U.S. patent application number 14/328052 was filed with the patent office on 2016-01-14 for coffee cup lid with hook.
The applicant listed for this patent is 2DW LLC. Invention is credited to Danielle Marie Dolan, Thomas Alvarez Dolan, Joshua Lee Whalen.
Application Number | 20160007780 14/328052 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55066045 |
Filed Date | 2016-01-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160007780 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dolan; Danielle Marie ; et
al. |
January 14, 2016 |
COFFEE CUP LID WITH HOOK
Abstract
A disposable coffee cup lid has a hook having a portion which
snaps or hangs from the rim of the coffee cup. The hook may have a
snap portion. In embodiments the snap portion may be a trough in
the top of the lid, or may be a wave-like part of the hook, with
the hook projecting from the side of the lid. The hook may instead
have a flat wide shape which hangs from the cup rim, or may be a
flat, arcuate projection from the top of the lid. The lid may be
made of a polymer material and may have two substantially flat
portions, one lower than the other, to provide the feel of a cup
rim.
Inventors: |
Dolan; Danielle Marie;
(Highlands Ranch, CO) ; Whalen; Joshua Lee;
(Denver, CO) ; Dolan; Thomas Alvarez; (Highlands
Ranch, CO) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
2DW LLC |
Denver |
CO |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55066045 |
Appl. No.: |
14/328052 |
Filed: |
July 10, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/324 ;
220/315 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00046
20130101; B65D 43/0202 20130101; B65D 2543/00296 20130101; B65D
51/24 20130101; B65D 2543/00092 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22; B65D 45/18 20060101 B65D045/18; B65D 43/02 20060101
B65D043/02 |
Claims
1. A lid for a disposable coffee cup having a circular rim, the rim
having a first radius and a first thickness, the lid comprising: a
body molded of a polymer material; the body having a circular
planform defining a plane of the body, the body having a circular
edge portion, the edge being oriented in a substantially vertical
direction perpendicular to the plane of the body, the edge of the
body having a second radius seen in planform, the second radius
approximately equal to such first radius of such cup rim, whereby
the lid may be secured to such cup by snapping it onto such rim;
the body having an elevated portion, the elevated portion having a
third radius smaller than such first and second radii; the body
having first and second substantially flat portions within the
third radius, the second substantially flat portion being elevated
less than the remainder of the elevated portion; a dispensing hole
disposed on the elevated portion adjacent to the second
substantially flat portion; the body having a hook; the hook
projecting from the circular edge of the body and extending beyond
the circular edge portion; the hook having a snap portion, the snap
portion wave-shaped in side view and having two crests defining one
trough therebetween, the trough being an arc when seen in planform,
the trough having a fourth radius, the fourth radius being equal to
such first radius of such cup rim; the trough having a width, the
width of the trough being approximately equal to such first
thickness of such rim, whereby when the lid is removed from such
coffee cup and inverted, the trough may snap onto such cup rim,
thereby securing the lid to such coffee cup.
2. The lid of claim 1, wherein the wave-shaped snap portion further
comprises a third crest defining a second trough, the second trough
also having an arc seen in planform, the second trough having a
fifth radius different from the fourth radius.
3. A lid for a disposable coffee cup having a circular rim, the rim
having a first radius and a first thickness, the lid comprising: a
body molded of a polymer material; the body having a circular
planform defining a plane of the body, the body having a circular
edge portion, the edge being oriented in a substantially vertical
direction perpendicular to the plane of the body, the edge of the
body having a second radius seen in planform, the second radius
approximately equal to such first radius of such cup rim, whereby
the lid may be secured to such cup by snapping it onto such rim;
the body having an elevated portion, the elevated portion having a
third radius smaller than such first and second radii; the body
having first and second substantially flat portions within the
third radius, the second substantially flat portion being elevated
less than the remainder of the elevated portion; a dispensing hole
disposed on the elevated portion adjacent to the second
substantially flat portion; the body having a trough on the
elevated portion; the trough being an arc when seen in planform,
the trough having a fourth radius, the fourth radius being equal to
such first radius of such cup rim; the trough having a width, the
width of the trough being approximately equal to such first
thickness of such cup rim, whereby when the lid is removed from
such coffee cup and inverted, the trough may snap onto such cup
rim, thereby securing the lid to such coffee cup.
4. A lid for a disposable coffee cup having a circular rim, the rim
having a first radius and a first thickness, the lid comprising: a
body molded of a polymer material; the body having a circular
planform defining a plane of the body, the body having a circular
edge portion, the edge being oriented in a substantially vertical
direction perpendicular to the plane of the body, the edge of the
body having a second radius seen in planform, the second radius
approximately equal to such first radius of such cup rim, whereby
the lid may be secured to such cup by snapping it onto such rim;
the body having an elevated portion, the elevated portion having a
third radius smaller than such first and second radii; the body
having first and second substantially flat portions within the
third radius, the second substantially flat portion being elevated
less than the remainder of the elevated portion; a dispensing hole
disposed on the elevated portion adjacent to the second
substantially flat portion; the body having a hook; the hook
projecting from the elevated portion of the body and having a first
portion extending beyond the third radius of the elevated portion,
the first portion having first and second edges; the hook having a
second portion, the second portion projecting downward, whereby
when the lid is removed from such coffee cup and the second portion
of the hook is placed over such cup rim with the plane of the lid
horizontal, the first and second edges of the hook prevent the cap
from leaving the horizontal, thereby securing the lid to such
coffee cup.
5. A lid for a disposable coffee cup having a circular rim, the rim
having a first radius and a first thickness, the lid comprising: a
body molded of a polymer material; the body having a circular
planform defining a plane of the body, the body having a circular
edge portion, the edge being oriented in a substantially vertical
direction perpendicular to the plane of the body, the edge of the
body having a second radius seen in planform, the second radius
approximately equal to such first radius of such cup rim, whereby
the lid may be secured to such cup by snapping it onto such rim;
the body having an elevated portion, the elevated portion having a
third radius smaller than such first and second radii; the body
having first and second substantially flat portions within the
third radius, the second substantially flat portion being elevated
less than the remainder of the elevated portion; a dispensing hole
disposed on the elevated portion adjacent to the second
substantially flat portion; the body having a hook; the hook flat
and projecting from the elevated portion of the body and having in
planform an arcuate shape, the hook having a radius approximately
equal to the third radius; the hook having two ends, the first end
of the hook secured to the elevated portion of the body.
6. A lid for a disposable coffee cup having a rim having a shape
and a first thickness, the lid comprising: a body molded of a
polymer material; the body having a planform defining a plane of
the body, the body having an edge portion, the edge being oriented
in a substantially vertical direction perpendicular to the plane of
the body, the body seen in planform having the same shape as such
cup rim, whereby the lid may be secured to such cup by snapping it
onto such rim; the body having an elevated portion; the body having
first and second substantially flat portions within elevated
portion, the second substantially flat portion being elevated less
than the remainder of the elevated portion; a dispensing hole
disposed on the elevated portion adjacent to the second
substantially flat portion; the body having a hook; the hook
projecting from the edge of the body and extending beyond the edge
portion in the plane of the body; the hook having a hook gap
portion having a width, the width of the hook gap portion being
approximately equal to such first thickness of such rim, whereby
when the lid is removed from such coffee cup, the hook may engage
onto such cup rim, thereby securing the lid to such coffee cup.
7. The lid of claim 6, wherein the width of the hook gap portion is
approximately equal to such first thickness of such rim, and
additionally is greater than such first thickness of such rim.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] N/a
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention is directed to receptacles such as are found
in class 200, in particular to closures such as are found in
subclasses 220+, and more particularly, to disposable polymer lids
for coffee cups.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Disposable coffee cups having disposable lids offer an easy
way for restaurateurs to serve coffee. In general, the cups are a
complex paper-based material while the lids are molded out of
inexpensive polymers. When the cup lid is secured onto the cup
mouth, it blocks the mouth and helps prevent potentially dangerous
accidents from hot coffee spills.
[0004] When a coffee user wishes to drink their coffee, they can
normally do so without removing the lid: usually a small dispensing
aperture is provided in the top of the coffee cup lid through which
a small amount may be sipped.
[0005] However, as the coffee cools the drinker may wish to remove
the lid and drink the coffee directly. The user may also wish to
remove the lid to cool the coffee, or to add sugar and stir, or
simply because they prefer to sip their coffee without the lid.
[0006] It would be desirable to provide a method to allow a coffee
drinker to remove their lid without having to place the lid onto a
counter-top or table-top of dubious cleanliness or else hold the
(wet) lid in their hand.
[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,043 to O'Neal (Feb. 13, 2007) teaches
one partial solution to this problem. The '043 reference teaches a
disposable coffee cup lid having two indentations on the bottom
edge. By means of these indentations, it may be possible to hang
the lid from the rim of the cup. However, depending on the shape of
the indentations, the security of the attachment may differ: a scan
of FIG. 4 of the '043 reference would seem to imply that the lid
might still fall off easily.
[0008] The same reference, '043, also teaches a pair of snap or
hook designs: in one case the snap is a portion of the edge of the
cup, in the other case the hook projects from the bottom of the cup
downward into the coffee.
[0009] In embodiments of the '043 reference the water-tight seal
between the rim of the cup and the edge of the lid appears to be
broken, so the lid is no longer impermeable.
[0010] It would be desirable to provide a lid which allows the
secure attachment of the lid to the coffee cup without having the
edge of the lid be interrupted by gaps created in order to make
hooks, and also without having a hook which extends into the coffee
when it is atop the cup.
[0011] U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,094 (Rapchak et al, Sep. 16, 1997) and
Kitto (U.S. Pat. No. 8,613,369 issued Dec. 24, 2013) both teach
separate attachments of a cap to a bottle or cup. For example, the
'369 reference teaches that a separate holder device may be
attached to a bottle, then the lid, when removed, may be put onto
the holder.
[0012] It would be desirable to provide a way to secure a coffee
cup lid to a coffee cup without danger of it falling off, without
breaking the integrity of the seal around the rim of the cup,
without having a hook extending into the coffee cup (and thus being
slippery, wet and unpleasant when the user desires to employ the
hook) and without extra devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] The present invention teaches that a disposable coffee cup
lid may have a hook thereon, the hook dimensioned and configured to
snap to the rim of the coffee cup when the lid is not covering the
mouth of the cup. By this means a coffee drinker may remove the
lid, for example, to allow the coffee to cool faster, and yet is
not presented with the problem of finding a clean place to set the
lid down.
[0014] In one embodiment, the device of the invention is a hook
projecting from the edge of the cap, the hook having a wave shape.
The wave of the hook defines one or more troughs which are the same
width as the thickness of the coffee cup rim. The trough is
furthermore curved with a radius of curvature equal to the radius
of curvature of the coffee cup rim, thus allowing one or more of
the troughs to be snapped onto the edge of the cup, securing the
lid to the cup but outside of the mouth of the cup.
[0015] In another embodiment, the trough may be formed in the top
elevated surface of the lid, once again with the same width as the
thickness of the rim and the same radius of curvature as the rim.
By this means the snap can be retained but the hook eliminated,
easing manufacturing.
[0016] In yet another embodiment, the hook may be retained and the
trough eliminated: the hook is a wide somewhat planar body which
has two edges spaced apart. The hook is placed over the rim of the
cup and the width of the hook and the widely spaced edges prevent
it from twisting.
[0017] In yet another embodiment, the hook may be a flat and
arcuate member which extends upward in a gentle slope from the top
of the lid.
SUMMARY IN REFERENCE TO CLAIMS
[0018] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the invention to provide a lid for a disposable
coffee cup having a circular rim, the rim having a first radius and
a first thickness, the lid comprising:
[0019] a body molded of a polymer material;
[0020] the body having a circular planform defining a plane of the
body, the body having a circular edge portion, the edge being
oriented in a substantially vertical direction perpendicular to the
plane of the body, the edge of the body having a second radius seen
in planform, the second radius approximately equal to such first
radius of such cup rim, whereby the lid may be secured to such cup
by snapping it onto such rim;
[0021] the body having an elevated portion, the elevated portion
having a third radius smaller than such first and second radii;
[0022] the body having first and second substantially flat portions
with the third radius, the second substantially flat portion being
elevated less than the remainder of the elevated portion;
[0023] a dispensing hole disposed on the elevated portion adjacent
to the second substantially flat portion;
[0024] the body having a hook;
[0025] the hook projecting from the circular edge of the body and
extending beyond the circular edge portion;
[0026] the hook having a snap portion, the snap portion wave-shaped
in side view and having two crests defining one trough
therebetween, the trough being an arc when seen in planform, the
trough having a fourth radius, the fourth radius being equal to
such first radius of such cup rim;
[0027] the trough having a width, the width of the trough being
approximately equal to such first thickness of such rim, whereby
when the lid is removed from such coffee cup and inverted, the
trough may snap onto such cup rim, thereby securing the lid to such
coffee cup.
[0028] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the invention to provide a lid for a disposable
coffee cup having a circular rim, the rim having a first radius and
a first thickness, the lid comprising:
[0029] a body molded of a polymer material;
[0030] the body having a circular planform defining a plane of the
body, the body having a circular edge portion, the edge being
oriented in a substantially vertical direction perpendicular to the
plane of the body, the edge of the body having a second radius seen
in planform, the second radius approximately equal to such first
radius of such cup rim, whereby the lid may be secured to such cup
by snapping it onto such rim;
[0031] the body having an elevated portion, the elevated portion
having a third radius smaller than such first and second radii;
[0032] the body having first and second substantially flat portions
with the third radius, the second substantially flat portion being
elevated less than the remainder of the elevated portion;
[0033] a dispensing hole disposed on the elevated portion adjacent
to the second substantially flat portion;
[0034] the body having a trough on the elevated portion;
[0035] the trough being an arc when seen in planform, the trough
having a fourth radius, the fourth radius being equal to such first
radius of such cup rim;
[0036] the trough having a width, the width of the trough being
approximately equal to such first thickness of such cup rim,
whereby when the lid is removed from such coffee cup and inverted,
the trough may snap onto such cup rim, thereby securing the lid to
such coffee cup.
[0037] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the invention to provide a lid for a disposable
coffee cup having a circular rim, the rim having a first radius and
a first thickness, the lid comprising:
[0038] a body molded of a polymer material;
[0039] the body having a circular planform defining a plane of the
body, the body having a circular edge portion, the edge being
oriented in a substantially vertical direction perpendicular to the
plane of the body, the edge of the body having a second radius seen
in planform, the second radius approximately equal to such first
radius of such cup rim, whereby the lid may be secured to such cup
by snapping it onto such rim;
[0040] the body having an elevated portion, the elevated portion
having a third radius smaller than such first and second radii;
[0041] the body having first and second substantially flat portions
with the third radius, the second substantially flat portion being
elevated less than the remainder of the elevated portion;
[0042] a dispensing hole disposed on the elevated portion adjacent
to the second substantially flat portion;
[0043] the body having a hook;
[0044] the hook projecting from the elevated portion of the body
and having a first portion extending beyond the third radius of the
elevated portion, the first portion having first and second
edges;
[0045] the hook having a second portion, the second portion
projecting downward, whereby when the lid is removed from such
coffee cup and the second portion of the hook is placed over such
cup rim with the plane of the lid horizontal, the first and second
edges of the hook prevent the cap from leaving the horizontal,
thereby securing the lid to such coffee cup.
[0046] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the invention to provide a lid for a disposable
coffee cup having a circular rim, the rim having a first radius and
a first thickness, the lid comprising:
[0047] a body molded of a polymer material;
[0048] the body having a circular planform defining a plane of the
body, the body having a circular edge portion, the edge being
oriented in a substantially vertical direction perpendicular to the
plane of the body, the edge of the body having a second radius seen
in planform, the second radius approximately equal to such first
radius of such cup rim, whereby the lid may be secured to such cup
by snapping it onto such rim;
[0049] the body having an elevated portion, the elevated portion
having a third radius smaller than such first and second radii;
[0050] the body having first and second substantially flat portions
with the third radius, the second substantially flat portion being
elevated less than the remainder of the elevated portion;
[0051] a dispensing hole disposed on the elevated portion adjacent
to the second substantially flat portion;
[0052] the body having a hook;
[0053] the hook flat and projecting from the elevated portion of
the body and having in planform an arcuate shape, the hook having a
radius approximately equal to the third radius;
[0054] the hook having two ends, the first end of the hook secured
to the elevated portion of the body.
[0055] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the invention to provide a lid for a disposable
coffee cup having a rim having a shape and a first thickness, the
lid comprising
[0056] a body molded of a polymer material;
[0057] the body having a planform defining a plane of the body, the
body having an edge portion, the edge being oriented in a
substantially vertical direction perpendicular to the plane of the
body, the body seen in planform having the same shape as such cup
rim, whereby the lid may be secured to such cup by snapping it onto
such rim;
[0058] the body having an elevated portion;
[0059] the body having first and second substantially flat portions
within elevated portion, the second substantially flat portion
being elevated less than the remainder of the elevated portion;
[0060] a dispensing hole disposed on the elevated portion adjacent
to the second substantially flat portion;
[0061] the body having a hook;
[0062] the hook projecting from the edge of the body and extending
beyond the edge portion in the plane of the body;
[0063] the hook having a hook gap portion having a width, the width
of the hook gap portion being approximately equal to such first
thickness of such rim, whereby when the lid is removed from such
coffee cup, the hook may engage onto such cup rim, thereby securing
the lid to such coffee cup.
[0064] It is therefore another aspect, advantage, objective and
embodiment of the invention to provide a lid for a disposable
coffee cup having a rim having a shape and a first thickness,
wherein the width of the hook gap portion is approximately equal to
such first thickness of such rim, and additionally is greater than
such first thickness of such rim.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0065] FIG. 1 is an elevational perspective view of a first
embodiment of the invention.
[0066] FIG. 2 is an oblique side view of the hook and wave-shaped
snap of the first embodiment of the invention.
[0067] FIG. 3 is a side view of the first embodiment of the
invention.
[0068] FIG. 4 is a top/planform view of the first embodiment of the
invention.
[0069] FIG. 5 is an elevational perspective view of a second
embodiment of the invention.
[0070] FIG. 6 is a top/planform view of the second embodiment of
the invention.
[0071] FIG. 7 is an elevational perspective view of a third
embodiment of the invention.
[0072] FIG. 8 is a top/planform view of the third embodiment of the
invention.
[0073] FIG. 9 is a side view of the third embodiment of the
invention.
[0074] FIG. 10 is a low angle elevational view of a fourth
embodiment of the invention.
[0075] FIG. 11 is a top/planform view of the fourth embodiment of
the invention.
[0076] FIG. 12 is a side view of the fourth embodiment of the
invention.
[0077] FIG. 13 is a low angle elevational view of a fifth
embodiment of the invention.
[0078] FIG. 14 is a top/planform view of the fifth embodiment of
the invention.
INDEX OF REFERENCE NUMERALS
[0079] Body 101
[0080] Plane of body 102
[0081] Substantially vertical edge 103
[0082] Second radius 104
[0083] Elevated portion 105
[0084] Third radius 106
[0085] Circular edge in planform 107
[0086] First substantially flat portion 109
[0087] Second substantially flat portion 110
[0088] Dispensing aperture 111
[0089] Hook 112
[0090] Snap portion 113
[0091] Wave shape 114
[0092] Two crests 115
[0093] One trough 116
[0094] Trough width 117
[0095] Arc 118
[0096] Fourth radius 119
[0097] Second radius 204
[0098] Elevated portion 205
[0099] Trough 216
[0100] Width 217
[0101] Fourth radius 219
[0102] Edge 303
[0103] Elevated portion 305
[0104] Hook 312
[0105] First portion of hook 320
[0106] Second portion of hook 321
[0107] First edge 322
[0108] Second edge 323
[0109] Elevated portion 405
[0110] Third radius 406
[0111] Hook 412
[0112] Arc shaped hook body 424
[0113] Hook first end 425
[0114] Hook second end 426
[0115] Body 501
[0116] Hook 512
[0117] Hook gap 527
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0118] The present invention teaches a disposable lid for a
disposable coffee cup which may be dimensioned and configured to
engage to the rim of the coffee cup in two different ways.
[0119] In prior art usage, a coffee cup lid may be snapped onto a
coffee cup. The normal coffee cup lid has an outer edge which has a
portion which is substantially vertical and thus perpendicular to
the plane of the lid. The outer edge is round and has a
circumference which is is the same radius as the radius of the
coffee cup. Thus in normal use, the lid is placed flat and level
across the rim of the coffee cup and pressed down, thus serving as
a closure of the coffee cup.
[0120] However, the present invention teaches a second mode of
attachment to the cup rim. IN particular, a hook may be provided on
the coffee cup lid. This hook will physically engage to the coffee
cup rim when the lid is removed from the cup and reattached in a
different location and/or orientation relative to the cup rim.
[0121] For purposes of this disclosure, a coffee cup of normal
disposable type is assumed to have a circular rim. The rim is
generally a lip or similar structure having a thickness for
reinforcement of the mouth of the cup. A typical disposable coffee
cup might have a rim with a radius of a bit more than 1.5 inches
(.about.38 mm) and thus a diameter of 3 inches plus. The thickness
of the lip or rolled rim might be on the order of 1/8 inch. These
dimensions are exemplary only, and not to be taken as part of the
invention. For purposes of this application, the thickness of the
rim is termed the "first thickness".
[0122] A typical coffee cup lid will match the first radius of the
coffee cup with an inner radius of the lid, so that the lid can
snap onto the coffee cup. However, typical lids can only engage to
the cup in that one manner.
[0123] For purposes of this disclosure, the terms "substantially"
and "approximately" mean that something need not be exact, but is
close enough to physically engage in the same manner as if it were
exact. Thus a substantially vertical or perpendicular portion of a
coffee cup lid will be close enough to vertical to allow it to snap
onto a coffee cup rim. A substantially equal radius is one that may
not be mathematically equal but is close enough that two items can
snap together physically, given the flexibility of the polymer
material of one or the other of the two items. A substantially flat
area need not be exactly level, nor exactly planar completely from
edge to edge, but nearly the entire surface area will be.
[0124] As used herein the term "radius" refers to a radius of
curvature, not necessarily a literal radius of a circular body.
Thus for example, arc shaped elements of the invention have a
radius of curvature even though they are not complete circles.
EXAMPLES OF THE INVENTION
[0125] FIG. 1 is an elevational perspective view of a first
embodiment of the invention. The disposable coffee cup lid of the
invention may be seen to have an elevated portion having two
substantially flat areas and the hook projecting out from one edge
of the lid.
[0126] FIG. 2 is an oblique side view of the hook and wave-shaped
snap of the first embodiment of the invention. In this view the
hook is shown in greater detail, while FIG. 3 is a side view of the
first embodiment of the invention, and in this view the plane of
the lid may be seen.
[0127] FIG. 4 is a top/planform view of the first embodiment of the
invention, allowing the arc shape of the trough of the snap of the
hook to be seen.
[0128] Body 101 may be molded of an inexpensive material so as to
be disposable, for example, polymers such as HDP, LDP, etc. The
only constraints on the material are that it have a small degree of
flexibility, so as to allow the coffee cap to snap onto the rim of
the coffee cup and act as a closure, and also enough flexibility to
allow the wave shaped snap to snap to the rim of the cup and be
secured to the cup but out of the way.
[0129] The plane 102 of the body 101 may be seen in FIG. 3. It has
substantially vertical edge 103 which is thus perpendicular to the
plane, if not exactly than closely enough that the edge 103 may
snap over the rim of the coffee cup. For this reason second radius
104 must be is approximately equal to the first radius (that of the
cup), as noted previously, closely enough that the elasticity of
the material will allow the snapping action.
[0130] Elevated portion 105 may be seen to be slightly smaller than
the overall diameter of the cup, as third radius 106 is slightly
smaller than the second & first radii 104. However, in
embodiments this may be considerably smaller, nearly equal to the
first radius, etc.
[0131] Circular edge (as seen in planform) 107 is also of necessity
the same shape as the coffee cup mouth.
[0132] First substantially flat portion 109 is seen to be higher
than second substantially flat portion 110. In use, second
substantially flat portion 110 may serve, depending on
circumstances, any of a number of purposes. It may serve as a well
so that coffee leaking from the dispensing aperture 111 is
captured. It may provide the feel of a coffee mug rim for the lips
of drinkers. It may provide a fingerhold, provide a coffee cooling
basin and so on and so forth.
[0133] Turning now to hook 112 the unique features of the invention
may be better understood by referring back to FIG. 2. Snap portion
113 defines a wave shape 114 having two crests (115). Two wave
crests by definition create a wave trough 116 therebetween, the
trough in turn has a trough width 117. Trough width 117 may be
equal to the cup rim thickness: most cups have a rim which is
slightly thickened and this trough width 117 will match that first
thickness, allowing it to be snapped thereon.
[0134] It should be noted, as in the embodiment illustrated, the
device may in fact have more than one pair of crests and thus more
than one trough. The troughs of a multiple crest form may thus be
of the same size, allowing a coffee drinker to either secure the
lid upside down on the coffee cup rim (thus preventing moisture
inside the lid from dripping) or right side up (perhaps in order to
keep the lid clean for some purpose). In addition, the troughs may
be different widths, thus allowing the lid to be used on cup rims
of different thicknesses. Thus one lid might serve several
different brands of coffee cups having different cup rim
thicknesses (first thicknesses as used herein).
[0135] Adverting to FIG. 4, arc 118 of the hook 112 may be seen to
have fourth radius 119, which will be the same as the first and
second radii. Thus, the radius of the cup (the first radius) is
matched by the radius of the lid (the second radius) and by the
radius of the wave-shaped hook's trough (the fourth radius). (And
for clarification, the third radius is smaller than the other
three, being the radius of the elevated portion 105).
[0136] Obviously a coffee drinker may remove the lid, then use a
trough of the hook to snap the lid to the rim of the cup, out of
the way. This provides a sanitary and hygienic method of removing
the lid and yet not having to hold it continuously or set it down
on some surface, thus gathering dust or other undesirable matter
from the surface.
[0137] FIG. 5 is an elevational perspective view of a second
embodiment of the invention, while FIG. 6 is a top/planform view of
the second embodiment of the invention.
[0138] Second radius 204 is once again seen to be that radius which
matches the coffee cup.
[0139] In this embodiment, which is the presently preferred
embodiment and the best mode now contemplated, trough 216 is
actually present in the elevated portion 205. By this means, it is
not necessary to have the rest of the hook, and yet the snap
fastener for attaching the lid to the cup upside down and open is
still present.
[0140] In addition, this particular embodiment may be easier to
manufacture, presenting another advantage.
[0141] Width 217 of trough 216 is the same as the thickness of the
coffee cup, and fourth radius 219 is the same as the first and
second radii (204).
[0142] In this embodiment, the lid will partially overlap the mouth
of the cup.
[0143] FIG. 7 is an elevational perspective view of a third
embodiment of the invention, FIG. 8 is a top/planform view of the
third embodiment of the invention and FIG. 9 is a side view of the
third embodiment of the invention.
[0144] Elevated portion 305 has hook 312 projecting therefrom,
though it may project from the vertical portions as well. Hook 312
has multiple parts.
[0145] First hook portion 320 extends away from the body of the
lid, while the second portion 321 angles downward to form a barb or
catch.
[0146] Hook 312 is also wide. The width of hook 312 is necessary,
in this embodiment, in order to prevent the lid from twisting
sideways when it depends from the hook 312 and the cup rim. Thus
first edge 322 and second edge 323 will touch the rim, preventing
the cap's natural tendency to twist. It the hook were not this wide
and lacked these two spaced apart edges, it would potentially allow
the lid to twist.
[0147] When the hook is used to hang the lid from the rim of the
cup, the edge of the lid 303 will touch the side of the cup lower
down than the hook 312, providing a stable triangular support with
edges 322/323.
[0148] FIG. 10 is a low angle elevational view of a fourth
embodiment of the invention and FIG. 11 is a top/planform view of
the fourth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 12 is a side view of
the fourth embodiment of the invention.
[0149] In this embodiment, the hook is elevated above the top of
the cup, rising up slightly from elevated portion 405. In this
case, the hook is an arc shaped body 424 which matches third radius
406. The hook 412 is flat, but generally as flexible as the
material of the lid. Arc shaped hook body 424 has a hook first end
425 which is attached to the lid and a free second end 426 used to
slide the hook over the cup rim.
[0150] FIG. 13 is a low angle elevational view of a fifth
embodiment of the invention. FIG. 14 is a top/planform view of the
fifth embodiment of the invention. Body 501 will have elevated
portion 505 as well as an edge as discussed previously (103, 303,
etc). Hook 512 may project from the edge of the body.
[0151] In this embodiment the hook 512 is a relatively
straightforward shape, however, unlike prior art hooks which
project from the tops of container lids for use in securing the
entire container to something, this hook projects from the edge and
thus acts to secure the lid to the rim of the coffee cup when not
in use as a lid.
[0152] Hook 512 will have a hook gap width 527 representing the
inner space defined within the hook 512. Hook gap width 527 will
match the first thickness, that is, match the thickness of the rim
of the cup.
[0153] The hook gap width 527 may match the first thickness by
being equal thereto. It may also match the first thickness in an
alternative embodiment by being greater than the first
thickness.
[0154] In the first embodiment (equal), it may slide over the cup
rim and then since it is the same dimension, frictional forces will
tend to hold it thereto. In the second embodiment (greater gap than
cup rim thickness) it will still hold by mechanical engagement (the
hook shape).
[0155] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments
described above.
[0156] Various changes and modifications can, of course, be made,
without departing from the scope and spirit of the present
invention. Additional advantages and modifications will readily
occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, various
modifications may be made without departing from the spirit or
scope of the general inventive concept as defined by the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *