Lid for beverage container

A lid for a beverage container includes a top wall. The top wall has a drink opening with a communicating hole and an aroma opening disposed near the drink opening. The aroma opening has a vertical aroma hole that is a through hole extending along a vertical plane essentially perpendicular to a horizontal plane of the top wall. The vertical aroma hole emits aroma of the beverage in the container to an outside, while preventing the beverage from splattering to the outside.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims benefit to Japanese Patent Application No. 2009-129416, filed in the Japanese Patent Office on May 28, 2009, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a lid for a beverage container, particularly to a lid for a disposable beverage container for a fragrant beverage such as a coffee or a soup.

Conventional lids for beverage containers are disclosed in Japanese (Laid Open) Patent Publication No. 2002-240841 and Japanese (Laid Open) Patent Publication No. 2003-112784. No. 2002-240841 discloses a lid for a cup. No. 2003-112784 discloses a lid for a beverage container. They propose structures for enabling flavor of a beverage contained in the container to emit outside of the container. Specifically, the cup lid provides a round through hole as an opening for flavor diffusion at a center of the lid. The beverage container lid forms a large elliptical hole functioning as a drink opening as well as an outlet port for flavor emission as an integral element. In alternative embodiment, the container lid has a drink opening of a multi-flap structure made by overlapping cross-shaped slits, while arranging outlet ports of similar multi-flap structure for flavor emission near the drink opening as, as separate elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

However, the opening portion of the cup lid is a single hole of a certain size and extends straightly toward a beverage in the cup. Thus, if the beverage in the cup splashes upward, the beverage will directly spatter out of the cup through the opening. In the same way, the outlet port integrated with the drink hole of the beverage container lid is just an opening obtained by merely cutting off the lid and directly faces the beverage in the container. Thus, if the beverage in the container splashes to the lid, the beverage will spatter out of the glass through the outlet port. On the other hand, in case of the multi-flap outlet ports, it is the cross-shaped slits that face the beverage in the container. Thus, the lid may prevent the beverage in the container from spattering outside. However, it is only the slits that permit the flavor of the beverage to be emitted outside. That is, the area of the opening made by the slits are very small and will hardly let the aroma off to the outside.

Then, it is an object of the present invention to provide a lid for a beverage container that has an opening portion of a size enough to give an aroma of a beverage in the beverage container and that, even if the beverage in the beverage container splashes toward the lid, is capable of surely preventing the beverage from spattering or leaking outside, thereby enabling a user to enjoy a sufficient amount of aroma while drinking the beverage.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a lid for a beverage container. The lid includes an outer peripheral portion attachable to an upper edge of a container, and a main portion provided at an inside of the outer peripheral portion. The main portion includes a drink opening and an aroma opening disposed near the drink opening. The drink opening has a communicating hole as a through hole, and an aroma opening communicates an inside space of the main portion with an outside space. The aroma opening has at least one of the followings: a vertical aroma hole formed by a through hole extending along a first plane substantially perpendicular to a horizontal plane of the main portion, and a combination of a first non-vertical aroma hole and a second non-vertical aroma hole, the first non-vertical aroma hole being formed by a through hole extending along a second plane other than the first plane, the second non-vertical aroma hole being disposed at a position upper than the first non-vertical aroma hole and completely shifted in a horizontal direction from the first non-vertical aroma hole, and the second non-vertical hole extending along a third plane other than the first plane.

The main portion is preferably erected upward from the peripheral portion. The communicating hole passes through part of the main portion. The aroma opening is preferably disposed near the drink opening. The horizontal plane of the main portion defines a reference plane. The first plane may be a plane parallel to the horizontal plane or a plane intersecting with the horizontal plane or with an exactly vertical plane at an angle other than 90 degrees. The second non-vertical aroma hole is disposed at a location never overlapped with the first non-vertical aroma hole when seen from directly above. The second plane may be the horizontal plane itself or the like.

According to the invention, the container lid is provided with the aroma opening for emitting aroma in addition to the drink opening. The vertical aroma hole or the combination of the first and second non-vertical aroma holes in the aroma opening act as splash preventing means for preventing splattering of the beverage in the container. Thus, the beverage in the container is blocked from splashing from the aroma hole for aroma emission to the outside, while permitting only the aroma to be discharged to the outside in a sufficient amount. As a result, the container lid is capable of sufficiently diffusing the aroma of the beverage in the container to the outside, while preventing the splash of the beverage to the outside without fail.

Specifically, the inventive container lid may be constructed as follows. The main portion has substantially a cap shape integrally formed on the outer peripheral portion. The main portion has a side wall erected upward from the outer peripheral portion and a top wall extending in the horizontal direction from an upper end of the side wall. The drink opening of the main portion defines a hollow space recessed downward from the top wall, while being disposed near a first position of the outer peripheral portion. The aroma opening defines a hollow space recessed downward from the top wall, while being disposed to extend from the drink opening toward a second position of the outer peripheral portion that is opposite to the first position in a radial direction thereof. The aroma opening preferably extends up to proximity of the second position. The aroma opening includes at least an aroma hole wall and an inclined wall. The aroma hole wall hangs down in substantially a vertical direction and has the vertical aroma hole thereon. The vertical aroma hole is preferably provided at a lower end part of the aroma hole wall. The inclined wall extends upward in an inclined manner from a lower end of the aroma hole wall toward the top wall.

Thereby, when the user sets the drink opening to his or her lips, a hollow space of the shape corresponding to a nose of the user is provided at a location facing the nose of the user. The hollow opening enables the user to sense the aroma of the beverage more intensively. Moreover, the inclined wall continuously extends upward from the lower end of the aroma hole toward the top wall. Therefore, even if the beverage in the container splashes out of the aroma hole, the inclined wall blocks the beverage and prevents its splattering to the outside space. In addition, the beverage is guided along the inclined wall and returned into the container via the aroma hole.

Specifically, the inventive container lid may be constructed as follows. The aroma opening has a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of side walls. The front wall extends downward from a first end of the aroma opening, that is located at a side of the drink opening on the top wall, toward a center part of the top wall. The rear wall extends downward from a second end of the aroma opening, which is located at a side opposite to the side of the drink opening on the top wall, toward the center part of the top wall. The side walls connect lateral opposite ends of the front wall and the rear wall. The aroma opening defines the hollow space having the vertical aroma hole disposed at the center part of the top wall. The aroma opening has a width at a rear end of the rear wall smaller than a width at a front end of the front wall so that the aroma opening gradually tapers from the side of the drink opening toward the second position of the outer peripheral portion in plan view.

Thereby, the aroma hole is located at the center of the lid. When the beverage is waved in the container, the beverage tends to splash upward not at the center but at the outer circumferential area along the side wall of the container. Therefore, the aroma hole located at the center effectively prevents the beverage in the container from splattering to the outside. Moreover, the pair of the side walls slant at the lateral opposite sides of the aroma opening. Then, even if the beverage in the container splatters from the aroma hole to the outside, the beverage is smoothly flown to the aroma hole at the center in the space having the tapered plan shape defined by the side walls. Consequently, the container lid is able to stop splattering of the beverage to the outside with effect. Furthermore, when the user sets the drink opening to his or her lips, the aroma opening defined by the front wall, the rear wall and the side walls forms a hollow space of the shape corresponding to a nose of the user at a location facing the nose of the user. Thus, the hollow opening enables the user to sense the aroma of the beverage more intensively. More in detail, in case the aroma hole opens toward the rear wall (as in the first and the third embodiments described later), the rear wall extends downward. Then, even if the beverage in the container bounces out of the aroma hole by swaying or vibration, the beverage is shut off by the rear wall located just behind the aroma hole (at a rear position facing the aroma hole). Thus, the beverage is flown along the rear wall and smoothly returned to the container via the aroma hole. Moreover, even if the beverage in the container is bounced back at the rear wall to splatter upward, the beverage is blocked by the front wall located opposite to the rear wall. Thus, the beverage is flown along the front wall and smoothly returned to the container via the aroma hole. In the same manner, in case the aroma hole opens toward the front wall (as in the second embodiment described later), the front wall extends downward. Then, even if the beverage in the container bounces out of the aroma hole by swaying or vibration, the beverage is shut off by the front wall located just in front of the aroma hole (at a front position as a facing position). Thus, the beverage is flown along the front wall and smoothly returned to the container via the aroma hole. Moreover, even if the beverage in the container is bounced back at the front wall to splatter upward, the beverage is blocked by the rear wall located opposite to the front wall. Thus, the beverage is flown along the rear wall and smoothly returned to the container via the aroma hole.

Specifically, the inventive container lid may be constructed as follows. The container lid further includes a cap. The cap has one end integrally joined to one of the outer peripheral portion and an outer circumferential part of the main portion. The cap has a joint, an aroma opening closer and a drink opening closer integrally formed with each other so as to be aligned in a longitudinal direction of the cap. The joint of the cap integrally connects one of the outer peripheral portion and the outer circumferential part of the main portion with the aroma opening closer. The joint preferably has a band shape that integrally connects a lower edge of the outer peripheral portion with one end of the aroma opening closer. The aroma opening closer of the cap has such a cap shape as is fitted detachably into the aroma opening of the main portion so as to entirely close the aroma opening. That is, the aroma opening closer has an outline corresponding to an uppermost part of the aroma opening. The drink opening closer of the cap has such a cap shape as is fitted detachably into the drink opening of the main portion so as to entirely close the drink opening. That is, the drink opening closer has an outline corresponding to an uppermost part of the drink opening.

Thereby, the cap is provided on the outer peripheral portion or the main portion as an integral structure. The cap serves to close up the drink opening and the aroma opening by the drink opening closer and the aroma opening closer, respectively, at the time of non-drinking. Then, the cap blocks off any splattering of the beverage in the container to the outside and makes the container lid more sanitary. Moreover, the container lid having the non-vertical hole is advantageous because it can be made into a single or integral structure (one-piece structure) as a whole by an integral forming. The container lid having the cap adopts an integral structure in which the cap is coupled integrally to the outer peripheral portion or the main portion. Thus, it is easy to integrally form the cap and the part of the outer peripheral portion or the main portion (the part corresponding to the conventional lid) by a molding or forming of a synthetic resin or the like. Consequently, the container lid having the cap can be made into a single or integral structure (one-piece structure) as a whole by an integral forming, too.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Several embodiments of the present invention are described below. The same reference character is used to show the same element throughout the several embodiments.

As shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2, a lid for a beverage container according to the first embodiment is detachable fitted on an upper opening of a container part1of the beverage container such as a disposable coffee cup or the like. The lid has an outer peripheral portion11and a main portion12,13. The peripheral portion11is attachable to an upper edge of the container part1. The main portion12,13is raised upward from an inside edge of the peripheral portion11. In detail, the main portion is composed of a side wall12and a top wall13. The side wall12is erected upward from the peripheral portion11. The top wall13extends horizontally from an upper end of the side wall12. Thus, the main portion12,13is made into substantially a cap shape integrally formed on the outer peripheral portion11The top wall13has a skeleton or three-dimensional structure as shown inFIG. 1andFIG. 2. The main portion12,13has a drink opening25on the top wall13as a top panel so as to form a recessed space at a fixed area near the side wall12. The main portion has an aroma opening36on the top wall13so as to form another recessed space at a fixed area next to a rear side of the drink opening25.

The drink opening25is a hollow space surrounded by a front wall21, a rear wall22and a pair of side walls23that connect the lateral ends of the front wall21and the rear22, respectively. The drink opening25forms the hollow space that is recessed downward from the top wall13, while being located near a first position of an outer circumferential part of the container1. Thus, the drink opening25defines a communicating hole24near a front end side or a side near the peripheral wall12, as a through hole that passes through part of the top wall13. In detail, the front wall21goes downward from a horizontal plane of the top wall13substantially in parallel with the peripheral wall12. The rear wall22extends forward and downward in an inclined manner from a rear end of the drink opening25at the horizontal plane of the top wall13. Each of the side walls23extends downward in an inclined manner from the horizontal plane of the top wall13. toward the communicating hole24. A lower edge of the front wall21, a lower edge of the rear wall22and lower edges of the side walls23are disposed on a same plane as the lower edge of the peripheral wall11as the lower edge of the main portion. Then, the lower edges of the walls21-23define the communicating hole24of substantially laterally extending rectangular shape in plan view. Thereby, the hollow space of the drink opening25is made into a trumpet shape or a hone shape extending and tapering downward as a whole. Thus, the communicating hole24at the lower end of the opening25communicates with an inside space of the container1. Consequently, when a hot drink is filled in the container1, the hot drink is not allowed to flow from the communicating hole24too hastily into a mouth of a user. The hot drink from the communicating hole24flows in the hollow space of the drink opening25, while containing the air at the hollow space, and then reaches the mouth of the user. As a result, the user is served with the drink of a little lower temperature than that inside the container1. Consequently, the drink opening25is very effective for prevention of scald of the mouth of the user.

The aroma opening36forms a hollow space that is recessed downward from the top wall13so as to extend from the drink opening25to near a second position, diametrically opposite to the first position, of the peripheral portion11. The aroma opening36has an aroma hole35as a through hole that makes an inside space of the main portion12,13communicate with an outside space. The aroma opening36is disposed at a range from near the drink opening25to near the opposite position of the peripheral portion12via a central part of the top wall13. In detail, the aroma opening36is the hollow space surrounded by a front wall31,32,35, a rear wall34and a pair of side walls33that connect the lateral ends of the front wall31,32,35and the rear wall34, respectively. The aroma opening36forms the aroma hole35at near the center part of the top wall13as the through hole that passes through the part of the top wall13. Specifically, the front wall has a front vertical wall31and a front inclined wall32. The front vertical wall31hangs down from the horizontal planer of the top wall13in parallel with the front wall21. The front inclined wall32defines an inclined flat face that extends downward in an inclined manner from the lower end of the front vertical wall31to a vertically middle position of the main portion toward a radial center area of the main portion. The aroma hole35is formed on an aroma hole wall. That is, the aroma hole wall hangs down from the lower end of the front inclined wall32to a same position as the lower edge of the peripheral wall11. Since the aroma hole35is formed on essentially an entire part of the aroma hole wall, the aroma hole wall is not depicted inFIG. 1. On the other hand, the rear wall or the rear inclined wall34defines a flat face that extends forward and downward in an inclined manner from a rear end of the aroma opening36at the horizontal plane of the top wall13to a position vertically facing the lower end of the front inclined wall32. Each of the side walls33hangs downward vertically from the horizontal plane of the top wall13to the front vertical wall31, the front inclined wall32and the rear inclined wall34. Thereby, the side wall34has an outline matching with a cross-sectional shape of the front vertical wall31, the front inclined wall32and the rear inclined wall34as a whole. Thus, the aroma opening36defines the hollow space of a cross-sectional shape tapering downwardly in sectional view as shown inFIG. 1and a trapezoidal shape tapering rearward in plan view as shown inFIG. 2. Then, the aroma hole35at the lower end part of the aroma opening36communicates with the inside space of the container1.

The aroma hole35as a vertical aroma hole of the present embodiment extends vertically between the pair of the side walls33and between the lower edge of the front inclined wall32and the lower edge or front edge of the rear inclined wall34. That is, the aroma hole35defines a through hole of a laterally long rectangular shape that has a same height as an interval between the lower edge of the front inclined wall32and the lower edge of the rear inclined wall34and a same length as an interval at a position between the side walls33corresponding to the aroma hole35. Then, the aroma hole35extends along a vertical plane that is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane as a reference planer of the main portion. Thus, the aroma hole35is disposed along the vertical plane. Specifically, the aroma hole35has its upper end and lower end located on the vertical plane or a plane parallel to an axis of the lid or the container1. Then, the shape of the aroma hole35is not exposed when seen from upside or cannot be visually confirmed. Accordingly, when the lid is mounted on the container1, the aroma hole35is never faced or opposite directly to the beverage inside the container1. Consequently, the aroma hole35is the through hole having a structure that completely prevents and blocks the beverage from spattering outside even if the beverage splashes upward in the container1. In the first embodiment, the aroma opening36has only the aroma hole35extending in generally the vertical direction and is not provided with another aroma hole.

In a second embodiment, as shown inFIG. 3andFIG. 4, a lid for a beverage container according to the second embodiment is different from the lid of the first embodiment in a structure of an aroma opening46. Specifically, the aroma opening46has essentially a same outline as the aroma opening36in plan view. The aroma opening46is disposed on the top wall13at substantially the same area as the aroma opening36. The aromatic opening46forms a hollow space that is recessed downward from the top wall13. The aroma opening46has an aroma hole45as a through hole that makes the inside space of the main portion12,13communicate with an outside space. In detail, the aroma opening46is the hollow space surrounded by a front wall41,42, a rear wall44and a pair of side walls43that connect the lateral ends of the front wall41,42and the rear wall44, respectively. The aroma opening46forms the aroma hole45as a vertical aroma hole at near the center part of the top wall13. More specifically, the front wall has a front vertical wall41and a front inclined wall42. The front vertical wall41has the same structure as the front vertical wall31. On the other hand, the front inclined wall42defines an inclined flat face that extends downward in an inclined manner from the lower end of the front vertical wall41to a lower end of the main portion toward the radial center area of the main portion. That is, the front inclined wall42hangs down lower than the front vertical wall32or up to the position corresponding to the lower end of the aroma hole45. On the other hand, the rear wall or the rear inclined wall44defines a flat face that extends forward and downward in an inclined manner from a rear end of the aroma opening46at the horizontal plane of the top wall13to an upper position than the lower end of the front inclined wall42by a predetermined interval. The lower end or front end of the rear inclined wall44extends up to a position facing the upper end of the aroma hole45. The aroma hole45is formed on an aroma hole wall. The aroma hole wall hangs down up to the lower end of the front inclined wall42that is at the same position as the lower edge of the peripheral wall11. Since the aroma hole45is formed on essentially an entire part of the aroma hole wall, the aroma hole wall is not depicted inFIG. 3. Each of the side walls43hangs downward vertically from the horizontal plane of the top wall13to the front vertical wall41, the front inclined wall42and the rear inclined wall44, as in the side walls33. Thus, the aroma opening46defines the hollow space of a cross-sectional shape tapering downwardly in sectional view as shown inFIG. 3and a trapezoidal shape tapering rearward in plan view as shown inFIG. 4. Then, the aroma hole45at the lower end part of the aroma opening46communicates with the inside space of the container1.

In a third embodiment, as shown inFIG. 5andFIG. 6, a lid for a beverage container according to the third embodiment is different from the lid of the first embodiment in a structure of an aroma opening55. Specifically, the aroma opening55has essentially a same outline as the aroma opening36in plan view. The aroma opening55is disposed on the top wall13at substantially the same area as the aroma opening36. The aromatic opening55forms a hollow space that is recessed downward from the top wall13. The aroma opening55has an aroma hole54as a through hole that makes the inside space of the main portion12,13communicate with an outside space. In detail, the aroma opening55is the hollow space surrounded by a front wall51, a rear wall52and a pair of side walls53that connect the lateral ends of the front wall51and the rear wall52, respectively. The aroma opening55forms the aroma hole54as a vertical aroma hole at near the center part of the top wall13. More specifically, the front inclined wall51as the front wall defines an inclined flat face that extends downward in an inclined manner from the horizontal planer of the top wall to a vertical middle position of the main portion toward the radial center area of the main portion. On the other hand, the rear inclined wall44as the rear wall defines a flat face that extends forward and downward in an inclined manner from a rear end of the aroma opening55at the horizontal plane of the top wall13to a position vertically facing a lower end of the front inclined wall51. The aroma hole54is formed on an aroma hole wall. The aroma hole wall hangs down from the lower end of the front inclined wall51to the lower end of the rear inclined wall52that is at the same position as the lower edge of the peripheral wall11. Since the aroma hole54is formed on essentially an entire part of the aroma hole wall, the aroma hole wall is not depicted inFIG. 5. Each of the side walls53hangs downward vertically from the horizontal plane of the top wall13to the front vertical wall51and the rear inclined wall52, as in the side walls33. Thus, the aroma opening54defines the hollow space of a cross-sectional shape tapering downwardly in sectional view as shown inFIG. 5and a trapezoidal shape tapering rearward in plan view as shown inFIG. 6. Then, the aroma hole54at the lower end part of the aroma opening55communicates with the inside space of the container1.

In the first to the third embodiments, the aroma opening may be modified in other structures as long as it includes at least an aroma hole wall forming an aroma hole and an inclined wall that extends upward in an inclined manner from the lower end of the aroma hole toward the peripheral portion11of the lid. Moreover, the aroma hole wall may be modified in other structures as long as it extends downward at least in essentially a vertical direction, while having the vertical aroma hole preferably at its lower end portion. Furthermore, it is preferable to form the aroma hole wall such that the lower end of the vertical aroma hole coincides with the lower end of the aroma hole wall. In addition, the inclined wall may be structured in any way as long as it extends upward in an inclined manner from the lower end of the aroma hole wall toward the top wall13.

The aroma opening may be structured in other ways as long as it is composed of a front wall, a rear wall and a pair of side walls. The front wall may be structured in any way as long as it extends downward from a marginal edge, at the side of the drink opening, of the top wall toward a radial center part of the top wall. The rear wall may be structured in any way as long as it extends downward from another marginal edge, which is opposite to the marginal edge at the side of the drink opening, of the top wall toward a radial center part of the top wall. The side walls may be structured in any way as long as they connect the lateral ends of the front wall and the rear wall, respectively. The aroma opening may be structured in any way as long as it has a recessed shape and makes the aroma hole located preferably at the radial center part of the top wall. Moreover, the aroma opening may have any desired hollow shape, but, is preferably formed into a shape that has a rear end width of the rear wall smaller than a width of a front end of the front wall so as to gradually taper from the drink opening25to the second position of the peripheral portion11in plan view.

The aroma opening may be structured such that it includes a front vertical wall, a front inclined wall, an aroma hole wall and a rear inclined wall as follows. That is, the front vertical wall hangs downward from the top wall at the front end (the end at the drink opening side) of the aroma opening. The front inclined wall extends downwardly in an inclined manner from the lower end of the front vertical wall toward the center part of the main portion. The aroma hole wall has an aroma hole that extends downward from the lower end of the front inclined wall. The rear inclined wall extends upward in an inclined manner from the lower end of the aroma hole wall toward the rear end (the second position of the peripheral portion). The aroma opening with such structure surely prevents the beverage splashing in the container from getting out of the aroma hole, since the aroma hole extends vertically and effectively shuts out the beverage typically splattered upward. Moreover, even if the beverage is splattered diagonally in the container and partly gets out of the aroma hole, the leaking beverage is completely blocked by the rear inclined wall and flows back along the rear inclined wall and returns into the container via the aroma hole. Furthermore, even if the beverage is bounced at the rear inclined wall, the beverage is guided downward along the front inclined wall. In addition, even if the beverage is bounced upward at the front inclined wall, the beverage is blocked by the front vertical wall and guided downward along the vertical wall. Therefore, the beverage is never spattered to the outside of the lid. As another advantage, the aroma opening is disposed, in relation to the drink opening, at a location corresponding to a nose of a user. Thus, when the user sets the cup to his or her lips to drink the beverage, the nose tip or nasal cavity of the user approaches the aroma opening or disposed inside the aroma opening. Consequently, the nose comes very near the aroma hole, so that the user is allowed to sense sufficient quantity of aroma or flavor of the drink and enjoy the aroma.

In a fourth embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7toFIG. 10, a lid for a beverage container according to the fourth embodiment is provided with a cap60in addition to the structure of the first embodiment of the lid. Specifically, the cap60has a joint61, an aroma opening closer62and a drink opening closer63, which are integrally made into one body from an elastic or flexible material such as a synthetic resin. The joint61is shaped into a strip that integrally couples the lower end of the peripheral portion11and one end of the aroma opening closer62. The joint61has a length a little longer than the distance from the lower end of the peripheral portion11to the rear end of the aroma opening36. The aroma opening closer62has an outline corresponding to an uppermost opening part of the aroma opening36on the main portion. The aroma opening closer62has a cap shape that is fitted detachably into the aroma opening36from above so as to cover and close the entire aroma opening36. More in detail, the aroma opening closer62is a cap having a trapezoidal outline as a whole corresponding to the outline of the aroma opening36. The closer62has an inclined wall63at a front side thereof corresponding to the upper part of the rear inclined wall34of the aroma opening36. Thus, the inclined wall63is touchable on the upper part of the rear inclined wall34. The aroma opening closer62has a side wall64shaped into a trapezoidal outline corresponding to the outline of the aroma opening36. Thus, the sidewall64is fitted close into an inner peripheral surface of the uppermost opening part (the upper parts of the front vertical wall31, side walls33and rear inclined wall34) of the aroma opening36. Moreover, the aroma opening closer62has a flange65of a small width that is projected outward from a lower end of the side wall64. The flange65is touchable onto an outer peripheral surface, around the aroma opening36, of the top wall13.

The drink opening closer67is coupled to the other end of the aroma opening closer62via a joint66. The joint66has a short band shape that integrally couples the lower edge of the aroma opening closer62and a lower edge of the drink opening closer67. the joint66has a groove66A formed at its center of a lower surface for enhancing flexibility or bendability thereof. The drink opening closer67has an outline corresponding to an uppermost opening part of the drink opening25on the main portion. The drink opening closer67has a cap shape that is fitted detachably from above into the drink opening25so as to cover and close entirely the drink opening25. More in detail, the drink opening closer67is a cap having essentially a rectangular outline as a whole corresponding to the outline of the drink opening25. The closer67a side wall68shaped into essentially a rectangular outline corresponding to the outline of the drink opening25. Thus, the sidewall68is fitted close into an inner peripheral surface of the uppermost opening part (the upper parts of the front wall21, side walls23and rear wall22) of the drink opening25. Moreover, the drink opening closer67has a flange69of a small width that is projected outward from a lower end of the side wall68. The flange69is touchable onto an outer peripheral surface, around the drink opening25, of the top wall13. A pinch tab70is formed integrally on a lower edge of the other end of the drink opening closer67so as to extend rearward. The one end of the joint61is not necessarily connected to the lower end of the peripheral portion11, but may be connected to another part of the peripheral portion11, the side wall12or the outer circumferential portion of the top wall13, unless it hinders the opening/closing operation of the cap. That is, the cap60may be provided integrally on any part of the outer circumferential part of the peripheral portion11or the main portion12,13.

In the fourth embodiment, the user pinches the tab70and moves or tilts the cap60upward and then forward from a closing position shown inFIG. 7so as to fit the aroma opening closer62into the aroma opening36and the drink opening holder67into the drink opening25, respectively. Thereby, as shown inFIG. 9, the aroma opening36and the drink25opening are completely closed. At this time the joint61is curved by its elasticity so as to extend from the lower edge of the peripheral portion11to a position near the rear end of the aroma opening36. When drinking the beverage, the user pinches the tab70and moves or tilts the cap60upward and then rearward from an opening position shown inFIG. 9so as to detach the aroma opening closer62from the aroma opening36and the drink opening holder67from the drink opening25, respectively. Thereby, the aroma opening36and the drink25opening are completely opened.

In a fifth embodiment, as shown inFIG. 10toFIG. 17, a lid for a beverage container according to the fifth embodiment has a drink opening125that is recessed downward. The drink opening125has essentially the same structure as the drink opening except that it has a slightly curved surface and curved outline. The drink opening125defines a hollow space surrounded by a front wall121, a rear wall122and a pair of side walls123that connect the lateral ends of the front wall121and the rear122, respectively. The drink opening125forms a communicating hole124similar to the communicating hole24at the side of the front wall121. In contrast, an aroma opening134includes a plurality of aroma holes, i.e. a combination a first non-vertical aroma hole133and a second non-vertical aroma hole161. In detail, according to the fourth embodiment, a main portion has a two-piece structure composed of a lower lid110and an upper lid140, while the main portion according to the first to the third embodiments uses a one-piece structure. The lower lid110has a cap shape made by an outer peripheral portion111and a side wall112that is erected from the peripheral wall111. The side wall112is integrally formed with a ring-shaped fitting113that has a small flange shape projected outward. A top wall114is formed with small semi-spherical dents115at three positions. Specifically, one of the dents or a center dent115is located at a rear side or rear position of the aroma opening134that is on an imaginary line extending in the radial direction connecting the drink opening125and the aroma opening134. The other two dents115are located at positions separated 90 degrees in the clockwise direction and the counterclockwise direction, respectively, from the center dent115. The aroma opening134is a recessed space surrounded by a front wall131, a rear wall132and a pair of side walls133. The front wall131is disposed at a front end of the aroma opening and extends downward substantially at right angles from the top wall114. The rear wall132has a flat shape extending upward in an inclined manner from a lower end of the front wall131to the top wall114at a rear end of the aroma opening. The side walls133have a triangular plate shape each arranged at opposite lateral sides of the front wall131and the rear wall132. The first non-vertical aroma hole133of the aroma opening134has a laterally long rectangular shape formed and penetrating along an entire width at a front end part of the rear wall132.

The upper lid140has a side wall141adapted to be fitted close onto the side wall112. A ring-shaped fitting142is integrally formed on the side wall141so as to be snap-fitted on the fitting ring113. The side wall141is integrally formed with a top wall143of generally a disc shape so as to surround the top wall143. The upper lid140has a cap shape that is fitted on the lower lid110from an upper side. The top wall143has small semi-spherical fitting protrusions145at positions matching with the fitting dents115, respectively, on an outer circumferential part thereof. The protrusions145are adapted to be fitted into the dents115, respectively. The top wall143has arrow marks144for showing rotating directions of the upper lid140. The top wall143has an opening151of essentially a rectangular shape of a relatively large size that passes therethrough so as to wholly enclose the plan shape of the drink opening124at a position corresponding to the drink opening125. Moreover, the top wall143has the second non-vertical aroma hole161passing therethrough at a position corresponding to the rear end part of the aromatic opening134. The aroma hole161has substantially a star-shape or a flower-shape with a diameter little larger than the rear end part of the aroma opening134. Thus, the fifth embodiment defines the aroma holes as the combination of the first non-vertical aroma hole133and the second non-vertical aroma hole161located at the positions that are never overlapped or that are completely shifted with each other in the horizontal direction. The first aroma hole may have any structure as long as it is composed of a through hole extending along a plane other than a vertical plane that is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane as the reference plane of the main portion. The second aroma hole may have any structure as long as it is composed of a through hole extending along a plane other than a vertical plane that is substantially perpendicular to the horizontal plane as the reference plane of the main portion, while being located at a position that is upper than the first aroma hole and complete shifted in the horizontal direction from the first aroma hole.

When drinking the beverage, as shown inFIG. 16, the user rotates the upper lid140relative to the lower lid110so as to expose the entire drink opening125of the lower lid110from the opening151of the upper lid140. then, the second non-vertical aroma hole161of the upper lid140faces the space at the rear end part of the aroma opening134of the lower lid110. Thus, the aroma inside the container1is emitted and discharged in sufficient quantity from the first non-vertical aroma hole133and the second non-vertical aroma hole161to the outside. At this time, even if the beverage in the container1is splattered from the first aroma hole133to the outside by swinging of the container1or the like, the upper lid140is located at a direct upside of the aroma hole133and reliably blocks the splattering beverage. On the other hand, when it is not used, the upper lid140is rotated relative to the lower lid110by 90 degrees from the opening state inFIG. 13to the closing state inFIG. 17. Then, the top wall143at the side of the opening151covers the overall drink opening125of the lower lid110. Moreover, the top wall143at the side of the second aroma hole161covers the entire aroma opening134of the lower lid110. Consequently, the entirety of the drink opening124and the entirety of the aroma opening134are respectively shut off from the outside in the closed state. As a result, the lid surely prevents any leakage of the beverage to the outside, while effectively keeping the heat of the hot beverage. Moreover, the lid is very sanitary since the top wall143completely blocks off the drink opening125in the closed state. Furthermore, the fitting protrusions145are engaged with the fitting dents115to position the upper lid140at a desired angular position among three positions. Therefore, the upper lid140can be held at the predetermined position to the lower lid110without getting loose. The aroma opening134is the recessed space with the rear wall132inclined downward as in the first to the third embodiments. Therefore, even if the beverage becomes vapor and then condensed into dew inside the aroma opening134or the beverage in the container1is vibrated to leak from the first aroma hole133into the aroma opening134, the beverage can be smoothly flown back along the slope of the rear wall132into the container via the first aroma hole133. The first non-vertical hole133is located at the center part of the main portion as in the first to the third embodiments. Therefore, even if the container is tilted to a large degree, it is less possible that the beverage in the container1be flown or leaked to the outside via the first aroma hole133. Moreover, even if the beverage in the container1leaks from the first aroma hole133, the second aroma hole161at the completely shifted position shuts off the beverage without fail. Consequently, there is very low probability for the beverage to leak to the outside of the lid.

In a sixth embodiment, as shown inFIG. 18andFIG. 19, a lid for a beverage container according to the sixth embodiment has a two-piece structure including a lower lid170and an upper lid190as a main portion. The lower lid170has a cap shape made by an outer peripheral portion171and a side wall172that is erected from the peripheral wall171. The lower lid170has a drink opening174in front of a straight dented groove173. The drink opening174has a convex shape projected upward. The drink opening174has a communicating hole175as a through hole at a center of thereof. The lower lid170has a fitting portion for the upper lid190behind the dented groove173. The fitting portion includes a front inclined wall181and a rear inclined wall183. The front inclined wall181has a straight plate shape that extends along the dented groove173. The rear inclined wall183has an arc plate shape connecting lateral ends of the front inclined wall181. A top wall182is provided at upper ends of the front inclined wall181and the rear inclined wall183. The top wall182has a plurality (three) of round through holes as first non-vertical aroma holes184so as to align in parallel with the dented groove173and at equal intervals to each other. The upper lid190has a side wall191fitted on the front inclined wall181and the rear inclined wall183from the outside. A top wall192is formed on an upper end of the side wall191. The top wall192has a second non-vertical aroma hole193of a crescent shape passing therethrough. Thus, the sixth embodiment defines the aroma holes as the combination of the first non-vertical aroma holes184and the second non-vertical aroma hole193located at the positions that are never overlapped or that are completely shifted with each other in the horizontal direction.

In a seventh embodiment, as shown inFIG. 20andFIG. 21, a lid for a beverage container according to the seventh embodiment has a three-piece structure including a lower lid200, a middle lid210and an upper lid220as a main portion. The lower lid200has substantially the same structure as the lower lid170. The lower lid200has a fitting portion at the rear of the dented groove173on which the middle lid210is mounted. The fitting portion includes a top wall202and a side wall203. The top wall202has a first non-vertical aroma hole204passing therethrough with a similar shape to the second non-vertical aroma hole193. The first aroma hole204is disposed at an area similar or corresponding to the second aroma hole193. The middle lid210is fitting portion on which the upper lid220is mounted. The middle lid210includes a side wall211and a top wall212. The top wall212has a plurality of second non-vertical aroma holes213passing therethrough with a similar shape to the first non-vertical aroma hole184. The second aroma holes223are provided in the same number as the first aroma holes184. The upper lid220includes a side wall221and a top wall222. The top wall222has a third non-vertical aroma hole223passing therethrough with a similar shape to the second non-vertical aroma hole193. The third aroma hole223is disposed at an area similar or corresponding to the second aroma hole193. Thus, the seventh embodiment defines the aroma holes as the combination of the first non-vertical aroma holes204, the second non-vertical aroma holes213and the third non-vertical aroma hole223located at the positions that are never overlapped or that are completely shifted with each other in the horizontal direction. Though the first aroma hole204and the third aroma hole223are located at a corresponding position, the second aroma hole213are interposed between them. As a result, the first to the third aroma holes204,213,223are located at the positions never overlapped or completely shifted with each other in the horizontal direction.

In an eighth embodiment, as shown inFIG. 22andFIG. 23, a lid for a beverage container according to the eighth embodiment has a two-piece structure including a lower lid230and an upper lid240as a main portion. The lower lid230has essentially the same structure as the lower lid170. The lower lid230has a fitting portion at the rear of the dented groove173on which the upper lid240is mounted. The fitting portion includes a front inclined wall231of a straight plate shape extending along the groove173and a rear inclined wall234of an arc plate shape connecting opposite ends of the front inclined wall231. A top wall is provided at upper ends of the front inclined wall231and the rear inclined wall234. The top wall is has a front horizontal plate232and a rear horizontal plate233. The front plate232extends rearward from the front inclined wall231, while sloping slightly downward. The rear plate233extends forward from the rear inclined wall234, while sloping slightly downward. The front plate232and the rear plate233are staggered one above the other such that a rear end part of the front plate232is disposed under a front end part of the rear plate233with a little interval. A space between the rear end of the front plate232and the front end of the rear plate233defines a first non-vertical aroma hole. Still, the first aroma hole can be deemed as a vertical aroma hole that extends vertically, when seen at the rear end position of the front plate232or at the front end position of the rear plate233. the upper lid240has a side wall241that is fitted from an outside to the front inclined wall231and the rear inclined wall234. A top wall242is provided at an upper end of the side wall241. The top wall242has a second non-vertical aroma hole243passing therethrough with a similar shape to the second non-vertical aroma hole193. The second aroma hole243is disposed at an area similar or corresponding to the second aroma hole193. Thus, the eighth embodiment defines the aroma holes as the combination of the first non-vertical aroma hole (the space between the rear end of the front plate232and the front end of the rear plate233) and the second non-vertical aroma holes243located at the positions that are never overlapped or that are completely shifted with each other in the horizontal direction. As described above, according to the eighth embodiment of the lid of the beverage container, the space formed between the front plate232and the rear plate233can be figured out as a vertical aroma hole. Therefore, the lid of the eighth embodiment performs the similar advantageous effects as those of the first to the third embodiments, even if the upper lid240is omitted. Accordingly, the vertical aroma hole of the invention is not limited to the embodiment in which it extend in an exactly vertical direction. The vertical aroma hole may extend in a slightly inclined manner relative to the vertical plane as long as it can prevent splattering of the drink out of the container in essence. Particularly, the lower end (leading end of the front plate) of the aroma hole may be located deeper than the upper end (leading end of the rear plate) as exemplified in the eighth embodiment. That is, the first to the third embodiment of the lids may provide an inclined aroma hole wall with a lower end located deeper than an upper end thereof. In this case, the aroma hole formed on the aroma hole wall becomes a through hole that cannot be confirmed visually from the upper side in any way. Thus, the aroma hole is capable of prevent the drink in the container from splattering to the outside without fail. Consequently, even if the inclination angle of the aroma hole wall is increased, the object of the invention is perfectly achieved.

Each of the beverage container lids is manufactured by integrally forming a predetermined powder material or a plastic material, typically a thermoplastic resin, into each of the above-mentioned shape of the piece by use of a press forming, an injection molding, a vacuum forming, a blow molding or the like. Particularly, the container lids according to the first to the fourth embodiment have the one-piece structure and are easy to be integrally molded by conventional molding or forming methods. Thus, the container lids according to the first to the fourth embodiment exceed in mass productivity, resource saving and cost reduction.

The lid for the beverage container of the present invention is applicable to any beverage container in which the aroma of the drink is an important factor for gusto or take of the user such as a disposable soup cup or the like, in addition to the disposable coffee cup.