U.S. patent application number 12/178869 was filed with the patent office on 2009-01-29 for splash-inhibiting beverage container lid.
Invention is credited to Roger Bal.
Application Number | 20090026219 12/178869 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40294348 |
Filed Date | 2009-01-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090026219 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bal; Roger |
January 29, 2009 |
SPLASH-INHIBITING BEVERAGE CONTAINER LID
Abstract
A lid for a beverage container. The lid is changeable from a
closed to an open position by depressing a drink opening
portion.
Inventors: |
Bal; Roger; (Coquitlam,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NEXUS LAW GROUP LLP
1500 - 701 WEST GEORGIA STREET
VANCOUVER
BC
V7Y 1C6
CA
|
Family ID: |
40294348 |
Appl. No.: |
12/178869 |
Filed: |
July 24, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60951904 |
Jul 25, 2007 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/810 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 43/0237 20130101;
B65D 2543/00046 20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 43/0212
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/810 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/04 20060101
B65D051/04 |
Claims
1. A lid for a beverage cup having a rim comprising: a top wall
bordered by a cylindrical wall; a depression being formable in said
top wall and having a closed and opened positions.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. provisional
application 60/951,904, filed Jul. 25, 2007.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to beverage container lids,
and more specifically to splash-inhibiting beverage container
lids.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The use of disposable lids on beverage cups in order to
prevent the spilling of the liquid in the cup is well known in the
art. These can take the form of a thin top having an x-shaped punch
out portion for inserting a straw as used with soda pop to the more
complicated lids used in association with hot beverages such as
coffee, tea or hot chocolate.
[0004] The spilling of hot coffee, tea or hot chocolate provides a
two-fold hazard: first, the hot drink can be a burn hazard with the
possibility of causing serious injury to the drinker if it is
spilled accidentally either by burning the individual or by
startling the individual (say while driving) resulting in an
accident; and secondly, the coffee, tea or hot chocolate will stain
clothing or upholstery it comes into contact with and can be
difficult to remove.
[0005] Lids for coffee cups therefore need to provide sufficient
protection against unwanted spillage while still providing the user
with a suitable flow of liquid. Numerous designs have been
developed in order to provide this balance.
[0006] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,619,372 teaches a cap for a hot
beverage cup. The '372 patent teaches a cap having a depression.
The depression is defined by a sloped surface in the top surface of
the cup and a depending wall located adjacent an inner wall of the
container. A plurality of perforations are located in the depending
wall to allow liquid to flow into the depression for drinking. The
depending wall is positioned to be in close proximity to the cup
wall so as to reduce the possibility of liquid splashing through
the perforations. There is also a slit in the depression to allow
the aroma of the beverage to be enjoyed. However, this slit is
problematic as it provides a vertical opening through which liquid
can splash when the cup is jostled.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,128 teaches a beverage lid having a
regulator valve and a wave-breaker and periphery inhibitor recesses
to minimize accidental splashing of liquid from the cup. The
regulator valve is a recess formed in the top of the cup and has
side and bottom walls with apertures formed therein to allow liquid
to pass. Preferably, the apertures have a generally tapered portion
terminating in irregularly shaped edges. While providing good
splash-prevention characteristics, this is a complicated design and
likely involves a costly, two-step manufacturing process. In
addition, the drink opening is located in the top surface of the
lid, such that any liquid to spill out of the opening could drip
off the lid, staining whatever it comes into contact with.
[0008] A further splash-proof lid design is taught in U.S. Pat. No.
6,702,145. The '145 design has a splash guard in the form of a
semi-permeable membrane positioned between the liquid contents of
the cup and an opening in the cup lid. Boss elements in the cup lid
form a center channel and, along with the cup itself, outer
channels through which liquid can be channeled and directed towards
the opening in the lid. The splash guard is set at a downward angle
so that liquids drain back into the cup after a user takes a sip.
Unfortunately, this design is ineffective when the level of liquid
within the cup decreases to such a level that it can no longer flow
through the channels (it is blocked by the splash guard). According
to the design, the semi-permeable nature of the splash guard will
allow the liquid to pass through it to the opening in the lid.
However, any membrane that is permeable enough to allow suitable
flow of liquid to the opening when drinking would be ineffective at
preventing splashing. Alternatively, if the membrane is effective
for spill prevention, it is likely too impermeable to allow
sufficient liquid flow to the lid opening. A user would be inclined
to remove the lid to finish the drink, increasing the risk of a
spill. Also, with the top opening design, any liquid to
accidentally pass through will likely spill off the top of the
lid.
[0009] In addition to the deficiencies identified above, each of
these designs has a permanent drink opening in the lid. As most hot
drinks are purchased as take-out beverages, it would be beneficial
to have a lid design having a complete closure.
[0010] One such design is currently in use in the marketplace. The
lid is completely closed, having only a small air vent. It has a
drink opening that can be formed by lifting on the outer lip of the
lid and tearing the plastic along tear lines. The lifted plastic
can then be folded inwards onto the top of the cup lid so as to
keep it out of the way of a drinker when drinking from the cup.
While providing the benefit of a closed lid cover, when in the open
position, the lid is entirely ineffective at preventing splashing
and spilling.
[0011] Accordingly, there remains a need for a beverage container
lid that has a closed and opened positions and which while in the
open position provides improved splash prevention while maintaining
suitable flow of liquid.
[0012] It is therefore an object of an embodiment of the invention
to provide a splash-inhibiting beverage container lid having closed
and open configurations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention comprises a lid for a beverage cup
having a closed and opened position. The lid is of a uniform
construction having a top and rim portion, the rim portion for
being fitted on the rim of a corresponding beverage cup. A flap
extending from an out portion of the rim of the lid is used to tear
away a portion of the rim. A tab formed in the lid top can be moved
into an open position by pressing down on it. Openings along the
side of the tab are formed as between the tab and the lid top, with
the radially outer edge of the tab being in contact with the side
of the cup.
[0014] The foregoing was intended as a broad summary only and of
only some of the aspects of the invention. It was not intended to
define the limits or requirements of the invention. Other aspects
of the invention will be appreciated by reference to the detailed
description of the preferred embodiment and to the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] These and other features of the invention will become more
apparent from the following description in which reference is made
to the appended drawings and wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a beverage container lid
according to the invention;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the beverage cup
lid of FIG. 1 with a flap portion shown detached; and
[0018] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the beverage cup lid of FIG.
1 shown without the flap portion and with the tab in an open
drinking position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0019] The preferred embodiment of a beverage container lid
according to the invention is shown in FIGS. 1-3. Lid 100 has a
substantially planar top surface 2, an outer circumferential rim
portion 4 and an openable tab portion 6 having structural boss
portions 8 to increase the structural rigidity of the tab. Lid 100
is adapted to be detachably connected to the rim of a cup (not
shown) as known in the art so as to form a barrier to prevent the
spilling or splashing of liquid from within the cup when the cup is
moved or jostled. Tab portion 6 is movable from a closed position
to an open position in order to allow liquid in the cup to be
consumed.
[0020] Circumferential rim portion 4 has a top 5, and an outer wall
10 and an inner wall 12 which are radially spaced apart from each
other a sufficient distance to accommodate the rim of a cup in the
gap therebetween as known in the art. An outwardly and downwardly
extending skirt 14 depending from outer wall 10 is useful in
guiding the lid 100 onto the top of the cup it is used to
cover.
[0021] Preferably, the lid 100 has an interior rim portion 16
having a top 17, a dependent outer wall 18 and a dependent inner
wall 20. Rim portion 4 and interior rim portion 16 are spaced apart
by a trough floor 22. Inner rim portion 16 provides additional
structural rigidity to the lid 100 so that it is able to withstand
the pressure applied to open tab 6 as described in more detail
below. It is also contemplated that other structural changes,
including different boss patterns, could be used to provide the
additional structural rigidity necessary to prevent the lid from
simply collapsing when a user pushes on the tab 6.
[0022] Dependent inner wall 20 extends down to top 2, top 2 being
recessed slightly as compared to the tops 5, 17 of circumferential
rim portion 4 and inner rim portion 16. Tab 6 is in turn recessed
slightly as compared to top 2, a perimeter wall 24 extending from
top 2 to tab 6, such that tab 6 is in line with the trough floor
22. A flap 26 is integrally formed with and extends radially
outwards from a portion of skirt 14 corresponding to the location
of tab 6 as shown in the drawings. A boss portion 28 provides
additional structural rigidity to flap 26.
[0023] Lid 100 is preferably formed of one piece molded plastic.
However, it is also contemplated that other suitable materials
could be used, provided that the lid material is impermeable and
has sufficient rigidity and resiliency for its intended purpose.
When the lid 100 is sealed onto the rim of a cup, any liquid inside
the cup is prevented from escaping. In order to drink from the cup,
the user must open the tab 6 as explained below.
[0024] Gripping the flap 26, a user exerts sufficient force to tear
a portion of the circumferential rim portion 4, as shown in FIG. 2.
Preferably, during the forming of lid 100 a defined tear line 30 is
made of thinner plastic than the rest of the cup lid, such that it
is easily torn. It is also contemplated that the lid could be
formed with perforations or the like so as to allow tearing in the
correct area. Preferably, the tear line 30 cuts through skirt 14
and outer wall 10 on either side of flap 26 and through the top 5
of rim portion 4 between outer wall 10 and inner wall 12. Removing
the flap and rim portion provides a drinker with a better mouth
feel when drinking from the cup as this portion of plastic will not
come into contact with the user's mouth or tongue.
[0025] After the flap is used to tear the rim portion 4, the user
exerts a downward force on the tab 6 so as to tear the plastic
along each side of the tab 34 and 38 and force the tab 6 downward
into the cup. In this open position, as shown in FIG. 3, openings
40 (only one being shown, the other being the mirror image) are
formed as between the depressed tab 6 and the torn edge 36 of the
lid 100 (the side of the beverage cup providing the other surface
helping define the drink openings). When a user tips a cup equipped
with the lid 100 of the present invention when in the open
position, liquid within the cup travels laterally through the
openings 40 filling the depression formed by the displaced tab and
enters the users mouth. The radially outer edge of the tab 6 is in
abutment with the side of the cup on which the lid is placed.
[0026] By having the tab 6 extend to include a portion of rim
portion 4, when tab 6 is pressed into the cup, it cannot be forced
back up to a closed position by the liquid being consumed because
the radially outer edge of the tab is prevented from doing so by
the side of the cup itself. It is also contemplated, however that
the tear line could be set up so that the tab can be pushed into an
open position without having to tear away a portion of the rim
portion. Should the tear line be positioned so that the tab does
not extend radially further than the inner top edge of the cup upon
which the lid is to be placed then another system must be developed
to prevent the liquid within the cup from forcing the tab back to
the closed position while drinking. It is also contemplated that
the lid can be equipped with a small air hole to allow easier
drinking.
[0027] When a user first places the lid on the cup, the lid is in
the closed position, preventing any spilling of any liquid within
the cup. After the lid has been opened, when liquid in the cup is
moved or jostled, spills are limited by having no vertically
oriented openings in the lid--any liquid coming into contact with
the lid is displaced laterally. In addition, because the tab, when
open, is angled relative to the horizontal, liquid coming into
contact with it along the underside of the tab, following the angle
of the tab upwards to a come into contact with the un-torn portion
of tab 6 (in the vicinity of the large arrow) and top 2.
[0028] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
preferred and alternative embodiments have been described in some
detail but that certain modifications may be practiced without
departing from the principles of the invention.
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