U.S. patent application number 11/114909 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-23 for lid for a container and method of making same.
Invention is credited to Janica S. Behnke, Harold J. Goeking, William Schultz, Rebecca E. Whitmore.
Application Number | 20060060590 11/114909 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 33096824 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060060590 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Goeking; Harold J. ; et
al. |
March 23, 2006 |
Lid for a container and method of making same
Abstract
A lid for a container is disclosed. The crown of the lid
includes a peripherally extending skirt and an outwardly extending
spout. The skirt is adapted to secure the crown to the container.
The spout includes a single slit and is adapted to deform about the
single slit with application of a pressure differential.
Inventors: |
Goeking; Harold J.;
(Oshkosh, WI) ; Whitmore; Rebecca E.; (Chilton,
WI) ; Schultz; William; (Atlanta, GA) ;
Behnke; Janica S.; (Appleton, WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FULBRIGHT AND JAWORSKI LLP
555 S. FLOWER STREET, 41ST FLOOR
LOS ANGELES
CA
90071
US
|
Family ID: |
33096824 |
Appl. No.: |
11/114909 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10402718 |
Mar 28, 2003 |
6883677 |
|
|
11114909 |
Apr 25, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/713 ;
220/717; 220/780; 220/796 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2251/0093 20130101;
B65D 2543/00537 20130101; B65D 2543/00731 20130101; B65D 2251/0018
20130101; B65D 43/0212 20130101; B65D 2543/00046 20130101; B65D
2543/00657 20130101; B65D 51/20 20130101; B65D 2543/00527 20130101;
B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/00796 20130101; B65D 2543/00685
20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/713 ;
220/717; 220/796; 220/780 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22 |
Claims
1. A lid for attaching to a container, the lid comprising: a crown
having a skirt and a spout, wherein the skirt extends peripherally
from the crown and is adapted to secure the lid to the container,
and the spout includes a single slit, and wherein the spout is
adapted to resiliently deform about the single slit upon
application of a pressure differential.
2. The lid of claim 1, wherein the crown is formed by a
thermoforming process.
3. The lid of claim 1, wherein the single slit is formed in an end
of the spout.
4. The lid of claim 1, wherein the single slit is formed by cutting
the spout with a blade without removing material from the
spout.
5. A lid for attaching to a container, the lid comprising: a crown
having a skirt and a spout, wherein: the skirt extends peripherally
from the crown and is adapted to secure the lid to the container,
and the spout includes a single slit at an end of the spout; the
spout is adapted to resiliently deform about the single slit upon
application of a pressure differential; and the single slit is
formed by cutting the spout with a blade without removing material
from the spout.
6. A lid for attaching to a container, the lid comprising: a crown,
formed by a thermoforming process, having a skirt and a spout,
wherein: the skirt extends peripherally from the crown and is
adapted to secure the lid to the container, and the spout includes
a single slit in an end of the spout; the single slit is formed by
cutting the spout with a blade without removing material from the
spout; and the spout is adapted to resiliently deform about the
single slit upon application of a pressure differential.
7. A method of making a lid for a disposable container, the method
comprising: thermoforming the lid to include a crown, a skirt
extending peripherally from the crown, and a spout extending
outwardly from the crown; and cutting a single slit in the spout
without removing material from the spout.
8. The method of claim 7, wherein cutting the single slit in the
spout includes: placing a die adjacent to the lid on one side of
the spout, the die including a receiving slot; placing a blade on
an opposite side of the spout from the die; and cutting the single
slit in the spout by passing the blade through the spout and into
the receiving slot.
Description
PRIORITY
[0001] Priority is claimed as a continuation-in-part to U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 10/402,718, filed on Mar. 28, 2003, now U.S.
Pat. No.______, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The field of the present invention is lids for containers,
such as cups, bowls, plates, and the like, for serving and storing
consumable goods.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] Sippy cups, or drinking devices suitable for use by young
children, exemplify some of the shortcomings that exist in the
prior art relating to disposable containers. At present, a variety
of non-disposable sippy cup designs are available, with many having
the strength and durability that is desired by consumers, enhanced
leak resistance through a sealable and removable lid, suitable
insulation for hot beverages, and an exterior that is "soft" to the
touch. The removable lid enables the consumer to repeatedly refill
the cup with any desired beverage. When such cups are repeatedly
refilled with liquids that have a high sugar content, such as juice
or milk, and are often not refrigerated, the cup becomes an
excellent environment for bacterial colonization and propagation.
Children using such cups are therefore at greater risk of exposure
to unhealthy and potentially deadly amounts of bacteria. Cups which
do not enable this potentially harmful practice of repeatedly
refilling cups and creating a bacterial breeding ground are
therefore desirable.
[0006] One potential method of reducing or eliminating this
practice is to make cups disposable. However, many consumers
frequently reuse even "disposable" cups. Many such cups are
manufactured by an injection molding process in order to acquire
sufficient strength and durability. These cups often include
relatively thick walls and are of a fairly heavy construction. As
such, even though a cup is manufactured to be disposed of after a
single use, a consumer may not view the cup as being
disposable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention is directed toward a lid for a
container. The crown of the lid includes a peripherally extending
skirt and an outwardly extending spout. The skirt is adapted to
secure the crown to the container. The spout includes a single slit
and is adapted to deform about the single slit with application of
a pressure differential. In this manner, liquid may be dispensed
through the single slit when the lid is secured to the
container.
[0008] Accordingly, the present invention provides an improved lid
for a container. Other objects and advantages will appear
hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] In the drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to
similar components:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a side plan view of a first embodiment of a
lid;
[0011] FIG. 2A is a top plan view of the lid of FIG. 1;
[0012] FIG. 2B is a sectional view of a tool and die for making a
slit in a lid;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of another embodiment of a
lid;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 3;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view of yet another embodiment of
a lid;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 5;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a side sectional view of yet another embodiment of
a lid;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 7;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of yet another embodiment of
a lid;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 9;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a side sectional view of a cup having a brim curl
with an arc angle of 135.degree.;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a side sectional view of a cup having a brim curl
with an arc angle of 225.degree.;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a side plan view of a cup;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a side sectional view of the cup of FIG. 13;
[0025] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the cup of FIG. 13;
[0026] FIG. 16 is a side sectional view of a cup sealingly engaged
to a lid;
[0027] FIG. 17 is a side sectional view of the cup and lid of FIG.
16 following disengagement;
[0028] FIG. 18 is a side sectional view of a cup and lid prior to
engagement;
[0029] FIG. 19 is a side sectional view of a cup sealingly engaged
to a lid with liquid in the cup;
[0030] FIG. 20 is a side plan view of a tilted cup sealingly
engaged to a lid with liquid in the cup; and
[0031] FIG. 21 is a block diagram illustrating a method for
implementing a disposable drinking device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0032] Turning in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a lid 110.
The lid 110 includes a crown 112, a spout 118, and a skirt 122. The
spout 118 extends outward from the crown top 114 and includes at
least one opening 120 which provides a passage from the crown top
114 through to the crown bottom 116. The spout 118 and associated
opening 120 facilitate `sipping` by the user. Liquid may pass
through the opening 120 when the lid 110 is sealingly seated on the
brim of a cup (as shown in FIG. 16). The skirt 122 includes
inwardly protruding ribs 121 and an angular rim 124. The lid skirt
122 is generally defined by a skirt diameter, a, which is
approximately the same diameter as the brim of the cup to which the
lid is to be attached. The angular rim 124 includes an internal rim
surface and is generally defined by the rim diameter, b, which is
smaller than the skirt diameter, a. The ribs 121 and the angular
rim 124, in combination, are configured to securely associate the
lid 110 with the brim of a cup.
[0033] The lid 110 has a thickness, m, of approximately 10/1000
in., which advantageously allows the lid 110 to be relatively
strong, durable, and truly disposable. Alternatively, the lid may
have a thickness, m, of between 9/1000 in. to 25/1000 in. or
greater. The lid 110 is preferably constructed using a thermoform
process with a translucent plastic and/or composite material.
However, the lid 110 may be constructed of any material and/or
combination of materials suitable to the desired end purpose, such
polyester (APET), polypropylene or polyethylene--alone or as a
coating on a paperboard substrate, which might be much more
suitable from a child safety standpoint.
[0034] FIG. 2A illustrates the opening 120 in the spout 118, which
generally allows liquid to be sucked out of an attached cup while
providing at least some spill/leak resistance. The opening 120
shown in FIG. 2A is a self healing slit (the size of which is
exaggerated for purposes of illustration). The self healing slit
flexibly, deformably, and resiliently increases in size to dispense
liquid when suction, i.e. pressure that is less than ambient air
pressure, is applied to the spout 118. Upon termination of suction,
the self healing slit returns to its original size and shape to
prevent liquid from escaping from the attached cup. Such a self
healing slit may be formed by making a single slit in the spout 118
of a thermoformed lid 110 using a narrow blade without removing
material from the spout 118. A tool and die arrangement for making
the slit in the spout 118 is shown in FIG. 2B. The die 117 is
placed on an opposite side of the spout 118 from the blade 115 and
includes a slot 119 for receiving the blade 115. The die 117
provides opposite side support for the spout 118 as the blade 115
pierces and cuts the spout 118 to create the slit. This arrangement
helps minimize deformation of the plastic during the slit-cutting
process, which is an important factor in creating the self-healing
slit.
[0035] Self healing slits are not present in injection molded lids
because injection molded lids are thicker and less resilient than
thermoformed lids. A self healing slit advantageously provides for
greater leak resistance capability than is possible with injection
molded lids that do not have insert molded or assembled elastomeric
valves.
[0036] FIG. 3 illustrates a lid 110a having a skirt 122a which does
not include an angular rim. The ribs 121a and the top portion 123a
of the skirt 122a, in combination, are configured to securely
associate the lid 110a with the brim of a cup. FIG. 4 illustrates
this alternative lid 110a in perspective.
[0037] FIG. 5 illustrates a lid 110b having a skirt 122b which
includes an angular rim 124b, but does not include ribs. The
angular rim 124b and the top portion 123b of the skirt 122b, in
combination, are configured to securely associate the lid 110b with
the brim of a cup. FIG. 6 illustrates this alternative lid 110b in
perspective.
[0038] FIG. 7 illustrates a lid 110c having a conical spout 118c as
compared to the previously described lids. As shown in FIG. 8, a
plurality of holes 120c serve as the opening of the spout 118c
through which liquid contained in an attached cup may be
dispensed.
[0039] FIGS. 9 & 10 illustrate a lid 110d similar to the one
depicted in FIG. 3. The spout 118d of this lid 110d includes a
plurality of holes 120d through which liquid contained in an
attached cup may be dispensed.
[0040] A disposable cup 128, which is constructed using a
thermoform process, is shown in FIG. 11. This disposable cup 128 is
constructed to be mated with the previously described lid. The cup
wall 130 defines a cup opening 132 and a cup cavity 134. The cup
brim 136 includes a partially formed brim curl 138, which extends
entirely around the cup brim 136. Alternatively, the brim curl 138
may extend only partially around the cup brim 136. The brim curl
136 is generally described by its arc angle, .beta., which is
defined as the angle between the imaginary line, l, disposed
tangent to the cup wall 130 and the imaginary line extending from
the end of the brim curl 138 as shown. The arc angle, .beta., is
preferably between about 135.degree. to about 225.degree. but,
depending upon the actual construction of the lid, may also be
outside of this range. FIG. 11 shows a cup 128 having a brim curl
138 with an arc angle, .beta., of about 135.degree.. FIG. 12 shows
a cup 128 having a brim curl 138 with an arc angle, .beta., of
about 225.degree.. FIGS. 13, 14, and 15 illustrate a side view, a
cross-sectional view, and a perspective view, respectively, of a
disposable cup 128 having a partially formed brim curl 138.
[0041] The brim curl 138 of the disposable cup 128 may be placed in
multiple configurations. For example, FIG. 16 shows a disposable
cup 128 with a lid 110 sealingly seated on the brim 136. The brim
curl 138 of this cup 128 extends entirely around the brim 136 in a
lip configuration 140. In the lip configuration 140, the brim curl
138 arcuately and concavely extends away from cup opening 132 to
form a brim lip 144. In an alternative configuration, which is not
illustrated, the brim curl extends only partially around the
brim.
[0042] When the lid 110 is removed from the cup 128, as shown in
FIG. 17, the lid causes the brim curl 138 to deform into a flare
configuration 142. In the flare configuration 142, the brim curl
138 arcuately and convexly extends away from cup opening 132 to
form a brim flare 146. As shown, the lid 110 has deformed the
entire brim curl 138. In practice, however, the lid 110 may
partially deform the brim curl 138, such that the flare
configuration 142 extends only partially around the brim 136.
[0043] Referring back to FIG. 11, the cup brim 136 has a brim curl
diameter, c, sized relative to the lid skirt diameter, a, (shown in
FIG. 1) to allow the brim curl 138 to sealingly associate with the
lid skirt 122 as shown in FIG. 16. The brim lip 144 has a lip
diameter, d, which is sized relative to the lid rim diameter, b, to
allow the brim lip 144 to fasteningly associate with the angular
rim 124 (or ribs 121, depending on the lid configuration).
[0044] Referring to FIG. 16, the cup wall 130 is preferably
constructed of a translucent plastic material and has a wall
thickness, n, which is preferably 15/1000 inch. The wall thickness,
n, however, may be between about 9/1000 inch and about 25/1000
inch. In addition, although the cup 128 is preferably constructed
of a plastic and/or composite material, it may be constructed of
any suitable material and/or combination of materials, such as
paper and/or polyester (APET), polypropylene or polyethylene--alone
or as a coating on a paperboard substrate--all of which are well
suited from a child safety perspective.
[0045] A disposable drinking device 148 is shown in FIG. 18. A
liquid 150 is contained within the cup cavity 134 and a lid 110 is
disposed loosely associated with the cup 128. FIG. 19 shows the lid
110 snap-fittingly associated with the cup 128 containing the
liquid 150. The cup 128 is shown with the brim curl 138 in the lip
configuration 140, wherein the brim curl diameter, c, is sized
relative to the lid skirt diameter, a. to allow the brim curl 138
to sealingly associate with the lid skirt 122 at a first sealing
location 152 and a second sealing location 154. In addition, the
lip diameter, d, is sized relative to the rim diameter, b, to allow
the brim lip 144 to fasteningly associate with the angular rim 124
when the lid 110 is snap-fittingly associated with the cup 128.
[0046] The disposable drinking device 148 is shown in tilted
fashion in FIG. 20. The lid 110 is associated with the cup 128 such
that the brim curl 138 is sealingly associated with the lid skirt
122 at a first sealing location 152 and a second sealing location
154. In addition, the angular rim 124 is fasteningly associated
with the brim lip 144. Having both the brim curl 138 sealingly
associated with lid skirt and the angular rim 124 fasteningly
associated with the brim lip 144 advantageously allows the
disposable drinking device 148 to be tilted without spilling the
liquid 150 contained in the cup cavity 134. Moreover, having the
spout opening 120 sized and/or shaped to contain liquid until
suction is applied to the lid spout 118 also advantageously allows
the disposable drinking device 148 to be tilted without spilling
the liquid 150 contained in the cup cavity 134. In accordance with
an exemplary embodiment, the lid 110 and the cup brim 136 are round
in shape and the angular rim 124 is disposed relative to the brim
lip 144 to provide for a snap closure feature that snaps annularly
about brim curl 138.
[0047] The lid 110 is novel and unique from existing lids in that
1) it is constructed using a thermoform process rather than via a
mold injection process; 2) the interaction between the angular rim
124 and the brim lip 144 makes the lid 128 easy to compress onto
the cup 128, but when lid is removed from the cup, the angular rim
124 pushes against the brim lip 144, forcing the brim curl 138 at
least partially into the flare configuration 142, thus destroying
the seal and the ability to be resealed; 3) it is formed from a
clear material which allows visual identification of the type and
level of liquid 150 disposed within the cup 128; 4) the spout
opening 120 is sized and/or shaped to minimize liquid from leaking
from the cup; and 5) the disposable nature of the lid 110 permits
the disposable drinking device 42 to be wholly disposable.
[0048] The cup 128 is novel and unique from existing cups in that
1) the cup 128 includes a configurable cup brim 136 for a true
single-use purpose; 2) the cup 128 may be constructed from a number
of truly disposable materials, such as paper or a thermoform
plastic; and 3) the cup 128 is stackable, making it easy to
transport and/or package. The cup 128 is preferably a
crush-resistant cup and includes a coating, such as a foam
material, that provides tactile stimulation to a child using the
cup 128.
[0049] Referring to FIG. 21, a method 200 for implementing the
disposable drinking device 148 is shown and described. As shown in
blocks 202 and 203, the lid 110 and the cup 128 are obtained and a
liquid 150 is inserted into the cup cavity 134. The lid 110 is then
arranged to be loosely associated with the cup brim 136, so as to
loosely cover the cup cavity 134 as shown in block 204. The lid 110
is then compressed onto the cup brim 136, as shown in block 206,
such that the internal rim surface 126 of the angular rim 124
becomes fasteningly associated with the brim lip 144. At this
point, the disposable drinking device 148 is ready to be used and
discarded after use.
[0050] In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, while a
disposable drinking device 148 and a method 200 for implementing
the same is described and discussed below it should be understood
that the method and device of the invention may be applied to other
product containers, such as storage bowls, serving bowls, plates
and/or insulated cups.
[0051] While the invention has been described with reference to an
exemplary embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it
is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular
embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out
this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments
falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, unless
specifically stated any use of the terms first, second, etc. do not
denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second,
etc. are used to distinguish one element from another.
* * * * *