U.S. patent application number 12/639649 was filed with the patent office on 2010-06-03 for one-piece splash and spill resistant lid.
This patent application is currently assigned to Waddington North America, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael G. Evans, Ashish K. Mithal, Van T. Walworth, Craig S. Whitaker, Matthew J. Wichmann.
Application Number | 20100133272 12/639649 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42269121 |
Filed Date | 2010-06-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100133272 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Whitaker; Craig S. ; et
al. |
June 3, 2010 |
ONE-PIECE SPLASH AND SPILL RESISTANT LID
Abstract
A one-piece disposable cup lid enables drinking while inhibiting
splashing and spilling by blocking straight-line paths through the
lid and dispensing beverage through a well. A drinking spout can
include a well having a sidewall, a bottom and a penetration into
the cup, or a sloping lid section can intersect a raised rim to
create a well therebetween, with a penetration in the sloping
section or the rim configured to block straight-line paths, for
example by upwardly hinging of a flap or depressing half of a
split, convex bubble. Embodiments include baffles that force a
beverage to flow through a convoluted path and/or through chambers
before being consumed. Baffles can be formed in place, or by hinged
movement of flaps after forming. Textures and/or protruding
structures can intercept, direct, and/or influence surface tension
as beverage flows across surfaces. Vent hole sizes and locations
can further limit flow and spilling.
Inventors: |
Whitaker; Craig S.;
(Fairfield, OH) ; Mithal; Ashish K.; (North
Chelmsford, MA) ; Wichmann; Matthew J.; (Cresent
Springs, KY) ; Evans; Michael G.; (Cincinnati,
OH) ; Walworth; Van T.; (Lebanon, TN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Vern Maine & Associates
PO Box 3445, 100 Main Street, Suite 2
Nashua
NH
03061-3445
US
|
Assignee: |
Waddington North America,
Inc.
Chelmsford
MA
|
Family ID: |
42269121 |
Appl. No.: |
12/639649 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
11972309 |
Jan 10, 2008 |
|
|
|
12639649 |
|
|
|
|
60879935 |
Jan 12, 2007 |
|
|
|
61122964 |
Dec 16, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/254.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00685
20130101; B65D 2543/00796 20130101; B65D 2543/00731 20130101; B65D
2231/025 20130101; B65D 2543/00537 20130101; B65D 2543/00638
20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D
43/0212 20130101; B65D 2543/00046 20130101; B65D 2205/02
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/254.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 47/00 20060101
B65D047/00 |
Claims
1. A one-piece lid for use with a drinking vessel, said one-piece
lid comprising: a peripheral rim configured for engaging with said
drinking vessel; a raised lid portion extending vertically from
said peripheral rim; a dispensing well descending from the raised
lid portion, said raised lid portion and said dispensing well being
configured for allowing consumption of a beverage contained within
an interior of said drinking vessel; and at least one well
penetration that provides fluid communication between an interior
of said drinking vessel and the dispensing well, the well
penetration being configured for inhibiting straight-line paths
between the interior of the drinking vessel and the dispensing well
and thereby inhibiting at least one of spilling and splashing of
said beverage contained within the interior of said drinking
vessel.
2. The one-piece lid of claim 1 further comprising a drinking spout
wherein the dispensing well is formed within the drinking spout,
thereby causing beverage flowing through the well penetration and
into the dispensing well to be drinkable from the drinking
spout.
3. The one-piece lid of claim 1, wherein the dispensing well is
configured for allowing beverage contained within the dispensing
well to flow through the well penetration and drain back into the
interior of the drinking vessel when the drinking vessel is held in
a generally upright orientation.
4. The one-piece lid of claim 1, wherein the dispensing well
comprises a plurality of side walls and a bottom, and wherein the
well penetration is formed in at least one of the side walls
amongst said plurality of side walls of the dispensing well.
5. The one-piece lid of claim 1, wherein the dispensing well
comprises a bottom and at least one sidewall, and wherein the well
penetration is formed by a vertical gap between the bottom and at
least one of said side walls.
6. The one-piece lid of claim 1, wherein the dispensing well is
formed by side walls, a first bottom tier, and a second bottom
tier, the well penetration being formed by a vertical gap between
said first bottom tier and said second bottom tier.
7. The one-piece lid of claim 1, wherein the dispensing well is
formed by side walls and a bottom, and at least a portion of the
bottom is inclined toward the well penetration, thereby allowing
beverage contained in the dispensing well to drain back through the
well penetration into the interior of the drinking vessel when the
drinking vessel is returned to a generally upright orientation.
8. The one-piece lid of claim 1, wherein the dispensing well
comprises a plurality of well penetrations, each of the well
penetrations providing fluid communication between the interior of
the drinking vessel and the dispensing well.
9. The one-piece lid of claim 1, further comprising a splash guard
descending from the raised lid portion toward the interior of the
drinking vessel and surrounding the dispensing well.
10. The one-piece lid of claim 1, further comprising at least one
fluid baffle positioned underneath the dispensing well and
configured to deflect beverage splashing from the interior of the
drinking vessel and requiring the beverage to move through a
convoluted path when flowing from the interior of the drinking
vessel to the dispensing well.
11. The one-piece lid of claim 10, wherein said at least one fluid
baffle comprises a hinged flap, said hinged flap being rotatable
about a living hinge.
12. The one-piece lid of claim 10, wherein said at least one fluid
baffle comprises a hinge flap and a stop ridge, said hinge flap
being rotatable about a living hinge and configured for engaging
with said stop ridge.
13. The one-piece lid of claim 1, wherein the dispensing well is
formed by an intersection between a downward sloping section of the
raised lid portion and a raised drinking rim.
14. The one-piece lid of claim 13, wherein the well penetration is
formed by a hinged flap formed in an inner wall of the raised
drinking rim.
15. The one-piece lid of claim 13, wherein said downward sloping
section comprises a split, convex bubble, and wherein said well
penetration is created by depressing a first portion of said split,
convex bubble into a concave configuration thereby creating an
opening between said first concave bubble portion and an adjacent
second convex bubble portion.
16. The disposable lid of claim 15, wherein a reinforcing structure
is provided such said second convex bubble portion is resistant to
depression compared to said first concave bubble portion.
17. The disposable lid of claim 15, wherein said first portion of
said split, convex bubble is depressible by a lip of a user while
drinking from said dispensing well.
18. The one-piece lid of claim 1, further comprising a vent hole
providing air communication between the interior of the drinking
vessel and air exterior to the lid.
19. The one-piece lid of claim 18, further comprising a vent well
cooperative with the vent hole and configured for collection of
escaped beverage and allowing said escaped beverage to flow back
into the interior of the drinking vessel.
20. The one-piece lid of claim 18, wherein the vent hole is
configured to inhibit straight-line paths from the interior of the
drinking vessel through the vent hole.
21. The one-piece lid of claim 18, further comprising a plurality
of sealed vent holes, said sealed vent holes being openable for
regulating beverage flow from the dispensing well.
22. The one-piece lid of claim 21, wherein said plurality of sealed
vent holes includes a plurality of vent hole sizes.
23. The one-piece lid of claim 18, wherein the vent hole is located
proximal to the dispensing well for allowing blockage of the vent
hole by beverage when the drinking vessel is tipped to a near
horizontal orientation, thereby inhibiting beverage flow from the
dispensing well.
24. The one-piece lid of claim 1, wherein at least one surface of
the lid includes at least one of a texture and a protruding
structure configured to influence flow of beverage across said at
least one surface.
25. The one piece lid of claim 1, wherein said lid is constructed
from at least one of paper, plastic, thermoplastic resin, foam, a
laminated material, a compostable resin, and a biodegradable
material.
26. The one piece lid of claim 1, wherein said lid is manufactured
by one of thermoforming, injection molding, compression molding,
vacuum forming, pressure forming, and hydro forming.
27. The one piece lid of claim 1, wherein said lid is injection
molded from a suitable grade of polypropylene resin.
28. The one-piece lid of claim 1, wherein said lid is
disposable.
29. The one piece lid of claim 1, wherein said well penetration is
in the form of an opening disposed in a plane approximately
parallel to an upright axis of the cup.
30. The one-piece lid of claim 1 further comprising a drink-through
opening in said raised lid portion.
31. The one-piece lid of claim 30, wherein said drink-through
opening is one of circular, rectangular, oval, and
semi-circular.
32. The one-piece lid of claim 1, wherein the dispensing well and
well penetration are configured to inhibit entry of solid
particulates from the drinking vessel into the dispensing well.
33. The disposable lid of claim 1, wherein said beverage is a
drinkable fluid including one of tea, coffee, soup, shake, juice,
and milk.
34. A splash resistant lid for a drink cup comprising: a peripheral
rim adapted for engaging with said drink cup; a raised portion
extending upwardly from said peripheral rim; and a dispensing well
disposed in said raised portion, said dispensing well comprising a
drink-through opening, a bottom wall and a peripheral sidewall
connected to said bottom wall, said dispensing well featuring at
least one inlet opening disposed proximate to an edge of said
bottom wall, said inlet opening being adapted for receiving a
beverage from said drink cup and transferring it to said
drink-through opening, said dispensing well being adapted for
drinking said beverage therethrough, and said inlet opening being
disposed in a plane substantially orthogonal to said drink-through
opening and thereby inhibiting straight line paths between an
interior of said drink cup and said drink-through opening.
35. The splash resistant lid according to claim 34, wherein said
bottom wall comprises at least one inclined section, said inclined
section having an underside, said underside being adapted to
deflect any splashes and block them from entering said
drink-through opening.
36. The splash resistant lid according to claim 34, wherein said
bottom wall comprises at least one inclined section, said inclined
section having a topside, said topside being adapted to drain back
any splashes to said interior of said drink cup through said inlet
opening.
37. The splash resistant lid according to claim 34, wherein said
lid is injection molded.
38. The splash resistant lid according to claim 34, wherein said
lid is made from polypropylene resin.
39. The splash resistant lid according to claim 34, wherein said
raised portion comprises a drinking spout and forms a one piece
construction.
40. The splash resistant lid according to claim 34, further
comprising at least one splash guard descending from said raised
portion towards the interior of said drink cup.
41. The splash resistant lid according to claim 34, further
comprising a fluid baffle positioned underneath said dispensing
well.
42. The splash resistant lid according to claim 41, wherein said
fluid baffle is rotatable about a living hinge.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/972,309, filed on Jan. 10,
2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for
all purposes. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/972,309 claims
priority based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/879,935,
filed Jan. 12, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety for all purposes. This application also claims the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/122,964, filed Dec.
16, 2008, which is also incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety for all purposes.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to lids for use with drinking vessels,
and more particularly to splash and spill resistant disposable lids
for drinking vessels.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Disposable lids are frequently used in combination with
drinking cups, coffee cups, and other types of drinking vessels and
containers from which a beverage can be consumed. Some lid designs
require removal of the lid from the drinking vessel for consuming
the beverage contained therein, however, most commercial drinking
cup lids feature a drink-through opening which allows a user to
consume the beverage contained in a drinking vessel without
removing the lid therefrom. Note that herein the terms "cup" and
"vessel" are used generically to refer to all types of vessels
and/or containers from which a beverage may be consumed.
[0004] Commonly used coffee cup lids typically feature a
drink-through opening proximate to the perimeter of the lid in the
form of a small unobstructed aperture or hole within the lid that
allows a person to drink coffee or other beverage without removing
the lid from the cup. In addition, at least one separate vent hole
is often included in a disposable lid so as to allow air to enter
the cup and equalize the pressure inside the cup as the beverage is
consumed.
[0005] Of course, while providing a drink-through opening in a
disposable lid facilitates consumption of the beverage therethrough
without separating the lid from the drinking vessel, it also
creates a risk that beverage could be inadvertently splashed or
spilled out through the opening if the cup is inadvertently tipped
or jostled, or is subjected to sudden acceleration or deceleration.
These situations are often encountered when the cup or other
drinking vessel is being transported, whether by hand or within a
cup holder in a moving vehicle, or while walking, climbing stairs
or traveling in an elevator or escalator.
[0006] Inadvertent spilling and splashing can create dangerous
situations when a user is driving or moving. With today's busy
lifestyle, consumption of beverages on-the-go and has become
commonplace, and inadvertent spilling and splashing of beverage can
be particularly irksome and embarrassing for a user when en route
to work or to a professional and/or social engagement. The term
"spilling" as generally used herein refers to inadvertent flowing
of a beverage out of a cup or drinking vessel; and, the term
"splashing" as generally used herein refers to the inadvertent
ejection or scattering from a cup of beverage droplets or modest
quantities of beverage that become airborne due to sudden and/or
rapid movement of the drinking vessel.
[0007] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that lids
for use with cold beverages such as sodas often include holes that
fit snuggly around drinking straws, whereby the length of the straw
effectively prevents splashing and spilling. However, straws are
typically not practical, or at least are not preferred, when
consuming a hot beverage such as tea, coffee, or hot chocolate.
[0008] Disposable lids designed for use with hot beverages
sometimes include small holes or flaps near their rims that can be
opened for drinking. However, turbulence or "sloshing" of a
beverage when the cup is nearly full can easily lead to spilling of
some liquid out from the hole, and jostling of the cup can cause
liquid to splash or spill through such a hole or flap.
[0009] A drainage well is sometimes provided in a disposable lid so
that small amounts of liquid that do spill or splash inadvertently
from the drinking hole (or through a vent hole) will pool in a
designated region of the lid and drain back into the cup. However,
such drainage wells are typically shallow, and are only effective
if the cup is maintained in a near-vertical orientation. In certain
situations, jostling may even cause liquid to splash or spill out
of the drainage well before it has drained back into the cup.
[0010] A drinking hole is sometimes placed at the top of a raised
spout, so as to reduce the likelihood that liquid will spill or
splash from the drinking hole. However, since the drinking hole is
in the direct path of a beverage splash, liquid is still able to
splash through the drinking hole if the cup is shaken or jostled
with sufficient force, for example if the beverage is being
consumed while traveling in a vehicle and the vehicle drives over a
pot hole or other uneven feature in the road, or is forced to brake
or maneuver suddenly.
[0011] Various types of lids with closable drinking holes and/or
spouts have been proposed and/or are in use. Some provide a
rotatable second piece that can seal the drinking hole, while
others provide a tethered cap or plug that can be used to seal the
drinking hole. However, these approaches only provide protection
from spilling and splashing when the drinking hole is closed or
blocked, and do not naturally inhibit spilling and splashing when
open. Furthermore, when the drinking hole is closed or blocked it
also prevents a user from consuming the beverage. In addition,
these lids tend to be multi-piece constructions and may be
generally too expensive to be practical for a disposable lid, or at
least may be too cumbersome to use, as they require a user to plug
and unplug the drinking hole manually each time a portion of
beverage is to be consumed.
[0012] Another approach is to provide a separate insert that can be
placed either on a cup or underneath a lid, the separate insert
having fluid passages that are not aligned with the drinking and
vent openings in the lid, thereby preventing straight-line travel
by splashed, airborne droplets from the cup interior through a lid
opening, and forcing the beverage to flow through a convoluted path
before exiting through the lid. However, providing and installing a
separate insert in addition to a lid is inconvenient and costly as
compared to using a one-piece lid, and therefore tends to be
impractical for disposable lids. Also, separate inserts can become
dislodged or can shift in position, and can therefore be
unreliable. This is true even if the insert is loosely attached to
the lid or separately attached to the rim of the cup.
[0013] What is needed, therefore, is a disposable, one-piece lid
for use with a drinking cup that enables drinking of a beverage
without requiring separation of the lid from the drinking cup,
while also inherently inhibiting or at least minimizing inadvertent
spilling and splashing of the beverage from the cup without
requiring deployment of manual plugs or blocking devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0014] A one-piece disposable lid is claimed that includes
structural features which enable drinking from a drinking cup while
also inherently inhibiting splashing and spilling of the beverage
from the drinking cup without requiring deployment of manual plugs
or blocking devices. Spilling and splashing are inhibited by
blocking straight-line paths that could be traversed by splashed,
airborne droplets so as to escape through openings in the lid and
by providing a dispensing well which allows any modest quantities
of beverage received or remaining into the dispensing well to be
drained back into the cup when the cup is held or returned to a
near upright position.
[0015] In some embodiments, a drinking spout is included, the
drinking spout comprising a dispensing well with at least one well
penetration or opening for allowing fluid communication between the
cup interior and the dispensing well. The well penetration allows
transferring of beverage from the cup interior to the dispensing
well for allowing a person to sip or consume the beverage by
placing their lips around the drinking spout. The direction of
fluid or beverage entry, through the well penetration, into the
dispensing well from the cup interior is substantially orthogonal
to the direction of beverage exit from the dispensing well for
consumption of the beverage. Splashing droplets are thereby
prevented from straight-line travel out of the spout, since
beverage must enter the well in a direction substantially
orthagonal to the central axis of the cup and then be dispensed in
a direction substantially parallel to the central axis of the
cup.
[0016] In other embodiments, the lid is elevated above the top of
the cup, and a section of the lid slopes downward and intersects a
raised rim wall so as to create a dispensing well therebetween. A
well penetration is provided either in the sloping section or the
inner wall of the raised rim, and is configured so that no
straight-line path is provided from the interior of the cup into
the dispensing well. In some of these embodiments, the well
penetration is formed by depressing part of a split, convex bubble
so as to form an opening through which a beverage can travel
horizontally. In certain of these embodiment a part of the convex
bubble is configured to be deformable by a user's lip so as to
create the drink-through opening and allowing beverage to pass
therethrough. In other embodiments, the opening is formed by an
upwardly hinged flap, the flap remaining above the opening so as to
intercept any splashed droplets that somehow manage to exit through
the opening.
[0017] Certain embodiments include baffles and/or other structures
that force a beverage to flow through a convoluted path before
being consumed. In some of these embodiments the baffles are formed
in place, while in other of these embodiments the baffles are
formed by hinged movement of flaps after forming of the lid. In
various embodiments, the baffles form one or more chambers through
which the beverage must flow before it can be consumed.
[0018] Embodiments of the present invention include textures and/or
protruding structures on one or more surfaces of the lid, so as to
direct fluid flow across one or more surfaces, intercept splashed
and/or rapidly flowing beverage, and/or enhance or retard retention
of fluid due to surface tension.
[0019] Various embodiments include one or more vent holes that
permit air to enter the cup and equalize the internal pressure as a
beverage is consumed. In some of these embodiments, the vent holes
are surrounded by vent wells, and in certain of these embodiments
the vent holes are structured so as to minimize splashing by
blocking straight-line passage of droplets from the cup interior
through the vent holes. In some of these embodiments a plurality of
vent holes is provided, which are initially sealed by blockages
that can be removed by a user, and in some of these embodiments the
plurality of vent holes includes vent holes of different sizes.
These embodiments enable a user to select how many and/or which
vent holes to open, so as to control the maximum rate at which a
beverage can flow from the cup. In still other embodiments, at
least one vent hole is located near the dispensing well, so that
tipping of the cup from vertical beyond a certain angle will cause
the beverage in the cup to block the vent hole, thereby minimizing
the rate of beverage spillage.
[0020] One general aspect of the present invention is a one-piece
lid for use with a drinking vessel. The one-piece lid includes a
peripheral rim configured for engaging with said drinking vessel, a
raised lid portion extending vertically from said peripheral rim, a
dispensing well descending from the raised lid portion, said raised
lid portion and said dispensing well being configured for allowing
consumption of a beverage contained within an interior of said
drinking vessel, and at least one well penetration that provides
fluid communication between an interior of said drinking vessel and
the dispensing well, the well penetration being configured for
inhibiting straight-line paths between the interior of the drinking
vessel and the dispensing well and thereby inhibiting at least one
of spilling and splashing of said beverage contained within the
interior of said drinking vessel.
[0021] Embodiments further include a drinking spout wherein the
dispensing well is formed within the drinking spout, thereby
causing beverage flowing through the well penetration and into the
dispensing well to be drinkable from the drinking spout. In some
embodiments the dispensing well is configured for allowing beverage
contained within the dispensing well to flow through the well
penetration and drain back into the interior of the drinking vessel
when the drinking vessel is held in a generally upright
orientation. In other embodiments the dispensing well includes a
plurality of side walls and a bottom, and wherein the well
penetration is formed in at least one of the side walls amongst
said plurality of side walls of the dispensing well.
[0022] In various embodiments the dispensing well includes a bottom
and at least one sidewall, and the well penetration is formed by a
vertical gap between the bottom and at least one of said side
walls. In certain embodiments the dispensing well is formed by side
walls, a first bottom tier, and a second bottom tier, the well
penetration being formed by a vertical gap between said first
bottom tier and said second bottom tier.
[0023] In some embodiments the dispensing well is formed by side
walls and a bottom, and at least a portion of the bottom is
inclined toward the well penetration, thereby allowing beverage
contained in the dispensing well to drain back through the well
penetration into the interior of the drinking vessel when the
drinking vessel is returned to a generally upright orientation. In
other embodiments the dispensing well comprises a plurality of well
penetrations, each of the well penetrations providing fluid
communication between the interior of the drinking vessel and the
dispensing well. And certain embodiments further include a splash
guard descending from the raised lid portion toward the interior of
the drinking vessel and surrounding the dispensing well.
[0024] Various embodiments further include at least one fluid
baffle positioned underneath the dispensing well and configured to
deflect beverage splashing from the interior of the drinking vessel
and requiring the beverage to move through a convoluted path when
flowing from the interior of the drinking vessel to the dispensing
well. In some of these embodiments said at least one fluid baffle
comprises a hinged flap, said hinged flap being rotatable about a
living hinge. In other of these embodiments, said at least one
fluid baffle comprises a hinge flap and a stop ridge, said hinge
flap being rotatable about a living hinge and configured for
engaging with said stop ridge.
[0025] In certain embodiments the dispensing well is formed by an
intersection between a downward sloping section of the raised lid
portion and a raised drinking rim. In some of these embodiments the
well penetration is formed by a hinged flap formed in an inner wall
of the raised drinking rim. In other of these embodiments said
downward sloping section comprises a split, convex bubble, and said
well penetration is created by depressing a first portion of said
split, convex bubble into a concave configuration thereby creating
an opening between said first concave bubble portion and an
adjacent second convex bubble portion. In some of these embodiments
a reinforcing structure is provided such said second convex bubble
portion is resistant to depression compared to said first concave
bubble portion. And in other of these embodiments said first
portion of said split, convex bubble is depressible by a lip of a
user while drinking from said dispensing well.
[0026] Certain embodiments further include a vent hole providing
air communication between the interior of the drinking vessel and
air exterior to the lid. Some of these embodiments further include
a vent well cooperative with the vent hole and configured for
collection of escaped beverage and allowing said escaped beverage
to flow back into the interior of the drinking vessel. In other of
these embodiments the vent hole is configured to inhibit
straight-line paths from the interior of the drinking vessel
through the vent hole. Various of these embodiments further include
a plurality of sealed vent holes, said sealed vent holes being
openable for regulating beverage flow from the dispensing well. And
in some of these embodiments said plurality of sealed vent holes
includes a plurality of vent hole sizes. In various embodiments
that further include a vent hole, the vent hole is located proximal
to the dispensing well for allowing blockage of the vent hole by
beverage when the drinking vessel is tipped to a near horizontal
orientation, thereby inhibiting beverage flow from the dispensing
well.
[0027] In certain embodiments at least one surface of the lid
includes at least one of a texture and a protruding structure
configured to influence flow of beverage across said at least one
surface. In some embodiments said lid is constructed from at least
one of paper, plastic, thermoplastic resin, foam, a laminated
material, a compostable resin, and a biodegradable material. In
other embodiments said lid is manufactured by one of thermoforming,
injection molding, compression molding, vacuum forming, pressure
forming, and hydro forming. In various embodiments said lid is
injection molded from a suitable grade of polypropylene resin. And
in certain embodiments said lid is disposable.
[0028] In various embodiments said well penetration is in the form
of an opening disposed in a plane approximately parallel to an
upright axis of the cup. Other embodiments further include a
drink-through opening in said raised lid portion. And in some of
these embodiments said drink-through opening is one of circular,
rectangular, oval, and semi-circular.
[0029] In certain embodiments the dispensing well and well
penetration are configured to inhibit entry of solid particulates
from the drinking vessel into the dispensing well. And in other
embodiments said beverage is a drinkable fluid including one of
tea, coffee, soup, shake, juice, and milk.
[0030] Another general aspect of the present invention is a splash
resistant lid for a drink cup. The splash resistant lid includes a
peripheral rim adapted for engaging with said drink cup, a raised
portion extending upwardly from said peripheral rim, and a
dispensing well disposed in said raised portion, said dispensing
well comprising a drink-through opening, a bottom wall and a
peripheral sidewall connected to said bottom wall,
[0031] said dispensing well featuring at least one inlet opening
disposed proximate to an edge of said bottom wall, said inlet
opening being adapted for receiving a beverage from said drink cup
and transferring it to said drink-through opening, said dispensing
well being adapted for drinking said beverage therethrough, and
[0032] said inlet opening being disposed in a plane substantially
orthogonal to said drink-through opening and thereby inhibiting
straight line paths between an interior of said drink cup and said
drink-through opening.
[0033] In some embodiments said bottom wall comprises at least one
inclined section, said inclined section having an underside, said
underside being adapted to deflect any splashes and block them from
entering said drink-through opening. In other embodiments said
bottom wall comprises at least one inclined section, said inclined
section having a topside, said topside being adapted to drain back
any splashes to said interior of said drink cup through said inlet
opening.
[0034] In certain embodiments said lid is injection molded, and in
various embodiments said lid is made from polypropylene resin.
[0035] In some embodiments said raised portion includes a drinking
spout and forms a one piece construction. Other embodiments further
include at least one splash guard descending from said raised
portion towards the interior of said drink cup. Certain embodiments
further include a fluid baffle positioned underneath said
dispensing well. And in some of these embodiments said fluid baffle
is rotatable about a living hinge.
[0036] The features and advantages described herein are not
all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and
advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in
view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it
should be noted that the language used in the specification has
been principally selected for readability and instructional
purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject
matter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] FIG. 1A is a cross sectional perspective view of an
embodiment that includes a central vent hole with a surrounding
vent well and a drinking spout containing a dispensing well having
a sloped bottom with a vertical gap open to the cup interior along
one edge of the sloped bottom;
[0038] FIG. 1B is a close-up illustration of the spout and
dispensing well portion of FIG. 1A;
[0039] FIG. 1C is a close-up illustration of the spout and
dispensing well portion of an embodiment similar to FIG. 1B, but
having a well bottom that is centrally divided into two offset
horizontal halves with a vertical gap therebetween that is open to
the cup interior;
[0040] FIG. 1D is a close-up illustration of the spout and
dispensing well portion of an embodiment similar to FIG. 1C, but
having a well bottom that is centrally divided into two offset
halves that slope towards each other with a vertical gap
therebetween;
[0041] FIG. 1E is a close-up illustration of the spout and
dispensing well portion of an embodiment similar to FIG. 1D, but
having a well bottom that is centrally divided into two halves that
slope away from each other toward vertical gaps at their edges, the
sloped bottom halves including surface structures that encourage
drainage toward the vertical gaps;
[0042] FIG. 1F is a close-up illustration of the spout and
dispensing well portion of an embodiment similar to FIG. 1B, but
having a dispensing well bottom that is horizontal and dispensing
well walls that include a plurality of vertical penetrations
through which beverage can flow into and out of the dispensing
well, the dispensing well being surrounded by a splash guard within
the drinking spout that prevents laterally moving beverage from
directly flowing through the penetrations and into the dispensing
well;
[0043] FIG. 1G is a close-up illustration of the spout and
dispensing well portion of an embodiment similar to FIG. 1F, but
having a well bottom that is formed by a horizontal baffle
extending beyond the dispensing well to the inner walls of the
spout;
[0044] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a disposable lid that
includes a raised upper portion having a section that is ramped
downward toward a raised drinking rim so as to form a dispensing
well therebetween, a split bubble being included in the sloping
section, both halves of the split bubble being convexly configured
so as to close the split between them, a plurality of vent holes
being provided in separate vent hole draining wells, the vent holes
being configured with split offset openings so as to inhibit
splashing of beverage therethrough;
[0045] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the disposable lid of FIG.
2A wherein one half of the split bubble has been depressed into a
concave configuration, creating thereby a vertical opening between
the two halves of the split bubble;
[0046] FIG. 2C is a perspective cross sectional view of the
embodiment of FIG. 2B;
[0047] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an embodiment similar to
FIG. 2A, but including a vertical well penetration formed in the
inner wall of the drinking rim by an upwardly hinged flap, the flap
being positioned to intercept splashed droplets that somehow travel
through the vertical penetration, a pair of vent holes also being
included near the penetration;
[0048] FIG. 4A is a cross-section profile through an embodiment
similar to FIG. 1A, but including an internal hinged flap and stop
ridge, the hinged flap being hingedly rotatable about a living
hinge so as to engage with the stop ridge and thereby form a baffle
within the drinking spout;
[0049] FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional profile through the embodiment
of FIG. 4A, showing the hinged flap engaged with the stop ridge so
as to form the baffle within the drinking spout;
[0050] FIG. 4C is a perspective view from above of the embodiment
of FIG. 4A, indicating the location of the living hinge;
[0051] FIG. 4D is a perspective view from below of the embodiment
of FIG. 4A, showing the hinged flap engaged with the stop ridge so
as to form the baffle below the dispensing well in the drinking
spout;
[0052] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional profile through the drinking
spout portion of an embodiment similar to FIG. 4A, but including
two offset hinged flaps attached by living hinges to opposing inner
sides of the drinking spout and two corresponding stop ridges;
[0053] FIG. 5B is a cross sectional profile of the embodiment of
FIG. 5A, showing both of the hinged flaps engaged with the
corresponding stop ridges so as to form a pair of vertically offset
horizontal baffles within the drinking spout;
[0054] FIG. 6A is a perspective view from above of an embodiment
similar to FIG. 5A, but including three hinged flaps offset
vertically and circumferentially about the lid and attached
alternately to the inner and outer sides of the drinking spout;
[0055] FIG. 6B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 6A
from below, showing the three hinged flaps engaged with
corresponding stop ridges so as to form overlapping baffles below
the dispensing well of the drinking spout;
[0056] FIG. 6C is a simplified diagram showing the relative
horizontal and vertical offsets of the hinged flaps of FIG. 6B;
[0057] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an embodiment similar to
FIG. 6A, but wherein the hinged flaps include angled edges and
protruding portions; and
[0058] FIG. 7B is a simplified diagram showing the relative
positioning and offsets of the hinged flaps of FIG. 7A, and
indicating how the angled edges and protruding portions cause the
flaps to form a single, multi-level baffle with flow-directing
surface features.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0059] The present invention is generally directed towards
one-piece lids that engage with a drinking cup or a similar vessel
and allow a user to drink therefrom while naturally inhibiting
splashing and spilling of beverage from the drinking vessel. As
noted elsewhere, the lid constructions according to various
embodiments of the invention offer particular utility for
disposable drinking cups which are typically used for holding cold
and hot beverages and are generally constructed from paper, plastic
or foam materials. The drinking spout and dispensing well
constructions in accordance with various embodiments of the
invention can be utilized for consuming all kinds of hot and cold
beverages including, coffee, tea, soup, shakes, frappes, and slush
drinks. According to still other embodiments of the invention the
lid spout and dispensing well constructions can be used for
dispensing fluid materials including dressing, vinegar, coffee
cream etc. According to still other embodiments of the invention
the dispensing well construction can be adapted for sprinkling
salt, pepper, spices and/or other granular or powdered substances.
Accordingly, the following description of specific embodiments, in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, is offered as
illustrative of the invention, and should not be regarded as
restricting the scope of the invention.
[0060] With reference to FIG. 1A, there is shown a cut-away
perspective view of a one-piece disposable lid 100 according to an
embodiment of the present invention. Lid 100 is adapted to engage
with and fit onto a drinking cup (not shown). Lid 100 has an outer
side 30 and an underside 40. The outer side 30 of lid 100 is
intended to be on the outside when lid 100 is fitted on the
drinking cup in the intended manner of use for consuming a beverage
therefrom. Underside 40 of lid 100 is the side that is towards the
cup when lid 100 is placed on the cup in the intended manner. Note
that herein the term "cup" is used generically to refer to all
types of vessels or containers from which a beverage may be
consumed and/or dispensed.
[0061] Lid 100 is formed by a single piece construction and can be
manufactured using a variety of methods and materials. According to
various embodiments of the invention the lid can be constructed
from a plastic material, a paper substrate, a biodegradable
material, a compostable material, or a combination of heterogeneous
materials including at least one of paper, plastic, and foam
materials or from mixtures thereof. According to other embodiments
of the present invention the lid can be molded, formed, pressed,
fabricated, or shaped utilizing a variety of processing methods and
manufacturing techniques. According to a specific embodiment of the
invention the lid 100 can be injection molded from a suitable
plastic material. According to another embodiment of the invention
the lid 100 can be made of polypropylene or similar thermoplastic
resins. According to still other embodiments of the invention lid
100 can be thermoformed or compression molded.
[0062] Lid 100 includes structural features 102, 104 which allow a
beverage contained in a drinking cup to be drunk through the lid
100; and which also inhibit splashing and spilling of the beverage
from the drinking cup through the lid 100 without requiring closing
or capping of a lid opening. Spilling and splashing are inhibited
by substantially blocking or obstructing straight-line paths that
could be traversed from the cup interior through openings in the
lid 100 by splashed, airborne droplets or fluid masses; and by
providing a dispensing well 104 which allows modest quantities of
beverage which may reach the dispensing well inadvertently, due to
movement or sudden acceleration or deceleration of the drinking
cup, to be drained back into the drinking cup. In some embodiments,
the dispensing well 104 is able to contain at least 0.25 ml of
beverage when the drinking vessel is tipped from vertical by not
more than 45 degrees.
[0063] Lid 100 comprises an outer peripheral portion 50, an interim
annular portion 60 raised above outer peripheral portion 50, and a
central body portion 70.
[0064] Outer peripheral portion 50 of lid 100 is adapted for
engaging with the drinking cup, and underside 40 has an underside
peripheral channel 54 which typically has a C-shaped or U-shaped
cross-section and which is adapted to grip and receive a drinking
cup lip therein, and thereby form a leak-tight seal between the
respective perimeters of lid 100 and the drinking cup adapted for
use therewith. The drinking cup lip may comprise a rolled-lip or
bead-like configuration. Alternately, the cup lip may be in the
form of a turned-down lip or other similar configuration as is well
known to those skilled in the art.
[0065] Outer peripheral portion 50 of lid 100 also has a peripheral
skirt 52 which extends downwardly from the underside peripheral
channel 54 and flares outwardly therefrom. Peripheral skirt 52
facilitates a good lid-fit by centering and guiding the drinking
cup lip within peripheral channel 54 when lid 100 is pushed
downwardly against the cup lip for securely snapping lid 100 onto
the cup.
[0066] Interim annular portion 60 comprises an outer sidewall 61, a
top wall 62 and an inner sidewall 63. Underside peripheral channel
54 is connected to outer sidewall 61 and defines a peripheral
recess 56 therebetween; peripheral recess 56 is disposed on the
outer side 30 of lid 100. Interim annular portion 60 extends
upwardly from the inward edge of peripheral recess 56 along outer
sidewall 61 which connects with a top wall portion 62 and slopes
downwardly along inner sidewall 63 and circumscribes central body
portion 70 of lid 100. Outer sidewall 61, top wall 62 and inner
sidewall 63 cooperate to form a raised frontal section or drinking
spout 102 and ramp down on either side of the raised frontal
section or drinking spout 102. Interim annular portion 60 is
generally shaped so as to minimize incidental contact of the lid
with a consumer's nose and upper lip during consumption of a
beverage. Drinking spout 102 is shaped for allowing consumption of
the beverage without requiring a consumer to excessively tilt his
or her head backwards as the cup approaches the final sips, thereby
avoiding line-of-sight impediment.
[0067] The inner sidewall 63 of the interim annual portion 60 is
connected to the central body portion 70 of lid 100 via mid wall
72. Mid wall 72 may also include a vent hole 110. Vent hole 110 is
adapted for maintaining pressure equilibrium between the interior
of the lidded cup and the surroundings thus allowing the user to
comfortably drink from the cup. Vent hole 110 may further serve as
a drain hole for any excess beverage that accidentally overflows on
the top of central body portion 70. While the vent hole 110 is
shown to be centrally located in FIG. 1A, it will be realized that
in similar embodiments the vent hole 110 is located elsewhere on
the lid 100. In the embodiment of FIG. 1A, the centrally located
vent hole 110 is surrounded by a collecting well 106 that can
collect small amounts of leaked beverage or overflow and allow the
beverage to drain back through the vent hole 110 and into the
cup.
[0068] Drinking spout 102 includes a beverage dispensing well 104
located in the top wall 62. The raised frontal section or drinking
spout 102 and the width of the top wall 62 in the frontal section
of lid 100 are adapted and dimensioned for positioning the raised
frontal section or drinking spout 102 between a person's lips for
drinking comfortably therethrough. During use, the outer sidewall
61 is adapted for touching the person's bottom lip while the inner
sidewall 63 is adapted for touching the upper lip of the
person.
[0069] According to other embodiments of the invention, the
location of drinking spout 102 is adapted for regulating the
quantity of beverage dispensed therefrom while sipping, and/or the
vent hole is located proximate to the drinking spout 102 for
preventing spillage therethrough when, for example, the cup is
accidentally knocked over sideways. Thus the flow of beverage that
is dosed out of the dispensing well 104 is regulated by the
differential in air pressure inside the cup vs. air pressure of the
surroundings since, when the vent hole 110 becomes plugged by
beverage, no additional beverage can issue out of the spout 102
until the user puts the cup down and allows re-equilibration of air
pressure between the inside of the cup and the surroundings. This
is particularly helpful when the beverage inside the cup is hot and
an inadvertently large sip can burn a consumer's mouth.
[0070] The construction of the drinking spout 102 is shown in FIG.
1B. The beverage dispensing well 104 has downwardly projecting
peripheral walls comprising a front wall 82; a pair of downwardly
projecting sidewalls 112 (only one sidewall is visible in the
cutaway view shown in FIG. 1B); a downwardly projecting back wall
83; and an inclined bottom wall 114. Back wall 83 is shown with a
side opening 116 located adjacent to the lower edge of the bottom
wall 114 which is adapted for allowing beverage from the cup to be
fed to the dispensing well 104 thereby forming a drink-through
opening defined by the dispensing well walls and the upper
peripheral edge 86 of the well 104. Arrow 90 represents the flow of
the beverage from side opening 116 to the upper peripheral edge 86
of the well 106 when the cup-lid assembly is tilted by a person for
consuming the beverage. Opening 116 lies in a plane that is
substantially vertical and parallel to the upright cup axis.
[0071] The positioning and orientation of the opening 116 in
cooperation with the depth and configuration of the dispensing well
104 inhibit splashed beverage from becoming airborne and escaping
from the drinking spout. If a small amount of beverage from the cup
inadvertently and unintentionally passes through the opening 116,
for example due to tipping, shaking, or jostling of the cup, the
liquid will remain in the dispensing well 104 and drain back
through the opening 116 into the cup.
[0072] In the embodiments shown herein, all the features and wall
members are integral to the lid 100 and hence allow lid 100 to be
molded, formed or manufactured as a one piece structure. It will be
realized that various modifications of this concept can be made by
manipulating the angle of inclination of bottom wall 114, or
providing a plurality of openings in any of the wall portions
defined by pair of sidewalls 112, front wall 82 and back wall
83.
[0073] According to another embodiment of the invention (not shown)
the inclination of the bottom wall 114 is reversed and instead of
having an inclination towards the back wall 83, as shown in FIG. 1B
bottom wall 114 is tilted towards front wall 82 and the side
opening 116 for transferring beverage is provided in the front wall
82.
[0074] In yet another embodiment the openings are provided in the
pair of sidewalls 112 and the bottom wall 114 comprises two
inclined portions one inclined towards one sidewall and the other
inclined towards another sidewall. Thus, the specific inclination
of bottom wall 114 or the location of the side opening 116 is shown
in FIG. 1B by way of illustration, and is not intended as a
limitation of the invention.
[0075] According to a specific embodiment of the invention, lid 100
is made of a suitable thermoplastic material which can be processed
by common polymer processing methods known in the art. The choice
of a thermoplastic resin is typically governed by a variety of
factors including cost, resin processability, and other functional
requirements of the plastic part. In a preferred embodiment of the
invention, lid 100 is injection molded from a suitable grade of
polypropylene resin. However, it will be apparent to those skilled
in the art that lid 100 can be adapted for manufacture by other
known methods of processing plastics, including thermoforming,
vacuum forming, pressure forming, and compression molding. Lid 100
can also be constructed from a suitable material such as foam,
coated paper, or paper/plastic laminates suitable for handling the
conditions of use and the temperatures typically employed while
serving hot and cold beverages.
[0076] Although, some variations in the shown embodiment have been
discussed above, numerous other embodiments are possible and within
the scope of the invention.
[0077] FIG. 1C shows an enlarged cutaway view of the spout portion
according to another embodiment of the invention wherein the lid
parts bear the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1B. Dispensing
well 104 has a downwardly projecting front wall 82; a pair of
downwardly projecting sidewalls 112 (only one sidewall is visible
in the cutaway view shown in FIG. 1C); a downwardly projecting back
wall 83; a first tier bottom wall 114A and a second tier bottom
wall 114B. A vertical opening 116 is disposed between first tier
bottom wall 114A and second tier bottom wall 114B. Vertical opening
116 is adapted for allowing beverage from the cup to be fed to the
dispensing well 104, thereby forming a drink-through opening
defined by the dispensing well walls and the upper peripheral edge
86 of the dispensing well 104. Arrow 90 represents the flow of the
beverage from vertical opening 116 to the upper peripheral edge 86
of the dispensing well 104 when the cup-lid assembly is tilted by a
person for consuming the beverage.
[0078] FIG. 1D shows an enlarged cutaway view of the dispensing
well portion 102 according to yet another embodiment of the
invention wherein the lid parts bear the same reference numerals as
FIGS. 1B and 1C. Dispensing well 104 has a downwardly projecting
front wall 82; a pair of downwardly projecting well sidewalls 112
(only one well sidewall is visible in the cutaway view shown in
FIG. 4); a downwardly projecting well back wall 83; and a first
tier well bottom wall 114A and a second tier well bottom wall 114B.
A vertical opening 116 is disposed between first tier bottom wall
114A and second tier bottom wall 114B. Vertical opening 116 is
adapted for allowing beverage from the cup to be fed to the well
104 thereby forming a drink-through opening defined by the well
walls and the upper peripheral edge 86 of the dispensing well 104.
The first and second tier bottom walls 114A and 114B are inclined
towards the vertical opening 116 so as to allow any excess beverage
to drain back into the cup. Arrow 90 represents the flow of the
beverage from vertical opening 116 to the upper peripheral edge 86
of the well 104 when the cup-lid assembly is tilted by a person for
consuming the beverage.
[0079] FIG. 1E shows an enlarged cutaway view of the drinking spout
portion 102 according to still another embodiment of the invention
wherein the lid parts bear the same reference numerals as FIGS. 1B
through 1D. Well 104 has a downwardly projecting well front wall
82; a pair of downwardly projecting well sidewalls 112 (only one
well sidewall is visible in the cutaway view shown in FIG. 1E); a
downwardly projecting well back wall 83; and a first inclined well
bottom wall 114A and a second inclined well bottom wall 114B. A
first side opening 116A is provided in the well back wall 83. A
second side opening 116B is provided in the well front wall 82.
First side opening 116A and second side opening 116B are adapted
for allowing beverage from the cup to be fed to the well 104
thereby forming a drink-through opening defined by the well walls
and the upper peripheral edge 86 of the well 104. The first and
second inclined well bottom walls 114A and 114B are inclined
towards the openings 116A and 116B, respectively so as to allow any
excess beverage to drain back into the cup. Arrows 90A and 90B
represent the respective flows of the beverage from side openings
116A and 116B to the upper peripheral edge 86 of the well 104 when
the cup-lid assembly is tilted by a person for consuming the
beverage.
[0080] In the embodiment of FIG. 1E, surface structures 118 are
included on the top surfaces of bottom walls 114A, 114B, so as to
guide and encourage beverage to flow back into the cup if it is
inadvertently splashed or spilled into the dispensing well 104.
[0081] Different fluids have different viscosities and different
surface tension and/or wetting characteristics. Accordingly, some
embodiments of the present invention include textures, baffles,
and/or other structural features 118 on various surfaces so as to
intercept splashed droplets or rapidly flowing beverage, direct
beverage flow, and/or promote or inhibit surface tension and flow
properties of beverage on the surfaces. Furthermore, it will be
appreciated by skilled artisans that the depth of the dispensing
well 104 and the size of the side opening 116 can be optimized with
respect to viscosity and fluid properties of a typical beverage so
as to control the amount of beverage that is likely to be splashed
into the dispensing well when the drink cup is jostled the speed
with which the beverage can be drained back into the cup, and the
amount of beverage that can be spilled through the opening 116
without overflowing the dispensing well 104. For example, on one
hand a deeper well 104 and a relatively small opening 116 may be
desirable to provide superior spill and splash resistance, however,
a small opening 116 may also interferes with the rate of dispensing
and a drainage back into the cup and may adversely affect ease of
drinking.
[0082] FIG. 1F illustrates the spout portion of yet another
embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the
dispensing well 104 has a flat bottom 114 surrounded by walls that
are penetrated by a plurality of vertical openings 116. The number
and sizes of the openings are selected in various embodiments so as
to provide a desired rate of flow during drinking, while
intercepting and breaking up most splashed airborne droplets that
might somehow strike the openings. The inhibition of splashing in
this embodiment is further enhanced by a splash-guarding baffle 120
within the drinking spout 102 that surrounds the outside of the
dispensing well 104. The splash-guarding baffle 120 is configured
for blocking direct access to openings 116, and so as to require a
beverage to flow vertically through a narrow space between the
baffle 120 and the well 104 before changing directions and flowing
horizontally through the openings into the dispensing well 104.
[0083] In various embodiments, the sizes and numbers of the
openings 116, as well as the complexity of the path through which a
beverage must flow before entering the dispensing well 104, result
in a short delay between tipping of the cup and effluence of the
beverage, thereby providing an opportunity to prevent, or at least
to limit, spilling of the beverage if the cup is accidentally
overturned by quickly returning the cup to an upright orientation.
Space between the dispensing well 104 and the inner walls of the
drinking spout 102 also allows any particulates contained in the
beverage, such as coffee grounds or tea leaves, to be collected and
prevented from flowing out of the cup with the beverage.
[0084] FIG. 1G illustrates an embodiment wherein the bottom of the
dispensing well 104 is formed by a baffle 114 that extends beyond
the dispensing well 104 to the inner surfaces of the walls of the
drinking spout 102. This creates secondary openings 122 through
which the beverage must flow before passing through the primary
openings 116 and into the dispensing well. Note that in this
embodiment beverage must flow in three orthogonal directions before
emerging from the cup. First, the beverage must flow
circumferentially through a secondary opening 122 so as to reach
the upper surface of the baffle 114. Then the fluid must flow
radially through a primary opening 116 into the dispensing well
104. Finally, the fluid must flow vertically (i.e. axially) so as
to emerge out of the dispensing well 104.
[0085] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of an embodiment in which the
lid 200 includes a raised portion 202, a section of which 204
slopes downward toward a raised drinking rim 206 so as to form
therebetween a dispensing well. The raised portion 202 includes a
plurality of vent holes 208, each surrounded by a separate vent
well 210 that is able to collect small amounts of spilled beverage
and allow it to drain back into the cup. In some embodiments, the
vent holes 208 are positioned relative to the dispensing well so as
to maximize delivery to the nose of a consumer of aroma from the
beverage contained within the cup.
[0086] The sloping section 204 of the lid 200 has formed therein a
convex bubble that is split into two halves 212A, 212B. When both
of the bubble halves 212A, 212B are in a convex configuration, as
shown in FIG. 2A, the edges of the two halves 212A, 212B meet, and
beverage is inhibited from passing therebetween.
[0087] As illustrated in FIG. 2B, when one half 212A of the bubble
is pressed into a concave configuration, for example when a user
presses on the upper half 212A of the bubble so as to begin
consuming the beverage, a substantially vertical opening is formed
between the two bubble halves 212A, 212B, through which the
beverage can pass when the cup is tipped so as to flow into the
dispensing well adjacent to the drinking rim 206 and thereby be
available for drinking. The configuration of the opening between
the bubble halves 212A, 212B requires the beverage to flow in a
substantially horizontal direction so as to pass through the
opening. This configuration tends to inhibit passage of splashed,
airborne droplets through the opening, since the splashed droplets
would tend to strike the lid 200 while traveling in a vertical
direction. By enabling a user to press on a portion of the split
bubble, and thereby open the passage for beverage to flow into the
dispensing well, the embodiment of FIG. 2B thereby tends to shift
liability for use of the invention from a supplier to a user.
[0088] According to some embodiments of the invention, bubble half
212A is configured to undergo deformation against slight pressure
exerted by a user's upper lip while the user is drinking therefrom,
thereby obviating the need for pre-depressing the bubble half
212A.
[0089] FIG. 2C is a cross-sectional illustration of the embodiment
of FIG. 2B. Note that the vent holes 208 also include a
split-bubble configuration that tends to prevent splashing of
beverage through the vent holes 208. Note also that the embodiment
of FIG. 2C includes a stiffening feature 214 applied to the
underside of the bubble half 212B that prevents a user from
inadvertently depressing the bubble half 212B.
[0090] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of lid 300 according to an
embodiment of the invention similar to FIG. 2A, but including an
upwardly hinged flap 302 that forms an opening in the inner wall of
the drinking rim 206. The opening is configured so as to require a
beverage to flow horizontally through the opening. This
configuration inhibits passage of splashed, airborne droplets
through the opening, since the splashed droplets would tend to
strike the lid 300 while traveling vertically. In addition, the
upwardly hinged flap 302 is positioned so as to intercept any
airborne droplets that somehow manage to fly through the
opening.
[0091] FIG. 4A is a cross-section profile through lid 400 which is
similar to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1A, but additionally
includes an upwardly hinged flap 402 attached by a "living hinge"
406 to an inner wall of the spout 102. The embodiment 400 also
includes a stop ridge 404 located opposite the living hinge 406 on
the opposing inner wall of the drinking spout 102. The hinged flap
402 is hingedly rotatable about the living hinge 406 so as to
engage with the stop ridge 404 and form thereby a horizontal baffle
within the drinking spout 102 and below the dispensing well
104.
[0092] FIG. 4B shows lid 400 with the hinged flap 402 engaged with
the stop ridge 404 so as to form the baffle 402 below the
dispensing well 104 within the drinking spout 102. The horizontal
baffle 402 thereby requires the beverage to flow through a
convoluted path before entering the dispensing well 104.
Specifically, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4B, any beverage
splashed in the vertical direction is deflected by the underside of
the hinged flap 402, and the beverage must first reach the region
above the top surface of the hinged flap 402, and then splash up
and sideways into the dispensing well 104, before emerging
vertically from the dispensing well 104.
[0093] FIG. 4C is a perspective view from above of lid 400 of FIG.
4A, indicating the location of the living hinge 406 that attaches
the hinged flap 402 to the inner wall of the drinking spout 102.
FIG. 4D is a perspective view from below of the embodiment of FIG.
4A, showing the hinged flap 402 engaged with the stop ridge 404 so
as to form the baffle below the dispensing well 104 in the drinking
spout 102.
[0094] FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional profile through the drinking
spout portion of lid 500, according to an embodiment similar to
FIG. 4A, but including two hinged flaps 502, 504 attached by living
hinges 506, 508 to opposing inner sides of the drinking spout 102,
the living hinges 506, 508 being vertically offset from each other.
Two corresponding stop ridges 510, 512 are included on the inner
walls of the drinking spout 102, with one stop ridge 510 located
opposite the upper living hinge 502, and the other stop ridge 512
located opposite to the lower living hinge 504.
[0095] FIG. 5B is a cross sectional profile of the embodiment of
FIG. 5A, showing both of the hinged flaps 502, 504 engaged with the
corresponding stop ridges 510, 512 so as to form a pair of
vertically offset baffles 502, 504 within the drinking spout 102.
The flaps 502, 504 are configured so that when the flaps 502, 504
are engaged with the stop ridges 510, 512, one side of each flap
502, 504 is flush with a side of the drinking spout 102, the two
flaps 502, 504 being flush with opposing sides of the drinking
spout 102, so as to force the beverage to flow up one side of the
drinking spout 102, across the first flap 504, up the other side of
the drinking spout 102, and across the other flap 502 before
entering the dispensing well 104.
[0096] FIGS. 6A and 6B are perspective views from above and from
below respectively of lid 600 according to an embodiment similar to
the embodiment of FIG. 5A, but including three hinged flaps 602,
604, 606 attached by living hinges 608, 610, 612 to inner walls of
the drinking spout 102 at locations offset both vertically and
circumferentially and alternating between opposing walls of the
drinking spout 102. As shown in FIG. 6B, the flaps 602, 604, 606
can be engaged with stop ridges 614, 616, 618 located opposite the
living hinges 608, 610, 612 so as to form a series of baffles below
the dispensing well 104. FIG. 6C is a simplified diagram showing
the relative horizontal and vertical offsets of the hinged flaps
602, 604, 606 of FIG. 6B.
[0097] FIG. 7A is a perspective view of lid 700 according to an
embodiment similar to the embodiment of FIG. 6A, but wherein the
hinged flaps include angled edges 714 and/or protruding portions
716. As shown in the simplified diagram of FIG. 7B, the angled
edges 714 cause the flaps 702, 704, 706 to form a single,
multi-level baffle below the dispensing well 104 with
flow-directing surface features 716 when the flaps 702, 704, 706
are engaged with the corresponding stop ridges 708, 710, 712.
[0098] Although various general functional elements of the present
invention, including various dispensing well, spout and baffle
geometries, have been described herein in conjunction with the
figures, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that
numerous shape, appearance and design modifications can be made to
the lid, dispensing well, and spout geometries of the present
invention in accordance with user and market preferences.
Furthermore, the utility of the spill resistant lid is not
necessarily limited to a drinking-cup lid, and can be implemented
into other container structures such as a closure for a bottle, or
a pour spout for a bottle or a carton or a cup. In addition, the
spout geometry can be implemented not only for consumable or
drinkable beverages but also for dosing and dispensing salad
dressings, cream, milk, and non-fluid materials such as sugar or
salt. These and other such changes, modifications, adaptations and
alterations in the specifically described embodiments can be
carried out without departing from the spirit and scope of the
invention. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be
regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
[0099] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the
invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and
for providing a general understanding of the invention. It is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise
form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in
light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the
invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather
by the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *