U.S. patent application number 11/323824 was filed with the patent office on 2007-05-03 for plug for beverage container lid.
Invention is credited to Thomas Burns.
Application Number | 20070095833 11/323824 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37994927 |
Filed Date | 2007-05-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070095833 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burns; Thomas |
May 3, 2007 |
Plug for beverage container lid
Abstract
A device and system for temporarily sealing an orifice in a
beverage container lid, comprising a plug having an upper surface,
a body portion and a lower surface, said body portion adapted to be
inserted and releasably retained in the orifice to provide a
temporary seal thereof, and an external member located on the upper
surface of the plug configured to allow a user to grip the plug for
ease of removal from the orifice.
Inventors: |
Burns; Thomas; (Bothell,
WA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
The Law Offices of James C. Weseman
Suite 1600
401 West A Street
San Diego
CA
92101
US
|
Family ID: |
37994927 |
Appl. No.: |
11/323824 |
Filed: |
December 30, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60732826 |
Nov 1, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/254.7 ;
220/713; 220/714; 220/719; 220/793 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 43/02 20130101;
B65D 2251/0081 20130101; B65D 2251/009 20130101; B65D 2251/0012
20130101; B65D 39/16 20130101; B65D 39/0005 20130101; B01F 15/00681
20130101; B65D 2543/00046 20130101; B65D 51/18 20130101; B65D
2251/0028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/254.7 ;
220/719; 220/713; 220/714; 220/793 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/18 20060101
B65D051/18; A47G 19/22 20060101 A47G019/22; B65D 41/18 20060101
B65D041/18 |
Claims
1. A device for temporarily sealing an orifice in a beverage
container lid, comprising a plug having an upper surface, a body
portion and a lower surface, said body portion adapted to be
inserted and releasably retained in the orifice to provide a
temporary seal thereof, and an external member located on the upper
surface of the plug configured to allow a user to grip the plug for
ease of removal from the orifice.
2. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein the horizontal cross
section of said body portion approximates the shape of the orifice
in the beverage container lid.
3. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein the horizontal cross
sectional dimensions of said body portion are substantially smaller
than the horizontal cross sectional dimensions of the beverage
container lid.
4. A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising a cap portion
on the upper surface of said plug, said cap portion having a
horizontal cross section that exceeds the dimensions of the
horizontal cross section of the body portion.
5. A device as recited in claim 4 wherein said body portion is
configured to permit said cap portion to contact the lid when said
plug is inserted into the lid orifice.
6. A device as recited in claim 1 wherein said body portion is at
least partially hollow.
7. A device as recited in claim 6 wherein the lower surface of said
plug conforms to the hollow region of said body portion.
8. A device as recited in claim 1 further comprising an elongate
projection extending from the lower surface and configured to allow
a user to stir a beverage contained in the beverage container.
9. A device as recited in claim 8 wherein said elongate projection
includes a horizontal cross section selected from the group
consisting of substantially circular, substantially oval, and
substantially quadrilateral, and substantially polygonal cross
sections.
10. A device as recited in claim 8 wherein said elongate
projection, said body portion further comprises a channel
connecting an opening located on said elongate projection remote
from said lower surface through said body portion and to an opening
located on said external member, whereby a beverage can be removed
from the container without removing said plug from the lid
orifice.
11. A beverage container system comprising: a) a container for
containing a liquid beverage having an open end, b) a lid
configured to attach to said open end of said container, and having
at least one orifice, and c) a device for temporarily sealing said
orifice comprising a plug having an upper surface, a body portion
and a lower surface, said body portion adapted to be inserted and
releasably retained in the orifice to provide a temporary seal
thereof, and an external member located on the upper surface of the
plug configured to allow a user to grip the plug for ease of
removal from the orifice.
12. A system as recited in claim 11 wherein the horizontal cross
section of said body portion approximates the shape of the orifice
in the beverage container lid.
13. A system as recited in claim 11 wherein the horizontal cross
sectional dimensions of said body portion are substantially smaller
than the horizontal cross sectional dimensions of the beverage
container lid.
14. A system as recited in claim 11 further comprising a cap
portion on the upper surface of said plug, said cap portion having
a horizontal cross section that exceeds the dimensions of the
horizontal cross section of the body portion.
15. A system as recited in claim 14 wherein said body portion is
configured to permit said cap portion to contact the lid when said
plug is inserted into the lid orifice.
16. A system as recited in claim 11 wherein said body portion is at
least partially hollow.
17. A system as recited in claim 16 wherein the lower surface of
said plug conforms to the hollow region of said body portion.
18. A system as recited in claim 11 further comprising an elongate
projection extending from the lower surface and configured to allow
a user to stir a beverage contained in the beverage container.
19. A system as recited in claim 18 wherein said elongate
projection includes a horizontal cross section selected from the
group consisting of substantially circular, substantially oval, and
substantially quadrilateral, and substantially polygonal cross
sections.
20. A system as recited in claim 18 wherein said elongate
projection, said body portion further comprises a channel
connecting an opening located on said elongate projection remote
from said lower surface through said body portion and to an opening
located on said external member, whereby a beverage can be removed
from the container without removing said plug from the lid orifice.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to the field of beverage containers
and, more particularly, to plugs for sealing the lids of beverage
containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many beverages are sold from bulk or as single serving
preparations, and dispensed into beverage containers, which are
usually in the form of plastic or paper cups. Numerous different
types of lids have been used for such containers, and, in addition
to providing a thermal barrier to maintain the serving temperature,
the lids are intended to retain the beverage in the container when
the container is transported or is accidentally disturbed.
Commonly, such lids will also provide an orifice in the upper
surface, allowing the beverage to be consumed without removing the
lid. Such containers and such lids are commonly single-use
disposable items and, accordingly, must be capable of being
produced at a low cost.
[0003] A typical lid for such a beverage container is formed from
thin plastic sheet material, for example by vacuum forming, and
comprises a top panel, either flat or domed, with a downwardly
depending peripheral rim. The plastic material of the lid is
typically somewhat flexible and resilient so that the lid can be
fitted over the open end of a suitably sized beverage container.
The rim of the lid grips the rim of the open end of the container,
and the beverage is then retained within the container. The orifice
is commonly provided in the outer portion of the top panel, or in
the dome of domed lids. Unfortunately, this orifice reduces the
effectiveness of the thermal barrier, and provides an opening
through which the beverage can spill should the container be
accidentally disturbed.
[0004] Thus, it is considered desirable to provide a low cost
device that enables the orifice to be temporarily plugged, and thus
increase the efficiency of the thermal barrier, while also
increasing the security of the beverage during transportation of
the container. If desired, a number of additional functions can be
incorporated into such a device as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present invention provides a device and system for
temporarily sealing an orifice in a beverage container lid.
[0006] In one aspect, the device comprises a plug having an upper
surface, a body portion and a lower surface. The body portion is
adapted to be inserted and releasably retained in the orifice of
the lid to provide a temporary seal thereof. The device also
includes an external member located on the upper surface of the
plug configured to allow a user to grip the plug for ease of
removal from the orifice.
[0007] In another aspect, the system of the present invention
comprises a container for containing a liquid beverage having an
open end, a lid having at least one orifice and configured to
attach to the open end of the container, and a plug for temporarily
sealing the orifice in the beverage container lid. The plug
comprises an upper surface, a body portion and a lower surface. The
body portion is adapted to be inserted and releasably retained in
the orifice of the lid to provide a temporary seal thereof. The
device also includes an external member located on the upper
surface of the plug configured to allow a user to grip the plug for
ease of removal from the orifice.
[0008] Other and further aspects of the invention will be readily
apparent from the following drawings and detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
invention depicting the plug including the body portion, the
optional cap, and the external member;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a number of conventional
beverage container lids, depicting various conventional orifices in
accordance with the prior art;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the invention depicting the plug including the body portion, the
optional cap, the external member, and the optional elongate
projection;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of yet another alternative
embodiment of the invention depicting the including the body
portion, the optional cap, the external member, the optional
elongate projection and a channel for removing liquid from the
beverage container; and
[0013] FIG. 5 is a graphic representation of yet another
alternative embodiment of the invention depicting the plug and the
external member while the device is in situ in the orifice of a
beverage container lid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] The present invention provides a device and system for
temporarily sealing an orifice in a beverage container lid.
[0015] In one aspect, the device comprises a plug having an upper
surface, a body portion and a lower surface. The body portion is
adapted to be inserted and releasably retained in the orifice of
the lid to provide a temporary seal thereof. The device also
includes an external member located on the upper surface of the
plug configured to allow a user to grip the plug for ease of
removal from the orifice.
[0016] Most often, the present device will be configured to meet
the requirements of a conventional lid for such a beverage
container, each of which are most commonly circular in horizontal
cross section. Such lid will typically be formed from thin plastic
sheet material, for example by vacuum forming, and including a top
panel, either flat or domed, with a downwardly depending peripheral
rim. The plastic material of the lid is typically somewhat flexible
and resilient, as is the rim of the open end of the container, so
that the lid can be fitted over the open end of a suitably sized
beverage container. The rim of the lid then grips the rim of the
open end of the container, whereby the beverage is retained within
the container. The orifice of the lid is commonly provided in the
outer portion of the top panel, near the depending peripheral rim,
or in the dome or domed lids. Less commonly, lids for beverage
containers are also available with a flap that is pressed down (or
lifted up) to open the orifice in the lid.
[0017] Thus, in another aspect, the system of the present invention
comprises a container for containing a liquid beverage having an
open end, a lid having at least one orifice and configured to
attach to the open end of the container, and a plug for temporarily
sealing the orifice in the beverage container lid. The plug
comprises an upper surface, a body portion and a lower surface. The
body portion is adapted to be inserted and releasably retained in
the orifice of the lid to provide a temporary seal thereof. The
device also includes an external member located on the upper
surface of the plug configured to allow a user to grip the plug for
ease of removal from the orifice.
[0018] Turning now to the several figures of the drawing, where
like elements are identified by like numerals and corresponding or
equivalent elements are identified by corresponding numerals
throughout the figures, FIG. 1 shows a plug device 10 including a
body portion 12 adapted to be inserted and releasably retained in
the orifice of a beverage container lid to provide a temporary seal
thereof. Plug 10 also includes an upper surface 14 and a lower
surface 16, and, optionally, a "cap" feature 18 on the upper
surface 14. Also depicted as extending from upper surface 14 is an
external member 20 to provide a feature allowing the user of plug
10 to more easily grip the plug for insertion and removal from the
orifice of the lid.
[0019] In preferred embodiments of the invention, body portion 12
of plug 10 will be shaped so that the horizontal cross section of
body portion 12 approximates the shape of the orifice in the
beverage container lid, so as to provide an interference fit in the
orifice. As depicted in FIG. 2, one common shape employed for the
orifice of a conventional beverage container lid is best described
as "sausage-shaped" in which the ends are roughly hemi-circular,
and the middle portion is curved, for example to somewhat
approximate the curve of the outer edge of the top panel of the
lid, thus providing a convenient way to consume the beverage
without resort to removing the lid. Alternatively, another common
shape employed for such an orifice is best described as an
"oval-shaped" orifice in which the ends are roughly hemi-circular,
and the middle portion is relatively linear, suggestive of a
motorsports racetrack oval. Less commonly, the orifice will be
generally circular in shape, but more significantly, the orifice is
always substantially smaller in size than the lid and the open end
of the beverage container. By substantially smaller it is meant
that the area of the orifice is typically less than approximately
50 percent of the area of the lid, more commonly less than
approximately 20 percent, and most commonly in the range of from
approximately 0.2 percent to approximately 10 percent of the area
of the lid. Thus, the horizontal cross-sectional dimensions of the
present body portion 12 will be substantially smaller than those of
the lid and the open end of the beverage container, and will most
often be of a different shape as well.
[0020] In lids for beverage containers having a flap that is
pressed down (or lifted up) to open the orifice in the lid, the
orifice is more often shaped as an oblong, or a three- or
four-sided opening. Clearly, numerous alternative shapes exist for
the orifice, and the present plug need only have a body portion
that approximates such shape, or an appropriately designed cap
feature, in order to incorporate the desired sealing function.
[0021] As will be seen from FIG. 1, the upper surface of the plug
body will typically, but not necessarily, be flat, or optionally
"capped" with a shaped cap feature 18 that exceeds the horizontal
cross-sectional dimensions of the body portion 12. This cap feature
18 can serve a number of functions, including providing a limit to
the insertion of plug 10 into the orifice, additional sealing of
the orifice to inhibit leaking of the beverage, and the like.
Alternatively, or in addition, the upper surface 14 of the body
portion 12 can be shaped to match some design characteristic of the
external member 20.
[0022] The body portion 12 of plug 10 will desirably, but not
necessarily, include a taper, narrower at the lower surface 16 and
wider at the upper surface 14, so as to facilitate the insertion
and retention of plug 10 in the orifice. In certain embodiments,
the sidewalls 22, 22' (not shown) of the body portion 12 can be
recessed, in order to simplify insertion of plug 10 into the
orifice. In such embodiments, cap feature 18 of upper surface 14
will provide much if not all of the sealing function of plug 10. In
certain other embodiments, body portion 12 can include a
circumferential depression, located at an appropriate point below
the upper surface 14 where the body portion 12 is slightly
over-sized to the lid orifice, and configured to provide a
"snap-fit" when plug 10 is inserted into the lid orifice, and thus
increase the security and retention of plug 10 in the orifice.
However, care should be taken to avoid too tight of a fit between
plug 10 and the orifice, as an excessively tight fit would make it
difficult for the user to remove plug 10 for consumption of the
beverage without removing the lid at the same time.
[0023] The present plug device will be formed from any acceptable
material, such as plastic, resin or metal, and the like, and the
body portion of the plug can be solid or hollow, so as to reduce
weight or to provide additional functionalities. In embodiments in
which the body portions are at least partially hollow, the lower
surface can also be open to the interior of the beverage container,
while preserving the sealing function.
[0024] As will be seen in FIG. 1, external member 20 located on
upper surface 14 of plug 10 will include proximal 24 and distal
regions 26, and can assume any desired shape. In certain preferred
embodiments, external member 20 can be shaped in the form of a flat
polygon or disk or the like, which would provide a convenient grip
for the user of the plug, and allow the placement of displays or
messages and/or images, such as logos, advertising messages,
promotions and the like, on either or both of the flat surfaces 28,
28' (not shown) of the external member 20, either by molding,
embossing, printing, applying labels, and the like. Alternatively,
external member 20 can assume a free-form shape, take the shape of
an advertising logo or other insignia deemed attractive to the
beverage seller or the beverage consumer. The precise size and
shape of external member 20 is not deemed critical to its ability
to perform the intended function(s). However, for ease of use for
displays, such as advertising and the like, the flat sides of a
preferred external member 20 as described above will generally
range in size from approximately 0.5 to approximately 15 square
centimeters, more commonly from approximately 1 to approximately 10
square centimeters, in order to provide sufficient space for the
display and to facilitate the legibility thereof. Of course, it is
also within the scope of the present invention to formulate such
displays in a more technologically sophisticated manner, such as
lighted or scrolling displays employing, for example, light
emitting diodes and/or liquid crystal displays, and the like.
Naturally, such more sophisticated displays would likely increase
the per unit cost of the present invention.
[0025] The lower surface 16 of the plug 10 can be rounded, as
depicted in FIG. 1, or it can be truncated so as to approximate the
cross-sectional shape of the body portion 12, or any desired
alternative form. Alternatively, as disclosed above, lower surface
16 can be recessed, for example where body portion 12 is at least
partially hollow.
[0026] Optionally, as depicted in FIG. 3, lower surface 116 of plug
110 can be shaped to include an elongate projection 130 depending
downwardly, thus having proximal 132 and distal 134 ends, so as to
provide for example a means to stir the beverage, similar to a
conventional stir-stick as often included as a separate item with
containers of coffee and other similar beverages. The elongate
projection 130 can be of any reasonable length, but the overall
length will be limited by the height of the beverage container and
the amount of body portion 112 that projects below the lid when
plug 110 is inserted into the lid orifice. One convenient length
for the present plug (e.g. plug 110) is a dimension that will allow
the plug to be fitted into the beverage container and/or lid for
packaging as a unit, such as with the system of the present
invention. For example, typical beverage containers could be
packaged with a plug inside, for ease of shipping and storage.
Further, typical beverage containers often include a rim around the
bottom, and the present plug could be sized to fit into the recess
created by such a rim, so that it is outside the container but
packaged in conjunction. In such embodiments, the present plug
would desirably be size to fit so that the diametrically opposed
edges of the rim fit against the plug, thus retaining the plug in a
loose interference fit. Elongate projection 130 can also be
provided with any convenient cross section, such as substantially
circular, substantially oval, substantially quadrilateral, and
substantially polygonal cross sections, and the like, while
retaining the stirring functionality.
[0027] In addition, as depicted in FIG. 4, elongate projection 230
can be hollow, if desired to reduce weight, or to provide an
additional functionality as a straw. In such embodiments, the
projection will typically extend sufficiently to approach the
bottom of the beverage container, and include an opening 236 at or
near the distal end 234, so as to provide access to the beverage in
the container. This elongate projection 230 will then comprise a
channel 238, which communicates with a hollow region 240 in plug
210, and thence lead through external member 220 to a complementary
opening 242, thus completing channel 238 to allow the user to gain
access to the beverage in the container without removing either the
lid or plug 210. This opening 242 can be located at or near the
distal region 226 of external member 220, for example, in the upper
rim of a disk-shaped external member, or in any convenient
location.
[0028] Alternatively, or in addition, the distal end 134, 234 of
the elongate projection 130, 230 can be shaped as a paddle, or a
scoop, or any alternative shape that can improve its functionality,
or provide additional functionality beyond those already described
herein. Such improvements will readily occur to those having access
to the present description of the invention.
[0029] FIG. 5 depicts one representative embodiment of a plug 310
of the present invention that has been inserted into the orifice of
a conventional beverage container lid, and showing the use of the
optional cap 318 to provide an additional sealing function for plug
310.
[0030] In most embodiments of the present invention, the plug, the
external member and the optional elongate projection will be
monolithic, that is, formed or fabricated as a single piece,
typically as a unitary article from the same material and at the
same time. Typically, in order to produce the present plugs at the
lowest cost, some form of molding process will be employed, and the
plugs will typically be fabricated from some form of plastic
material, all in accordance with means routinely known and/or
employed in such fabrications, either presently or in the
future.
[0031] Alternatively, the present plugs can be formed of, for
example, metal, epoxy resin, and other similar durable materials,
also in accordance with means routinely known and/or employed in
such fabrications, either presently or in the future. Such plugs
will be expected to be better able to endure the rigors of re-use,
storage in the user's pocket or on a key-chain, or the like. Such
plugs can readily be envisioned as taking on various attributed of
fine jewelry, for example in the fabrication materials and/or
elements of ornamentation. In embodiments of the present plug that
are intended to be stored on a key-chain for example, it would be
considered desirable to incorporate a "quick-release" feature to
separate the plug from the key-chain, and again such quick-release
features are well know and readily adaptable to use with the
present invention.
[0032] Although the foregoing invention has been described in some
detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity
and understanding, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill
in the art in light of the disclosure that certain changes and
modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit
or scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *