Plastic container with double lock lid and tear band

Abstract

An all plastic container comprising the combination of injection molded pail and lid. The lid initially locks onto the container at upper and lower locations and seals thereto by virtue of an inverted U-shaped peripheral section with a segmented upper lock and a relatively continuously lower lock at the bottom edge of the lid skirt. The bottom lock can be torn away by way of a circumferentially weakened area that forms the lower edge of the skirt into a tear band. A starter tab is provided. Once the tear band is removed the segmented upper locks securely hold the lid to the pail. However, by lifting and flexing the lid at discrete locations identified by indicia on the top deck of the lid, the lid is relatively easily removed.

1 . A plastic container of the type including an open top pail and a lid which sealingly fits on to the pail wherein the pail includes an annular top rim and an annular external bead encircling the pail below the rim;
 the lid comprising an inverted U-shaped peripheral channel portion integral with a central deck portion;   the inverted U-shaped channel portion being adapted to receive the top rim contactingly in sealing engagement therewith; and   the channel being formed by integral depending annular outer and inner rings, the outer ring having formed on the inner surface thereof a plurality of discrete spaced locking segments forming undercuts to receive and lock on to the annular pail bead.   
   
   
       2 . A plastic container of the type described in  claim 1  further including indicia carried on the top surface of the deck lid and indicating the locations of said discrete locking segments. 
   
   
       3 . A plastic container of the type described in  claim 2  wherein the deck is recessed relative to the inverted U-shape peripheral channel portion. 
   
   
       4 . A plastic container of the type described in  claim 3  wherein the inverted U-shaped peripheral channel portion is tapered to provide a lead for stacking similar containers on top of the lid. 
   
   
       5 . A plastic container of the type described in  claim 1  wherein the pail has formed on the outer surface thereof an additional radially extending locking structure below said external bead and the outer annular ring of the lid forms a depending skirt which lockingly engages the second lower structure of the pail when the lid is seated on the pail rim; and
 said outer ring having a circumferential weakened area which forms a tear tab which permits removal of the lower portion of said outer ring.   
   
   
       6 . A plastic container combination of the type described in  claim 1  wherein the pail and lid are formed of polypropylene. 
   
   
       7 . A plastic container as described in  claim 1  further including a plurality of radical reinforcing ribs molded into the underside of the lid and extending to and integrally with the annular inner ring.