U.S. patent application number 11/196924 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-09 for removable clip for beverage lid.
Invention is credited to Kevin Dixon, Miriam Mackovic-Basic, Howard S. Mellin, Faranak Sarbaz.
Application Number | 20060027588 11/196924 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35756428 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060027588 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mackovic-Basic; Miriam ; et
al. |
February 9, 2006 |
Removable clip for beverage lid
Abstract
A clip can be slidably attached to a disposable cup lid. The
clip can easily attach to a commercially available lid or a
customized lid and cover an aperture in the lid. The spill clip can
be made separately from the lid and attach to any lid, or the lid
can be built with a pre-attached clip.
Inventors: |
Mackovic-Basic; Miriam;
(Rancho Palos Verdes, CA) ; Dixon; Kevin; (Redondo
Beach, CA) ; Sarbaz; Faranak; (Rancho Palos Verdes,
CA) ; Mellin; Howard S.; (El Camino Village,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KNOBBE MARTENS OLSON & BEAR LLP
2040 MAIN STREET
FOURTEENTH FLOOR
IRVINE
CA
92614
US
|
Family ID: |
35756428 |
Appl. No.: |
11/196924 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60598901 |
Aug 4, 2004 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/795 ;
220/254.9; 220/806; 40/311 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/265
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/795 ;
220/254.9; 220/806; 040/311 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/16 20060101
B65D041/16 |
Claims
1. A clip configured to reduce the likelihood of spillage from a
beverage lid, the clip comprising: an elongated portion extending
between a first portion and a second portion, the first portion
being configured to slidably engage a first perimeter of a lid, and
the second portion being configured to slidably engage a second
perimeter of the lid; wherein the spill clip is configured to
permit multiple uses on different lids.
2. The clip of claim 1, wherein the second perimeter is an elevated
ridge.
3. The clip of claim 1, wherein the first perimeter is an edge of
the lid.
4. The clip of claim 1, further comprising a sealing portion
disposed on the clip to seal an opening in the lid when the clip is
in a closed position.
5. The clip of claim 1, further comprising a gripping portion
disposed on a top surface of the clip.
6. The clip of claim 1, wherein the second portion of the clip
comprises a hook.
7. The clip of claim 6, wherein the hook is deformable.
8. The clip of claim 7, wherein the hook comprises a shape memory
material.
9. The clip of claim 1, further comprising a protrusion on either
the first portion or second portion configured to be slidably
received within a corresponding detent on the lid.
10. The clip of claim 1, further comprising a surface used for
advertisement purposes.
11. The clip of claim 1, wherein the clip comprises one
material.
12. The clip of claim 1, wherein the clip comprises plastic.
13. The clip of claim 1, wherein the first or second perimeter
comprises only a portion of the periphery of the lid.
14. The clip of claim 1, wherein the clip is configured to snap fit
to a lid.
15. A reusable lid kit configured to reduce the likelihood of
spillage from a beverage container, the kit comprising: a clip
comprising an elongated portion extending between a first portion
and a second portion, the first portion being configured to
slidably engage a first perimeter of a lid, and the second portion
being configured to slidably engage a second perimeter of the lid;
a lid having a first perimeter configured to permit slidable
engagement thereof by a first portion of a clip and a second
perimeter configured to permit slidable engagement thereof by a
second portion of a clip.
16. The reusable lid kit of claim 15, wherein the lid is configured
with an elevated ridge to permit engagement thereof by the
clip.
17. The reusable lid kit of claim 15, wherein the lid is configured
with a lid edge for permitting engagement thereof by the clip.
18. The reusable lid kit of claim 15, wherein the lid comprises a
detent for slidably receiving a protrusion on the clip therein.
19. The reusable lid kit of claim 15, wherein the clip is
configured to permit multiple uses on different lids.
20. The reusable lid kit of claim 15, wherein the lid comprises
portion of increased thickness for providing reinforcement to the
clip when the clip is coupled to the lid.
21. The reusable lid kit of claim 15, wherein the clip is
configured to snap fit to the lid.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C.
119(e) to co-pending U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No.
60/598,901, filed Aug. 4, 2004, which is hereby incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONS
[0002] 1. Field of the Inventions
[0003] This invention relates generally to cup lids configured to
reduce the likelihood of spillage and particularly to a reusable
clip that may attach to beverage lids to reduce the likelihood of
spillage.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Beverage containers are widely used in the food industry to
provide hot and cold drinks to customers. These containers are
often disposable cups that have a lid secured to the top of the
cup. Disposable cups permit the customer to take the drink with
them when they leave the food establishment in which they purchased
the cup. These containers are frequently used during transit, such
as in automobiles, boats, golf carts, or walking, and the
possibility of spilling the contents of the container during such
activities is increased. This may result in spillage on a shirt,
trousers, or carpet. Additionally, these containers are often used
in settings involving large crowds, such as ball games, where the
possibility of spillage may be increased, posing an inconvenience
to the customer and those within the vicinity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONS
[0006] Disclosed herein are different embodiments related to a clip
that is designed to connect to a beverage lid containing an
aperture. The clip preferably is designed to cover the aperture to
reduce the likelihood of spillage. The clip may slidably engage a
perimeter, or other edge, of the lid, allowing a user to slide the
clip over the aperture to reduce the likelihood of spillage. In
order to drink or pour the beverage, the user may slide the clip to
expose the aperture.
[0007] The clip can be attached to any commercially available,
disposable cup lid. The clip can be easily attached to a
pre-existing commercially available lid or a customized lid to
cover the aperture of the lid. The clip can be made separately from
the lid and can snap-on, or otherwise attach, to any lid, or the
lid can be manufactured with a pre-attached clip.
[0008] The clip can be attached on a disposable lid, and may be
plastic and disposable or reusable. The clip may be a clip-on flap
that covers the aperture for any hot or cold beverage. The curve of
the clip may fit to all standard cup lids and therefore is very
cost effective. The clip can have vertical ridges to provide grip
for easy sliding of the clip. The clip can be moved along the edge
of the lid, so it can cover the aperture of the lid or it can be
slid away from it.
[0009] The clip can also be attached to a lid that has an elevated
edge and a small dome on the opposite side from the aperture. The
aperture may consist of either several holes or one single hole for
drinking or pouring liquid therethrough. Part of the dome of the
lid can be used for any promotional ad or the logo of the
corresponding company.
[0010] In one embodiment, a clip is provided that may be configured
to reduce the likelihood of spillage from a beverage lid. The clip
may include an elongated portion extending between a first portion
and a second portion. The first portion may be configured to
slidably engage a first perimeter of a lid, and the second portion
may be configured to slidably engage a second perimeter of the lid.
The clip may also be configured to permit multiple uses on
different lids.
[0011] For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain
embodiments, advantages, and novel features of the invention have
been described herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not
necessarily all such embodiments, advantages, or features are
required in any particular embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The features herein disclosed are believed to be novel and
are set forth with particularity in the claims. The invention,
together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be
understood by making reference to the following description taken
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in the figures of
which like referenced numerals identify the like elements, and
wherein:
[0013] FIG. 1 is a top view of a lid with a spill clip attached
thereto;
[0014] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a cup with the lid
and an embodiment of the spill clip also shown;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the spill
clip; and
[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
spill clip.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0017] With reference to the figures, certain embodiments will be
described, which embodiments provide spill clips for reducing the
likelihood of spillage from a beverage container. The spill clips
contemplated herein are adapted to be assembled to a conventional
or custom lid and slidably engage the lid to cover and expose an
opening through which fluid may be poured. The spill clips may be
removed when the beverage container is disposed, thereby permitting
a user to reuse the clip.
[0018] FIG. 1 shows a view of a spill clip 50 attached to a lid 10.
Both the spill clip 50 and the lid 10 can be made of plastic,
although it is contemplated that they may be formed of other
materials. For example, the spill clip 50 may also be constructed
of metals, ceramics, etc.
[0019] As schematically illustrated in FIG. 1, the spill clip 50 is
configured to engage features of the lid 10 to secure the clip 50
on the lid 10, but to permit slidable movement of the clip 50 along
at least a portion of the lid 10. The spill clip 50 may have a
right edge 60 and a left edge 70 and may accommodate slidable
movement to either side of an opening 40 in the top of the lid 10.
The lid 10 preferably has a recess 100 that provides sufficient
room for accommodating a portion of the spill clip 50, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2. The lid 100 also preferably includes a vent hole 20
and a drain hole 30.
[0020] The lid 10 can have any of a number of shapes and may be
manufactured in standard sizes to fit snugly over an upper rim of a
cup 150. A lower rim 90 of the lid 10 can be slightly thicker to
allow better fitting of the spill clip 50. A thicker lower rim 90
of the lid 10 may increase the durability of the lid 10 during
operation of the spill clip 50 or reduce the likelihood of the
spill clip slipping off the lid 10. The lower rim 90 engages the
upper rim of the cup 150 to secure the lid 10 on top of the cup
150. When the lid 10 is secured on the cup 150, the lower rim 90 of
the lid 10 extends from below the upper rim of the cup 150 and
provides a circumferential rim that can be engaged by a portion of
the spill clip 50, as illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0021] The upper rim 95 of the lid 10 can be slightly thicker in
the horizontal plane and encircles a major portion of the cup 150.
The horizontal thickness of the upper rim 95 allows the clip 50 to
be further reinforced on its upper side. The remaining part of the
horizontal plane of the top of the cup 150 may be covered by a
dome-portion of the lid 10 and may provide space for any
promotional sign or imprinted logo of the company.
[0022] As shown in the figures, the clip 50 may be a
parabolic-shaped, thin, plastic piece that may tightly fit on the
top horizontal 95 and lower bottom ridge 90 of the lid. As used
herein, parabolic-shaped is not intended to limit the clip 50
profile to that of a mathematically-defined parabola, but it is
used in the broadest sense of the term meaning any shape, irregular
or otherwise, with an open end or with an end capable of
opening.
[0023] The top, inner surface of the clip can be reinforced with an
additional layer of material 80 that can increase friction and
decrease the chances of spillage of the beverage. The material 80
may be made of plastic or other material that can assist in sealing
the opening 40 of the lid 10 when the spill clip 50 is in the
closed position. For example, the material 80 may be a rubber or
semi-pliable material that will conform to the opening 40. The
material 80 may be adhesively connected to the spill clip 50, or
the material 80 may be integrally formed with the spill clip 50.
The outer surface of the clip wall may contain ridges 55 to improve
the grip and ease the sliding of the clip along the edge of the
lid, as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. The ridges 55 may be formed
of a separate material and adhesively coupled to the top of the
spill clip 50, or the ridges 55 may be formed integrally with the
spill clip 50. In some embodiments, the ridges 55 are made with a
different material than that of the spill clip 50.
[0024] In some embodiments, the right edge 60 and left edge 70 of
the clip may extend beyond the surface of the clip, as illustrated
in FIG. 3. For example, the right edge 60 or left edge 70 may have
a greater width than the portions of the clip therebetween. The
increased width can operate as a ridge, against which a user can
press to slide the clip between the open and closed positions.
[0025] In one embodiment, the clip may include a hook 65 along its
bottom edge. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the hook 65 may extend from
the outer surface wall of the spill clip 50 inward, enabling the
hook 65 to engage a perimeter of the cup lid 10, for example, the
lower rim of the lid 10. The outer surface wall may extend along
and over a first portion and top of an elevated ridge, or upper rim
95, upon which the aperture or opening 40 is preferably located.
The outer surface wall of the spill clip 50 may then extend along a
second portion of the elevated ridge to secure the clip on the lid.
Thus, the first portion engages the front of the upper rim 95 and
lid 10 while the second portion engages the back of the upper rim
95. The clip may be manufactured of a material having shape memory
properties. Such a material may permit the clip to be deformed
during attachment to the lid. Substantially non-deformable
materials may also be used for the clip 50.
[0026] In one embodiment, a shape memory material may be used for
the hook 65. In such embodiments, the hook 65 may be able to vary
in length and accommodate different lids 10 with varying heights.
For example, the hook 65 may have a preset U-shape. When the hook
65 is applied to a lid 10 having a short height between the lower
rim 90 and upper rim 95, the hook 65 will substantially keep the
U-shape. However, when the lid 10 has a significant height between
the lower rim 90 and the upper rim 95, the hook 65 will expand to
assume a C-shape in order to traverse the distance between the
lower rim 90 and the upper rim 95. Thus, the spill clip 50 may
accommodate lids 10 of different shape and size.
[0027] In another embodiment, the clip 50 may be configured to
assume the cross-sectional profile of the lid 10, similar to the
clip shown in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, the clip 50 may be
configured to engage opposite sides of the upper-rim of the lid.
The clip 50 may do this in a number of ways. For example, the clip
50 may include a protrusion 75 configured to engage opposite sides
of the upper-rim when placed thereon. The lid 10 may be configured
with elongated detents along the upper-rim configured to
accommodate the clip 50 protrusion. Accordingly, when the clip 50
is placed on the lid 10, the protrusion may slidably engage the
detents of the lid 10. In other embodiments, the clip 50 may
include one portion that has a protrusion 75 for slidably engaging
a detent in the lid 10 and a hook for engaging the lower rim 90 of
the lid 10, as shown in FIG. 3.
[0028] The clip 50 may be extruded or injection molded plastic,
although other manufacturing methods and materials may be used. For
example, the clip 50 may be formed of extruded metal. The color of
the clip and lid can be in white or other colors. For instance, the
color could be green to convey environmental consciousness.
[0029] In some embodiments, the clip may have a flat outer surface,
as illustrated in FIG. 4, while still having a contoured inner
surface for engaging the lid 10. The flat outer surface may include
a gripping portion disposed thereon. Alternatively or additionally,
the flat surface of the spill clip 50 may include a brand name logo
or other marketing indication thereon for advertisement
purposes.
[0030] The particular convenience of the clip is that it can be
easily slid along the edge of the lid, so that the aperture can be
covered or opened, depending on the need. This newly designed clip
can be used to reduce the likelihood of beverage spillage. The
possibility of mass-production, simplicity, and low-cost make the
clip very cost-efficient.
[0031] In accordance with certain features, aspects, and advantages
of the present invention, the clip 50 described above can be
removably attached to the cup lid 10. In some embodiments, the
combination can be provided to a customer in an assembled state
while, in others, the components can be supplied separately. Thus,
a customer desiring to use the clip could be provided with a cup
lid and a separate clip. Thereafter, the customer can apply the
clip to the cup lid in any suitable fashion. For instance, in
accordance with the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2, the customer
could engage the hook that is formed along the bottom edge of the
clip 50 over a lower edge 90 of the lid 10. With the hook engaged
on the lower edge of the lid 10, the upper portion of the clip 50
can be slid over the upstanding portion of the lid in which the
aperture for drinking the beverage is contained. In some
configurations, the clip 50 can be disposed over the upstanding
ridge and the hook portion can be forced over the lower edge of the
lid. Once assembled to the lid, the clip 50 can be slid around the
circumference of the lid to cover and/or expose the aperture to
respectively reduce the likelihood of spillage or to facilitate
consumption of the beverage through the aperture. The clip can be
removed simply by reversing the steps taken to assemble the clip to
the lid. The clip is made of a material suitable for washing and
reuse in certain embodiments of the present invention. As such, the
clip provides for use and continuous reuse of a simple to
manufacture and easy to install member that can reduce the
likelihood of spillage during transport of a container of
liquid.
[0032] Although this spill clip 50 has been disclosed in the
context of certain preferred embodiments and examples, it will be
understood by those skilled in the art that the clip 50 extends
beyond the specifically disclosed embodiments to other alternative
embodiments and/or uses of the clip 50 and obvious modifications
and equivalents thereof. In addition, while a number of variations
of the clip 50 have been shown and described in detail, other
modifications, which are within the scope of the present invention,
will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art based upon
this disclosure. It is also contemplated that various combinations
or subcombinations of the specific features and aspects of the
embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the
present invention. Accordingly, it should be understood that
various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be
combined with or substituted for one another in order to form
varying modes of the disclosed present invention. Thus, it is
intended that the scope of the spill clip 50 herein disclosed
should not be limited by the particular disclosed embodiments
described above, but should be determined only by a fair reading of
the claims that follow.
* * * * *