HK1065297B - Container lid - Google Patents

Description

Container lid

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to container lids and, more particularly, to doors provided in container lids.

Background

Containers use lids of all shapes, sizes and with various dispensing configurations. For example, a well or array of wells is often provided in a lid for dispensing the contents of a container, with a door capable of covering and uncovering the dispensing well. One type of door is a double hinged door. Doors of this type generally comprise two distinct parts hinged together, one of which is hinged to the cover. The structure of the cover under the door is designed as follows: pressing down on a door portion hinged to the lid causes the other door portion to spring up, thereby exposing a hole or other dispensing structure.

Unfortunately, many of these double-hinged doors have several disadvantages. For example, the opening of these doors is mostly difficult to control and unregulated. Inadvertent pressing of the door causes a portion of the door to spring upward, exposing the contents of the container. When the rotation of the door section is relatively difficult to control, a portion of the door may be turned into the fingers of the person operating the door, with the result that the person's fingers are "bitten". And the door part can undergo numerous repeated presses throughout its lifetime with the result that excessive wear can occur which prevents operation of the door. Finally, the lid structure, which allows one door portion to rotate relative to the other, occupies the space inside the container, which can be used by an accessory if the space is not occupied.

Disclosure of Invention

In light of the above teachings, it is an object of the present invention to provide a container lid with a double-hinged door that can be operated in a controlled and positive-acting manner.

In that regard, it is an object of the present invention to prevent unintentional opening of the double-hinged door.

It is another object of the present invention to prevent uncontrolled opening of a double-hinged door which could cause the door clip to bite the fingers of the door operator.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lid for a container having a double-hinged door that increases the space available inside the container.

In accordance with these objects, the present invention provides a lid for a container, the lid generally comprising a main body and a door having a pop-up portion, wherein the pop-up portion is pivotally connected to a push portion, the push portion is pivotally connected to the main body. The body includes a recess defining a pivot wall. The spring portion engages the pivot wall and rotates relative to the push portion in response to a downward force on the push portion. A positioning mechanism is interposed between the push portion and the body for controlling the opening of the door in at least two steps. The detent mechanism substantially secures the push portion in the closed position during the first step and secures the push portion in the open position during the second step.

According to a more detailed aspect of the invention, rotation of the pop-up portion relative to the body is limited. The rotation of the sprung portion is limited to a first degree during a first step and to a second degree during a second step, the second degree being greater than the first degree. Preferably, the first degree is limited to 0 ° to 45 ° and the second degree is limited to 45 ° to 90 °. In a related embodiment of the invention, the positioning mechanism controls the opening of the door in three steps corresponding to three incremental positions of the pop-up portion. These positions of the pop-up portion include a closed position generally parallel to the push portion, a partially open position rotated toward the push position, and a fully open position further rotated toward the push position.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a container lid is provided that generally includes a body having a recess therein, the recess being defined by a pivot wall and two side walls. A door is sized to be received in the recess, the door including a pop-up portion pivotally connected to a push portion, the push portion pivotally connected to the body. Each side wall of the recess includes two vertically spaced notches. The door has projections on opposite sides of said push portion, each projection being arranged to engage sequentially two recesses in their respective side walls. In a related embodiment, the side wall may further include additional vertically spaced notches to provide a controlled and positive acting double hinged door. Preferably, the door is operable between an open position and a closed position, the projection engaging the upper recess in the closed position and the lower recess in the open position. In other words, the door opens in two steps, the protrusion engaging the upper recess in the first step and the lower recess in the second step. Preferably the hinged position of the push and pop-up sections and the depth of the recess are controlled to limit rotation of the pop-up section relative to the push section to less than 90 °. According to one embodiment, a downward pressure acting on the push portion causes the pop-up portion to separate from the body at the same time as the protrusion separates from the upper notch.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a container lid is provided that generally includes a body having a recess therein defining a pivot wall. A door is sized to be received in the recess, the door including a pop-up portion pivotally connected to a push portion, the push portion pivotally connected to the body. The spring portion engages the pivot wall and rotates relative to the push portion in response to a downward force on the push portion. The push portion is selectively operable between at least two positioning positions corresponding to the open and closed positions of the pop-up portion. Preferably, the positioning mechanism substantially fixes the position of the pushing portion in the two locking positions.

According to yet another embodiment of the present invention, a container lid is provided that generally includes a body having a recess defined by a pivot wall, a back wall, and a floor. A door is sized to be received in the recess, the door including a pop-up portion pivotally connected to a push portion, the push portion pivotally connected to the body adjacent the rear wall. The spring portion engages the pivot wall and rotates toward the pushed position in response to the push portion moving downward to the open position in the recess. A majority of the recessed floor slopes downwardly and inwardly from the rear wall toward the pivot wall. Preferably, the push portion is closest to the inclined portion of the base plate when in the open position, so that the base plate can limit bending of the push portion to increase its life. Preferably, when in the open position, the inclined portion of the base plate is inclined by an amount greater than the inclined amount of the pushing portion.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Drawings

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the figure:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a container and cap assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container and lid assembly of FIG. 1 with the door in an open position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container and cap assembly of FIG. 1 with the cap in an as-molded condition;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the container and cap assembly of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the container and cap assembly of FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the container and cap assembly of FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the container and cap assembly taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8a is a cross-sectional view of the container and cap assembly taken along line 8a-8a of FIG. 4;

FIG. 8b is a cross-sectional view of the container and cap assembly taken along line 8b-8b of FIG. 5;

FIG. 8c is a cross-sectional view of the container and cap assembly similar to FIGS. 8a and 8b depicting an alternative embodiment of the positioning mechanism;

FIG. 8d is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 7, but showing an alternative embodiment of the positioning mechanism;

FIGS. 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and 9e are cross-sectional views, partially cut away, of alternative embodiments of a positioning mechanism constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a container and cap assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a container and cap assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a container and cap assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a container and cap assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a container and cap assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a container and cap assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a container and cap assembly constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;

while the invention will be described in conjunction with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Detailed Description

A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to fig. 1 to 8. The general structure and operation of the present invention will be described with reference to these drawings. Several of many alternative embodiments of the invention will then be described with reference to fig. 9-15. While the present invention is primarily directed to the lid portion of the assembly, all of the figures depict the container and lid assembly.

Referring to fig. 1 and 4, a container and cap assembly 20 is depicted, the container and cap assembly 20 generally comprising a cylindrical container 25 and a circular and generally planar cap 30. The cover 30 of the present invention generally comprises a body 31 and a door 60. The body 31 includes a radiused peripheral edge 32 and a downwardly depending skirt 33, wherein the skirt 33 engages the upper edge of the container 25. The door 60 generally includes a push portion 61 pivotally connected to a pop-up portion 62 by a hinge 63. The hinge 63 is preferably a living hinge integrally formed with each of the push and pop-up portions 61, 62. The push portion 61 is pivotally connected to the main body 31 by another living hinge 64 integrally formed with the peripheral edge 32. The hinge 64 comprises a thin strip of flexible material and maintains the radius of the peripheral edge 32, i.e., the hinge 64 is generally flush with the peripheral edge 32 in both the vertical and horizontal directions. It will be appreciated that the hinge 64 may also project horizontally from the rim 32 and the periphery of the container 25, as in the prior art.

As shown in fig. 2, 5 and fig. 3, 6, the double-hinge cover 30 is configured to: the door 60 is easily and surely actuated to open at several step sections. Fig. 2 and 5 show the door 60 in an open position. In response to a downward force or force acting on the push portion 61, the flip portion 62 rotates upward about the hinge 63 and rotates toward the push portion 61. In other words, the pop-up portion 62 rotates away from the main body 31. Preferably, the push portion 61 includes an indicator, such as a bullseye shown in the drawing, provided at a position of the pressing cover 30 and the door 60 thereof. In the closed position shown in fig. 1 and 4, the push portion 61 and the pop-up portion 62 are substantially parallel to each other. In the condition depicted in fig. 2 and 5, the cover is rotated to an open position, preferably rotated through an angle less than or equal to 90 degrees relative to the body 31. Most preferably, the angle through which the pop-up portion 62 rotates from the body in the open position is in the range of 45 to 90 degrees. The position of the hinge 63 relative to the pivot wall 40 and the depth of the recess 34 (see fig. 3 and 6, and further described below) are controlled to adjust the rotation of the pop-up portion 62.

Fig. 3 and 6 depict the lid 30 with the door 60 of the lid 30 as molded. In this case, the push portion 61 rotates about the hinge 64 with respect to the main body. The body 31 includes a recess 34, the recess 34 generally including a first portion 35 and a second portion 36. The first portion 35 is sized to receive the push portion 61 of the door 60. A first portion of the recess 34 is defined by a pivot wall 40 and a rear wall 43 connecting a pair of opposing side walls 41, 42. The push portion 61 is hinged to the body 30 near the rear wall 33. The pop-up portion 62 includes a tab 66, which tab 66 causes the pop-up portion 62 of the door 60 to frictionally and stably engage the body 31 of the lid 30 in the closed position. The body 31 may include corresponding recesses (not shown) to receive and engage the tabs 66.

The second portion 36 of the recess 34 is sized to correspond to the pop-up portion 62 of the door 60. In the floor of the second portion 36 of the recess 34, a dispensing aperture 37 is defined, the dispensing aperture 37 being used to gain access to the contents of the container. The second portion 36 of the recess 34 and the dispensing orifice 37 define a rim 38 for supporting the periphery of the pop-up portion 62. Additionally, the pop-up portion 62 preferably includes a sealing ring 65 projecting downwardly from beneath the pop-up portion 62. The sealing ring 65 is sized to correspond to the dispensing aperture 37 and the sealing ring 65 frictionally engages the outer edge of the aperture 37 to effectively seal the contents of the container 25.

As can be seen in fig. 7 and 8d, the floor 44 of the recess 34 is inclined. Preferably, a first portion of the floor 45, representing a majority of the floor, is angled to slope downwardly and inwardly from a position adjacent the rear wall 43 and hinge 64. The remainder of the floor 46 is substantially flat or horizontal. Preferably, the floor of the recess is substantially inclined downwardly and inwardly. The inclined portion 45 of the bottom plate 44 serves several functions. First, the structure reduces unused space to increase the accommodation space of the container 25. The inclined bottom plate portion 45 also limits the bending of the pushing portion 61, thereby increasing its service life under repeated pressing actions. As can be seen from fig. 7, when in the open position, the push portion 61 is closest to the inclined portion 45 of the bottom plate 44, corresponding to the first open position of the pop-up portion 62. Since the angle of the push portion 61 has some similarities with the inclined floor section 45, the inclined floor section 45 is inclined slightly more than the inclined section 61 with respect to the main body 31, so that the amount of bending of the push portion 61 is very limited.

With reference to fig. 6, 7 and 8a-8d, the positive acting and controlled opening of the door 30 will be described in more detail. The lid 30 includes a positioning mechanism 80 to control the opening of the door 60. The position of the hinge 63 connecting the push portion 61 and the pop-up portion 62 is selected as: the downward force on the push portion 61 causes the snap portion 62 to engage the pivot wall 40. When the push portion 61 is screwed down into the first recess portion 35, the flip portion 62 rotates upward, away from the main body 31, toward the push portion 61. The positioning mechanism 80 controls this opening and in a preferred embodiment said positioning mechanism 80 comprises a pair of notches 48, 49 (fig. 7 and 8a), wherein said notches 48, 49 are formed in each of the opposite side walls 41, 42 of the recess 34, more particularly in the first portion 35 of the recess 34. The push portion 61 of the door 60 includes a projection 68 (fig. 6 and 8), the projection 68 being on each of opposite sides of the corresponding pair of notches 48, 49. Each projection 68 is arranged to sequentially engage two recesses 48, 49 in a respective side wall 41, 42. The detent mechanism could also be reversed with the recess provided on the door and the projection provided on the side wall.

The positioning mechanism 80 controls the opening of the door 60 in at least two step sections, as shown in fig. 8a and 8 b. In the first stage, the positioning mechanism 80 substantially fixes the push portion 61 in the closed position. In the second step section, the positioning mechanism substantially fixes the push portion in the open position. More specifically, in the closed position (shown in fig. 1 and 4), the projection 68 of the push portion 61 engages the upper recess 48, as shown in fig. 8a, thereby positioning the pop-up portion 62 in a position generally parallel to the push portion 61 and the main body 31. In this way, the positioning mechanism 80 prevents inadvertent opening of the door 60. The projection 68 disengages from the upper recess 48 in response to a downward pressure acting on the push portion 61 and moves downward until the projection 68 is positively positioned in the lower recess 49, as shown in fig. 8 b. In this open position of the push portion 61, the pop-up portion 62 engages the pivot wall 41 and is rotated toward the push portion 61 to its open position. With the pop-up portion 62 in the open position, the container 25 can be accessed through the dispensing aperture 37, and the door 60 can be fully moved by merely grasping any portion of the door and rotating the push portion 61 about the hinge 64 relative to the body 31. In this way, the push portion 61 can be selectively operated between at least two locking positions (fig. 1 and 4, and fig. 2 and 5) corresponding to the open and closed positions of the pop-up portion 62.

Referring to fig. 8c and 8d, the positioning mechanism 80 may further include additional notches corresponding to additional steps or steps in the open position of the door 60. In fig. 8c and 8d, a third recess 50 is provided adjacent the first and second recesses, which are vertically spaced apart. In this embodiment, the door 60 starts in the closed position (fig. 8a) in which the pushing portion 61 is substantially horizontal and its projection 68 engages with the upper recess 48. Under the action of the lower pressure, the push portion 61 disengages from the upper recess 48 and then rotates downward to engage with the intermediate recess 50. In this position, i.e. the partially open position (fig. 8c), the amount of rotation of the pop-up portion 62 is less than that shown in fig. 7 due to the presence of the additional detent. Preferably, the partially open position corresponds to an angle of 0 to 45 degrees, as shown in fig. 8 d. When pressure is further applied to the push portion 61, the projection 68 disengages from the intermediate recess 50 and moves toward the lower recess 49. This step corresponds to a fully open position (fig. 2 and 5) in which the pop-up portion 62 is rotated a greater amount than in a partially open position, as seen in the open position shown in fig. 7. In this fully open position, the pop-up portion 62 is preferably rotated about 45 to 90 degrees, most preferably less than 90 degrees, relative to the body 31.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that any number of detents, i.e., notches, may be used to achieve, or otherwise effectively control, the opening of the double-hinged door 60. And it will be appreciated that the multi-step ladder opening as shown in the embodiments of fig. 8c and 8d may be achieved with only two notches. To achieve this, the position of the upper notch 48 must be carefully adjusted. The door pop-up portion 62 frictionally engages the body 31, typically by a tab 66 and/or a sealing ring 65. The amount of the downward force acting on the push portion 61 to disengage the projection 68 from the upper recess 48 is adjustable such that the downward force disengages the resilient portion 62 from frictional engagement with the body 31 before the projection 68 disengages from the upper recess 48. Thus, the pop-up section 62 may be pivoted slightly upward, generally corresponding to a closed or partially open position (i.e., 0 to 45 degrees). In addition, this places the entire door 60 in the as-molded condition (as shown in fig. 3 and 6) without disengaging the projection 68 from the upper recess 48 and moving downward to engage the lower recess 49 before the entire door 60 can be placed in the as-molded condition. However, in the preferred embodiment, the notches 48, 49 are provided such that the push portion 61 rotates due to the protrusion 68 disengaging from the upper notch 48 while the pop-up portion 62 disengages from the main body 31 and turns upward toward the push portion 61.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other positioning mechanisms may be used. As used in this specification, a keeper or detent mechanism represents any structure that limits or locks the movement of a portion of the mechanism. Figures 9a, 9b and 9c illustrate an alternative embodiment of a positioning mechanism 80 that may be used in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. It will be appreciated first that the detent mechanism 80 shown in the embodiment of fig. 1-8 is formed in the side walls 41, 42 of the recess 34, and similar mechanisms can readily be formed in the pivot wall 40 and in the edge of the door push portion 61 near the hinge 63. Preferably, the positioning mechanism 80 is provided near the pivot wall 40 or away from the hinge 64 to control the pushing portion 61, wherein most of the movement of said portion occurs on said pushing portion 61. It will also be appreciated that the underside of the push portion 61 may include a pin and socket, or tongue and groove, etc. positioning mechanism to effect the same controlled and stepped opening of the door 60. Such alternative positioning mechanisms are shown in fig. 9a-c, which are all located under the push portion 61, preferably directly under the eye-ring 69 under the downward pressure for opening the door 60.

Fig. 9a-e show cross-sectional views of the positioning mechanism, partially cut away. As shown in fig. 9a, the pushing portion 61 of the door 60 may include a pin 82a depending downwardly from the door 60. The base plate 44 includes a female socket 84a sized to receive the pin 82a to form the positioning mechanism 80'. The pin 82a and socket 84a provide an interference fit when the push portion is rotated downward. Fig. 9b shows an alternative embodiment of a pin and socket as the positioning mechanism 80 ". In this case, the pin 82b is generally flared and includes a recessed portion 83. The recessed portion 83 inwardly slopes the edge of the pin 82b so as to be receivable in the socket 84b, the socket 84b including a slanted hole corresponding to the shape of the pin 82 b. Another embodiment in FIG. 9c includes a tongue and groove type detent mechanism 80' "that includes deflectable tongue 82c that is angled outwardly as it projects downwardly from the push portion 61. A correspondingly configured groove 84c is provided in the recessed floor 44. Preferably, tongue 82c and groove 84c are generally parallel to pivot wall 40 and hinge 63. FIGS. 9d and 9e illustrate further embodiments of alternative positioning mechanisms 80 "", 80 ""', having differently configured tongues 82d, 82e and grooves 84d, 84 e. The recess 84d includes several detent recesses 48 ', 49' and 50 'that can receive and retain the protrusion 68' for stepped opening.

The embodiments shown in fig. 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and 9e include only a description of the detent mechanisms 80 ', 80 ", 80 '", 80 "" and 80 "" ' that lock the position of the push portion 61 in the downward or open position of the push portion 61 corresponding to the open position of the pop-up portion 62, and those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that such detent mechanisms may be used to provide the stepped opening described in fig. 1-8. For example, the inner walls of the sockets 84a and 84b and the groove 84c may include vertically spaced notches for sequential engagement by the projections on the pins 82a, 82b and the tongue 82 c. As previously mentioned, other known positioning mechanisms may be used in connection with the present invention.

Fig. 10-16 illustrate various embodiments of container and cap assemblies utilizing the caps of the present invention. The same reference numerals will be used, although the hundreds digits will be increased for each figure. Fig. 10 shows a generally rectangular container 125, said container 125 having a corresponding lid 130. The cover 130 is constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and includes a double-hinged door 160, the double-hinged door 160 including a push portion 161 and a pop-up portion 162. The outer surface of the push portion 161 includes a bullseye or other indicator portion that is pressed to effect opening. The push portion 161 is pivotally connected to the pop-up portion 161 by a hinge 163 and to the main body 131 by a hinge 164. Fig. 11 is also generally rectangular, except that the corners are somewhat rounded. Fig. 11 shows an elongated door 260, which is generally similar to fig. 10. The overall shape of fig. 12 is generally similar to that of fig. 11, except that the door 360 is generally short, i.e., the width of the door 360 corresponds to the length of the container 325. Fig. 13 shows a circular container and lid assembly 420 having a flat rectangular door 460 with a push portion 461 hinged to a middle portion of the body 431 of the lid 430. Similarly, FIG. 14 is an embodiment similar to FIG. 13 having a flat door 560, however the push portion 561 of the door 560 is elongated and pivotally connected to the body 531 near the periphery 532 of the body 531. The door of the present invention may be used in conjunction with other doors, such as the cover 630 shown in fig. 15. A flat double-hinged door 660 is provided along the end of the cover 630 in a short shape, while the other end of the cover 630 includes an additional door 690 that can be independently operated. Finally, fig. 16 shows the lid 730 as being generally curved or arcuate, with the door 76 also being curved and covering a major portion of the lid 730. The lid in fig. 16 is adapted to a flask-type container 725.

The references, including patents, patent applications, and publications, cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise embodiment disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled.

Claims (28)

1. A lid for a container comprising:

a body having a recess therein defining a pivot wall;

a door received in the recess, the door including a pop-up portion pivotally connected to a push portion, the push portion pivotally connected to the body;

said spring portion engaging said pivot wall and rotating relative to said push portion in response to a downward force on said push portion; and

a positioning mechanism interposed between said push portion and said body for controlling the opening of said door in at least two steps, said positioning mechanism substantially securing said push portion in a closed position in a first step and securing said push portion in an open position in a second step.

2. The lid of claim 1, wherein a detent mechanism limits rotation of the flip-up portion relative to the body, wherein rotation of the flip-up portion relative to the body is limited to a first number of degrees a in the first step, and wherein rotation of the flip-up portion relative to the body is limited to a second number of degrees β in the second step, β being greater than a.

3. A lid according to claim 2, wherein α -0 ° to 45 °.

4. A lid as claimed in claim 2, wherein β -45 ° to 90 °.

5. The lid of claim 2, wherein β is less than 90 °.

6. The lid of claim 1, wherein the positioning mechanism controls the opening of the door in three steps corresponding to three incremental positions of the pop-up portion, the positions of the pop-up portion including:

a closed position substantially parallel to the push portion;

a first open position rotated to the push position; and

further rotated to a second open position of the pushed position.

7. The lid of claim 6, further comprising opposing sidewalls of the recess, wherein the positioning mechanism comprises two notches vertically separated on each sidewall and protrusions on opposing sides of the push portion, the protrusions being arranged to sequentially engage with the two notches at each sidewall.

8. A lid for a container comprising:

a body having a recess therein, the recess defined by a pivot wall and two side walls;

a door sized to be received in the recess, the door including a pop-up portion pivotally connected to a push portion, the push portion pivotally connected to the body;

each side wall of the recess has two vertically spaced apart notches; and

the door has projections on opposite sides of the push portion, each projection being arranged to sequentially engage with the two recesses in a respective side wall.

9. The lid of claim 8, wherein the door is operable between a first open position and a closed position, the protrusion engaging the upper notch in the closed position and the lower notch in the first open position.

10. The lid of claim 9, wherein the popple section frictionally engages the body in the closed position to stably position the popple section, and the protrusion engages the upper and lower notches to stably position the push section in the closed position and the first open position.

11. The lid of claim 9, wherein the door is further capable of being in a second position in which the protrusion is spaced apart from the upper and lower notches.

12. The lid as in claim 8, wherein the door opens in two steps, the protrusion engaging an upper notch during the first step and a lower notch during the second step.

13. The cover of claim 12, wherein the first and second steps correspond to two different downforce forces acting on the door-pushing portion.

14. The lid of claim 12, wherein a positioning mechanism limits rotation of the pop-up portion relative to the body, wherein rotation of the pop-up portion relative to the body is limited to a first number of degrees a in the first step, and wherein rotation of the pop-up portion relative to the body is limited to a second number of degrees β in the second step, wherein β is greater than a.

15. The lid of claim 14, wherein β is less than 90 °.

16. The lid of claim 8, wherein the hinge position between the push portion and the pop-up portion relative to the pivot wall and the depth of the recess are controlled to limit rotation of the pop-up portion relative to the push portion to less than 90 °.

17. The lid of claim 8, wherein the recess comprises a floor, a portion of the floor being below the push portion and sloping downward and inward from near a hinge location of the push portion with the body.

18. The lid of claim 17, further comprising an aperture in the recessed floor and a sealing ring protruding from an underside of the door pop-up portion, the sealing ring sized to engage a periphery of the aperture.

19. The lid of claim 10, wherein a downward pressure on the push portion causes the pop-up portion to separate from the body before the protrusion separates from the upper notch.

20. The lid of claim 10, wherein a downward pressure on the push portion causes the pop-up portion to separate from the body at the same time the protrusion separates from the upper notch.

21. A lid for a container comprising:

a body having a recess therein defining a pivot wall;

a door received in the recess, the door including a pop-up portion pivotally connected to a push portion, the push portion pivotally connected to the body;

said spring portion engaging said pivot wall for rotation relative to said push portion in response to a downward force on said push portion; and

the push portion has a positioning mechanism to control the opening of the pop-up portion between at least two locking positions corresponding to the open and closed positions of the pop-up portion.

22. The lid of claim 21, wherein the push portion is parallel to the body in a first locked position and slopes downwardly and inwardly in a second locked position.

23. The lid of claim 21, wherein the push portion is operable between three locking positions corresponding to closed, first open, and second open positions of the pop-up portion, the pop-up portion rotating more relative to the main body in the second open position than in the first open position.

24. The lid of claim 21, wherein the depression further defines two opposing sidewalls, wherein the detent mechanism includes two vertically spaced notches on each opposing sidewall and protrusions on opposing sides of the push portion to sequentially engage the two notches on each sidewall.

25. A lid for a container comprising:

a body having a recess therein, the recess defined by a pivot wall, a rear wall, and a floor;

a door received in the recess, the door including a pop-up portion pivotally connected to a push portion, the push portion pivotally connected to the body adjacent the rear wall;

upon downward movement of the push portion into the recess, the pop-up portion engages the pivot wall to rotate the pop-up portion toward the push portion to open the lid; and

a majority of the recessed floor slopes downwardly and inwardly from the rear wall toward the pivot wall.

26. The lid of claim 25, wherein the push portion is disposed adjacent to the floor incline portion when in the open position.

27. The cover of claim 26, wherein the floor limits bending of the push portion.

28. The lid of claim 25, wherein the amount of tilt of the tilted portion of the bottom panel relative to the main body is slightly more than the amount of tilt of the push portion relative to the main body when in the open position in the recess.