U.S. patent application number 14/986701 was filed with the patent office on 2018-08-23 for beverage lid that attaches to food container.
This patent application is currently assigned to SNACKTOPS. The applicant listed for this patent is Ronald Mark Buck. Invention is credited to Ronald Mark Buck.
Application Number | 20180235387 14/986701 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55347184 |
Filed Date | 2018-08-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180235387 |
Kind Code |
A9 |
Buck; Ronald Mark |
August 23, 2018 |
BEVERAGE LID THAT ATTACHES TO FOOD CONTAINER
Abstract
A container lid is disclosed that accepts a snap-on container.
The lid includes a continuous outer coupling trough for attachment
to the open top of a beverage container where the trough
circumscribes a footprint of the container lid. A straw-hole planar
surface is disposed within the footprint, the straw-hole planar
surface is adjacent to the outer coupling trough and a hole for
drinking a liquid in the container extends through the straw-hole
planar surface. A riser wall extends away from the straw-hole
planar surface and defines a first planar surface above the
straw-hole planar surface. A sip hole extends through the first
planar surface. A food container coupling wall connects to the
first planar surface and extends from the first planar surface to a
position lower than the first planar surface and a food container
coupling bottom connected to the food container coupling wall.
Inventors: |
Buck; Ronald Mark;
(Encinitas, CA) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Buck; Ronald Mark |
Encinitas |
CA |
US |
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Assignee: |
SNACKTOPS
Carlsbad
CA
|
Prior
Publication: |
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Document Identifier |
Publication Date |
|
US 20160128502 A1 |
May 12, 2016 |
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Family ID: |
55347184 |
Appl. No.: |
14/986701 |
Filed: |
January 3, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14824900 |
Aug 12, 2015 |
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14986701 |
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29500266 |
Aug 22, 2014 |
D726477 |
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14824900 |
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13680011 |
Nov 17, 2012 |
9622605 |
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29500266 |
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13360707 |
Jan 28, 2012 |
8381935 |
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13680011 |
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13226346 |
Sep 6, 2011 |
8596491 |
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13360707 |
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62105256 |
Jan 20, 2015 |
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62105256 |
Jan 20, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2543/00046
20130101; B65D 43/02 20130101; B65D 51/18 20130101; B65D 2251/0081
20130101; A47G 19/2272 20130101; B65D 81/3205 20130101; B65D
2251/0021 20130101; A47G 21/187 20130101; B65D 47/32 20130101; A47G
21/18 20130101; B65D 2251/0028 20130101; B65D 2251/009 20130101;
B65D 43/0212 20130101; B65D 43/16 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47G 19/22 20060101
A47G019/22; B65D 43/02 20060101 B65D043/02; B65D 43/16 20060101
B65D043/16; B65D 47/32 20060101 B65D047/32; B65D 51/18 20060101
B65D051/18 |
Claims
1. A container lid that can be coupled to a food container, the lid
comprising: a continuous outer coupling trough for attachment to
the open top of a beverage container, the trough circumscribing a
footprint of the container lid; a straw-hole planar surface within
the footprint, the straw-hole planar surface adjacent to the outer
coupling trough; a hole for drinking a liquid in the container
extending through the straw-hole planar surface; a riser wall
extending away from the straw-hole planar surface, the riser wall
defining a first planar surface above the straw-hole planar
surface, the first planar surface within the footprint; a sip hole
for drinking the liquid extending through the first planar surface;
and a food container coupling wall connected to the first planar
surface and extending from the first planar surface to a position
lower than the first planar surface and a food container coupling
bottom connected to the food container coupling wall.
2. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the straw-hole planar
surface further comprises a straw-hole cover and a hinge, wherein
the straw-hole cover rotates about the hinge and exposes the
hole.
3. The container lid of claim 2, wherein the straw-hole cover
further has a tick connected to the straw-hole planar surface.
4. The container lid of claim 1, the food container coupling wall
comprising a pressure structure adapted to put pressure against the
food container when a food container is coupled to the lid.
5. The container lid of claim 14, where in the pressure is selected
so as to allow the secure coupling of the food container to the
lid, and allow the decoupling of the food container from the
lid.
6. The container lid of claim 1, further comprising a vent
hole.
7. The container lid of claim 1, wherein the straw hole has a
substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners.
8. The container lid of claim 1, wherein when a food container is
coupled to the lid, the sip hole is substantially covered by the
food container, while the straw hole is not covered by the food
container.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is also related to U.S. Pat. No. 8,596,491
entitled "CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER" issued on Dec. 3,
2013; U.S. Pat. No. 8,695,845 entitled "TOP MOUNTING CAN CONTAINER"
issued on Apr. 15, 2014; U.S. Pat. No. 8,381,935 entitled "CUP LID
WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER" issued on Feb. 26, 2013; U.S. Pat. No.
8,714,393 entitled "CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER" issued on
May 6, 2014; U.S. Pat. No. 8,590,730 entitled "TOP MOUNTING CAN
CONTAINER" issued on Nov. 26, 2013; U.S. Pat. No. 8,708,181
entitled "LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER" issued on Apr. 29, 2014;
U.S. Pat. No. 8,701,914 entitled "TWO-PART RECYCLABLE CUP" issued
on Apr. 22, 2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/412,602
entitled "TOP MOUNTING BOTTLE CONTAINER" filed on Mar. 5, 2012;
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/680,011 entitled "CUP LID WITH
INTEGRATED CONTAINER" filed on Nov. 17, 2012; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 13/680,049 entitled "CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED
CONTAINER" filed on Nov. 17, 2012; U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/733,153 entitled "CUP LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER" filed on
Jan. 3, 2013; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/263,993 entitled
"LID WITH INTEGRATED CONTAINER" filed on Apr. 28, 2014; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/269,016 entitled "A CONTAINER LID WITH ONE
OR MORE CAVITIES" filed on May 2, 2014; U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 14/274,576 entitled "A CONTAINER LID WITH A FOOD
COMPARTMENT AND A SIP-HOLE" filed on May 9, 2014; U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/313,907 entitled "A CONTAINER LID SYSTEM
WITH A LID PORTION AND FOOD CONTAINER PORTION" filed on Jun. 24,
2014; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/005,862 entitled "A
CONTAINER LID SYSTEM WITH A LID PORTION AND FOOD CONTAINER PORTION"
filed on May 30, 2014; U.S. Patent Application 62/038,199 entitled
"A CONTAINER LID SYSTEM WITH TAMPER INDICATOR" filed on Aug. 15,
2014; U.S. Patent Application 29/500,266 entitled "BENDABLE
DRINKING STRAW" filed on Aug. 22, 2014; and U.S. Patent Application
62/105,256 entitled "BENDABLE SAFETY STRAW AND LIDS WITH FOOD
COMPARTMENT" filed on Jan. 20, 2015; all of which are by the same
inventor of the present application. Each of these applications is
incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates to drinking straws.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The increased popularity of fast-food establishments,
coupled with the popularity of consumption of food and beverages on
the go, have led to the need for more convenient and safer takeout
packaging.
[0004] Currently, a consumer wishing to drink from a takeout
beverage container has two standard options: sipping the beverage
through a sip hole in the lid of the beverage container, as is
common for hot drinks such as coffee; or sucking the beverage
through a straw placed into the beverage container, as is common
for drinks consumed cold, such as sodas. Sip holes, typically used
for hot beverages, require the consumer to take small sips to avoid
scalding. While many consumers would prefer a controlled or
regulated delivery of their hot beverage, standard straws do not
allow for the liquid to cool to a comfortable temperature before
reaching the consumer's mouth and thus have the potential to cause
burns. Both straws and sip holes can be hazardous when the consumer
is engaged in an activity, such as driving or walking, that
requires maintaining eyes forward to watch the path ahead, and
which may involve sudden stops. The consumer may have to look down
and away from the road while drinking from a straw or may have
forward vision obstructed by the beverage container while tipping
it back to drink via a sip hole. Straws are also potentially
dangerous if the consumer's head decelerates quickly while
drinking, for example when braking unexpectedly during a drive. In
that case, the straw may stab the consumer in the roof of her or
his mouth. While some straws incorporate a flexible portion to
allow the consumer to keep eyes forward, they do not eliminate this
risk of stabbing, and further must be sized particularly for each
height of beverage container.
[0005] Existing takeout beverage and food containers are also
inconvenient, requiring the consumer to set aside a sandwich to
take a drink, for example; or, in the case of a beverage container
with a lid that accepts a snap-on food container, the food
container must be decoupled in order for the consumer to sip a hot
drink through a sip hole.
[0006] What is therefore needed is a straw that overcomes these
drawbacks and fosters convenient on-the-go drinking.
SUMMARY
[0007] The present invention provides an elegant solution to the
needs described above and provides numerous additional benefits and
advantages as will be apparent to persons of skill in the art.
[0008] One aspect provides a container lid that can be coupled to a
food container, wherein the lid includes a continuous outer
coupling trough for attachment to the open top of a beverage
container and where the trough circumscribes a footprint of the
container lid. A straw-hole planar surface is disposed within the
footprint, the straw-hole planar surface is adjacent to the outer
coupling trough and a hole for drinking a liquid in the container
extends through the straw-hole planar surface. A riser wall extends
away from the straw-hole planar surface and defines a first planar
surface above the straw-hole planar surface. A sip hole extends
through the first planar surface. A food container coupling wall
connects to the first planar surface and extends from the first
planar surface to a position lower than the first planar surface
and a food container coupling bottom connected to the food
container coupling wall.
[0009] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not meant
to be exhaustive. Other aspects, objects, and advantages of this
invention will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon
reviewing the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended
claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention can be better understood with reference to the
following figures. The components within the figures are not
necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed on clearly
illustrating example aspects of the invention. In the figures, like
reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the
different views and/or embodiments. It will be understood that
certain components and details may not appear in the figures to
assist in more clearly describing the invention.
[0011] FIG. 1 illustrates a consumer using a novel straw, without
diverting the consumer's gaze.
[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a consumer using a conventional straw
with the consumer's gaze diverted.
[0013] FIG. 3A shows the straw of FIG. 1 used with a short beverage
container.
[0014] FIG. 3B shows the straw of FIG. 1 used with a beverage
container that is taller than the beverage container of FIG.
3A.
[0015] FIG. 3C shows the straw of FIG. 1 used with a beverage
container that is taller than the beverage container of FIG.
3B.
[0016] FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the straw of FIG. 1 used with
a beverage container that has a food compartment on top.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a side view of the straw of FIG. 1 used with a
beverage container that has a food compartment on top.
[0018] FIG. 6 is an embodiment of the straw with a large
opening.
[0019] FIG. 7 is an embodiment of the straw with a narrow
opening.
[0020] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the straw of FIG. 1.
[0021] FIG. 9 is a side view of the straw of FIG. 1.
[0022] FIG. 10 illustrates the straw of FIG. 1 deforming into the
beverage container.
[0023] FIG. 11 illustrates how a conventional straw can stab the
inside of a consumer's mouth.
[0024] FIG. 12A depicts the general parameters for flow analysis of
a novel straw.
[0025] FIG. 12B depicts the flow analysis of four straw
configurations.
[0026] FIG. 12C is an isometric view of the straws of FIG. 12B.
[0027] FIG. 12D is a side illustration of any of the straws of FIG.
12B in bending.
[0028] FIG. 12E is a front illustration of any of the straws of
FIG. 12B in bending.
[0029] FIG. 12F is an isometric illustration of any of the straws
of FIG. 12B in bending.
[0030] FIG. 13A is an isometric view of a beverage container with a
lid that has a food container snapped or coupled to the lid, with
the straw of FIG. 1.
[0031] FIG. 13B is a side view of the beverage container/lid
complex of FIG. 13A.
[0032] FIG. 13C is an isometric view of the beverage container/lid
complex of FIG. 13A.
[0033] FIG. 13D is an isometric view of the beverage container/lid
complex of FIG. 13A, with the food container detached from the lid
of the beverage container.
[0034] FIG. 13E is an isometric view of the beverage container/lid
complex of FIG. 13A, with the food container detached from the lid
beverage container and rotated to show the mating surfaces.
[0035] FIG. 13F is an isometric view of the beverage container/lid
complex of FIG. 13A, with the food container detached from the lid
of the beverage container.
[0036] FIG. 13G is an isometric view of the beverage container lid
of FIG. 13A, with the food container removed and without the
beverage container and straw, showing detail of the straw hole.
[0037] FIG. 13H is a top view of the lid of FIG. 13G.
[0038] FIG. 13I is a side view of the lid of FIG. 13G.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0039] Following is a non-limiting written description of example
embodiments illustrating various aspects of the invention. These
examples are provided to enable a person of ordinary skill in the
art to practice the full scope of the invention without having to
engage in an undue amount of experimentation. As will be apparent
to persons skilled in the art, further modifications and
adaptations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope
of the invention, which is limited only by the claims. In the
following description, numerous specific details are set forth in
order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention.
Particular example embodiments of the present invention may be
implemented without some or all of these features or specific
details. In other instances, components well known to persons of
skill in the art have not been described in detail in order not to
obscure unnecessarily the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates the straw 10 used in a beverage container
20. The straw is similar to the one disclosed in U.S. Patent
Application 29/500,266 entitled "BENDABLE DRINKING STRAW" filed on
Aug. 22, 2014, which is by the same inventor of the present
application and is incorporated herein by reference. The straw 10
may optionally be pre-shaped with an arc shape, and is flexible as
described in more detail with reference to FIG. 10. The straw 10
may also be semi-rigid such that it returns to its original shape
when it is not under a bending force. The straw 10 may be made of a
compliant material such as plastic or composite, to allow it to
reversibly deflect as described in more detail with reference to
FIG. 10. Because the straw 10 may be pre-formed with an arc shape,
the consumer can drink from the straw from a natural horizontal
position, keeping her or his gaze 30 forward. This is important
when the consumer's gaze cannot be diverted, for example when the
consumer is driving a vehicle and would like to take a sip through
the straw without looking away from the road ahead. As shown in
FIG. 2, with a conventional straw 40, the consumer's gaze 50 is
diverted when drinking.
[0041] Previous straw designs addressed this problem with a short
section of the straw that was bendable with an accordion-like
structure. The portion of the straw on either end of the
accordion-like structure was straight, and bending the
accordion-like structure could create a 90-degree turn such that
the user would access the end of the straw in the horizontal
position. But as discussed below, when these accordion-like
bendable straws are used with a top-mounted snap-on food container
that may be larger than the beverage container lid, the straw must
be sized in relation to the height of each particular type of
beverage container, thereby reducing their utility.
[0042] FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C illustrate the same straw 10 placed into
three beverage containers of different depths 20A, 20B, 20C. The
straw 10 exits the beverage container with about the same amount of
vertical clearance. This takes on more importance when the beverage
container only has limited vertical clearance. For example, in FIG.
4, the beverage container 20D has a food container 60 placed on top
it. Such a food container is disclosed in the applications listed
at the beginning of this application, the disclosures of which are
fully incorporated herein by reference. But as shown at position
70, the food container 60 restricts the amount of vertical
clearance of a straw 10. A conventional accordion-like bendable
straw would need to be specifically manufactured for the precise
depth of the container 20D. If the food container 60 were placed on
a shorter beverage container (for example container 20A of FIG.
3A), yet another straw would need to be manufactured that was
shorter. Because of the bendable characteristics of the straw 10,
which may optionally be arc-shaped, (shown in more detail in FIGS.
3A, 3B and 3C), a single straw can be used with various heights of
beverage containers.
[0043] FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate two cross sectional shapes of the
straw 10, with FIG. 6 having a larger opening 80 for thicker
beverages such as milkshakes and FIG. 7 having a narrower opening
90 for hot beverages such as coffee. It would be apparent that
other cross sectional shapes are possible.
[0044] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of the straw 10 intended to show
the arc-shape. FIG. 9 is a side view showing the arc-shape. In the
embodiments shown, the straw has more than a 20-degree arc and is
approximately 12 inches long. It would be apparent that other arc
angles and lengths are possible.
[0045] In addition to the safety feature of allowing a consumer to
drink in a natural horizontal position without diverting her or his
gaze, the straw also is compliant so as to minimize stabbing that
is common with a conventional straw. FIG. 10 illustrates a consumer
drinking from the straw 10 even when experiencing a force that
propels the consumer's head forward in the direction of arrow 100.
The straw 10 bendably deforms to position 110 from position 120. A
convention straw 40, shown in in FIG. 11, would stab the consumer
in the same situation. If, for example, a consumer was driving and
held the beverage container in an orientation to maintain a forward
gaze as in FIG. 11, and that consumer experienced a force such as
hard braking that propelled the consumer's head forward in the
direction of arrow 130, the straw 40 would not bend and would stab
the inner portion of the consumer's mouth 140. Also, when the straw
40 bends, the cross-sectional area of the straw does not collapse
or crimp. The straw 10 is constructed such that the amount of force
necessary to bend the straw does not cause discomfort to the user's
mouth. In one embodiment, the amount of bending force necessary is
between 0.02 N and 0.2 N. The straw 10 may be made more rigid, but
the bending force would then also increase, possibly causing
discomfort to the user's mouth.
[0046] A further feature of the straw concerns its ability to
regulate or cool hot liquids during use to prevent burns. FIGS.
12A-12F illustrate a straight and bendable straw 10 used in a
beverage container. The bendable drinking straw is designed such
that it can bend at least 180 degrees as shown in FIGS. 12D and
12F. The straw may also be optionally pre-formed in an
arc-shape.
[0047] Currently, hot liquids are delivered from a beverage
container to the consumer via a sip hole that allows a user to tip
the container and sip the hot liquid. It is the sipping that allows
the liquid to cool, preventing scalding. Because the bendable straw
can be used for hot beverages, it is helpful that the length and
internal surface area of the straw allows the liquid to cool when
it travels from the beverage container to the consumer's mouth.
Conventional circular straws (by circular, it is meant the cross
section) do not allow for safely bending or deflecting off a top
mounted food container, nor do they sufficiently regulate or cool a
hot liquid. For this reason, consumers do not use a conventional
circular straw for consuming hot beverages. Rather, the bendable
straw disclosed herein may be used to have a properly sized
cross-sectional area and length such that the amount of liquid
entering the consumer's mouth is properly regulated or cooled, and
therefore will not scald the user. This is especially helpful when
the user is performing some other task while consuming the
beverage. For example, a user who is driving would prefer to use a
straw to consume the hot beverage such that his or her gaze is not
diverted or obstructed by having to tilt the beverage container to
access the liquid from the sip hole.
[0048] FIGS. 12A and 12B depict the flow analysis of four bendable
straw configurations shown in FIG. 12C. The OH parameter (or the
system rating number) is a qualitative measure of the amount of
head caused by the straw and is calculated by the following
equation:
OH=(Friction Factor.times.(L/Hydraulic Diameter)).times.((Velocity
2)/(2*Gravimetric Acceleration))
[0049] Each of these parameters is calculated and presented in FIG.
12B. The higher OH parameter (i.e., the head) the more the straw is
able to dissipate heat so as to reduce the temperature of the
beverage as it moves through the straw. Another factor shown in
FIG. 12B is the cross-sectional area and the velocity, the product
of which is the volume of liquid delivered to the user. System 1
has a low OH, meaning that the straw allows less heat to escape
from the liquid and the volume of liquid delivered to the user is
about 0.0473 in 3/s. So while the straw allows less heat to escape
from the liquid, the amount of liquid actually delivered is very
small and reduces the possibility of scalding. A user may not
prefer such low volume delivery. System 4 has a higher OH, meaning
that the straw will allow more cooling, and the volume of liquid
delivered to the user is much higher (10.times.) at about 0.537 in
3/s. While the user would like the additional volume, the OH value
suggests that the liquid delivered may be too hot. The combination
of high volume and high temperature runs the risk of scaling.
Systems 2 and 3 have OH values of 0.23 and 0.19 inches
respectively, with a volume delivery of 0.297 in 3/s. This
combination of OH value and volume is the "sweet spot" where a user
is delivered a pleasant amount of warm beverage, while reducing the
possibility of scalding. The optimal straw design is therefore
shown by system 2 and 3, with the dimensions provided in FIGS.
12A-12C. It would be apparent that the various parameters could be
varied to reach an optimal volume/temperature profile for the straw
without departing from the spirit of this invention. Those
parameters may include but are not limited to the physical
dimensions of the straw, the straw material, and the roughness of
the straw. (A straw that has more internal roughness would increase
the OH and reduce the temperature). Further, the dimensions may be
chosen such that the straw can easily bend without causing the
straw to collapse and thereby unreasonably restrict flow. The
bending of the straws (systems 1-4) is shown in FIGS. 12D-12F.
[0050] FIGS. 13A-13I illustrate a lid 200 for a beverage container
215, than can be detachably connected to a food container 205. A
bendable straw, as discussed with reference to FIGS. 12A-12F, may
be inserted into a punch-out straw hole 225. A lid 200 has a
continuous outer coupling trough 210 for attachment to the open top
of the beverage container 215. The lid 200 also has a straw-hole
planar surface 220 that is adjacent to the outer coupling trough
210. A hole 225 for drinking the liquid in the container extends
through the straw-hole planar surface 220. Riser wall 230 extends
away from the straw-hole planar surface 220 and defines a first
planar surface 235 above the straw-hole planar surface 220. A sip
hole 240 for drinking the liquid also extends through the first
planar surface 235. To connect the lid 200 to the food container
205, the lid 200 may have a food container coupling wall 245
connected to the first planar surface 235 that extends down from
the first planar surface 235 to a position lower than the first
planar surface 235. The food container coupling wall 245 may also
include a pressure structure 270 that places pressure against the
food container 205 when a food container 205 is coupled to the lid
200. The pressure exerted by the pressure structure 270 is selected
so as to allow the secure coupling of the food container 205 to the
lid 200, and allow the decoupling of the food container 205 from
the lid 200. The lid 200 may also have a vent hole 275 to relive
pressure buildup caused by hot beverages.
[0051] A food container coupling bottom 250 is connected to the
food container coupling wall. The straw hole planar surface 220 may
also have a straw hole cover 255 and a hinge 260, wherein the straw
hole cover rotates about the hinge and exposes the hole 225 when a
straw is punched through the hole 225. To prevent the straw hole
cover 255 from inadvertently opening, it may have a tick 265 that
connects it to the straw hole planar surface 220. The straw hole
220 may have a substantially rectangular shape with rounded corners
280, which would accommodate the straw 10 disclosed above.
[0052] One benefit of having the straw hole cover 255 is that a
user may prefer to use the sip hole 240. If the straw hole 225 does
not have a cover 255, rather it is an open hole, the user may
inadvertently spill the hot beverage while tilting the beverage cup
during sipping from the sip hole 240. The straw hole cover 255
prevents this spillage. It further allows a retailer to use a
single hot beverage lid for multiple users. Likewise as shown in
FIG. 13B, when the food container 205 is coupled to the lid 200,
the sip hole 240 is substantially covered by the food container
205, while the straw hole 225 is not covered by the food container
205. Thus if the user prefers to use a straw and consume the food
from the food container 205, the beverage will not spill from the
sip 240 when the food container 205 is coupled.
[0053] The straw may be constructed out of plastics, composites or
other suitable materials. The straw may also be semi-rigid such
that it returns to its original shape when it is not under a
bending force.
[0054] The invention has been described in connection with specific
embodiments that illustrate examples of the invention but do not
limit its scope. Various example systems have been shown and
described having various aspects and elements. Unless indicated
otherwise, any feature, aspect or element of any of these systems
may be removed from, added to, combined with or modified by any
other feature, aspect or element of any of the systems. As will be
apparent to persons skilled in the art, modifications and
adaptations to the above-described systems and methods can be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, which
is defined only by the following claims. Moreover, the applicant
expressly does not intend the following claims "and the embodiments
in the specification to be strictly coextensive." Phillips v. AHW
Corp., 415 F.3d 1303, 1323 (Fed. Cir. 2005) (en banc).
* * * * *