Appeal No. 2005-1238 Page 7
Application No. 09/874,031
a size and shape such that when inverted it fits over the upper rim 14 of the pot 16 and
is held securely in place by a snap-lock mechanism shown in Figure 3. Turner teaches
(page 4, lines 28-31) that "[a]ny other suitable means may be employed for securing the
ring 10 to the top of the pot 16, and is easily provided by persons having skill in the art."
The open-mesh portion of the cover is formed by attaching filaments 12 to the ring 10
about one-half to 1.5 inch apart. Plastic filaments are preferred elements for forming
the open-mesh cover; however, ribbons, rods, wires, etc., may also be used.
McElroy's invention provides a method and apparatus for rapidly and simply
closing containers, especially disposable containers such as beverage containers
having varying sized openings. McElroy's invention provides an elastic container lid
which is stretchably adjustable to cover container openings of known various sizes. The
lid is typically made of an elastomeric material (i.e., a material which may be stretched
to accommodate container openings of various sizes and which at the same time
maintains its resiliency such that it will return substantially to its original form after
stretching). The lid includes a closure panel to be extended over such an opening. For
container openings of known sizes, the closure panel of the lid is sized to be smaller in
dimension in an unstretched condition than the smallest of the known container opening
sizes so that the closure panel must be stretched to cover the smallest of such known
container openings in use. The lid further includes a gripping zone proximate the
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