Lid and Method for Producing/Manufacturing Thermoformed Disposable Lid for a Drinking Cup with Integrated Straw Mouthpiece Portion and Multi-Level Punch

Abstract

A disposable lid for a drinking cup comprised of polymeric material formed as a single piece combination straw and lid as a means for drinking beverages from a cup by method of tipping and sipping and manufactured by method of thermoforming in a manner involving a multiple level punch.

Claims

1. A drinking cup lid molded as a single piece integrated straw and lid combination (straw-lid) comprising a straw mouthpiece consisting of a tall hollow tubular portion rising sharply from the surface of the lid surface with a top opening at the pinnacle of the mouthpiece and bottom opening from the bottom side of the lid. an integrated straw mouthpiece with no descending portion beneath the lid a straw-lid as a means for consuming beverages from a drinking cup a straw-lid comprised of polymeric material, such polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, acrylic, recycled content and the like a straw-lid that eliminates the need for the use of a common, separate drinking straw a straw-lid that eliminates the space needed for storing straws a straw-lid to accommodate a variety of beverages of all thicknesses, temperatures, consistencies a straw-lid with a straw mouthpiece that has a roundedly formed open edge a straw-lid that is safe and easily used by all ages and abilities

2. A straw-lid of claim 1 with an accommodatingly adequate rim to fit a variety of cup styles and materials of equal circumference a straw-lid that fits around the lip rims of a variety of cup styles that include rolled edges, straight edges, thickened edges a straw-lid that accommodates cup materials such as styrofoam, paper, plastic, acrylic, glass and the like a straw-lid that is secured in place by a contour crease beneath the outer rim a straw-lid that is secured further by a continuous band that is formed inward beneath the contour crease a straw-lid that is also secured in place by a recessed lid surface that fits securely into the inner top edge of the cup a straw-lid that forms a fittingly leak-proof seal by pairing the inner recessed lid and the outer inward formed continuous band

3. A straw-lid of claim 1 for the purpose of drinking a beverage from a cup by method of tipping and sipping, comprising securing the straw-lid attachably to the open rim of a drinking cup, tipping the cup containing the beverage toward the mouth and sipping out of the straw mouthpiece without having to tilt the head backward to accommodate the flow of liquid allowing gravity, liquid and weight to draw or funnel the beverage into the hollow straw mouthpiece, and to flow unimpeded into the mouth, eliminating a sucking action

4. A straw-lid of claim 2 that comprises indentations formed into the lid surface to illustrate and encourage fingertip placement to provide stability and security of the lid in use

5. A straw-lid of claim 1 that comprises a rounded edge to the straw mouthpiece

6. A straw-lid of claim 1 that comprises an inward formed hole punch to funnel air in and out to equalize pressure inside the cup while being used

7. A method of manufacturing the straw-lid comprising a process wherein the mold made in the image of the straw-lid is positioned as “male” heating the plastic to the mold forming the heated plastic around the outside of the “male” mold by vacuum, pressure or matched metal, or a combination thereof using a multi-level punch from a “female” mold perspective to create the holes at the pinnacle of the straw mouthpiece, the pressure equalization valve and cutting around the shape for release using a vacuum assist to remove the mouthpiece hole to eliminate “tabbing” releasing the formed straw-lid by draft and moving on to stack and package

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0027] FIG. 1 Comprehensive view of the straw-lid on a cup

[0028] FIG. 2 Exploded view of the straw mouthpiece and rim

[0029] FIG. 3 Exploded view of the pressure equalization valve

[0030] FIG. 4 Cross sectional view of the straw-lid

[0031] FIG. 5 Exploded view of straw-lid rim

[0032] FIG. 6 Method of manufacture process, mold and heated plastic

[0033] FIG. 7 Method of manufacture process, thermoforming

[0034] FIG. 8 Method of manufacture process, heated plastic formed to the mold

[0035] FIG. 9 Method of manufacture process, multi-level hole punch in finished produce before it leaves the mold

[0036] FIG. 10 Illustration of the method of tipping and sipping from a straw-lid showing use of the finger indentations to offer security and stability while drinking a beverage

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] FIG. 1 on drawing Page 1 of 4, depicts a comprehensive view, showing the straw-lid 11 secured to the opening of a drinking cup 01. The primary feature of the straw-lid 11 is the straw mouthpiece 12, which is a hollow tube, protruding and rising up from the surface 14 of the straw-lid, with no descending portion. The opening 13 of the straw mouthpiece 12 is smaller than the outer circumference of the straw mouthpiece 12, which forms a naturally rounded rim 15 for comfort and safety while in use. The straw-lid 11 includes a pressure equalization valve 17 which presents as a raised portion on the surface of the straw-lid 14. An inward funneled hole 18 is present in the valve 17 which encourages air flow and equalization while the opening 13 of the straw mouthpiece 12 is fully covered by the user while drinking. This prevents a vacuum from being formed within the cup 01 which would impede the flow of the beverage. The straw-lid features finger indentations 16 to indicate the user can place a finger on the lid to provided extra security and comfort while drinking using the tip and sip method. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the straw mouthpiece 12, the opening 13 and the rounded rim 15.

[0038] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the pressure equalization valve platform 17 with the inward funneled hole 18.

[0039] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the straw-lid 11 which features the straw mouthpiece 12, finger indentations 16 and a rolled rim edge 19 with continuous security band 20 and an bottom edge or skirt 21 for lifting and removing the lid.

[0040] FIG. 5 Shows an exploded view of the rolled edge 19 of the rim of the straw-lid 11. The continuous security band 20 is formed under the rolled edge 19 and the bottom edge, or skirt 21 is formed outward to accommodate lid removal for refilling or discarding and recycling.

[0041] FIG. 6 depicts a cross sectional view of the mold 22 for the straw-lid. The heated plastic 23 covers the mold 22 from above and the heated plastic 23 settles around the outside of the mold 22 in FIG. 7, indicating this is a “male” mold. The heated plastic 23 is vacuumed from underneath the mold 22 to draw the heated plastic 23 tightly to the mold 22 in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 indicates the multi-level hole punch 24, 25, to form the hole 13 in the end of the straw mouthpiece 12 of the cooled plastic which is now the finished product. The holes are removed with a vacuum assist for complete removal to prevent tabbing.

[0042] FIG. 10 illustrates the method of tipping and sipping from the straw-lid, using the finger indentations for stability and security while drinking a beverage. The finger indentations offer the suggestion of using a finger to further secure the straw-lid to the cup rim. The tipping and sipping method is designed to move a beverage from a drinking cup into the straw mouthpiece of the straw-lid by raising the cup and allowing gravity, liquid and weight to encourage the flow through an unimpeded straw mouthpiece without having to tilt the head back.