U.S. patent application number 12/560969 was filed with the patent office on 2011-03-17 for beverage container.
This patent application is currently assigned to Label Line Ltd.. Invention is credited to Kevin Dean Trotter.
Application Number | 20110062173 12/560969 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 43729490 |
Filed Date | 2011-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110062173 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Trotter; Kevin Dean |
March 17, 2011 |
BEVERAGE CONTAINER
Abstract
A disposable beverage container includes a disposable cup having
an open top, an upper rim, a sidewall having an outer surface, and
a plurality of circumferentially spaced indicia on the outer
surface of the sidewall proximate to the upper rim. Each of the
spaced indicia designates or represents a different beverage type,
mixture, flavor or characteristic. A disposable lid includes at
least one top surface, a substantially cylindrical outer lip having
an upper edge and a lower edge, and an opening in the outer lip of
the lid. The lid and cup are configured such that the lid can be
assembled over the open top of the cup such that only a selected
one of the plurality of indicia on the cup is visible through the
opening in the outer lip of the lid.
Inventors: |
Trotter; Kevin Dean;
(Lexington, NC) |
Assignee: |
Label Line Ltd.
Asheboro
NC
|
Family ID: |
43729490 |
Appl. No.: |
12/560969 |
Filed: |
September 16, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/780 ;
206/459.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2203/12 20130101;
B65D 51/245 20130101; B65D 2543/00537 20130101; B65D 2543/00046
20130101; B65D 1/265 20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101; B65D
43/0212 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/780 ;
206/459.5 |
International
Class: |
B65D 41/16 20060101
B65D041/16; B65D 85/00 20060101 B65D085/00 |
Claims
1. A disposable beverage container comprising: a. a disposable cup
having an open top, an upper rim, a sidewall having an outer
surface, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced indicia on the
outer surface of the sidewall proximate to the upper rim, wherein
each of the spaced indicia designates a different beverage type,
mixture, flavor or characteristic; b. a disposable lid having at
least one top surface, a substantially cylindrical outer lip having
an upper edge and a lower edge, and an opening in the outer lip of
the lid; c. wherein the lid and cup are configured such that the
lid can be assembled over the open top of the cup such that only a
selected one of the plurality of indicia on the cup is visible
through the opening in the outer lip of the lid.
2. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the indicia are
printed on a label affixed to the cup.
3. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the cup and lid are
configured such that when the lid is assembled over the open top of
the cup and the lid is oriented such that only the selected one of
the plurality of indicia on the cup is visible through the opening,
all other of the indicia on the cup are covered by the outer
lip.
4. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the opening in the
outer lip of the lid is a slot in the lower edge of the outer lip,
and wherein the outer lip comprises a sealing portion disposed
between the slot and the upper edge of the outer lip.
5. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the slot in the lower
edge of the outer lip includes tapered side edges.
6. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the lid further
comprises a plurality of deformable protrusions and a second
plurality of indicia on the top surface of the lid, wherein each of
the second plurality of indicia is proximate to a different one of
the protrusions, and wherein each of the second plurality of
indicia indicates a beverage additive or a quality or
characteristic of a beverage.
7. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the cup is adapted and
configured to contain hot or warm beverages.
8. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the lid further
comprises an opening in the top surface for dispensing a beverage
from the cup when the lid is assembled on the cup.
9. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the outer surface of
the sidewall of the cup comprises paper and the indicia are printed
on the paper.
10. The beverage container of claim 1 wherein the lid is
constructed of a molded polymeric material.
11. The beverage container of claim 10 wherein the lid is
constructed of polystyrene.
12. A disposable lid for a beverage cup having an upper rim, the
lid comprising: a. at least one top surface; and b. a substantially
cylindrical outer lip having an upper edge, a lower edge having a
downwardly open slot in the lower edge of the outer lip, and a
sealing portion disposed between the slot and the upper edge.
13. The lid of claim 10 further comprising a plurality of
selectively deformable protrusions and a plurality of indicia on
the top surface of the lid, wherein each of the plurality of
indicia is proximate to a different one of the protrusions.
14. The lid of claim 10 further comprising at least one dispensing
opening in the top surface.
15. The lid of claim 10 wherein the lid is constructed of a molded
polymeric material.
16. The beverage container of claim 15 wherein the lid is
constructed of polystyrene.
17. A beverage container comprising: a. a cup having an open top
and comprising a plurality of indicia wherein each one of the
indicia designates a different beverage type, mixture or
characteristic; b. a lid configured to cover the open top of the
cup and to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal between the cup
and lid, and comprising means for revealing a selected one of the
indicia and means for covering all but the selected one of the
indicia.
18. The beverage container of claim 17 wherein the lid includes an
outer lip and wherein the means for revealing a selected one of the
indicia comprises an opening in a first portion of the outer lip,
and wherein the means for covering all but the selected one of the
indicia comprises a second portion of the outer lip.
19. The beverage container of claim 18 wherein the opening
comprises a slot in a lower edge of the outer lip.
20. The beverage container of claim 17 wherein the indicia are
printed on a label affixed to the cup.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to beverage containers, and more
particularly relates to a disposable cup and lid that cooperate to
selectively indicate the contents of the cup when the lid is
sealingly engaged with the cup.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Fast food restaurants, coffee shops and the like often serve
beverages in disposable cups with disposable lids. As used herein,
the word "disposable" is intended to describe a cup or lid that is
intended for a single use and is constructed of an inexpensive
material. For hot beverages like hot coffee, beverages are commonly
served in paper and/or foam cups with opaque snap-on plastic lids.
Once the opaque lids are assembled on the cups, the beverages
contained within the cups are not visible and subsequent
identification of the contents of the covered cups can be
difficult. One solution to this problem has been to provide plastic
lids with a plurality of small depressible bumps or protrusions
formed in their top surfaces. Each of these protrusions is labeled
with a different contents identifier, such as "DECAF," "SUGAR,"
"CREAM," "SWEETENER" and the like. Accordingly, when a person
dispenses a particular type of beverage into a cup and covers the
cup with such a lid, the person can immediately deform one or more
of the protrusions to provide a visible indication of one or more
characteristics of the contents of the cup.
[0003] In recent years, numerous different types, flavors, blends
and mixtures of coffee beverages have become increasingly popular.
For example, along with a wide variety of brewed coffees,
restaurants and shops commonly sell cappuccino, latte, espresso,
flavored and iced coffees, mocha, and the like. Accordingly, a
restaurant or shop may sell a large number of different beverages
that are all served in the same type of cup. Because of limited
space on the tops of cup lids, it is virtually impossible to
provide a lid with enough depressible protrusions and associated
labels to cover all types of beverages that might be served in a
cup that receives the lid.
[0004] Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method for
quickly and easily identifying a wide variety of possible beverages
that may be contained within a covered disposable beverage
container. In particular, there is a need for a disposable beverage
container that includes a quick and easy means for selectively
identifying one of a wide variety of possible beverages that may be
contained within the beverage container.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one embodiment, a disposable beverage container can
include a disposable cup having an open top, an upper rim, a
sidewall having an outer surface, and a plurality of
circumferentially spaced indicia on the outer surface of the
sidewall proximate to the upper rim. Each of the spaced indicia can
designate or represent a different beverage type, mixture, flavor
or characteristic. A disposable lid can include at least one top
surface, a substantially cylindrical outer lip having an upper edge
and a lower edge, and an opening in the outer lip of the lid. The
lid and cup can be configured such that the lid can be assembled
over the open top of the cup such that only a selected one of the
plurality of indicia on the cup is visible through the opening in
the outer lip of the lid.
[0006] In another embodiment, a disposable lid for a beverage cup
having an upper rim can include at least one top surface and a
substantially cylindrical outer lip. The outer lip can include an
upper edge, a lower edge and a downwardly open slot in the lower
edge. A sealing portion can be disposed between the slot and the
upper edge.
[0007] In a further embodiment, a beverage container can include a
cup having an open top and including a plurality of indicia. Each
of the indicia can designate a different beverage type, mixture or
characteristic. A lid can be configured to cover the open top of
the cup and to provide a substantially fluid-tight seal between the
cup and lid. The lid can include a means for revealing a selected
one of the indicia and means for covering all but the selected one
of the indicia.
[0008] These and other aspects and features of the invention will
be understood from a reading of the following detailed description
together with the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of one embodiment of a beverage
container according to the invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an elevation view of one embodiment of a cup for
use in the beverage container shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is an elevation view of a lid for use in the beverage
container shown in FIG. 1 and with the cup shown in FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a top view of the lid shown in FIG. 3.
[0013] FIG. 5 is an exploded elevation view of beverage container
shown in FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] One embodiment of a beverage container 100 according to the
invention is shown in FIG. 1. The beverage container 100 includes a
cup 10 and a lid 20. The cup 10 and lid 20 are configured such that
a substantially fluid-tight seal is formed between the cup 10 and
the lid 20 when the lid 20 is seated on the cup 10 as shown in FIG.
1. Preferably, both the cup 10 and lid 20 are disposable.
[0015] One embodiment of a disposable cup 10 for use in the
beverage container 100 is shown in FIG. 2. The cup 10 includes an
open top 16 and an upper rim 14. The cup 10 also includes a
sidewall 12 having an outer surface 11. A plurality of
circumferentially spaced indicia 18 are provided on the outer
surface 11 of the sidewall 12, and preferably are located proximate
to the upper rim 14. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the indicia 18
indicates, names or describes a different type, mixture, flavor,
characteristic, etc., of a beverage that may be received within the
cup 10. For example, the indicia 18 may include "Latte,"
"Cappuccino," "Mocha," "Other" or the like. Alternatively, a single
one of the indicia 18 can encompass multiple fluid characteristics,
such as "Latte--Decaf," "Latte--Regular," "Latte--Sugar," and the
like. The disposable cup 10 may be constructed of paper, foam, or a
combination of foam and paper, for example. Alternatively, the cup
can be constructed of a polymeric material or substantially any
other suitable material. In a preferred embodiment, at least the
outer surface 11 of the cup 10 is paper. The indicia 18 can be
printed on the outer surface 11 of the sidewall 12 of the cup 10
using conventional printing methods known in the art.
Alternatively, the indicia 18 can be printed on a label 13 that is
affixed to an outer surface 11 of the cup 10. In the embodiment
shown in FIG. 2, the upper rim 14 has a rolled or rounded shape
that provides a substantially smooth edge along the open top 16 of
the cup 10.
[0016] One embodiment of a lid 20 for use in the beverage container
100 is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. In this embodiment, the lid 20
includes an upper surface 22 and a substantially cylindrical outer
lip 23. The outer lip 23 includes an upper edge 28, a lower edge
24, and an opening 25. The outer lip 23 can have a slightly larger
diameter at its lower edge 24 than at its upper edge 28. In the
embodiment shown, the opening 25 is a downwardly open slot along
the lower edge 24. As shown in FIG. 3, the slot 25 preferably does
not extend to the upper edge 28 of the outer lip 23, and a sealing
portion 21 of the outer lip 23 is disposed between the slot 25 and
the upper edge 28. As discussed below, the sealing portion 21 of
the outer lip 23 between the slot 25 and the upper edge 28 helps to
ensure that the lid 20 provides a substantially fluid-tight seal
around the entire upper rim 14 of the cup 10 when the lid 20 is
seated on the cup 10. As shown in FIG. 3, the slot 25 can include
slanted or tapered side edges 27 such that the slot 25 is wider at
its bottom than at its top. As shown in FIG. 4, the upper surface
22 of the lid 20 can include a plurality of raised protrusions 27
and a second plurality of indicia 29. Each one of the indicia 29
can be unique, and can be located proximate to one of the
protrusions. The indicia 29 can include descriptors of additives or
other characteristics or qualities of a beverage to be received
within the beverage container 100, for example. In one embodiment,
the indicia 29 can include alphanumeric descriptions such as
"CREAM," "SUGAR," "SWEETENER," "DECAF," or the like. Alternatively,
the indicia 29 can include alphanumeric descriptions of various
types or flavors of beverages, for example. The protrusions 27 can
be configured such that one or more of the protrusions 27 can be
selectively depressed or deformed by a person's fingertip in order
to provide a visual indication of one or more additives,
characteristics or qualities for a particular beverage that is
associated with the lid 20. The lid 20 can be formed of a thin
molded polymeric material. For example, the lid 20 can be formed of
a thin thermoplastic material such as polystyrene, or the like. The
top surface 22 of the lid 20 can have substantially any shape, and
can include a spout or other means for permitting a person to drink
a beverage from a cup 10 covered by the lid 20. In particular, the
lid 20 can include at least one opening 23 for dispensing a liquid
through the lid 20.
[0017] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the lid 20 can be assembled onto
the open top 16 of the cup 10 by pressing the lid 20 over the upper
rim 14 of the cup 10 until an outer portion 26 (shown in FIG. 4) of
the top surface 22 of the lid 20 is seated upon the upper lip 14 of
the cup 10. The lid 20 can be configured such that when the lid 20
is fully seated on the upper rim 14 of the cup 10, contact between
the outer lip 23 and the upper rim 14 forms a substantially
fluid-tight seal between the cup 10 and lid 20. In one embodiment,
the inside diameter of the outer lip 23 proximate to its upper edge
28 is slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the upper rim 14
of the cup 10 such that a slight radial interference exists between
the upper rim 14 and the outer lip 23 when the lid 20 is fully
seated on the cup 10. Such radial contact or interference between
the outer lip 23 of the lid 20 and the upper rim 14 of the cup 10
includes radial contact between the upper rim 14 and the sealing
portion 21 of the outer lip 23 that is disposed between the top of
slot 25 and the outer lip's upper edge 28. Without the sealing
portion 21, the substantially fluid-tight seal between the lid 20
and the cup 10 would be incomplete. For example, if the slot 25
extended to or beyond the upper edge 28 of the outer lip 23, a
fluid could leak or spill from the cup at the location of the slot
25. Accordingly, once the lid 20 is seated on the cup 10, a
beverage contained within the cup 10 is substantially prevented
from leaking or spilling from the cup 10 between the lid 20 and the
upper rim 14 of the cup 10. The tapered side edges 27 of the slot
25 in the lid 20 can facilitate viewing of the selected one of the
indicia 18 on the cup 10, especially when viewed indirectly, such
as at an angle. In addition, unlike a window or aperture in the
outer lip 23 of the lid 20 that is not open at its bottom, the
open-bottomed slot 25 permits the selected one of the indicia 18 to
be viewed through the slot 25 even though the indicia 18 may be
positioned on the cup 10 at an elevation that is not perfectly
vertically aligned with the slot 25 when the lid 20 is seated on
the cup 10.
[0018] The disposable beverage container 100 described above can be
used to serve a variety of beverages, for example. One method of
using the beverage container 100 includes dispensing a particular
beverage into the cup 10 through the open top 16 of the cup 10.
Once the beverage is received within the cup 10, the lid 20 can be
placed over the open top 16 of the cup 10 as shown in FIG. 5. As
the lid 20 is being assembled onto the cup 10, the slot 25 in the
outer lip of the lid 20 can be aligned with a selected one of the
indicia 18 on the cup that corresponds to the particular beverage
that is contained within the cup 10 by selectively rotating the lid
20 and/or the cup 10 as indicated by directional arrows 41, 43.
Alternatively, the lid 20 can be fully or partially seated on the
cup 10, and then rotated on the cup 10 until a selected one of the
indicia 18 is visible through the slot 25 in the lid 20.
Accordingly, once the lid 20 is seated on the cup 10, the selected
one of the indicia 18 is visible through the slot 25 in the outer
lip 23 of the lid 20 as shown in FIG. 1 (in this case, the selected
one of the indicia 18 is "Latte"), and all others of the indicia 18
are covered by the unslotted portions of the outer lip 23 of the
lid 20. In this way, the lid 20 and cup 10 combine to provide a
readily visible and obvious indication of the contents of the cup
10 even though the beverage contained within the container 100 is
not visible or otherwise identifiable. Accordingly, in the example
shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the beverage container 100 provides a
readily visible and obvious indication that the cup 10 contains a
"Latte."
[0019] In addition, when the lid 20 includes second set of indicia
20 and protrusions 27 as shown in FIG. 4, one of the protrusions 27
that corresponds to a selected one of the second indicia 29 can be
depressed or otherwise deformed to provide a readily visible
indication of an additional characteristic or quality of a beverage
contained within the cup 10. For example, in the example shown in
FIG. 1, a protrusion 27 on the lid 20 corresponding to the indicium
"SUGAR" shown in FIG. 4 can be depressed or deformed to easily and
readily indicate that the latte contained within the cup 10
contains sugar. In this way, the first indicia 18 on the cup 10 and
the second indicia 27 on the lid 20 can be used in a variety of
different combinations to provide accurate and complete visible
indications of the contents of the beverage container 100.
Accordingly, the possible combinations of the first indicia 18 on
the cup 10 and the second indicia 27 on the lid can represent a
very large number of different beverages.
[0020] The indicia provided on the cup 10 and the lid 20 can be
words, letters, numbers, symbols or substantially any other type or
style of indicia that is capable of communicating information about
beverages or other contents within the cup 10. For example, the
indicia 18 on the cup 10 can be circumferentially spaced numerals
or individual letters, each of which corresponds to and represents
a particular type of beverage. For example, the numerals 1-10 may
be printed on the cup, wherein the numeral "1" corresponds to black
coffee, the numeral "2" corresponds to latte, the numeral "3"
corresponds to cappuccino, etc. When used by a restaurant or shop,
a list of the numerals and their corresponding beverages can be
posted at a beverage dispensing station for ready viewing by a
person who is dispensing or serving beverages, for example.
Accordingly, after placing a beverage into the cup 10, the person
can assemble a lid 20 onto the cup 10 such that a particular
numeral that corresponds to the specific beverage contained within
the cup 10 is visible through the lid's slot 25. In this way, the
cup 10 can be used to serve a particular variety of beverages
offered by a particular restaurant or shop without having to print
a unique group of indicia 18 on the cup 10 for each particular
restaurant or shop.
[0021] The above descriptions of various embodiments of the
invention are intended to describe and illustrate various aspects
and features of the invention, and not to limit the scope of the
invention to the particular embodiments described herein. Persons
of ordinary skill in the art will understand that certain changes
and modifications can be made to the specifically described
embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. For
example, though the container systems described above have been
described for use with beverages, a container system like that
described above can also be used for various types of food items,
such as soups, ice cream, and the like. All such changes and
modifications are intended to be within the scope of the appended
claims.
* * * * *