U.S. patent application number 11/043202 was filed with the patent office on 2006-07-27 for universal lid.
Invention is credited to Jeremy Kelstrom, Eric Price.
Application Number | 20060163251 11/043202 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36695649 |
Filed Date | 2006-07-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060163251 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kelstrom; Jeremy ; et
al. |
July 27, 2006 |
Universal lid
Abstract
A lid apparatus includes a multicomponent barrier configured to
be detachably secured to a container. The multicomponent barrier
includes an inner layer and an outer layer that are interfitted
such that the outer layer can be repositioned in relation to the
inner layer to select one of multiple different barrier types.
Inventors: |
Kelstrom; Jeremy; (Orange,
CA) ; Price; Eric; (Los Angeles, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HENRICKS SLAVIN AND HOLMES LLP;SUITE 200
840 APOLLO STREET
EL SEGUNDO
CA
90245
US
|
Family ID: |
36695649 |
Appl. No.: |
11/043202 |
Filed: |
January 26, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/253 ;
220/254.4; 220/372; 220/713; 220/719 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00555
20130101; B65D 2543/0024 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D
2543/00537 20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/0049
20130101; B65D 2543/00731 20130101; B65D 47/265 20130101; B65D
2543/00685 20130101; B65D 2231/022 20130101; B65D 2543/00629
20130101; B65D 2543/00796 20130101; B65D 2543/00351 20130101; B65D
2543/00046 20130101; B65D 2543/00462 20130101; B65D 43/0208
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/253 ;
220/254.4; 220/372; 220/719; 220/713 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/18 20060101
B65D051/18; B65D 51/16 20060101 B65D051/16; A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22 |
Claims
1. A lid apparatus comprising: a multicomponent barrier configured
to be detachably secured to a container, the multicomponent barrier
including an inner layer and an outer layer that are interfilted
such that the outer layer can be repositioned in relation to the
inner layer to select one of a plurality of different barrier
types.
2. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer layers
are interfitted with a track mechanism.
3. The lid apparatus of claim 2, wherein the track mechanism
includes two substantially parallel tracks.
4. The lid apparatus of claim 3, wherein the two substantially
parallel tracks are formed in the inner layer.
5. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer layers
include complementary interlocking surfaces.
6. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multicomponent barrier
includes a filter positioned between the inner and outer
layers.
7. The lid apparatus of claim 6, wherein the filter is secured to
the inner layer.
8. The lid apparatus of claim 6, wherein the outer layer includes
an opening, and the filter is sufficiently large to cover the
opening when the outer layer is positioned to align the opening
with the filter.
9. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the inner and outer layers
are configured for providing a straw hole through the
multicomponent barrier.
10. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer layer includes
a recessed area.
11. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of
different barrier types include a closed barrier and a filtered
barrier.
12. The lid apparatus of claim 1, wherein the multicomponent
barrier includes visible indicia for guiding a user of the lid
apparatus in repositioned the outer layer to select one of the
different barrier types.
13. A lid apparatus comprising: a lower lid member, an upper lid
member and a filter configured to provide a multifunctional barrier
mechanism that is detachably securable to a container, the lower
and upper lid members each include an opening and are mechanically
coupled together such that a user of the lid apparatus can
selectively reposition the upper lid member in relation to the
lower lid member to one of an open position where the openings are
substantially aligned, a filtered position where the filter is
substantially aligned with the opening of the upper lid member, and
a closed position where the openings are not aligned.
14. The lid apparatus of claim 13, wherein the lower and upper lid
members are configured such that the upper lid member is
repositioned by rotating the upper lid member in relation to the
lower lid member.
15. The lid apparatus of claim 13, wherein the lower and upper lid
members include complementary interlocking surfaces for securing
the upper lid member into one of the open, filtered and closed
positions.
16. The lid apparatus of claim 13, wherein the filter is positioned
between the lower and upper lid members.
17. The lid apparatus of claim 13, wherein the filter is secured to
the lower lid member.
18. The lid apparatus of claim 13, wherein the filter covers the
opening of the upper lid member when the upper lid member is in the
filtered position.
19. The lid apparatus of claim 13, wherein the lower and upper lid
members are configured for providing a straw hole therethrough.
20. The lid apparatus of claim 13, wherein the upper lid member
includes a recessed area.
21. The lid apparatus of claim 13, wherein the lower and upper lid
members include visible indicia for guiding a user of the lid
apparatus in repositioned the upper lid member.
22. A lid apparatus comprising: a barrier assembly that is
detachably securable to a container, the barrier assembly including
components that are repositionable in relation to each other to
provide different barrier functions, the barrier assembly including
visible indicia for guiding a user of the lid apparatus in
repositioning one or more of the components.
23. The lid apparatus of claim 22, wherein the different barrier
functions include a filtered barrier function and a closed barrier
function.
24. The lid apparatus of claim 22, wherein the components include
layers that are interfitted with a track mechanism.
25. The lid apparatus of claim 24, wherein the track mechanism
includes multiple tracks.
26. The lid apparatus of claim 24, wherein the layers include
complementary interlocking surfaces.
27. The lid apparatus of claim 24, wherein the components include a
filter positioned between the layers.
28. The lid apparatus of claim 24, wherein the layers are
configured for providing a straw hole through the barrier
assembly.
29. The lid apparatus of claim 24, wherein the layers include a top
layer with a centrally disposed reservoir.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates generally to lids for containers and,
in particular, to multi-functional lids for containers.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Lids for containers exist in many different forms. Lids for
containers that are designed to hold beverages, soups, shakes,
whipped ice drinks, or other dispensable substances often have
functional drawbacks that are sometimes related to the purpose for
which the lids are designed. For example, some beverage lids for
fast-food cups are functionally limited because they only include a
straw hole for dispensing a beverage. Moreover, such cups often
depend upon the lid (being well secured to the top of the cup) for
structural stability. If a person were to remove such a lid and
attempt to drink directly from the cup, the sides of the cup may
collapse inward creating a situation where the cup slips out of the
person's hand and/or the beverage within the cup is spilled. Other
lids require that a person pull or peel away a portion of the lid
to create an opening which unfortunately compromises the structural
integrity and/or seal between the lid and container. Other
container/lid combinations are generally susceptible to spillage,
particularly when jostled about (e.g., when a person is walking
with the container, or when a cup is secured to an accelerating or
decelerating motorized vehicle). Still other lids fail to prevent a
solid (e.g., a piece of ice) and/or semi-solid (e.g., juice pulp)
material from exiting the container. It would be useful to be able
to provide a lid for a container that addresses one or more of
these deficiencies.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 shows an example embodiment of a lid apparatus and a
container to which it can be secured;
[0004] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the lid apparatus of FIG.
1;
[0005] FIG. 3A shows an upper lid member of the lid apparatus of
FIG. 1 from a top-side perspective view;
[0006] FIG. 3B shows the upper lid member of FIG. 3A from a
bottom-side perspective view;
[0007] FIG. 4A shows a lower lid member of the lid apparatus of
FIG. 1 from a top-side perspective view;
[0008] FIG. 4B shows a partial cross-sectional view of the lower
lid member of FIG. 4A attached to a container;
[0009] FIG. 5A shows the lid apparatus of FIG. 1 in a closed
position;
[0010] FIG. 5B shows the lid apparatus of FIG. 1 in a filtered
position;
[0011] FIG. 5C shows the lid apparatus of FIG. 1 in an open
position;
[0012] FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate how complementary portions of the
upper and lower lid members of FIG. 1 interface when the upper and
lower lid members are rotated in relation to each other; and
[0013] FIG. 7 illustrates example modifications that can be made to
the lid apparatus of FIG. 1 to provide other lid apparatus
embodiments.
DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION
[0014] Embodiments of the present invention pertain to a
"universal" lid apparatus that can be used in various
configurations. In an example embodiment, a lid apparatus offers
multiple drink options that are provided via a free-flow opening, a
filter opening, and a straw opening. FIG. 1 shows an example
embodiment of a lid apparatus 100 and a container 102 to which the
lid apparatus 100 can be secured. The container 102 can be a cold
beverage cup, a hot beverage cup, a soup cup, a whipped ice drink
cup, or any other type of container.
[0015] In this example embodiment, the lid apparatus 100 includes
an upper lid member 104 and a lower lid member 106 which are
interfitted together such that they provide a multicomponent
barrier wherein the upper lid member 104 and the lower lid member
106 serve as an "outer layer" and an "inner layer" of the
multicomponent barrier, respectively. By way of example, the upper
lid member 104 and the lower lid member 106 are made from a plastic
such as polystyrene. Referring to FIG. 2 which shows an exploded
view of the lid apparatus 100 of FIG. 1, in this example
embodiment, the lid apparatus 100 also includes a filter 108
positioned between the upper lid member 104 and the lower lid
member 106. By way of example, the filter 108 is made out of a
plastic mesh with holes that are sufficiently small in size to
prevent contaminants or other foreign objects, small bits of ice,
and/or other particles from being dispensed from the container 102.
It should be appreciated however that the filter can be made from
other materials and/or the size of the holes provided by the filter
can be varied. In this example embodiment, the filter 108 is
sufficiently large to cover an opening 110 in the upper lid member
104. In this example embodiment, the filter 108 is generally shaped
like a "cheese wedge" and includes an indented side surface 112
shaped as shown to permit a straw to pass through the lid apparatus
100. The lower lid member 106 includes a top surface 114 which
spans across approximately one-half of the top of the lower lid
member 106 as shown. In this example embodiment, the top surface
114 also includes an indented edge 116 shaped as shown to permit a
straw to pass through the lid apparatus 100. In this example
embodiment, the filter 108 is secured (e.g., with an adhesive) to
the lower lid member 106 such that a bottom surface 118 of the
filter 108 is below the top surface 114 of the lower lid member
106. In this example embodiment, the bottom surface 118 of the
filter 108 is bound by side surfaces 119a, 119b and 119c and by the
indented side surface 112 as shown resulting in a recessed filter
mechanism that filters beverage container contents dispensed
through the bottom as well as the sides of the filter, while
permitting the upper lip of a drinker to enter into the recess
defined by the indented side surface 112, the bottom surface 118,
and the side surfaces 119a, 119b and 119c. In this example
embodiment, the filter 108 is positioned adjacent to the top
surface 114 and spans across approximately one-fourth of the top of
the lower lid member 106 as shown which results in an opening 120
that spans across approximately one-fourth of the top of the lower
lid member 106 as shown. In this example embodiment, boundaries of
the opening 120 include edges of the top surface 114 and the filter
108 and a side portion 122 of the lower lid member 106. In addition
to the opening 110, the upper lid member 104 includes a straw hole
124 which is centrally disposed in the upper lid member 104 to
permit a straw to pass through the lid apparatus 100. In this
example embodiment, the straw hole 124 is formed in a top surface
126 of the upper lid member 104 inside a recessed area 128 of the
top surface 126. The recessed area 128 functions as a reservoir for
fluid that may escape through the straw hole 124 and accumulate on
the top surface 126 of the lid apparatus 100.
[0016] In an example embodiment, a lid apparatus includes a
multicomponent barrier configured to be detachably secured to a
container, the multicomponent barrier including an inner layer and
an outer layer that are interfitted such that the outer layer can
be repositioned in relation to the inner layer to select one of a
multiple different barrier types. In this example, the barrier
types include a closed barrier and a filtered barrier.
[0017] In an example embodiment, the upper lid member 104 is
mechanically coupled to the lower lid member 106 to permit a person
to rotate the upper lid member 104 to different positions: an open
position where the openings 110 and 120 are aligned to permit the
free flow of beverage container contents, a filtered position which
aligns the opening 110 of the upper lid member 104 with the filter
108 to catch ice, strain pulp, filter possible contaminants, etc.,
and a closed position where the openings 110 and 120 are not
aligned (and do not overlap). Thus, in an example embodiment, the
upper lid member 104 and the lower lid member 106 are configured
such that the upper lid member 104 is repositioned by rotating the
upper lid member 104 in relation to the lower lid member 106.
[0018] In an example embodiment, a barrier assembly includes
components (e.g., layers) that are interfitted with a track
mechanism. In an example embodiment, the track mechanism includes
multiple tracks. In an example embodiment, the side portion 122 of
the lower lid member 106 (FIGS. 4A and 4B) includes two
substantially parallel tracks 130 and 132 formed therein as shown,
and an inside portion 134 (FIG. 3B) of the upper lid member 104
includes piping elements 136 and 138 formed thereon as shown. The
upper lid member 104 is snapped onto the lower lid member 106 and,
as discussed above, the filter 108 is positioned between the upper
lid member 104 and the lower lid member 106. In this example
embodiment, the piping elements 136 and 138 are snapped into the
tracks 130 and 132, respectively. When assembled, a piping/track
junction 140 (FIG. 1) results. The bottom lid member 106 is
configured to be secured to the lip of the container 102. Because
of the track mechanism, this allows the upper lid member 104 to
rotate atop the bottom lid member 106. The track 132 also serves to
prevent spillage out of the side of the container 102.
[0019] In an example embodiment, a barrier assembly includes
components (e.g., layers) that include complementary interlocking
surfaces. In an example embodiment, the side portion 122 of the
lower lid member 106 (FIG. 4A) includes concavities (or divots)
142, and the upper lid member 104 includes complementary
protrusions 144. In an example embodiment, these complementary
interlocking surfaces are configured for securing the upper lid
member 104 into one of the open, filtered and closed positions.
FIGS. 6A-6C illustrate how the complementary portions of the upper
and lower lid members interface when the upper and lower lid
members are rotated in relation to each other. As the upper lid
member 104 rotates atop the lower lid member 106, it arrives at
each of the three positions when the protrusions 144 from the
piping 136 line up with the concavities 142 of the bottom track 130
and snap into place. The structural design of the piping elements
136 and 138 creates a natural tension when the upper lid member 104
is rotated from one position to another. In an example embodiment,
the bottom track 130 does not allow for much give. Consequently,
when the protrusion is displaced from a concavity (divot) during
rotation, pressure is exerted between the upper and lower portions
of the lid, and the protrusion is naturally inclined to snap into a
concavity in order to release the tension.
[0020] In an example embodiment, a lid apparatus includes a lower
lid member, an upper lid member and a filter configured to provide
a multifunctional barrier mechanism that is detachably securable to
a container, the lower and upper lid members each include an
opening and are mechanically coupled together such that a user of
the lid apparatus can selectively reposition the upper lid member
in relation to the lower lid member to one of: an open position
where the openings are substantially aligned, a filtered position
where the filter is substantially aligned with the opening of the
upper lid member, and a closed position where the openings are not
aligned. In an example embodiment, the filter covers the opening of
the upper lid member when the upper lid member is in the filtered
position.
[0021] Referring to FIGS. 5A-5C, in an example embodiment, the
upper lid member 104 and the lower lid member 106 include visible
indicia for guiding a user of the lid apparatus 100 in repositioned
the upper lid member 104. As shown in this example, a side portion
146 of the upper lid member 104 includes symbol and text indicia
148, and the bottom lid member 106 includes alignment indicia 150.
FIG. 5A shows the lid apparatus 100 in a closed position with
symbol and text indicia 148 (denoted "CLOSED") aligned with the
alignment indicia 150. In this example, both of the symbol and text
indicia 148 and the alignment indicia 150 include "dots" to assist
a person in properly positioning the upper lid member 104 in
relation to the lower lid member 106. In this example, the symbol
and text indicia 148 also include "icons" indicative of the
position that results when that particular indicia 148 is aligned
with the indicia 150 to assist those who cannot read the text. FIG.
5B shows the lid apparatus 100 in a filtered position with symbol
and text indicia 148 (denoted "FILTERED") aligned with the
alignment indicia 150. FIG. 5C shows the lid apparatus 100 in an
open position with symbol and text indicia 148 (denoted "OPEN")
aligned with the alignment indicia 150. Thus, in an example
embodiment, a multicomponent barrier includes visible indicia for
guiding a user in repositioned a component of the multicomponent
barrier to select one of multiple different barrier types.
[0022] In an example embodiment, a lid apparatus includes a barrier
assembly that is detachably securable to a container, the barrier
assembly including components that are repositionable in relation
to each other to provide different barrier functions, the barrier
assembly including visible indicia for guiding a user of the lid
apparatus in repositioning one or more of the components. In an
example embodiment, the different barrier functions include a
filtered barrier function and a closed barrier function.
[0023] FIG. 7 illustrates example modifications that can be made to
the lid apparatus 100. The size, shape and/or positioning of the
opening 110 and/or the recessed area 128 can be changed. In this
example, arrows 150 show how the recessed area 128 can be increased
as indicated by dashed line 152 to provide a larger reservoir. In
this example, arrows 154 show how the opening 110 can be decreased
in size as indicated by dashed lines 156 to provide a smaller area
from which the contents of the container can be dispensed. In this
example, the side portion 146 can be provided with a griping
surface 158 to assist a person with manipulating the lid apparatus
100.
[0024] Although the present invention has been described in terms
of the example embodiments above, numerous modifications and/or
additions to the above-described embodiments would be readily
apparent to one skilled in the art. It is intended that the scope
of the present invention extend to all such modifications and/or
additions.
* * * * *