U.S. patent application number 10/531487 was filed with the patent office on 2006-02-23 for cup lid for dispensing hot fluids.
Invention is credited to Thomas S. Kim.
Application Number | 20060037962 10/531487 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32107926 |
Filed Date | 2006-02-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060037962 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kim; Thomas S. |
February 23, 2006 |
Cup lid for dispensing hot fluids
Abstract
The present invention relates to a container lid for sealing a
container used to hold fluids and provides a reservoir for
collection of a portion of bulk fluid contained in the container to
speed cooling relative to the bulk fluid and allows speedier
drinking of hot fluids with reduced risk of scalding. The present
invention also relates to methods for allowing speedier drinking of
hot fluids with reduced risk of scalding by utilizing the reservoir
of the inventive container lid.
Inventors: |
Kim; Thomas S.; (Naperville,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Thomas S Kim
1243 Leveren3 Road
Naperville
IL
60564
US
|
Family ID: |
32107926 |
Appl. No.: |
10/531487 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2003 |
PCT Filed: |
October 15, 2003 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US03/32630 |
371 Date: |
April 15, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/713 ;
220/521; 220/719; 229/404; 229/906.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00527
20130101; B65D 2251/0081 20130101; B65D 43/0202 20130101; B65D
2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D 51/18 20130101;
B65D 2543/00046 20130101; B65D 47/06 20130101; B65D 2251/0018
20130101; B65D 2543/00537 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/713 ;
220/521; 229/404; 229/906.1; 220/719 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Oct 15, 2002 |
US |
60418421 |
Claims
1. A container lid for sealing a container used to hold fluids and
provide a reservoir for collecting a portion of bulk fluid
contained within the container to speed cooling relative to the
bulk fluid within the container, wherein the lid comprises: a base
physically connected to the container forming a spillproof
connection, the base having an inner spout to direct outflow of the
bulk fluid from the container, and a top physically connected to
the base forming a spillproof connection, the top having an outer
spout for drinking and the top and base defining a reservoir for
collecting the bulk fluid from the container, wherein the top is
removable to permit bulk fluid to be dispensed directly through the
inner spout of the base.
2-3. (canceled)
4. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the reservoir is of a
volume large enough to hold a drinkable portion of fluid for
consumption.
5. (canceled)
6. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the base further comprises
a slope for directing fluid to a well area of the reservoir that is
nearly horizontal.
7. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the top further comprises
a dome for increasing the volume of the reservoir.
8. (canceled)
9. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the top further comprises
an outer trough situated adjacent to the outer spout.
10. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the top further comprises
a lip adjacent to the outer spout and near a radial edge of the
top.
11. (canceled)
12. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the base further
comprises an inner trough situated near a radial end of the base
somewhat opposite to the inner spout.
13. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the base further
comprises a lip adjacent to and radially outside of the inner
spout.
14. A container lid for sealing a container used to hold fluids and
provide a reservoir for collecting a portion of bulk fluid
contained within the container to speed cooling relative to the
bulk fluid within the container, wherein the lid comprises: a base
physically connected to the container forming a spillproof
connection, the base having an inner spout to direct outflow of the
bulk fluid from the container, and a top physically rotatably
connected to the base forming a spillproof connection, the
rotatable top having an outer spout base and an outer spout for
drinking, and wherein the rotatable top and base define a reservoir
for collecting the bulk fluid from the container, wherein upon
cooling of the bulk fluid to a drinkable temperature, the top can
be rotated relative to the base so that the outer spout aligns with
the inner spout and the outer spout base physically connects to the
inner spout to form a direct fluid conduit from the container to
the outer spout for drinking.
15. The container lid of claim 14, wherein the reservoir is of a
volume large enough to hold a drinkable portion of fluid for
consumption.
16. (canceled)
17. The container lid of claim 14, wherein the base further
comprises a slope directing fluid to a well area of the reservoir
that is nearly horizontal.
18. The container lid of claim 14, wherein the rotatable top
further comprises a dome for increasing the volume of the
reservoir.
19. (canceled)
20. The container lid of claim 14, wherein the rotatable top
further comprises an outer trough situated adjacent to the outer
spout.
21. The container lid of claim 14, wherein the rotatable top
further comprises a lip adjacent to the outer spout and near a
radial edge of the rotatable top.
22. (canceled)
23. The container lid of claim 14, wherein the base further
comprises an inner trough situated near a radial end of the base
somewhat opposite to the inner spout.
24. The container lid of claim 14, wherein the base further
comprises a lip adjacent to and radially outside of the inner
spout.
25. A method of promoting cooling of a portion of bulk fluid from a
container capped with a container lid having a base and a removable
top, the base and removable top defining a reservoir, comprising:
directing a drinkable portion of the bulk fluid into a reservoir
area for enhanced cooling relative to the bulk fluid, allowing the
drinkable portion to cool in a timely period, dispensing the cooled
drinkable portion to a user for drinking with reduced risk of
scalding or burning.
26. The method of claim 25, wherein the directing step comprises:
initially tipping the container capped with the container lid away
from a user with an outer spout facing the user.
27. The method of claim 26, wherein the dispensing step further
comprises: secondarily tipping the container capped with the
container lid towards the user with the outer spout facing the
user.
28-30. (canceled)
31. The method of claim 25, wherein the container lid comprises a
base and a rotatable top, the base physically connected to the
container forming a spillproof connection and the base having an
inner spout to direct outflow of the bulk fluid from the container,
and the rotatable top being physically and rotatably connected to
the base forming a spillproof connection, the rotatable top having
an outer spout base and an outer spout for drinking, and wherein
the rotatable top and base define a reservoir for collecting the
bulk fluid from the container and the method comprises: directing a
drinkable portion of bulk fluid into the reservoir area for
enhanced cooling relative to the bulk fluid when the inner spout
and the outer spout are nearly 180.degree. relative to each other,
allowing the drinkable portion to cool in a timely period,
dispensing the cooled drinkable portion to a user for drinking with
reduced risk of scalding or burning, and upon cooling of the bulk
fluid to a drinkable temperature, rotating the rotatable top so
that the outer spout base fits onto the inner spout to form a fluid
conduit for dispensing bulk fluid directly form the container
through the outer spout.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to lids used to cap and seal
an assortment of cups and containers in order to provide a focused
point for dispensing any fluid contained therein for drinking.
BACKGROUND
[0002] An variety of lids are currently available to cap and seal
cups. Some lids are useful for capping a cup to prevent the escape
of fluid contained therein, in other words the lids are spillproof
Other lids are also spillproof but, at the same time, enable fluid
to be dispensed for consumption. Usually fluids are dispensed
through a small opening near the rim of the lid upon tipping the
cup away from the user, which tips the opening towards the users
mouth. In some lids the top surface of the lid has a perforated
opening with a tab. An opening is then formed when the user pulls
the tab, which will create an opening as the section defined by the
perforation is removed.
[0003] While many of the lids provide adequate seals to prevent
unwanted spillage of fluids, delivery of hot fluids remain
problematic. The problem that exists with hot fluids is that
delivery to the user is direct and does not allow for timely
cooling. Typically the cups for containing hot fluids are
thermoresistant and require extensive time before cooling to a
comfortable temperature occurs. Therefore, currently available lids
allow for containment and dispensing of fluids while limiting
spillage, but fail to prevent harmful and painful scalding of the
users mouth, particularly the lips and tongue, when drinking hot
fluids in a timely manner.
[0004] One prior art device attempts to solve this problem related
to drinking hot fluids. U.S. Pat. No. 6,176,390 describes a
container lid for covering a cup with a reservoir built into the
lid. The reservoir is a small well residing within the top surface
of the lid and includes a small opening along the side of the well,
which allows for entry of fluid into the reservoir upon tipping the
cup upward. The small amount of fluid in the reservoir, which is
now separate from the bulk fluid, is able to cool down quicker and
allow for quicker drinking without risk of scalding. The lid also
has a typical tab built into the other end of the lid,
approximately 180.degree. from the reservoir. This tab can be
pulled and removed along provided perforations in order to create a
direct opening into the interior of the cup. This provides a
solution to the problem of drinking hot fluids but presents other
problems. One problem is risk of spillage of the fluid in the
reservoir. There is no spillproof containment of fluid upon
entering the reservoir. Another problem is the difficulty presented
by the act of tipping the cup and lid over to allow fluid to flow
into the reservoir. There is nothing to prevent overflow, which
will cause unwanted spillage. A further problem is that the
reservoir can only hold a small amount of fluid, which is not a
practical or desirable way to drink fluids.
[0005] A great need still remains for a lid that can seal a cup and
prevent unwanted spillage and, at the same time, can provide an
improved way to cool down hot fluids for drinking soon after it is
dispensed into the cup without overly cooling the bulk fluid. A
further need that remains is a lid that can cool portions of hot
fluids in sizeable quantities that are ideal for drinking.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The disclosed methods and apparatuses address the needs
discussed above. In particular the methods and apparatuses
disclosed below provide a better way of drinking hot fluids by
reducing the risk of burning or scalding by the hot fluid while
still allowing consumption of the desired, relatively hot, but not
scalding, fluid. This is accomplished by allowing the user to
periodically separate out a portion of the hot bulk fluid so that
the portion can be cooled to a "drinkable temperature". A
"drinkable temperature" refers to a temperature below that which
normally causes the skin or tongue to scald. Those in the medical
field commonly know the scalding temperature.
[0007] In general, all aspects of the present invention provide a
container lid that can store a portion of a bulk fluid in a
reservoir present within the container lid for subsequent
consumption. The bulk fluid can be directed into the reservoir so
it can cool more rapidly than the bulk fluid remaining in the
container. The increased cooling in the reservoir is partly due to
a greater surface area to volume ratio, which causes more heat to
escape per volume, of the portion in the reservoir relative to the
bulk fluid. Furthermore, the container holding the bulk fluid is
usually somewhat thermoresistant to prevent rapid heat loss, while
the container lid does not have the same thermoresistant
properties; therefore, this difference in thermoresistance further
allows the portion in the reservoir to cool more rapidly than the
bulk fluid in the container.
[0008] In general, the container lid comprises two parts, a base
that physically connects to the container and a top that physically
connects to the base, the top and base defining an empty space or
reservoir. The physical connections between base and container and
top and base are all spillproof connections. Spillproof refers to a
connection that generally prevents the leakage of fluid from the
site of the connection. This spillproof connection allows fluid to
flow into the reservoir and out the top without spilling, i.e., the
fluid only escapes the container-container lid combination through
an outer spout located on the top. The spillproof connections can
be accomplished by threads, ridges or grooves that interact between
elements. Generally, a number of these spillproof connections are
generally well known in the art.
[0009] In one aspect of the present invention, the lid has a base
having a raised inner spout for fluid to escape the container and
enter the reservoir of the container lid. The inner spout is
located near a radial edge of the base. Adjacent and radially
inward from the inner spout is a depressed surface. In one
instance, the depressed surface is a slope, i.e., a sloping section
of the base that extends from the top of the inner spout on one
side (the side closer to the center) and slopes downward to a level
near the top of the container. The slope of the base ends on the
opposite side of the inner spout at a generally level area of the
base.
[0010] In another aspect of the present invention, the lid has a
top physically connected to the base, which physically connects to
the top of the container. This defines a reservoir or empty space
within the container lid. The top has an outer spout for dispensing
fluid from the reservoir. Preferably, the outer spout is raised to
make drinking easier. The raised outer spout allows a user to
locate the outer spout with the user's mouth without looking at the
container lid. Also, the raised outer spout is better shaped to fit
in a user's mouth. In another preferred embodiment, the top has a
lip adjacent to and radially outward from the outer spout. This lip
prevent excess fluid not consumed from spilling over the edge of
the top, most likely redirecting the fluid back down the outer
spout. More preferably, the top has an outer trough adjacent to and
radially inward from the outer spout. This outer trough catches any
excess fluid that is not consumed and does not flow back into the
lid through the outer spout. Still more preferably, the embodiment
has a top including a dome that creates greater volume in the
reservoir. The dome can be any raised area of the top of any shape
but preferably shaped somewhat hemispherically.
[0011] Another aspect of the present invention includes a lid that
has a rotatable top and a base, the rotatable top and base forming
a reservoir. The reservoir can hold a portion of the bulk fluid
held in a container capped by the lid. The rotatable top has an
outer spout for dispensing fluid from the reservoir. In one
particular aspect, the outer spout is raised to make drinking
easier. The base has a raised inner spout for fluid to escape from
the container and enter the reservoir of the container lid. The
inner spout is located near a radial edge of the base. Adjacent and
radially inward from the inner spout is a depressed surface. In one
instance, the depressed surface is a slope, i.e., a sloping section
of the base that extends from the top of the inner spout on one
side (the side closer to the center) and slopes downward to a level
near the top of the container. The slope of the base ends on the
opposite side of the inner spout at a generally level area of the
base. Bulk fluid is directed into the reservoir when the outer
spout and the inner spout are radially 180.degree. relative to each
other. Once the portion of the bulk fluid in the reservoir cools to
a non-scalding temperature, the portion can be delivered to the
user for consumption through the outer spout. Once the bulk fluid
has cooled to a drinkable temperature, or a non-scalding
temperature, the rotatable top is rotated so that the outer spout
base fits over the inner spout forming a fluid conduit that allows
the bulk fluid to be delivered directly from the container through
the outer spout.
[0012] One aspect of the present invention is a method of cooling a
portion of bulk fluid comprising directing bulk fluid held in the
container into a reservoir by first tipping the container with
container lid away from a user while the user has the outer spout
facing the user. This first tipping action causes bulk fluid to
flow through the inner spout into the reservoir. After tipping, the
container is placed upright, which allows a portion of the bulk
fluid to stay in the reservoir while some of the bulk fluid flows
back into the container through the inner spout. All this occurs
without bulk fluid escaping the top through the outer spout. After
the portion of the bulk fluid remains in the reservoir, the portion
of bulk fluid is allowed to cool over a relatively short period of
time bringing the temperature of the portion of bulk fluid to a
drinkable temperature. A relatively short period of time refers to
a period of time that is much shorter than the time required to
allow the bulk fluid to cool within the container and generally
allows enough heat to dissipate so that the portion of bulk fluid
can be consumed with scalding or burning the user. Preferably, the
relatively short period of time will be under 2-3 minutes, and more
preferably, under one minute. Of course, the time for cooling is
directly dependent upon the characteristics of the container and
lid and also the temperature of the bulk fluid. The above time
frames are typical for common disposable containers and lids and
bulk fluids at scalding temperatures.
[0013] Another aspect of the present invention includes a method of
promoting cooling of a portion of bulk fluid from a container
capped with a container lid having a base and a rotatable top. The
base and rotatable top define a reservoir. The base includes an
inner spout and the rotatable top includes an outer spout, which
also has an outer spout base. The inner spout and the outer spout
base fit to form a conduit for fluid. The method comprises (1)
directing a drinkable portion of bulk fluid into the reservoir area
for enhanced cooling relative to the bulk fluid when the inner
spout and the outer spout are nearly 180.degree. relative to each
other, (2) allowing the drinkable portion to cool in a timely
period, (3) dispensing the cooled drinkable portion to a user for
drinking with reduced risk of scalding or burning, and (4) upon
cooling of the bulk fluid to a drinkable temperature, rotating the
rotatable top so that the outer spout base fits onto the inner
spout to form a fluid conduit for dispensing bulk fluid directly
from the container through the outer spout.
[0014] The lid is generally produced from plastic or polymeric
material that is well known in the art. Preferably, the lid is
produced from plastic or a plastic-like material that is
inexpensive without thermoresistant characteristics.
[0015] After the portion of bulk fluid is allowed to cool over a
relatively short period of time, the portion of bulk fluid is
dispensed for drinking by the user by a second tipping of the
container. The second tipping tips the container towards the user
with the outer spout facing the user. This causes the portion of
bulk fluid to dispense out the outer spout and into the user's
mouth for consumption.
[0016] The aforementioned aspects of the present invention and
other aspects of the present invention will be understood by one of
ordinary skill by reviewing the drawings and detailed description
provided below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a container with a container lid
attached.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a magnified cross-sectional view of container lid
attached to top of container.
[0019] FIG. 3 is a plan view of container lid attached to top of
container with top removed.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of container lid.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a top view of container lid.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a vertical cross-sectional view of an alternative
embodiment having a more permanent connection between the rotatable
top and base.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] According to the present invention, a fluid represents all
drinkable fluids including coffee, hot chocolate, and tea, and also
includes fluids that include solid materials, including soups. A
spout is defined to include any opening in which fluid can be
dispensed through either the base or top. In one particular aspect,
the spout may be a part of a raised portion on either the base or
the top.
[0024] An embodiment of the invention is provided in FIG. 1. The
figure shows a lid 1 for capping a container to control spillage
and direct outflow of fluid housed in the container. FIG. 4 and
FIG. 5 show the lid from two different views, perspective and top,
respectively.
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a lid 1 physically connected to a container.
The lid 1 is comprised of a base 10 that caps a container and a top
20 that caps the base 10 to form a reservoir 12. The reservoir 12
is able to collect a portion of the bulk fluid separate from the
remaining bulk fluid within the container. The portion of the bulk
fluid held in the reservoir 12 is physically separate from the rest
of the bulk fluid which remains in the container and typically
cools faster than the bulk fluid, particularly when the container
has been recently filled with a hot fluid, due to the increased
surface to volume ratio and reduced thermal protection, relative to
the container. In one aspect, the reservoir is of a volume large
enough to hold at least four (4) tablespoonful of fluid. In
particular, the portion of bulk fluid in the reservoir rests in a
well area 14 that is the bottom of the reservoir 12.
[0026] The top 20 covers the base 10 such that the side 23 fits
over the circumference of the base 10 to form a spillproof fit at
the bottom of the lid 1. The lid 1 covers the container in a
conventional manner, specifically, the bottom part of the lid 1
(generally open end) fits over the circumference of the container
to form a spillproof fit. Typically the lid 1 will slightly flex
radially outward in order to fit over the circumference of the
container in order to form a tight fit that prevent fluid from
escaping at the point of interaction between the container and the
lid 1. In other embodiment, the top 20 and base 10 can fit together
and over the container by means of threading or other generally
known removable connection means.
[0027] The base 10 is comprised of an inner spout 11 in which the
bulk fluid in the container can flow into the lid 1 and into the
reservoir 12 where the portion of the bulk fluid can collect for
enhanced cooling. Furthermore, the base 10 includes a slope 13
which, upon the container standing vertical, directs much of the
fluid entering the inner spout 1 1 toward the bottom of the
reservoir 12 or a well area 14. Some of the bulk fluid typically
returns to the container through the inner spout 11.
[0028] The top 20 is comprised of an outer spout 21 from which a
user can direct fluid out of the lid 1 and to the user for
consumption. Additionally, the top 20 contains a dome 22, which
adds more volume to the reservoir 12 and allows more fluid to
collect in the reservoir 12. The dome 22 refers to any raised area
of the top 20, but preferably the dome 22 is a hemisphere. Also,
the top 20 prevents spillage of bulk fluid as the container is
tipped to collect bulk fluid in the reservoir 12. Once the portion
of the bulk fluid is collected in the reservoir 12 and allowed to
cool over a relatively short period of time, allowing the portion
of the bulk fluid to attain a drinkable temperature. The container
can then be tipped by the user to allow the cooled portion of the
bulk fluid to flow out the outer spout 21 and into the user's mouth
for consumption.
[0029] Additionally, the top 20 includes an outer lip 24 to provide
a physical clue to the spot where the outer spout 21 is situated.
The outer lip 24 can also act to help prevent accidental runoff of
fluid as the container and lid 1 is tipped in unison. Also, the top
20 contains an outer trough 25, which is a depressed region of the
top 20 located just radially inward from the outer spout 21. The
outer trough 25 can retain any unconsumed fluid that does not fall
back into the lid 1. This also prevents any unwanted runoff of
fluid, or spillage.
[0030] The present invention works by placing the lid 1 over the
container to form a spillproof fit. The container having lid 1
attached is then tipped such that the bulk fluid in the container
flows into the reservoir 12 through the inner spout 11. This is
done by tipping the container away from the user while the outer
spout 21 faces the user, i.e., the top of the container is tipped
away from the user. Then the container having lid 1 attached is
returned to the vertical or upright position, which allows some
bulk fluid, or "a portion of bulk fluid," to collect in the
reservoir 12, particularly in the well area 14. Specifically, the
portion of the bulk fluid collected is directed toward the well
area 14 by the slope 13 as gravity draws the portion of the bulk
fluid downward. Once collected in the reservoir 12 while the
container with lid 1 attached is upright or vertical, the portion
of the bulk fluid can cool quicker than the bulk fluid in the
container, especially soon after hot fluid is stored within the
container. After a relatively short period of time, the cooled
portion of the bulk fluid can then be delivered to the user for
consumption by tipping the container with lid 1 attached such that
the outer spout 21 tips downward into the user's mouth.
[0031] After a considerable amount of time has passed and the bulk
fluid remaining within the container has cooled to non-scalding
temperature, the top 20 can be removed from the base 10. The
considerable amount of time is significantly greater than the
relatively short period of time, which is the time period required
to bring the portion of bulk fluid to a drinkable temperature. More
specifically, it is the amount of time required for enough heat to
dissipate from the bulk fluid so that the bulk fluid can be
consumed without scalding the user. This period of time depends
upon the amount of bulk fluid remaining in the container and the
amount of thermoresistance exhibited by the container. Generally
the considerable amount of time is greater than minutes. FIG. 3
shows the base 10 exposed to the outside. A user can now consume
bulk fluid through the inner spout 1 1 versus the outer spout 21
when the lid 1 included the top 20. Once the top 20 is removed, the
user can tip the container with base 10 attached towards the user
with the inner spout 11 facing the user to dispense the bulk fluid
to the user through the inner spout 11.
[0032] The base 10 is comprised of an inner lip 15 and an inner
trough 16. These provide the same function as the outer lip 24 and
outer trough 25 but with respect to the base 10 and consumption
from the base 10 (when top 20 has been removed). The inner lip 15
is adjacent to and radially outward from the inner spout 11. The
inner trough is generally opposite from the inner spout 11 and is
situated near the radial edge of the base 10. This allows any
excess bulk fluid that is not consumed and not returned to the
container to flow down the slope 13 and catch in the inner trough
16 without spilling over the edge of the base 10.
[0033] FIG. 6 shows another preferred embodiment of the invention
consisting of lid 100, including a rotatable top 120 rotatably
connected atop a base 110. The rotatable connection can be
semi-permanent or removable. Even in the semi-permanent embodiment,
the rotatable top can be removed, albeit with more difficulty than
the removable rotatable top, so that the lid can be washed. The lid
100 is physically connected to a container in a manner that is
generally well known in the art. Particularly, the connection can
be a snap fit, screw fit, or a lock fit. A lock fit is widely use
in cap or lid and container assemblies, which involves an
interfering ridge on either the cap or container that has a small
space, or multiple small spaces, and one or more small extension(s)
on the matching cap or container that fits through the space(s)
when the cap is in a specific orientation relative to the
container. An example of this type of connection can be found in
some existing medicine containers, which often further include
arrows on the exterior of the cap and container that can be aligned
to signify the position in which the cap can be released from the
container or snapped onto the container. Preferably, the lid 100
screws onto a container using threads that are complimentary to
threads on the container.
[0034] Bulk fluid is directed to a reservoir 112 by first tipping
the container plus lid 100 away from the user (the top tilts away
from user) so that bulk fluid passes through an inner spout 111 and
into the reservoir 112. Preferably, the inner spout 111 is raised.
Once a portion of the bulk fluid rests in a well area 114 of the
reservoir 112 and is allowed to cool over a relatively short period
of time. When the portion of bulk fluid is at a drinkable
temperature, the user can then drink the portion of bulk fluid held
in the reservoir 112 by a second tipping of the container and lid
100 towards the user. The second tipping causes the portion of bulk
fluid to flow though an outer spout 121 and into the user's mouth
without scalding the user.
[0035] Once the bulk fluid is cooled to a drinkable temperature,
which generally occurs after a considerable amount of time from the
moment bulk fluid at a typically scalding temperature is dispensed
into the container, the bulk fluid can be dispensed directly to the
user. Direct dispensing is accomplished by rotating the rotatable
top 120 relative to the base 110 so that the inner spout 111 aligns
with the outer spout 121. The outer spout 121 has an outer spout
base 122 that fits over the inner spout 111. In one particular
embodiment, the connection between the outer spout base 122 and the
inner spout is a spillproof connection. This provides a direct
conduit in which bulk fluid can flow from the container through the
lid 100 and to the user's mouth in a single tipping action.
Typically this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6, is more difficult
and expensive to produce and is contemplated for use with permanent
containers or mugs. On the other hand, the embodiment that is a
removable is generally contemplated for use with disposable and
inexpensive containers such as those sold by many coffee
establishments and restaurants that allow for drinking hot coffee,
tea or hot chocolate while on traveling.
[0036] The foregoing represents preferred embodiments of the
present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *