Lid for a container and method of making same

Abstract

A lid for a container is disclosed. The crown of the lid includes a peripherally extending skirt and an outwardly extending spout. The skirt is adapted to secure the crown to the container. The spout includes a single slit and is adapted to deform about the single slit with application of a pressure differential.

1 . A lid for attaching to a container, the lid comprising: 
 a crown having a skirt and a spout, wherein the skirt extends peripherally from the crown and is adapted to secure the lid to the container, and the spout includes a single slit, and wherein the spout is adapted to resiliently deform about the single slit upon application of a pressure differential.    
     
     
         2 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the crown is formed by a thermoforming process.  
     
     
         3 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the single slit is formed in an end of the spout.  
     
     
         4 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the single slit is formed by cutting the spout with a blade without removing material from the spout.  
     
     
         5 . A lid for attaching to a container, the lid comprising: 
 a crown having a skirt and a spout, wherein:    the skirt extends peripherally from the crown and is adapted to secure the lid to the container, and the spout includes a single slit at an end of the spout;    the spout is adapted to resiliently deform about the single slit upon application of a pressure differential; and    the single slit is formed by cutting the spout with a blade without removing material from the spout.    
     
     
         6 . A lid for attaching to a container, the lid comprising: 
 a crown, formed by a thermoforming process, having a skirt and a spout, wherein:    the skirt extends peripherally from the crown and is adapted to secure the lid to the container, and the spout includes a single slit in an end of the spout;    the single slit is formed by cutting the spout with a blade without removing material from the spout; and    the spout is adapted to resiliently deform about the single slit upon application of a pressure differential.    
     
     
         7 . A method of making a lid for a disposable container, the method comprising: 
 thermoforming the lid to include a crown, a skirt extending peripherally from the crown, and a spout extending outwardly from the crown; and    cutting a single slit in the spout without removing material from the spout.    
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein cutting the single slit in the spout includes: 
 placing a die adjacent to the lid on one side of the spout, the die including a receiving slot;    placing a blade on an opposite side of the spout from the die; and    cutting the single slit in the spout by passing the blade through the spout and into the receiving slot.