Abstract:
A disposable lid for beverage containers includes a mechanism enabling a user to hang the lid on the rim of the container, rather than placing the lid on a counter or table top, to avoid actual or perceived unsanitary conditions and to minimize risk of transmitting infectious diseases to the user. The lid includes an integral device for hanging the lid on the rim of the container while being inexpensive to manufacture and efficient to package and transport.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The present invention relates in general to beverage container lids, and particularly, disposable beverage container lids having retaining features for temporarily securing the lid onto a beverage container in a position such that the container contents are readily accessible. 
   2. Background Art 
   Lids for beverage containers have existed for many years and in a variety of forms. A typical disposable container lid for hot and cold drinks commonly served at fast food restaurants and coffee shops is usually formed from plastic or paper, and is optionally recyclable. Lids of this type are sometimes ergonomically designed to enable a consumer to drink from the container with little, if any, leakage or spillage, and often include means for tightly sealing the lid against the rim of a disposable beverage container. 
   Consumers of fast food and at coffee shops are increasingly concerned with health issues, which include the maintenance of sanitary conditions. Particularly in urban areas and other areas of high population density, individuals face risk of illness from communicable infection or disease, including illnesses transmitted through person-to-person contact, person-to-object contact, and contact with airborne pathogens. Thus, some businesses have embraced various efforts towards reducing the risk of transmission of infectious diseases, such as the wearing of latex gloves during food preparation and the regular wiping of counters and tabletops with disinfectant cleansers. 
   One instance in which many individuals entertain an actual or perceived risk of encountering an unsanitary condition is when removing the lid of a disposable cup. For example, coffee shops typically provide their customers with coffee beverages, which require the customer to use a common public kiosk to add any desired cream and/or sugar, and to stir their beverage. Such kiosks are typically used by a large volume of customers, thus precipitating the perception of possible contamination of kiosk countertops. While many customers may desire to set the cup lid down on the kiosk countertop to facilitate the desired preparation of their beverage, they may be hesitant to do so due to the perceived risk of exposure to unsanitary conditions on countertops that may be touched and/or coughed on by large numbers of people. Thus, there exists a need for disposable beverage container lids that, when removed from the container, are temporarily storable so as not to contact the counter or tabletop—thereby eliminating a potential transmission path for infectious diseases. 
   It is known in different contexts to employ tethering systems or hanging systems to temporarily store a removable closure. For example, some charcoal grill lids include a mechanism inside the grill lid to facilitate the temporary storage of the lid along the outer periphery of the grill so as to eliminate the risk of fire or burning possibly incurred by placing a hot lid on the ground or another surface while cooking. Also, some automobile gasoline caps have cutouts to permit the gas caps to be hung along the top edge of a gasoline cap filler door to prevent users from forgetting and/or losing the gas cap during refueling. However, these applications do not address sanitary concerns raised by handling of beverage container lids, nor are they readily adaptable to the cost, manufacture, storage and packaging requirements of a disposable lid for a beverage container. 
   Therefore, it would be desirable to provide a disposable or recyclable lid for beverage containers that may be temporarily supported by the container in a position allowing access to the container contents, while minimizing any leakage or spillage of the container contents when secured to the container during normal use. It would also be desirable to provide such a lid for beverage containers that is inexpensive to manufacture and efficient to transport. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   A lid is provided for removable attachment to a cup. The lid may be disposable, and may be created from a recyclable material, such as plastic or paperboard. The lid includes a generally circular top surface. An aperture may be formed in the top surface to permit drinking or dispensing of cup contents while the lid is secured in an attached position. The lid further includes an annular side wall extending downwards from the periphery of the top surface. The annular side wall includes a coupling surface adapted to secure the lid onto the rim of the cup. 
   In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the annular side wall of the lid includes first and second apertures extending upwards from the lower edge of the annular side wall. The apertures can be placed over the rim of the cup to permit temporary hanging of the lid from the rim, thereby retaining the lid on the cup and away from potentially unclean surfaces, while permitting ready access to the contents of the cup. The first and second apertures may be optionally spaced apart by a distance approximately one-tenth the circumference of the lid. The lid may include a dispensing aperture for permitting dispensing of the cup contents while the lid is in its attached position closing the cup. The dispensing aperture is optionally located towards the periphery of the lid at a position opposite that of the first and second apertures. 
   In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the lid includes a hook structure formed from the lid side wall. The hook structure may be deformed inward to form a hook adapted to hang the lid from the cup rim. The hook structure can be formed from at least two lines of weakening, which may extend parallel to one another upwards from the lower edge of the side wall, and which are optionally spaced approximately one-eighth of an inch apart. An extension tab may be formed contiguous to the edge of the annular side wall and between the at least two lines of weakening, extending beyond the lower edge of the annular side wall. The lines of weakening may be score lines or lines of perforation, and may include tear arrest structures at their uppermost ends to prevent undesired tearing of the lid structure. The lid may include a dispensing aperture, which may be located towards the periphery of the cup lid at a position approximately opposite that of the hook structure. 
   In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, the lid may include a protrusion extending from the top surface of the lid. The protrusion can be positioned to rest on the cup rim to secure the lid along the outer periphery of the cup. The protrusion may include an extension arm and a hook portion, and the hook portion may have a longitudinal cross-section similar in shape to that of a radial cross-section of the cup rim, thereby providing a secure fit. 
   In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a method is provided for using a cup having a removable lid. The lid is hung off of the cup rim in a position such that the contents of the cup are readily accessible. The cup contents are then accessed while the lid is retained by the cup rim. Finally, the lid is mounted onto the cup in a different position whereby the lid substantially covers the cup. The step of hanging the lid off of the cup rim can be accomplished by inserting the cup rim into at least two apertures formed in the lid. Alternatively, the hanging of the lid can be performed by deploying a hook structure from the lid and securing the hook structure onto the cup rim. The hook structure can be deployed by separating the hook structure from the lid side wall along at least two lines of weakness formed in the side wall, bending the hook structure inwards towards the center of the lid, and engaging the hook structure with the rim of the cup. Finally, the hanging of the lid from the cup rim can also be accomplished by attaching to the cup rim a protrusion extending downwards from a generally circular top surface of the lid. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a beverage container lid according to one embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a top view of the beverage container lid according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is another perspective view, shown inverted, of the beverage container lid according to the embodiment of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a side view of the beverage container lid of  FIG. 1  shown in its temporary storage position on a representative beverage container. 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the beverage container lid of  FIG. 1  shown in its temporary storage position on a representative beverage container. 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the beverage container lid of  FIG. 1  shown mounted atop a representative beverage container during normal use. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the beverage container lid of  FIG. 1  shown mounted atop a representative beverage container during normal use. 
       FIG. 8  is an inverted side view of a beverage container lid according to another embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view, shown inverted, of the beverage container lid of  FIG. 8  shown with an articulated hook. 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the beverage container lid of  FIG. 8  shown in its temporary storage position on a representative beverage container. 
       FIG. 11  is a perspective view of the beverage container lid of  FIG. 8  shown mounted atop a representative beverage container during normal use. 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view, shown inverted, of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
       FIG. 13  is an inverted side view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 12  shown with an articulated protrusion and hook. 
       FIG. 14  is a perspective view, of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 12  shown in its temporary storage position on a representative beverage container. 
       FIG. 15  is an inverted perspective view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 12  shown with an integral protrusion. 
       FIG. 16  is an inverted side view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 15  shown with an articulated protrusion and hook. 
       FIG. 17  is a perspective view, of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 15  shown in its temporary storage position on a representative beverage container. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, certain specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure should be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments so illustrated. 
   According to one embodiment of the invention, beverage container lid  10  is shown in  FIGS. 1–7 . Lid  10 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , is generally circular in shape and includes aperture  16  for drinking or dispensing fluids from within beverage cup  12  ( FIG. 4 ). For improved fluid flow during dispensing, lid  10  may also incorporate at least one breather hole, such as breather holes  17  and  18  of  FIG. 2 . Lid  10  further includes side wall  20  having an annular attachment portion  22  for securely, yet removably, connecting lid  10  to rim  14  ( FIG. 5 ) on beverage cup  12  while preventing leakage of the contents of beverage cup  12  during use. It is understood that while lid  10  is generally circular in shape, the top surface of the lid may include variations in elevation to form structures such as a ridge around the perimeter of the lid top surface, or a receptacle in the lid surface to facilitate drinking, such as are known in the relevant art. Preferably, lid  10  is fabricated from disposable and/or recyclable materials, such as thermoplastics (i.e., polystyrene and the like), or paperboard. 
     FIG. 3  shows beverage container lid  10  in an inverted position. Annular attachment portion  22  includes apertures  24  and  26  originating at the lower edge  34  of side wall  20  and extending into side wall  20 . To insure proper sealing of beverage cup  12  along the entire perimeter of beverage cup rim  14  ( FIG. 5 ), apertures  24  and  26  preferably do not extend into side wall  20  beyond that point at which cup rim  14  contacts annular attachment portion  22  when lid  10  is mounted on cup  12 . Annular attachment portion  22  further includes corners  28  and  30  and hook  32 , each of which are created by the formation of apertures  24  and  26 . Apertures  24  and  26  may be fabricated in lid  10  by the manufacturer or, alternatively, may be created by the consumer by severing side wall  20  of lid  10  along lines of weakness fabricated in the lid by the manufacturer defining apertures  24  and  26 . 
     FIGS. 4–5  show the improved beverage container lid  10  mounted to beverage cup  12  in the temporary open position, whereby the user is provided with access to the contents of cup  12 . In the position of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the lid facilitates the refilling of hot or cold beverages, the addition of cream and/or sugar to coffee beverages, etc., without setting lid  10  down upon potentially unsanitary surfaces. Lid  10  is hung from rim  14  by lowering lid  10  to position apertures  24  and  26  over rim  14 , then rotating lid  10  downward to engage hook  32  over rim  14 , while also wedging corners  28  and  30  underneath rim  14 . Conversely, upwardly rotating and lifting lid  10  releases lid  10  from rim  14 , such that lid  10  can be remounted on cup  12  in the closed position, shown in  FIGS. 6–7 . 
   Optionally, apertures  24  and  26  are located along annular attachment portion  22  at a location that is approximately opposite from the side of lid  10  at which drinking aperture  16  is positioned. Thus, to the extent that the seal between cup rim  14  and lid  12  may be weakened when in the closed position due to the presence of apertures  24  and  26 , the location of the potentially weakened seal is one that is less likely to be regularly exposed to the contents of beverage cup  12  during typical drinking activity. 
   Because the temporary hanging mechanism is comprised of apertures in beverage cup lid  10 , such that no portion of the lid  10  lies outside the plane of side wall  20 , lid  10  can be readily and efficiently stacked with other like lids for convenience and space-efficient packaging, storage and transportation. 
   An alternative embodiment of the invention is illustrated in  FIGS. 8–11 . Like lid  10 , improved beverage container lid  36  is generally circular in shape and includes hole  42  (see  FIG. 11 ) for drinking or dispensing fluids from within beverage cup  38 . For improved fluid flow during dispensing, lid  36  optionally incorporates breather hole  43  (see  FIG. 11 ). Lid  36  further comprises side wall  44  having an annular attachment portion  46  for securely, yet removably, connecting lid  36  to rim  40  of beverage cup  38  to prevent leakage of the contents of beverage cup  38  during use. Preferably, lid  36  is fabricated from disposable and/or recyclable materials, such as thermoplastics (i.e., polystyrene and the like), or paperboard. 
   Annular side wall  44  includes lines of weakness  48  and  50 , oriented parallel to one another. Lines of weakness  48  and  50  originate at lower edge  52  of side wall  44  and extend toward the top edge  54  of side wall  44 . A temporary mounting hook  56  can be formed by severing side wall  44  at lines of weakness  48  and  50 , then bending the material between the lines of weakness  48  and  50  inwards towards the center of lid  36  to form hook  56 , as shown in the articulated configuration in  FIG. 9 . Lines of weakness  48  and  50  can be formed from structures such as score lines or perforation lines. Optionally, propagation of the resultant “tear” along lines of weakness  48  and  50  may be arrested via any number of known solutions, such as by incorporation of tear arresting structures  49  and  51 , or tear arrest fillets, at the desired termination points in side wall  44 , or via a change in the directional orientation of the raw material from which the lid is formed at the desired point of termination for the lines of weakness. 
   The portion of side wall  44  that is bent inward to form hook  56  may be optionally fabricated by the lid manufacturer to extend below lower lid edge  52  for easy identification of the “tear tab” along the periphery of the lid by a consumer. Also, lines of weakness  49  and  51  can also be fabricated by the lid manufacturer as score lines extending through the entire thickness of lid  36 , thereby avoiding the need for a user to engage in the tab tearing operation prior to use of hook  56  for temporarily mounting lid  36  onto rim  40  of cup  38 . 
     FIG. 10  illustrates lid  36  in its temporary mounting position, facilitating access to the contents of cup  38 . Lid  36  can be removably mounted on cup  38  by hanging lid  36  from cup rim  40  by articulated hook  56 . As is apparent from the illustration of  FIG. 10 , lid  36  may be hung from any point along the periphery of cup rim  40 . 
     FIG. 11  illustrates a perspective view of lid  36  mounted on cup  38  in a closed position, whereby the contents of cup  38  can be consumed or transported with reduced risk of spillage. When lid  36  is remounted on cup  38 , previously-articulated hook  56  is forced back outwards by cup rim  40  to lie flush with the remainder of annular side wall  44  and to form a seal with cup rim  40  to prevent spillage of the contents of cup  38 . Also, it may be desirable in some applications to minimize the risk of content leakage through score lines  48  and  50  by positioning hook  56  at a location on lid  36  that is least likely to be exposed to the contents of cup  38 , such as a portion of lid  36  that lies opposite the location of drinking hole  42 . 
   Like lid  10 , lid  36  also includes no portions lying outside the plane of side wall  44  as long as hanger  56  is placed into its non-articulated position, thereby facilitating convenient and space-efficient packaging, storage and transportation. 
   Another embodiment of the invention is shown in  FIGS. 12–17 . Lid  70  includes protrusion  76  extending generally perpendicularly from the underside surface of lid  70  in a cantilevered fashion. Protrusion  76  includes hook  78  on its cantilevered end. While protrusion  76  is illustrated in  FIGS. 12–14  as extending to a point slightly beyond the lower edge  80  of annular attachment portion  82 , it is understood that protrusions of varying lengths can be employed, thereby controlling the angle at which lid  70  rests when temporarily affixed to cup  72  in the open position, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . 
   Protrusion  76  in  FIGS. 12–14  may initially be manufactured as a separate piece, such as through injection molding, that is later fixedly attached to the underside of lid  70  via any one of many well-known fastening means, such as by gluing, etc. (see  FIGS. 12–14 ). Alternatively, protrusion  76  may optionally be manufactured integral and homogenously to the underside of lid  70  (see protrusion  76   a  in  FIGS. 15–17 ), such as via injection molding or vacuum forming the entire lid/protrusion assembly. Preferably, lid  70  and protrusion  76 / 76   a  are made of disposable or recyclable materials, but lid  70  and protrusion  76  may individually comprise similar or different materials. 
   Lid  70  of  FIGS. 12–17  may be adapted to permit improved stacking capabilities for more efficient packaging, storage and transportation. For example, in embodiments where protrusion  76 / 76   a  extend outward from lid  70  past the plane of lid edge  80 , the material stiffness and geometry of protrusion  76 / 76   a  and hook  78  may be selected such that hook  78  curls to a semi-closed position when pressure is applied axially along protrusion  76 / 76   a . Alternatively, protrusion  76 / 76   a  may be adapted to bend at the junction with the underside of lid  70 , such that protrusion  76 / 76   a  can be temporarily positioned to lie approximately flush with the underside of lid  70 , thereby facilitating stacking above another like cup lid. 
   In each of the embodiments, it is to be understood that the cups, and associated lids, may be provided in different sizes, shapes, and materials, without inhibiting deployment of the present invention. In addition, it should be understood that each of the embodiments are not limited to merely beverage container lids, and may be directed to lids for other types of containers, as well. 
   The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not so limited as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.