Abstract:
An article according to the present invention is configured for placement in an opening formed in a container lid for displaying indicia and optionally holding an object. The article includes a body having a bottom plug portion that is configured to be received within the opening so as to substantial seal the opening. The article also includes an upper portion that is attached to the bottom plug portion and extends upwardly and radially outward therefrom and includes two opposing sections with an interior space formed therebetween for receiving and holding the object. At least one of the sections includes a surface for displaying indicia.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent application Ser. No. 60/666/624, filed Mar. 31, 2005, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to an article that is intended to be disposed above and coupled to a container lid and more particularly, relates to an article that serves as an eye catching, marketing, sales and promotional tool by providing at least one surface for displaying indicia and an area for displaying and supporting an object above the container lid, as well as having a feature for sealing and plugging an opening formed in the container lid to permit the article to stand upright.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Typically, fluid consumer products, such as beverages and the like, are drank from a container, such as a cup, regardless of whether the beverage is of a heated type or a cold type. The construction of the container can vary based on whether the container is to hold a hot beverage in which case the container can be formed of a styrofoam or suitable paper material, or a cold beverage, in which case the container can be formed of a paper material. In order to maintain the temperature of the beverage, as well as seal the open end of the container, a lid is provided for releasable attachment to the open end of the container. The lid is typically formed of a plastic material and includes an annular shaped side wall or flange that engages and is coupled to a side wall of the container for securing the lid to the container.  
         [0004]     The lid opening through which the beverage is dispensed from the interior of the container as the user draws the beverage therefrom either by inverting or tipping the container or by using a straw, etc. The lid opening can be formed in any number of different shapes and sizes and can be of the type that is always open or a type that is openable, as by pulling back a perforated tab (“pull back tab”) or a type that is both openable and closeable. Many beverages are now dispensed in containers that are closed and sealed with lids that have a small spout structure with an opening formed in the spout for dispensing (drinking) the beverage. However, these lids merely function as a means for closing the open end of the container.  FIG. 1  generally shows a container  100  that is sealed with a lid  110  that includes an opening  120  formed therethrough.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0005]     An article according to the present invention is constructed for placement in an opening formed in a container lid for displaying indicia, such as marketing and sales information (e.g., advertisements) and optionally holding an object (e.g., a promotional object). The article includes a body having a bottom plug portion that is configured to be received within the opening so as to substantial seal the opening. The article also includes an upper portion that is attached to the bottom plug portion and extends upwardly and radially outward therefrom and includes two opposing sections with an interior space formed therebetween for receiving and holding the object. At least one of the sections includes a surface for displaying indicia.  
         [0006]     In another aspect of the present invention, an article for placement in an opening formed in a container lid for providing a marketing and sales tool at a point-of-purchase includes a body having a bottom plug portion that is configured to be received within the opening so as to substantial seal the opening and sit upright with respect to a top surface of the lid. The body also has an upper portion that is attached to the bottom plug portion and extends upwardly therefrom and includes first and second opposing sections with an interior space formed therebetween for receiving and holding an object. The first and second sections are curved such that an upper end of the first section is disposed over an upper end of the second section, with the first section being a resilient member that can flex outwardly so as to facilitate placement of the object in the interior space. The first section of the body includes a surface for displaying indicia, such as printed matter, e.g., advertisement, corporate logo or an image, etc. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES  
       [0007]     The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and drawing figures of illustrative embodiments of the invention in which:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a conventional beverage container with a lid with an article according to one embodiment of the present invention being exploded therefrom;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2  is a side elevation view of the article according to  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0010]      FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of the article of  FIG. 2 ; and  
         [0011]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the article of  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0012]      FIGS. 1-4  illustrate an article  200  that is configured to be coupled to and stand upright from the container lid  110  and is configured to provide a means for displaying indicia, such as a corporate logo or name, advertisement, a graphic image, etc., so as to provide a point-of-purchase marketing tool as described in detail below. The article  200  can be referred to as being a stopper/topper since it is not only disposed on top of the container lid but also stands upright from the container lid  110  by means of plugging or forming a seal with the opening  120  formed in the lid  110 .  
         [0013]     The article  200  includes a bottom portion  210  that is constructed to function as a plug or seal member in that it has a shape and size that are complementary to the opening  120  of the lid  110  to permit it to be securely and sealingly received within the opening  120 . For example, the bottom portion  210  (plug portion) can be in the form of a protrusion that is received within the opening  120  so as to seal the opening  120 . The stopper  200  can thus be securely coupled to the lid  110  by means of a frictional fit between the bottom portion  210  and the peripheral lid wall that defines the opening  120 .  
         [0014]     In the illustrated embodiment, the bottom portion  210  is in the form of a cylindrical or tubular structure. When the bottom portion  210  has a substantially uniform diameter or width, this dimension is equal to or slightly greater than a diameter or width of the opening  120  so as to cause a frictional fit therebetween. The bottom portion  210  functions as a secure base for the upper portion of the article  200  as described in greater detail below. The bottom portion  210  also forms a seal with the opening  120  to prevent leakage through the opening  120  (sip hole) of the beverage in the container. While, the bottom portion  210  can be held within the opening  120  by means of a frictional fit, the bottom portion  210  can be held within the opening using other means or techniques, such as providing an annular recess along the outer surface of the bottom portion  210  which is complementary to the peripheral edge of the opening  120  so as to permit the peripheral edge to be snap-fittingly received within the annular recess.  
         [0015]     It will also be appreciated that as shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , the bottom portion  210  can be a tapered structure in that the bottom portion  210  can have a downward taper toward a bottom end  202  of the article  200 . The incorporation of a taper into the bottom portion  210  facilitates the formation of a frictional fit between the article  200  and the peripheral lid wall that defines the opening  120 .  
         [0016]     In both means for coupling the article  200  to the lid  110 , the article  200  is positioned upright and preferably at a right angle relative to the top of the lid  110 . The bottom portion  210  thus functions to secure and make steady the remaining structure of the article  200 .  
         [0017]     The bottom portion  210  can be solid or hollow in construction as when it has a tubular structure and can be made from any number of different materials, including paper, plastic, or even a hardened food substance, such as a hard candy that is made of sugar or a sugar substitute. The bottom portion  210  can be formed in any number of different sizes depending upon the size of the opening  120  so that a secure sealing (plugging) of the opening  120  results.  
         [0018]     The article  200  also includes an upper portion  220  that is defined by a body  222  that includes a first section  230  that is securely attached to the bottom portion  210  and can have an arcuate shape. The body  222  also includes a second section  240  that is integrally attached to the first section  230  and can be in the form of an arcuate section that terminates at an upper end  242  with a lip  244 . The lip  244  is bent down towards the bottom portion  210  and in one embodiment, a vertical plane that contains the lip  244  extends through the bottom portion  210 . As shown in  FIGS. 2-4 , the second section  240  does not have to have a continuous, uniform width from the first section  230  to the lip  244 . In other words and as shown in  FIG. 3 , the second section  240  can have a tapered construction, such as downward taper toward the first section  230 . In addition and as illustrated in  FIGS. 3-4 , the lip  244  can have a width that is different from the width of the upper end  242 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the width of the lip  244  is less than the width of the upper end  242 .  
         [0019]     A third section  250  is integrally attached to the first section  230  opposite the second section  240  and has a substantially arcuate shape except that a free end portion of the third section  250  is in the form of a planar portion  260  that terminates in a distal end  262  that preferably is disposed over the upper end  242  of the second section  240 . The distal end  262  of the third section  250  can extend over a portion of the second section  240  so that it lies outside of the vertical plane that contains the lip  244 .  
         [0020]     As with the second section  240 , the third section  250  does not have to have a continuous, uniform width from the first section  230  to the distal end  262 . In other words and as shown in  FIG. 3 , the second section  240  can have a tapered or irregular construction, such as downward taper toward the distal end  262 . In the illustrated embodiment, the third section  250  has an inward taper until a distal end region of the third section  250  which is in the form of a circular shaped segment  264 . Both the circular shaped segment  264  and the tapered section of the third section  250  are preferably contained within the same plane.  
         [0021]     This circular shaped segment  264  can provide a tab or the like for the customer to grasp and manipulate the third section  250  relative to the other sections. For example, the circular shaped segment  264  can function as a grasp or handle that permits the third section  250  to be pulled outwardly in a direction away from the second section  240  so as to open up the interior space and permit placement and/or removal of the object that is intended to be securely contained and held therein.  
         [0022]     The third section  250  also includes a tab or flange  270  that is formed on an inner surface  256  of the third section  250  such that it extends inwardly toward the second section  240  that is formed opposite the third section  250 .  
         [0023]     The first, second and third sections  230 ,  240 ,  250  substantially form a circular shaped structure, with the exception of the planar portion  260 , and defined an interior space  280  that is formed between the sections of the upper portion  220 .  
         [0024]     As with the bottom portion  210 , the upper portion  220  can be formed of any number of materials; however, the bottom portion  210  and the upper portion  220  are typically formed of the same material. In other words, the upper portion  220  can be formed of paper, plastic, or a hardened food substance, such as hard candy.  
         [0025]     When the article  200  is formed as a single, unitary part, as by an injection molding process, the upper portion  220  is integrally attached to the bottom portion  210 .  
         [0026]     It will be appreciated that according to one aspect of the present invention, the article  200  functions as an eye catching marketing, sales and promotional tool since the article  200  is constructed to take advance of the unused “real estate” or space that exists above the lid  110 . In other words, the article  200 , and in particular, the upper portion  220  thereof is constructed to provide surface areas on which indicia, such as a corporate logo or other text and/or images, can be presented and in one embodiment, one or more advertisements can be provided on one or more surface areas of the upper portion  220 .  
         [0027]     In particular, indicia, such as an advertisement, etc., can be provided on either the outer surface of the second section  240  and/or it can be provided on the outer surface of the third section  250  and in particular, the other surface of the planar portion  260 . Both of these outer surfaces face the consumer and in particular, the planar portion  260  (e.g., circular shaped segment  262 ) is angled so that the consumer can easily view the indicia that will face out toward the consumer and at least a portion of the outer surface of the second section  240  faces the consumer to permit easy viewing thereof. Both of these surfaces can be used to display printed indicia.  
         [0028]     In addition, the article  200  is configured so that it can firmly grasp a small object, such as a candy treat, mint, trinket, fortune, coupon, etc., in such a way that it is prominently “floated” above the lid  110 . In this manner, the article  200  can either be presented in an “unloaded” condition (mode) or a “loaded” condition (mode) where the object is displayed. In the unloaded condition, the article  200  is designed to act as a miniature billboard that is easily coupled to the lid  110  and displays some type of indicia, such as a company name and/or logo or other printed indicia or a theme. The article  200  can be keyed into particular holidays or seasons and can therefore, be molded and/or colored to a particular silhouette shape or used to display indicia (an imprinted or inked image that is attached to the surface (as by an adhesive)) that relates to the holiday, season or theme. For example, the article  200  can be configured to display a red heart for Valentines day, an orange pumpkin for Halloween, a bunny rabbit for Easter, a turkey for Thanksgiving, a Christmas tree or snowman for winter, leaves for fall, tulips for spring, etc. In addition, special occasions, such as national holidays, corporate celebrations or milestones, athletic events (Olympic rings), etc., can be displayed. In other words, the third section  250  can be constructed to have a particular shape (e.g., Christmas tree) that relates to a theme or the displayed indicia.  
         [0029]     The lip  244  and flange  270  can serve to engage and grasp the object or at least present interference so that the object is contained within the interior space and does not so easily slide or otherwise become dislodged from the interior space. These members (lip  244  and flange  270 ) thus serve as retaining members or tabs to better position and hold the object in the interior space.  
         [0030]     In the loaded condition or mode, the article  200  offers patrons a number of either sellable or give-a-way items. It will also be appreciated that the article  200  can simultaneously be provided in the loaded and unloaded modes since the article  200  can both display indicia in the upper portion  220  and can grasp and hold the object/display item. For example, some items that can be grasped and held by the article  200  for display to the customer include but are not limited to candy treats, charms, fortunes, collectibles, promotional items, paper advertisement or coupon, etc. The loaded item simply snaps into and out of the interior space of the article  200 . In terms of food products that can be provided and loaded into this interior space include but are not limited to a Hershey Kiss®, a Tootsie Roll®, a Life Saver®, a mint, a chocolate heart, Easter egg, a marshmallow treat or some other type of candy. Even a sugar cube or packet of sugar or small cream container, can be provided in the interior space and packaged with the article  200 . Other items that can be loaded into the interior space include but are not limited to fortunes, games of chance, lucky numbers, good luck charms, novelties (e.g., pin jewelry, snow globe, toy, etc.), holiday cheers, greetings, sweepstakes, recipes, promotions, etc.  
         [0031]     The article  200  is also particularly well suited for use in marketing applications and in particular, for sales and cross or corporate alliance marketing, the article  200  can provide coupons, announce new products and promotions, as well as give out samples. The article  200  can also act as a miniature vending machine since a vast number of small objects can be loaded into the interior of the article  200  and thus, it can be easily integrated into any marketing plan or sales drive.  
         [0032]     Thus, the article  200  provides both a means for displaying indicia and/or means for displaying an object at a point of purchase.  
         [0033]     It will also be appreciated that the article  200  can be provided in any number of different colors, shapes and sizes and formed of a number of different products. If the entire article  200  is made out of hardened sugar or a sugar substitute and after the use of the article  200  is completed, the article  200  can simply be dropped into the beverage for sweetening thereof. Alternatively, if either the bottom portion  210  or the top portion  220  is formed of sugar or sugar substitute, this particular portion can be used to simultaneously stir and sweeten the beverage.  
         [0034]     As part of a marketing or sales plan or at a customer&#39;s request to seal the opening  120  (sip hole), the server or employee simply inserts the bottom portion  210  into the opening  120  such that the article  200  is securely coupled to the lid  110  in an upright manner with the indicia and/or object being visible when it is in place. The customer simply removes the article  200  when it is time to drink the beverage and can re-insert the article  200  into the opening  120  if the beverage needs to be resealed or the customer wants to display the indicia and/or object. The article  200  is designed to be disposable, but by the same token, a marketing program can make the article  200  into a collectible/tradable trinket item. For example, a professional sports team can have various player nights where the indicia that is displayed on the upper portion  220 , such as on the outer surface of the second section  240  or the planar portion  260 , can be in the form of an image or photo of a particular player or a player&#39;s name or number. The articles  200  from the various promotional nights can be collected.  
         [0035]     It will also be appreciated that the stopper according to the present invention can be constructed so that is can be used with “pull back” tab type lids that are common for beverages, such as coffee. More specifically, a section of the lid is perforated along two cut lines that extend to the lip of the lid and therefore, to expose the opening in the lid through which the beverage flows, the user simply tears back (lifts) the perforated portion to create the opening. The article can be constructed so that the bottom plug portion is designed to plug the opening formed by the tear back tab of the lid and in particular, the stopper can include side flanges that serve to engage the opposing sides of the lid that define the opening. More specifically, each of the flanges that extends outwardly from the body of the bottom plug portion includes a groove formed in its distal end that is designed to receive the peripheral side lid wall that defines a side of the opening formed by the tear back tab. The flanges thus engage the peripheral sides of the lid and act as legs that brace the stopper and permit it to stand and be supported in an upright manner. It will also be appreciated that the stopper can be constructed to merely be frictionally fit within the opening in the lid and therefore, the side flanges are eliminated.  
         [0036]     It will be understood that the articles of the present invention can be provided in any number of different colors, shapes and sizes and formed of a number of different products without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims set forth herein, and equivalents thereof.  
         [0037]     While exemplary drawings and specific embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated, it is to be understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be limited to the particular embodiments discussed. Thus, the embodiments shall be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive, and it should be understood that variations may be made in those embodiments by workers skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims that follow, and equivalents thereof. In addition, the features of the different claims set forth below may be combined in various ways in further accordance with the present invention.