Patent Abstract:
An apparatus, system and method for attaching a lid to a beverage container is provided. In one embodiment a lid is positioned over the container opening and fastened to a first bead located around the opening. The lid also fastens to a second bead that is either located on the container, or located on a partial ring that is positioned adjacent to the first bead. The partial collar may only extend partway around the container. The partial collar may be removable and may also include a handle. This Abstract is provided for the sole purpose of complying with the Abstract requirement rules that allow a reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the disclosure contained herein. This Abstract is submitted with the explicit understanding that it will not be used to interpret or to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Full Description:
[0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 as a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/450,985, filed Jun. 12, 2006, entitled “Container Lid and Holder and System and Method for Attaching a Lid and Holder to a Container,” that claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 60/690,248, filed Jun. 14, 2005, entitled “Lid and Holder for Disposable Cups,” which is referred to and incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention generally relates to closures for containers, and more particularly to a closure and handle configured for attachment to a conventional cup. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Most parents of infants and young children are very familiar with drinking cups often referred to as “sippy” or “sip” cups. Sip cups as currently known in the art typically comprises a cup portion which is fabricated from a plastic material and formed in the same general shape as a conventional paper drinking cup. In addition to this cup portion, the sip cup includes a lid which is engageable with the top rim of the cup portion. The lid itself typically includes an elongate spout which protrudes from a peripheral portion of the top surface thereof and includes a flow opening therein which fluidly communicates with the interior of the sip cup. In certain sip cups, the lid is threadably engaged to the cup or to a collar holding the cup. In other sip cups, the lid is frictionally engaged to the cup portion or to an annular collar holding the cup. Unfortunately, these lids are expensive to make and often do not provide an adequate fluid seal. In take-out eating establishments such as coffee shops, fast-food restaurants, amusement park concession stands, etc., beverages are often provided in a paper or plastic drinking cup. The drinking cup is typically provided with a plastic lid enclosure on one end thereof to contain the liquid within the cup, the lid enclosure including a short spout for drinking. If held by hand, the temperature of the drink can make the person&#39;s hand uncomfortably hot, or cold, as the case may be. If a holder is provided, it must usually be disposable or else it risks becoming soiled with use. But disposable cup holders are expensive and create liter. There is thus a need for a way to hold disposable drinks in a cost effective manner. 
         [0004]    A number of coffee shops sell refillable cups, especially to regular customers who buy coffee or other drinks on a regular basis. But the coffee or other beverages leave a residue in the cup and thus require cleaning. There is thus a need for a cup holder that reduces the need for cleaning. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]      FIG. 1  is a sectional view showing a disposable cup, a first embodiment of a cup lid, and a first embodiment cup holder; 
           [0006]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view of a portion of the disposable cup, a portion of the cup lid, and a portion of the cup holder illustrated in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0007]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a collar and handle constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0008]      FIG. 4  is an elevation view of the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a cup lid constructed according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a cup lid constructed according to another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 7  is a sectional view showing a disposable cup, a cup lid as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , and an embodiment of the present invention in the form of a cup with an integrated collar; 
           [0012]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of cup holder comprising a partial collar and handle constructed according to a further embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIG. 9  is a partial elevation view of the cup holder comprising a partial collar and handle constructed according to a yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of another embodiment cup holder comprising a partial collar, projections on the collar and a handle constructed according to yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 11  is a second perspective view of the cup holder illustrated in  FIG. 10 , comprising a partial collar, projections on the collar and a handle constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0016]      FIG. 12  is a side elevation view of the cup holder illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , comprising a partial collar, projections on the collar and a handle constructed according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0017]    It will be recognized that some or all of the Figures are schematic representations for purposes of illustration and do not necessarily depict the actual relative sizes or locations of the elements shown. The Figures are provided for the purpose of illustrating one or more embodiments of the invention with the explicit understanding that they will not be used to limit the scope or the meaning of the claims. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0018]    In the following paragraphs, the present invention will be described in detail by way of example with reference to the attached drawings. While this invention is capable of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an example of the principles of the invention and not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown and described. That is, throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than as limitations on the present invention. As used herein, the “present invention” refers to any one of the embodiments of the invention described herein, and any equivalents. Furthermore, reference to various feature(s) of the “present invention” throughout this document does not mean that all claimed embodiments or methods must include the referenced feature(s). 
         [0019]    One embodiment of the present invention may be employed with a conventional disposable cup, or other type of fluid, or beverage container having a bead located about the periphery of an opening of the cup. A cup lid having a first annular recess engages with the cup bead. A second annular recess in the cup lid engages with a second bead that is located on a collar that is positioned adjacent to the cup bead. In a preferred embodiment, the collar includes a handle, thereby eliminating the need for a consumer to grasp the hot, or cold cup. 
         [0020]    In another embodiment of the present invention, a substantially cylindrical container only includes the second bead, with the cylindrical container sized to receive a conventional disposable cup having a bead located about the periphery of the cup. The conventional cup is positioned within the cylindrical container, and the cup lid having the first and second annular recesses engages with the cup bead and the second bead, respectively, on the cylindrical container. In this embodiment, the cylindrical container may or may not include a handle, and it may be open at both ends, or it may include a base that closes one end. An alternative embodiment may include a gripping surface, such as a dimpled surface, or a rubber or other suitable plastic surface on the cylindrical container. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIGS. 1-7 , a cup  10  has a bottom  14 , sidewalls  16  and a bead  18  around the opening or open top of the cup  10 . The sidewalls  16  are typically tapered at a slight angle to allow stacking of the cups, although the present invention may be employed in cups that do not have angled sidewalls  16 . The cup  10  may be of the disposable type, which are typically made of paper with a rolled bead  18  as shown, or they can be made of various plastic materials with a rolled bead or solid bead. Disposable cup beads  18  typically have a generally circular cross-section, and that includes beads  18  with an oval shape as formed or as deformed during stacking and shipping, and that includes beads  18  with a rounded upper edge and a slightly flattened outer facing edge, or even a slightly flattened bottom edge. In addition, the present invention may be used with cups having beads  18  that comprise a flange, projection, or any non-circular cross-section, and with cups may not be disposable. 
         [0022]    A collar  20  is provided with an inner surface shaped to engage the cup sidewalls  16 . The inner surface is thus usually circular. In embodiments for use with angled cup sidewalls  16 , the collar inner surface  22  is preferably, but optionally tapered at an angle that corresponds to the angle of taper of the cup sidewalls  16 . The collar  20  also includes a projection, or locking surface  25  that may comprise several shapes. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the locking surface  25  comprises a shape similar to the bead  18  on the cup  10 , that is, a shape having a generally circular cross-section. An alternative shape for the locking surface  25  is shown in  FIG. 9 , which comprises a shape that does not have a circular cross-section. It will be appreciated that the shape of the locking surface  25  may comprise a flange, a projection, a lip, or any protruding rim, edge, or rib that is used to hold a lid  40  in place. 
         [0023]    The collar  20  also includes an extension  30  on its upper end. The extension  30  engages the bead  18  when the collar  20  is placed about the cup  10 . In one embodiment, a tip area of the extension  30  engages the lower inner quadrant of the generally circular cup bead  18 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . One feature of the collar extension  30  is that by engaging under the cup bead  18 , the cup bead  18  is supported, which prevents the cup bead  18  from collapsing during use. For example, a child may squeeze the cup  10 , which without the support of the collar  20  and collar extension  30 , may cause the cup  10  to collapse. Another feature of the present invention is that it now allows very large cups to be made of paper, rather than plastic. This is because large paper cups generally collapse due to the cup bead  18  weakness. For example, paper cups generally do not exceed 18 ounces in capacity. Larger capacity cups are made from plastic, which is more expensive to manufacture than paper cups. Because the collar extension  30  supports the cup bead  18 , preventing collapse of the cup  10 , large capacity paper cups can now be manufactured. 
         [0024]    The collar  20  may optionally includes a handle  36 , and may have more than one handle  36  if configured for use by infants or persons with impaired manual dexterity. Instead of a handle  36 , a textured gripping surface or a surface shaped to increase the ease and/or efficiency of gripping (e.g., vertical or horizontal ridges) may be employed. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the collar  20  may also include a handle hinge  38 , which allows the handle  36  to pivot as shown by the arrow. This embodiment allows the handle  36  to pivot toward the collar  20 , making the collar  20  and handle  36  easy to carry in a purse, backpack, briefcase, or other type of handbag. In another embodiment the handle hinge  38  may include a locking feature, or element that keeps the handle  36  positioned adjacent to the collar  20  and/or in the deployed position, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The locking feature may comprise a notch, or detent, or other arrangement within the handle hinge  38  that increases the effort required to rotate the handle hinge  38  away from the collar  20  into the position illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Another embodiment collar  20  may include a handle  36  that has a tip, or distal end that contacts the cup sidewalls  16  when the collar  20  is positioned around the cup  10  (not shown). In this embodiment, the distal end provides support against the cup sidewalls  16 , thereby stabilizing the handle  36  and collar  20 . Yet another embodiment of the collar  20 , whether it includes the handle  36 , or not, is that it may be manufactured from biodegradable material, as well as and other materials, such as polymers, polyesters, polyolefins, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyethers, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, silicone, silicone rubber, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, stainless steel, aluminum alloys, and metal alloys. 
         [0025]    As used herein, inner or inward refers to a direction toward a longitudinal axis of the cup  10 , and outer or outward refers to the opposite direction. Upper refers to a direction along the longitudinal axis from the cup  10  toward the lid  40 , and lower refers to the opposite direction, and above or below are with reference to the relative positions along the longitudinal axis of the cup  10  using the same orientation as “upper” and “lower.” 
         [0026]    A closure or lid  40  fastens to the top of the cup  10 . In a preferred embodiment, the lid  40  is made of thin, vacuum formed plastic, typically styrene, and is typically about 0.015-0.020 inches thick. However, it will be appreciated that the lid  40  may be made of biodegradable materials, and other materials, such as polymers, polyesters, polyolefins, polycarbonates, polyamides, polyethers, polyethylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, silicone, silicone rubber, polyurethane, polyvinyl chloride, polystyrene, stainless steel, aluminum alloys, and metal alloys. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the lid  40  has a raised area  44  with at least one aperture  42  that allows fluid passage or is sized to receive a drinking straw (not shown). The aperture  42  allows liquid within the cup  10  to pass outside the cup  10 . In another embodiment, the raised area  44  forms a spout, or other shaped opening which places the aperture  42  above the rim of the cup  10 . For example, in one embodiment, a spout sized for a child is envisioned. For a child, the spout is preferably a defined spout small enough to fit in a child&#39;s mouth. For an adult, the spout may form an annular ring extending around the entire periphery of the cup adjacent the bead  18 , with drinking apertures  42  located at one, or more places for drinking. Other embodiment lids  40  may include apertures  42  that have covers (i.e., flapped covers) which can be deflected, or otherwise moved, or removed, to allow passage of fluid. In another embodiment, the lid  40  may be shaped allow a user to both drink directly from the lid  40 , and also to drink from a straw (not shown) that may be located in another aperture, or opening in the lid  40 . For example, the lid  40  may include a first opening sized to receive a straw, and a second, larger opening sized to receive the lips of a user, so that a user would have the option of drinking from a straw, or drinking directly from the lid  40 . This feature may be helpful when consuming “frozen” drinks, that comprise ice cubes, or smaller ice particles in the form of crushed ice, or a blended slush made of partially melted ice or very small particles of crushed ice. 
         [0028]    Referring again to  FIG. 5 , in one embodiment, the lid  40  has an inner or interior recess  45  within the raised area  44  (both forming a cap), and an outer or exterior recess  46  outward of the raised area  44 . The interior recess  45  has a bottom which is located so it is above the rim of the cup bead  18  when the lid  40  is fastened on the cup  10 . A vent opening  48  is optionally located opposite the lid aperture  42  to allow air pressure to equalize between the inside and outside the cup  10  when the lid  40  is on the cup  10 , in order to allow liquid to flow smoothly through the lid aperture  42 . The interior recess  45  can also collect liquid that may spill from the lid aperture  42 . The interior recess  45  may be a larger depression, as shown in  FIG. 5 , or in other embodiments, can be a localized depression in the lid  40  adjacent to a spout (not shown). 
         [0029]    In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 , the outer recess  46  preferably extends around the entire circumference of the lid  40 , so that when it is placed on the cup  10 , the outer recess  46  is immediately adjacent to the bead  18 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , in this embodiment, the outer recess  46  extends below the rim of the cup  10  and preferably below the center of the bead  18 . In the illustrated embodiment, the outer recess  46  extends below the bottom of the bead  18 , but other embodiments may not extend as far. This embodiment of the lid  40  that includes an outer recess  46  may be suitable for larger size cups  10 , as the outer recess  46 , in conjunction with the collar extension  30 , support the cup bead  18 , and keep it from collapsing. However, smaller cups  10  may not need an outer recess  46  (and the support it provides) and thus it will be appreciated that an outer recess  46  may not be included in all embodiments of the present invention. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the support provided by the outer recess  46  is from a cup wall  50  that supports the cup bead  18 , and the adjacent upper cup portion. The cup wall  50 , and inner wall  52  form the outer recess  46 . 
         [0030]    Referring now to  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the cup wall  50  of the lid  40  extends past the upper portion of the cup  10 , forming a first recess, or bead recess  32 . The first recess  32  is sized to receive the cup bead  18 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . In a preferred embodiment, the first recess  32  engages the cup bead  18  in a “snap-fit” caused by the first recess  32  elastically deforming slightly when the cup bead  18  is inserted into the first recess  32 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 6  the first recess  32  is substantially circular and describes a truncated circle of about 220 degrees (where 360 degrees is a complete circle). However, it will be appreciated that the shape of the first recess may vary to correspond to different cup bead  18  shapes. It will also be appreciated that the shape of the first recess  18  may vary even if the cup bead  18  does not vary from the illustrated shape. For example, the first recess  18  may be substantially “U-shaped,” thus describing only a 180 degree truncated circle, or it may not be circular at all, but may comprise two walls sized to capture the cup bead  18 . In one embodiment, the first recess  32  provides a resilient gripping force (i.e., a first lock, or locking area or a first engaging area) to the cup bead  18  that prevents fluid within the cup  10  from escaping (i.e., a fluid tight seal). 
         [0031]    Adjacent to the first recess  32  is the second recess, or second engagement area  34 . In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 2 , a portion of the lid  40  extends past the first recess  32  and forms the second recess  34 . Similar to the first recess  32 , the second recess  34  is substantially circular and describes a truncated circle of about 180 degrees (where 360 degrees is a complete circle). In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 6 , the second recess  34  includes a non-circular area, which is illustrated as flat, or planar, but may comprise other shapes, such as angled, or curved, or any combination of straight, angled or curved. For example, the shape illustrated in  FIG. 6  is sized to receive a locking surface  25  that is not circular in cross-section, but instead may be a flange, a projection, a lip, or any protruding rim, edge, rib, or other shape. 
         [0032]    Similar to the first recess  32 , the second recess  34  is sized to form a “snap-fit” with the locking surface  25 . However, this snap-fit may be caused by the second recess  34  elastically deforming slightly when the locking surface  25  is inserted into the second recess  34 , or the second recess  34  itself may not deform, but the section of the lid  40  that extends from the first recess  32  to the tip of the lid  40  may deform. For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the tip of the lid  40  ends in a flange  35 . As the collar  20  with the locking surface  25  is inserted into the lid  40 , the flange  35 , as well as the second recess  34  may deflect slightly to receive the collar  20  and locking surface  25 . In a preferred embodiment, the second recess  34  provides a second locking, or engaging surface (in addition to the first recess  32 ) that additionally secures the lid  40  to the cup  10 . In the illustrated embodiment (shown in  FIG. 2 ), the diameter of the locking surface  25  is greater than the diameter of the cup bead  18 . It will be appreciated that other embodiments may have the diameter of the locking surface  25  substantially equal to the diameter of the cup bead  18 . 
         [0033]    One feature of the present invention is that the lid  40  now has two locking surfaces (first recess  32  and second recess  34 ) that provide additional locking, or engaging force (when compared to conventional lids that only employ one engaging surface with a cup bead). This substantially eliminates instances where a cup full of liquid is lifted, or grasped by the lid only, and the lid separates from the cup, spilling the liquid, due to the weak engagement between the lid and cup. The double locking feature of the present invention virtually eliminates inadvertent separation of the lid  40  from a cup  10 . This feature is especially helpful with children who attempt to pry a lid from a cup, often spilling the contents. Another feature of the present invention is that threading engagement between the cup and lid is eliminated and is replaced with a “snapping” engagement between the lid  40  and the cup  10 , greatly increasing ease, and quickness of engagement between the lid  40  and the cup  10 . Yet, the two locking surfaces (first recess  32  and second recess  34 ) provide the same fluid-tight capability and secure engagement offered by threads, but with less effort, and with substantially less manufacturing cost. For example, embodiments of the present invention may be vacuum formed, a process that is very cost effective, but which cannot be used to from threads. In addition, without threads, embodiments described herein comprising the collar  20  and handle  36 , may rotate about the circumference of cup  10  freely, without “unthreading” or becoming separated from the cup  10 . 
         [0034]    As mentioned above, the lid  40  terminates in a flange  35  that is extends away from the cup  10 , so as to ease removal of the lid  40  from the cup  10 . That is, in one embodiment, the flange  35  angles away from the cup  10  sidewalls, providing an easily graspable surface for a person&#39;s fingers. It will be appreciated that the flange  35  may not be included in all embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0035]    Referring now to  FIG. 7 , which illustrates another embodiment of the present invention in the form of a non-disposable cup  60  that includes an integral collar  20 . In one embodiment, the non-disposable cup  60  is sized to receive a disposable cup  10  having a bead  18 . The non-disposable cup  60  may have a bottom, or the bottom may be eliminated, thus the non-disposable cup  60  may only include sidewalls. In a preferred embodiment, the non-disposable cup  60  includes an integrally attached collar  20  that may be substantially identical to the collar  20 , or modified. For example, in one embodiment, an integral collar includes an annular locking surface  25  that is sized to engage the second recess  34  on the lid  40 . When a disposable cup  10  is placed into the non-disposable cup  60 , the periphery of the non-disposable cup  60  engages the cup bead  18 , similar to the collar extension  30 . A lid  40  is then placed over the disposable cup  10  and the non-disposable cup  60 . The first recess  32  on the lid  40  engages the cup bead  18 , and the second recess  34  on the lid  40  engages the locking surface  25  on the non-disposable cup  60 . In this fashion, two separate locking, or engaging regions provide double security from fluid leakage as well as doubly securing the lid  40  to the cups  10  and  60 . 
         [0036]    As shown in  FIG. 7 , another embodiment non-disposable cup  60  may include a modified collar  20  that includes grasping elements  62 . As illustrated, the grasping elements  62  may be projecting dimples, or alternatively, the grasping elements  62  may be circular depressions, or they may be projecting ridges, depressed channels (not shown) or other suitable features that provide additional purchase for gripping the non-disposable cup  60 . In addition, the collar  20 , and/or the locking surface  25 , as well as the grasping elements  62  may be constructed of a material having a high friction coefficient, such as rubber, plastic, a polymer, or any equivalents. The non-disposable cup  60  may be constructed of plastic, stainless steel, metal, metal alloys, aluminum alloys or other suitable materials. That is, the non-disposable cup  60  and its integral collar  20  may or may not be manufactured from the same material. In addition, another embodiment non-disposable cup  60  may include a handle  36  that may or may not include a handle hinge  38  that may or may not include the locking features described above in connection with  FIGS. 3 and 4 . In another embodiment, the non-disposable cup  60  may, in fact, be disposable. That is, the cup  60  may be made from paper, or other material so that the cup  60  would be disposable. 
         [0037]    In use, a cup  10  is placed in the collar  20 , with or without liquid already in the cup  10 . If the cup  10  contains hot liquid, such as coffee, the purchaser can now grasp the handle  36 , and thereby directly avoid holding the hot cup  10 . With the collar  20  and collar extension  30  now positioned adjacent to the cup bead  18 , as described above, the lid  40  can be placed over the cup  10 . The first recess  32  on the lid  40  engages the cup bead  18 , and the second recess  34  on the lid  40  engages the locking surface  25  on the collar  20  (in a “snap-fit” as described above). In this fashion, two separate locking, or engaging regions provide double security from fluid leakage as well as doubly securing the lid  40  to the cup  10 . In addition, the collar  20  provides support to the cup  10 , preventing collapse of the cup  10 . When the fluid is consumed, the user can pull the collar  20  down toward the base of the cup  10 , unlocking the collar  20  from the lid  40 , or the lid  40  can be removed from the cup  10  by grasping the flange  35 . The disposable cup  10  and lid  40  may then be discarded, and the collar  20  can be re-used. Or, in another embodiment, the collar  20  (with or without handle  36 ) may also be disposable, that is, designed for a one-time-use. 
         [0038]    Alternatively, the lid  40  may be snapped onto the bead  18  of the cup  10 , and the cup is then inserted through the opening of the collar  20  until the lid snaps onto the collar  20 . Specifically, the first recess  32  on the lid  40  engages the cup bead  18 , and the second recess  34  on the lid  40  engages the locking surface  25  on the collar  20 . In this fashion, two separate locking, or engaging regions provide double security from fluid leakage as well as doubly securing the lid  40  to the cup  10 . The collar  20  also supports the cup bead  18 , preventing collapse of the cup  10 . When the fluid is consumed, the user can remove the lid  40  from the cup  10  by grasping the flange  35 . Once the lid  40  is removed, the cup  10  and collar  20  are easily separated. The disposable cup  10  and lid  40  may then be discarded, and the collar  20  can be re-used. 
         [0039]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 9 , another embodiment of the present invention in the form of a partial collar  65  is illustrated. As shown, the partial collar  65  does not comprise a complete ring like collar  20 , but instead comprises a curved ¼ arc, ⅓ arc, ½ arc, or other sized arc. That is, instead of a collar  20  that completely circumscribes, or encircles a container as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , this embodiment of the invention does not extend completely around the perimeter of a container or cup  10 . This embodiment of the invention may be sized to fit any cup, and the fingers  69  which extend from the handle  36  around the cup (not shown) may deflect to fit different cup circumferences. It will be appreciated that this embodiment of the invention includes any length of fingers  69 , ranging from fingers  69  that would only circumscribe less than ¼ of a cup&#39;s perimeter, or circumference, to fingers  69  that would almost meet, thereby circumscribing all but a small portion of the cup&#39;s circumference (for example, a ¼ inch or less). The partial collar  65  includes many of the features found in the collar  20 , and also functions similarly. The partial collar  65  includes a collar extension  30 , that when placed against a cup  10 , abuts the cup bead  18  as shown in  FIG. 2 . In addition, the partial collar  65  also includes the locking surface  25  that engages the second recess  34  on the lid  40 , as also illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and described above. 
         [0040]    Referring to  FIG. 9 , this embodiment of the partial collar  65  includes a hinge  38  so that the handle  36  can pivot as shown by the arrow. In addition, this embodiment includes a locking surface  25  that is not circular in cross-section, but instead includes a small shelf, or planar projection that aids in securely engaging with the lid  40 . It will be appreciated that the shape of the locking surface  25  may comprise a flange, a projection, a lip, or any protruding rim, edge, or rib that is used to hold a lid  40  in place. As shown in both  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the partial collar  65  may include an optional brace, or extension  67 , that projects downward from the base of the handle  36 . This optional element may provide additional stability and support when the partial collar  65  is positioned against a cup sidewall  16 , as the brace  67  contacts the cup sidewall  16 . Because the fingers  69  of the partial collar  65  do not extend around the entire circumference of a cup  10 , the method of installing and removing the partial collar  65  is simpler than the collar  20 , described above. For example, one method comprises attaching the lid  40  to the cup  10 , and then positioning the partial collar  65  against the cup sidewall  16  and moving the partial collar  65  upward so that the locking surface  25  engages with the second recess  34  on the lid  40 . The collar extension  30  functions as described above in connection with the collar  20 , supporting the cup bead  18 , thereby preventing the collapse of the cup  10 . In addition, the locking surface  25 , in conjunction with the second recess  34 , provides an additional locking, or engaging region (the first being the bead  18  and the first recess  32 ) to provide double security from fluid leakage as well as doubly securing the lid  40  to the cup  10 . Alternatively, the partial collar  65  may be installed by first placing the collar extension  30  underneath the cup bead  18 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , and then snapping the cup lid  40  over both the cup bead  18  and the locking surface  25 , thereby engaging the first recess  32  and the second recess  34  with the cup bead  18  and the locking surface  25 , respectively. As described above, this provides two separate locking, or engaging regions that provide double security from fluid leakage as well as doubly securing the lid  40  to the cup  10 . 
         [0041]    Another embodiment of the present invention includes an integral lid  40  and handle  36  (not shown). In this embodiment, the handle  36  with fingers  69  may be pivotally attached (by a hinge, or other means) to the lid  40  so that when the lid  40  is positioned over a cup  10 , the handle  36  and fingers  69  may be rotated downward, with the locking surface  25  on the fingers  69  engaging the second recess  34  on the lid  40 . This embodiment may, or may not be disposable, and the hinge, or pivoting means may or may not include a locking feature as described above. 
         [0042]    Both the collar  20  and the partial collar  65  may include additional features. For example, either embodiments  20  or  65  may include more than one handle  65 , which may be helpful for senior citizens or children. Another feature may be a barcode or other type of identifier (and may also include a BLUETOOTH® functionality) that may be permanent, or temporary, and which may be located on the handle  36 , or elsewhere. For example, a person may purchase either the collar  20  or partial collar  65  from a coffee, or other beverage purveyor, who places information on the collar  20  or partial collar  65 , such as the consumers coffee preference. The information, in the form of a barcode, RF tag, or other information source, may be manufactured into the handle  36 , or the collar  20  or partial collar  65 , or the purveyor may provide a barcode dispenser, with stamp-like barcodes, that can be affixed to the handle  36 , or collar  20  or partial collar  65 , with different barcodes identifying different beverages. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIGS. 10-12 , yet another embodiment of the present invention in the form of a partial collar  65  with projections  70  is illustrated. As shown, the partial collar  65  does not comprise a complete ring-like collar  20 , but instead comprises a curved ¼ arc, ⅓ arc, ½ arc, or other sized arc. That is, instead of a collar  20  that completely circumscribes, or encircles a container as illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , this embodiment of the invention does not extend completely around the perimeter of a container or cup  10 . This embodiment of the invention may be sized to fit any cup, and the fingers  69  which extend from the handle  36  around the cup (not shown) may deflect to fit different cup circumferences. It will be appreciated that this embodiment of the invention includes any length of fingers  69 , ranging from fingers  69  that would only circumscribe less than ¼ of a cup&#39;s perimeter, or circumference, to fingers  69  that would almost meet, thereby circumscribing all but a small portion of the cup&#39;s circumference (for example, a ¼ inch or less). The partial collar  65  includes many of the features found in the collar  20 , and also functions similarly. The partial collar  65  includes a collar extension  30 , that when placed against a cup  10 , abuts the cup bead  18  as shown in  FIG. 2 . In addition, the partial collar  65  also includes the locking surface  25  that engages the second recess  34  on the lid  40 , as also illustrated in  FIG. 2 , and described above. 
         [0044]    Referring again to  FIGS. 10-12 , this embodiment includes a locking surface  25  that is circular in cross-section that aids in securely engaging with the lid  40 . It will be appreciated that the shape of the locking surface  25  may comprise a flange, a projection, a lip, or any protruding rim, edge, or rib that is used to hold a lid  40  (as shown in  FIG. 2 ) in place. As shown in  FIGS. 10-12 , the partial collar  65  may include a projection  70  that extends outward from the fingers  69 . In the illustrated embodiment, each finger  69  has its own projection, or tab  70 . The projections  70  are sized to receive a user&#39;s finger, thumb or other digit to aid in removing the partial collar  65  from a cup  10 . That is, when the partial collar  65  is firmly located about a cup  10 , a user can push on the projections  70  to remove the partial collar  65  from a cup  10 . It will be appreciated that the projections  70  may comprise a tab, or an outward extending flange, and comprise shapes other than illustrated in  FIGS. 10-12 . 
         [0045]    Referring again to  FIGS. 10-12 , this embodiment includes the features of other embodiments described herein, for example, because the fingers  69  of the partial collar  65  do not extend around the entire circumference of a cup  10 , the method of installing and removing the partial collar  65  is simpler than the collar  20 , described above. For example, one method comprises attaching the lid  40  to the cup  10 , and then positioning the partial collar  65  against the cup sidewall  16  and moving the partial collar  65  upward so that the locking surface  25  engages with the second recess  34  on the lid  40 . The projections  70  can be grasped by a user to aid in moving the partial collar  65  upward. 
         [0046]    Also, the collar extension  30  functions as described above in connection with the collar  20 , supporting the cup bead  18 , thereby preventing the collapse of the cup  10 . In addition, the locking surface  25 , in conjunction with the second recess  34 , provides an additional locking, or engaging region (the first being the bead  18  and the first recess  32 ) to provide double security from fluid leakage as well as doubly securing the lid  40  to the cup  10 . Alternatively, the partial collar  65  may be installed by first placing the collar extension  30  underneath the cup bead  18 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , and then snapping the cup lid  40  over both the cup bead  18  and the locking surface  25 , thereby engaging the first recess  32  and the second recess  34  with the cup bead  18  and the locking surface  25 , respectively. As described above, this provides two separate locking, or engaging regions that provide double security from fluid leakage as well as doubly securing the lid  40  to the cup  10 . 
         [0047]    For example, one embodiment of a partial collar  65  may comprise an apparatus for holding a container having a bead around an opening, the apparatus comprising a partial ring comprising an annular locking surface extending outwards from the partial ring, an annular extension located above the annular locking surface, the annular extension having a distal portion that tapers to a distal end, a projection located below the annular locking surface, the projection extending outwards from the partial ring and a handle extending from the partial ring. The annular locking surface may comprise a substantially circular cross-section, with the substantially circular cross-section extending outwards from the partial ring. The partial ring may comprise two curved elements that extend more than one-half of a circumference of the container. The projection may comprise two outward extending elements, each located at a respective distal end of two curved elements that comprise the partial ring. A hinge may be located substantially between the partial ring and the handle, the hinge allowing a distal end of the handle to pivot toward the ring. 
         [0048]    In one preferred embodiment, the embodiment described immediately above is constructed to operate in conjunction with a lid for a container having a bead around an opening. The lid comprises a cap with an aperture, an annular base depending from the cap, the base having a first recess sized to engage the bead of the container to provide a first fastening engagement with the container and a second annular recess adjacent to the first recess, the second recess sized to engage a second bead, and provide a second fastening engagement with the container. The second bead may be located on the container, or it may be located on an element that is positioned about the perimeter of the container. The lid may further include an annular cup wall that abuts a container sidewall when the lid is positioned on the container. The container bead may be selected from a group consisting of: a bead having a substantially circular cross-section, a projection, a flange, and a locking surface. The aperture may be selected from a group consisting of: an opening, a opening covered with a moveable flap, an opening covered with a removable element, a spout, an opening sized to receive a straw, and an opening sized to receive a users lips. Also, the bead-engaging surface may be sized to be positionable adjacent to the container bead, and the locking surface is sized to engage a recess on a lid. 
         [0049]    Thus, it is seen that lid, collar and handle for a beverage container are provided. One skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be practiced by other than the above-described embodiments, which are presented in this description for purposes of illustration and not of limitation. The specification and drawings are not intended to limit the exclusionary scope of this patent document. It is noted that various equivalents for the particular embodiments discussed in this description may practice the invention as well. That is, while the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, permutations and variations will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended that the present invention embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations as fall within the scope of the appended claims. The fact that a product, process or method exhibits differences from one or more of the above-described exemplary embodiments does not mean that the product or process is outside the scope (literal scope and/or other legally-recognized scope) of the following claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 1