SINGLE USE SUBSTANCE FILLED INSERT FOR DISPOSABLE BEVERAGE LIDS

Abstract

Embodiments of the disclosed technology are directed to devices, systems and/or methods for storing a substance in the lid of a disposable container. Specifically, the disclosed technology is directed to a lid for use with disposable cups such as hot beverage cups. The lid may have a recess adapted to receive a sealed substance-filled receptacle. The receptacle may be adapted to be detachably received into the recess such that it may be released from the recess by user before, during or after the consumption of the contents of the cup. The receptacle may reside in the lid in a manner which does not inhibit the use of the cup and/or lid as intended. Moreover, the receptacle may be substantially flush with the surface of the lid such that there is no resulting protrusion. The substance enclosed in the receptacle may be, for example, an oral hygiene product.

Claims

1. A lid adapted to be received onto a beverage container, the lid comprising: a circular, beverage container coupling portion adapted to be frictionally engaged with a top rim of the beverage container; a circular flange extending downwards from the coupling portion, adapted to substantially cover the top rim of a beverage container; a substantially circular elevated rim extending upwards from the coupling portion, the rim being substantially contiguous, extending circumferentially around the lid; an aperture disposed along the rim, the aperture adapted for the consumption of a beverage from the beverage container by a user; a substantially cylindrical recess disposed radially inwards from the rim, the recess being distally located from the aperture, wherein the recess has a contiguous cylindrical side wall and flat bottom; and a receptacle adapted to be releasably nested into the recess, wherein the receptacle has a substantially cylindrical side wall, a bottom, and a top, further wherein the top is covered by a lid.

2. The lid of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the recess extends downwards to substantially the same elevation as a bottom edge of the flange.

3. The lid of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the recess extends downwards to substantially the same elevation as a bottom edge of the flange.

4. The lid of claim 1, wherein the receptacle has an oral hygiene substance disposed therein.

5. The lid of claim 1, wherein the substantially cylindrical side wall is tapered inwards as the side wall extends to the bottom.

6. The lid of claim 1, wherein the oral hygiene substance is liquid mouthwash.

7. A system, comprising: a cup having a horizontally disposed bottom and a continuous side wall which terminates at a top end with an opening, wherein a flat bottom is disposed substantially near a lower extremity of the sidewall to form a hollow region; a lid formed of a unitary body having a lower flange that corresponds to and mates with the top end of the cup, forming a releasably affixed connection, wherein the lid has an aperture and a cylindrical recess which forms a borehole with a substantially planar bottom and opened top; and a sealed receptacle having a substance disposed therein, wherein the receptacle is formed of a horizontally disposed bottom and a continuous side wall which terminates at a top end with lid, further wherein the receptacle is adapted to be releasably affixed into the recess such that the receptacle may be released from the recess by a user.

8. The system of claim 7, wherein the receptacle is statically embedded in the recess using frictional contact between a flange disposed along a sidewall of the recess and a corresponding flange on an exterior of the side wall of the receptacle.

9. The system of claim 7, wherein the receptacle is statically embedded in the recess using a releasable adhesive.

10. The system of claim 7, wherein the exterior diameter of the receptacle substantially conforms to the interior diameter of the recess such that the receptacle may be statically pressed into and stored in the recess using friction between the side wall of the receptacle and the interior wall of the recess.

11. The system of claim 7, wherein a diameter of the side wall of receptacle is tapers downward such that the diameter is reduced as the side wall extends towards the bottom; and further wherein the diameter of a side wall of the recess tapers downwards such that the diameter is reduced as the side wall extends towards towards the bottom of the recess.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the bottom of the recess extends downwards at least past a lower extremity of the lower flange.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a lid with a recess for receiving a receptacle in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0026] FIG. 2 shows an overhead plan view of the lid of FIG. 1 with a receptacle inserted into the recess in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0027] FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of the lid of FIG. 2 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0028] FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the lid of FIG. 3 along an axis A-A in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0029] FIG. 5 shows a stand-alone side elevation view of the disposable receptacle of FIGS. 2 through 4 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0030] FIG. 6 shows a side elevation view of another lid with a receptacle inserted in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0031] FIG. 7 shows a cut-away, cross-sectional elevation view of the lid of FIG. 6 along the axis B-B in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0032] FIG. 8 shows an overhead plan view of another lid in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0033] FIG. 9 shows cross sectional view of the lid of FIG. 8 along the C-C axis in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.

[0034] A better understanding of the disclosed technology will be obtained from the following detailed description of embodiments of the disclosed technology, taken in conjunction with the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] References will now be made in detail to the present exemplary embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Certain examples are shown in the above-identified figures and described in detail below. In describing these examples, like or identical reference numbers are used to identify common or similar elements. The figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features and certain views of the figures may be shown exaggerated in scale or in schematic for clarity and/or conciseness.

[0036] Referring now to the figures, devices and methods are provided for ergonomically storing and partially concealing a liquid or solid substance in the lid component of a disposable container such as a cup for consuming beverages. Embodiments of the disclosed technology employ one or more insertable receptacles. The receptacles are adapted to enclose a small amount of liquid and/or solids therein. The receptacles are further adapted to be received into a hollow, recess of a disposable lid meant to be affixed atop a disposable cup in a manner that effects neither the form nor the functionality of the overall beverage consumption.

[0037] The types of substances that may be stored in embodiments of the disclosed technology may include any substance associated with the consumption of food & beverages and/or oral hygiene. Such items may include powders, tea leaves, vitamins, sauces, chewing gum, mouthwash, mints, mouthwash strips, gels, candies, nuts, sugar, instant beverage mix, etc.

[0038] Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view a perspective view is shown of a lid with a recess for receiving a receptacle in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The lid 10 may be adapted to fit on any cup of the prior art. That is, the lid 10 may be manufactured, sold and dispensed to be used on common beverage cups used in restaurants, cafes, stores and/or at home. The lid 10 may be generally formed of a single, unitary body. The lid 10 may have a flange portion 12 which may be adapted to conform to, cover, and/or be affixed to the rim of a cup. The cup (not shown) may be a standard disposable cup of the prior art, such as, for example, those single-use cups (with accompanying lids) which are commonly used to serve hot beverages on the go.

[0039] The lid 10 may have an aperture 19 that may be used to dispense and/or consume the contents of an attached cup. Typically the aperture 19 is disposed on a raised portion of the lid 10 in order to facilitate easy drinking by the mouth of a user. An airhole 18 may likewise be disposed on the lid 10 in order to provide a valve for which air can be pulled into the cup to displace the volume of any contents being consumed.

[0040] Another prominent feature of the lid 10 of FIG. 1 is the circular bore which forms a hollow recess 14. The recess 14 may have substantially cylindrical form. The recess 14 may have a continuous sidewall 15 which extends from the top of the lid 10 down to a recess bottom 16. The bottom 16 may be substantially planer or may be rounded or curved near the edge where the sidewall 15 meets the bottom 16. The recess 14 may also have a continuous notch or rim 17 disposed along the interior sidewall 15. The recess 14 may be disposed at a point on the lid 10 that substantially opposes the aperture 19. In this configuration, the recess 14 and any contents stored therein do not hinder or affect the regular consumption of the contents of the cup. In alternative embodiments, the recess 14 may be disposed at the radial center of the lid 10. In these embodiments, the recess 14 may be slightly larger in area and volume so as to hold a greater amount of a given substance.

[0041] FIG. 2 shows an overhead plan view of the lid of FIG. 1 with a receptacle inserted into the recess in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3 shows a side elevation view of the lid of FIG. 2 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The receptacle 11 may be an oral hygiene storage insert (hereinafter interchangeably referred to as “receptacle 11”, “insert 11”, “storage insert 11”, “oral hygiene storage insert 11”). The receptacle 11 depicted has an overhead footprint which bears the major segment of a circle. It is envisioned that in different embodiments the receptacle 11 may have different shapes, sizes and configurations. For example, the receptacle 11 may have a circular, ovular, square, hexagonal and/or any other shaped cross section known in the field of disposable food, beverage, medical and/or dental containers. The shape of the receptacle 11 may also be determined based on what is enclosed in the receptacle. For example, if the receptacle 11 is used to store an oral hygiene instrument such as a disposable flosser, miniature toothbrush or toothpicks, the receptacle may bear a more elongated cross section and shape, such as a rectangle or a geometric stadium. A geometric stadium or just stadium is defined as a rectangle with a pair of semi-circles positioned on opposite ends thereof.

[0042] Referring still to FIGS. 2 and 3, the receptacle 11 may have a lid 11a disposed on a top portion thereof. The lid 11a may be adapted to releasably enclose the contents of the receptacle 11 until the contents are sought to be used by a user. The lid 11a may have pull tab for easy release of the receptacle 11 from the recess 14 and/or for easy release of the lid 11a from the receptacle 11.

[0043] FIG. 4 shows a cross sectional view of the lid of FIG. 3 along an axis A-A in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In this cut away view, the interior contents 11b of the receptacle are shown. The contents 11b of the receptacle 11 may be, for example, an oral hygiene substance. The oral hygiene substance may be, for example, toothpaste, mouthwash, mouthwash strips, gum, dental floss, dental floss wands, mints, Saline, Essential oils, cetyl pyridinium chloride (CPC), Chlorhexidine, Sodium hypochlorite and/or any other oral hygiene material known in the art. Alternatively, the contents 11b may be a food beverage consumption related medium such as condiments, seasoning, sauce, powders, tea leaves, vitamins, chewing gum, mints, gels, candies, nuts, sugar, salt, pepper, spices, instant beverage mix and/or any other substance that may be used injunction with the preparation and/or consumption of food and/or beverages.

[0044] FIG. 5 shows a stand-alone side elevation view of the disposable receptacle of FIGS. 2 through 4 in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The receptacle 11 may generally be formed of a continuous sidewall and a bottom which define an open top container. Flanges may extend orthogonally from the top edge or rim of the receptacle. The receptacle 11 forms a small capsule, shot, or bowl type enclosure adapted to receive a liquid, solid or combination of the two within an interior region or void. For purposes of this specification, the terms “interior region”, “void”, and “interior volume” may be used interchangebly in describing the substance storing receptacle region of different embodiments of the disclosed technology.

[0045] The lid 10, the receptacle 11, and/or the cover of the lid 11a may be composed of one or more of the following materials: plastic, cardboard, paper, polymer, thermoplastic, polymer, rubber, elastomer, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), oriented polyethylene terephthalate (OPET), metalized polyethylene terephthalate (MET-PET), polyethylene (PE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), metalocene linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), metalocene polyethylene (mPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polypropylene (PP), metalized oriented polypropylene (mOPP), polystyrene (PS), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), foil, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyamide, Nylon, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and/or any other material known in the art of disposable or semi-disposable food, beverage and/or hygiene products. In further embodiments of the disclosed technology, the cover 11b and/or receptacle 11 may be composed of a different material than the rest of the lid 10 such that the receptacle or portions thereof have a degree of flexibility, malleability and/or deformability.

[0046] FIG. 6 shows a side elevation view of another lid with a receptacle inserted in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 7 shows a cut-away, cross-sectional elevation view of the lid of FIG. 6 along the axis B-B in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The lid 20 generally has a flange 22, a recess 24 and a receptacle 21 configured in a slightly different configuration than that shown with respect to FIGS. 1 through 5. FIG. 7 shows the receptacle 21 in relation to disposable cup 40 of the prior art in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The cup 40 may be any cup known in the art. Generally, such cups are disposable and composed to cardboard/paper or plastic. In alternative embodiments of the disclosed technology, the cup 40 may be designed, manufactured, and/or shipped with the accompanying lid 20. That is, the cup 40 may be a part of the disclosed invention in that it will be specifically adapted to receive the lid 20. However, it is important to note that lid 20 and the receptacle 21 may be designed to fit any existing cups, containers or vessels which may be publicly sold and available. The cup 40 may generally be defined by a contiguous cylindrical or conical side wall, terminating at a top rim 42 at a top end thereof and a base at a bottom end thereof. The lid 20 is adapted to be detachably mated to the rim 42 of the cup 40. A lower flange 22 of the lid 20 is specifically configured to be frictionally coupled to the rim 42.

[0047] FIG. 8 shows an overhead plan view of another lid in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 9 shows cross sectional view of the lid of FIG. 8 along the C-C axis in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. In this embodiment, there is no receptacle, instead the contents sought to be stored are stored directly in the recess 31. The lid 30 has a lower flange 32, an air hole 38, and an aperture 39 similar to those described with respect to the previous embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1 through 7. In this embodiment, the recess 31 has a tapered, continuous sidewall 36 that extends downwards and terminates at a base 37 that is disposed at an elevation lower than the lower extremity of the flange 32. The removable cover 31a seals any contents sought to be stored in the recess 31. The cover 31a may be peeled by a user by pulling on a tab extending from the cover. The contents of the recess 31 may then be used by the user. In one embodiment, the contents may be mouthwash liquid, which may be gargled by a user after consuming a beverage from the cup.

[0048] In this embodiment, the recess 31 is adapted to enclose a larger amount of a substance in the interior region thereof. In embodiments of the disclosed technology, the substance may be another oral hygiene product. In further embodiments, the oral hygiene product may be a liquid such as mouthwash, mouth rinse, oral rinse, mouth bath, antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and/or anti-fungal.

[0049] In embodiments where the recess 31 stores liquid, the recess 31 may be vacuum sealed or sealed in any other manner which would prevent leaking and/or contamination of the contents. A user may peel off a flexible lid in order to access the liquid stored within the recess 31. The lid 30 may be disposable and recyclable such that it may be discarded once opened and used.

[0050] In this embodiment the recess 31 may be circular and the cover 31a may be flush with the top surface of the lid 30. Although a single design may be applied to many different types of a cups and/or bottles, the recess 31 and/or lid 30 may be produced with different diameters in order to conform to cups and/or bottles of differing dimensions.

[0051] The lid 30 may be formed of one or more of the following materials: plastic, cardboard, paper, polymer, thermoplastic, polymer, rubber, elastomer, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (APET), oriented polyethylene terephthalate (OPET), metalized polyethylene terephthalate (MET-PET), polyethylene (PE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), metalocene linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE), high density polyethylene (HDPE), metalocene polyethylene (mPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polypropylene (PP), metalized oriented polypropylene (mOPP), polystyrene (PS), high impact polystyrene (HIPS), foil, ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), polyamide, Nylon, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and/or any other material known in the art of disposable or semi-disposable food, beverage, and/or hygiene products field of food, beverage, medicine, pharmaceuticals and/or dentistry.

[0052] In an embodiment of the disclosed technology the cover 31a may be adhered to the lid 30 using a food-grade adhesive. In another embodiment, the cover 31a may snapped onto the lid 30 such that it may be removed and reapplied with ease in further embodiments of the disclosed technology, the cover 31a may have a pull tab for facilitating the removal of the cover 31a from the lid 30.

[0053] It is envisioned, in an embodiment of the disclosed technology, that a user grabs a disposable cup to fill with their daily hot beverage and also separately grabs a lid with an embedded substance to use at a later time. The embedded substance may be stored directly in the lid or in a removable receptacle stored in the lid. The receptacle may be pre-inserted into the lid such that the entire assembled system is shipped and sold together. Alternatively, the receptacle may be acquired and pressed into the lid.

[0054] The receptacle may have an oral hygiene product enclosed therein. The oral hygiene product may be, but is not limited to, mouthwash, mouth rinse, oral rinse, mouth bath, antiseptic, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and/or anti-fungal. Conceivably the lids and/or receptacles would be available at a point of sale or near the beverage cups in a store, cafe or restaurant. The lid and/or receptacle may be an “add-on” purchase to a hot beverage or the like.

[0055] In embodiments of the disclosed technology, the receptacle may be snapped or clicked into place. In other embodiments of the disclosed technology, the receptacle may be stuffed into the lid and fixed by force of tension and/or friction.

[0056] The cup and lid may be used like any other beverage cup; e.g. it may be filled, refilled, and/or its contents consumed. The receptacle may be detached from the cup upon consumption of the contents of the cup. The receptacle may be pulled out in manner consistent with the description pertaining to FIGS. 1 through 7. Detachment may involve pulling on a tab or simply gripping the body of the insert to remove it from its nesting place.

[0057] After consumption of the beverage, a user may remove the cover from the receptacle (or directly form the lid). This action may be carried out in accordance with the description and practices described with respect to FIGS. 1 through 9. Once the cover is removed, the contents of the receptacle may be employed per their intended use. For example, mouthwash may be sipped from the insert and gargled by the user after consuming coffee.

[0058] In embodiments of the disclosed technology, the gargled mouthwash may be spit into the empty cup for later disposal. Finally, the lid, receptacle, cup and any remaining contents may be discarded. In further embodiments, one or more steps may be performed contemporaneously, in a different order, and/or skipped entirely.

[0059] In another embodiment of the disclosed technology, multi-use travel mugs may implement a similar lid with receptacle nested therein. In these embodiments, the receptacle may be either disposable (I. E Single Use) or multi-use in that they are sold to the consumer with the receptacle pre-attached. In the multi use configuration, the receptacle may be filled and refilled by a user with a desired substance. In a travel mug adapted for receiving a single-use receptacle, the pre-filled receptacles may be made available separately from the travel mug. In this embodiment, the receptacles may be nested into the lid by a user every time the user uses the travel mug.

[0060] One skilled in the art will recognize that an implementation of an actual apparatus or method may contain other components as well. While it is obvious that modification or proper change and combination can be made to the present lid according to the present invention by those skilled in the art, however, without departing from the contents, spirit and scope of the invention, any variations that are intended to achieve the techniques disclosed in the present invention should be within the scope of this invention. Specifically, it should be pointed out that all similar substitutions and modifications are obvious to those skilled in the art, and they are deemed to be within the scope and content of the present invention.

[0061] It is to be understood that the foregoing detailed description and accompanying drawings relate to a preferred illustrative embodiment of the invention. However, various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0062] Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific arrangements as shown in the drawings and described in detail herein above. The exemplary materials, constructions and illustrations included in the preferred embodiment and this patent application should therefore not be construed to limit the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the appended claims.

[0063] While the disclosed invention has been taught with specific reference to the above embodiments, a person having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. Combinations of any of the methods, apparatuses, and devices described hereinabove are also contemplated and within the scope of the invention.