Internally fitted cellulose draft matching lid

Abstract

A biodegradable and recyclable paper internally fitted lid or closure which improves on current lids or closures. Embodiments of this invention provide an arrangement easier for the consumer to use as it is self "seating" and requires very little if any pressure to affix as gravity does most of the work. The internally fitted lid of one embodiment seals a larger area of the beverage container opening by relying on the matching the draft angle of wall of the internally fitted lid with the draft angle of the beverage container.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This non-provisional patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/696,139 entitled INTERNALLY FITTED CELLULOSE DRAFT MATCHING LID, filed Jul. 1, 2005, and which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART

[0002] Take out disposable beverage containers have a manifest need for lids or closures which prevent the liquid in the container from spilling out of the opening used for filling and or drinking during the movement inherent in transportation. These lids or closures also provide varying degrees of insulation from temperature change.

[0003] The current traditional methods to achieve this spill protection and insulation have been plastic thermoformed lids which snap over the top and exterior of the beverage container, taking advantage pliability and memory of the plastic lid and the paper cup to achieve a snap lock through out the circumference of the lip of the beverage container opening.

[0004] Another variation of this is to create an debossment in the internal wall of the container below the lip of the container which runs the circumference or is in place at parts of the circumference which when the lid or closure is fitted internally to the container have a matching embossment which snap seals using a similar principle to the external snap lip mentioned above.

[0005] Other means to secure a lid or closure to the beverage container will include flexible gaskets and threaded screw closure mechanisms.

SUMMARY AND BACKGROUND

[0006] This invention provides a biodegradable and recyclable paper internally fitted lid or closure which improves on current lids or closures through the application on several techniques and principles.

[0007] Embodiments of this invention provide an arrangement that is easier for the consumer to use as it is self "seating" and requires very little if any pressure to affix as gravity does most of the work.(FIGS. 1, 3, 14, 15 & 16)

[0008] The internally fitted lid described seals a larger area of the beverage container opening by relying on the matching the draft angle of wall of the internally fitted lid with the draft angle of the beverage container. (FIGS. 4, 5, 6A & 6B)

[0009] This arrangement accomplishes a number of beneficial and desirable results.

[0010] This larger paper to paper surface area (a band 1/4'' to 1'' wide around the upper circumference of the beverage container) will through close association with the contained liquid and or ambient moisture through steam or wicking result in surface tension and thereby create a seal as a result of the pressure differential between the outside of the container the moisture trapped in the band of the seal area.(Fig 6B)

[0011] When the base of the lid is placed into the beverage container it at times may come into contact with the liquid inside and displacement of the liquid will occur. The displacement will serve to moisten the material of the lid (which beneficial effect will be described in the following paragraph) and the area and shape of the lids "roof" or horizontal top will allow the liquid o displace internally as well as allowing the vertical wall of the lid to, in effect, "squeegee" the liquid down into the container and not upward out of and over the sides of the container.

[0012] This is further enhanced by the natural wicking and moisture absorption of paper or cellulose which results in expansion or swelling of the paper of both container and internally fitted lid (internally and externally) thereby tightening the seal and increasing friction.

[0013] Another way of stating this is: Any moisture which wicks into the seal serves to enhance the seal through the properties of surface tension, pressure differential induced suction and a global expansion of the paper fibers from the slight saturation resulting from ambient atmospheric moisture from such close proximity to heat and water from hot beverage or condensation resulting from close proximity to a cold beverage.

[0014] This can be accomplished as a result of an additional feature of the embodiments; the use of a biodegradable and re-pulpable (in common paper recycling systems) coated paper which is very resistant on its surface to moisture while allowing the internal fibers to absorb small amounts of atmospheric ambient moisture. This uses the same principal used historically in canteen and liquid containers whose leather gaskets and or seal need to be moistened to achieve a consistent seal and whose seal was maintained through the wicking action of the leather over time.

[0015] In addition to the robust closure provided by the above characteristics; the internally fitted lid can also be further augmented by the inclusion of a flexible and malleable gasket which can be added on to the exterior circumference of the internally fitted lid at any point between the rolled lip and the bottom of the lid. The manner of producing this gasket and adhering it to the exterior surface of the lid is through printing of the gasket on the lid's outer surface while the paper is flat, before it has been formed into the lid configuration. (This would be very similar to the process whereby cup walls are printed before being formed into frusto-conical shape).

[0016] This gasket would by it malleable nature serves as a further moisture barrier and would augment the "seating" of the lid inside the beverage container (FIGS. 7 & 8).

[0017] Another benefit of the internally fitted lid which seals and "seats" in the above described manners is the safety improvement gained as the internally fitted lid with a sealing area as great as the wide circumferential band described in this invention greatly increases the radial strength of the container and prevents container compression and lid popover associated with snap on plastic exterior lids when the consumer picks up the container and applies natural pressure to the side walls and inadvertently collapses the container.

[0018] This internally fitted lid augments the strength of the container when subjected to heat and moisture. This is a problem in existing beverage containers. The internally fitted lid is not subject to lid pop off as compression only serves to make the seal tighter and more firmly "seats" the lid.

[0019] Another benefit of the internally fitted lid in accordance with one or more embodiments includes the chosen cellulose material that allows the exterior surface as well to be printed prior to formation as a lid, when the lid it is in flat form on standard high speed machinery with information and/or advertising. This is difficult in the existing plastic lids.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] FIG. 1. Demonstration of the internally fitted lid and beverage container together with various preferred lid shapes and treatments

[0021] FIG. 2. Sketches and wire frame of internally fitted lid demonstrating different upper or outside configurations or treatments, Reliefs, angled lids, domes, etc

[0022] FIG. 3. Another demonstration of the internally fitted lid and beverage container together

[0023] FIG. 4. Isometric and cut away side view of internally fitted lid and container with lid unseated in cup

[0024] FIG. 5. Isometric and cut away side view of internally fitted lid and container with lid partially seated in cup

[0025] FIG. 6A. Isometric and cut away side view of internally fitted lid and container with lid fully seated in cup

[0026] FIG. 6B. Magnified cut away side view of internally fitted lid and container with lid seated in cup demonstrating the resulting surface tension and pressure differential seal of moisture in the seal.

[0027] FIG. 7. Demonstration of the possible placements of a printed malleable gasket

[0028] FIG. 8. Magnified view of compression of gasket in use.

[0029] FIGS. 9 through 16. Further views and examples of lid and beverage container interaction.

[0030] From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that specific embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of illustration, but that various modifications may be made without deviating from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A beverage container and an internally fitted lid assembly, comprising: a beverage container having a closed end and first sidewalls that defines an interior area, the sidewalls have an upper portion that has a first draft angle and that defines an opening to the interior area, the upper portion has in interior surface in communication with the interior area; an internally fitted lid having a top portions and second sidewalls having a second draft angle that substantially matches the first draft angle and being configured to fit into the opening and sealably engage the interior surface of the upper portion of the first sidewalls.

2. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the beverage container and the internally fitted lid are constructed of one or more recyclable materials.