Flexible Basket Lid Hinge Structure

Abstract

A bendable basket lid is generally constructed with first and second lid portions separated and connected by hinge structures made up of hinge rib members and hinge gaps. The device of the present invention integrates variable length cutaways in the lids to create a feature that effectively operates as a resilient hinge that returns the lid panel to a flat configuration. This novel feature can be shortened or elongated based on the lid width to achieve the perfect amount of resistance for the end user and the lid installation into and out of the processing basket. This ensures that the material does not work harden and crack.

1 . A panel of flexible material, the panel bendable between a passive flat condition and a tensioned bent or curved condition, the panel comprising:
 a first side portion with a generally linear inside edge defining a first side of a bending line;   a second side portion with a generally linear inside edge defining a second side of the bending line, the first and second sides of the bending line in substantially parallel spaced arrangement; and   at least one hinge rib extending between and connecting the first side portion and the second side portion, the at least one hinge rib extending across and generally orthogonal to the bending line.   
     
     
         2 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the first and second sides of the bending line define a linear gap between the first and second portions of the panel, the linear gap interrupted by the at least one hinge rib extending across and generally orthogonal to the bending line. 
     
     
         3 . The panel of  claim 2  wherein at least one of the first and second sides of the bending line further defines at least one hinge rib notch orthogonal to the linear gap between the first and second portions of the panel and positioned in parallel spaced association with the at least one hinge rib, the at least one hinge rib connected to the associated side portion of the panel at an inner edge of the at least one hinge rib notch. 
     
     
         4 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the at least one hinge rib comprises a plurality of hinge ribs spaced along the bending line. 
     
     
         5 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the first and second side portions of the panel are each generally rectangular in shape, each side portion having a generally linear outside edge parallel to the opposing inside edge of the associated side portion. 
     
     
         6 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the panel comprises a bendable lid for insertion into, and at least partially closing, a container with side walls and an open top. 
     
     
         7 . The panel of  claim 6  wherein the bendable lid is insertable through the open top of the container when in a tensioned bent condition and contacts the side walls of the container when allowed to return to the passive flat condition. 
     
     
         8 . The panel of  claim 7  wherein the first and second side portions of the panel are each generally rectangular in shape, each side portion having a generally linear outside edge parallel to the opposing inside edge of the associated side portion, the generally linear outside edges of the first and second side portions each comprising at least one container side wall engagement mechanism. 
     
     
         9 . The panel of  claim 8  wherein the rectangular first and second side portions of the panel have generally the same dimensions. 
     
     
         10 . The panel of  claim 8  wherein the rectangular first and second side portions of the panel have generally equal length dimensions on their parallel inside and outside edges but have generally different width dimensions measured along edges orthogonal to the inside and outside edges. 
     
     
         11 . The panel of  claim 8  wherein the side walls of the container define a plurality of apertures therethrough and the at least one container side wall engagement mechanism comprises a projection insertable into one of the plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         12 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the first and second side portions are perforated with a plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         13 . The panel of  claim 1  wherein the panel of flexible material is constructed from ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMW PE). 
     
     
         14 . The panel of  claim 13  wherein the panel is cut from a single sheet of UHMW PE.