LID ENCLOSING ONE OR MORE SUBSTANCES WHICH CAN BE EASILY INTRODUCED INTO A CUP TO WHICH THE LID MAY BE CONNECTED

Abstract

Disclosed is a lid which can be reversibly connected to a cup's upper edge, including three openings shaped nearly as circular sectors closed on top by three respective protrusions. Each protrusion includes a flat top section having a surface extension smaller than that of the opening underneath and a side portion shaped to converge towards the top portion starting from the first wall. A second wall is hermetically sealed to the first wall at the three prominences to delimit together with the latter three hermetically closed chambers and in each of which a substance, which can be introduced into the cup when the lid is connected to it, can be preliminarily housed. Alternatively, the lid includes a further opening at its side edge, close on top by a further protrusion higher than the other ones and ends with a through hole to release a beverage in the cup.

Claims

1. A lid (1, 35) which can be reversibly connected to a cup at the edge thereof, said lid (1, 35) comprising: a first wall (2) including at least one first opening (10) closed on top by a first protrusion (11); connection means (4) adapted to reversibly connect said first wall (2) to a cup at an edge thereof, said connection means (4) being further adapted to reversibly connect said first wall (2) to a cup so that when said first wall (2) is connected to said cup, a concavity of said first protrusion (11) faces towards the inside of said cup; a second wall (25) hermetically connected to said first wall (2) at said first protrusion (11) or about said first opening (10) so as to delimit a hermetically closed chamber (26) together with said first protrusion (11), said first protrusion (11) comprising: a first top portion (15), flat at least in part, having a surface extension which is smaller than that of said first opening (10); a second side portion (16) interposed between said first portion (15) and said second wall (25), at least in part converging from said second wall (25) towards said first portion (15), said first wall (2), at least at said first protrusion (11), being at least partially made of a polymeric material having a thickness not greater than 3 mm, said second wall (25) having a thickness not greater than 2.5 mm, wherein said second portion (16) comprises, proceeding from said second wall (25) towards said first portion (15): a first lower section (18), arranged transversally with respect to said second wall (25); a second central section (19), having a shape converging away from said second wall (25) starting from said first section (18); a third upper section (20), joining said second section (19) and said first portion (15), transversally with respect to the latter.

2. (canceled)

3. The lid (1, 35) according to claim 1, wherein said first wall (2) is substantially circular, said first opening (10) being comprised between the center (12) of said first wall (2) and a side edge (5) of the first wall.

4. The lid (1, 35) according to claim 3, further comprising a plurality of said first openings (10) closed respectively on top by a plurality of said first protrusions (11), said second wall (25) being hermetically connected to said first wall (2) at each of said first protrusions (11) or about each of said first openings (10) so as to delimit a respective plurality of said hermetically closed chambers (26) together with said first protrusions (11).

5. The lid (1, 35) according to claim 4, wherein said first openings (10) are substantially shaped as mutually consecutive circular sectors at edges coinciding with their delimitation radii.

6. The lid (1, 35) according to claim 1, wherein said second wall (25) is made of edible material.

7. The lid (1, 35) according to any claim 1, further comprising spacer means (30) integrally connected to said first wall (2) and shaped so that, when two examples of said lid (1, 35) are mutually superimposed so that said second wall (25) of the lid (1, 35) in upper position is opposed to said first portion (15) of the first protrusion (11) or first protrusions (11) if there are more than one, of the lid (1, 35) in lower position, said second wall (25) of the lid in upper position is not in contact with said first portion (15) of the first protrusion (11) or first protrusions (11), if there are more than one, of the lid (1, 35) in lower position.

8. The lid (35) according to claim 1, wherein said first wall (2) is substantially circular and includes a second opening (36) closed on top by a second protrusion (37), said second opening (36) being comprised between the center (12) of said first wall (2) and a side edge (5) of the first wall, said second protrusion (37) being shaped so that when said first wall (2) is connected to a cup, a concavity of said second protrusion (37) also faces towards the inside of said cup, the height of said second protrusion (37) being greater than that of said first protrusion (11) or of each of said first protrusions (11), if there are more than one, said second protrusion (37) including a through hole (39) made at a top portion (40) thereof.

9. The lid (35) according to claim 8, wherein said second protrusion (37) is arched with concavity facing towards the center (12) of said first wall (2), and has a pattern converging towards said hole (39).

10. The lid (35) according to claim 8, wherein said second protrusion (37) is shaped so that the height of said hole is not lower than 4 mm with respect to the first portion (15) of said first protrusion (11) or of each of said first protrusions (11), if there are more than one.

11. A container comprising: a cup having an edge delimiting an opening to allow introducing and pouring a beverage from said cup; a lid (1, 35) according to claim 1, connected to said cup at said edge, so that the concavity of said first protrusion (11), or of said first protrusions (11), if there are more than one, and the concavity of said second protrusion (37), if present, faces towards the inside of said cup.

12. The lid (1, 35) according to claim 3, wherein said second wall (25) is made of edible material.

13. The lid (1, 35) according to claim 4, wherein said second wall (25) is made of edible material.

14. The lid (1, 35) according to claim 5, wherein said second wall (25) is made of edible material.

15. The lid (1, 35) according to any claim 3, further comprising spacer means (30) integrally connected to said first wall (2) and shaped so that, when two examples of said lid (1, 35) are mutually superimposed so that said second wall (25) of the lid (1, 35) in upper position is opposed to said first portion (15) of the first protrusion (11) or first protrusions (11) if there are more than one, of the lid (1, 35) in lower position, said second wall (25) of the lid in upper position is not in contact with said first portion (15) of the first protrusion (11) or first protrusions (11), if there are more than one, of the lid (1, 35) in lower position.

16. The lid (1, 35) according to any claim 4, further comprising spacer means (30) integrally connected to said first wall (2) and shaped so that, when two examples of said lid (1, 35) are mutually superimposed so that said second wall (25) of the lid (1, 35) in upper position is opposed to said first portion (15) of the first protrusion (11) or first protrusions (11) if there are more than one, of the lid (1, 35) in lower position, said second wall (25) of the lid in upper position is not in contact with said first portion (15) of the first protrusion (11) or first protrusions (11), if there are more than one, of the lid (1, 35) in lower position.

17. The lid (1, 35) according to any claim 5, further comprising spacer means (30) integrally connected to said first wall (2) and shaped so that, when two examples of said lid (1, 35) are mutually superimposed so that said second wall (25) of the lid (1, 35) in upper position is opposed to said first portion (15) of the first protrusion (11) or first protrusions (11) if there are more than one, of the lid (1, 35) in lower position, said second wall (25) of the lid in upper position is not in contact with said first portion (15) of the first protrusion (11) or first protrusions (11), if there are more than one, of the lid (1, 35) in lower position.

18. The lid (1, 35) according to any claim 6, further comprising spacer means (30) integrally connected to said first wall (2) and shaped so that, when two examples of said lid (1, 35) are mutually superimposed so that said second wall (25) of the lid (1, 35) in upper position is opposed to said first portion (15) of the first protrusion (11) or first protrusions (11) if there are more than one, of the lid (1, 35) in lower position, said second wall (25) of the lid in upper position is not in contact with said first portion (15) of the first protrusion (11) or first protrusions (11), if there are more than one, of the lid (1, 35) in lower position.

19. The lid (35) according to claim 4, wherein said first wall (2) is substantially circular and includes a second opening (36) closed on top by a second protrusion (37), said second opening (36) being comprised between the center (12) of said first wall (2) and a side edge (5) of the first wall, said second protrusion (37) being shaped so that when said first wall (2) is connected to a cup, a concavity of said second protrusion (37) also faces towards the inside of said cup, the height of said second protrusion (37) being greater than that of said first protrusion (11) or of each of said first protrusions (11), if there are more than one, said second protrusion (37) including a through hole (39) made at a top portion (40) thereof.

20. The lid (35) according to claim 5, wherein said first wall (2) is substantially circular and includes a second opening (36) closed on top by a second protrusion (37), said second opening (36) being comprised between the center (12) of said first wall (2) and a side edge (5) of the first wall, said second protrusion (37) being shaped so that when said first wall (2) is connected to a cup, a concavity of said second protrusion (37) also faces towards the inside of said cup, the height of said second protrusion (37) being greater than that of said first protrusion (11) or of each of said first protrusions (11), if there are more than one, said second protrusion (37) including a through hole (39) made at a top portion (40) thereof.

21. The lid (35) according to claim 6, wherein said first wall (2) is substantially circular and includes a second opening (36) closed on top by a second protrusion (37), said second opening (36) being comprised between the center (12) of said first wall (2) and a side edge (5) of the first wall, said second protrusion (37) being shaped so that when said first wall (2) is connected to a cup, a concavity of said second protrusion (37) also faces towards the inside of said cup, the height of said second protrusion (37) being greater than that of said first protrusion (11) or of each of said first protrusions (11), if there are more than one, said second protrusion (37) including a through hole (39) made at a top portion (40) thereof.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0055] Further objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of an example of embodiment of the same and from the accompanying drawings exclusively provided by way of non-limiting example, in which:

[0056] FIG. 1 shows a perspective front view of a lid according to the present invention;

[0057] FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the lid in FIG. 1;

[0058] FIG. 3 diagrammatically shows a bottom plan view of the lid in FIG. 1;

[0059] FIGS. 4 to 6 show three respective side plan views of the lid in FIG. 1 turned by 90 with respect to each other;

[0060] FIG. 7 shows two side walls belonging to the lid in FIG. 1, in diagrammatic straight section taken along the plane A-A visible in FIG. 2 (and orthogonal to the plane of the sheet in said figure);

[0061] FIG. 8 shows a perspective view of a variant of the lid in FIG. 1;

[0062] FIG. 9 shows a top plan view of the lid in FIG. 8;

[0063] FIG. 10 diagrammatically shows a bottom plan view of the lid in FIG. 8;

[0064] FIGS. 11 to 13 show three respective side plan views of the lid in FIG. 8 turned by 90 with respect to each other.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0065] Hereinafter in the present description a figure may be illustrated also with reference to elements not expressly indicated therein but indicated on other figures instead. The scale and proportions of the various illustrated elements do not necessarily correspond to the real values.

[0066] FIGS. 1 to 6 show a lid 1, which is the object of the invention, reversibly connectable to a cup at an upper edge thereof, i.e. at the edge of the cup which delimits an opening through which a beverage can be introduced into the cup and draw from it.

[0067] The lid 1 comprises a preferably substantially circular wall 2 (previously identified as first wall). The wall 2, schematically shown in cross section in FIG. 7, includes a central zone 3, which is substantially flat and preferably enclosed by a frame 4 which is substantially annular. More preferably, the frame 4 is a portion of the wall 2 obtained by plastically bending the wall at an outer lateral edge 5, preferably circular in shape, of the flat zone 3. Even more preferably, the wall 2 is folded over itself in such a way that the frame 4 has a substantially U-shaped cross section, with the concavity of the U directed downwards in FIGS. 1, 2 and from 4 to 7, and with one arm 6 of U longer than the other arm 7. The latter is preferably arranged substantially orthogonal to the flat zone 3. By effect of the asymmetry of the aforesaid U, the frame 4 has a circular shape free edge 8 placed at a lower height than that at which it the flat zone 3 lies. At the concavity of the U of its cross section, the frame 4 defines a housing, also annular, in which a cup can be partially accommodated at its upper edge. As can be seen in FIG. 7, the arm 6 is preferably not parallel to the arm 7. More precisely, proceeding from the top 9 of the frame 4 to its edge 8, the arm 6 preferably converges toward the arm 7 almost up to the height of the edge 5 of the zone 3, and then diverges away from it. This causes the cross section of the frame 4 to be preferably hook-shaped. More preferably, the frame 4 is shaped so that, when a cup is housed in it at its upper edge, the latter is elastically fastened between the arms 6 and 7. Said fastening reversibly connects by fitting the frame 4, and consequently the entire wall 2, to the upper edge of the cup. In light of the above, the frame 4 acts as reversible connection means between the wall 2 and a cup at an upper edge thereof. Incidentally, instead of being a portion of the wall 2, the frame 4 could be an annular element integrally connected to the latter at the edge 5.

[0068] The wall 2 at the zone 3 comprises a plurality of openings 10 closed at the top by respective protrusions 11. By way of example, there are three openings 10 (previously identified as first openings) and protrusions 11 (previously identified as first protrusions) therewith. As shown in FIG. 3, the openings 10 are preferably equal to one another and are preferably shaped almost as circular sectors. More preferably, each opening 10 is shaped as an isosceles triangle rounded at the vertexes and having an arc of circumference instead of the base (i.e. instead of the side not congruent to the other two). The openings 10 are preferably consecutive to each other at the edges coinciding with the radii which delimit the aforesaid circular sectors or with the non-arched sides of the aforesaid isosceles triangles. The openings 10 are therefore rotated relative to one another by 120. The openings 10 are also preferably equidistant both circumferentially from one another, and radially from the center 12 of the edge 5 (and of the wall 2), so that the arched edges 13 of the openings 10 lie on the same circumference (concentric to the edge 5). Incidentally, as can be seen in FIG. 3, each opening 10 is in a decentralized position in the wall 2, i.e. is comprised between the center 12 and the side edge 5.

[0069] Like the openings 10, the protrusions 11 are preferably mutually equal and are arranged with the concavity facing towards the same side with respect to the flat zone 3 of the wall 2, i.e. downwards in figures from 4 to 7. Since the concavity of the frame 4 also faces downwards in the aforesaid figures, when the wall 2 is connected to the upper edge of a cup, the concavity of the protrusions 11 is directed toward the inside of the cup. Each protrusion 11 comprises a top portion 15 (previously identified as first portion) joined to the flat zone 3 of the wall 2 by a side portion 16 (previously identified as second portion). Preferably, the protrusions 11 are portions of the wall 2 and are obtained by plastically bending the latter at internal edges 17 of the flat zone 3 respectively delimiting the openings 10 (that said protrusions 11 close the top). Incidentally, similarly to that said with reference to the frame 4, one or more protrusions 11, instead of being portions of the wall 2, could be at least partially concave elements rigidly connected to the wall 2 at the edges 17.

[0070] The top portion 15 of each protrusion 11 is preferably flat and is preferably arranged parallel to the flat zone 3 of the wall 2. The extension of the top portions 15 is smaller than the openings 10 onto which are respectively superimposed. By effect of this, each side portion 16 is at least partly converging from the respective edge 17 of the flat zone 3 towards the corresponding top portion 15. Preferably, each top portion 15 is preferably homothetic with respect to the opening 10 beneath it and in a centered position with respect to the latter. In other words, by virtue of the aforesaid homothety, each top portion 15 is preferably shaped as an isosceles triangle rounded at the vertexes and having an arc of circumference instead of the base. The non-arched edges of each top portion 15 are arranged parallel to the non-arched edges opening 10 beneath it.

[0071] As can be seen in FIG. 7, the side portion 16 of each protrusion 11 preferably includes: [0072] a lower section 18 (previously identified as first section) which rises from the flat zone 3, starting from the edge 17, transversely to the latter; [0073] a central section 19 (previously identified as second section) having a converging conformation, starting from the lower section 18, away from the flat zone 3; [0074] an upper section 20 (previously identified as third section) joining the central section 19 and the top portion 15, transversely to the latter.

[0075] Incidentally, since the protrusions 11 are mutually equal, the top portions 15 lie at the same height with respect to the flat zone 3 of the wall 2. In addition to this, like the openings 10, also the protrusions 11, besides being equal to one another, are rotated relative to one another by 120.

[0076] The conformation of the protrusions 11 described above is such that the side portion 16 of each protrusion 11 easily collapses following the application of a slight pressure at the top portion 15.

[0077] The lid 1 also comprises a wall 25 (visible in FIGS. 2 and 7) hermetically connected to the wall 2 at the face of the latter opposite to that from which the protrusions 11 rise. More precisely, the wall 25 (previously referred to as second wall) is hermetically connected to the wall 2 at each protrusion 11 (preferably at the lower edge of the section 18) or around each of the openings 10. By effect of this, the wall 25 hermetically plugs the openings 10. The protrusions 11, together with the wall 25, thus delimit respective hermetically closed chambers 26 inside the lid 1. In light of the above, the side portion 16 of each protrusion 11 is interposed between the top portion 15 and the wall 25, and has a pattern at least partly converging from wall 25 towards the top portion 15. The wall 25 is further preferably arranged parallel to the flat zone 3 of the wall 2. The lower section 18 of each side portion 16 is therefore preferably arranged transversely with respect to the wall 25, and the central section 19 converges towards the upper section 20 away from the wall 25.

[0078] As can be seen in FIG. 1 or in the figures from 4 to 6, the lid 1 comprises a plurality of side protrusions 30, preferably placed at the frame 4, more preferably near the top 9 of the latter. The protrusions 30 are preferably shaped as arcs of circumference and are three, by way of example. The protrusions 30 are preferably coplanar, equal to one another and mutually equidistant. The projections 30 ensure that, when two examples of the lid 1 are mutually superimposed in such a way that the wall 25 of the lid 1 in the upper position is opposite to the top portion 15 of the protrusions 11 of the lid in the lower position, there is no contact between the wall 25 of the lid 1 in the upper position and the top portions 15 of the lid 1 in the lower position.

[0079] The wall 2, at least at the protrusions 11, is preferably at least partially made of a polymeric material. Said material may be a typical plastic material, such as for example polyethylene terephthalate, or a biodegradable polymeric material, such as for example poly-lactic acid (or polylactide). The thickness of the wall 2, at least at the protrusions 11, is preferably not greater than 3 mm, and more preferably not greater than 2, and even more preferably comprised between 0.1 mm and 1.3 mm.

[0080] The wall 25 is also preferably at least partially made of a polymeric material. Said material can be a classic or biodegradable plastic material, such as for example a bioplastic, or an edible polymeric material, such as such for example a manioc starch and vegetable oil based bioplastic. The thickness of the wall 25 is preferably not greater than 2.5 mm, more preferably not greater than 1.5 mm, and even more preferably comprised between 0.1 mm and 1.3 mm.

[0081] As specified above, the protrusions 11 delimit, together with the wall 25, respective hermetically closed chambers 26 inside the lid 1. At least one substance which can be introduced into a cup to which the lip 1 may be connected (at the frame 4) can be advantageously housed in each of said chambers 26. More precisely, a container comprising the lid 1 which is the object of the invention connected to a cup at an upper edge thereof will be considered. Since the side portion 16 of each protrusion 11 is easily collapsible as a result of the application of a slight pressure at the top portion 15, to introduce into the cup a substance included in one of the chambers 26 it is sufficient to press the top portion 15 of the protrusion 11 enclosing said substance towards the inside the cup. By effect of said pressure, the side portion 16 of said protrusion 11 collapses causing its top portion 15 to be lowered toward the wall 25. More precisely, the top section 20 penetrates into the chamber 26 until it reaches a position such as to be almost completely surrounded by the section 18. Since the chamber 26 is hermetic, the collapse of the side portion 16 determines a sharp increase in pressure inside the chamber 26. By effect of this increase in pressure, the wall 25 tears letting the substance contained in the chamber 26 delimited by the protrusion 11 which has been pressed fall into the cup.

[0082] If the chambers 26 contain different substances, in order to allow a person to know the substance enclosed by each protrusion 11, the lid 1 can be advantageously decorated at the top portions 15 by impressing elements on them which are descriptive of the substances respectively contained under the corresponding protrusions 11. In the example shown in the figures, the lid 1 encloses three respective types of sweetener in the three chambers 26: honey, white sugar and brown sugar. The top portions 15 were consequently decorated in such a way to allow a person to know the sweetener contained in each chamber 26. If said person wishes to introduce one of three sweeteners in a beverage contained in a cup to which the lid 1 is connected, the person can therefore establish which protrusion 11 to press in order to make the chosen sweetener fall into the cup.

[0083] There are three openings 10 and the protrusions 11 with, by way of example. For the purposes of the invention, the wall 2 may also comprise a single opening 10 closed at the top by a protrusion 11. In such case, the lid 1 would include a single substance (e.g. a single type of sweetener).

[0084] Having completed the description of the lid 1, a manufacturing method of it will be illustrated briefly below

[0085] Firstly, a mold reproducing the face of the lid 1 placed at the top in the figures from 4 to 6 and two sheets of polymeric material are prepared: a first sheet destined to become the wall 2 and a second sheet destined to become the wall 25. The first sheet is heated, placed onto the mold and made to adhere onto the inner wall of the mold by aspirating the air contained in the volume of the space interposed between the first sheet and the mold. The portion of the first sheet in excess is then cut, to obtain the wall 2. The protrusions 11 (upside down in the mold) can now be appropriately filled with the substances one desires to include in the lid 1. After filling the protrusions 11, the second sheet is appropriately shaped, placed on the wall 2 and hermetically heat-sealed to the latter at the protrusions 11 or around the openings 10, so as to create the chambers 26. The lid 1 thus obtained is extracted from the mold and is ready to be used.

[0086] FIGS. 8 to 13 show a lid 35 which is a variant of the lid 1 shown in the previous figures. More precisely, the lid 35 differs from the lid 1 in that the wall 2 comprises a further aperture 36 (previously identified as second opening) closed at the top by a further protrusion 37 (previously identified as second protrusion). As can be seen in FIG. 10, the opening 36 is in a decentralized position in the wall 2 between the center 12 and the side edge 5. More precisely, the aperture 36 is preferably formed near the frame 4, between the openings 10 and the edge 5, and is in a position such as not to be plugged by the wall 25. The opening 36 is preferably of elongated shape and is preferably arched, with the concavity directed toward the center 12. In particular, the angular amplitude of the opening 36 is preferably greater than 120 and the width (measured radially) is preferably maximum at its central zone and minimum at the two ends. More precisely, proceeding from one end to the other of the opening 36, the width of the latter grows from a first end to become maximum at the aforementioned central zone, and then decreases again until it reaches a second end opposite to said first end.

[0087] The protrusion 37 is positioned with its concavity facing the same side with respect to the flat zone 3, towards which the concavity of the protrusions 11 is facing, i.e. downwards in figures from 11 to 13. By effect of this, when the wall 2 is connected to the upper edge of a cup (at the frame 4), the concavity of the protrusion 37 is directed toward the inside of the cup. Like the opening 36, the protrusion 37 is preferably arched, with the concavity directed toward the center 12.

[0088] Preferably, the protrusion 37 is a portion of the wall 2 obtained by plastically bending the latter at an inner edge 38 delimiting the opening 36. Incidentally, similarly to what said with reference to the frame 4 and the protrusions 11, the protrusions 37, instead of being a portion of the wall 2, could be an at least partially concave element rigidly connected to the wall 2 at the edges 38.

[0089] The protrusion 37 includes a through hole 39 made at a top portion 40 thereof. As can be seen in figures from 11 to 13, the protrusion 37 has a pattern preferably converging from the edge 38 toward the hole 39. By effect of this, the protrusion 37 is preferably shaped as a sort of spout terminating in the hole 39. It is through the opening 36 and the hole 39 that a beverage contained in a cup which may be closed by the lid 35 can be poured from said cup. More precisely, a person can place their lips at the top portion 40 and tilt said cup so to pour the beverage contained in it into their mouth.

[0090] The height of the protrusion 37 is greater than that of the protrusions 11. More precisely, the protrusion 37 is shaped so that the hole 39 is at a height of not less than 4 mm with respect to the top portions 15 of the protrusions 11. The effect of this, when the lid 35 is connected to a cup, a person, after placing their lips on the top portion 40 of the protrusion 37 at the hole 39, can pour the contents of said cup in their mouth without having to bend their head back. Incidentally, the height of the hole 39 with respect to the top portions 15 means the minimum distance measured orthogonally to the top portions 15 between a point of the latter and a point of the protrusion 37 forming part of the edge which delimits the hole 39.

[0091] The lid 35 differs from the lid 1 also in that the flat zone 3 of the wall 2 is preferably divided into two portions 41 and 42 (for the sake of simplicity not shown in FIG. 10) placed at different heights. In particular, a first portion 41, substantially shaped as a circular crown, is placed at the same height of the flat zone 3 of the lid 1. A second portion 42, almost circular and concentric to the portion 41, is raised with respect to the latter. It is at the portion 42 that the openings 10 and 36 are preferably made. Consequently, in the lid 35, it is at the portion 42 that the wall 25 is hermetically connected to the wall 2.

[0092] Finally, the lid 35 differs from the lid 1 also preferably for the presence of a plurality of radial ribs 43 at the portion 41. The projections 30 are also preferably made, rather than at the frame 4, at a wall 44 which rises from the inner edge of the portion 41, joining the latter with outermost edge of portion 42.

[0093] The manufacturing process the lid 35 differs from the manufacturing process of the lid 1 for the different shape of the mold (which reproduces the face of the lid 35 arranged on top in FIGS. 11 to 13).

[0094] The invention also relates to a container comprising both a cup having an edge defining an opening through which a beverage can be introduced and drawn from said cup, and the lid 1 or 35 connected to the edge of the cup at the frame 4. Incidentally, the connection between the lid 1 or 35 and the aforesaid cup is such that the concavity of the protrusions 11 and, if present, of the protrusion 37, faces towards the inside of the cup.

[0095] On the basis of the provided description of a preferred embodiment, it is apparent that changes may be introduced by a person skilled in the art without because of this departing from the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the following claims.