Abstract:
A cup lid having a top panel with an upwardly projecting rim peripherally thereabout, a recessed channel in the top panel extends from a central area thereof to the rim, the channel having a bottom with a sipping opening defined therethrough adjacent the rim, a closure member selectively receivable in said channel for movement between open and closed positions relative to said opening, the closure member being integrally formed with said lid, or a companion cup, remote from said channel for selective severing therefrom and subsequent mounting within the channel.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention broadly relates to cup lids, and more particularly to hot cup lids of the type normally including a sipping hole or opening therethrough with means for selectively closing and opening the sipping hole. 
         [0002]    Such lids, while not limited thereto, are usually formed of an appropriate thermoplastic or synthetic resinous material with the closure for the sipping opening comprising a separately formed slide member received within guides on the lid for sliding movement between the desired open and closed positions. 
         [0003]    The prior art discloses many examples of such sliding closures, note for example Waterbury, U.S. Pat. No. 4,170,724, issued Oct. 9, 1979; Paramski, U.S. Pat. No. 5,938,062, issued Aug. 17, 1999; and Wong, U.S. Pat. No. 6,824,003 B1, issued Nov. 30, 2004. 
         [0004]    In the prior art, the lid and sliding closure are separately formed or molded items which are necessarily also separately handled until assembled in operative relation with each other at the point of assembly. Thus, as a practical matter, whether at the manufacturer of the individual components or at the distributor, care must be taken to ensure that an equal number of lids and sliding closures be provided for assembly as a complete item. In other words, inventory control will necessarily involve not only an adequate number of lids for the number of cups to be supplied but also an adequate number of sliding closures for the number of lids. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Inasmuch as the lids and cups of the type with which the invention is concerned are disposable, that is after a single use are discarded, and as literally millions of such cups and lids are produced annually and disposed of after a single use, any saving to be obtained in the manufacture and distribution of such products would be of a potentially great economic advantage. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a lid of the type including a slide closure which is both economical to manufacture and distribute, and which is particularly practical in both ease and manner of use. Pursuant thereto, and in accord with the preferred embodiment, the lid of the invention and the slide closure therefore are thermoformed or molded as a unit or single piece with the panel-like slide closure separable from the lid along a tear or severance line defined during the forming process. Thus, there is no necessity for the supplying of a separate closure member. Rather, each lid, as it is formed and supplied, is provided with its own closure member for use as desired by the consumer. 
         [0007]    As a secondary embodiment, an assembly comprising a lid member and a cup member can provide for the sliding closure member as an extension integrally formed with the cup rather than with the lid. Such an extension, formed of the same material as the cup, will extend from one of the vertical seam edges of the cup with an appropriate break or tear line allowing for separation of the tab for use as the closure member on the associate lid. Inasmuch as the cup and lid will be presented to the consumer as a unit, the provision of the closure member on the cup would be a practical alternative to the formation of the closure member on the lid itself as in the primary embodiment. In each instance, the lid itself will be of the same basic construction capable of accommodating either form of closure member. 
         [0008]    Further features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the more detailed description of the invention following hereinafter. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lid and cup assembly illustrating the sliding closure as an integral part of the lid; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a view similar to  FIG. 1  illustrating removal of the closure member; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  illustrates the next sequential step of aligning the sliding closure with the lid channel for insertion therein; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the lid with the closure in its mounted open position; 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a view similar to  FIG. 4  with the closure moved to its closed position; 
           [0014]      FIG. 6  is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line  6 - 6  in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line  7 - 7  in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0016]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing along line  8 - 8  in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0017]      FIG. 9  is a transverse cross-sectional detail taken substantially on a plane passing alone line  9 - 9  in  FIG. 5 ; and 
           [0018]      FIG. 10  illustrates an embodiment wherein the sliding closure is integrally formed with the cup, this figure also illustrating, in phantom lines, an alignment of the cup-formed closure with the lid channel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0019]    The covered drink container  10  of the invention, noting  FIG. 1  as an example, comprises two components, a lid  12  and a cup  14 . The cup  14  is of a generally conventional construction, preferably formed of an appropriate plastic-coated cardboard material with a rolled or beaded upper edge to which the lid  12  will, through a snap-lock action, releasably seal. 
         [0020]    The lid  12  includes a top panel  16  surrounded by a raised flat-top rim  18  thereabout. Noting the cross-sectional details of  FIGS. 6-8  in particular, a peripheral outer wall  20  depends from the top of the rim  18  at a slightly outwardly inclined angle and terminates at, and integrally joins, a depending skirt  22  adapted to engage to the beaded upper end of a cup. The skirt includes a downwardly directed cavity  24  and an inwardly directed rib  26  which, in an obvious manner, cooperates with the cavity  24  to retain and releasably seal the lid to the container. 
         [0021]    A recess  28  is provided in the top panel  16  and extends transversely thereacross between aligned opposed sections of the rim  18 . The recess  28  includes a forward portion forming an elongate channel  30  which extends for approximately one-half the length of the recess  28  and terminates at the rim  18 . The bottom of the channel  30  at the rim has an opening  32 , normally a sipping opening, therethrough. As will be appreciated from the drawings, in order to facilitate access to this sipping opening  32 , the channel  30  will extend into the rim  18  for approximately one-half the width of the rim, thereby providing a narrow drinking lip  34  immediately above the opening  32 . 
         [0022]    The rear portion of the recess  28  that is relative to the opening  32  and channel  30 , is substantially wider than the channel to facilitate access to the channel as shall be explained subsequently. The bottom of the recess, for the full length thereof to the opening  32 , is inclined downwardly, as noted in the cross-sectional details, in order that the recess might accommodate any spillage or accumulation of liquid on the lid and direct this spillage into the cup through the opening  32 . 
         [0023]    The opposed side walls  38  of the channel  30 , are progressively higher as the rim end of the channel is approached. These side walls, remote from the rim, each continue in an arc  40  as the channel side walls  38  join the progressively lower height side walls  42  of the wider portion of the recess  28 . 
         [0024]    Noting  FIG. 1  and the detail of  FIG. 9  in particular, the opposed side walls  38  of the channel  30  include, slightly upwardly spaced from the channel bottom, inwardly directed guide ribs  44  which can be, as illustrated, narrow flanges integral with the side walls  38 , inwardly projecting concave ribs defined directly from the side walls  38 , or any other similar construction which cooperates with the bottom of the channel  40  to define a retaining tracks or guideways for slidably receiving a closure or closure member  46  mountable therein as shall be explained subsequently. 
         [0025]    As desired, the lid  12  may be provided with depressible dimples  48  in the top panel  16  as a means for providing a visible indication of the container contents. 
         [0026]    Noting  FIG. 1  in particular, the closure or closure member  46  is formed or molded as an integral part of the lid  12  and extends laterally outward from the lower edge of the lid skirt  22 . The closure  46  is severable from the lid, preferably by the customer, by a slight flexing of the closure  46  along a severance or tear line  50  provided during the forming of the lid. This breaking away of the closure  46  and the positioning thereof will be noted in the sequential views of  FIGS. 2-5 . 
         [0027]    As illustrated, the closure  46  is basically a flat panel with a central roughened gripping area  52  to facilitate sliding movement of the closure  46 , by a single finger, between an open position exposing the sipping opening  32  and a closed position wherein the opening is sealed by the closure member. The closure  46 , for at least a substantial or major portion  54  of the length thereof, is of a width allowing for close guiding reception within the channel  30  of the lid with the opposed longitudinal edges of this portion  54  engaging within the guideways defined by the ribs  44  on the opposed side walls  38  of the channel  30 . This relationship will be noted in the cross-sectional detail of  FIG. 9 . The rear portion  56  of the closure  46  is preferably transversely enlarged relative to the channel receiving portion  54  and seats within the larger portion of the recess  28 . In this manner, the enlarged rear portion  56  will, upon engagement with the inner surface or wall of the rim  18 , limit the retraction or opening sliding movement of the closure  46  and thus prevent accidental disengagement of the closure  46  from the lid  12 . This wider rear portion  56  also tends to limit any sideward shifting, through engagement with the side walls  42  of the recess  28 , as might misalign or disengage the channel receiving portion  54  relative to the channel  30 . As will be appreciated, and noting  FIGS. 3 and 4  in particular, the closure  46 , while relatively stiff so as to appropriately slide within the channel  30  upon manipulation by a single finger of the user, has a sufficient degree of flexibility as to allow for a slight flexing along the length thereof as the leading or narrower portion  54  of the closure  46  is initially introduced into the channel  30  through the wider rear portion of the recess  28 . Once the closure is mounted, accidental separation of the closure from the lid is substantially precluded. 
         [0028]    In order to enhance the sealing of the opening  32  upon a forward sliding of the closure  46  over the opening, a slightly depressed lug or projection  58 , conforming in configuration to the opening  32 , is provided toward the leading end of the forward portion  54  of the closure  46 . Noting  FIG. 8 , this projection  58  will, upon alignment with the opening  32 , engage within and provide an effective sealing of the opening. Engaged in this manner, the projection  58  will also act as a detent which will tend to prevent an opening movement of the closure  46  within the channel in the absence of positive finger pressure. Thus, the projection  58  also acts as a safety feature preventing accidental opening of the sipping opening and the discharge of what could be very hot liquid. 
         [0029]    Again noting  FIG. 1 , it will be seen that the closure or closure member  46  is formed on the periphery of the lid at approximately one-third the distance, or about a 120° away from the sipping opening  32 . So positioned, and if the contents of the cup are to be immediately consumed, the sipping opening  32  is freely accessed without the necessity of removing the closure  46 . In other words, the closure  46 , in light of its remote location relative to the sipping opening  32  will not interfere with the direct access to the cup contents through the opening  32 . 
         [0030]    Attention is now directed to  FIG. 10  which illustrates a secondary embodiment comprising a drink container consisting of an assembly  60  of a cup component  62  and a lid component  64  provided as a unit as it would be presented to a customer upon a filling of the cup. 
         [0031]    The lid component  64  differs from the previously detailed lid  12  only in the absence of the integral closure  46 . To illustrate the similarities between lid  12  and lid component  64 , the reference numerals applied to the major parts of the lid  12  have also been applied to these same parts appearing on the lid component  64 . 
         [0032]    As will be recognized from  FIG. 10 , the closure or closure member  66 , which is to be slidably received and manipulated within the channel  30  of the lid  64 , is formed as an integral extension of the outer edge  68  of the overlapping edge portions of the cup wall  70  which, in the manner of a conventional cup, are appropriately sealed to provide the desired container configuration. An appropriate severance or tear line  72  is provided separating the integral closure member  66  from edge  68  to allow for removal of the closure  66 , as desired, from the cup wall edge  68 . It will be appreciated that this closure  66 , contrary to the edge  68 , will not be secured to the underlying portion of the cup wall, and thus freely movable for separation along the tear line  72 . 
         [0033]    Once removed from the edge  68 , and noting the phantom line showing, closure  66  is introduced into the lid channel  30  for use in the manner previously described. Incidentally, as the closure  66  is to be formed as an integral part of the container wall  70 , the closure  66  will be of the same plastic coated cardboard material as the liquid-proof cup itself. As such, the closure  66  will also provide for a positive liquid barrier for the sipping opening  32  when closed thereover. While not illustrated, the closure  66  can also be provided with a slight dimple therein corresponding to the projection  58  on the initially described closure  46 . Also, as illustrated, the closure  66  can be provided with a transverse fold line  74  slightly inward from the rear edge  76  thereof to allow for an upward angling of this rear portion to facilitate engagement with the closure  66  for sliding movement thereof. 
         [0034]    It will be recognized that as the cup and lid will always be presented to the customer as a unit, the customer will always have access to a closure for use, as desired, on the lid. 
         [0035]    The foregoing is considered illustrative of the principles of the invention. As modifications and variations may occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and manner of use as shown and described. Rather, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to as falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.