Drink protector

Abstract

A drink protector lid capable of being snapped onto a standard disposable cup in a standard way. A slidable aperture cover includes an extension tab that can be snapped onto a post in the center of the lid. The lid includes a centrally disposed depressed portion allowing space for a user's nose during use. The lid also includes a portion having widened top surface that has a plurality of small holes for allowing a beverage to pass through but restricting the introduction of foreign matter such as a mind-altering drug pill, powder or liquid. The widened top surface also has a raised portion on one side creating a stop for the slidable aperture cover.

Claims

1. A drink protector lid comprising: a reclosable thermo-formed plastic circular lid capable of being snapped onto a disposable cup rim comprising: i. a circular central surface surrounded by a circumferential rim, the circumferential rim comprising an inner skirt surface, an outer skirt surface, and a top surface, wherein the outer skirt surface, the inner skirt surface and the top rim surface snappably straddle the disposable cup rim; ii. the circular central surface comprising a drink disposing aperture surface, the drink dispensing aperture surface having an essentially curved trapezoid shape including straight equal length short sides, a short arc, and a long arc, the long arc of the aperture surface disposed along the rim inner skirt surface; iii. the aperture surface comprising a plurality of small apertures allowing liquid in the disposable cup to pass through but small enough to discourage insertion of foreign matter, the aperture surface further including a raised stop portion disposed along one of the aperture surface short sides; iv. the circular central surface disposed below the disposable cup rim comprising a center, further comprising an upwardly mushroom shaped post disposed in the center of the circular central surface; v. a rotatably slidable aperture surface cover comprising a front rim portion end snappably straddling the circumferential rim top surface and the circumferential rim outer skirt surface; vi. the aperture surface cover further including a radially disposed extension tab comprising an aperture in a circular die cut end portion capable of forcibly snapping over the upwardly mushroom shaped post enabling the slidable cover to snugly slide around the cover rim and to snugly close the apertures in the aperture surface when rotated to cover the aperture surface; and vi. the rotatable slidable cover being stopped from rotating past the aperture surface by the raised stop portion disposed along one of the aperture surface sides essentially closing the apertures when rotated over the aperture surface while being free to move in opposite direction uncovering the apertures in the aperture surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention with the aperture closure member in place.

(3) FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the invention showing a closer view of the aperture closure member in place on the primary lid.

(4) FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the invention with the aperture closure member swung to the open position.

(5) FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(6) Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

(7) Referring now to FIG. 1 we see a perspective view of a circular thermo-formed lid 4 of the present invention removably attached to a standard disposable drinking cup 12. An aperture cover 2 is a separate thermo-formed part that includes an extension tab 24 that has an aperture allowing the tab 24 to be rotatably attached to a centrally and upwardly extending post 14 at the center of the lid 4. The post 14 includes a widened, or mushroom shaped portion at the top. The tab aperture 15, shown in FIG. 4, is slightly smaller than the mushroom top of the post 14 so that when it is forcibly pressed over the mushroom shaped top, the tab 24 is rotatable but cannot be easily removed from the lid 4. A flat surface 6 of the aperture cover 2 covers a flat aperture surface 20 that includes a plurality of small holes 22 as shown in FIG. 3.

(8) FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view of the aperture cover 2 in the closed position. The aperture cover 6 includes a front rim portion 8 that snaps into the concave portion of the lid 4 side, holding the aperture cover 6 snuggly against the flat aperture surface 20 thereby reducing the chance of spillage during use. The stop member 16 on the right side of the aperture surface 20 makes it so that when the user slides the flat surface 6 of the aperture cover 2 to the right, it will automatically return to the fully closed position without the user having to visually see the activity taking place. In this way, the user can take part in normal activity and slide the aperture cover 2 to the left to drink, and to the right to cover the small holes 22 without losing eye contact with other people in a group. The result is that the user can maintain protection of the aperture portion of the lid with minimal effort thereby reducing the chance that an individual can insert a pill or powder or liquid into the aperture holes 22 without the user's knowledge. Because the holes 22 are approximately one eighth of an inch in diameter they provide another layer of protection from the unwanted insertion of a pill, powder or liquid. Yet the holes 22 are large enough to allow an easy exit for the beverage contained within cup 12. The central surface 18 of the lid 100 is depressed approximately one half of one inch to allow room for the user's nose when the user is drinking from the cup 12.

(9) FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the aperture cover 2 in the open position, allowing the user full access to holes 22. The entire lid 4 and aperture cover 2 are thermo-formed from a sheet of food grade plastic.

(10) For a transparent cover, PET plastic is recommended. If transparency is not required, a lid made from opaque polystyrene is recommended.

(11) FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the invention 100. Lid 4 can snap onto the perimeter of cup 12 in a standard way aperture cover 2 is snapped onto central post 14 via aperture 15 and also snapped onto the front of the lid 4 via side panel 8.

(12) The above description and accompanying drawings show a unique lid for a disposable cup that helps prevent unwanted material from being deposited into a drinking cup while at the same time allowing a user to safely drink from the cup when so desired.

(13) While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.