Coffee cup lid

A flexible coffee lid having memory having memory is disclosed. The d coffee lid comprises a circumferential cap structure, which in turn comprises aid circumferential cap structure comprises a a vent hole positioned on a platform for supporting the vent hole, a b) a drink hole, the drink hole positioned 180 degrees from the vent hole, the drink hole positioned on a platform for supporting the drink hole; c) a diaphragm centrally located on the upper platform; and a rotatable flexible sealing closure element that has the ability to seal both the vent hole and the drink hole, said rotatable flexible. The lid also has a diaphragm.

This application claims priority under 35 USC 120 to provisional application 6262/286,419 filed Jan. 24, 2016, and is incorporated in its entirety herein.

A flexible universal spill resistant coffee lid is disclosed which can fit securely on almost any standard disposable cup and which keep the liquid contents hot for a longer period of time.

The figures depict various embodiments of the described methods and system and are for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following discussion that alternative embodiments of the methods and systems illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the methods and systems described herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is for a container cover or lid which accommodates a snap fit retention onto a conventional circumferential rim of any standard coffee beverage cup. As with typical disposable lids this lid also acts to be retained as a cover or lid in a very secure manner. The lid has a drink hole and a vent hole.

More specifically, the proposed coffee lid limits or prevents spillage. The lid is made of a flexible, non-toxic material. In one embodiment, the lid is made from silicon, rubber, an elastomeric plastic, or any elastic plant material. In one embodiment, the material used is silicon.

The silicon construction allows this to easily adjust to the slightly different cup brands that typically have a specific lids or family of lids that fit best on any paper coffee cup brand.

The silicon construction allows this to easily adjust to the slightly different cup brands that typically have a specific lids or family of lids that fit best on any paper coffee cup brand. For Example, some cups have a slightly fatter lip and the double wall cup design makes it a bit more unique. Another popular cup has a thinner lip and slightly greater OD. The present lid fits either design, and in fact, the silicone design fits any brand cup with a combination of the inside design of the lid and its shore hardness to allow enough stretch to be secure on any cup brand. The Shore hardness of the silicon or material used allows enough stretch to be secure on any cup brand The Snap fit retention coffee lid fits on any standard coffee beverage container. In one embodiment, the lid is reusable, such as when the lid uses a material such as silicon, or a flexible, elastic plastic. Other versions of the disclosure may use materials that are disposable.

Referring toFIGS. 1-17, the coffee lid1comprises a circumferential cap structure2and a rotatable closure element17. The circumferential cap structure2, and for that matter, the entire coffee lid,1as mentioned supra, is made of a flexible non-toxic material. In one embodiment, it is made of silicon. The Shore hardness allows enough stretch to be secure the circumferential on any cup brand. The cap structure2has positioned at its bottom, a circumferential rim3positioned at the bottom of a circumferential curtain4that fits over a cup. As the cap structure fits over the cup, the rim of the cup fits within the cap structure3. Because of the Shore hardness and stretchability of the silicon material, the circumferential curtain4and its length thereof make it easier to position the put the coffee lid over any “standard” coffee cup. More specifically, in one embodiment, and measuring downward, the circumferential curtain4has a width of 0.5″ to 1.5″. In another embodiment, the circumferential curtain has a width of 0.5″ to 1″ and in another embodiment, the circumferential curtain has a width of 0.75″ to about 1″. This width allows for an easy fitting of the coffee lid1over the cup. One can fold back part of the circumferential curtain4when inserting the cap structure on top of the coffee cup, and then letting the circumferential curtain4fit around the cup. In one embodiment an outward bevel5around the bottom edge6of the circumferential curtain4makes it easier to slip the lid over the cup.

Near the top around the inside of the circumferential curtain4is a first bottom interior circumferential lip7. A second top interior circumferential lip8extends beyond the length of the first bottom interior circumferential lip7. Between lips7and8is a cup rim groove9, which, as the name infers, is the groove9into which the lip of the paper coffee cup fits, thereby securing the lid to the coffee cup. In one embodiment, the cup rim groove9is either rectangular or square. The quadrangle group stretched over a round top rim gives up to three sealing opportunities. A distinct arc of silicone contact is at the top middle and bottom of square groove. The groove is 4 mm wide, with the top of the groove 11 mm to the bottom. Lip8has an outward flair of 1.5 mm that locks or supports the lip of the paper cup. Lip7is about 16 mm to the bottom of the circumferential curtain. It should be noted that the positioning of the groove and the lips may be varied, as may be the width of the curtain4. The shape and length of the groove9help secure the lid1to the coffee cup, and makes it easier to place the flexible rim over the top. In another embodiment, the groove9exists without lip8and/or lip7

Consequently, if the (coffee) cup is knocked over, the point of impact hits the circumferential curtain4. As the cup lip is fully surrounded with silicone and because the silicone extends downward below the groove9, the coffee lid1does not slip or come off from the coffee cup. More specifically, if the coffee cup is knocked over while the coffee lid1is in place, the force will be distributed against the silicone, and the silicone will push against the rim of the cup, absorbing some of the shock, not forcing off the cup as is typical of polystyrene tops.

Furthermore, because of the elasticity of the silicon or other materials used, and because the width of the groove9has the average width of any cup at 4 mm and with the coffee cup lid fitting any paper/styrofoam/plastic having an outside diameter of 88-91 mm. The coffee lid1is actually firmly grabbing the cup, thereby limiting the chance of leakage. It should be noted that the coffee cup lid1can be made to come in different sizes, depending on the need, and the size of the coffee cup used. A larger cup with a larger diameter will have a larger coffee cup lid1.

Sitting above the circumferential curtain4is the service or upper platform10of the lid. The upper platform10has a vent hole11and a drink hole12. The vent hole resides on an elevated top semi-circumferential vent platform13that resides on a semi-circular rim15, while the drink hole12is positioned on a drink hole rim30of a dual tapered elevated top semi-circumferential lip support31. The top circumferential vent platform13and drink hole rim30may be either flat, tilted inward, or tiled outward. In one embodiment, the vent hole11is smaller than the drink hole12, although both holes are larger than the average vent holes and drink holes found in lids. The vent hole11is positioned 180 degrees opposite of the drink hole12.

The oversized vent hole12has a unique function, that allows the user to very quickly cool down the coffee in only 10 seconds by blowing into the elevated drink hole. The air is forced over the surface of the very hot coffee and pulls heat off the coffee to cool it to a drinkable range and the very hot air will exit the larger vent hole. If the customer does not want to vent while drinking to keep the coffee hot longer the closure element system is rotated to plug the vent hole as inFIG. 5.

The top semi-circumferential lip support31has a rounded indentation32positioned below drink hole rim30. This indentation32conforms to the average person's lip, and is ergonomically designed to maximize comfort. The area of the indentation is thick enough to provide enough insulation that that there is no discomfort to the drinker's lip if the drink is too hot.

The flexible sealing closure element17seals both the vent hole11and the drink hole12. Specifically, the flexible sealing closure element11has a centralized plug18on its underside19of its central section36. This plug fits snugly into a well hole20positioned in an centralized platform21on top of and in the center of the lid1. The well hole20is closed on its bottom section22so as not to add another potential place for any leakage. Note that the centralized plug18has a wider base70and a narrower neck71. The perimeter72of the well hole20is slightly narrower than the well hole20itself, such that when the centralized plug18is pushed into the well hole20, the perimeter72parts enough to allow the wider base70to fit through, while at the same time the perimeter72fits close to the neck71and prevents the flexible sealing closure element17from falling out without the force of a person's fingers removing it.

The flexible sealing closure element17also has on its underside19at a distal end23of a first arm extension28a drink hole plug24specifically for shaped for said drink hole12. To clarify, the first arm extension28is connected to a first arm60which is connected to the central section36at the first end37of the first arm60. At the distal end25of the second arm extension29on the underside19is a vent hole plug26, again specifically shaped to fit the vent hole11. The second arm extension29is connected to the second arm61. The two plugs are positioned 180 degrees from each other. Both plugs24,26are sized so as to fit securely into the appropriate holes, with little or no likelihood of accidentally falling or popping out of the vent hole plug26or the drink hole plug24accidentally, even if dropped. The vent hole11and drink hole12are large enough to easily locate and plug, and provide both greater longevity, and a more secure seal. It is also easier to cool the liquid inside the cup if the vent is larger.

Because there are two arms60,61with arm extensions28,29of the flexible sealing closure element17, they can work independently or together. For example, if one just wants to uncover the vent hole11, the vent hole plug26is pulled from the vent hole11, and the arm extension29having the vent hole plug26is tucked under itself and the tip or end25of the arm extension29is placed or wedged under and against the central section36or under the arm61. Similarly, if one just wants to uncover the drink hole12, or wants to uncover the drink hole12in addition to uncovering the vent hole11, the drink hole plug24is pulled from the drink hole12, and the first arm extension28having the drink hole plug24is tucked under first arm60and/or end23of the arm extension28is placed or wedged under and against the central section36.

It should be noted that in one embodiment of the disclosure, the arms60,61are articulated. In another embodiment, the arms60,61are outwardly angular whereupon the extensions are integrally attached. This is because the centralized platform21is below the surface of drink hole12and vent hole11and the angularly positioned articulated arms prevent strain that could otherwise lead to the vent hole plug26and the drink plug24popping out of their respective holes

In another embodiment, the lid1is designed so the two arm60,61and arm extensions28,29of the flexible sealing closure element17easily rotate in either direction. To unseal the coffee cup—to go from sealed to unseal, the ends23,25of the arm extensions28,29pulled upwards such that the drink hole plug24and the vent hole plug26are freed. The flexible sealing closure element17is then rotated 90 degrees, wherein the drink hole plug24and the vent hole plug26nest in two depressions33,34on the side and the rib located on the neck of each plug to hold these in a “carport” like area.

These depressions33,34are snuggly bounded by the semi-circumferential lip support31and the semi-circular platform13, and rest on top of a the support platform14. lowers the possibility that the plug will be in contact with a user's hand or other possibility for contact with germs.

Because of the tight fit of the drink hole plug24and the vent hole plug26into the drink hole12and the vent hole11, the lid is virtually leak proof. If the cup filled with a hot liquid inside is jostled or shaken even more pressure builds up. Any leak tight system has to consider the temperature and with high temperature comes pressure. If a closed vessel is agitated it can increases the pressure of very hot liquid in the in the vessel. If the vessel is knocked over it may add increased pressure in the vessel and the force of the liquid can put more pressure on a specific part of the lid like the vent hole stopper or the drink hole stopper. Turning a coffee upside down puts even more pressure on the seals combined with the pressure and added pressure if the vessel has some movement that increases the pressure.

Consequently, to mitigate the extra pressure, the cup lid has the diaphragm35built into the central part of the lid to mitigate the extra pressure. Typically, if there is very hot coffee in the cup, the entire center of the proposed lid will rise upward with the increased pressure of the hot coffee. This acts to take pressure off the plug seals of the top. If by chance the coffee falls, there is less likelihood of leakage if the added pressure is allowed to expand the diaphragm35without pushing the lid1off of the cup. The articulated bent arms60,61of the closure element17easily ride upward with the increase pressure in a cup of hot coffee, and. The articulated bent arms60,61tend to relax and fall when the cup is in the “drink” position with one or both plugs24,26un-plugged. The arms extend and contract without any pressure on the seals. The articulated closure elements extend outward to accommodate with no pulling pressure on the seals to guarantee a leak tight seal on oversized rims. The articulated bent arms28,29extend and contract with out any pressure on the seals.

The diaphragm35is positioned in the center of the top of the lid1. In one embodiment, the diaphragm35can comprise one central section (not shown). In another embodiment, the diaphragm comprises a central section40surrounded by and integrally connected to an outer flange41that works in cooperation with the central section40. The outer rim42of the outer flange41integrally connects to the first rim42of collar43which integrally circumscribes the diaphragm35. The second rim44of collar43circumscribe the continuous inside rim45formed by bounded by the semi-circumferential lip support31and the top semi-circumferential vent rim13.

The coffee lid1can be used for more than just the standard paper, ceramic or styrofoam coffee cups. By having different sizes of the coffee lid1, the lid can be used on travel mugs, or even water bottles or water thermoses.

If using on a surface without a lip, such as on a travel mug (also known as a travel tumbler), which do not have the rims found on coffee cups, there is no need to include in the lid a groove for the lip.

This lid also has other applications. A larger version can be used for paint cans and other such materials.