Container Lid With Detachable Chamber Or Compartment

Abstract

A lid for a container is adapted in its lower region for releasable attachment to the upper rim of the container. The lid has a detachable chamber or compartment which is located below the top surface of lid and depends downwardly therefrom, so that the detachable chamber or compartment is releasably secured to the lid in a position which is inaccessible when the lid is releasably connected to a container. Thus, any contents within the detachable chamber or compartment are only accessible when the lid has been detached from the container, and the detachable chamber or compartment has been removed from its securement to the lid.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Canadian Patent App'n Ser. No. "Unknown", filed 16 Sep. 2011, with the same title and inventors as the present application. The complete contents of this application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to container lids, and particularly to container lids which have a detachable chamber or compartment associated therewith. There are a multitude of uses to which container lids in keeping with the present invention may be put, including among them lids for beverages to which something such as a condiment or an additional item may be added immediately prior to consumption. Other common uses for which the lids of the present invention may be used include covers for packaged salads in which a salad dressing is placed into the compartment, beverages and other items which may be sold together with a prize or token of some sort, packaged yogurt or cottage cheese to which fresh fruit or nuts will be added immediately prior to consumption, and so on. In all events, the additive, condiment, or other item which has been placed into and is to be found in the compartment, is not accessible until such time as the lid has been removed from the container to which it has been releasably attached, and the detachable chamber or compartment has been removed from its securement to the lid.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] A common intended usage of container lids that are in keeping with the present invention is to provide a lid which facilitates the addition of an additive material, such as fresh fruits or nuts, to a primary material, but which is kept separated from the primary materials, such as yogurt or cottage cheese, until such time as the combined material is to be consumed. This achieves several advantages, including precluding the transference of moisture from the yogurt or cottage cheese to the fresh fruits or nuts, maintaining the crispness of nuts, and assuring the requisite mouth sense of the additive to the yogurt or cottage cheese immediately upon its consumption.

[0004] A similar usage involves placement of a salad dressing or other vinaigrette into the compartment and securement of the compartment to a lid which will then be placed over a salad. This assures freshness of the salad greens and precludes soaking in of the salad dressing or vinaigrette into the salad greens.

[0005] Still further, persons who may purchase a beverage such as coffee may very often carry the beverage away from the coffee shop for later consumption, such as in the office or even at home. However, some people prefer to add condiments such is cream or sugar to the coffee immediately prior to consuming the same. Lids in keeping with the present invention permit such a step because the cream or milk, sweetener, or both, can be placed into the compartment which is associated with the lid and is then secured in place within the interior region of the lid. Upon arrival at the place where the beverage will be consumed, the lid will be removed from the cup and the compartment will be released from its securement within the lid so as to permit addition of the condiments contained therein to the beverage.

[0006] Yet another more specialized usage of container lids in keeping with the present invention may be found in entertainment venues such as theatres, fairgrounds, and the like. Here, some vendors may be may be selling a beverage or other food item, in particular, with which a prize or token of some sort is included. Only after purchase of the beverage or food item will the prize or token be revealed by removing the lid from the beverage or food item and then removing the compartment which contains the prize or token from the interior region of the lid.

[0007] It follows that in many circumstances such as those described above, it may be appropriate to provide assurance that the contents of the container, or of the compartment within the lid, have not been tampered with. This may easily be achieved by such as placing an adhesive tape around the skirt of the lid, shrink fitting a tape or frangible ribbon around the skirt of lid, or other means well known to those skilled in the art.

[0008] Thus, as will be seen hereunder, the present invention solves a pressing need which has heretofore presented itself to a variety of business concerns, mostly food and beverage related, and that is the provision of a product which is to be accompanied by another product of some sort which must remain separated until such time as consumption, whereupon the contents of the detachable compartment which forms part of the lid assembly may be recovered and added to the first packaged product; or in some cases, as noted above, where a prize or token is found in the compartment, that prize or token will be pocketed or returned for reward. Accordingly, beverages will remain as originally dispensed until such time as a condiment or other additive is mixed into the primary material, whether it is a beverage, fresh yogurt or cottage cheese, salads, or the like, and remains fresh, and the additive material, such as fruit or nuts, condiments, salad dressings or the like, maintain their original state, again until such time as they are added to primary material.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

[0009] Bostrom, U.S. Pat. No. 3,070,275, issued Dec. 25, 1962, teaches a reusable container whose purpose is to provide a plurality of areas or chambers for receiving and packaging separated foodstuffs. The container includes a cup-shaped tub which is placed into a conventional tub and which is constructed to receive the foodstuffs that may be separated from the other foodstuff. A cover is provided for the cup-shaped tub, and that cover thus defines a compartment for receiving the other foodstuff which is to be separated from the foodstuff which is contained in the conventional tub. Typically, the cup-shaped tub and the tub cover are formed from a transparent plastics material which is flexible to some extent so that it will give or bend when pressure is applied to that material. The entire structure is intended to be reusable.

[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 3,349,941, issued Oct. 31, 1967 to Wanderer, teaches a compartmented container package which is intended for packaging different foodstuffs or other products in the same container, but in different compartments. An example is given of freeze-dried fruit together with dry cereal, or cottage cheese and fresh fruit combinations. Thus, there is provided a compartmented container package which includes an outer container, an inner container, and a lid member. The lid member fits over the inner container, and the inner container fits over the rim of the outer container and extends downwardly thereinto. A particular purpose of the structure is to permit venting of gases that form within the containers.

[0011] Powell, U.S. Pat. No. 3,514,029, issued May 26, 1970, relates to a compartmented communion container wherein the bread and wine intended for consumption during the celebration of communion are separated one from the other so that the wine is held in a cup-like lower element with an intermediate element which is frictionally secured to the lower element and into which the bread is placed, and the intermediate element has an upper element or cover removably bonded to it. All of the components of the compartmented communion container are formed of vinyl or other thermoplastic material, and are intended for single use so that they may be discarded at the end of the communion service.

[0012] A multi-purpose closure for containers is described in Labe III U.S. Pat. No. 4,074,827, issued Feb. 21, 1978. Here, there is taught a base member which has a cover member releasably secured thereto by their respective flanges. When assembled to a suitable container such as a beverage cup, the central portion of the cover member is disposed over the central portion of the base member and is spaced therefrom so as to form an enclosed space or cavity. That cavity serves as an enclosure for product; examples of which are sugar, cream, lemon, or a premium such as a coupon, coin, jewelry, or advertising material or a puzzle or game. A further provision is made by such as a cross-cut so as to enable a straw to be extended therethrough into the container.

[0013] Another multiple compartment multiple seal container is taught in Bernhardt U.S. Pat. No. 4,340,138, which issued Jul. 20, 1982. This device comprises a first container formed of a polymeric material, and a second container which nests into the first container. A lid member has a skirt which extends into the second container and provides a seal therefor. Then, a membrane such as cellophane is disposed in registry with the first container and is sealed to the lid and to the first container, and optionally also to the second container, so as to provide a composite package which includes discrete compartments having multiple seals.

[0014] U.S. Pat. No. 5,035,320 issued on Jul. 30, 1991 to Plone, and teaches a dispenser system that has an elongated selectively activatable dispensing pusher. The length of the pusher, and its placement, determine how much of an additive will be dispensed into a cup to which the dispenser system has been affixed.

[0015] Bordner, U.S. Pat. No. 5,046,632 issued on Sep. 10, 1991, teaches a closure assembly for a fibre container which includes a moulded lid with multi-mode closure orientations. Here, primary latching components within the skirt assembly of the lid are removable from the lid through the use of a pull tab and parting groove architecture. After the container has been filled, the lid may be attached thereto in a filled mode so that a primary latching feature is engaged by proper orientation of the lid, thus allowing the user to remove a primary latching feature in a tear-away fashion but so that the secondary latching feature remains in the skirt assembly so as to permit reclosure of the container.

[0016] U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,720 issued Oct. 21, 1997 to Van Melle, teaches a single disposable dome lid which may be used with disposable containers having differing sizes. The teachings are particularly directed to the placement of the waist and skirt portions of the disposable lid, which are axially aligned so that the lid may be placed over a larger or smaller diameter container.

[0017] Hilton was awarded U.S. Pat. No. 6,164,485 on Dec. 26, 2000, which teaches a container lid which has a base with a rim which is adapted to fit onto a container, arrays section which projects above the rim and which includes an inverted recess, and a domed cover which is attached to the raised section above the recess so as to create a compartment within the inverted recess and having substantially the same depth as the container lid. Releasable sealing means is provided between the cover and the raised section so as to provide access to the compartment. Thus, the user is required to detach the cover so as to reveal the contents of the compartment, and to remove the base so as to obtain access to the contents of the container.

[0018] While these various lids and containers have provided some utility in this area, it would be desirable to provide a lid and container combination that provided improved flexibility of use, while providing desirable security features.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0019] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a lid for use in association with a container, wherein the lid is adapted in its lower region for releasable attachment to the upper rim of the container. The lid has a detachable chamber or compartment which is located below the top surface of the lid and which depends downwardly therefrom. The detachable chamber or compartment is releasably secured to the lid in a position which is inaccessible when the lid is releasably connected to a container. Accordingly, any contents within the compartment are only accessible when the lid has been detached from the container and the compartment has been removed from its securement to the lid.

[0020] Typically, the releasable attachment of the lid to a cup is by way of a waist portion formed in a skirt in the lower region of the lid. It is adapted to receive the upper rim of a matching container therein for releasable attachment thereto.

[0021] Generally speaking, the lid is a dome lid which is constructed so as to extend above its skirt, and the releasable securement means of the compartment to the lid is located in the upper interior region of the lid, above the skirt.

[0022] The bottom surface of the compartment is located at a position which may be above the skirt, in the same general region as the skirt, or below the skirt.

[0023] Also, the releasable securement of the compartment to the lid in the upper interior region thereof is by way of an outwardly extending upper rim formed around the outer periphery of the compartment at the top thereof. The upper rim of the compartment is received into a recess formed in the lid in the upper region thereof, and that recess is dimensioned so as to secure the upper rim of the compartment therein until either the compartment or the lid is momentarily deformed.

[0024] The lower region of the lid has a conformation in plan view chosen from the group consisting of circular and rectangular.

[0025] Optionally, when the lid is used in combination with a container for a product other than a beverage such as tea or coffee which is to be consumed very shortly after it has been dispensed, a tape or ribbon may be secured such as by adhesive or shrink fitting to the skirt of the lid and to the upper external periphery of the container adjacent the lid, so as to provide a tamper evident seal. Through this route, access to the compartment is prevented unless and until the lid is removed from the container. Moreover, a single security tape or ribbon provides confirmation that the contents of both the container and compartment, have not been tampered.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings in which a presently preferred embodiment of the invention will now be illustrated by way of example. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0027] Embodiments of this invention will now be described by way of example in association with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0028] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a container having a lid secured thereto, with a second compartment attached to the lid, in keeping with the present invention;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a plan view looking down at the top of the lid of the present invention;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along and looking in the direction of arrows A-A in FIG. 2;

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 3, looking in the direction of arrows A-A in FIG. 2;

[0032] FIGS. 5 and 6 are views similar to those of FIGS. 3 and 4, showing a modification of the assembly of the present invention;

[0033] FIGS. 7 and 8 are similar to FIGS. 5 and 6, showing a further modification of the assembly of the present invention; and

[0034] FIGS. 9 and 10 are also similar to FIGS. 5 and 6, showing yet a further modification of the assembly of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the present invention, as to its structure, organization, use and method of operation, together with further objectives and advantages thereof, will be better understood from the following drawings and discussion in which a presently preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be illustrated by way of example only. In the drawings, it will be noted that like reference numerals depict like elements.

[0036] It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention. Further, unless otherwise specifically noted, all of the features described herein may be combined with any of the above aspects, in any combination.

[0037] Turning first to FIG. 1, an assembly is shown generally at 14, and comprises a cup lid 10 which is in keeping with the present invention, and a container 12. As illustrated, the container 12 may be a beverage cup, but those skilled in the container lid art will understand that the container 12 may have any size and configuration including beverage cups, soup bowls, dishes, retail salad trays and salad greens trays, and so on. It is also noted in FIG. 1 that a detachable chamber or compartment 16 is fitted to and is shown as being integral with the lid 10.

[0038] It will be seen in FIG. 1 that the cup lid 10 is adapted in its lower region for releasable attachment to the upper rim of the container 12. This is accommodated by a skirt 20 having a waist portion 22 formed therein, and the waist portion 22 is adapted to receive the upper rim 24 of the cup or container 12. The precise nature of the skirt 20 does not form any part of the present invention; and conveniently, the skirt may be similar to a skirt portion as illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,678,720, or otherwise.

[0039] It can also be seen from FIG. 1 that the detachable chamber or compartment 16 is within the interior region of the lid 10, and is located below the top surface 30 of the lid 10. As will be seen hereafter, the detachable chamber or compartment 16 is detachable from the lid 10 and is releasably secured thereto. Moreover, a brief review of FIG. 1 shows that the detachable chamber or compartment 16 is inaccessible when the lid 10 is releasably connected to the container 12. It follows, therefore, that the contents that are held within the detachable chamber or compartment 16 are inaccessible except when the lid 10 has been detached from the container 12, and the detachable chamber or compartment 16 has been detached from the lid 10.

[0040] Depending on the nature of the products to be contained within the container 12 and the detachable chamber or compartment 16, the material from which the lid 10 and the detachable chamber or compartment 16 are formed may be translucent or opaque. For example, if the container 12 is filled with coffee, then the detachable chamber or compartment 16 may be filled with milk or cream, sugar or sweetener, or a combination of them. In such a case, at least the lid 10 would generally be translucent so that the consumer can see the contents of the detachable chamber or compartment 16.

[0041] When the detachable chamber or compartment 16 is releasably secured to the lid, as shown in FIG. 1, the contents of that detachable chamber or compartment 16 are completely isolated from the contents of the container 12 by the structure of the detachable chamber or compartment 16. The seal between the detachable chamber or compartment 16 and the lid 10 is shown generally at 32. The cavity defined by the detachable chamber or compartment 16 is also defined by the underside of the lid 10 in the region of the top surface 30.

[0042] Container 12, lid 10 and compartment 16 can be produced from any suitable materials, including plastics or paper, or the like. Those skilled in the art will be well aware of the nature of suitable materials for the intended applications. Moreover, the various components, and preferably the lid 10 and compartment 16, when made of plastic materials, are formed by any suitable fabrication method, including injection moulding, or the like, but are most preferably formed by blow moulding, vacuum forming, etc., or by similar techniques.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, container 12, lid 10 and compartment 16 are all produced by vacuum forming, and all are made of the same plastics material. A most preferred plastic material is clear polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, some further details of the detachable chamber or compartment 16, and its releasable attachment to the cup lid 10, are now discussed. The releasable securement of the detachable chamber or compartment 16 to the lid 10 is, as stated, shown generally at 32. As seen particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4, that attachment and the seal between the detachable chamber or compartment 16 and the lid 10 are achieved by an outwardly extending rim 36 which is received into an annular mating recess 38. The detachable chamber or compartment 16 thereby depends downwardly from its outwardly extending rim 36 which is secured into the annular mating recess 38, and therefore from the lid 10.

[0045] Release or disengagement of the detachable chamber or compartment 16 from the lid 10 is easily achieved, once the lid 10 has been removed from the container 12, by momentarily deforming either the detachable chamber or compartment 16 or the cup lid 10, or both, so as to cause a release or disengagement of the outwardly extending rim 36 from its mating recess 38. Indeed, a downward falling action on the detachable chamber or compartment 16 in a direction away from the top surface 30 will also cause a deformation of at least the outwardly extending rim 36 of the detachable chamber or compartment 16, by bending of the same, thereby releasing the outwardly extending rim 36 from the mating recess 38.

[0046] The nature of the design of the bottom of the detachable chamber or compartment 16 is immaterial to the purposes of the present invention. The detachable chamber or compartment 16 is shown having a lower rim 40 and a raised central portion 42; but that feature or others may be employed for purposes of stacking a plurality of detachable chamber or containers 16 prior to their filling and use, or to ensure a more complete release of the product which may be contained in a detachable chamber or compartment 16, for example.

[0047] FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate a slightly different embodiment of the present invention. Here, the top surface of the lid 10a, shown at 30a, is flat rather than elevated as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Moreover, whereas the lower rim 40 of the detachable chamber or compartment 16 is shown in FIG. 3 as being above the skirt 20, the lower rim 40a of the detachable chamber or compartment 16a is shown in FIG. 5 as being generally in the same region as the skirt 20. Otherwise, the securement of the detachable chamber or compartment 16a to the lid 10a, at 32, is the same as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0048] FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a lid 10b which has a lower profile than the lids shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. The top surface 30b is shown being slightly elevated; and the lower rim 40b is shown extending somewhat below the skirt portion 20 of the lid 10b. Otherwise, the securement of the detachable chamber or compartment 16b to the lid 10b, at 32, is the same as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0049] Likewise, FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate yet a further low profile lid 10c, having a top surface 30c which is slightly depressed. The lower rim 40c is shown being considerably below the skirt portion 20 of the lid 10c. Otherwise, the securement of the detachable chamber or compartment 16c to the lid 10c, at 32, is the same as described above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0050] From earlier discussion herein, it will be clear that the conformation in plan view of any container or cup lid in keeping with the present invention may be a matter of choice. For example, round cup lids would typically be employed for use with beverage containers, yogurt or cottage cheese containers, soup bowls, and the like. On the other hand, generally rectangular container lids would typically be employed for use with containers having salads, sandwiches, salad greens such as those retailed by a greengrocer, and so on. In the case of generally rectangular containers and container lids, of course, it will be understood that the corners of each container and its lid will be rounded to a greater or lesser extent.

[0051] It will also be understood, of course, that whatever is contained in the detachable chamber or compartment 16, or its variations, is unlikely to spill due to the sealing action between the outwardly extending rim of the detachable chamber or compartment 16 and its mating recess, as shown at 32 in the drawings.

[0052] Very often when a prepackaged product such as yogurt or cottage cheese, a sandwich or salad is purchased for later consumption, the purchaser will be concerned that the product that he is purchasing has not been tampered with. Such concern is less likely to occur with respect to a beverage such as coffee, which is dispensed and handed to the purchaser immediately. In any event, so as to assure the purchaser that the products within the container 12 and the detachable chamber or compartment 16 have not been tampered with, a tape or ribbon (not shown) may be secured such as by adhesives or by shrink fitting to the skirt 20 of the lid 10 and to the upper external periphery of the container adjacent lid, shown generally at 50 in FIG. 1. If the tape or ribbon as in any way been broken or disfigured, then that fact may reasonably be assumed to be evidence of prior tampering.

[0053] Other examples of disparate products which may be dispensed and sold in a container 12 and detachable chamber or compartment 16 within a lid 10 include such items as a liquor or liqueur having been dispensed into the detachable chamber or compartment 16, and a suitable companion or mix having been dispensed into the container 12. In the personal care industry, specific medications may be placed into the detachable chamber or container 16 and water dispensed into the container 12 for distribution to patients in such as a hospital or nursing home.

[0054] It will also be understood by a person skilled in the art that the lid 10 need not necessarily be a dome lid, as illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that the lid may be essentially flat, with the detachable chamber or compartment depending downwardly below the lid. This may require a higher container than would normally be employed, so as to preclude contact of the bottom of the detachable chamber or compartment with the product contained in the container, or it may require a container having a plurality of divided sections.

[0055] Other modifications and alterations may be used in the design and manufacture of the apparatus of the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the accompanying claims.

[0056] Thus, it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a lid and lid and container assembly which fully satisfies the goals, objects, and advantages set forth hereinbefore. Therefore, having described specific embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood that alternatives, modifications and variations thereof may be suggested to those skilled in the art, and that it is intended that the present specification embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

[0057] Additionally, for clarity and unless otherwise stated, the word "comprise" and variations of the word such as "comprising" and "comprises", when used in the description and claims of the present specification, is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. Further, the invention illustratively disclosed herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element which is not specifically disclosed herein.

[0058] Moreover, the words "substantially" or "essentially", when used with an adjective or adverb is intended to enhance the scope of the particular characteristic; e.g., substantially planar is intended to mean planar, nearly planar and/or exhibiting characteristics associated with a planar element.

[0059] Further, use of the terms "he", "him", or "his", is not intended to be specifically directed to persons of the masculine gender, and could easily be read as "she", "her", or "hers", respectively.

[0060] Also, while this discussion has addressed prior art known to the inventor, it is not an admission that all art discussed is citable against the present application.

Claims

1. A lid for use in association with a container, wherein the lid is adapted in its lower region for releasable attachment to the upper rim of the container; and wherein the lid has a detachable compartment which is located below the top surface of said lid and depends downwardly therefrom, and wherein the detachable compartment is releasably secured to the lid in a position which is inaccessible when the lid is releasably connected to a container; whereby any contents within the compartment are only accessible when the lid has been detached from the container and the compartment has been removed from its securement to the lid.

2. The lid of claim 1, wherein the releasable attachment of the lid to a cup is by way of a waist portion formed in a skirt in the lower region of the lid, and being adapted to receive the upper rim of a matching container therein for releasable attachment thereto.

3. The lid of claim 2, wherein the lid is a dome lid which is constructed so as to extend above its skirt, and the releasable securement of the compartment to the lid is located in the upper interior region of the lid, above the skirt.

4. The lid of claim 3, wherein the bottom surface of the compartment is located at a position which may be above the skirt, in the same general region as the skirt, or below the skirt.

5. The lid of claim 3, wherein the releasable securement of the compartment to the lid in the upper interior region thereof is by way of an outwardly extending upper rim formed around the outer periphery of the compartment at the top thereof, and being received into a recess formed in the lid in the upper region thereof which is dimensioned so as to secure the upper rim of the compartment therein until either the compartment or the lid is momentarily deformed.

6. The lid of claim 1, wherein the lower region of the lid has a conformation in plan view chosen from the group consisting of circular and rectangular.

7. The lid of claim 2, in combination with a container, wherein a tape or ribbon is secured such as by adhesive or shrink fitting to the skirt of the lid and to the upper external periphery of the container adjacent the lid, so as to provide a tamper evident seal.