Lid for a container

Abstract

A lid for a container is provided. The lid includes a perimeter sidewall having a lower inwardly turned flange and a bottom panel secured to the inwardly turned flange. The lid has a frustoconical shape created by a taper angle of the perimeter sidewall. The perimeter sidewall may have at taper angle that is equal to, greater than, or less than a taper angle of the container into which the lid is inserted. The lid may create an interference fit between the perimeter sidewall of the lid and the sidewall of the container along all or a portion of the height of the perimeter sidewall to secure the lid to the container after the lid is inserted into the upper end opening of the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A lid for a container, the lid comprising:
 a perimeter sidewall;   a bottom panel; and   an inwardly turned flange provided at a lower end of the perimeter sidewall, wherein the bottom panel is secured to the inwardly turned flange;   wherein the lid is configured for being inserted into an upper open end of a container in order to enclose the container.   
     
     
         2 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom panel includes an overlapping edge portion that is secured to the inwardly turned flange of the perimeter sidewall. 
     
     
         3 . The lid of  claim 2 , wherein the overlapping edge portion of the bottom panel is secured to an upper surface of the inwardly turned flange of the perimeter sidewall. 
     
     
         4 . The lid of  claim 2 , wherein the overlapping edge portion of the bottom panel is secured to an upper surface of the inwardly turned flange of the perimeter sidewall by at least one of an adhesive, a hot melt, and a sealant. 
     
     
         5 . The lid of  claim 1  further comprising an outwardly rolled upper rim formed at an upper end of the perimeter sidewall. 
     
     
         6 . The lid of  claim 1  further comprising an opening defined through at least one of the bottom panel and the inwardly turned flange, the opening being configured to provide access to an interior of the container into which the lid is inserted. 
     
     
         7 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is configured to be secured to the upper open end of the container through an interference fit. 
     
     
         8 . The lid of  claim 7 , wherein an exterior surface of the perimeter sidewall of the lid substantially engages an interior surface of a sidewall of the container when the lid is inserted into the upper open end of the container. 
     
     
         9 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is constructed from a paperboard material. 
     
     
         10 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is constructed from a biodegradable material. 
     
     
         11 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is compostable. 
     
     
         12 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the perimeter sidewall has an inclined taper providing the lid with a frustoconical shape. 
     
     
         13 . The lid of  claim 12 , wherein the perimeter sidewall has a lid angle of inclination, wherein the lid angle of inclination is configured to generally conform to an angle of inclination of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The lid of  claim 12 , wherein the perimeter sidewall has a lid angle of inclination, wherein the lid angle of inclination is configured to be greater than an angle of inclination of the container. 
     
     
         15 . The lid of  claim 12 , wherein the perimeter sidewall has a lid angle of inclination, wherein the lid angle of inclination is configured to be less than an angle of inclination of the container. 
     
     
         16 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the lid includes an outer upper end diameter that is approximately equal to an inner upper end diameter of the container. 
     
     
         17 . The lid of  claim 16 , wherein the lid includes an outer lower end diameter that is less than the inner upper end diameter of the container. 
     
     
         18 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the lid includes an outer upper end diameter that is greater than an inner diameter of the container. 
     
     
         19 . The lid of  claim 1 , wherein the lid is constructed from a first material and the container is constructed from a second material, wherein the first material is different than the second material. 
     
     
         20 . A lid for a container, the lid comprising:
 a perimeter sidewall having an inclined taper providing a frustoconical shape;   a bottom panel; and   an inwardly turned flange provided at a lower end of the perimeter sidewall, wherein the bottom panel is positioned above and secured to the inwardly turned flange;   an opening defined through at least one of the bottom panel and the inwardly turned flange;   wherein the lid is configured for being inserted into an upper open end of a container in order to enclose the container;   wherein the perimeter sidewall of the lid has an angle of inclination equal to or greater than an angle of inclination of the container.