From the It's-About-Time Files: Area Woman Has Answer to Lost Lid Frustration (Watch)

Patricia Anthony of Auburn Hills demonstrates her LidLover silicon lids. (Screenshot and video via WXYZ-TV)

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An Oakland County woman’s invention might be the best thing since wheels on suitcases.

Recognizing the universal frustration of searching cupboards for lids to cover plastic storage containers, Patricia Anthony of Auburn Hills invented a flexible silicon lid that will fit everything from a cat food can to a large bowl, according to a report on WXYZ-TV’s “Mom’s a Genius” series.

“I was so tired of buying (food storage) sets with 20 lids, 20 containers, and then a month later, I could never find the right lid,” she said.

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Anthony said she would “love to say that I was this genius scientist, but no, I was probably just a housewife who was curious to see, gee I wonder how far I could take this.”

Anthony obtained a patent on her her 2012 LidLover prototype, which has bellows that grab the container like a rubber band. Since then, she’s had sales of close to $50,000 through her website, LidLover.com and Amazon.com.

She does product demonstrations at area stores, and is reportedly working on deals with Bed, Bath & Beyond and Staples.