초록 ▼

Reusable containers and lids with date indicating devices and methods for using the same disclosed, which allow the user to indicate one or more of the following: a date when the contents were stored, a date when the contents should be used, a time when the contents should be used, and a date by whi

Reusable containers and lids with date indicating devices and methods for using the same disclosed, which allow the user to indicate one or more of the following: a date when the contents were stored, a date when the contents should be used, a time when the contents should be used, and a date by which the contents should be disposed. The date indicating device may include a plurality of resettable buttons, each of which may be located atop an individual platform. Both the buttons and the platforms may take on a variety of different shape.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A reusable container having a base and a lid, the lid comprising:a plurality of resettable buttons, each button situated atop an individual platform and having the shape of a truncated pyramid, each individual platform extending above a horizontal plane of the lid, each button extending above the

1. A reusable container having a base and a lid, the lid comprising:a plurality of resettable buttons, each button situated atop an individual platform and having the shape of a truncated pyramid, each individual platform extending above a horizontal plane of the lid, each button extending above the individual platform upon which the button is situated; a connector along a perimeter of the lid, adapted to connect the lid to the base; and indicia associated with each button indicating a parameter of the button a date related to contents of the container. 2. The lid of claim 1, wherein the plurality of resettable buttons includes a button for each month of a year and each day of a month.3. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platform is cylindrical in shape.4. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platform is prismoidal in shape.5. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platform is between 0.1 and 1 inches at its widest point.6. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platform is between 0.005 and 0.5 inches in height.7. The lid of claim 1, wherein the buttons are inverted downwardly.8. The lid of claim 1, wherein the plurality of resettable buttons includes a button for each month of a year and each day of a week.9. The lid of claim 1, wherein the plurality of resettable buttons includes a button for each day of a week.10. The lid of claim 1, wherein the plurality of resettable buttons includes a pair of buttons for a first digit of a month of a year, numbered zero and one, a set of ten buttons for a second digit of the month of the year, numbered zero through nine, a set of buttons for a first digit of a day of the month, numbered zero through three, and a set of buttons for a second digit of the day of the month, numbered zero through nine.11. The lid of claim 1, wherein the plurality of resettable buttons are positioned less than 1 inch from one or more free edges of the lid.12. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platforms are of different shapes.13. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platforms are cylindrical in shape.14. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platforms are prismoidal in shape.15. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platforms are the shape of a truncated cone.16. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platforms are between 0.1 and 1 inches in width.17. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platforms are between 0.450 and 0.9 inches in width.18. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platforms are between 0.005 and 0.5 inches in height.19. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platforms are between 0.050 and 0.150 inches in height.20. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platforms include ledges between 0.000 and 0.250 inches wide.21. The lid of claim 1, wherein the buttons have a base width between 0.1 and 0.5 inches.22. The lid of claim 1, wherein the buttons have a base width between 0.275 and 0.5 inches.23. The lid of claim 1, wherein the buttons have a height between 0.025 and 0.250 inches.24. The lid of claim 1, wherein the buttons have a height between 0.050 and 0.125.25. The lid of claim 1, wherein each button includes a plateau.26. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platforms include a rectangular trough.27. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platforms include both a circular trough, and a circular ridge.28. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platforms include both a planar section, and ridge with a circular apex.29. The lid of claim 1, wherein the sides of the buttons have angles relative to a horizontal axis that are all equal to one another.30. The lid of claim 1, wherein the sides of the buttons have angles relative to a horizontal axis that are not all equal to one another.31. The lid of claim 1, wherein each button has the shape of a truncated square pyramid.32. The lid of claim 31, wherein the buttons include sides forming an angle relative to a horizontal axis of between 25 and 80 degrees.33. The lid of claim 31, wherein the buttons include sides forming an angle relative to a horizontal axis of between 30 and 40 degrees.34. The lid of claim 31, wherein the sides of the buttons have angles relative to a horizontal axis that are not all equal to one another.35. The lid of claim 1, wherein each button includes a cleft.36. The lid of claim 1, wherein each button has a ridge.37. The lid of claim 1, wherein the platform and non-inverting portion of each button has a height between 15% and 300% of the height of the inverting portion of the button, and the platform's width is between 100%-300% of the width of the button's base.38. The lid of claim 1, wherein the lid includes an average thickness of between 15 and 30 mils.39. The lid of claim 1, wherein the lid has a maximum thickness in the range of 15 to 32 mils, and a minimum thickness in the range of 8 to 25 mils.40. The lid of claim 1, wherein the button assemblies have wall sections below an average lid thickness.41. The lid of claim 40, wherein the draw ratios of the thinnest areas have a draw ratio greater than 1.2.42. The lid of claim 40, wherein the ratio of drawn button assembly surface area to button assembly projected drawn area is greater than 1.2.43. The lid of claim 40, wherein the ratio of the total button assembly area to total button assembly projected area is greater than 1.1.44. The lid of claim 1, wherein the button assemblies have a total button assembly inverting area to projected button assembly inverting area of between 1.13 and 1.3.45. The lid of claim 1, wherein the cold-formed, hot-stamped, ultrasonically treated, or laser ablated button assemblies are formed in such a way that the perimeter of each button where flexing is required for an inversion is thinned.46. The lid of claim 1, wherein the lid is made of 98% Fina polypropylene and 2% colorant.47. The lid of claim 1, wherein the lid is made from at least one material from the list consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, polypropylene/polyethylene copolymer, polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene and elastomers.48. A reusable container having a base and a lid, the lid comprising:a plurality of resettable buttons, each button being positioned less than 2 inches from one or more free edges of the lid, a button for each month of a year and each day of a week being provided, each button having the shape of a truncated pyramid, each button being situated atop and extending above an individual platform extending above a horizontal plane of the lid; a connector along a perimeter of the lid adapted to connect the lid to the base; and indicia associated with each button indicating a date related to contents of the container.