U.S. patent application number 14/946654 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-17 for plug for beverage container lid.
The applicant listed for this patent is STIXTOGO, INC.. Invention is credited to Thomas Burns.
Application Number | 20160075486 14/946654 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37994927 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160075486 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Burns; Thomas |
March 17, 2016 |
PLUG FOR BEVERAGE CONTAINER LID
Abstract
A device and system for temporarily sealing an orifice in a
beverage container lid comprising a plug (10, 110, 210, 310) having
an upper surface (14, 114, 214), a body portion (12, 112), and a
lower surface (16, 116, 216), said body portion adapted to be
inserted and releasably retained in the orifice to provide a
temporary seal thereof, and an external member (20, 120, 220)
located on the upper surface of the plug configured to allow a user
to grip the plug for ease of removal from the orifice.
Inventors: |
Burns; Thomas; (Bothell,
WA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
STIXTOGO, INC. |
Bothell |
WA |
US |
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|
Family ID: |
37994927 |
Appl. No.: |
14/946654 |
Filed: |
November 19, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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13948617 |
Jul 23, 2013 |
9216846 |
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14946654 |
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12901423 |
Oct 8, 2010 |
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13948617 |
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12084195 |
Apr 25, 2008 |
8052003 |
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PCT/US2006/042620 |
Oct 31, 2006 |
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12901423 |
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11323824 |
Dec 30, 2005 |
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12084195 |
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60732826 |
Nov 1, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/254.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 39/0005 20130101;
B65D 2251/0012 20130101; B65D 2251/009 20130101; B65D 2251/0081
20130101; B01F 15/00681 20130101; B65D 2543/00046 20130101; B65D
2251/0028 20130101; B65D 39/16 20130101; B65D 51/18 20130101; B65D
43/02 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 39/16 20060101
B65D039/16; B65D 51/18 20060101 B65D051/18; B65D 43/02 20060101
B65D043/02 |
Claims
1. A plug for temporarily sealing a drinking orifice in a beverage
container lid, the plug comprising: a body portion having an upper
surface, a lower surface, a first sidewall disposed between the
upper surface and the lower surface, and a second sidewall disposed
between the upper surface and the lower surface, the first and
second sidewalls disposed on opposite sides of the body portion and
configured to engage at least a portion of the orifice; a recessed
region located between the upper surface and the lower surface; a
cap portion disposed on the upper surface, the cap having a
thickness that is greater than the distance between the first
sidewall and the second sidewall to provide a limit to the
insertion of the plug into the orifice; and an external member
disposed on the cap portion, the external member configured to
allow a user to grip the plug for insertion and removal of the plug
from the orifice.
2. The plug of claim 1, wherein the recessed region located between
the upper surface and the lower surface defines a concave channel
that extends substantially parallel to an axis extending from the
upper surface to the lower surface of the body.
3. The plug of claim 2, further comprising an elongate projection
extending from the lower surface configured to stir a beverage in
the beverage container.
4. The plug of claim 3, wherein the external member comprises a
substantially flat surface having a surface area between one to ten
square centimeters.
5. The plug of claim 3, wherein the first and second sidewalls
disposed on opposite sides of the body portion are configured to
engage the circumference of an oval shaped orifice.
6. The plug of claim 1, wherein the body portion, the cap portion,
and the external member are fabricated as a unitary article from
the same material.
7. The plug of claim 3, wherein the body portion, the cap portion,
the external member, and the elongate projection are fabricated as
a unitary article from the same material.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/948,617, filed on Jul. 23, 2013, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/901,423, filed
on Oct. 8, 2010, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/084,195, filed Apr. 25, 2008 (now U.S. Pat. No.
8,052,003) which is a U.S. National Phase Application of PCT
International Application Number PCT/US2006/042620, filed on Oct.
31, 2006, designating the United States of America and published in
the English language, which is an International Application of and
claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional application Ser.
No. 11/323,824, filed on Dec. 30, 2005, and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 60/732,826, filed on Nov. 1, 2005. Each of the
above-referenced patents and applications are hereby expressly
incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to the field of beverage containers
and, more particularly, to plugs for sealing the lids of beverage
containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Many beverages are sold from bulk or as single serving
preparations, and dispensed into beverage containers, which are
usually in the form of plastic or paper cups. Numerous different
types of lids have been used for such containers, and, in addition
to providing a thermal barrier to maintain the serving temperature,
the lids are intended to retain the beverage in the container when
the container is transported or is accidentally disturbed.
Commonly, such lids will also provide an orifice in the upper
surface, allowing the beverage to be consumed without removing the
lid. Such containers and such lids are commonly single-use
disposable items and, accordingly, must be capable of being
produced at a low cost.
[0004] A typical lid for such a beverage container is formed from
thin plastic sheet material, for example by vacuum forming, and
comprises a top panel, either flat or domed, with a downwardly
depending peripheral rim. The plastic material of the lid is
typically somewhat flexible and resilient so that the lid can be
fitted over the open end of a suitably sized beverage container.
The rim of the lid grips the rim of the open end of the container,
and the beverage is then retained within the container. The orifice
is commonly provided in the outer portion of the top panel, or in
the dome of domed lids. Unfortunately, this orifice reduces the
effectiveness of the thermal barrier, and provides an opening
through which the beverage can spill should the container be
accidentally disturbed.
[0005] Thus, it is considered desirable to provide a low cost
device that enables the orifice to be temporarily plugged, and thus
increase the efficiency of the thermal barrier, while also
increasing the security of the beverage during transportation of
the container. If desired, a number of additional functions can be
incorporated into such a device as well.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention provides a device and system for
temporarily sealing an orifice in a beverage container lid.
[0007] In one aspect, the device comprises a plug having an upper
surface, a body portion and a lower surface. The body portion is
adapted to be inserted and releasably retained in the orifice of
the lid to provide a temporary seal thereof. The device also
includes an external member located on the upper surface of the
plug configured to allow a user to grip the plug for ease of
removal from the orifice.
[0008] In another aspect, the system of the present invention
comprises a container for containing a liquid beverage having an
open end, a lid having at least one orifice and configured to
attach to the open end of the container, and a plug for temporarily
sealing the orifice in the beverage container lid. The plug
comprises an upper surface, a body portion and a lower surface. The
body portion is adapted to be inserted and releasably retained in
the orifice of the lid to provide a temporary seal thereof. The
device also includes an external member located on the upper
surface of the plug configured to allow a user to grip the plug for
ease of removal from the orifice.
[0009] Other and further aspects of the invention will be readily
apparent from the following drawings and detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the
invention depicting the plug including the body portion, the
optional cap, and the external member;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of a number of conventional
beverage container lids, depicting various conventional orifices in
accordance with the prior art;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of
the invention depicting the plug including the body portion, the
optional cap, the external member, and the optional elongate
projection;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of yet another alternative
embodiment of the invention depicting the including the body
portion, the optional cap, the external member, the optional
elongate projection and a channel for removing liquid from the
beverage container; and
[0014] FIG. 5 is a graphic representation of yet another
alternative embodiment of the invention depicting the plug and the
external member while the device is in situ in the orifice of a
beverage container lid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0015] The present invention provides a device and system for
temporarily sealing an orifice in a beverage container lid.
[0016] In one aspect, the device comprises a plug having an upper
surface, a body portion and a lower surface. The body portion is
adapted to be inserted and releasably retained in the orifice of
the lid to provide a temporary seal thereof. The device also
includes an external member located on the upper surface of the
plug configured to allow a user to grip the plug for ease of
removal from the orifice.
[0017] Most often, the present device will be configured to meet
the requirements of a conventional lid for such a beverage
container, each of which are most commonly circular in horizontal
cross section. Such lid will typically be formed from thin plastic
sheet material, for example by vacuum forming, and including a top
panel, either flat or domed, with a downwardly depending peripheral
rim. The plastic material of the lid is typically somewhat flexible
and resilient, as is the rim of the open end of the container, so
that the lid can be fitted over the open end of a suitably sized
beverage container. The rim of the lid then grips the rim of the
open end of the container, whereby the beverage is retained within
the container. The orifice of the lid is commonly provided in the
outer portion of the top panel, near the depending peripheral rim,
or in the dome or domed lids. Less commonly, lids for beverage
containers are also available with a flap that is pressed down (or
lifted up) to open the orifice in the lid.
[0018] Thus, in another aspect, the system of the present invention
comprises a container for containing a liquid beverage having an
open end, a lid having at least one orifice and configured to
attach to the open end of the container, and a plug for temporarily
sealing the orifice in the beverage container lid. The plug
comprises an upper surface, a body portion and a lower surface. The
body portion is adapted to be inserted and releasably retained in
the orifice of the lid to provide a temporary seal thereof. The
device also includes an external member located on the upper
surface of the plug configured to allow a user to grip the plug for
ease of removal from the orifice.
[0019] Turning now to the several figures of the drawing, where
like elements are identified by like numerals and corresponding or
equivalent elements are identified by corresponding numerals
throughout the figures, FIG. 1 shows a plug device 10 including a
body portion 12 adapted to be inserted and releasably retained in
the orifice of a beverage container lid to provide a temporary seal
thereof. Plug 10 also includes an upper surface 14 and a lower
surface 16, and, optionally, a "cap" feature 18 on the upper
surface 14. Also depicted as extending from upper surface 14 is an
external member 20 to provide a feature allowing the user of plug
10 to more easily grip the plug for insertion and removal from the
orifice of the lid.
[0020] In preferred embodiments of the invention, body portion 12
of plug 10 will be shaped so that the horizontal cross section of
body portion 12 approximates the shape of the orifice in the
beverage container lid, so as to provide an interference fit in the
orifice. As depicted in FIG. 2, one common shape employed for the
orifice of a conventional beverage container lid is best described
as "sausage-shaped" in which the ends are roughly hemi-circular,
and the middle portion is curved, for example to somewhat
approximate the curve of the outer edge of the top panel of the
lid, thus providing a convenient way to consume the beverage
without resort to removing the lid. Alternatively, another common
shape employed for such an orifice is best described as an
"oval-shaped" orifice in which the ends are roughly hemi-circular,
and the middle portion is relatively linear, suggestive of a
motorsports racetrack oval. Less commonly, the orifice will be
generally circular in shape, but more significantly, the orifice is
always substantially smaller in size than the lid and the open end
of the beverage container. By substantially smaller it is meant
that the area of the orifice is typically less than approximately
50 percent of the area of the lid, more commonly less than
approximately 20 percent, and most commonly in the range of from
approximately 0.2 percent to approximately 10 percent of the area
of the lid. Thus, the horizontal cross-sectional dimensions of the
present body portion 12 will be substantially smaller than those of
the lid and the open end of the beverage container, and will most
often be of a different shape as well.
[0021] In lids for beverage containers having a flap that is
pressed down (or lifted up) to open the orifice in the lid, the
orifice is more often shaped as an oblong, or a three- or
four-sided opening. Clearly, numerous alternative shapes exist for
the orifice, and the present plug need only have a body portion
that approximates such shape, or an appropriately designed cap
feature, in order to incorporate the desired sealing function.
[0022] As will be seen from FIG. 1, the upper surface of the plug
body will typically, but not necessarily, be flat, or optionally
"capped" with a shaped cap feature 18 that exceeds the horizontal
cross-sectional dimensions of the body portion 12. This cap feature
18 can serve a number of functions, including providing a limit to
the insertion of plug 10 into the orifice, additional sealing of
the orifice to inhibit leaking of the beverage, and the like.
Alternatively, or in addition, the upper surface 14 of the body
portion 12 can be shaped to match some design characteristic of the
external member 20.
[0023] The body portion 12 of plug 10 will desirably, but not
necessarily, include a taper, narrower at the lower surface 16 and
wider at the upper surface 14, so as to facilitate the insertion
and retention of plug 10 in the orifice. In certain embodiments,
the sidewalls 22, 22' (not shown) of the body portion 12 can be
recessed, in order to simplify insertion of plug 10 into the
orifice. In such embodiments, optional cap feature 18 of upper
surface 14 will provide much if not all of the sealing function of
plug 10. In certain other embodiments, body portion 12 can include
a circumferential depression, located at an appropriate point below
the upper surface 14 where the body portion 12 is slightly
over-sized to the lid orifice, and configured to provide a
"snap-fit" when plug 10 is inserted into the lid orifice, and thus
increase the security and retention of plug 10 in the orifice.
However, care should be taken to avoid too tight of a fit between
plug 10 and the orifice, as an excessively tight fit would make it
difficult for the user to remove plug 10 for consumption of the
beverage without removing the lid at the same time.
[0024] The present plug device will be formed from any acceptable
material, such as plastic, resin or metal, and the like, and the
body portion of the plug can be solid or hollow, so as to reduce
weight or to provide additional functionalities. In embodiments in
which the body portions are at least partially hollow, the lower
surface can also be open to the interior of the beverage container,
while preserving the sealing function.
[0025] As will be seen in FIG. 1, external member 20 located on
upper surface 14 of plug 10 will include proximal 24 and distal
regions 26, and can assume any desired shape. In certain preferred
embodiments, external member 20 can be shaped in the form of a flat
polygon or disk or the like, which would provide a convenient grip
for the user of the plug, and allow the placement of displays or
messages and/or images, such as logos, advertising messages,
promotions and the like, on either or both of the flat surfaces 28,
28' (not shown) of the external member 20, either by molding,
embossing, printing, applying labels, and the like. Alternatively,
external member 20 can assume a free-form shape, take the shape of
an advertising logo or other insignia deemed attractive to the
beverage seller or the beverage consumer. The precise size and
shape of external member 20 is not deemed critical to its ability
to perform the intended function(s). However, for ease of use for
displays, such as advertising and the like, the flat sides of a
preferred external member 20 as described above will generally
range in size from approximately 0.5 to approximately 15 square
centimeters, more commonly from approximately 1 to approximately 10
square centimeters, in order to provide sufficient space for the
display and to facilitate the legibility thereof Of course, it is
also within the scope of the present invention to formulate such
displays in a more technologically sophisticated manner, such as
lighted or scrolling displays employing, for example, light
emitting diodes and/or liquid crystal displays, and the like.
Naturally, such more sophisticated displays would likely increase
the per unit cost of the present invention.
[0026] The lower surface 16 of the plug 10 can be rounded, as
depicted in FIG. 1, or it can be truncated so as to approximate the
cross-sectional shape of the body portion 12, or any desired
alternative form. Alternatively, as disclosed above, lower surface
16 can be recessed, for example where body portion 12 is at least
partially hollow.
[0027] Optionally, as depicted in FIG. 3, lower surface 116 of plug
110 can be shaped to include an elongate projection 130 depending
downwardly, thus having proximal 132 and distal 134 ends, so as to
provide for example a means to stir the beverage, similar to a
conventional stir-stick as often included as a separate item with
containers of coffee and other similar beverages. The elongate
projection 130 can be of any reasonable length, but the overall
length will be limited by the height of the beverage container and
the amount of body portion 112 that projects below the lid when
plug 110 is inserted into the lid orifice. One convenient length
for the present plug (e.g. plug 110) is a dimension that will allow
the plug to be fitted into the beverage container and/or lid for
packaging as a unit, such as with the system of the present
invention. For example, typical beverage containers could be
packaged with a plug inside, for ease of shipping and storage.
Further, typical beverage containers often include a rim around the
bottom, and the present plug could be sized to fit into the recess
created by such a rim, so that it is outside the container but
packaged in conjunction. In such embodiments, the present plug
would desirably be size to fit so that the diametrically opposed
edges of the rim fit against the plug, thus retaining the plug in a
loose interference fit. Elongate projection 130 can also be
provided with any convenient width, typically somewhat less than
the width of the body portion 112 of the plug 110, and any
convenient cross section, such as substantially circular,
substantially oval, substantially quadrilateral, and substantially
polygonal cross sections, and the like, while retaining the
stirring functionality.
[0028] As shown in FIG. 3, a further optional feature of the
elongate projection 130 is the possible inclusion of one or more
"score lines" or grooves 131 aligned approximately with the width
of the projection at pre-selected locations along the length of the
projection. Each such score line will provide a convenient point at
which to break off an unwanted portion of the elongate projection
130 to adjust the length of the projection to meet certain
requirements (such as adjusting the length to adapt to different
size beverage containers, shortening or removing the projection
after use, and the like). The placement and configuration of
optional score line(s) 131 will be determined to meet individual
requirements, and in particular, the configuration of each score
line 131 will be determined in part by the desire to avoid
inadvertent breakage while facilitating intentional breakage. For
example, the depth and shape of any particular score line 131 will
often be dictated by considerations involving ease of manufacture
and the selected material used to form the plug 10, so that
breaking the elongate projection 130 at the particular score line
131 will involve purposeful but not undue effort.
[0029] In addition, as depicted in FIG. 4, elongate projection 230
can be hollow, if desired to reduce weight, or to provide an
additional functionality as a straw. In such embodiments, the
projection will typically extend sufficiently to approach the
bottom of the beverage container, and include an opening 236 at or
near the distal end 234, so as to provide access to the beverage in
the container. This elongate projection 230 will then comprise a
channel 238, which communicates with a hollow region 240 in plug
210, and thence lead through external member 220 to a complementary
opening 242, thus completing channel 238 to allow the user to gain
access to the beverage in the container without removing either the
lid or plug 210. This opening 242 can be located at or near the
distal region 226 of external member 220, for example, in the upper
rim of a disk-shaped external member, or in any convenient
location.
[0030] One alternative for inclusion of such an access feature (and
a stirring function) in the present plug 10, 110, 210 is to form a
channel 238 between the upper 14, 114, 214 and lower 16, 116, 216
surfaces of the plug, optionally also though or opening alongside
external member 20, 120, 220, and an optional elongate projection
130, 230, which channel is configured to allow the insertion of a
straw, such as a conventional plastic straw as used for serving
beverages in commercial environments, in a close but slideable
relationship with the plug 10, 110, 210. This optional included
straw could then also provide the stirring functionality of the
elongate projection 130, 230 and simplify the adjustment of the
length, by sliding relative to the plug 10, 110, 210 and thus
allowing an adjustable length straw/elongate projection to adapt to
particular beverage containers.
[0031] Alternatively, or in addition, the distal end 134, 234 of
the elongate projection 130, 230 can be shaped as a paddle, or a
scoop, or any alternative shape that can improve its functionality,
or provide additional functionality beyond those already described
herein. Such improvements will readily occur to those having access
to the present description of the invention.
[0032] FIG. 5 depicts one representative embodiment of a plug 310
of the present invention that has been inserted into the orifice of
a conventional beverage container lid, and showing the use of the
optional cap 318 to provide an additional sealing function for plug
310.
[0033] In most embodiments of the present invention, the plug, the
external member and the optional elongate projection will be
monolithic, that is, formed or fabricated as a single piece,
typically as a unitary article from the same material and at the
same time. Typically, in order to produce the present plugs at the
lowest cost, some form of molding process will be employed, and the
plugs will typically be fabricated from some form of plastic
material, all in accordance with means routinely known and/or
employed in such fabrications, either presently or in the
future.
[0034] Alternatively, the present plugs can be formed of, for
example, metal, epoxy resin, and other similar durable materials,
also in accordance with means routinely known and/or employed in
such fabrications, either presently or in the future. Such plugs
will be expected to be better able to endure the rigors of re-use,
storage in the user's pocket or on a key-chain, or the like. Such
plugs can readily be envisioned as taking on various attributed of
fine jewelry, for example in the fabrication materials and/or
elements of ornamentation. In embodiments of the present plug that
are intended to be stored on a key-chain for example, it would be
considered desirable to incorporate a "quick-release" feature to
separate the plug from the key-chain, and again such quick-release
features are well know and readily adaptable to use with the
present invention.
[0035] Although the foregoing invention has been described in some
detail by way of illustration and example for purposes of clarity
and understanding, it will be apparent to those of ordinary skill
in the art in light of the disclosure that certain changes and
modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit
or scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *