U.S. patent application number 13/983164 was filed with the patent office on 2014-02-27 for drinking vessels.
The applicant listed for this patent is Michael Joseph Elias, Donna-marie Sabga. Invention is credited to Michael Joseph Elias, Donna-marie Sabga.
Application Number | 20140057023 13/983164 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46602084 |
Filed Date | 2014-02-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140057023 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sabga; Donna-marie ; et
al. |
February 27, 2014 |
Drinking Vessels
Abstract
A kit comprising a beverage cup (30), an infusible material used
in the preparation of the beverage in a closed compartment within
the cup (30) and a drink-through lid (1) for the beverage cup (30)
the lid (1) having a filter to filter out the infusible material
from the beverage. The drink-through lid (1) comprising a lid body
(2) with a drink-through aperture (5) defined in the lid body
through which a beverage (40) can exit the lid (1 (while drinking
when the lid (1) is on the beverage cup (30). The drink-through
aperture (5) comprises an area of the lid (1) in which there is
defined at least 20 apertures, the apertures being large enough to
allow a beverage to be drank through the lid whilst obstructing
passage of a filtrate material (50).
Inventors: |
Sabga; Donna-marie; (Dublin
18, IE) ; Elias; Michael Joseph; (Dublin 18,
IE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Sabga; Donna-marie
Elias; Michael Joseph |
Dublin 18
Dublin 18 |
|
IE
IE |
|
|
Family ID: |
46602084 |
Appl. No.: |
13/983164 |
Filed: |
February 2, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
February 2, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2012/051791 |
371 Date: |
October 16, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
426/77 ; 220/713;
426/425 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 47/06 20130101;
B65D 51/24 20130101; B65D 85/816 20130101; B65D 2543/00046
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
426/77 ; 220/713;
426/425 |
International
Class: |
B65D 51/24 20060101
B65D051/24; B65D 85/816 20060101 B65D085/816 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 2, 2011 |
IE |
S2011/0047 |
Mar 8, 2011 |
IE |
S2011/0107 |
Claims
1. A drink-through lid for a beverage cup comprising: a. a lid
body; and b. a drink-through aperture defined in the lid body
through which a beverage can exit the lid for drinking when the lid
is on a beverage cup; and wherein the drink-through aperture
comprises an area of the lid in which there is defined at least 20
apertures, the apertures being large enough to allow a beverage to
be drank through the lid whilst obstructing passage of a filtrate
material.
2. A lid according to claim 1, wherein there are at least 40
apertures defined in the lid.
3. A lid according to claim 1, wherein the area of the lid in which
the apertures are provided comprises a recessed area.
4. A lid according to claim 3, wherein the drink-through aperture
comprises a border frame about the recessed area.
5. A lid according to claim 4, wherein the border frame comprises
apertures which are large enough to allow a beverage to be drank
through the lid whilst obstructing passage of a filtrate material
from the beverage.
6. A lid according to claim 1, wherein the filtrate is tea leaves
and the lid is arranged to filter out tea leaf residue from loose
tea leaves within the beverage cup.
7. A lid according to claim 1, wherein the filtrate is coffee
grinds and the lid is arranged to filter out coffee residue from
loose ground coffee beans within the beverage cup.
8. A lid for a beverage cup comprising: a. a lid body; b. a
beverage aperture defined on the lid body through which a beverage
can exit the lid for drinking when the lid is on a beverage cup;
and c. a drinking rim on the lid which is raised relative to the
beverage aperture, wherein the lid is arranged so that, in use for
drinking, the beverage exits through the beverage aperture and
flows along the lid toward the drinking rim so that the user can
see the beverage after it has exited the beverage aperture and
before it reaches the rim when the cup is held in a drinking
position.
9. A lid according to claim 8, further comprising a filter
associated with the beverage aperture for filtering the beverage
before it is drank.
10. A lid according to claim 8, wherein the lid defines an area in
which there are defined at least 20 apertures.
11. A kit comprising: a. a beverage cup; b. an infusible material
used in the preparation of the beverage in a closed compartment
within the cup; and c. a drink-through lid for the beverage cup the
lid having a filter to filter out the infusible material from the
beverage.
12. A kit according to claim 11, wherein the closed compartment is
closed with an airtight tear-off member.
13. A kit according to claim 11, wherein the compartment comprises
a tub inserted into the cup.
14. A kit according to claim 11, wherein the tub is dimensioned to
sit in the bottom of the cup.
15. A kit according to claim 14, wherein the tub has a tub mouth
the periphery of which runs about and abuts the inside wall of the
cup.
16. A kit according to claim 11, further comprising a lid in which
there are defined at least 20 apertures.
17. A kit according to claim 16, wherein the infusible material
used in the preparation of a beverage is tea leaf or ground
coffee.
18. (canceled)
19. A method for dispensation of a beverage comprising the steps
of: a. providing a beverage cup; b. providing an infusible material
used in the preparation of the beverage in a closed compartment
within the cup; c. opening the closed compartment; d. infusing the
material with a liquid to form the beverage; and e. providing a
drink-through lid on the beverage cup, the lid having a filter to
filter out the infusible material from the beverage.
20. (canceled)
21. A lid according to claim 1, wherein there are provided at least
50 apertures defined in the lid.
22. The method of claim 19, wherein the infusible material used in
the preparation of a beverage is tea leaf or ground coffee.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to drinking vessels and in
particular drinking vessels which have a cup and a drink-through
lid on the cup. Of particular interest are disposable cups.
Disposable cups are often given out with beverage sales for example
from shops, on airlines, in public arenas such as theatres,
cinemas, stadiums etc. The beverage is often tea or coffee.
Typically the cup is designed as a take-away disposable cup the lid
for preventing spillage of the liquid whilst being carried.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] Many types of drinking vessel have existed. These include
vessels designed for various purposes including those having spouts
or nozzles on a lid and through which the liquid to be drank must
be sucked. Such arrangements are typically used on baby cups in
particular to avoid spillage.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 5,657,898 describes a drink-through lid for a
beverage cup which has a mechanism to suspend a tea bag by its
drawstring out of contact with liquid in the container. A similar
system is described in U.S. Pa. No. 7,806,044.
[0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,076,450 discloses a drink-through lid for a
beverage cup that has a pocket in which coffee grinds are placed.
Above the pocket is an upper filter formed by a mesh, and below it
is a lower filter formed by paper. Hot water is poured in through
the top of the lid and thus the upper mesh filter through the
coffee and then filters through the lower filter and into the
container. The arrangement allows coffee to be infused into the hot
water but prevents particulate matter from entering the cup as it
is retained in the lid.
[0005] US Patent Publication No. 2008/0035652 provides a disposable
drink-through lid with a filter screen. The filter is attached to
the underside of the lid and extends across the entire area of the
underside of the lid thus filtering all liquid before it reaches a
relatively large drinking aperture on the lid.
[0006] Typically with such lids, it is common for a user to spill a
beverage while drinking. It is thus desirable to provide a lid
which reduces the tendency of a user to spill a beverage while
drinking.
[0007] Notwithstanding the prior art, it is desirable to provide a
beverage container which enables the preparation of drinks from
infusible materials within the container as well as an alternative
lid for the container.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] In one aspect the invention provides a kit comprising:
[0009] (a) a beverage cup; [0010] (b) an infusible material used in
the preparation of the beverage in a closed compartment within the
cup; [0011] (c) and a drink-through lid for the beverage cup the
lid having a filter to filter out the infusible material from the
beverage.
[0012] This provides a beverage of freshly made quality but in a
disposable cup.
[0013] The closed compartment may be closed with an airtight
peel-off member such as a tear-off cover such as a foil.
[0014] The compartment may be a tub inserted into the cup and
optionally is dimensioned to sit in the bottom of the cup. The tub
desirably plugs into the bottom of the cup and has a tub mouth the
periphery of which runs about and abuts the inside wall of the
cup.
[0015] The drink-through lid may comprise: [0016] a lid body;
[0017] a drink-through aperture defined in the lid body through
which a beverage can exit the lid for drinking when the lid is on a
beverage cup; and [0018] characterised in that the drink-through
aperture comprises an area of the lid in which there is defined at
least 20 apertures, the apertures being large enough to allow a
beverage to be drank through the lid whilst obstructing passage of
a filtrate material from the beverage cup.
[0019] The advantage of the present invention is that a filter is
associated with the drink-through aperture for filtering the
beverage before it is drank. This means that drinks prepared from
insoluble matter, such as tea leaves, coffee grinds, etc can be
made within the beverage cup. There is then no need to worry about
particular matter ending up in the mouth of a person using the
beverage cup to drink. It means that freshly prepared beverages are
possible, particularly freshly prepared coffee. This obviates the
necessity to use items such as teabags, or coffee powder formed by
dehydrating coffee (sometimes referred to as "instant coffee")
solution. The filter is integrally formed as part of the lid. No
additional components need to be attached to the lid. Desirably the
lid is made of a plastics material. For example a thermoforming
process can be utilised. The apertures may be formed as the lid is
formed, or in subsequent aperture-forming step such as a punching
step.
[0020] The apertures are of sufficient size and distribution so
that a person drinking from the cup will not need to apply any
substantial suction pressure to the cup to bring a beverage through
the lid and into their mouth. The lid is thus constructed so that
it is one through which a user can drink a beverage whilst the lid
filters the beverage.
[0021] Desirably at least 40, preferably at least 50 apertures are
formed. The greater the number of apertures the more liquid can be
imbibed at any given time.
[0022] Desirably the drink-through aperture forms part of a
mouthpiece through which a user drinks the beverage.
[0023] Suitably the area of the lid in which the apertures are
provided comprises a visual indicator to a user as to where to
place their mouth. This is desirably a recessed area so that the
apertures are then provided in the recessed area. It is desirable
that the drink-through aperture comprises a border frame about the
recessed area. Again this highlights the drink-through
aperture.
[0024] The border frame may comprise apertures which also filter
the beverage and will be large enough to allow a beverage to be
drank through the lid whilst obstructing passage of a filtrate
material from the beverage container.
[0025] The filtrate may be any insoluble material which is a
component in the formation of a beverage, for example tea leaves.
In such a case the lid is arranged to filter out tea leaf residue
from loose tea leaves within the beverage cup. Fresh tea leaves can
thus be used and they can be used loose--that is they are free to
circulate within the beverage cup. There is no requirement for any
other strainer, filter or trap of any sort for the tea leaves.
[0026] Where the filtrate is coffee grinds the lid is arranged to
filter out coffee residue from ground coffee beans within the
beverage cup. Again there is no requirement for any other means of
capturing the particulate material.
[0027] The invention also relates to a lid compriseing: [0028] a
lid body; [0029] a beverage aperture defined on the lid body
through which a beverage can exit the lid for drinking when the lid
is on a beverage cup; and [0030] a drinking rim on the beverage
aperture which is raised relative to the beverage aperture, [0031]
and characterised in that the lid is arranged so that, in use for
drinking, the beverage exits through the beverage aperture and
flows along the lid toward the drinking rim so that the user can
see the beverage after it has exited the beverage aperture and
before it reaches the rim when the cup is held in a drinking
position.
[0032] Such an arrangement is very desirable because it
dramatically reduces the tendency of a user to spill the beverage.
In particular, because the user can see the beverage as it flows
out of the lid, they are less likely to spill it. In particular
with conventional lids, the user cannot typically see the liquid
before it is drank. This means the user is more likely to miss some
of the liquid and/or pour too much liquid out at one time, leading
to spillage.
[0033] Desirably the beverage aperture is formed in an area of the
lid that is a lower position relative to an outer rim of the lid.
Desirably a wall portion of the drinking rim extends downwards to a
lower position relative to an outer rim of the lid. The lower
position can be a position proximate the beverage aperture and/or
the aperture can extend into the wall portion. If the beverage
aperture comprises a series of apertures one or more of those
apertures can be formed in the wall portion.
[0034] The wall portion forms a fluid bed along which, in use for
drinking, the beverage runs toward an upper part of the drinking
rim.
[0035] Desirably the lid further comprises a filter associated with
the beverage aperture for filtering the beverage before it is
drank. This means that the lid can be used where there are
insoluble particles in liquid, for example tea leaves or coffee
grinds.
[0036] Desirably both aspects of the invention may be combined in
an embodiment. This means that within the kit of the invention the
lid may be arranged so that, in use for drinking, the beverage
exits through the beverage aperture and flows along the lid toward
the drinking rim so that the user can see the beverage after it has
exited the beverage aperture and before it reaches the rim (when
the cup is held in a drinking position, the lid is on the cup and
there is a beverage in the cup) and the lid additionally has
drink-through aperture defined in the lid body through which a
beverage can exit the lid for drinking when the lid is on a
beverage cup; and characterised in that the drink-through aperture
comprises an area of the lid in which there is defined at least 20
apertures, the apertures being large enough to allow a beverage to
be drank through the lid whilst obstructing passage of a filtrate
material from the beverage.
[0037] A skilled person will appreciate the permutations of number,
shape, size and distribution of apertures that will fulfil the
function of the apertures of the present invention. Apertures do
not need to be uniform in size, shape or distribution. For example
apertures may be provided that are from 50 to 300 microns in
diameter, for example 75 to 275 microns in the diameter, such as
100 to 250 microns in diameter. In terms of number will typically
be at least 50, for example at least 100, such as at least 150,
typically about 200 apertures in the lid. The distance between
adjacent apertures may be at least 2 microns, for example at least
6 microns and typically 10 microns. Where the apertures used are
not uniform in size/shape and/or the distance between adjacent
apertures is not uniform then these values can represent average
values for the apertures and/or distance. The filter may be
comprised of a material in which the intermolecular forces between
the fluid and the apertures is sufficient to allow a fluid to pass
through the apertures when the cup is held in a drinking position.
For example, the material may be a nylon plastics material.
[0038] The present invention includes the assembly formed when a
kit of the present invention is assembled. The invention also
provides a beverage cup assembly comprising the assembled kit of
the invention.
[0039] As above the beverage cup comprises a sealed compartment in
which a material used in the preparation of the beverage is held
and which is opened for use of the material during preparation of
the beverage. This keeps the contents of the cup fresh until use.
The material used in the preparation of a beverage may be any
material that leaves behind a solid residue that becomes the
filtrate for the cup. For example the filtrate may be tea leaf or
ground coffee.
[0040] The invention also relates to a method for dispensation of a
beverage comprising the steps of: [0041] (a) providing a beverage
cup; [0042] (b) providing an infusible material used in the
preparation of the beverage in a closed compartment within the cup;
[0043] (c) opening the closed compartment; [0044] (d) infusing the
material with a liquid to form the beverage; and [0045] (e)
providing a drink-through lid on the beverage cup, the lid having a
filter to filter out the infusible material from the beverage.
[0046] In the method the cup and lid may take the form of a kit of
the invention.
[0047] In the method, the lid may incorporate a filter to from a
filtering lid as described above.
[0048] The beverage cup and the lid will typically together form a
beverage cup assembly of the present invention.
[0049] The present invention thus provides a kit comprising a
beverage cup, particularly of the type that may be disposed of,
which can be pre-prepared and allows for the preparation of any
"fresh" beverage even though the cup and lid may be formed quite
some time before they are eventually used. The invention thus
provides an assembly comprising a lid of the invention, a beverage
cup to which lid fits, and sealed within the cup a solid beverage
material, such as tea leaves or coffee grinds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0050] Embodiments of the invention will be described, by way of
example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0051] FIG. 1 is a perspective view from above of a drink-through
lid of a kit of the present invention comprising a drink-through
aperture;
[0052] FIG. 2 is a perspective view from below of the drink-through
lid of FIG. 1;
[0053] FIG. 3 is a side sectional view of the lid of FIG. 1 along
the section A-A;
[0054] FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective partial view of the lid of
FIG. 1 showing apertures forming the drink-through aperture of the
lid;
[0055] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3
but showing an alternative lid structure;
[0056] FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the lid of
FIG. 5;
[0057] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective partial view of an
alternative arrangement of the drink-through aperture;
[0058] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an assembled kit comprising
a cup and a lid mated together;
[0059] FIG. 9 is a side sectional view of the assembly of FIG. 8
showing a beverage inside the cup;
[0060] FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIG. 9 but showing a
beverage being drank from the cup by a user;
[0061] FIG. 11 is a perspective view from above of an alternative
drink-through lid of the present invention comprising a
drink-through aperture;
[0062] FIG. 12 is a perspective view from below of the lid of FIG.
11;
[0063] FIG. 13 is a side sectional view of an alternative
drink-through lid of the present invention; and
[0064] FIG. 14 is a view of the lid of the FIGS. 10 to 12 in use on
a cap and the beverage being drank from the cup by a user.
[0065] Note that the drawings are schematic in nature and may not
be to exact scale. For example the apertures 7 shown are fewer and
larger for the purposes of illustration.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0066] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show a drink-through lid 1 for a beverage
cup 30 (see FIGS. 8 and 9). The lid 1 has a lid body 2. The
beverage cup 30 and the lid 1 form a kit of the invention. The lid
body 2 is a single piece of plastic which has been formed into the
lid shape by a suitable forming process such as a thermoforming
process. A drink-through aperture 5 is defined in the lid body 2
through which a beverage 40 (see FIG. 9) can exit the lid 1 for
drinking when the lid is on a beverage cup 30.
[0067] The drink-through aperture 5 comprises an area 6 on the lid
in which there is defined many apertures 7 for example at least 20
apertures, such as at least 30 apertures, including at least 40 and
also more than 50 apertures 7. Each of the apertures 7 is large
enough to allow a beverage 40 to be drank through the lid whilst
obstructing passage of a filtrate material 50 (which is in the
beverage and thus is removed from the beverage before the beverage
is drank). The filtrate material 50 is typically solid insoluble
matter and often times is material which has been subjected to
infusion with hot water such as ground coffee or tea leaves.
[0068] The lid comprises a peripheral rim or skirt 9 which is
adapted to be a sealing push-fit onto the top of a beverage cup 30
to form an assembly as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9.
[0069] The lid 1 also has formed therein a drinking rim 10. The
drinking rim 10 is raised relative to the lid body and comprises
opposing upstanding walls, namely outer wall 11, and inner wall 13
which are joined by an upper joining wall 12. As with all other
features of the lid, the drinking rim 10 is integrally formed with
the lid 1.
[0070] A further crescent-shaped raised area 16 is also formed in
the lid 1. A breather hole 20 is provided in the lid 1 within the
raised area 16. A crescent-shaped wall 17 joins the raised area 16
and a recessed area 18 which is formed between the raised area 16
and the drinking rim 10.
[0071] The lid 1 further comprises an additional elongate chute 35
which extends through the lid 1 and allows addition of materials to
the beverage, such as milk, sweetener such as sugar, etc. The chute
35 is spaced apart from the apertures 7 and extends sufficiently
far away from the lid (in the direction of the cup) so that the
beverage will not exit the chute in normal drinking positions of
the cup. The chute 35 may be closed off, for example with a
removable closure such as seal. As the chute 35 may not be open it
is desirable to provide the breather hole 20. In the event it is
opened it will be appreciated that the chute 35 may function as a
breather aperture.
[0072] To drink a beverage through the lid 1 a user places their
lips on the lid so that their mouth is about the area 6 and imbibes
liquid through the apertures 7 thereof. Even if there is insoluble
particulate material 50 in the beverage it will be retained as
filtrate inside the cup 30 by virtue of the filtering effect of the
apertures 7.
[0073] FIG. 3 shows the flow of beverage and air as a drink is
taken. Arrows 22 show how the beverage exits the lid through
apertures 7. Arrow 23 shows air being sucked in by the action of
the exiting beverage.
[0074] FIG. 4 shows an enlarged view of the apertures 7 defined in
the lid 1. Any suitable array of apertures may be employed and
there is no requirement for the array or apertures to have any
particular geometry. The apertures need not all be of the same size
or shape.
[0075] FIG. 5 is a side sectional view similar to that of FIG. 3
but showing an alternative lid structure and in particular a
different drink-through aperture structure. In FIG. 5 the lid 1 has
integrally formed therein an area 6 which is recessed in the form
of an inverted nozzle 25. Defined in sidewalls 26 of nozzle 25 are
the apertures 7. Arrows 22 again show the typical outflow of
beverage through the drink-through aperture structure. Otherwise
the lid 1 is similar in construction to that shown in earlier
figures. FIG. 6 is an enlarged partial sectional view of the lid of
FIG. 5 in particular an enlarged sectional view of the inverted
nozzle 25.
[0076] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective partial view of an
alternative arrangement of the drink-through aperture and in
particular an inverted nozzle 25 of a different shape and size and
having apertures 7 defined therein.
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an assembly comprising a cup 30 and
a lid 1 of the invention mated together. FIG. 9 is a side sectional
view of the assembly of FIG. 8 showing a beverage 40 inside the cup
30. In the embodiment the cup 30 further comprises a compartment 60
in which a material 50 such as coffee grinds or tea leaves is held.
Typically the compartment 60 is sealed closed, for example using a
removable cover such as a tear-off foil. In use the foil is torn
away to reveal the material 50. The compartment is typically formed
by a tub which is inserted into the bottom of the cup. Hot water is
added to form the beverage 40 which is a combination of the hot
water and components extracted from the material 50 and indeed any
additional components added. The drink is thus a freshly prepared
one and will have the quality of a freshly prepared tea or coffee.
However as the material 50 is now loose and is free to move within
the cup (as indicated by arrows 51) and in particular free to move
toward a drinking aperture in the lid 1 the only thing that
prevents the solid residue from reaching the mouth of a drinker is
the filtering action of the apertures 7. This is best seen from
FIG. 10 which shows a view similar to that of FIG. 9 but
additionally showing the beverage 40 being imbibed (see arrows 71)
from the cup by a user 70. Material 50 now spread through the
beverage is prevented from reaching the mouth of the user 70.
[0077] FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 are respectively a perspective view from
above and below of an alternative drink-through lid of the present
invention comprising a drink-through aperture while FIG. 13 is a
side sectional view thereof. The lid 1 is of similar construction
to the earlier embodiment but with some differences which are
discussed here. It shows a lid 1 for a beverage cup comprising a
lid body 2 and a beverage aperture 5 defined on the lid body 1
through which a beverage 40 can exit the lid for drinking when the
lid is on a beverage cup 30 as best seen in FIG. 14 which shows a
view similar to that of FIG. 10 but with the lid 1 of the type
shown in FIGS. 11-13. The lid 1 has a drinking rim 10 on the lid
which is raised relative to the beverage aperture 5. In the
embodiment the rim 10 forms a c-shaped lip which catches the
beverage after it has exited the lid 1. The lid 1 is arranged so
that, in use for drinking, the beverage 40 exits through the
beverage aperture 5 and flows along the lid toward the drinking rim
so that the user can see the beverage after it has exited the
beverage aperture and before it reaches the rim when the cup is
held in a drinking position. The level of the beverage 40 which has
exited the cup 30 is labelled 73 in FIG. 14 for ease of reference.
Such an arrangement is very desirable because it dramatically
reduces the tendency of a user to spill the beverage. In
particular, because the user 70 can see the beverage 40 and in
particular the beverage level 73, as it flows out of the lid 1,
they are less likely to spill it.
[0078] A wall portion, and in particular an inner wall 13 of the
drinking rim 10 extends downwards toward a lower position 45
relative to the outer rim 9 of the lid. The wall portion 13 forms
an inner wall of the lip formation of the drinking rim 10 and thus
forms a fluid bed or run along which, in use for drinking, the
beverage runs toward an upper part 12 of the drinking rim as
indicated by arrows 46 (see FIG. 14). In this embodiment the lower
position 45 happens to be a position proximate the beverage
aperture 5. This means the level or "water line" 73 of the beverage
can be seen on wall portion 13 even if a user has their lips about
the drinking rim 10.
[0079] Desirably, and as shown in the embodiment, the beverage
aperture is formed in an area of the lid 1 that is at a lower
position 45 relative to an outer rim 9 of the lid. This increases
the area available for forming the fluid bed for the liquid and
thus makes liquid flow visually more prominent to a user.
[0080] The words "comprises/comprising" and the words
"having/including" when used herein with reference to the present
invention are used to specify the presence of stated features,
integers, steps or components but do not preclude the presence or
addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components
or groups thereof.
[0081] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention,
which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate
embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single
embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which
are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment,
may also be provided separately or in any suitable
sub-combination.
* * * * *