CA2169339C - Beverage cup lid - Google Patents
Beverage cup lidInfo
- Publication number
- CA2169339C CA2169339C CA002169339A CA2169339A CA2169339C CA 2169339 C CA2169339 C CA 2169339C CA 002169339 A CA002169339 A CA 002169339A CA 2169339 A CA2169339 A CA 2169339A CA 2169339 C CA2169339 C CA 2169339C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- closure member
- drinking
- cover portion
- lid
- drinking cup
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 title description 11
- 230000035622 drinking Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 242
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 claims description 23
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 22
- 238000005304 joining Methods 0.000 claims description 18
- 238000007373 indentation Methods 0.000 claims description 14
- 210000005069 ears Anatomy 0.000 claims description 13
- PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Styrene Chemical compound C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 claims 2
- 238000007666 vacuum forming Methods 0.000 abstract description 2
- 230000002093 peripheral effect Effects 0.000 abstract 1
- 235000013410 fast food Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000002860 competitive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 235000012171 hot beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 235000020278 hot chocolate Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011084 recovery Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000003856 thermoforming Methods 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D47/00—Closures with filling and discharging, or with discharging, devices
- B65D47/36—Closures with frangible parts adapted to be pierced, torn or removed, to provide discharge openings
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Closures For Containers (AREA)
Abstract
A thin, plastic lid for disposable drinking cups has a drinking opening that is covered by a hinged closure member. The closure member may be locked in place to cover the drinking opening after an initial drink by inserting the outer marginal edge portion of the closure member below an overlying peripheral portion of the lid. The lid may be formed by conventional vacuum forming and die cutting operations.
Description
21~93~9 C~NI~n~
BEVERAGE CUP LID
Fiel~ of the TnV~ntio~
The invention relates to lids for beverage cups such as disposable drinking cups of the type commonly used by fast food restaurants and convenience stores for the sale of coffee. More particularly, the invention relates to thin plastic beverage cup lids having a drinking opening that is accessed by moving a hinged closure member and is reclosable by returning the closure member to overlie the drinking opening.
R ~clrgrQllnd of ~-he Tnvf~nti on Hot beverages such as coffee and hot chocolate are typically sold by fast food restaurants and convenience stores in disposable drinking cups. In order to prevent spillage of the beverage, the cups are often provided with lids that have drinking openings permitting drinking therethrough without removing the lid.
Satisfactory lids formed of relatively heavy plastic material, for example the lid of U.S. patent number 4,949,865, have excellent structural integrity and provide good results in terms of convenience and comfort for the customer. One drawback of these lids is that they generally include a vertical lip at the periphery over which the drink must flow in order to go from the drinking opening to the customer's mouth. Another drawback of these lids is cost.
~1~9339 other lids formed of thin plastic material, for example the lid disclosed in U.S. patent number 4,738,373, overcome the above-mentioned cost problem, but these lids provide markedly inferior results in terms of operation of the closure member and the aesthetics of drinking from an opening with sharp corners.
Thus, there is a need for a drinking cup lid that has the operational and aesthetic advantages associated with more expensive, thick plastic lids, but at a cost competitive with the thin plastic lids of the prior art.
Summary of the TnV~ntion The present invention provides a novel drinking cup lid that may be formed of thin plastic material by conventional vacuum forming and die cutting operations, while providing the excellent aesthetic and operational features heretofore associated only with lids costing several times as much. More particularly, the lid of the present invention provides a smooth, single level drinking opening for the mouth to comfortably fit over. Furthermore, the lid of the invention eliminates jagged edges at the drinking opening that can cause discomfort.
The present invention may be defined as a drinking cup lid that includes a cover portion for covering the open mouth of the drinking cup and an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally engaging the rim of the cup. A
drinking opening is formed in a drinking section that extends outwardly to the lid periphery. A closure member for the drinking opening is cut from the material of the drinking section and is hinged to the cover portion at a central location on the cover. In operation, the outer marginal edge of the closure member extends outwardly beyond the outer cut of the drinking opening so that the closure may be locked or trapped in place.
Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed, but in one embodiment there is provided a lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, the lid comprising a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, the cover portion having a periphery, and an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally ~ng~ging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon. The cover portion includes a drinking section exten-lin~ outwardly from a central location on the cover portion to the cover portion periphery. A drinking opening and mating closure member is formed in the drinking section by cutting through the drinking section with first and second subst~nti~lly radial cuts and a third cut joining the outer ends of the two radial cuts proximate the periphery of the cover portion while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the cover portion. In operation, the outer marginal edge of the closure member extends outwardly beyond the third cut of the drinking opening; and the cover portion and closure member include mating locking components for locking the closure member in a fully open position.
Another aspect of the invention provides a lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, the lid comprising, again, a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, the cover portion having a periphery, and an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally çng~ing the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon. The cover portion includes a drinking section extPn-ling outwardly from a central location on the cover portion to the cover portion periphery.
A drinking opening and mating closure member is formed in the ~lrinking section by cutting through the drinking section with radial cuts and a third cut proximate the periphery of the cover portions while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the cover portion. The living hinge is formed by an elongate in(1Pnt~tion that, in operation, causes the outer marginal edge of the closure member to extend outwardly beyond the third cut of the drinking opening. A hand en~g~hle projection extends upwardly from the closure member pe~ g a user to repeatably move the closure member between an open drinking position and a closed, no-spill position by pivoting the closure member upwardly about the hinge to the open position followed by pivoting the closure member dowllwardly until the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member engages the lid material adjacent the third cut and, by deformation of the Png~ging materials, temporarily locks thereunder in the closed position.
Further still, the invention comprehends a lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, the lid comprising a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, the cover portion having a periphery, and an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion in the form of an inverted U-shaped well having an upper closed end and a pair of depending spaced-apart irmer and outer walls joined to the closed end, the spaced-apart walls serving to frictionally engage the rim portion of a drinking cup. The inner wall of the U-shaped well is interrupted along a discrete arcuate portion of the cover portion periphery while leaving the outer wall and at least a portion of the upper closed end of the U-shaped well uninlell~ted. The cover portion includes a drinking section 3a çxten(1ing radially outwardly from a central location of the cover portion to the periphery of the cover portion and joining the upper closed end of the well along the discrete arcuate portion of the cover portion periphery where the inner wall is interrupted. A drinking opening is formed in the drinking section, and a closure member is provided for the drinking opening, the closure member being hinged to the cover portion at a medial location thereon and having, in operation, a sufficient radial dimension to permit the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member to become trapped between the rim portion of the drinking cup and the upper closed end of the well when the lid is in place on a drinking cup.
Another aspect of the invention provides a lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup of the type having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, the lid comprising a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, and an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally en~ging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon. The cover portion includes a section that is generally flat and surrounds along three sides a raised drinking section extentling outwardly and upwardly from a central location on the cover portion to the lid periphery and termin~ting at the upper level of the annular cavity such that there is no vertical lip where the raised drinking section reaches the periphery. A drinking opening and mating closure member is formed in the raised drinking section by cutting through the raised drinking section with first and second substantially radial cuts and a third arcuate cut joining the outer ends of the two radial cuts at the periphery of the lid while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the lid. The closure member has a radial dimension sufficient for an outward marginal edge portion thereof to extend outwardly beyond the third cut of the drinking opening, whereby the marginal edge portion 3b may be trapped between the rim portion of a drinking cup and an overlying part of the lid to lock the closure member in a closed position.
Brief Description of the Dra~
Some of the aspects of the invention having been stated, other aspects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which --Figure 1 is a top view of a beverage cup lid constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a cross-section view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the closure member hinged to the open, drinking position.
Figure 4 is a top view of an alternative embodiment beverage cup lid identical to the lid of Figures 1-3 with the exception of the addition of ears on the closure member to facilitate locking of the closure member in the closed position.
Figure 5 is a greatly enlarged view of the portion of the lid contained within the circle 5 of Figure 4, showing one of the ears on the closure member and adjac~ont portions of the lid.
Detailed Description of the Invention While the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which aspects of the prefel-ed manner of practicing the present invention 3c _ 2169339 are shown, it is to be understood at the outset of the description which follows that persons of skill in the appropriate arts may modify the invention herein described while still achieving the favorable results of this invention. Accordingly, the description which follows is to be understood as being a broad, teaching disclosure directed to persons of skill in the appropriate arts, and not as limiting upon the present invention.
Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown one preferred form of a drinking cup lid 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in place on the rim portion 12 of an open-mouthed drinking cup 14. Lid 10 includes a generally planar, horizontally disposed cover portion 20 for covering the open mouth of drinking cup 14. An annular cavity 22 is formed at the periphery of cover portion 20 for frictionally engaging the rim portion 12 of the drinking cup to hold the lid firmly in place to prevent spillage of the beverage, e.g., coffee, contained therein. In the illustrated embodiment, cavity 22 is defined by an inverted U-shaped well 26 that has an upper closed end 28 and a pair of depending spaced-apart inner and outer walls 30 and 32, respectively, which are joined to the closed end. Walls 30, 32 serve to frictionally engage the rim portion of the drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to prevent beverage spillage. In the illustrated embodiments, the outer wall 32 and closed end 28 of well 26 extend continuously around the entire periphery of lid 10; however, the gripping action of the well structure is interrupted along a discrete arcuate portion of the periphery, approximately 45~ in the illustrated embodiment, where the inner wall 30 is interrupted to make room for the drinking opening and its unique cooperation with the closure member, as described in detail below. It will be appreciated that this angle may vary within acceptable limits, for example, 25O to 60~, with smaller angles usually being preferred for larger lids and larger angles for smaller lids.
Cover portion 20 includes a drinking section 40 that extends radially outwardly from a central location 42 on the cover portion to the periphery of the lid. In the illustrated embodiment, at the periphery, drinking section 40 joins the upper closed end 28 of well 26 at the above-mentioned 45~ arcuate portion of the periphery where the inner wall 30 is interrupted. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the drinking section preferably is inclined upwardly from the level of the central part of the cover portion to where it terminates at the upper level of the lid. This configuration assures that there is no vertical lip where the drinking section reaches the lid periphery.
A drinking opening 48 is formed in drinking section 40 by steel rule die cutting or like operation that forms cuts through the plastic lid material along substantially radial, straight lines 52, 54 in drinking section 40. A third arcuate cut joining the outermost ends of cuts 52, 54 is formed along line 56 in upper closed end 28 of well 26. The material bounded by and within cuts 52, 54, 56 defines a closure member 60 for the drinking opening.
Closure member 60 is joined to cover portion 20 by an integral, 216933g living hinge 62 that serves as the fourth side of the closure member.
An important feature of the invention is that, in operation, for example when the drinking opening is reclosed by the closure member after an initial drink, the outer marginal edge of the closure member extends outwardly beyond the third cut 56 of the drinking opening so that the closure member may be locked or trapped in place. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure member 60 has a sufficient radial dimension to permit the arcuate, marginal edge portion 64 (shown in dashed lines in Figure 1) of the closure member to reside under the upper closed end 28 of well 26.
Thus, in operation, the marginal edge portion 64 is positioned below the upper closed end 28 of well 26 to retain the closure member in a closed position. Additionally, in one preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the marginal edge portion 64 extends outwardly far enough to overlie the rim portion 12 of the drinking cup so that it may be trapped by the closed end of well 26 from above and by rim portion 12 from below.
In a preferred manner of practicing the invention, the extended radial length of closure member 60 is achieved, at least in part, by utilization of an indentation 66 located at or near the living hinge 62. Simultaneous with, or following, the die cutting of the drinking opening along lines 52, 54, 56, indentation 66 may be flattened to translate the closure member radially outwardly.
While the plastic material forming lid 10 has a memory, it has been found that when the flattening operation is performed as part of the manufacturing operation, the recovery from flattening indentation 66 is well under 100%, resulting in an extended length for the closure member. Other means for providing the closure member with a radial dimension that extends beyond the third cut 56 may be employed. For example, after forming cuts 52, 54, 56, the closure member may be pulled to stretch the plastic material in the radial direction.
As shown in Figures 1-3, closure member 60 may be provided with a hand engagable projection, for example knob 70, to facilitate lifting of the closure member to gain drinking access to the contents of the cup via drinking opening 48. A mating recess 72 may be formed in cover portion 20 to permit the closure member to be locked into place when it is hinged fully open by press fitting knob 70 into recess 72 (Figure 3). A small vent opening 74 may be provided, for example within recess 72, to permit steam to escape from the interior of cup 14.
It will be appreciated that during shipment and storage, multiple lids 10 may be stacked or nested as in the customary manner. When a single lid 10 configured according to the illustrated embodiment is removed from a stack of lids for placement on a cup, closure member 60 preferably will reside below the plane of drinking section 40. Thus, when such a lid 10 is placed on a cup, the outward marginal edge portion 64 of closure member 60 is positioned to become trapped between cup rim 12 and an overlying part of the lid, in the instance, the opposing well wall 28. This trapping action serves to hold the closure member in ~1~9339 -place substantially coplanar with the upper surface of drinking section 40 to provide a secure cover for drinking opening 48. It will be appreciated that the trapping action of marginal edge portion 64 between cup rim 12 and wall 28 may be achieved with or without edge portion 64 being physically engaged or "pinched"
between rim 12 and wall 28. Stated differently, in this embodiment where the marginal edge portion of the closure member is trapped from both above and below, edge portion 64 may be positively pinched or may reside somewhat loosely between rim 12 and wall 28.
When the customer wishes to drink from the cup, the customer simply hand engages knob 70 and pivots the closure member about hinge 62, with or without locking the closure member to the cover via knob 70 and recess 72 (Figure 3), as desired. The drinking opening may be reclosed by moving the closure member back to the closed position shown in Figure 1, with a slight downward pressure exerted on knob 70 serving to deform the closure member to permit the marginal edge 64 to slide under wall 28.
Thus, the above-described structure provides an integral, thin plastic lid that may be easily formed by the conventional operation used to form thin plastic lids of the prior art, namely thermoforming by vacuum plus a die cutting operation for forming the drinking opening, with much improved operational features. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the lid of the present invention provides at least the following advantages over thin plastic lids of the prior art:
BEVERAGE CUP LID
Fiel~ of the TnV~ntio~
The invention relates to lids for beverage cups such as disposable drinking cups of the type commonly used by fast food restaurants and convenience stores for the sale of coffee. More particularly, the invention relates to thin plastic beverage cup lids having a drinking opening that is accessed by moving a hinged closure member and is reclosable by returning the closure member to overlie the drinking opening.
R ~clrgrQllnd of ~-he Tnvf~nti on Hot beverages such as coffee and hot chocolate are typically sold by fast food restaurants and convenience stores in disposable drinking cups. In order to prevent spillage of the beverage, the cups are often provided with lids that have drinking openings permitting drinking therethrough without removing the lid.
Satisfactory lids formed of relatively heavy plastic material, for example the lid of U.S. patent number 4,949,865, have excellent structural integrity and provide good results in terms of convenience and comfort for the customer. One drawback of these lids is that they generally include a vertical lip at the periphery over which the drink must flow in order to go from the drinking opening to the customer's mouth. Another drawback of these lids is cost.
~1~9339 other lids formed of thin plastic material, for example the lid disclosed in U.S. patent number 4,738,373, overcome the above-mentioned cost problem, but these lids provide markedly inferior results in terms of operation of the closure member and the aesthetics of drinking from an opening with sharp corners.
Thus, there is a need for a drinking cup lid that has the operational and aesthetic advantages associated with more expensive, thick plastic lids, but at a cost competitive with the thin plastic lids of the prior art.
Summary of the TnV~ntion The present invention provides a novel drinking cup lid that may be formed of thin plastic material by conventional vacuum forming and die cutting operations, while providing the excellent aesthetic and operational features heretofore associated only with lids costing several times as much. More particularly, the lid of the present invention provides a smooth, single level drinking opening for the mouth to comfortably fit over. Furthermore, the lid of the invention eliminates jagged edges at the drinking opening that can cause discomfort.
The present invention may be defined as a drinking cup lid that includes a cover portion for covering the open mouth of the drinking cup and an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally engaging the rim of the cup. A
drinking opening is formed in a drinking section that extends outwardly to the lid periphery. A closure member for the drinking opening is cut from the material of the drinking section and is hinged to the cover portion at a central location on the cover. In operation, the outer marginal edge of the closure member extends outwardly beyond the outer cut of the drinking opening so that the closure may be locked or trapped in place.
Various embodiments of the invention are disclosed, but in one embodiment there is provided a lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, the lid comprising a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, the cover portion having a periphery, and an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally ~ng~ging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon. The cover portion includes a drinking section exten-lin~ outwardly from a central location on the cover portion to the cover portion periphery. A drinking opening and mating closure member is formed in the drinking section by cutting through the drinking section with first and second subst~nti~lly radial cuts and a third cut joining the outer ends of the two radial cuts proximate the periphery of the cover portion while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the cover portion. In operation, the outer marginal edge of the closure member extends outwardly beyond the third cut of the drinking opening; and the cover portion and closure member include mating locking components for locking the closure member in a fully open position.
Another aspect of the invention provides a lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, the lid comprising, again, a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, the cover portion having a periphery, and an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally çng~ing the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon. The cover portion includes a drinking section extPn-ling outwardly from a central location on the cover portion to the cover portion periphery.
A drinking opening and mating closure member is formed in the ~lrinking section by cutting through the drinking section with radial cuts and a third cut proximate the periphery of the cover portions while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the cover portion. The living hinge is formed by an elongate in(1Pnt~tion that, in operation, causes the outer marginal edge of the closure member to extend outwardly beyond the third cut of the drinking opening. A hand en~g~hle projection extends upwardly from the closure member pe~ g a user to repeatably move the closure member between an open drinking position and a closed, no-spill position by pivoting the closure member upwardly about the hinge to the open position followed by pivoting the closure member dowllwardly until the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member engages the lid material adjacent the third cut and, by deformation of the Png~ging materials, temporarily locks thereunder in the closed position.
Further still, the invention comprehends a lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, the lid comprising a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, the cover portion having a periphery, and an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion in the form of an inverted U-shaped well having an upper closed end and a pair of depending spaced-apart irmer and outer walls joined to the closed end, the spaced-apart walls serving to frictionally engage the rim portion of a drinking cup. The inner wall of the U-shaped well is interrupted along a discrete arcuate portion of the cover portion periphery while leaving the outer wall and at least a portion of the upper closed end of the U-shaped well uninlell~ted. The cover portion includes a drinking section 3a çxten(1ing radially outwardly from a central location of the cover portion to the periphery of the cover portion and joining the upper closed end of the well along the discrete arcuate portion of the cover portion periphery where the inner wall is interrupted. A drinking opening is formed in the drinking section, and a closure member is provided for the drinking opening, the closure member being hinged to the cover portion at a medial location thereon and having, in operation, a sufficient radial dimension to permit the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member to become trapped between the rim portion of the drinking cup and the upper closed end of the well when the lid is in place on a drinking cup.
Another aspect of the invention provides a lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup of the type having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, the lid comprising a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, and an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally en~ging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon. The cover portion includes a section that is generally flat and surrounds along three sides a raised drinking section extentling outwardly and upwardly from a central location on the cover portion to the lid periphery and termin~ting at the upper level of the annular cavity such that there is no vertical lip where the raised drinking section reaches the periphery. A drinking opening and mating closure member is formed in the raised drinking section by cutting through the raised drinking section with first and second substantially radial cuts and a third arcuate cut joining the outer ends of the two radial cuts at the periphery of the lid while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the lid. The closure member has a radial dimension sufficient for an outward marginal edge portion thereof to extend outwardly beyond the third cut of the drinking opening, whereby the marginal edge portion 3b may be trapped between the rim portion of a drinking cup and an overlying part of the lid to lock the closure member in a closed position.
Brief Description of the Dra~
Some of the aspects of the invention having been stated, other aspects will appear as the description proceeds, when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which --Figure 1 is a top view of a beverage cup lid constructed in accordance with theprinciples of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a cross-section view taken along line 2-2 of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 showing the closure member hinged to the open, drinking position.
Figure 4 is a top view of an alternative embodiment beverage cup lid identical to the lid of Figures 1-3 with the exception of the addition of ears on the closure member to facilitate locking of the closure member in the closed position.
Figure 5 is a greatly enlarged view of the portion of the lid contained within the circle 5 of Figure 4, showing one of the ears on the closure member and adjac~ont portions of the lid.
Detailed Description of the Invention While the present invention will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which aspects of the prefel-ed manner of practicing the present invention 3c _ 2169339 are shown, it is to be understood at the outset of the description which follows that persons of skill in the appropriate arts may modify the invention herein described while still achieving the favorable results of this invention. Accordingly, the description which follows is to be understood as being a broad, teaching disclosure directed to persons of skill in the appropriate arts, and not as limiting upon the present invention.
Referring to the drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown one preferred form of a drinking cup lid 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention in place on the rim portion 12 of an open-mouthed drinking cup 14. Lid 10 includes a generally planar, horizontally disposed cover portion 20 for covering the open mouth of drinking cup 14. An annular cavity 22 is formed at the periphery of cover portion 20 for frictionally engaging the rim portion 12 of the drinking cup to hold the lid firmly in place to prevent spillage of the beverage, e.g., coffee, contained therein. In the illustrated embodiment, cavity 22 is defined by an inverted U-shaped well 26 that has an upper closed end 28 and a pair of depending spaced-apart inner and outer walls 30 and 32, respectively, which are joined to the closed end. Walls 30, 32 serve to frictionally engage the rim portion of the drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to prevent beverage spillage. In the illustrated embodiments, the outer wall 32 and closed end 28 of well 26 extend continuously around the entire periphery of lid 10; however, the gripping action of the well structure is interrupted along a discrete arcuate portion of the periphery, approximately 45~ in the illustrated embodiment, where the inner wall 30 is interrupted to make room for the drinking opening and its unique cooperation with the closure member, as described in detail below. It will be appreciated that this angle may vary within acceptable limits, for example, 25O to 60~, with smaller angles usually being preferred for larger lids and larger angles for smaller lids.
Cover portion 20 includes a drinking section 40 that extends radially outwardly from a central location 42 on the cover portion to the periphery of the lid. In the illustrated embodiment, at the periphery, drinking section 40 joins the upper closed end 28 of well 26 at the above-mentioned 45~ arcuate portion of the periphery where the inner wall 30 is interrupted. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the drinking section preferably is inclined upwardly from the level of the central part of the cover portion to where it terminates at the upper level of the lid. This configuration assures that there is no vertical lip where the drinking section reaches the lid periphery.
A drinking opening 48 is formed in drinking section 40 by steel rule die cutting or like operation that forms cuts through the plastic lid material along substantially radial, straight lines 52, 54 in drinking section 40. A third arcuate cut joining the outermost ends of cuts 52, 54 is formed along line 56 in upper closed end 28 of well 26. The material bounded by and within cuts 52, 54, 56 defines a closure member 60 for the drinking opening.
Closure member 60 is joined to cover portion 20 by an integral, 216933g living hinge 62 that serves as the fourth side of the closure member.
An important feature of the invention is that, in operation, for example when the drinking opening is reclosed by the closure member after an initial drink, the outer marginal edge of the closure member extends outwardly beyond the third cut 56 of the drinking opening so that the closure member may be locked or trapped in place. In the illustrated embodiment, the closure member 60 has a sufficient radial dimension to permit the arcuate, marginal edge portion 64 (shown in dashed lines in Figure 1) of the closure member to reside under the upper closed end 28 of well 26.
Thus, in operation, the marginal edge portion 64 is positioned below the upper closed end 28 of well 26 to retain the closure member in a closed position. Additionally, in one preferred embodiment, as illustrated, the marginal edge portion 64 extends outwardly far enough to overlie the rim portion 12 of the drinking cup so that it may be trapped by the closed end of well 26 from above and by rim portion 12 from below.
In a preferred manner of practicing the invention, the extended radial length of closure member 60 is achieved, at least in part, by utilization of an indentation 66 located at or near the living hinge 62. Simultaneous with, or following, the die cutting of the drinking opening along lines 52, 54, 56, indentation 66 may be flattened to translate the closure member radially outwardly.
While the plastic material forming lid 10 has a memory, it has been found that when the flattening operation is performed as part of the manufacturing operation, the recovery from flattening indentation 66 is well under 100%, resulting in an extended length for the closure member. Other means for providing the closure member with a radial dimension that extends beyond the third cut 56 may be employed. For example, after forming cuts 52, 54, 56, the closure member may be pulled to stretch the plastic material in the radial direction.
As shown in Figures 1-3, closure member 60 may be provided with a hand engagable projection, for example knob 70, to facilitate lifting of the closure member to gain drinking access to the contents of the cup via drinking opening 48. A mating recess 72 may be formed in cover portion 20 to permit the closure member to be locked into place when it is hinged fully open by press fitting knob 70 into recess 72 (Figure 3). A small vent opening 74 may be provided, for example within recess 72, to permit steam to escape from the interior of cup 14.
It will be appreciated that during shipment and storage, multiple lids 10 may be stacked or nested as in the customary manner. When a single lid 10 configured according to the illustrated embodiment is removed from a stack of lids for placement on a cup, closure member 60 preferably will reside below the plane of drinking section 40. Thus, when such a lid 10 is placed on a cup, the outward marginal edge portion 64 of closure member 60 is positioned to become trapped between cup rim 12 and an overlying part of the lid, in the instance, the opposing well wall 28. This trapping action serves to hold the closure member in ~1~9339 -place substantially coplanar with the upper surface of drinking section 40 to provide a secure cover for drinking opening 48. It will be appreciated that the trapping action of marginal edge portion 64 between cup rim 12 and wall 28 may be achieved with or without edge portion 64 being physically engaged or "pinched"
between rim 12 and wall 28. Stated differently, in this embodiment where the marginal edge portion of the closure member is trapped from both above and below, edge portion 64 may be positively pinched or may reside somewhat loosely between rim 12 and wall 28.
When the customer wishes to drink from the cup, the customer simply hand engages knob 70 and pivots the closure member about hinge 62, with or without locking the closure member to the cover via knob 70 and recess 72 (Figure 3), as desired. The drinking opening may be reclosed by moving the closure member back to the closed position shown in Figure 1, with a slight downward pressure exerted on knob 70 serving to deform the closure member to permit the marginal edge 64 to slide under wall 28.
Thus, the above-described structure provides an integral, thin plastic lid that may be easily formed by the conventional operation used to form thin plastic lids of the prior art, namely thermoforming by vacuum plus a die cutting operation for forming the drinking opening, with much improved operational features. In this regard, it will be appreciated that the lid of the present invention provides at least the following advantages over thin plastic lids of the prior art:
2~6g339 1) The closure member may be easily pivoted to expose the drinking opening and thereafter locked into place to prevent the annoyance and safety considerations associated with a dangling closure member or "lift tab."
2) As distinct from the prior art lids that can include jagged edges that permit drops of coffee to form at the outer edge of the drinking opening and drip from the cup or down the side of the cup, the present invention provides a clean drinking opening without jagged edges and without the necessity of the beverage flowing over a vertical lip located between the drinking opening and the drinker's mouth.
2) As distinct from the prior art lids that can include jagged edges that permit drops of coffee to form at the outer edge of the drinking opening and drip from the cup or down the side of the cup, the present invention provides a clean drinking opening without jagged edges and without the necessity of the beverage flowing over a vertical lip located between the drinking opening and the drinker's mouth.
3) As distinct from prior art lids, the present invention provides a smooth, single level drinking opening for the mouth to comfortably fit over, resulting in a significant aesthetic improvement in that the beverage flows directly out of the drinking opening into the drinker's mouth.
An alternative embodiment lid 110 is shown in Figures 4 and 5, with parts identical to those of lid 10 being referred to by the same reference numerals used in Figures 1-3. The structure of lid 110 and its manufacture are identical to that of lid 10 with the exception that the die cutting operation forms closure member 160 with a pair of ears 180, 182, and forms the drinking opening sides 152, 154 with matching recesses 186, 188. This ear structure serves to enhance the locking of the closure member in the closed 2~69339 position by providing two additional areas where the closure member underlies adjacent portions of the cover. With reference to the enlarged view of ear 180 and recess 186 in Figure 5, it will be appreciated that, after closure member 160 is extended radially outwardly, for example by flattening indentation 66, a marginal edge portion 190 (shown in dashed lines in Figure 5) underlies the cover adjacent to recess 186. Thus, both the locking of closure member 160 to the cover and protection against spillage are enhanced by the ear-recess structure of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.
In a preferred manner of practicing the invention, lid 10 is vacuum formed from a high-impact styrene polymer (e.g., ABS) material and has an average thickness on the order of 0.015 inches.
When desired, the flattening of indentation 66 may be achieved simultaneously with the die cutting operation by the use of a single projection on the die. This mechanical flattening of indentation 66 produces a radial extension of closure member 60 on the order of approximately 0.020 inches. In one preferred embodiment, for use with a conventional "small" coffee disposable cup, lid 10 may have a diameter of approximately 4 1/2 inches, a width between cavity gripping walls 30, 32 on the order of 3/16 inch, the width of the drinking opening at the hinge on the order of 7/16 inch and the width of the arcuate outer edge of the drinking opening on the order of 1 3/8 inches.
While the present invention has been described in connection with certain illustrated embodiments, it will be - 2:~693~9 appreciated that modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.
An alternative embodiment lid 110 is shown in Figures 4 and 5, with parts identical to those of lid 10 being referred to by the same reference numerals used in Figures 1-3. The structure of lid 110 and its manufacture are identical to that of lid 10 with the exception that the die cutting operation forms closure member 160 with a pair of ears 180, 182, and forms the drinking opening sides 152, 154 with matching recesses 186, 188. This ear structure serves to enhance the locking of the closure member in the closed 2~69339 position by providing two additional areas where the closure member underlies adjacent portions of the cover. With reference to the enlarged view of ear 180 and recess 186 in Figure 5, it will be appreciated that, after closure member 160 is extended radially outwardly, for example by flattening indentation 66, a marginal edge portion 190 (shown in dashed lines in Figure 5) underlies the cover adjacent to recess 186. Thus, both the locking of closure member 160 to the cover and protection against spillage are enhanced by the ear-recess structure of the embodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5.
In a preferred manner of practicing the invention, lid 10 is vacuum formed from a high-impact styrene polymer (e.g., ABS) material and has an average thickness on the order of 0.015 inches.
When desired, the flattening of indentation 66 may be achieved simultaneously with the die cutting operation by the use of a single projection on the die. This mechanical flattening of indentation 66 produces a radial extension of closure member 60 on the order of approximately 0.020 inches. In one preferred embodiment, for use with a conventional "small" coffee disposable cup, lid 10 may have a diameter of approximately 4 1/2 inches, a width between cavity gripping walls 30, 32 on the order of 3/16 inch, the width of the drinking opening at the hinge on the order of 7/16 inch and the width of the arcuate outer edge of the drinking opening on the order of 1 3/8 inches.
While the present invention has been described in connection with certain illustrated embodiments, it will be - 2:~693~9 appreciated that modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims (43)
1. A lid for an open-mouthed drink cup of the type having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, said lid comprising:
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion in the form of an inverted U-shaped well having an upper closed end and a pair of depending spaced-apart inner and outer walls joined to the closed end, said spaced-apart walls serving to frictionally engage the rim portion of a drinking cup;
the inner wall of said U-shaped well being interrupted along a discrete arcuate portion of the lid periphery of the order of about 25° to 60° while leaving the outer wall and at least a portion of the upper closed end of the U-shaped well uninterrupted;
said cover portion including a section that is generally flat and surrounds along three sides a raised drinking section extending radially outwardly and upwardly from a central location of said cover portion to the periphery of the lid and joining the upper closed end of said well along the discrete arcuate portion of the lid periphery where the inner wall is interrupted;
a drinking opening formed in said raised drinking section;
and a closure member for the drinking opening, said closure member being hinged to the cover portion at a medial location thereon and having a sufficient radial dimension to permit the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member to reside under the upper closed end of said cavity well, whereby said marginal edge portion may be trapped between the rim portion of the drinking cup and the upper closed end of said well to lock the closure member in a closed position when the lid is in place on a drinking cup.
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion in the form of an inverted U-shaped well having an upper closed end and a pair of depending spaced-apart inner and outer walls joined to the closed end, said spaced-apart walls serving to frictionally engage the rim portion of a drinking cup;
the inner wall of said U-shaped well being interrupted along a discrete arcuate portion of the lid periphery of the order of about 25° to 60° while leaving the outer wall and at least a portion of the upper closed end of the U-shaped well uninterrupted;
said cover portion including a section that is generally flat and surrounds along three sides a raised drinking section extending radially outwardly and upwardly from a central location of said cover portion to the periphery of the lid and joining the upper closed end of said well along the discrete arcuate portion of the lid periphery where the inner wall is interrupted;
a drinking opening formed in said raised drinking section;
and a closure member for the drinking opening, said closure member being hinged to the cover portion at a medial location thereon and having a sufficient radial dimension to permit the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member to reside under the upper closed end of said cavity well, whereby said marginal edge portion may be trapped between the rim portion of the drinking cup and the upper closed end of said well to lock the closure member in a closed position when the lid is in place on a drinking cup.
2. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said closure member is cut from the material of said raised drinking section while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the remainder of said cover portion.
3. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 2 wherein said cover portion includes a flattened indentation that increases the radial dimension of the closure member 80 that its marginal edge portion underlies the upper closed end of said U-shaped well.
4. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 3 wherein the flattened indentation is located at or near the hinge.
5. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 3 wherein the flattened indentation is located on the closure member marginal edge portion.
6. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sides of said closure member include projecting ears and said drinking opening includes corresponding recesses.
7. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 6 wherein the marginal edge portions of said ears underlie portions of the cover adjacent to the ears.
8. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said closure member includes means engageable by hand to pivotally open the closure member about said hinge.
9. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 1 wherein said cover member and closure member include mating locking components for locking the closure member in a fully open position.
10. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 9 wherein said mating locking components comprise a hand-engageable projection on the closure member and a mating recess on the cover for receiving the projection by press fit.
11. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 2 wherein the sides of said closure member include projecting ears and said drinking opening includes corresponding recesses.
12. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 3 wherein the sides of said closure member include projecting ears and said drinking opening includes corresponding recesses.
13. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 1 formed of a styrene polymer.
14. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 13 having an average thickness on the order of 0.015 inches.
15. A lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup of the type having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, said lid comprising:
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally engaging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon;
said cover portion includes a section that is generally flat and surrounds along three sides a raised drinking section extending outwardly and upwardly from a central location on said cover portion to the lid periphery and terminating at the upper level of said annular cavity such that there is no vertical lip where the raised drinking section reaches the periphery;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said raised drinking section by cutting through said raised drinking section with first and second substantially radial cuts and a third arcuate cut joining the outer ends of the two radial cuts at the periphery of the lid while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the lid; and said closure member having a radial dimension sufficient for an outward marginal edge portion thereof to extend outwardly beyond the third cut of said drinking opening, whereby said marginal edge portion may be trapped between the rim portion of a drinking cup and an overlying part of the lid to lock the closure member in a closed position.
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally engaging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon;
said cover portion includes a section that is generally flat and surrounds along three sides a raised drinking section extending outwardly and upwardly from a central location on said cover portion to the lid periphery and terminating at the upper level of said annular cavity such that there is no vertical lip where the raised drinking section reaches the periphery;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said raised drinking section by cutting through said raised drinking section with first and second substantially radial cuts and a third arcuate cut joining the outer ends of the two radial cuts at the periphery of the lid while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the lid; and said closure member having a radial dimension sufficient for an outward marginal edge portion thereof to extend outwardly beyond the third cut of said drinking opening, whereby said marginal edge portion may be trapped between the rim portion of a drinking cup and an overlying part of the lid to lock the closure member in a closed position.
16. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 15 wherein said third cut transcribes an angle at the periphery of the lid on the order of 25° to 60°.
17. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 15 including a flattened indentation associated with said closure member for increasing the radial dimension of the closure member.
18. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 15, wherein the sides of said closure member include projecting ears and said drinking opening includes corresponding recesses.
19. A combination drinking cup and lid comprising:
(a) a drinking cup having an open mouth and a rim portion about the mouth; and (b) a lid covering the open mouth of said drinking cup and providing access to the liquid contents thereof without removing the lid, said lid comprising:
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of said drinking cup;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion in the form of an inverted U-shaped well having an upper closed end and a pair of depending spaced-apart inner and outer walls joined to the closed end, said spaced-apart walls serving to frictionally engage the rim portion of said drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon;
the inner wall of said U-shaped well being interrupted along a discrete arcuate portion of the lid periphery on the order of about 25° to 60° while leaving the outer wall and at least a portion of the upper closed end of the U-shaped wall uninterrupted;
said cover portion including a section that is centrally flat and surrounds along three sides a raised drinking section extending radially outwardly and upwardly from a central location of said cover portion to the periphery of the lid and joining the upper closed end of said well along the discrete arcuate portion of the lid periphery where the inner wall is interrupted;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said raised drinking section by cutting through said drinking section with first and second substantially radial cuts and a third arcuate cut joining the outer ends of the two radial cuts at the periphery of the lid while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the lid; and said closure member having a radial dimension sufficient for an outward, arcuate marginal edge portion thereof to extend outwardly beyond the third arcuate cut of said drinking opening, with said marginal edge portion being trapped between the rim portion of said drinking cup and said upper closed end to lock the closure member in a closed position.
(a) a drinking cup having an open mouth and a rim portion about the mouth; and (b) a lid covering the open mouth of said drinking cup and providing access to the liquid contents thereof without removing the lid, said lid comprising:
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of said drinking cup;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion in the form of an inverted U-shaped well having an upper closed end and a pair of depending spaced-apart inner and outer walls joined to the closed end, said spaced-apart walls serving to frictionally engage the rim portion of said drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon;
the inner wall of said U-shaped well being interrupted along a discrete arcuate portion of the lid periphery on the order of about 25° to 60° while leaving the outer wall and at least a portion of the upper closed end of the U-shaped wall uninterrupted;
said cover portion including a section that is centrally flat and surrounds along three sides a raised drinking section extending radially outwardly and upwardly from a central location of said cover portion to the periphery of the lid and joining the upper closed end of said well along the discrete arcuate portion of the lid periphery where the inner wall is interrupted;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said raised drinking section by cutting through said drinking section with first and second substantially radial cuts and a third arcuate cut joining the outer ends of the two radial cuts at the periphery of the lid while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the lid; and said closure member having a radial dimension sufficient for an outward, arcuate marginal edge portion thereof to extend outwardly beyond the third arcuate cut of said drinking opening, with said marginal edge portion being trapped between the rim portion of said drinking cup and said upper closed end to lock the closure member in a closed position.
20. A combination drinking cup and lid as claimed in claim 19 wherein the sides of said closure member include projecting ears and said drinking opening includes corresponding recesses with marginal edge portions of said ears underlying portions of the cover adjacent to the ears to augment the locking of the closure member in a closed position.
21. A lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup of the type having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, said lid comprising:
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having a periphery;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion in the form of an inverted U-shaped well having an upper closed end and a pair of depending spaced-apart inner and outer walls joined to the closed end, said spaced-apart walls serving to frictionally engage the rim portion of a drinking cup;
the inner wall of said U-shaped well being interrupted along a discrete arcuate portion of the cover portion periphery while leaving the outer wall and at least a portion of the upper closed end of the U-shaped well uninterrupted;
said cover portion including a drinking section extending radially outwardly from a central location of said cover portion to the periphery of the cover portion and joining the upper closed end of said well along the discrete arcuate portion of the lid periphery where the inner wall is interrupted;
a drinking opening formed in said drinking section;
a closure member for the drinking opening, said closure member being hinged to the cover portion at a medial location thereon and having, in operation, a sufficient radial dimension to permit the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member to reside under the lid material at the upper closed end of said U-shaped well; and said cover portion and closure member including mating locking components for locking the closure member in a fully open position.
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having a periphery;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion in the form of an inverted U-shaped well having an upper closed end and a pair of depending spaced-apart inner and outer walls joined to the closed end, said spaced-apart walls serving to frictionally engage the rim portion of a drinking cup;
the inner wall of said U-shaped well being interrupted along a discrete arcuate portion of the cover portion periphery while leaving the outer wall and at least a portion of the upper closed end of the U-shaped well uninterrupted;
said cover portion including a drinking section extending radially outwardly from a central location of said cover portion to the periphery of the cover portion and joining the upper closed end of said well along the discrete arcuate portion of the lid periphery where the inner wall is interrupted;
a drinking opening formed in said drinking section;
a closure member for the drinking opening, said closure member being hinged to the cover portion at a medial location thereon and having, in operation, a sufficient radial dimension to permit the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member to reside under the lid material at the upper closed end of said U-shaped well; and said cover portion and closure member including mating locking components for locking the closure member in a fully open position.
22. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 21 wherein said closure member is cut from the material of said drinking section while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the remainder of said cover portion.
23. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 22 including an indentation at the living hinge.
24. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 21 wherein the sides of said closure member include projecting ears and said drinking opening includes corresponding recesses.
25. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 21 wherein said closure member includes means engagable by hand to pivotally open the closure member about said hinge.
26. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 21 wherein said mating locking components comprise a hand-engagable projection on the closure member and a mating recess on the cover portion for receiving the projection by press fit.
27. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 21 wherein said discrete arcuate portion of the lid periphery is of about 25° to 60°.
28. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 21 formed of a styrene polymer.
29. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 28 having an average thickness of about 0.015 inches.
30. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 21 wherein the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member extends out sufficiently 80 that it may become trapped between the rim portion of the drinking cup and the upper closed end of said well when the lid is in place on a drinking cup.
31. A lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, said lid comprising:
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having a periphery;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally engaging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon;
said cover portion including a raised drinking section extending outwardly and upwardly from a central location on said cover portion to the cover portion periphery and terminating at the upper level of said annular cavity such that there is no vertical lip where the raised drinking section reaches the periphery;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said drinking section by cutting through said drinking section with first and second substantially radial cuts and a third cut joining the outer ends of the two radial cuts at the periphery of the cover portion while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the cover portion;
said closure member having a radial dimension sufficient for an outward marginal edge portion thereof, in operation, to extend outwardly beyond the third cut of said drinking opening; and said cover portion and closure member including mating locking components for locking the closure member in a fully open position.
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having a periphery;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally engaging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon;
said cover portion including a raised drinking section extending outwardly and upwardly from a central location on said cover portion to the cover portion periphery and terminating at the upper level of said annular cavity such that there is no vertical lip where the raised drinking section reaches the periphery;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said drinking section by cutting through said drinking section with first and second substantially radial cuts and a third cut joining the outer ends of the two radial cuts at the periphery of the cover portion while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the cover portion;
said closure member having a radial dimension sufficient for an outward marginal edge portion thereof, in operation, to extend outwardly beyond the third cut of said drinking opening; and said cover portion and closure member including mating locking components for locking the closure member in a fully open position.
32. A lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, said lid comprising:
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having a periphery;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally engaging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon;
said cover portion including a drinking section extending outwardly from a central location on said cover portion to the cover portion periphery;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said drinking section by cutting through said drinking section with first and second substantially radial cuts and a third cut joining the outer ends of the two radial cuts proximate the periphery of the cover portion while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the cover portion;
in operation, the outer marginal edge of said closure member extending outwardly beyond the third cut of said drinking opening; and said cover portion and closure member including mating locking components for locking the closure member in a fully open position.
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having a periphery;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally engaging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon;
said cover portion including a drinking section extending outwardly from a central location on said cover portion to the cover portion periphery;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said drinking section by cutting through said drinking section with first and second substantially radial cuts and a third cut joining the outer ends of the two radial cuts proximate the periphery of the cover portion while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the cover portion;
in operation, the outer marginal edge of said closure member extending outwardly beyond the third cut of said drinking opening; and said cover portion and closure member including mating locking components for locking the closure member in a fully open position.
33. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 32 wherein said third cut transcribes an angle of about 25° to 60°.
34. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 32 wherein the first, second and third cuts form three sides of the closure member and the fourth side of the closure member is formed by an integral, living hinge joining the closure member to the cover portion.
35. A combination drinking cup and lid comprising:
(a) a drinking cup having an open mouth and a rim portion about the mouth; and (b) a lid covering the open mouth of said drinking cup and providing access to the liquid contents thereof without removing the lid, said lid comprising:
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having a periphery;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion frictionally engaging the rim portion of said drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon;
said cover portion including a drinking section extending outwardly from a central location on said cover portion to the cover portion periphery;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said drinking section by cutting through said drinking section with first and second substantially radial cuts and a third cut joining the outer ends of the two radial cuts proximate the periphery of the cover portion while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the cover portion;
in operation, the outer marginal edge of said closure member extending outwardly beyond the third cut of said drinking opening; and said cover portion and closure member including mating locking components for locking the closure member in a fully open position.
(a) a drinking cup having an open mouth and a rim portion about the mouth; and (b) a lid covering the open mouth of said drinking cup and providing access to the liquid contents thereof without removing the lid, said lid comprising:
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having a periphery;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion frictionally engaging the rim portion of said drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon;
said cover portion including a drinking section extending outwardly from a central location on said cover portion to the cover portion periphery;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said drinking section by cutting through said drinking section with first and second substantially radial cuts and a third cut joining the outer ends of the two radial cuts proximate the periphery of the cover portion while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the cover portion;
in operation, the outer marginal edge of said closure member extending outwardly beyond the third cut of said drinking opening; and said cover portion and closure member including mating locking components for locking the closure member in a fully open position.
36. A lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, said lid comprising:
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having a periphery;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion in the form of an inverted U-shaped well having an upper closed end and a pair of depending spaced-apart inner and outer walls joined to the closed end, said spaced-apart walls serving to frictionally engage the rim portion of a drinking cup;
the inner wall of said U-shaped well being interrupted along a discrete arcuate portion of the cover portion periphery while leaving the outer wall and at least a portion of the upper closed end of the U-shaped well uninterrupted;
said cover portion including a drinking section extending radially outwardly from a central location of said cover portion to the periphery of the cover portion and joining the upper closed end of said well along the discrete arcuate portion of the cover portion periphery where the inner wall is interrupted;
a drinking opening formed in said drinking section;
a closure member for the drinking opening, said closure member being hinged to the cover portion at a medial location thereon and having, in operation, a sufficient radial dimension to permit the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member to become trapped between the rim portion of the drinking cup and the upper closed end of said well when the lid is in place on a drinking cup.
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having a periphery;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion in the form of an inverted U-shaped well having an upper closed end and a pair of depending spaced-apart inner and outer walls joined to the closed end, said spaced-apart walls serving to frictionally engage the rim portion of a drinking cup;
the inner wall of said U-shaped well being interrupted along a discrete arcuate portion of the cover portion periphery while leaving the outer wall and at least a portion of the upper closed end of the U-shaped well uninterrupted;
said cover portion including a drinking section extending radially outwardly from a central location of said cover portion to the periphery of the cover portion and joining the upper closed end of said well along the discrete arcuate portion of the cover portion periphery where the inner wall is interrupted;
a drinking opening formed in said drinking section;
a closure member for the drinking opening, said closure member being hinged to the cover portion at a medial location thereon and having, in operation, a sufficient radial dimension to permit the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member to become trapped between the rim portion of the drinking cup and the upper closed end of said well when the lid is in place on a drinking cup.
37. A lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, said lid comprising:
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having a periphery;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally engaging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon;
said cover portion including a raised drinking section extending outwardly and upwardly from a central location on said cover portion to the cover portion periphery and terminating at the upper level of said annular cavity such that there is no vertical lip where the raised drinking section reaches the periphery;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said drinking section by cutting through said drinking section with radial cuts and a third cut proximate the periphery of the cover portion while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the cover portion, said living hinge being formed by an elongate indentation that provides said closure member with a radial dimension sufficient for an outward marginal edge portion thereof, in operation, to extend outwardly beyond the third cut of said drinking opening; and a hand engagable projection extending upwardly from said closure member permitting a user to repeatably move the closure member between an open drinking position and a closed, no-spill position by pivoting the closure member upwardly about said hinge to the open position followed by pivoting the closure member downwardly until the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member engages the lid material adjacent said third cut and by deformation of the engaging materials, temporarily locks thereunder in the closed position.
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having a periphery;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally engaging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon;
said cover portion including a raised drinking section extending outwardly and upwardly from a central location on said cover portion to the cover portion periphery and terminating at the upper level of said annular cavity such that there is no vertical lip where the raised drinking section reaches the periphery;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said drinking section by cutting through said drinking section with radial cuts and a third cut proximate the periphery of the cover portion while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the cover portion, said living hinge being formed by an elongate indentation that provides said closure member with a radial dimension sufficient for an outward marginal edge portion thereof, in operation, to extend outwardly beyond the third cut of said drinking opening; and a hand engagable projection extending upwardly from said closure member permitting a user to repeatably move the closure member between an open drinking position and a closed, no-spill position by pivoting the closure member upwardly about said hinge to the open position followed by pivoting the closure member downwardly until the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member engages the lid material adjacent said third cut and by deformation of the engaging materials, temporarily locks thereunder in the closed position.
38. A lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, said lid comprising:
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having a periphery;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally engaging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon;
said cover portion including a drinking section extending outwardly from a central location on said cover portion to the cover portion periphery;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said drinking section by cutting through said drinking section with radial cuts and a third cut proximate the periphery of the cover portions while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the cover portion, said living hinge being formed by an elongate indentation that, in operation, causes the outer marginal edge of said closure member to extend outwardly beyond the third cut of said drinking opening; and a hand engagable projection extending upwardly from said closure member permitting a user to repeatably move the closure member between an open drinking position and a closed, no-spill position by pivoting the closure member upwardly about said hinge to the open position followed by pivoting the closure member downwardly until the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member engages the lid material adjacent said third cut and by deformation of the engaging materials, temporarily locks thereunder in the closed position.
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having a periphery;
an annular cavity at the periphery of the cover portion for frictionally engaging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon;
said cover portion including a drinking section extending outwardly from a central location on said cover portion to the cover portion periphery;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said drinking section by cutting through said drinking section with radial cuts and a third cut proximate the periphery of the cover portions while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion at a central location on the cover portion, said living hinge being formed by an elongate indentation that, in operation, causes the outer marginal edge of said closure member to extend outwardly beyond the third cut of said drinking opening; and a hand engagable projection extending upwardly from said closure member permitting a user to repeatably move the closure member between an open drinking position and a closed, no-spill position by pivoting the closure member upwardly about said hinge to the open position followed by pivoting the closure member downwardly until the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member engages the lid material adjacent said third cut and by deformation of the engaging materials, temporarily locks thereunder in the closed position.
39. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 38 including a recess formed in the cover portion that mates with said hand engagable projection on the closure member so that the closure member may be locked in a fully open position by press fitting the projection into the recess.
40. A lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, said lid comprising:
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having an annular cavity for frictionally engaging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon;
said cover portion including a drinking section extending outwardly from a central location on said cover portion;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said drinking section by cutting through said drinking section with a pair of radial cuts that have first ends centrally located on the cover portion and second ends located outwardly on the cover portion and a third cut joining the second ends of the radial cuts while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion along a line joining the first ends of the radial cuts, said living hinge being formed by an elongate indentation that, in operation, causes the outer marginal edge of said closure member to extend outwardly beyond the third cut of said drinking opening; and a hand engagable projection extending upwardly from said closure member permitting a user to repeatably move the closure member between an open drinking position and a closed, no-spill position by pivoting the closure member upwardly about said hinge to the open position followed by pivoting the closure member downwardly until the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member engages the lid material adjacent said third cut and by deformation of the engaging materials, temporarily locks thereunder in the closed position.
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having an annular cavity for frictionally engaging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon;
said cover portion including a drinking section extending outwardly from a central location on said cover portion;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said drinking section by cutting through said drinking section with a pair of radial cuts that have first ends centrally located on the cover portion and second ends located outwardly on the cover portion and a third cut joining the second ends of the radial cuts while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion along a line joining the first ends of the radial cuts, said living hinge being formed by an elongate indentation that, in operation, causes the outer marginal edge of said closure member to extend outwardly beyond the third cut of said drinking opening; and a hand engagable projection extending upwardly from said closure member permitting a user to repeatably move the closure member between an open drinking position and a closed, no-spill position by pivoting the closure member upwardly about said hinge to the open position followed by pivoting the closure member downwardly until the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member engages the lid material adjacent said third cut and by deformation of the engaging materials, temporarily locks thereunder in the closed position.
41. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 40 including a recess formed in the cover portion that mates with said hand engagable projection on the closure member so that the closure member may be locked in a fully open position by press fitting the projection into the recess.
42. A lid for an open-mouthed drinking cup having a rim portion about the mouth thereof, said lid comprising:
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having an annular cavity for frictionally engaging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon:
said cover portion including a drinking section extending outwardly from a central location on said cover portion;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said drinking section by cutting through said drinking section with a pair of radial cuts that have first ends centrally located on the cover portion and second ends located outwardly on the cover portion and a third cut joining the second ends of the radial cuts while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion along a line joining the first ends of the radial cuts, said closure member having a radial dimension sufficient for an outward marginal edge portion thereof, in operation, to extend outwardly beyond the third cut of said drinking opening; and a hand engagable projection extending upwardly from said closure member permitting a user to repeatedly move the closure member between an open drinking position and a closed, no-spill position by pivoting the closure member upwardly about said hinge to the open position followed by pivoting the closure member downwardly until the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member engages, the lid material adjacent said third cut and by deformation of the engaging materials, temporarily locks thereunder in the closed position.
a cover portion for covering the open mouth of a drinking cup, said cover portion having an annular cavity for frictionally engaging the rim portion of a drinking cup with sufficient gripping force to hold the lid thereon:
said cover portion including a drinking section extending outwardly from a central location on said cover portion;
a drinking opening and mating closure member formed in said drinking section by cutting through said drinking section with a pair of radial cuts that have first ends centrally located on the cover portion and second ends located outwardly on the cover portion and a third cut joining the second ends of the radial cuts while leaving an integral, living hinge connecting the closure member to the cover portion along a line joining the first ends of the radial cuts, said closure member having a radial dimension sufficient for an outward marginal edge portion thereof, in operation, to extend outwardly beyond the third cut of said drinking opening; and a hand engagable projection extending upwardly from said closure member permitting a user to repeatedly move the closure member between an open drinking position and a closed, no-spill position by pivoting the closure member upwardly about said hinge to the open position followed by pivoting the closure member downwardly until the outward marginal edge portion of the closure member engages, the lid material adjacent said third cut and by deformation of the engaging materials, temporarily locks thereunder in the closed position.
43. A drinking cup lid as claimed in claim 42 including a recess formed in the cover portion that mates with said hand engagable projection on the closure member so that the closure member may be locked in a fully open position by press fitting the projection into the recess.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002169339A CA2169339C (en) | 1996-02-12 | 1996-02-12 | Beverage cup lid |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002169339A CA2169339C (en) | 1996-02-12 | 1996-02-12 | Beverage cup lid |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2169339A1 CA2169339A1 (en) | 1997-08-13 |
| CA2169339C true CA2169339C (en) | 1999-05-04 |
Family
ID=4157548
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002169339A Expired - Fee Related CA2169339C (en) | 1996-02-12 | 1996-02-12 | Beverage cup lid |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2169339C (en) |
Cited By (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD572587S1 (en) | 2006-12-20 | 2008-07-08 | Dixie Consumer Products Llc | Cup lid |
| US8881938B2 (en) | 2012-08-08 | 2014-11-11 | Harl-Bella Holdings, Llc | Lid for beverage container |
| USD736623S1 (en) | 2013-08-08 | 2015-08-18 | Harl-Bella Holdings, Llc | Lid with egg shaped basin |
| USD737142S1 (en) | 2013-08-08 | 2015-08-25 | Harl-Bella Holdings, Llc | Lid with triangular shaped basin |
| USD739729S1 (en) | 2013-08-08 | 2015-09-29 | Harl-Bella Holdings, Llc | Lid for beverage container |
| USD756773S1 (en) | 2013-08-08 | 2016-05-24 | Harl-Bella Holdings, Llc | Lid with tear line |
| USD921423S1 (en) | 2019-08-29 | 2021-06-08 | Milton Innovations Limited | Lid for a container |
| US11548696B2 (en) | 2016-11-25 | 2023-01-10 | Milton Innovations Limited | Lid for a container |
Families Citing this family (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US7845514B2 (en) | 2007-03-06 | 2010-12-07 | Dixie Consumer Products Llc | Filled polystyrene tear back container lids |
-
1996
- 1996-02-12 CA CA002169339A patent/CA2169339C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (9)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USD572587S1 (en) | 2006-12-20 | 2008-07-08 | Dixie Consumer Products Llc | Cup lid |
| US8881938B2 (en) | 2012-08-08 | 2014-11-11 | Harl-Bella Holdings, Llc | Lid for beverage container |
| US10676253B2 (en) | 2012-08-08 | 2020-06-09 | Harl-Bella Holdings, Llc | Lid for beverage container |
| USD736623S1 (en) | 2013-08-08 | 2015-08-18 | Harl-Bella Holdings, Llc | Lid with egg shaped basin |
| USD737142S1 (en) | 2013-08-08 | 2015-08-25 | Harl-Bella Holdings, Llc | Lid with triangular shaped basin |
| USD739729S1 (en) | 2013-08-08 | 2015-09-29 | Harl-Bella Holdings, Llc | Lid for beverage container |
| USD756773S1 (en) | 2013-08-08 | 2016-05-24 | Harl-Bella Holdings, Llc | Lid with tear line |
| US11548696B2 (en) | 2016-11-25 | 2023-01-10 | Milton Innovations Limited | Lid for a container |
| USD921423S1 (en) | 2019-08-29 | 2021-06-08 | Milton Innovations Limited | Lid for a container |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2169339A1 (en) | 1997-08-13 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |