Seal for container lids and container lids and container assemblies having same

Abstract

A container lid has a top panel defining a top side and an underside opposite the top side; a channel extending annularly around a periphery of the top panel, the channel open toward an underside direction on the lid; and a first wiper seal and a second wiper seal protruding downward from within the channel The first and second wiper seals are spaced apart from one another in a radial direction. When the lid is attached to a container to close off a top opening, the first and second wiper seals contact a surface of a container rim such that the first wiper seal bends radially inward relative to the container rim and the second wiper seal bends radially outward relative to the container rim.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container lid comprising:
 a top panel defining a top side and an underside opposite the top side;   a channel extending annularly around a periphery of the top panel, the channel open toward an underside direction on the lid; and   a first wiper seal and a second wiper seal protruding downward from within the channel,   wherein the first and second wiper seals are spaced apart from one another in a radial direction.   
     
     
         2 . The container lid of  claim 1 , wherein the container lid is formed of a plastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The container lid of  claim 2 , wherein the first wiper seal and the second wiper seal are each an integral contiguous part of the container lid and formed of the plastic material. 
     
     
         4 . The container lid of  claim 1 , wherein the first wiper seal and the second wiper seal are each formed as part of a base layer of material disposed on a surface of the channel. 
     
     
         5 . A container assembly comprising:
 a container having a side wall defining a top opening, the top opening defined by a container rim at an upper end of the side wall;   a lid having a top panel and a channel extending annularly around a periphery of the top panel, wherein the channel is open toward an underside direction on the lid; and   a seal disposed within the channel, the seal having a first wiper seal and a second wiper seal protruding downward from within the channel, wherein the first and second wiper seals are spaced apart from one another in a radial direction,   wherein, when the lid is attached to the container to close off the top opening, the first and second wiper seals contact a surface of the container rim such that the first wiper seal bends radially inward relative to the container rim and the second wiper seal bends radially outward relative to the container rim.   
     
     
         6 . The container assembly of  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a lock ring configured to extend around the container rim and lid and to secure the lid to the container.   
     
     
         7 . The container assembly of  claim 6 , wherein the lock ring clamps the lid onto the container, which bends the first and second wiper seals. 
     
     
         8 . The container assembly of  claim 5 , wherein a central portion of the first wiper seal contacts the surface of the container rim and a central portion of the second wiper seal contacts a different part of the surface of the container rim. 
     
     
         9 . The container assembly of  claim 8 , wherein a free end of the first wiper seal contacts a surface of the channel and wherein a free end of the second wiper seal contacts a different part of the surface of the channel. 
     
     
         10 . The container assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the free end of the first wiper seal contacts an inner wall portion of the channel and the free end of the second wiper seal contacts an outer wall portion of the channel. 
     
     
         11 . The container assembly of  claim 10 , wherein the surface of the container rim is on a top edge of the container, wherein the central portion of the first wiper seal contacts the top edge toward a radial inner side of the top edge, and wherein the central portion of the second wiper seal contacts the top edge toward a radial outer side of the top edge. 
     
     
         12 . The container assembly of  claim 5 , wherein a free end of the first wiper seal contacts an inner wall portion of the channel and wherein a free end of the second wiper seal contacts an outer wall portion of the channel. 
     
     
         13 . The container assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the surface of the container rim is on a top edge of the container, wherein a central portion of the first wiper seal contacts the surface toward a radial inner side of the top edge, and wherein a central portion of the second wiper seal contacts the surface toward a radial outer side of the top edge.