U.S. patent application number 10/388900 was filed with the patent office on 2004-09-16 for disposable beverage cup lid with lip-operated valve.
Invention is credited to Kim, Seong Soo.
Application Number | 20040178207 10/388900 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32962151 |
Filed Date | 2004-09-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040178207 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim, Seong Soo |
September 16, 2004 |
Disposable beverage cup lid with lip-operated valve
Abstract
Disposable beverage cup lid having a lower section adapted to be
mounted on a beverage cup in peripheral sealing engagement with the
rim of the cup, an upper section which overlies and is sealed
peripherally to the lower section, an opening in the upper section
through which a person can drink a beverage from the cup, a valve
member mounted on the lower section for movement between open and
closed positions relative to the opening in the upper section, and
means operable by the lip of a person drinking from the cup for
moving the valve member between the open and closed positions.
Inventors: |
Kim, Seong Soo; (Oakland,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
EDWARD S.WRIGHT
1100 ALMA STREET
SUITE 207
MENLO PARK
CA
94025
US
|
Family ID: |
32962151 |
Appl. No.: |
10/388900 |
Filed: |
March 14, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/714 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00537
20130101; B65D 47/0838 20130101; B65D 2543/00509 20130101; B65D
47/063 20130101; B65D 2543/00629 20130101; B65D 2543/00296
20130101; B65D 2543/00527 20130101; B65D 2543/00796 20130101; B65D
2543/00685 20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/00046
20130101; B65D 2543/00555 20130101; B65D 2543/00731 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/714 |
International
Class: |
A47G 019/22 |
Claims
1. A disposable beverage cup lid, comprising: a lower section
adapted to be mounted on a beverage cup in peripheral sealing
engagement with the rim of the cup, an upper section which overlies
and is sealed peripherally to the lower section, an opening in the
upper section through which a person can drink a beverage from the
cup, a valve member mounted on the lower section for movement
between open and closed positions relative to the opening in the
upper section, and means operable by the lip of a person drinking
from the cup for moving the valve member between the open and
closed positions.
2. The lid of claim 1 wherein the upper and lower sections are
formed as a unitary structure.
3. The lid of claim 1 wherein the upper and lower sections are
connected together by a hinge.
4. The lid of claim 1 wherein the upper and lower sections are
fabricated of a polystyrene material.
5. The lid of claim 1 wherein the means for moving the valve member
includes an operating lever which is pivotally connected to the
lower section and extends in a generally vertical direction through
a second opening in the upper section in position for engagement by
the upper lip of a person drinking from the cup.
6. The cup of claim 5 wherein the upper section includes a flap
which extends along one side of the second opening in sealing
engagement with the lever.
7. The lid of claim 1 wherein the means for moving the valve member
includes an operating lever which is pivotally connected to the
lower section near its periphery and is connected to the valve
member for moving the valve member toward the open position in
response to an inwardly directed applied to the lever by the lower
lip of a person drinking from the cup.
8. The lid of claim 1 wherein the upper section includes a recessed
area in which the first named opening is located.
9. A disposable beverage cup lid, comprising: a lower section
adapted to be mounted on a beverage cup in peripheral sealing
engagement with the rim of the cup, an upper section which overlies
and is sealed peripherally to the lower section, openings in the
upper and lower sections toward one side of the lid, an L-shaped
lever pivotally mounted on the lower section with a first arm of
the lever extending through a second opening in the upper section
for engagement by the upper lip of a person drinking from the cup
and a second arm extending in an outward direction into the opening
in the lower section, and a valve member mounted on the second arm
for movement between open and closed positions relative to the
first named opening in the upper section.
10. The lid of claim 9 including a link hingedly connected to the
outer end of the second lever arm and to the peripheral portion of
the lower section to form a toggle having two stable positions for
latching the valve member in the open and closed positions.
11. The lid of claim 10 wherein the lever and the link are formed
as a unitary structure and fabricated of a polystyrene
material.
12. The cup of claim 9 wherein the upper section includes a flap
which extends along one side of the second opening in sealing
engagement with the first arm of the lever.
13. The lid of claim 9 including a second opening in the lower
section spaced diagonally opposite the first named openings.
14. The lid of claim 9 wherein the upper section includes a
recessed area in which the first named opening is located.
15. A disposable beverage cup lid, comprising: a lower section
adapted to be mounted on a beverage cup in peripheral sealing
engagement with the rim of the cup, an upper section which overlies
and is sealed peripherally to the lower section, openings in the
upper and lower sections toward one side of the lid, an upstanding
lever pivotally mounted on the lower section between the openings
and the side of the lid, an upstanding post mounted on the lower
section opposite the lever, a flexible arm extending between the
upper ends of the lever and the post, and a valve member carried by
the flexible arm for movement out of sealing engagement with the
opening in the upper section in response to an inwardly directed
force applied to the lever by the lower lip of a person drinking
from the cup.
16. The lid of claim 15 wherein the lid is fabricated as a unitary
structure of a polystyrene material.
17. The lid of claim 15 including a second opening in the lower
section spaced diagonally opposite the first named openings.
18. The lid of claim 15 wherein the upper section includes a
recessed area in which the opening is located.
19. A disposable beverage cup lid formed as a unitary structure of
a polystyrene material, comprising: a lower section adapted to be
mounted on a beverage cup in peripheral sealing engagement with the
rim of the cup, an upper section which overlies and is sealed
peripherally to the lower section, openings in the upper and lower
sections toward one side of the lid, an L-shaped lever pivotally
mounted on the lower section with a first arm of the lever
extending through a second opening in the upper section for
engagement by the upper lip of a person drinking from the cup and a
second arm extending in an outward direction into the opening in
the lower section, a valve member mounted on the second arm for
movement between open and closed positions relative to the first
named opening in the upper section, and a link hingedly connected
to the outer end of the second lever arm and to the outer portion
of the lower section to form a toggle having two stable positions
for latching the valve member in the open and closed positions.
20. The cup of claim 19 wherein the upper section includes a flap
which extends along one side of the second opening in sealing
engagement with the first arm of the lever.
21. The lid of claim 19 including a second opening in the lower
section spaced diagonally opposite the first named openings.
22. The lid of claim 19 wherein the upper section includes a
recessed area in which the first named opening is located.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] This invention pertains generally to beverage cups and lids
and, more particularly, to a disposable lid having a valve operated
by the lip of a user for controlling the flow of liquid through an
opening in the lid.
[0003] 2. Related Art
[0004] Beverages such as coffee and soft drinks are often served in
and drunk from disposable cups made of styrofoam, paper and/or
other plastic materials. To prevent spillage, such cups are
commonly provided with lids which fit tightly over the rims of the
cups in sealing engagement. Some of lids have openings through
which the beverage can be drunk without removing the lid from the
cup, and some have closures for sealing the openings. In some
instances, lids have been provided with closures which can be moved
to open positions by the lips of users, and examples of such
devices are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,015,411, 3,208,629, 3,338,467
and 3,905,512.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is, in general, an object of the invention to provide a
new and improved disposable beverage cup lid having a valve
operated by the lip of the user for controlling the flow of liquid
through an opening in the lid.
[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a disposable
beverage cup lid of the above character which overcomes the
limitations and disadvantages of the lids heretofore provided.
[0007] These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the
invention by providing a disposable beverage cup lid having a lower
section adapted to be mounted on a beverage cup in peripheral
sealing engagement with the rim of the cup, an upper section which
overlies and is sealed peripherally to the lower section, an
opening in the upper section through which a person can drink a
beverage from the cup, a valve member mounted on the lower section
for movement between open and closed positions relative to the
opening in the upper section, and means operable by the lip of a
person drinking from the cup for moving the valve member between
the open and closed positions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a disposable
beverage cup lid according to the invention in an open
position.
[0009] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG.
1 mounted on a beverage cup in an unfolded or open position.
[0010] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1
mounted on a beverage cup in a closed position.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 3, showing the
lid in an open position.
[0012] FIGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged fragmentary views of the
embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the valve mechanism in different
operating positions.
[0013] FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the embodiment of
FIG. 1, with the valve in its closed position.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary isometric view, partly broken away,
of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the manner in which the lid
interfits with a cup.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a
disposable beverage cup lid according to the invention in an
unfolded or open position.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG.
9 mounted on a beverage cup.
[0017] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 on
the cup.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary isometric view similar to FIG. 11,
showing the lid in an open position.
[0019] FIGS. 13 and 14 are side elevational views, partly broken
away, of the embodiment of FIG. 9 mounted on a cup in different
operating positions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, the lid 21 has a lower section
22 and an upper section 23 which are connected together by a hinge
24. The lid is fabricated as a unitary structure of a material such
as polystyrene. The lid is disposable in the sense that it is
intended to be used once and then recycled or discarded.
[0021] The lower section has a generally planar body 26, with a
peripheral rim 27 for securing the lid in sealing engagement with
the lip of a disposable beverage cup 28. The upper section has a
planar top wall 29 with an outer rim 31 which secures the upper
section to the lower section and forms a peripheral seal with the
lower section when the lid is mounted on a cup with the upper
section overlying the lower section. As best seen in FIG. 8, the
lower section also has a depending skirt 31 which extends into the
upper portion of the cup to minimize spillage.
[0022] An outlet opening 32 and a vent opening 33 are formed on
opposite sides of the lower section, and an outlet opening 34 is
formed in a recessed area 36 in the upper section. With the lid in
its closed position, the outlet opening in the upper section is
directly above the outlet opening in the lower section, and a
beverage can be drunk from the cup through the two openings.
[0023] Means operable by the upper lip of a person drinking from
the cup is provided for sealing outlet opening 34 to minimize
spillage when the beverage is not being drunk. That means includes
an L-shaped lever 37 which is pivotally mounted to the body 26 of
the lower section at the inner edge of opening 32. The lever has a
generally vertical arm 38 which passes through a second opening 39
in the recessed area of the upper section and a generally
horizontal arm 41 which extends into opening 32. A valve member 42
is mounted on the horizontal arm for sealing the outlet opening 34
in the upper section.
[0024] A link 43 is hingedly connected to the outer end of lever
arm 41 and to the peripheral portion of the lower section on the
outer side of opening 32 to form a toggle having two stable
positions for latching the valve member in open and closed
positions relative to outlet opening 34.
[0025] The opening for lever arm 38 is spaced inwardly from outlet
opening 34, and lever arm 38 is thus positioned for engagement by
the upper lip of a person drinking through opening 34. In the
embodiment illustrated, lever arm 38 has a generally rectangular
cross section, and as best seen in FIG. 7, opening 39 is formed by
cutting top wall 29 along only three sides of the opening, leaving
a flap 44 along the remaining side for sealing engagement with the
outer side of lever arm 38.
[0026] In use, the lid is mounted on the cup, with upper section 23
folded over and secured to lower section 22. To open the valve to
drink the beverage from the cup, a person engages lever arm 38 with
his upper lip and pulls it in an outward direction toward the edge
of the lid, thereby pivoting the lever in a counter-clockwise
direction as viewed in FIG. 5. As the lever pivots in that
direction, it draws valve member 42 in a downward direction toward
an open position relative to outlet opening 34, thereby permitting
the person to drink the beverage through the opening.
[0027] Initially, the lever arm and the link 43 at its outer end
are inclined toward each other in an upward direction. As the outer
end of lever arm 41 travels in a downward direction, it draws the
inner end of link 43 with it, building up an endwise or axial force
in the two. As the lever arm and link pass through an aligned
position, the force which has built up in them toggles them to a
downwardly inclined position, thereby latching the valve member
carried by the lever arm in an open position. If the lever is
released by the lip before the toggle point is reached, the
resiliency of the material will return the valve member to the
closed position.
[0028] Once the valve member has been latched in the open position,
it can be returned to its closed position by pushing lever arm 38
in an inward direction away from the edge of the cup, thereby
pivoting the lever in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6.
The lever arm can be moved in that direction either with the upper
lip or by hand. This draws the hinged ends of the lever arm and
link in a upward direction, and the toggle force thereby developed
urges the two toward the upper section and latches the valve member
in its closed position. With the toggle force urging the valve
member in an upward direction, the outlet opening is tightly
sealed, thereby minimizing the chances of spillage or leakage
through it.
[0029] The embodiment of FIGS. 9-14 also has an upper section 46
and a lower section 47 which are fabricated as a unitary structure
of a material such as polystyrene and joined together by a hinge
48. As in the previous embodiment, the lower section has an outer
rim 49 which secures lid to the rim or lip of a beverage cup 51,
and the upper section has an outer rim 52 which secures the two
sections together, with peripheral seals between the sections and
between the lid and the cup. This lid is also disposable in the
sense that it is intended to be used once and then recycled or
discarded.
[0030] An outlet opening 53 and a vent opening 54 are formed on
opposite sides of the lower section, and an outlet opening 56 is
formed in the upper section, as in the previous embodiment.
However, in this embodiment, the upper section has a raised portion
57 toward one side, and the outlet opening is formed in a recessed
area 58 in the raised portion.
[0031] Flow through outlet opening 56 is controlled by a valve
member 59 mounted on an arm 61 for movement between open and closed
positions relative to the opening. The outer end of arm 61 is
connected to the upper end of a lever 62 which is pivotally
connected to the rim portion of the lower section near the outer
side of opening 53. The inner end of arm 61 is connected to a post
63 which extends in an upward direction from the body 64 of the
lower section at the inner edge of opening 53.
[0032] Lever 62, post 63 and arm 61 extend into the raised portion
57 of upper section 46, with the outer surface of the lever in
close proximity to the side wall 66 of the raised section. As best
seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, the portion of the arm on which valve
member 59 is mounted is inclined in an inward and upward direction,
and an inward force applied to the lever by a person's lower lip
through the flexible side wall moves the valve member to an open
position away from outlet opening 56. When the force is release,
the resiliency of the arm return the valve member to its closed
position and holds it there.
[0033] The invention has a number of important features and
advantages. It provides a non-spill lid for disposable beverage
cups with a flow control valve which is readily controlled by the
lip of a person drinking from the cup. The lid can be manufactured
inexpensively and is disposable in that it can be used once then
recycled or discarded.
[0034] It is apparent from the foregoing that a new and improved
beverage cup lid has been provided. While only certain presently
preferred embodiments have been described in detail, as will be
apparent to those familiar with the art, certain changes and
modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the
invention as defined by the following claims.
* * * * *