Patent Publication Number: US-11647856-B1

Title: Adaptor device for a lid

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application relates to a novel and useful adaptor device for a lid found on beverage containers. 
     Beverages are normally dispensed in a disposable container. Such containers are typically enclosed by a snap-fitting lid having an opening to allow the passage of a straw into the chamber of the container. 
     Such opening through the lid to the container chamber constitutes a loose fitting in conjunction with a straw, since a number of flexible flaps surround the opening. This structure results in multiple openings from the exterior of the lid to the chamber of the container when the straw is in place. Unfortunately, such openings allow the passage of air from the outside of the container chamber to the chamber itself. Also, such openings permit the incursion of insects and debris to the contents of the chamber when the user of the straw has placed the container in a rest position. Needless to say, such access to the contents of the chamber of the container through the lid opening results in an unsanitary conditions. 
     An adapter for the lid of a disposable container permitting strict access to the chamber of the container when in use would be a notable advance in the food handling field. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the present application, a novel and useful adaptor device for a container lid is herein provided. 
     Typically, the lid for a disposable container includes a recess with a floor or base that extends transversely across the lid. An opening through the lid base also includes a plurality of flexible flaps that are adjacent the opening. Such flexible flaps are merely pushed aside when a straw is extended through the opening, leaving apertures adjacent the flaps that permit detrimental access to the chamber of the container. 
     The device of the present application includes a disc that possesses a thickness and a transverse dimension to substantially occupy the recess of the base of the lid. Further, the disc also includes a mass capable of exerting a confining force on the lid that holds the disc against the base of the lid within the recess of the lid. Moreover, the disc is also constructed with an aperture through the same that aligns with the opening through the lid. 
     A straw is also included in the adaptor device of the present application. The straw possesses an outer surface having a transverse dimension which is adapted to permit snug passage of the straw through the aperture of the disc as well as a tight passage through the lid opening. Such straw passage folds the flexible flaps adjacent the lid opening toward the wall of the container within the chamber of the container. 
     In certain cases, the disc comprises a rounded perimeter and is formed of a transparent material. Moreover, the straw may include a rounded outer surface, which is essentially cylindrical in configuration. Once the straw is in place through the disc aperture and through the lid opening, the straw perimeter substantially occupies the entire opening through the base of the lid and folds the flexible flaps adjacent the lid opening through the lid toward the wall of the container within the chamber of the container. In essence, the resultant employment of the disc and straw od the device of the present application substantially seals the lid relative to the chamber of the container. 
     It may be apparent that a novel and useful adaptor device for the lid of a disposable container has been described. 
     It is therefore an object of the present application to provide and adaptor device for a lid of a disposable container that effectively seals the chamber of the container when a user is accessing the liquid contents of the disposable container. 
     Another object of the present application is to provide an adaptor device for a lid of a container which utilizes a disc having an aperture therethrough and a straw which snugly fits through the aperture such that the perimeter of the straw occupies the opening through the base of the lid when in use. 
     Another object of the present application is to provide an adaptor device for a lid having a recess which comprises a transparent body. 
     Another object of the present application is to provide an adaptor device for a lid used with a disposable container which possesses sufficient durability to allow reuse over time. 
     Another object of the present application is to provide an adaptor device for a lid which results in the maintenance of a sanitary condition of the liquid contents of the disposable container used with the lid. 
     The application possesses other objects and advantages especially as concerns particular features thereof which will become apparent as the specification continues. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG.  1    is a top plan view of the disc portion of the device of the present application with the straw portion shown in section. 
         FIG.  2    is a sectional view of a container having a lid with the device of the present application in place atop the lid. 
         FIG.  3    is a partial plan view of a lid showing an opening through the lid. 
         FIG.  4    is a top plan view of the lid showing the opening through the lid when used with a conventional straw. 
         FIG.  5    is a top plan view of the lid with the straw portion of the device occupying the opening through the lid and illustrating the folding of the flaps surrounding the lid opening. 
         FIG.  6    is a sectional view showing the folding of a flap surrounding the opening through the lid toward the wall portion of the container by the straw portion of the device of the present application. 
     
    
    
     For a better understanding of the application, reference is made to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be taken in conjunction with the prior described drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Various aspects of the present application will evolve from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments thereof which should be taken together with the prior delineated drawings. 
     The device as a whole is shown in the drawings by reference character  10 . The adaptor device  10  includes a rounded disc  12  and a straw  14  which snugly passes through an aperture  16  in disc  12 ,  FIG.  1   . 
     With reference to  FIG.  2   , it may be observed that disc  12  possesses a thickness dimension “A” and a transverse dimension “B”. Disc  12  may be formed of a rigid or semi rigid material, such as a transparent polymeric material, and possesses a rounded perimeter  13 . 
     Viewing again  FIG.  2   , it may be seen that device  10  is employed with a lid  18  having a recess  20 . Lid  18  also includes a floor or base  22 . Lid  18  is employed with a container  24  which may be a disposable container. Container  24  has a wall portion  26  that forms a chamber  28  intended to hold liquid  30 , which may be a consumable liquid. As shown in  FIG.  2   , disc  12  with a thickness dimension “A” and a transverse dimension “B” substantially occupies recess  20  of lid  18 . The mass or weight of disc  12  is sufficient to exert a confining force on lid  18  on top of container  24 . Disc  12  lies immediately against base or floor  22  of lid  18  such that aperture  16  through disc  12  aligns with an opening  32  through lid  18 . 
     Straw  14  is also found in device  10  and includes an outer surface  34  and a central channel  35 . Cap  37  may be employed to enclose channel  35  when straw  14  is not being used. Straw  14  is also fashioned with a rounded perimeter  15  sufficient to permit the snug passage of straw  14  through aperture  16  of disc  12  as well as lid opening  32 . Straw  14  of device  10  is larger than conventional straw  44 , described hereinafter. 
     With reference to  FIG.  3   , it may be seen that the opening  32  through the base of lid  18  is formed with flexible flaps  36 ,  38 ,  40 , and  42 . Such flaps lie adjacent opening  32 . 
     Turning to  FIG.  4   , it may be observed that a conventional straw  44  has been passed through opening  32  of lid  18  and has partially folded back flexible flaps  36 ,  38 ,  40 , and  42 . However, the use of conventional straw  44  at lid opening  32  leaves passageways  46 ,  48 ,  50 , and  52  to chamber  28  of container  24 . The formation of passageways  46 ,  48 ,  50 , and  52  are undesirable and allows the ingress of items such as insects, dirt, microbes, and the like to chamber  24  of container  24 . This is especially true when straw  44  is not employed by a user to draw liquid  30  from chamber  28  of container  24 . 
       FIG.  5    represents the adaption of device  10  to lid  18  and container  24  where straw  14 , having snugly passed through aperture  16  of disc  12 , also passes through aperture  32  of lid  18 . In doing so, the outer surface  34  of the perimeter of straw  14  folds or presses flaps  36 ,  38 ,  40 , and  42  toward the wall portion  26  of container  24 . Directional arrows on  FIG.  5    illustrate such folding. 
       FIG.  6    shows the typical folding of flap  36  toward wall portion  26  of container  24  by straw  14  outer surface  34 . 
     In operation, the user places disc  12  atop lid  18  and within recess  20  thereof. Disc  12  substantially occupies recess  20  in this endeavor. Straw  14  is then snugly passed through aperture  16  of disc  12  and opening  32  of lid  18 . Straw snugly fits through aperture  16  and opening  32  and, in doing so, folds or presses flaps  36 ,  38 ,  40 , and  42  toward wall  26  of container  24 . The outer surface  34  of straw  14  then substantially occupies opening  32  through lid  18  and substantially seals the same, not allowing extraneous material through opening  32  and into chamber  28  of container  24 . This leaves the only access to chamber  28  of container  24  through passageway  35 . Cap  37  may be employed to enclose passageway  35  when straw  14  is idle. 
     While in the foregoing embodiments of the application have been set forth in considerable detail for the purposes of making a complete disclosure of the application, it may be apparent to those of skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details without departing from the spirit and principles of the application.