U.S. patent application number 12/466896 was filed with the patent office on 2009-11-19 for sipper lid with straw capability.
This patent application is currently assigned to Classy Kid, Inc.. Invention is credited to Admir James Mesalic.
Application Number | 20090283535 12/466896 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41315177 |
Filed Date | 2009-11-19 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090283535 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Mesalic; Admir James |
November 19, 2009 |
SIPPER LID WITH STRAW CAPABILITY
Abstract
The present invention is directed to a sipper lid with straw
capability and includes a cup engaging section, a spout section,
and a straw receptacle. The cup engaging section is adapted for
securing the lid to a drinking cup; the spout section includes a
protrusion and at least one opening that is located at or adjacent
to the top of the protrusion; and the straw receptacle, which
functions to facilitate the insertion of a drinking straw into the
drinking cup, may be spaced from the spout opening or it may be
positioned adjacent thereto. In another embodiment, the present lid
further includes a groove or channel adapted for accommodating and
holding spilled fluid within a confined area of the lid.
Inventors: |
Mesalic; Admir James; (Las
Vegas, NV) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HUSCH BLACKWELL SANDERS LLP
190 Carondelet Plaza, Suite 600
ST. LOUIS
MO
63105
US
|
Assignee: |
Classy Kid, Inc.
Las Vegas
NV
|
Family ID: |
41315177 |
Appl. No.: |
12/466896 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61053750 |
May 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/709 ;
220/711; 220/719 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00092
20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D 43/0212 20130101; B65D
2543/00046 20130101; B65D 2543/00537 20130101; B65D 2543/00351
20130101; B65D 47/40 20130101; B65D 2231/022 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/709 ;
220/711; 220/719 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22 |
Claims
1. A lid for use on a drinking cup comprising: a cup engaging
section adapted for securing the lid to a drinking cup, said cup
engaging section being generally shaped to engage and extend over a
top rim of a drinking cup; a spout section including a protrusion
extending upwardly from the upper surface of the lid, said
protrusion including at least one opening extending therethrough
that is located at or adjacent to a top portion of the protrusion;
and a straw receptacle formed on the upper surface of the lid
configured for facilitating insertion of a drinking straw into the
drinking cup, said straw receptacle being spaced from said
protrusion opening.
2. The lid of claim 1 further including a groove formed on the
upper surface of the lid at a central portion thereon, said groove
forming an annular channel that is sufficient in size to hold and
trap spilled fluid.
3. The lid of claim 2 wherein said groove encompasses the straw
receptacle.
4. The lid of claim 2 wherein a portion of said groove is located
on said spout section in the vicinity of said at least one
protrusion opening.
5. The lid of claim 1 wherein said cup engaging section includes an
exterior skirt portion which engages a peripheral rim on the upper
edge of the drinking cup.
6. The lid of claim 1 wherein the straw receptacle is formed in a
medial portion of the lid.
7. The lid of claim 1 wherein said at least one protrusion opening
is diametrically opposed to said straw receptacle.
8. The lid of claim 1 wherein said at least one protrusion opening
is recessed within said protrusion.
9. The lid of claim 1 wherein said straw receptacle includes a
plurality of break lines defining an opening.
10. The lid of claim 1 wherein said straw receptacle is recessed on
the upper surface of the lid.
11. A lid for use on a drinking cup comprising: a cup engaging
section adapted for securing the lid to a drinking cup, said cup
engaging section being generally shaped to engage and extend over a
top rim of a drinking cup; a spout section including a protrusion
having at least one opening extending therethrough located at or
adjacent to a top portion thereof, said protrusion extending
upwardly from the upper surface of the lid; and a groove formed on
the upper surface of the lid, at least a portion of said groove
being in the vicinity of said at least one protrusion opening, said
groove forming an annular channel that is sufficient in size to
hold and trap spilled fluid.
12. The lid of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of said groove is
located on said spout section.
13. The lid of claim 11 further including a straw receptacle, said
straw receptacle being located on said protrusion adjacent to said
spout opening.
14. The lid of claim 13, wherein said straw receptacle includes a
plurality of break lines defining an opening.
15. The lid of claim 13 wherein said at least one spout opening and
said straw receptacle form a single opening.
16. The lid of claim 14 wherein said spout opening is located in
the middle of said plurality of break lines.
17. A lid for use on a drinking cup comprising: a first component
having a substantially flat circular surface area, said first
component including an outer perimeter and a central portion; a
second component for securing the lid to a drinking cup, said
second component extending downwardly from the outer perimeter of
said first component, said second component engaging and extending
over a top rim of a drinking cup; a raised third component having a
sipper opening, said sipper opening being located adjacent said
outer perimeter of said first component; a straw receptacle adapted
for facilitating insertion of a drinking straw into the drinking
cup; and a groove formed between the outer perimeter and the
central portion of said first component, said groove forming an
annular channel that is sufficient in size to hold and trap spilled
fluid.
18. The lid of claim 17 wherein said groove encompasses said straw
receptacle and includes at least a portion located in the vicinity
of said sipper opening.
19. The lid of claim 18 wherein that portion of said first
component encompassed by said groove is recessed from the remainder
of said first component.
20. A lid for use on a drinking cup comprising: a first component
having a substantially flat circular surface area, said first
component including an outer perimeter and a central portion; a
second component for securing the lid to a drinking cup, said
second component extending downwardly from the outer perimeter of
said first component, said second component engaging and extending
over a top rim of a drinking cup; a straw receptacle located on
said first component for facilitating insertion of a drinking straw
therethrough; and a groove formed on said first component and
encompassing said straw receptacle, said groove forming an annual
channel that is sufficient in size to hold and trap spilled fluid.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Applications Ser. No. 61/053,750, filed May 16,
2008, entitled SIPPER LID WITH STRAW CAPABILITY, which application
is hereby incorporated by reference to the extent permitted by
law.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates generally to drink-through cup lids,
commonly known as a "sippy lid," and, more particularly, to a
spill-proof lid for drinking containers.
[0003] Beverage container lids adapted to fasten over the rim or
lip of beverage containers are well known. Such lids reduce
spillage and evaporation of the beverage within the container and
help insulate the contents of the container from the external
ambient temperature. In their most simple form, such beverage
container lids comprise a generally flat lid surface in the form of
a disk having a peripheral sealing skirt for securing the lid to
the rim of the beverage container. Many prior art lids incorporate
an opening in the top of the lid in order to allow drinking of the
contents in the normal drinking fashion.
[0004] While such lids are suitable for the purposes just
described, some spills can not be avoided from the drinking of a
beverage through such lids, particularly where small children are
involved. This problem has been somewhat reduced with a sippy lid.
The sippy lid spouts are very helpful to kids. Commonly, these lids
have drinking spouts extending from their upper surface that a
child can place in his/her mouth to sip from the cups to which they
are attached. Some sippy lid spouts have open slots or holes
through which the liquid in the cup flows when the cup is
inverted.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 5,079,013 discloses a covered container having
a drinking spout that contains a liquid outlet control valve. The
control valve automatically closes when the container is overturned
or otherwise tips over. When a person's mouth exerts a suction
force to the drinking spout the control valve automatically opens
to enable the person to withdraw liquid from the container. The
person can drink from the covered container in various tilted
positions as long as the control valve is in contact with the
liquid.
[0006] Nonetheless, if the user desires to use a straw with the
sippy cup lid, the straw would have to be inserted after removing
the lid, or a straw adaptable lid would have to replace the sippy
lid. In an effort to overcome the aforementioned shortcomings, the
present invention provides lids utilizing both a straw opening and
a spout, depending upon the desired use by the user.
[0007] Further, some spillage cannot be avoided when drinking the
contents of a beverage from the spout of a sipping lid, or from a
straw opening. Some liquid is spilled during drinking from the
beverage cup through the spout, or through the straw opening. In
addition, unless the opening for the straw is exactly the same
diameter as the straw, the fluid within the cup may spill out of
the opening between the straw and the sides of the opening.
[0008] It is therefore desirable to provide a lid on a drinking
cup, particularly for small children, which serves a dual function
of providing a straw opening as well as a spout, and which can be
readily and conveniently used in various attitudes or positions in
accordance with the present invention. It is also desirable to
provide a drinking lid which improves spill prevention when
drinking from the beverage cup.
[0009] Specific advantages and features of the invention will be
apparent from the attached drawings and description of an
illustrative embodiment of the invention.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The invention relates to various embodiments of a sipper lid
having a straw opening and/or a drainage groove. The present
invention overcomes many of the shortcomings and limitations of the
prior art devices discussed above and teaches the construction and
operation of several embodiments of a sipper lid adapted for use
with a wide variety of different beverage containers. In one aspect
of the present invention, the lid includes a cup engaging section,
a spout section, and a straw receptacle. The cup engaging section,
adapted for securing the lid to a beverage cup, is generally shaped
to engage and extend over the top rim of the beverage cup and
typically extends downwardly toward the bottom of the beverage cup
for a short distance. The cup engaging section has an exterior
skirt portion which includes a peripheral groove to engage the
peripheral rim on the upper edge of the cup and to provide sealing
of the cup so that the lid is secured to the cup. The spout section
comprises a protrusion and at least one drink-through opening that
is located at or adjacent to the top of the protrusion. The
protrusion extends from the upper surface of the lid. At least one
opening enables the user to drink fluid through the spout section
when the cup is inverted or angled from the upright position to
allow the fluid in the cup to create hydrostatic pressure at the
opening. The openings are usually small in diameter to limit
outflow if the cup is inadvertently dropped or overturned. Some
suction can be applied by the user to increase the flow rate of the
fluid. The lid also includes a straw receptacle which functions as
a means for facilitating the insertion of a drinking straw into the
cup for withdrawing liquid by suction. The straw receptacle is
formed in a medial portion of the lid. The straw receptacle
includes a receptacle or break lines defining an opening, either of
which can accommodate the straw. The break lines allow the straw to
be inserted therethrough and facilitate engagement of the straw
with the lid such that the engagement minimizes the leakage of the
fluid. The straw is inserted through the straw receptacle and
provides fluid communication between the beverage cup and an
external environment.
[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the lid
further comprises a groove or channel adapted for accommodating and
holding spilled fluid within a confined area of the lid. The groove
is formed between the cup engaging section and a central portion of
the lid and encompasses the straw receptacle so as to readily
receive any fluid which may flow out of the spout section or the
straw receptacle during drinking. The groove forms an annular
channel that is sufficient in size to hold and trap any spilled
fluid, and which will channel the spilled fluid back towards the
user's mouth if drinking from the sippy spout.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the
present sipper lid constructed in accordance with the teachings of
the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present sipper lid constructed in accordance with the teachings of
the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the
present sipper lid constructed in accordance with the teachings of
the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of
the present sipper lid constructed in accordance with the teachings
of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of still another embodiment of
the present sipper lid constructed in accordance with the teachings
of the present invention.
[0017] It should be understood that the drawings are not
necessarily to scale and that the embodiments are sometimes
illustrated by graphic symbols, phantom lines, diagrammatic
representations and fragmentary views. In certain instances,
details which are not necessary for an understanding of the present
invention or which render other details difficult to perceive may
have been omitted. It should be understood, of course, that the
invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments
illustrated herein. Like numbers utilized throughout the various
Figures designate like or similar parts or structure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0018] The present invention is generally embodied in a lid for a
drinking cup. The lid may be used with drinking cups of various
types. The lid provides a cover for the cup to which it is attached
which inhibits spillage and reduces heat transfer between the
beverage and the surrounding atmosphere. The lid is secured in
place on the cup by an annular mounting portion which engages the
rim or lip of the cup, wherein the annular mounting portion
includes a downwardly extending skirt which forms the outer
peripheral circumference of the lid.
[0019] Referring to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 are perspective views
of several embodiments of a cup lid constructed in accordance with
the teachings of the present invention. The lid 10 illustrated in
FIG. 1 generally includes three main portions; a cup engaging
section 20, a spout section 30, and a straw receptacle 40. As used
herein, upper, lower and other position terms are used to describe
the invention as oriented in the drawings.
[0020] The cup engaging section 20 is generally shaped to extend
over the top rim of the beverage cup and extends downwardly toward
the cup bottom a pre-determined distance (not shown). The cup
engaging section 20 is shaped for mating with the corresponding rim
portion of the cup. In this regard, the cup engaging section 20 has
an exterior skirt portion 22 on its lower side, which includes a
peripheral groove to engage the peripheral rim (not shown) on the
upper edge of a drinking cup and to provide sealing of the drinking
cup so that the lid 10 is removably secured to the cup. The lower
edge of the exterior skirt portion 22 is bounded by a peripheral
ridge 24 which extends radially outwardly.
[0021] The spout section 30 comprises a protrusion 32 which extends
from the upper surface of the lid 10. The spout section 30 further
includes at least one opening 34 which enables the consumer to
drink through the spout section 30. The spout section 30 is
preferably integrally molded with the rest of the lid 10 and
extends upward from the top surface thereof to a distal end which
is shaped and sized to be comfortably received in a user's mouth
for drinking. The spout section 30 further includes at least one
drink-through opening 34 that is located at or adjacent to the top
of the protrusion 32. The drink-through opening 34 can be formed in
any convenient shape such as circular, elliptical, rectangular,
oval or any other shape which can dispense liquid directly into the
user's mouth. The spout section 30 is shown located adjacent to and
integral with the peripheral of the lid 10. In one embodiment, the
spout section 30 is preferably located on the opposite side of the
straw receptacle 40. In another embodiment, the spout section 30
could be located elsewhere, such as closer to the straw receptacle
40, depending upon the particular application. The size and shape
of the spout section 30 can likewise vary and it can take on a wide
variety of different sizes and shapes depending upon the
application.
[0022] The lid 10 also includes a straw receptacle 40 which
functions as a means for facilitating the insertion of a drinking
straw (not shown) into the associated cup for withdrawing liquid by
suction. The straw receptacle 40 can likewise be of any shape and
is formed on the top surface of the lid 10 so as to be adapted to
receive the straw. The straw receptacle 40 is formed in a medial
portion 12 of the lid 10 which is not raised. In one embodiment,
the straw receptacle 40 comprises a plurality of score or break
lines 44 that accommodate the straw. In another embodiment, the
straw receptacle 40 forms an opening to accommodate the straw. In
still another embodiment, the straw receptacle 40 comprises a
recess (not shown) within the lid 10, which forms a hollow
structure tapering from the underside of the lid 10 to a distal end
and defines, in an upper surface of the lid 10, an opening for
insertion of the straw. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the straw
receptacle 40 defines a plurality of break lines 44 which allow the
straw to be inserted therethrough and which facilitate engagement
of the straw with the lid 10 such that the engagement minimizes the
leakage of the fluid. The straw is inserted through the straw
receptacle 40 and provides fluid communication between the beverage
cup and an external environment, or a user sucking on the straw.
Although the straw receptacle 40 functions primarily to receive the
straw, such straw receptacle 40 can also serve as a vent. Like the
spout section 30, the straw receptacle 40 can be positioned
anywhere on a medial portion of the lid 10, but should be
positioned remote from the spout section 30 so as to prevent
spillage of any fluid through the straw receptacle 40 during
consumption of the fluid through the spout section 30.
[0023] Once break lines 44 are broken by the end of a straw, the
side walls 46 forming the receptacle 40 are separated from one
another along the break lines 44 and allow the straw to travel into
the cup between the respective side walls 46. As the straw passes
between side walls 46, the side walls 46 bend around the straw to
conform to the shape of the straw. Therefore, the side walls 46
provide a close engagement around the inserted straw, which acts to
seal the cup lid 10 around the straw to prevent the contents of the
cup from spilling out of the straw receptacle 40 from around and
between the straw and side walls 46. In use, the user will insert
the straw by pressing it through the break lines 44 from the upper
surface of the lid 10 in a matter consistent with intuition and
other straw-type lids.
[0024] FIGS. 2 and 3 disclose other embodiments 48 and 52 of the
present sipper lid 10. Like numbers in FIGS. 2 and 3 refer to like
structure through all of the drawings. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and
3, a groove or channel 50 is formed on the top surface of the lid
10 at a central portion 14 which readily receives any fluid which
may flow out of the spout section 30 or the straw receptacle 40
when the drinking cup is jarred or which may spill during
consumption of the beverage through either the spout opening 34 or
the straw receptacle 40. The central portion 14 is defined by the
groove or channel 50 and is that portion of the top surface of the
lid that is confined therewithin. The groove 50 defines the
perimeter of the central portion 14. FIG. 2 shows use of the groove
50 in conjunction with the spout section 30 and FIG. 3 shows use of
the groove 50 in combination with both the spout section 30 and the
straw receptacle 40. Because of this spillage tendency, the
drainage groove 50 is provided on the top face of lids 48 and 52 to
accommodate spilled fluid. As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 3, the
groove 50 forms an annular channel that is of sufficient size to
trap and collect spilled fluid. The groove 50 can be of any shape
and size and it is located in close vicinity to the spout opening
34 so as to allow the fluid to both enter the groove 50 and to
allow the fluid to travel back towards the mouth of a user during a
drinking motion when drinking from the spout opening 34. In this
regard, in the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the groove
50 travels along a portion 54 of the spout portion 32 as
illustrated. During a drinking motion from the spout opening 34,
the lids 48 and 52 will be tilted towards the mouth of the user
thereby allowing any fluid in the channel 50 to likewise flow
downhill towards the mouth of user for consumption. Other locations
on the top surface of the lids 48 and 52 for the groove 50 can
likewise be used for trapping spilled fluid and for preventing the
spilled fluid from running off of the lid surface depending upon
the overall configuration of the lid. In its primary purpose, the
groove 50 blocks and holds spilled fluid in the groove 50 and, in
its secondary purpose, it can likewise funnel the spilled fluid to
the user's mouth when drinking from the spout opening 34.
[0025] It is also recognized and anticipated that the central
portion 14 of the top surface of the present lid structure which is
defined by the perimeter of the groove or channel 50 can be
depressed or recessed so as to further hold any spilled fluid in
this confined area. In addition, the central portion 14 can
likewise be sloped towards the straw receptacle 40 in FIG. 3 so
that it can likewise funnel any spilled fluid towards the
receptacle 40 to return any such fluid to the beverage cup. In this
regard, the area surrounding the straw receptacle 40 can likewise
be further sloped or depressed so as to capture and aid in
funneling any wayward spilled fluid to such opening.
[0026] FIG. 4 illustrates still another embodiment of the present
lid structure 56 wherein the straw receptacle 40 and the sipper
opening 34 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 are combined in the spout
section of the lid. In this regard, the lid 56 includes a spout
section 58 which includes a protrusion 60 which extends from the
upper surface of the lid 56 as illustrated. In this embodiment, the
protrusion 60 is of sufficient width to include both at least one
sipper opening 62 and a straw opening 64. Like straw opening 40,
straw opening 64 may include a plurality of break or score lines 66
similar to break lines 44 discussed above for accommodating a
straw. The break lines 66 may be perforated or may include
sufficient space or openings therethrough between the respective
side walls forming the straw receptacle so as to allow the beverage
fluid to pass therethrough when the spout section 58 is used as a
sipper lid and a child is using the sipper opening 62 for consuming
a beverage. In this regard, the sipper opening 62 and the straw
receptacle 64 may be one and the same and the straw receptacle 64
may include a small sipper opening in the middle of the break lines
66 (not shown). It is also recognized that the sipper opening 62
can be separate and apart from the straw opening 64 as shown in
FIG. 4 and that the sipper opening 62 may include one or more small
openings around or adjacent to the straw opening 64 for allowing a
child to use the spout section 58 in conjunction with the at least
one sipper opening 62. Other configurations and arrangements of the
sipper opening 62 and the straw opening 64 on spout section 58 are
likewise recognized and envisioned. When the straw receptacle 64 is
used, a user again merely inserts a drinking straw through the
score or break lines 66 so as to allow the straw to travel into the
cup therebelow. Lid 56 also includes a groove or channel 50 and a
central portion 14 as illustrated for capturing and funneling any
spilled fluid back towards the mouth of the user when the sipper
opening 62 is used as previously explained with respect to
embodiments 48 and 52 illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3. In all other
respects, the construction and operation of the lid 56 is
substantially identical to lids 10, 48 and 52.
[0027] Still further, the overall dimensions of the present lid as
well as the specific shape and configuration of the various
sections associated therewith are also subject to wide variations
and may be sized and shaped into a wide variety of different sizes
and configurations so as to be compatible with the size and shape
of the particular beverage cup onto which the present structures
may be mounted, or to conform with any space limitations associated
therewith without impairing the teachings and practice of the
present invention. The configuration of the straw receptacle 40 and
the location of the groove 50 as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 could
also be changed as required to accommodate the position of the
spout section 30. In addition, the actual shape and travel pattern
of the groove 50 can likewise be varied.
[0028] The cup engaging section 20 of the lids 10, 48, 52 and 56
illustrated in the drawings will securely seal available beverage
cups with a rounded rim around the upper circumference, such as is
typically found in cups constructed primarily of molded plastic,
paperboard or other appropriate material depending upon the
particular application involved. Because both hot and cold
beverages of the type intended to be covered by the present lid are
often served in foam cups that lack this rim, the present lids have
been designed to seal this style of cup as well. It is contemplated
that the lids of the present invention can be used to seal many
difference types of cups. It is also pointed out that the cup
engaging section 20 could be modified to be adapted for any
suitable type of drinking cups.
[0029] The various embodiments of the present lid construction can
likewise be described in terms of a first component 11 (FIG. 3)
having a substantially flat circular surface area including an
outer perimeter 13 and a central portion 14; a second component 20
for securing the lid to a drinking cup, the second component
extending downwardly from the outer perimeter 13 of the first
component 11 and engaging and extending over a top rim portion of a
drinking cup; and a third raised component 30 having a sipper
opening 34 associated therewith, the sipper opening 34 being
located adjacent to the outer perimeter 13 of the first component 1
1. The straw receptacle 40 can be positioned and located on the
first component 11 as illustrated in FIG. 3, or it can be located
adjacent the sipper opening on the raised third component as
illustrated in FIG. 4. In similar fashion, the groove 50 can be
described as being formed between the outer perimeter 13 and the
central portion 14 of the first component 11 as best illustrated in
FIGS. 3 and 4. In this particular description, the first component
11 corresponds basically to the substantially flat upper surface
portion of the lid 10; the second component corresponds to the cup
engaging section 20 as previously explained; and the third raised
component corresponds to the spout sections 30 and 58 as previously
explained. As best illustrated in FIG. 3, the groove 50 encompasses
the straw receptacle 40 and includes at least a portion thereof
located in the vicinity of the sipper opening 34, this portion
corresponding to that portion of the groove 50 which travels along
the portion 54 of the protrusion 32 of spout section 30 in the
vicinity of the sipper opening 34 as best illustrated in FIG.
3.
[0030] In a preferred embodiment, the material of the lids 10, 48,
52 and 56 should be made of a thin but relatively hard plastic
material, such as polycarbonate or polypropylene. Those skilled in
the art will recognize that other materials can be used without
departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0031] Although illustrated with respect to a child's sippy cup,
aspects of the present invention are also applicable to other
drinking containers, such as sports bottles and the like. A number
of embodiments of the present invention have been described. It is
also recognized that the groove 50 could be used solely in
conjunction with a lid that only includes the straw receptacle 40
and no spout section 30. This embodiment is illustrated in FIG. 5
wherein the lid 68 includes a first component 69 having a
substantially flat circular top surface 70, the first component 69
likewise having an outer perimeter 13 and a central portion 14
associated therewith. The substantially flat top surface portion 70
includes a straw receptacle 40 and a groove 50 encompassing the
same as previously explained. The lid 68 likewise includes a second
component 20, namely, the cup engaging portion as previously
described which extends downwardly from the outer perimeter 13 of
the first component 69 and is adapted for securing the lid 68 to a
drinking cup. The lid 68 does not include a spout section 30 or its
associated projection 32 as illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The groove 50
is formed on the first component 69 and encompasses the straw
receptacle 40 as previously explained.
[0032] It is also understood that various modifications may be made
to all of the various embodiments without departing from the spirit
and scope of the present invention.
[0033] Thus, there has been shown and described several embodiments
of a novel invention. As is evident from the foregoing description,
certain aspects of the present invention are not limited by the
particular details of the examples illustrated herein, and it is
therefore contemplated that other modifications and applications,
or equivalents thereof, will occur to those skilled in the art.
[0034] Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and
applications of the present constructions will, however, become
apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the
specification and the accompanying drawings. All such changes,
modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do
not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to
be covered by the invention and the scope of the present disclosure
is not intended to be limited solely to the embodiments shown
herein. All structural and functional equivalents to the elements
of the various embodiments described throughout this disclosure
that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill
in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and are
intended to be encompassed by this disclosure.
* * * * *