Anti-Spill Disposable Drink Through Cup Lid

Abstract

This invention relates to anti-spill disposable and reusable drink-through lids for hot and cold disposable and reusable beverage cups. The present invention is directed to drink-through lids which may be placed over and attached to disposable and reusable beverage cups and which provides a drink-through opening near the perimeter of the lid's top surface for easy drinking. The drink-though lid can accommodate a consumer's lips or a beverage disposable or reusable straw. When used with a straw, the lid and straw combination creates a spill-proof seal.

Claims

1. An anti-spill disposable or reusable drink-through lids for mounting on disposable or reusable drinking cups, comprising of: a circular mounting base that attaches to a disposable drinking cup; an outer sidewall; a top of the lids; a recessed area adapted for drinking with human lips; a recessed area adapted for drinking with a straw.

2. The disposable or reusable lid of claim 1 wherein the disposable or reusable lid can be used for hot and cold beverages and their related disposable or reusable cups.

3. The disposable or reusable lid of claim 1 wherein the integrated spout includes a spout opening, an inverted conical structure and a conical opening at the bottom of the inverted conical structure. The conical opening is round in shape.

4. The disposable or reusable lid of claim 1 wherein the spout opening is designed to comfortably fit consumer lips. The spout opening can be configured in many shapes (round, oval, etc.).

5. The disposable or reusable lid of claim 1 wherein the spout opening is larger than the conical opening at the bottom of inverted conical structure, the spout opening provides the beverage server or consumer with a generous guide for the straw insertion. The straw can be disposable or reusable.

6. The disposable or reusable lid of claim 1 wherein the conical opening diameter is the exact same size or slightly smaller than the drinking straw diameter. Conical opening is dependent on the lid and straw materials, composition, intended use (hot or cold beverage) and other factors. This conical opening and straw relationship is critical. It is this relationship between the conical opening and the straw which creates a snug and anti-spill seal. The fit between the conical opening and the straw is like a hand and glove.

7. The disposable or reusable lid of claim 1 wherein the disposable or reusable straw is placed within the spout opening, the beverage server or consumer simply pushes the straw down the inverted conical structure and through the conical opening at the bottom of the inverted conical structure. Unlike other inventions, this invention's straw insertion process can easily be done with just one hand.

8. The disposable or reusable lid of claim 1 wherein a small vent hole can be positioned on the lid surface directly across from the conical structure.

9. The disposable or reusable lid of claim 1 wherein the disposable or reusable drink-through lid may be configured so that the lid extends above the volume of the cup it covers. This is desirable when beverages are served with whipped cream, foam and other toppings.

10. The disposable or reusable lid of claim 1 wherein the lid can easily be removed allowing the consumer to add condiments (cream, sugar, cinnamon, etc.). The lid can be easily replaced once the condiments have been added.

11. The disposable or reusable lid of claim 1 wherein the space-saving nesting feature of the lid is a beverage industry requirement due to the large quantities of lids fast food restaurants, coffee houses and other like establishments must stock. The space-saving nesting feature is appreciated at the point of use as beverage servers typically work in small and congested areas.

12. The disposable or reusable lid of claim 1 wherein the nesting quality reduces the cost of shipping from the drink-through lid manufacturer to the restaurant, coffee house or other establishment.

13. The disposable or reusable lid of claim 1 wherein the drink-though lid and straw can include advertisements or other content.

14. The disposable or reusable lid of claim 1 wherein the invention is an economical design which can be produced on a mass basis and which permits drinking of the beverage through the lid while eliminating or effectively limiting the amount of beverage spillage in the event the beverage cup is upset, jostled or otherwise moved.

15. A beverage cup lid, comprising: a central cover portion; a skirt peripheral to the central cover portion, the skirt configured to engage a drinking cup; and a raised spout portion extending from the central cover portion, the spout portion defining a plurality of flaps disposed about a drinking opening, wherein the flaps define a perimeter of the drinking opening and are configured to deflect in response to a force applied by a straw inserted into the drinking opening, wherein the spout portion defines a plurality of slots extending from the perimeter of the drinking opening.

16. The beverage cup lid of claim 15 wherein the flaps are configured to deflect in response to a force applied by the drinking straw as it is received into the drinking opening, and in response to the sucking force applied to the spout portion.

17. The beverage cup lid of claim 15 wherein the flaps are defined between respective pairs of slots that extend from the perimeter of the drinking opening.

18. The beverage cup lid of claim 15 wherein the drinking opening is circular.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d illustrate the anti-spill disposable drink-through cup lid CAD drawing. FIG. 1a is a top view, FIG. 1b is a side view, FIG. 1c is a cross-section view taken along line 1c-1c of FIG. 1a, and FIG. 1d is a perspective view.

[0012] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic cross-section of the anti-spill disposable drink-through cup lid and a disposable beverage cup. This drawing does not include a straw.

[0013] FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic cross-section of the anti-spill disposable drink-through cup lid and a disposable beverage cup. This drawing does include a straw.

[0014] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the anti-spill disposable drink-through cup lid. This drawing does not include a straw.

[0015] FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate, respectively, a top view and a detailed side view of the integrated spout.

[0016] FIG. 6 illustrates a schematic cross-section of the anti-spill disposable drink-through cup dome lid and a disposable beverage cup. This drawing does include a straw. This configuration is typically used for a cold beverage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0017] The present invention relates to an anti-spill disposable drink-through lid for hot and cold beverages. The anti-spill disposable drink-though lid 2, as shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d includes an integrated and fixed spout 4 that consumers can use to drink hot or cold beverages. The integrated spout 4 includes (i) a spout opening 6 (preferably oval-shaped, 0.63 inches on the short axis, 1.07 inches on the long axis, as shown in FIG. 1a), (ii) an inverted conical structure 8 (preferably extending from the opening 6 to the hole 10 at a depth of 0.3 inches of a total lid height of 0.8 inches, as shown in FIGS. 1a, 1b, 1c, and 1d) and (iii) an opening 10 (preferably round with a diameter of 0.266 inches, as shown in FIGS. 1a and 1c) at the bottom of the inverted conical structure 8. This integrated spout 4 enables the consumer to use the integrated spout with or without a straw. The oval spout opening 6 is designed to comfortably fit consumer lips. The spout opening 6 can be configured in many shapes (round, oval, etc.).

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a schematic cross-section of the anti-spill disposable drink-through cup lid 2 and a disposable beverage cup 20. This drawing does not include a straw. FIG. 3 illustrates a schematic cross-section of the anti-spill disposable drink-through cup lid 2 and a disposable beverage cup 20. This drawing does include a straw 30. Since the spout opening 6 is larger than the opening 10 at the bottom of inverted conical structure 8, the spout opening 6 provides the beverage server or consumer with a generous guide for the straw insertion. The opening 10 is preferably round in shape. The opening 10 diameter is preferably the exact same size or slightly smaller than the drinking straw 30 diameter depending on the lid and straw materials, composition and other factors. This opening 10 and straw 30 relationship is important. It is this relationship between the opening 10 and the straw 30 which creates a snug and anti-spill seal. The fit between the opening 10 and the straw 30 is like a hand and glove. Once the straw 30 is placed within the spout opening 6, the beverage server or consumer simply pushes the straw down the inverted conical structure 8 and through the opening 10 at the bottom of the inverted conical structure 8. Unlike other inventions, this invention's straw insertion process can easily be done with just one hand. Beverage servers and consumers appreciate the simple, quick, convenient and efficient straw insertion process. In addition, the risk of damaging the straw 30 or the integrated spout 4 during the process is minimal. Although straws with smaller diameters than the opening 10 diameter are possible, the ability to eliminate spills is compromised if smaller diameter straws are used. Smaller straws are unable to create a snug seal.

[0019] If the consumer requires cream, sugar or other condiment for the beverage, the lid 2 can easily be removed allowing the consumer to add the condiments. As with many lids, the lid 2 can be easily replaced once the condiments have been added. If the consumer is using a straw 30, it is important to highlight that the straw and lid remain together during the removal and replacement processes. It is the hand and glove fit which keeps the two items united.

[0020] It is a primary objective of the present invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and provide a spout 4 that dramatically reduces lid spillage. This is accomplished by adding the inverted conical structure 8 to the integrated spout 4. The inverted conical structure 8 extends from the top of the integrated spout 4 downward and into the integrated spout 4. Although consumers can enjoy beverages without straws, the open cone 8 easily allows beverage servers or consumers to guide a straw 30 through the top of the integrated spout 4, through the spout opening 6, down into the inverted conical structure 8 and through the opening 10 at the bottom of the inverted conical structure 8. It is important to note that the opening 10 is designed to be the exact same size or slightly smaller than the diameter of the straw 30 so that when the straw 30 is inserted, the opening 10 and the straw 30 create a snug and leak-proof seal. The advantages of this design include a dramatic reduction and even elimination of beverage spillage.

[0021] The present invention is a vast improvement to Freek's disclosure (U.S. Pat. No. 6,948,633) of two flaps and Crudgington's disclosure (U.S. Pat. No. 7,591,393 B2) which calls for four flaps served to stabilize and partially seal the inserted drinking straw within drink-through opening regardless of the diameter of the drinking straw being used. As written in Crudgington's description, the four flaps do not create a leak-proof seal. The partial seal is compromised and prone to spillage and drips. In addition, when Crudgington's four flaps are exposed to hot beverages, the four flaps become weak and compromised leaving a less-than-stabilized straw. Regardless of the number of flaps (two or four), the partial seals allow spillage and leaks. Even if the present invention is used without a straw, the conical opening and inverted conical structure obstruct the beverage from traveling up through the conical opening and the inverted conical structure and out onto the lid, the surrounding environment or the beverage server and consumer.

[0022] The disposable drink-through lid according to the present invention may be configured so that the lid extends upward (as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) the volume of the cup it covers. This is desirable when beverages are served with whipped cream, foam and other toppings.

[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates a top view of the anti-spill disposable drink-through cup lid. This drawing does not include a straw. A small vent hole 22 can be positioned on the lid surface directly across from the conical structure 8. This small vent hole 22 can be similar in structure to the inverted conical structure 8 but at a much smaller scale, or a standard vent hole commonly known in the art. This design limits any spillage from the vent hole 22.

[0024] The stacking capability of the drink-through lids 2 of the present invention is very important. The space-saving nesting feature is a beverage industry requirement due to the large quantities of lids fast food restaurants, coffee houses and other like establishments must stock. In addition, this same space-saving nesting feature is appreciated at the point of use as beverage servers typically work in small and congested areas. The nesting quality reduces the cost of shipping from the drink-through lid manufacturer to the restaurant, coffee house or other establishment.

[0025] Configuration options of the present invention include removable tabs that can easily be removed by the beverage vendor or consumer using fingers for the spout opening tab or a straw for the conical opening tab. While the spout opening tab can be disposed of, the conical opening tab is designed to allow the straw to penetrate the conical opening and form a snug seal, the conical opening tab remains attached to the inverted conical structure so that the tab is not accidentally swallowed by the consumer. Although optional, most beverage vendors will not order straws with protective paper wrappers since the beverage server will likely insert the straw into the drink-though lid in a controlled and sanitary beverage pouring environment. Having the beverage server insert the straw makes the invention's drink-through lid virtually leak proof. This straw wrapper elimination decreases the overall straw costs and is a more environmentally aware product.

[0026] FIGS. 5a and 5b illustrate, respectively, a top view and a detailed side view of the integrated spout 4, showing the conical structure 8 and the opening 10. Unlike drink-though lids offered today, this invention provides spillage and leakage protection at the time the drink-though lid 2 is engaged with the cup 20. The drink-though lids provide a new level of protection from spillage and leakage. If a straw 30 is combined with the drink-though lid 2, the risk of spillage and leakage is eliminated. For greater protection, a straw 30 can be inserted for a virtually leak proof drink-through lid 2. This can reduce legal exposure for the beverage vendor and provide a safer environment for the beverage server and the consumer.

[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1c and 1d, the drink-though lid configuration can include an elevated rim 40 surrounding a depression 44 around at least a portion of the surface of the lid 2 to contain any spillage. As shown in FIGS. 1c and 1d, the depression 44 may be angled to one side of the lid 2. The drink-though lid 2 can include beverage punches (embossments) that can identify the kind of beverage (coffee, decaffeinated, cream, etc.). The drink-though lid and straw can include advertisements or other content.

[0028] The present invention can also be incorporated into a dome drink-through lid, as shown in FIG. 6, where the cup 20 has a dome lid 50 having a vent hole 22, the conical structure 8, with the straw 30 extending through the opening 10. Unlike the current dome lid configurations, this invention provides significant advantages including a fully sealed beverage. Current dome lids include a large opening on the top of the lid which allows whipped cream, beverage toppings and liquid to spill and create a mess on the exterior of the dome lid, the beverage server hands, the consumer hands and the surrounding area. The invention can also be incorporated into a flat dink-through lid. Unlike current flat drink lids, the invention can include a short inverted conical structure with a conical opening. As with the other embodiments, the key to the design is the snug fit between the conical opening and the straw. It is this hand and glove fit which eliminates beverage spillage.

[0029] The present invention thus relates to anti-spill disposable drink-through lids. The invention can be used for hot and cold beverages and their related disposable cups. The present invention also relates to a drink-through lid which may be placed over and attached to a disposable beverage cup 20 and which provides a drink-through opening near the perimeter 60 (FIG. 4) of the lid's top surface 62 for easy drinking The drink-though lid 2 thus accommodates a consumer's lips or a beverage straw. The anti-spill disposable drink-though lid 2 includes an integrated and fixed spout 4 that consumers can use to drink hot or cold beverages. The integrated spout 4 includes a spout opening 6, an inverted conical structure 8 and an opening 10 at the bottom of the inverted conical structure 8. The opening 10 is preferably round in shape. This integrated spout 4 enables the consumer to use the integrated spout with or without a straw. The spout opening 6 is designed to comfortably fit consumer lips. The spout opening 6 can be configured in many shapes (round, oval, etc.). Since the spout opening 6 is larger than the opening 10 at the bottom of inverted conical structure 8, the spout opening 6 provides the beverage server or consumer with a generous guide for the straw insertion.

[0030] The opening 10 diameter is the exact same size or slightly smaller than the drinking straw 30 diameter depending on the lid and straw materials, composition and other factors. This conical opening 10 and straw 30 relationship is important. It is this relationship between the opening and the straw which creates a snug and anti-spill seal. The fit between the opening and the straw is like a hand and glove. Straws with smaller diameters than the opening 10 diameter are possible, but the ability to eliminate spills may be compromised if smaller diameter straws are used. Once the straw 30 is placed within the spout 4 opening 6, the beverage server or consumer simply pushes the straw down the inverted conical structure and through the conical opening at the bottom of the inverted conical structure. Unlike other inventions, this invention's straw insertion process can easily be done with just one hand. A small vent hole 22 can be positioned on the lid surface directly across from the conical structure 8.

[0031] The disposable drink-through lid may be configured so that the lid extends the volume of the cup it covers. This is desirable when beverages are served with whipped cream, foam and other toppings. The invention can easily be removed from the cup allowing the consumer to add condiments (cream, sugar, cinnamon, etc.). The lid can be easily replaced once the condiments have been added. The invention can also be manufactured to function with a dome drink-through lid 50 and/or a flat drink-through lid. The space-saving nesting feature is a beverage industry requirement due to the large quantities of lids fast food restaurants, coffee houses and other like establishments must stock. The space-saving nesting feature is appreciated at the point of use as beverage servers typically work in small and congested areas. The nesting quality reduces the cost of shipping from the drink-through lid manufacturer to the restaurant, coffee house or other establishment.

[0032] The drink-though lid and straw can include advertisements or other content. The invention is an economical design which can be produced on a mass basis and which permits drinking of the beverage through the lid while eliminating or effectively limiting the amount of beverage spillage in the event the beverage cup is upset, jostled or otherwise moved.