Rigid lid system

Claim 1

A rigid organopolymeric lid for an associated wide mouthed container having an outwardly projecting lip for engagement therewith comprising: a circular top panel having a diameter in the range of from about 3 inches to about 6 and one-half inches, a generally cylindrical skirt depending from said top panel having an inner diameter approximating the outer diameter of said container lip, a plurality of at least about 6 regularly spaced bead elements projecting inwardly from said skirt and spaced apart from said top panel to form an interrupted bead at regularly spaced intervals along the inner surface of said skirt, said bead elements having a total length along the inner circumference of said skirt in the range of from about 60 to about 90 percent of the length of said inner circumference of said skirt, said top panel, skirt and bead elements being integrally formed of a rigid organopolymer having a flexural modulus of elasticity of at least about 1.5×10 5 psi, and said lid having a rigidity to flexure such that a centrally applied flexure force of at least about 6 pounds is required to deflect said lid one quarter inch when supported at a support spacing of 27/8 inches, said lid having a rigidity such that the maximum force applied by flat compression elements at a compression speed of 0.1 inch per second to flex said lid in compression is at least about 3 pounds, and said regularly spaced bead elements providing for secure closure to said associated wide mouthed container while permitting ready removal and replacement of said lid in respect to said container.