U.S. patent application number 09/766389 was filed with the patent office on 2002-07-25 for lid for beverage container.
Invention is credited to Waller, David B..
Application Number | 20020096530 09/766389 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26990700 |
Filed Date | 2002-07-25 |
United States Patent
Application |
20020096530 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Waller, David B. |
July 25, 2002 |
LID FOR BEVERAGE CONTAINER
Abstract
A lid for a beverage container, the lid comprising; a top wall
having a generally circular periphery; a groove extending downward
from said top wall having a front side adjacent to the circular
periphery, a back side more distant from the circular periphery
than the front side and a drinking opening in the front side; a
barrier extending downward from the top wall between and generally
parallel to the circular periphery and the groove; and an annular
mounting portion along the circular periphery for sealingly
engaging the lid of the beverage container; the lid enabling
mobility of the beverage container without spillage of a
beverage.
Inventors: |
Waller, David B.; (San
Diego, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DAVID B. WALLER & ASSOCIATES
5677 OBERLIN DRIVE
SUITE 214
SAN DIEGO
CA
92121
US
|
Family ID: |
26990700 |
Appl. No.: |
09/766389 |
Filed: |
January 19, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/713 ;
220/714 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00046
20130101; A47G 19/2272 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/713 ;
220/714 |
International
Class: |
A47G 019/22 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A lid for a beverage container, the lid comprising; (a) a top
wall having a generally circular periphery; (b) a groove extending
downward from said top wall having a front side adjacent to said
circular periphery, a back side more distant from said circular
periphery than said front side and a drinking opening in said front
side; (c) a barrier extending downward from said top wall between
and generally parallel to said circular periphery and said groove;
and (d) an annular mounting portion along said circular periphery
for sealingly engaging the lid of the beverage container; said lid
enabling mobility of the beverage container without spillage of a
beverage.
2. A lid for a beverage container, the lid comprising; (a) a top
wall having a generally circular periphery; (b) an annular side
wall depending from the top wall about its circular periphery; (c)
a groove extending downward from said to wall having a front side
adjacent to said circular periphery, a back side more distant from
said circular periphery than said front side and a drinking opening
in said front side; (d) a barrier extending downward from said top
wall between and generally parallel to said circular periphery and
said groove; and (e) an annular mounting portion at the bottom of
said side wall for sealingly engaging the lid of the beverage
container; said lid enabling mobility of the beverage container
without spillage of the beverage.
3. A lid for a beverage container, the lid comprising; (a) a top
wall having a generally circular periphery; (b) a drinking spout
formed in the top wall and along a portion of said circular
periphery, said drinking spout having a top side and a sloped side
wall extending from the top wall to said top side; (c) a groove
extending downward from said top side of said drinking spout having
a front side adjacent to said circular periphery, a back side more
distant from said circular periphery than said front side and a
drinking opening in said front side; (d) a barrier extending
downward from said top side of said drinking spout between and
generally parallel to said circular periphery and said groove; and
(e) an annular mounting portion at the bottom of said side wall for
sealingly engaging the lid of the beverage container; said lid
enabling mobility of the beverage container without spillage of the
beverage.
4. The beverage container lid according to claim 1 wherein the lid
further comprises a vent hole in the top wall opposite the drinking
opening.
5. The beverage container lid according to claim 2 wherein the lid
further comprises a vent hole in the top wall opposite the drinking
opening.
6. The beverage container lid according to claim 3 wherein the lid
further comprises a vent hole in the top wall opposite the drinking
opening.
7. The beverage container lid according to claim 1 in combination
with a beverage container having a generally circular rim with a
bead formed thereon able to engage the annular mounting portion of
the lid.
8. The beverage container lid according to claim 2 in combination
with a beverage container having a generally circular rim with a
bead formed thereon able to engage the annular mounting portion of
the lid.
9. The beverage container lid according to claim 3 in combination
with a beverage container having a generally circular rim with a
bead formed thereon able to engage the annular mounting portion of
the lid.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of patent
application of a divisional patent application filed on Jun. 21,
2000 as a continuing patent application of pending U.S. application
Ser. No. 09/337,451 filed Jun. 21, 1999.
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a lid for the use in combination
with a beverage container and more particularly to a lid enabling
drinking from the container without removal of the lid and which
prevents spillage during use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Beverage container lids adapted to fasten over the rim or
lip of disposable beverage containers are well known. Such lids
reduce spillage and evaporation of the beverage within the
container and help insulate the contents of the container from the
external ambient temperature. In their most simple form, such
beverage container lids comprise a generally flat lid surface in
the form of a disk having a peripheral sealing skirt for securing
the lid to the rim of the beverage container. While such lids are
entirely suitable for the purposes just described, they must be
completely removed in order to gain access to the contents of the
container.
[0004] This problem has been substantially reduced for cold
beverages by providing a selectively opened straw orifice in the
lid. This allows access to the contents of the container without
removing the lid. Unfortunately, the use of a straw for hot
beverages such a coffee or hot chocolate is generally not
preferred.
[0005] Improved container lids for hot beverages which include an
openable tear strip or flap have been devised. See for example U.S.
Pat. Nos. 3,868,043, 3,977,559, 4,090,660, and 4,210,272. Such
modified beverage container lids offer the advantage of allowing
limited access to the contents of the container while still
covering most of the open end of the container. However, this type
of lid has the disadvantage of providing a direct path from which
the beverage in the container can easily spill during use.
[0006] Further improvements have been made to the beverage
container lids including fold back flaps, see U.S. Pat. Nos.
3,994,411, 4,202,459, 4,322,015, 4,473,167, 4,629,088, 4,738,373,
5,090,584, 5,111,961, 5,183,172, 5,197,624 and 5,613,619. These
fold back flaps and various means for securing tear strip or flap
in its fully folded back configuration have been provided. For
example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,994,411 discloses a container lid having a
fold-back flap which includes a pull tab along its outermost edge.
The pull tab may be inserted into a slit along the outermost edge
of the lid to hold the flap in its fully open position. U.S. Pat.
No. 4,202,459 discloses an embossed slot formed in the upper
surface of the lid which is able to receive the peripheral skirt of
the lid when the flap is fully folded back. Finally, U.S. Pat. No.
4,322,015 discloses a container lid having a fold-back flap which
is secured by one or more retainer studs which project upward from
the upper surface of the lid. Although each of these designs is
functional, there are several disadvantages, in particular, the
openable flaps frequently become dislodged from their retaining
means and are difficult to hold in the open position. In the case
of recloseable flaps, they often do not adequately seal the opening
when closed and are difficult to hold in the closed position.
Moreover, it is frequently necessary to employ relatively heavy
gauge or stiff materials in order to achieve a highly reliable
fastening system which is more expensive. Another disadvantage
results when the flaps do not tear accurately along the intended
line and form sharp edges at each side of the opening thereby
formed in the rim or skirt of the container lid which causes
discomfort during use. Furthermore, once the flap has been released
the lid edges on either side of the opening are difficult to secure
to the container lip and do not make an adequate seal allowing the
contents of the container to spill from these edges during normal
use.
[0007] Consequently, a lid which does not have to be removed from
the beverage container, does not suffer from the disadvantages
discussed above and significantly reduces or prevents spillage
during normal use is needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In accordance with the present invention a lid is provided
for a beverage container, wherein the lid comprises: a top wall
having a generally circular periphery; a groove extending downward
from said top wall having a front side adjacent to said circular
periphery, a back side more distant from said circular periphery
than said front side and a drinking opening in said front side; a
barrier extending downward from said top wall between and generally
parallel to said circular periphery and said groove; and an annular
mounting portion along said circular periphery for sealingly
engaging the lid of the beverage container; said lid enabling
mobility of the beverage container without spillage of a
beverage.
[0009] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a lid
comprising; a top wall having a generally circular periphery; an
annular side wall depending from the top wall about its circular
periphery; a groove extending downward from said to wall having a
front side adjacent to said circular periphery, a back side more
distant from said circular periphery than said front side and a
drinking opening in said front side; a barrier extending downward
from said top wall between and generally parallel to said circular
periphery and said groove; and an annular mounting portion at the
bottom of said side wall for sealingly engaging the lid of the
beverage container; said lid enabling mobility of the beverage
container without spillage of the beverage.
[0010] In another embodiment, the present invention provides a lid
comprising; a top wall having a generally circular periphery; a
drinking spout formed in the top wall and along a portion of said
circular periphery, said drinking spout having a top side and a
sloped side wall extending from the top wall to said top side; a
groove extending downward from said top side of said drinking spout
having a front side adjacent to said circular periphery, a back
side more distant from said circular periphery than said front side
and a drinking opening in said front side; a barrier extending
downward from said top side of said drinking spout between and
generally parallel to said circular periphery and said groove; and
an annular mounting portion at the bottom of said side wall for
sealingly engaging the lid of the beverage container; said lid
enabling mobility of the beverage container without spillage of the
beverage.
[0011] In other embodiments the lid further comprises a vent hole
in the top wall adjacent to the drinking opening.
[0012] In another embodiment the combination of the lid engaged
with a beverage container is provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top view of the lid for a beverage container
having a groove and a barrier generally perpendicular to the top
wall.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the lid for a beverage
container presented in FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the lid for a beverage container
presented in FIG. 1.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a top view of the lid for a beverage container
having a top wall and a barrier generally parallel to the top
wall.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of the invention presented in FIG.
4.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a top view of the lid for a beverage container
having a spout and a barrier generally parallel to the top
wall.
[0019] FIG. 7 is a side view of the invention presented in FIG.
6.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0020] Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7 in detail, the lid 10
provides a cover for a beverage container 12 which inhibits
spillage and reduces heat transfer between the beverage and the
exterior surrounding atmosphere. Container lids 10 according to the
present invention may be fabricated from a variety of materials
which may be formed into the desired configuration (e.g. via vacuum
molding). Preferably, the lid 10 is made of one piece plastic
construction, which enables it to be manufactured relatively
inexpensively and may therefore be disposable. In addition, one
skilled in the art could identify obvious variations of the present
invention that would provide manufacturing the lid 10 in more than
one piece for assemblage prior to distribution or use. Furthermore,
the lid 10 may be constructed of heavier materials and accompanied
by a similarly constructed beverage container 12 so that the lid 10
and container 12 are reusable.
[0021] Suitable materials include thermoplastics such as for
example, high density polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride,
polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene
copolymer, polyvinylacetate, polyvinylbutyral, cellulose acetate,
cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose nitrate and the like.
Particularly, impact polystyrene and copolymers comprising at least
90 percentage by weight of styrene monomer component is preferred
which combines the advantages of low cost, high strength, ease of
fabrication, and desirable mechanical properties, such as
resilience.
[0022] The thickness of the material of the lid 10 is selected to
provide satisfactory strength while enabling enough flexibility to
facilitate engagement of the beaded lip 16 of the beverage
container 12 by the annular mounting portion 18 of the lid 10. The
thickness of the thermoplastic material may vary within a
relatively wide range, typically being from about 0.08 to 1.2 mm.
More specifically, a material in the range from about 0.6 to 1.0 mm
is preferred. Also, as noted above, the lid 10 requires a
relatively small amount of material, which enables it to be
produced economically. Accordingly, if it is desirable that the lid
10 be reusable, it may be constructed of a variety of substantially
thicker materials known to those skilled in the art.
[0023] The lid 10 maybe secured in place on the container 12 by an
annular mounting portion 18 which engages the rim or lip 14 of the
container 12. The annular mounting portion 18 includes a resilient
annular gripping portion 32 configured to grip the bead 16 on the
lip 14 of the container 12. To facilitate mounting of the lid 10 on
the container 12 and movement of the gripping portion 32 into
gripping engagement with the bead 16, the mounting portion 18 may
further include an outwardly flared skirt 34 depending from the
gripping portion 32. As the lid 10 is pushed downwardly onto the
lip 14 of the container 12, the skirt 34 aids in centering the lid
10 and in deflecting the gripping portion 32 to an open position to
enable it to fit over the bead 16.
[0024] The container lid 10 may include a plurality of annular
channels and annular ridges (not shown in the Figures) which act to
reinforce the lid 10 and make it more rigid. The number of such
reinforcement channels and ridges is not critical, and the
provision of such features is well known the prior art.
[0025] After the vacuum forming operation has been completed the
openings 20 and 44 may be formed in the lid 10. The drinking
opening 20 maybe formed during the molding process, with a punch
and die or by puncturing with a pointed tool creating one or more
openings sufficiently large enough to allow the beverage in the
container 12 to flow into the drinking spout 30.
[0026] The vent hole 44, maybe formed in the top wall 26 opposite
the drinking opening to enable air to flow into the container 12 as
the user drinks from the container 12 to facilitate the flow of the
liquid out of the container 12 through the drinking opening 20. The
vent hole 44 is preferably smaller than the drinking opening 20,
and may be formed simply by puncturing the top wall 26 of the lid
10 with a pointed tool.
[0027] In the FIGS. 6 and 7, the drinking opening 20 is positioned
at a distance sufficient to enable the user to drink from the
opening 20 without contacting the bottom edge 22 of the lid 10 with
his/her lower lip, resulting in discomfort.
[0028] Up until this point, the construction of the lid 10 has been
conventional. However, the lid 10 includes novel and improved means
for preventing spillage of the contents of the beverage container
12 during normal use.
[0029] In FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 a groove 60 extends downwardly from the
top wall 26 having a front side adjacent to the annular side wall
28 and a backside more distant from the annular side than the front
side. A drinking opening 20 is preferably provided in the front
side of the groove 60. The drinking opening 20 may be a single
opening or a plurality of smaller openings. If it is a single
opening it is preferably an elongated oval or rectangle shape of
about 1/4" to about 1/2" in length and from about {fraction
(1/64)}" to {fraction (1/16)}" in width. If the drinking opening 20
is formed of a plurality of smaller openings they are preferably
circular openings of about {fraction (1/16)}" to about 1/8" in
diameter. The groove 60 can be of any desired shape and is
preferably rectangular in shape at the top wall 10 and narrowing at
its base. The narrowing may be the result of angling of the front
side of the groove 60, the backside of the groove 60, or both the
front side and the backside of the groove 60. Preferably the
narrowing is a result of angling of the front side of the groove 60
while maintaining the backside generally perpendicular to the top
wall 10. This configuration and other configurations contemplated
by the present invention place the drinking opening 20 within the
groove 60 such that when fluid attempts to escape it is directed
through the drinking opening 20 to impact the backside of the
groove 60 and be retained within the base of the groove 60. In
addition, the drinking opening 20 may be placed in a variety of
locations within the groove 60 most preferably such that fluid may
return to the beverage container 12 and that any amount retained
within the groove 60 is reduced to a minimum.
[0030] The barrier 54 is positioned between the groove 60 and the
annular side wall 28, This barrier may be formed in a variety of
conformations including for example a groove similar to groove 60
or a sheet of material. The barrier 54 extends to a depth equal to
or greater than the groove 60 and is positioned in front of the
drinking opening 20 and is of a length equal to and preferably
greater than the length of the drinking opening 20. The barrier 54
may be provided in a number of configurations that prevent fluid
from exiting the drinking opening 20. For example, if the beverage
container 12 is jarred fluid moving up the container wall toward
the lid 10 will be bracketed between the barrier 54 and the annular
side wall 28 and redirected back into the beverage container 12
away from the drinking opening 20. In general the barrier 54 acts
as a wall preventing fluid from exiting the beverage container 12
without first flowing around and over the barrier 54.
[0031] In FIGS. 4 and 5 a barrier 54 extends from the annular side
wall 28 of the lid 10 generally parallel to the top wall 26 and
adjacent to the drinking opening 20 to prevent the direct flow of
the beverage from the beverage container 12 through the drinking
opening 20. The barrier 54 acts as a wall preventing the beverage
from exiting the beverage container 12 without first flowing around
the barrier 54. The barrier 54 may be a hollow formed wall or a
thin sheet of material adjacent to and having a dimension which is
larger than the drinking opening 20. It may be anchored to the
annular side wall 28 or to the top wall 26 and the annular side
wall 28. Alternatively, the barrier 54 may form a chamber larger
than and around the drinking opening 20 anchored to the top wall 26
and the annular side wall 28. The chambers side walls may have a
single opening, several small openings such as slits grooves,
holes, perforations or the like which allow the beverage to enter
the chamber and then exit the drinking opening 20 but prevent the
beverage from spilling by prohibiting direct flow of the beverage
from the drinking opening 20. A variety of shapes may be utilized
for the barrier 54, for example, a planar barrier 54 which is
parallel to the top wall 26 may be used which is larger that the
drinking opening 20. Alternatively, the barrier 54 may be curved in
shape, parallel to the top wall 26, and may be oriented such that
the concave portion of the barrier 54 faces the internal beverage
chamber of the container 12 and the convex portion of the barrier
54 faces the drinking opening 20. This curved shaped will allow any
beverage which remains on the barrier 54 to quickly flow to one
side of the barrier 54 or the other and be deposited back into the
beverage container 12. The barrier 54 could also be curved in shape
wherein the concave portion is larger than and facing the drinking
opening 20 and angled such that the barrier 54 slopes downward as
it extends from the annular side wall 28 thereby allowing any
beverage which remains in the concave portion to flow with the
slope of the barrier 54 and be deposited back into the beverage
container 12.
[0032] In another aspect of the invention a fluid channel (not
shown in the Figures) is provided in the lid 10 comprised of a
fluid path to prevent the direct flow of the beverage from the
beverage container 12. In general, the fluid channel provides an
indirect fluid path that interferes with the beverages direct
access to the drinking opening 20 to prevent spillage during use.
The channel can be constructed in a variety of configurations. As
an example and not by way of limitation, the chamber may have an
entrance opening or openings which allows the beverage in the
container 12 to enter the fluid channel wherein the beverage
travels in the channel then makes a 180 degree turn, continues
along the channel and then exits out of the drinking opening 20
thereby preventing direct flow of the beverage from the beverage
container 12.
[0033] In FIGS. 6 and 7 a drinking spout 30 is formed in the top
wall 26 and along the circular periphery as described above,
however, the drinking spout 30 defines a chamber comprised of a top
portion 56 having a drinking opening 20, a sloped side wall 28
which extends from the top wall 26 to the top portion 56, a barrier
54 formed in and perpendicular to the annular side wall 28 and a
bottom portion 52 having a fluid opening 50 in line with the
barrier 54. The bottom wall 52 acting to restrict the flow of the
beverage from the container 12 into the chamber. The fluid opening
50 of the bottom wall 52 may be a single opening, several small
openings such as slits, grooves, holes, perforations or the like
which allow the beverage to enter the chamber. The barrier 54 acts
as a wall preventing the beverage from exiting the beverage
container 12 without first flowing around the barrier 54. The
barrier 54 may be constructed in a variety of ways including those
discussed above.
[0034] In general, the invention encompasses a variety of beverage
container lids 10 which utilize a barrier 54 or flow channel which
prevents direct flow of the beverage from the drinking opening 20
to prevent spillage during use.
[0035] A further benefit of the present invention appears to reside
in a substantial reduction in the amount of litter attendant to its
use. While most lids are often discarded in an uncontrolled and
careless manner, the beverage containers themselves tend to be
disposed of in a significantly more circumspect and acceptable
manner. The problem of container lid litter is so acute that fast
food chains and other food and beverage providers prefer not to
apply their names or otherwise identify themselves on the container
lids employed by their food or beverage product containers. The
container lids of the present invention, however, are not normally
removed from the containers during use and in preferred embodiments
do not contain removable or separable access strips which may be
discarded in an unacceptable manner nor are the access strips
forming part thereof separable therefrom. Accordingly, the use of
the container lids of the invention tend to inhibit the
unrestricted disposal of parts thereof or disposal of the lids
apart from their corresponding containers. Therefore, adoption of
the container lids of the invention could conceivably lead to
substantial reductions in the nationwide problem of litter.
[0036] The lid 10 described above is particularly suitable for use
in a variety of food distribution establishments including fast
food franchises, street vendors, airlines, a carryout counter in a
restaurant or any vendor which provides the user with beverages for
consumption while the user is in motion. A vendor can fill a
container with coffee or the like and apply the lid quickly and
simply by snapping it onto the container. The user may then drink
from the container while walking or riding in a vehicle without
removing or penetrating the lid and without spillage.
[0037] Various vibrations and motion tests have been conducted on
the container lids of the invention. No spillage occurred under
these tests, even under aggravated conditions. Various beverages,
such as hot coffee and iced cold water, were tested with the lid in
comparison to other currently used lids. The amount of spillage
during agitation was eliminated. The thermal state of the beverage
was maintained for a similar period with the container lids of the
invention secured to the containers.
[0038] The preferred embodiments are provided by illustration and
not by way of limitation. There is no intent to limit the scope of
the invention to this or any other particular embodiment.
* * * * *