Abstract:
A lid for drinking cups includes: a unitary body including a spout and a hood formed of silicone, the hood including a cylindrical portion configured to completely surround and cover the top rim on a variety of different size drinking cups preventing liquids from spilling out, wherein the hood includes a plurality of circumferentially disposed grips in the form of ridges and valleys.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to lids for drinking cups and, more particularly, to universal sipping lids made of silicone for various size glass, plastic and metal drinking cups. This application incorporates by reference and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/011,430, filed on Jun. 12, 2014. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    In the past, drinking cups were primarily made of glass and typically did not come with drinking and sipping lids. Glass drinking cups were generally effective, however they had their shortfalls. If a glass drinking cup without a lid falls over, the liquids inside spill out, and, because the drinking cup is glass, the glass itself may break. As a result, a child or adult could knock over a glass drinking cup, spill the contents, and possibly be injured due to the breakage of glass. Because of the probability of breakage, many parents do not like to use glass drinking cups for their children. And, because glass cups usually do not contain lids, if parents choose to use glass drinking cups, they worry about the child spilling the drink. There are some glass cups that include a snap on silicone lid designed specifically for the cup, but the lids are not secure enough to prevent liquids from spilling out and can easily pop off the cup, leaving the rim of the glass unprotected. 
         [0003]    More recently, individuals have been using plastic drinking cups with lids, because plastic cups are more common, relatively inexpensive, come with sipping straws or lids, and are less susceptible to breaking when compared to glass drinking cups. Some plastic drinking cups offer custom fit lids. These lids are generally effective, however, shortfalls exist. For example, some of these drinking lids are made of plastic and screw onto, or snap onto, the plastic cup. These lids are custom fit and cannot be used with other cups. In addition, these lids can be difficult to get on and off and do not always stay in place. Many times these lids are not leak proof. Some lids for plastic drinking cups are meant for young children and incorporate a sipping spout or straw mechanism that only fits the specific corresponding plastic drinking cup and can not be used with other plastic, glass, or metal cups. 
         [0004]    However, recent research has shown that plastic drinking cups and plastic lids might not be as safe as once believed. For example, many plastic cups and plastic sipping lids for kids and adults have been found to contain certain toxic chemicals, such as BPA, that tend to leach into the fluid contents of the cup. Even low doses of these chemicals have been linked to the altering of genes in the human body, which can then lead to health risks such as diabetes, altered immune system, and early puberty. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is a need for a universal, non-toxic, sipping lid that fits a variety of different size glass, plastic, and metal drinking cups, taking the shape of that said cup, providing a tight and protective fit, preventing liquids from leaking and spilling, while also protecting the rim of a glass drinking cup from breaking on impact. The present invention fulfills these needs and others. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    Briefly, and in general terms, the present invention provides a lid including a molded body formed of resilient material with elastic properties, such as silicone, to mate with a variety of a glass, plastic, and metal drinking cups. The body of the lid is a cylindrical configuration adapted to circumscribe the side walls of the drinking cup. Because the lid is elastic, it is able to take the shape of a variety of sizes and shapes of drinking cups. When placed over the open mouth of a drinking cup, the body of the lid covers the top portion of the drinking cup, extending over and down below the rim of the drinking cup. 
         [0007]    In a primary example, the portion of the lid that extends below the rim of the drinking cup acts as a hood that adheres the lid to the drinking cup and prevents the lid from accidentally coming off. 
         [0008]    In another example, the lid includes a raised spout near the edge of the body for sipping liquids from the drinking cup. Alternatively the sipping spout can be a nipple, a straw, or another access point through the lid. 
         [0009]    More particularly, in some examples, the lid provides a unitary molded body, spout, and hood formed of a silicone material. The lid further includes a non-toxic finish, such as, HS-4, XC9603, YC6831, made by GE Toshiba Silicone, disposed on substantially the entirety of an inner surface of the molded lid, which allows the lid to be easily taken on and off. Because of this feature, the lid is easily removable for cleaning and reusing with other drinking cups. 
         [0010]    In one example, the molded body of the lid is formed of translucent resilient material such that one can observe the level of the contents within the cup. 
         [0011]    Although many ranges of thicknesses may be used, in one example, the molded body of the lid has a thickness between about 1 mm and about 5 mm. 
         [0012]    In another example, the molded hood of the lid is disposed below the circumference of the drinking cup rim by about 1 to 1.5 inches and has a generally smooth cylindrical configuration, which facilitating its use with drinking cups from a variety of manufacturers. In this manner, the lid can conform to the shape of the drinking cup and accommodate cups with varying rim circumferences. 
         [0013]    In another example, the molded hood includes small nubs about 1 to 5 mm in height to improve the grip and shock absorption around the rim and sides of drinking cup, which gives added protection to the rim of the drinking cup when the lid is in place. 
         [0014]    In one example, a lid for drinking cups includes: a unitary body including a spout and a hood formed of silicone, the hood including a cylindrical portion configured to completely surround and cover the top rim on a variety of different size drinking cups preventing liquids from spilling out, wherein the hood includes a plurality of circumferentially disposed grips in the form of ridges and valleys. The spout may be a valve through which a straw may be placed. The silicone may be translucent such that contents of a drinking cup can be seen when the lid is in place over the rim of the drinking cup. The cylindrical portion may take the shape of various drinking cups onto which it is placed. 
         [0015]    In a preferred embodiment, the lid includes a high slip coating disposed on an inner surface of the body. The high slip coating may include HS-4, XC9603, and YC6831. When the lid is placed on a drinking cup, the hood portion covers the rim of the drinking cup and extends down over the side walls of the drinking cup 1 to 1.5 inches and the body has a thickness between about 1 mm and about 5 mm. 
         [0016]    The cylindrical portion may further include a plurality of nubs aiding a user when gripping the lid. 
         [0017]    For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain advantages of the invention have been described herein. Of course, it is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, for example, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. Moreover, a number of features are discussed throughout the specification with reference to particular embodiments. Nonetheless, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various other embodiments can be provided without departing from the scope of the invention, to include any and all combination of features discussed. 
         [0018]    These and other embodiments of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments having reference to the attached figures, the invention not being limited to any particular embodiment disclosed, except as provided by the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    The drawing figures depict one or more implementations in accord with the present concepts, by way of example only, not by way of limitations. In the figures, like reference numerals refer to the same or similar elements. 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  is a bottom view of a lid of the present invention. 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the lid shown in  FIG. 1 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the lid shown in  FIG. 1  placed over the top portion of a drinking cup. 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of another lid of the present invention shown in use with another drinking cup. 
           [0024]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the lid shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0025]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the lid shown in  FIG. 4 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a drinking cup, a silicone sleeve, and a lid of the present invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the elements shown in  FIG. 7  in a fully assembled form. 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the lid shown in  FIG. 7 . 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a lid including a valve for a drinking straw. 
           [0030]      FIG. 11  is a side view of the lid shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0031]      FIG. 12  is a top view of the lid shown in  FIG. 10 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 13  is a cross-sectional side view of the lid shown in  FIG. 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0033]    Referring now to the drawings, in particular  FIG. 1 , a lid  16  is shown embodying inventive aspects of the present disclosure. As shown, the lid  16  includes a hood  11  and a spout  10 . The hood  11  is intended to wrap over and around the open mouth of a drinking cup  12  to seal a liquid within. The spout  10  enables a user to drink the liquid sealed within the cup  12 . 
         [0034]    As shown, the lid  16  includes a venting hole  8  for venting the interior of a cup  12  over which the lid  16  is placed. This enables the spout  10  to operate more efficiently. The spout  10  includes holes  9  through which liquids may be sipped. Also shown, grips  7  are disposed on the side portion of a hood  11  to provide users with an improved grip and to help protect the rim  19  of the drinking cup  12 , which is particularly useful when the cup  12  is a glass cup  12 . The lid  16  is configured to provide an airtight seal to the outer surface of various size drinking cups  12  to prevent liquids from spilling out of the cups  12  when the lid  16  is in place. 
         [0035]    Although various sizes may be used, in the example shown, the spout is approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in height and the hood  11  has a thickness of approximately 1 to 1.5 mm. 
         [0036]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the grips  7  of the lid  16  are configured as raised dots arranged in patterns around the hood  11 . In the example shown, the grips  7  are shown in arc patterns, though the grips  7  may vary in number and may be arranged in an array of shapes and sizes. For example, in other embodiments, the grips  7  can be formed by recesses, or ridges, channels, or other variations of thickness of the hood  11  to provide increased grip for the user and shock absorption to protect the rim of a drinking cup  12 . The grips  7  may be strategically placed to help assist the user in gripping and maintaining grip on the drinking cup  12 . In one embodiment, the grips  7  have a rounded shape, but the grips  7  may also come in a variety of other shapes (e.g., square, triangular, rectangular, etc.). 
         [0037]    The hood  11  of the lid  16  is meant to conform to various sizes of drinking cups  12  to keep the lid  16  snugly fit, to stay in place, and to prevent liquids from spilling out of the cups  12 . Further, in the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the sipping spout  10  and hood  11  of the lid  16  are one-piece, whereby the sipping spout  10  is approximately 1 to 2 inches in height and the total height of the lid  16  is 2 to 2.5 inches in height. Of course, the sizes and relative proportions of the elements of the lid  16  may be adapted to fit varying sizes of cups  12 , as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art based on the disclosures provided herein. 
         [0038]    Turning back to  FIG. 1 , the hood  11  defines an opening  18  that allows the lid  16  to slide over various drinking cups  12 . The opening  18  stretches to take the shape of various drinking cups  12  to secure the lid  16  about the upper portion of the drinking cup  12 . In the example shown, the opening  18  has a diameter of about 2.5 inches. However, the diameter of the opening  18  can vary to match various sizes of cups  12 . 
         [0039]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , the hood  11  of the lid  16  allows the lid  16  to be pulled over the rim  19  of the drinking cup  12  to snugly fit around the drinking cup  12  and provide complete protection around the rim  19 . The lid  16  may be adapted to fit a wide range of drinking cups  12 , while maintaining its basic structure and quality. 
         [0040]    In the example shown, the lid  16  is formed of a medical-grade silicone material that is durable, yet flexible, to enable repeated placement and removal of the lid  16  onto and from the drinking cup  12 . The elasticity of the lid  16  allows it to be stretched and pulled and still fit snugly around the drinking cup  12 . The silicone material also allows the lid  16  to have a resilient quality, which enables the lid  16  to spring back to its original shape even after it is temporarily warped. 
         [0041]    The lid  16  further includes a high slip coating applied to its inner surface. The coating may include a phthalates material, such as phthalate esters. In a preferred embodiment, the high slip coating comprises a three-component system including HS-4 (silicone base), XC9603 (adhesion promoter), and YC6831 (catalyst and solvent), These mixtures can be obtained as pre-mixed formulations from GE Toshiba. The high slip coating may be disposed on substantially the entire inner surface of the hood  11 , which helps the lid  16  to be easily secured to and removed from the drinking cup  12 . 
         [0042]    In the example shown, the lid  16  is formed through an injection molding process to produce a lid  16  formed from a single piece of silicone. Thus, the lid  16  shown in  FIG. 1  is a continuous, unitary structure. However, other processes and materials can be used to obtain the advantage and objectives of the invention. 
         [0043]      FIG. 4  represents a second embodiment of a lid  16 . This example of the lid  16  includes a spout  10  in the shape of a bottle nipple and a hood  11  that allows the lid  16  to be pulled over the rim  19  of the drinking cup  12  to snugly fit around the drinking cup  12  and provide complete protection around the rim  19 . The lid  16  provides a spout  10  in the shape of a bottle nipple to allow babies to sip out of a drinking cup  12  instead of a baby bottle. The lid  16  may be adapted to fit a wide range of drinking cups  12 , while maintaining its basic structure and quality. 
         [0044]      FIG. 5  is a bottom view of the lid  16  shown in  FIG. 4 . The lid  16  includes a nipple-shaped spout  10  that is approximately 1 to 1.5 inches in height and includes a hole  13  through which liquids may be sipped. As further shown, grips  7  are disposed on the side portion of the hood  11  to provide improved grip and to help protect the rim  19  of the drinking cup  12 , specifically a glass cup  12 . In the example shown, the hood  11  has a thickness of approximately 1 to 1.5 mm and the lid  16  is configured to provide an fluid tight fit onto the outer surface of various size drinking cups  12  to prevent liquids from spilling out. 
         [0045]    As shown in  FIG. 6 , the grips  7  of the lid  16  are configured as raised dots arranged in patterns. The grips  7  may vary in number and may be arranged in an array of shapes and sizes. For example, in other embodiments, the grips  7  can be formed by recesses, or ridges, channels, or other variations of thickness of the hood  11  to provide increased grip for the user and shock absorption to protect the rim  19  of the drinking cup  12 . The grips  7  are strategically placed to help assist the user in gripping and maintaining grip on the drinking cup  12 . In the embodiment shown, the grips  7  have a rounded shape, but they may also come in a variety of other shapes (e.g., square, triangular, rectangular, etc.). 
         [0046]    In the example shown in  FIG. 6 , the hood  11  of the lid  16  is meant to conform to various sizes of drinking cups  12  to keep the lid  16  snugly in place and prevent liquids from spilling out. The spout  10  and hood  11  of the lid  16  are all one piece whereby the spout  10  is approximately 1 to 2 inches in height and the total height of the lid  16  is 2 to 2.5 inches in height. Of course, the sizes and relative proportions of the elements of the lid  16  may be adapted to fit varying sizes of cups  12 , as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art based on the disclosures provided herein. 
         [0047]      FIG. 7  shows another example of a lid  16  in which the grips  7  are embodied in ridges  21  and valleys  22  circling the perimeter of the hood  11 . As shown, the lid  16  may be used with a cup  12  and a silicone sleeve  23 , such as the silicone sleeve taught in U.S. Pat. No. 8,978,906 B2, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference, to fully enclose the cup  12  within a silicone shell formed by the combination of the lid  16  and the sleeve  23 . This configuration, shown in  FIG. 8 , completely secures and protects a glass cup  12  within the protective silicone shell. 
         [0048]      FIG. 9  shows another example of a lid  16  in which the hood  11  extends even further down the side of the cup  12 . This example of the lid  16  includes grips  7  embodied in the form of ridges  21  and valleys  22 , as well as bumpy knobs  24 . 
         [0049]      FIG. 10  shows yet another example of a lid  16  in which the spout  10  is a valve  25  adapted for use with a drinking straw. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 10  is adapted to turn any cup  12 , whether plastic, glass, metal, etc., into a straw-top cup in seconds. 
         [0050]      FIGS. 11-13  show the lid  16  of  FIG. 10  from the side ( FIG. 11 ), top ( FIG. 12 ), and as a side cross-section ( FIG. 13 ). These figures help to further illustrate the configuration of the example shown in  FIG. 10 . In this example, the outer diameter of the lid  16  is approximately 42 mm. The inner diameter of the hood  11  is approximately 40 mm, which means the walls of the hood  11  are approximately 1 mm thick, ranging between 0.7 mm in the valleys  22 , 1 mm at the ridges  21 , and wall thickness up to 1.5 mm in other areas, for example surrounding the spout  10 . The height of the hood  11  is approximately 40 mm. This specific configuration of the lid  16  may be most useful for pairing with cups  12  having a rim  19  with a diameter between an inch and a half and three inches. Increasing the height of the hood  11  may enable the lid  16  to pair with wider mouth cups  12 . Narrowing the inner diameter of the hood  11  may enable the lid to pair with narrower mouth cups  12 . 
         [0051]    Particularly with the embodiments of the lid  16  shown in  FIGS. 7-13 , the circumferential ridges  21  and valleys  22  make the lid  16  well adapted to seamlessly pair with cups  12  of varying dimensions. These configurations of the lid  16  are well-suited to provide a secure fit with all sorts of sizes of cups  12 . 
         [0052]    It should be appreciated from the foregoing that the present invention provides a universal lid for drinking cups configured to protect the drinking cup rim, to facilitate gripping, and to enable various size drinking cups to take a universal sipping lid to prevent liquids from spilling. 
         [0053]    It should be noted that various changes and modifications to the presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and without diminishing its attendant advantages.