section in its main part is adapted to the corresponding curvature of the rim but that near the projecting constriction the corresponding upper part of it is arranged in a distance to the rim to form a corresponding gap or clearance therebetween.

To support the pressing of the lid onto the receptacle, it might be helpful when at least one dome-like protrusion is formed on an upper surface of the central lid portion. This protrusion may be used for pressing the lid, wherein any deflection of the clamping grooves to the outside may be caused by this pressing, and wherein this outward deflection simplifies the clamping of the lid onto the receptacle.

It is also conceivable that the angle of the straight portion of the inner groove wall is different to the angle of inclination of the straight portion of the outer groove wall.

In case the diameters of the receptacles are not very different, it is recommendable to arrange the corresponding clamping groove not too far away from each other in horizontal direction but more or less adjacent to each other in vertical direction with only a slight displacement in horizontal direction.

In particular in case of such more or less vertical displacement of the two clamping grooves, it might also be advantageous when the constriction is a step-like constriction.

To also provide some denesting means for such a lid, an inwardly inclined intermediate wall section may be arranged between first and second clamping grooves. This intermediate wall section then has the corresponding lower stacking surface mentioned above.

For such more or less vertically adjacent grooves, which are only slightly displaced in horizontal direction, it may be considered that they have an essentially C-shaped form.

The C-shaped form may be curved or may also be limited by straight wall portions. Corresponding form depends on the form of the rim of the receptacle.

Also depending on the rim of the receptacle, the clamping grooves may have a rectangular or square cross section and may be arranged adjacent in horizontal direction or additionally also slightly displaced in vertical direction, wherein essentially vertical outer and inner groove walls as corresponding groove walls of at least the second clamping groove are connected by an upper essentially horizontal groove wall. For the first clamping groove, also such vertical outer and inner groove walls and upper horizontal groove wall are conceivable, but for the first clamping groove it is also possible that the inner groove wall is not necessary and that the clamping is realized by the constriction and only the outer groove wall in combination with the horizontal groove wall.

To separate the corresponding clamping groove, an essentially L-shaped recess may be arranged between both grooves. This recess will extend in circumferential direction of the lid.

In particular for the second clamping groove, it might be an advantage when this is of rectangular cross section with a lower insertion opening for the rim of the receptacle.

In particular in case of a horizontal arrangement of both clamping grooves adjacent to each other some further stiffening of the lid may be considered which can be realized by a number of stiffening impressions arranged between first clamping groove and central lid portion, wherein the stiffening impressions are, in particular, provided in equidistant intervals.

To limit the outer diameter of the lid, it may also be considered if the lower wall section of the second clamping groove is convexly curved. This may be an advantage in view of any straight lower wall sections that are inclined to the outside in direction to their free ends.

To provide corresponding closure means for at least two receptacles with different diameters, the corresponding first and second clamping grooves are at least horizontally displaced with respect to each other, wherein, see our comments above, also some displacement in vertical direction is possible.

In the following different embodiments of the invention are disclosed by, and are further discussed in view of, a number of figures, which illustrate:

FIG. 1 : a perspective view of one lid from the top;

FIG. 2: a top view of the lid of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3: a section along A-A of the lid of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4: an enlarged view of detail "B" of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5: a view similar to FIG. 4 for two stacked lids;

FIG. 6: a section like FIG. 3 for a second embodiment;

FIG. 7: a view like FIG. 5 for the second embodiment;

FIG. 8: a sectional view like FIG. 3 for a third embodiment;

FIG. 9: an enlarged view similar to FIG. 4 for the third embodiment;

FIG. 10: a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 for a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 11 : an enlarged view similar to FIG. 4 for a fourth embodiment;

FIG. 12: a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 for a fifth embodiment, and

FIG. 13: an enlarged view similar to FIG. 4 for a fifth embodiment.

Figure 1 is a perspective view from the top of the first embodiment of a lid 1 according to the invention. This lid comprises a central lid portion 2 surrounded by a first clamping groove 3 and a second clamping groove 8. In the center of the central lid portion 2 a dome-like protrusion 37 is provided, which may also have another height, see for example Figure 3. The dome-like protrusion 37 may have some kind of incisions that are weakenings of material through which a straw or the like may be inserted.

The dome-like protrusion 37 is surrounded by, for example, four marking means 50 which may be pressed inwardly to mark the kind of beverage filled in a receptacle on which lid 1 is clamped.

Figure 2 is a top view of the lid 1 according to Figure 1 , wherein in this figure, as in all the other figures, the same reference numerals are used for the same technical features, wherein those features may only be discussed in view of some of those figures.

Figure 3 is a section along A-A of Figure 2 with a quite high dome-like protrusion 37 that extends upwards beyond corresponding first and second clamping grooves 3, 8.

The two clamping grooves 3, 8 are of essentially the same cross section or form and each comprises an outer groove wall 4, 9, see also Figure 4, and an inner groove wall 5, 10. The corresponding clamping grooves 3, 8 are used for receiving a curled or beaded rim 6, see again Figure 4, of corresponding cup-shaped receptacle 7. Such a receptacle has an upper opening used for drinking a corresponding beverage filled in the receptacle, wherein, of course, also the straw mentioned above may be used for drinking.

In Figure 3, corresponding stiffening means 30 in the form of indentations 31 are illustrated, which are arranged around the dome-like protrusion 37.

Between the clamping groove the corresponding central lid portion 2 of lid 1 extends and is of essentially circular form.

In Figure 4, detail "B" of Figure 3 is enlarged to more clearly illustrate corresponding features of first and second clamping means 3, 8.

Each clamping groove 3, 8 comprises an outwardly inclined and straight inner groove wall 5, 10 and an outer groove wall 4, 9. The two clamping grooves 3, 8 are similar in form and may even have the same cross section or form. The outer groove wall 4, 9 comprises a lower straight wall section 15, a first inwardly inclined wall section 16, a second inwardly inclined wall section 17, and an upper curved wall section 18. Between first inwardly inclined wall section and the second inwardly inclined wall section 16, 17, some kind of indentation may be formed as a further stiffening means. Between the second inwardly inclined wall section 17 and the upper curved wall section 18, inwardly protruding constriction 19 is provided, which may have the form of an inwardly protruding tip. This constriction may extend in peripheral direction but may also be arranged only partly extending in this direction, wherein the corresponding constriction parts may be equally displaced in peripheral direction.

The lower surface of the second inwardly inclined wall section 17 is a lower stacking surface 20 which is in contact, see Figure 5, with the upper curved wall section 18 of another lid 1 ' in case lids 1 and 1 ' are stacked.

In Figure 4, also a receptacle 7 is illustrated with a corresponding upper rim 6, wherein in a first illustration of such a receptacle 7 corresponding rim 6 is in contact with lower

stacking surface 20 and lid 1 will be further pressed onto the receptacle to insert rim 6 in the corresponding chamber surrounded partly by upper curved wall section 18. In this chamber, rim is already introduced in the second clamping groove 8 in Figure 4. Here, rim 6 is snugly fit into the groove and densely held by the upper curved wall section 18. Between constriction 19 and rim 6 a small gap or clearance is formed which is responsible for a corresponding tactile or audible sensing of correctly placing the lid 1 on the receptacle 7.

In the embodiment of Figure 3, the first clamping groove 3 is arranged in a height 13 with respect to central lid portion 2 or its lower surface 26. The other clamping groove 8 is arranged in a different height 14, which is smaller than height 13 with respect to this central lid portion 2.

Of course, it is also possible to arrange both clamping grooves in the same height, see for example Figure 9.

At the free end 25 of the outer groove wall 4, 9, a radially outwardly extending flange 24 is formed.

The straight wall sections of inner or outer groove wall may have a different inclination, see angle 12 or 36 with respect to vertical direction 11. For example, the inner groove wall 10 of the second clamping groove 8 may have a smaller angle of inclination 12 than the inner groove wall 5 of the first clamping groove 3.

The inner groove wall 10 of the second clamping groove 8 is connected to the outer groove wall 4 of the first clamping groove 3, wherein both form an essentially V-shaped middle section 21 , see also Figure 5. This middle section has a lower end 22 with a rounded tip portion 23.

In Figure 5, a corresponding angle of inclination 35 is also given for the outer groove wall 9 of the second clamping groove 8, wherein this angle may be the same or also different from corresponding angle 12 of the inner groove wall of second clamping groove 8 or first clamping groove 3, respectively.

In Figure 5, a corresponding lid according to Figure 4 is illustrated in a position stacked with another lid 1 '. The corresponding lower stacking surfaces 20 of the second inwardly

inclined wall section 17 of first and second clamping grooves 3, 8, are in contact with outer surfaces of the corresponding upper curved wall sections 18' of the other lid. By such stacking surfaces 20, any nesting of the lids is avoided, such that upper lid 1 may be easily removed from lower lid Y.

In Figure 5, also some further angles with respect to upper and lower parts of the constriction 19 are illustrated. Corresponding angle 32 of inclination of an upper part of constriction 19 with respect to horizontal plane 49 is smaller than angle 33 of inclination of the corresponding lower part of the constriction. The lower part supports the insertion of the rim, see also Figure 4 in view of the first clamping groove 3. The upper part with the lower inclination supports the holding of the rim by the clamping groove, see the second clamping groove 8 in Figure 4.

To provide a corresponding clearance or gap between constriction 19 and rim 6, see again Figure 4, a corresponding depth 27 of the clamping groove measured from the upper end 28 to the constriction 19 is greater than a corresponding width 29 of the rim, see Figure 4. Moreover, a radius of curvature 34, see Figure 5, will increase in direction to constriction 19, which means that the radius of curvature near constriction 19 is greater than a corresponding radius of curvature, for example in direction to the upper end 28 of the corresponding clamping groove.

In Figure 6 a second embodiment of a lid 1 according to the invention is illustrated, wherein only those features that are different from the first embodiment will be further discussed.

The main difference is a smaller length of the V-shaped middle section 21 in Figure 6 and Figure 7, which is a view similar to Figure 5 for the second embodiment of lid 1.

This decreased length of V-shaped middle section 21 further supports any denesting as, see for example Figure 5, the corresponding V-shaped middle sections 21 are inserted in each other and may clamp to one another.

In Figure 6, also a corresponding dome-like protrusion 37 is of smaller height than the same in Figure 3.

Figures 8 and 9 represent a third embodiment with sections similar to Figures 3 and 4, respectively, of the first embodiment.

According to the third embodiment, the corresponding first and second clamping grooves 3, 8 are similar to the clamping grooves of the first and second embodiment but V- shaped middle section 21 and free end 25 of outer groove wall 9 of the second clamping groove 8 are arranged above corresponding surface of central lid portion 2. The form of the corresponding clamping groove is analogue to the form of the first and second embodiments.

In Figure 9, again corresponding angles 12 of inclination of inner groove wall of first and second clamping grooves 3, 8 and also of outer groove wall 9 of the second clamping groove 8 are illustrated. It has to be mentioned here that the corresponding angle 35 of inclination of the outer groove wall is measured with respect to the lower straight wall section 15, see Figure 4.

It is also possible that the corresponding upper curved wall sections 18 of both clamping grooves are formed differently in case the corresponding receptacle on which lid 1 according to the invention is clamped has differently formed rims 6 to which in particular the upper curved wall section 18 is adapted. Moreover, the angles 12 of inclination of both inner groove walls 10 may be different to be adapted to different conicities of the corresponding receptacles.

Figures 10 and 11 illustrate views similar to Figures 3 and 4 regarding a fourth embodiment of lid 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the two clamping grooves 3 and 8 are only slightly displaced in horizontal direction but are more or less arranged above each other in vertical direction, wherein the corresponding clamping grooves comprise an upper and a lower groove wall 38, 39, which are connected by an essentially vertical end wall 51. Between the two clamping grooves 3, 8, an intermediate wall section 41 is formed which comprises the lower stacking surface 20, see the previous figures. The corresponding constriction 19 is formed by step-like constriction 40 with an essentially vertical step part connected by an edge to the lower groove wall 39.

Below the step-like constriction 40, a lower wall section 48, see also lower wall section 15 in the previous figures, is formed, wherein this lower wall section is convexly curved. At its free end 25, again a radially outwardly extending flange 24 is formed.

Lid 1 according to Figures 10 and 11 also has a dome-like protrusion 37 surrounded by stiffening impressions 47, which may also extend along the circumferential direction. Here, the corresponding stiffening impressions are equidistantly arranged to each other in circumferential direction.

Of course, the two clamping grooves 3, 8 may also have end walls 51 of different length to be adapted to corresponding rims 6, see Figure 4, of different widths 29. Moreover, the C-shape of the corresponding clamping grooves may be adapted to the form of the rim 6.

In Figures 12 and 13 a fifth embodiment of a lid 1 is illustrated analogue to illustrations in Figures 3 and 4.

In this embodiment, the corresponding clamping grooves are only displaced to each other in horizontal direction, see also Figure 9. Between the two clamping grooves 3, 8, an L-shaped recess 45 is arranged which generally will extend in circumferential direction. Corresponding dome-like protrusion 37 and stiffening impressions 47 are the same as in the fourth embodiment according to Figures 10 and 11.

The clamping grooves 3, 8 according to Figures 12 and 13 comprise a vertical outer and a vertical inner groove wall 42, 43 which are connected by an upper horizontal groove wall 44. Of course, corresponding groove walls 42 to 44 may also be inclined with respect to vertical and/or horizontal direction to be better adapted to a corresponding shape of rim 6.

The constriction 19 according to Figure 13 is again a step-like constriction 40, see Figure 11.

Also the lower wall section 15 is formed by convexly curved wall section 48, see Figure 11.

The second clamping groove 8 is of rectangular cross section with a lower insertion opening which is limited on one side by the corresponding step-like constriction 40. The corresponding constriction has not to extend along the circumferential direction of the lid but may also be formed by a number of constrictions which are displaced in

circumferential direction wherein they may be equidistantly arranged. This is also valid for the other embodiments of the invention.

The corresponding recess 45 is also some kind of stiffening means which is used according to the invention to improve corresponding lids 1 with respect to stiffness, in particular in view of the second clamping groove 8 which is arranged at the outer circumferential end of the corresponding lid.

According to the invention, a lid is proposed which will fit on at least two receptacles with different upper diameters of their openings and corresponding rims. Also more than two of such clamping grooves may be provided wherein the different forms of the clamping grooves may be combined, see the different embodiments according to the invention.

It is also possible in case the outer diameters of different receptacles are essentially the same, to use for example only the first clamping groove 3 for those two receptacles and to use the second clamping groove 8 for a third receptacle with larger upper diameter. Moreover, also the form of the clamping grooves 3, 8 of one lid may be different and in particular the upper curved wall section 18 may be adapted to different shapes of rims.