Abstract:
A disposable drinking cup cap includes a lid attachable to an upper lip of a drinking cup and a steeper integrally formed from the lid. The steeper pivots between a first position wherein the steeper and the lid cooperatively partially cover an upper opening of the drinking cup, and a second position wherein the steeper extends into the drinking cup from the lid. The lid further includes a cover portion extending substantially over the upper opening of the drinking cup, and a lid retainer integrally formed from the cover portion and engageable with the upper lip of the drinking cup. Accordingly, the lid retainer extends about a periphery of the cover portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention generally relates to a liquid container cap with an integral steeper. More particularly, the present invention relates to a disposable hot drink cup lid having a multi-position integral steeper that adjustably immerses a teabag in a beverage solution. 
         [0002]    Beverages such as coffee, cocoa, tea, or the like are typically placed in a cup and covered with a disposable lid. Cups are generally manufactured from Styrofoam or other comparable paper material. For hot drinks, especially, the cup may include an insulation material disposed therearound. The corresponding lid fits over the top of the cup and is effective to prevent spillage. But, after lid placement, users may endeavor to add additional liquids or sweeteners such as milk, cream, flavor extracts, sugar, or the like. Typically, it is necessary to remove the lid so that users may add these desired ingredients. After removing the lid with one hand, the user basically has two choices. In one instance, the user sets the cup down on a stable surface and adds the desired ingredients with the hand originally holding the cup. If the user is unable to free the hand holding the cup, the user must release the lid in order to add the requisite ingredients. These actions are inconvenient and difficult, especially for on-the-go users. Moreover, such actions are even unsanitary in the latter instance. 
         [0003]    The aforementioned cups are especially unsatisfactory for use with flavored drinks that are prepared by immersing a porous bag, containing tea or another flavoring, in a liquid. Immersing a teabag, for example, in hot water allows soluble components from the tea to mix with the solution thereby producing the flavored beverage. This process is called steeping or brewing by infusion. Teabags absorb liquid and swell in size thereby increasing in weight during steeping. The longer the teabag remains in the hot water solution, the stronger the beverage tastes. Teabags remain in the hot water until the desired darkness and tea strength is achieved. Users must dispose of the teabag after removal. 
         [0004]    Cups typically include a cover or lid to prevent the beverage from splashing, spilling, or becoming contaminated from external substances. The lids are sized and shaped to fit on and around the edge of a drink container. Most lids are specifically designed for consumption rather than beverage preparation. Some lids include an opening sealed by a depressible tab or hinged flap. Other lids incorporate a small opening therein to allow beverage consumption from the side wall or through a straw. Straw insertion areas are typically formed by cutting two symmetrical crossing incisions through the lid. Users force the straw tip through the incised area to access the beverage. The lids are also typically configured for use with multi-sized cups, like disposable cups commonly used at fast food restaurants. These disposable lids are manufactured from a disposable plastic or other comparable material. Drinking cups generally have a circular upper lip or rim with a bead to receive and secure the lid thereon. Still other lids function to moderate beverage temperature to prevent cooling of a hot liquid or to prevent warming of a cold liquid. 
         [0005]    The aforementioned cups and lids generally do not anticipate use with a teabag. Tea is brewed by placing a teabag in hot water. The teabag is attached to a string that hangs over the outside edge of the cup. A finger tip sized tag is generally attached to the string at the opposite end of the teabag. These tabs frequently inadvertently fall into the cup when either pouring the hot water or stirring the beverage. The soggy string and tag are then fished out of the beverage in order to eventually remove the teabag. 
         [0006]    Teabags are suspended within the liquid portion of the cup to avoid having the tags or string fall to the cup bottom. This allows the consumer to immerse a teabag within the hot water without touching the teabag or liquid. In one design, the string is attached to the cup edge or cup walls. When the tag and string are attached to the cup wall, the distance the teabag extends into the liquid is relatively fixed. Hence, beverages can only be brewed while the hot water is high enough to immerse the bag therein. Unfortunately, placing the teabag near the cup top increases the risk of liquid splashing. Hot water splashing out of the cup may injure the person preparing, serving, or consuming the beverage. Splashing may also stain surrounding objects such as clothing or a tablecloth. In some instances the cup may become top-heavy when the teabag is attached to an outward extending cup wall. Top-heavy cups are prone to tipping and spilling. In particular, these cups are not suitable for preparation or consumption for users on-the-go. The teabag is removed by pulling the string when the teabag is brewed to user satisfaction. 
         [0007]    Prior art cup and lid combinations fail to address the growing need to accommodate tea drinkers unable to stop and wait for the steeping process. Current intricate cup and lid combinations designed to retain teabags are complicated in structure and are too costly to manufacture on a large scale. Hence, there are no practical disposable cup and lid combinations suitable for such use. Furthermore, the lids are not readily stackable and therefore cost more to ship and store. Other designs do not include a handle or other mechanism to retain the teabag tag. Users must manually dip the teabag in the hot water. This is particularly difficult for users on-the-go because users must hold the cup with one hand and manually dip the teabag with the other hand. These cups and lids do not provide a mechanism wherein the teabag is held in place during the steeping process or when the beverage is being consumed. Hence, many tea drinkers need two hands to support and manipulate the beverage cup, corresponding lid (if detached), and teabag. Users no longer have a free hand and must juggle the cup with other belongings. Furthermore, traditional teabag cups and lids are especially inconvenient for on-the-go users. Users with limited time are taxed by the extensive pre-use preparation process, especially when handling multiple items such as carry-out food, other beverages, a briefcase, or other work or travel related items. Manipulating and operating the cup, lid, and teabag is simply too much. 
         [0008]    Accordingly, there is a need for a disposable drink cup lid with an integral steeper. Such a lid should be easily stackable and cost effective to manufacture. The lid should incorporate the steeper such that a teabag, for example, is substantially immersed in the liquid held within the corresponding cup. Such a steeper should be located concentric to the corresponding cup and have multiple configurations that enable users to continually immerse a corresponding teabag as the beverage is consumed. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention is directed to a liquid container cap, preferably a disposable drinking cup cap generally including a lid and a steeper. The lid includes a cover portion extending substantially over an upper opening of the container. The lid may also include a peripheral lid retainer integrally formed from the cover portion and engageable with an upper lip of the container. A slit in the cover portion of the lid may be configured to selectively receive a straw. Alternatively, a drinking aperture in the lid is capable of dispensing the contents of the container (drinking cup) for consumption. 
         [0010]    The steeper preferably comprises a slit, a hook or an angled slot and is integrally formed from the lid. Accordingly, the steeper is defined in the cover portion by a set of scorelines therein. The steeper is pivotable between a first position wherein the steeper and the lid cooperatively partially cover the upper opening of the drinking cup, and a second position wherein the steeper extends into the drinking cup from the lid. The steeper may include a first extension pivotable about a hinge for positioning the steeper within the drinking cup. In one embodiment, a portion of the first extension is selectively detachable from the lid. In another embodiment, the steeper further includes a second extension coupled to the first extension. In this embodiment, the first extension fully detaches from the lid and remains coupled to the second extension via a hinge. Accordingly, the second extension pivots about a second hinge coupled to the lid. 
         [0011]    The disposable drinking cup cap of the present invention is preferably configured for nestable storage with other similar lids. The drinking cup cap may further include a flavoring agent selectively detachable from the steeper. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the flavoring agent comprises a tea bag. The steeper may also comprise a tab in place of the slit, hook or angled slot. 
         [0012]    Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a lid of the present invention having an integral hook steeper; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the lid of  FIG. 1 , further illustrating the steeper depressed along a first section; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the lid of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , further illustrating the steeper depressed along the first section and a second section; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the lid in  FIG. 1 , taken along the line  4 - 4 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the lid in  FIG. 2 , taken along the line  5 - 5 , and illustrating immersion of a teabag via a string; 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the lid in  FIG. 3 , taken along the line  6 - 6 , and illustrating further immersion of a teabag suspended by the actual teabag; 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a top view of the lid of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a top view of the lid in  FIG. 1 , further illustrating an alternative tab; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the lid of  FIG. 8 ; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the lid of  FIG. 8 , further illustrating depression of the tab; 
           [0024]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of  FIG. 9 , taken along the line  11 - 11 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of the lid in  FIG. 10 , taken along the line  12 - 12 , and illustrating the teabag suspended from the tab; 
           [0026]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an alternative lid incorporating a steeper and corresponding slot formed therein; 
           [0027]      FIG. 14  is a top view of the lid of  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0028]      FIG. 15  is a perspective view of the lid of  FIG. 13 , further illustrating depression of the steeper and the slot; and 
           [0029]      FIG. 16  is a cross-sectional view of the lid of  FIG. 15 , taken along the line  16 - 16 , and illustrating the teabag suspended from the steeper via the slot. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       [0030]    As shown in the exemplary drawings for purposes of illustration, the present disclosure for a disposable drink cup lid is referred to generally by the reference numeral  20 . Turning now to the representative figures in the specification,  FIG. 1  illustrates the lid  20  having a hook steeper  22  integral thereto. The lid  20  also includes a flange  24  disposed around the exterior of the lid  20 . The flange  24  engages a corresponding rib  26  ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ) formed around the exterior of a cup  28  (shown in phantom in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). In one embodiment, the rib  26  attaches to the flange  24  to form a snap tight closure to seal an interior chamber  30  of the cup  28 . The rib  26  may also attach to the flange  24  via any other method known in the art, including an adhesive, pressure fit, locking mechanism, or friction fit. The important aspect is that the rib  26  and the flange  24  form a liquid tight seal that prevents beverage from the interior chamber  30  from leaking or otherwise spilling. The interior chamber  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , retains hot water or another liquid as used in conjunction with the steeping process. 
         [0031]    The lid  20  may also include a sipping spout  32  formed integral to a raised ledge  34  as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 . The raised ledge  34  provides an adequate gap between the lid  20  and the top of the cup  28  to better facilitate exchange of the liquid from within the interior chamber  30  to a user endeavoring to consume the liquid therein. Hence, after filling the cup  28  with a liquid or other beverage, a user may dispense the contents of the interior chamber  30  through the sipping spout  32 . The sipping spout  32  is conveniently shaped to receive a flat straw (not shown) or manually dispense liquid therefrom. The flange  24  remains in liquid tight closure with the rib  26  to provide a sufficient seal that prevents leakage thereof. Users may securely dispense the contents of the interior chamber  30  through the sipping spout  32 . 
         [0032]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , the hook steeper  22  is depressed from an initial closed position ( FIG. 1 ) along a first section  35 . This first section  35 , as better shown in  FIG. 5 , extends the hook steeper  22  into the interior chamber  30  of the cup  28 . An end  36  (best shown in  FIG. 1 ) of the hook steeper  22  is configured to retain a string  38 , as shown in phantom in  FIG. 5 , or other similar attachment. Accordingly, the string  38  is connected to a teabag  40  or other comparable flavoring bag. Moreover, the teabag itself may attach directly to the end  36  ( FIG. 6 ). The hook steeper  22  may include additional sections for further lowering the teabag  40  within the interior chamber  30 . As best shown in  FIGS. 2 and 6 , the hook steeper  22  includes a second section  41 .  FIG. 6  specifically illustrates the hook steeper  22  depressed to a second depth within the interior chamber  30 . Accordingly, the teabag  40  in  FIG. 6  is located lower within the interior chamber  30 , relative the depth of the teabag  40  in  FIG. 5 . The additional second section  41  is preferably depressed after the user consumes beverage from the interior chamber  30 . The second section  41  is depressed so that the teabag  40  may be continually immersed within the liquid contained by the cup  28  as the liquid level decreases with consumption. The present invention provides that the hook steeper  22  may include additional sections. The sections may be smaller or larger depending on the needs of the consumer or the product immersed within the liquid contained by the cup  28 . The first section  35  and the second section  41  are merely provided as sample embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0033]    The hook steeper  22  is initially flush with a surface  42 . The hook steeper  22  is generally detachable from the surface  42  along a series of score lines forming the hook steeper  22  within the surface  42 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , the hook steeper  22  is detached and bent to a substantially perpendicular position to allow the teabag  40  to be immersed within the interior chamber  30  of the cup  28 . Any one of a number of hinges  44  separate the multiplicity of sections that comprise the hook steeper  22 . For example, the hook steeper  22  in  FIG. 5  has a depressed first section  35  that bends along the hinge  44 , as shown. The hook steeper  22  does not completely detach from the lid  20 . The hook steeper  22  is free to pivot about the hinge  44  without severing the connection with the surface  42 . The hinge  44  prevents the hook steeper  22  from detaching and falling to the bottom of the cup  28 . Likewise, when the hook steeper is detached from the surface  42  along the second section  41 , a second hinge  45  (best shown in  FIG. 6 ) provides similar pivoting of the hook steeper  22  relative to the surface  42  as hinge  44 . In  FIG. 6 , the hinge  44  is depressed into the interior chamber  30  and is no longer flush with the surface  42 . The hook steeper  22  is now able to pivot about the hinge  44  and the second hinge  45 . Therefore, the hook steeper  22  continually maintains the teabag  40  in a substantially immersed position within the interior chamber  30  of the cup  28  until the liquid is substantially dispensed. 
         [0034]      FIG. 8  alternatively illustrates the lid  20  having a tab  46 . The tab  46  functions similar to the hook steeper  22 . Depression thereof detaches the tab  46  from the surface  42  of the lid  20 . As better shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 , the tab  46  is depressed into the interior chamber  30  of the cup  28 . In this embodiment, the tab  46  is only depressible to a first position within the interior chamber  30 . Although the tab  46  may also be formed from multiple sections as disclosed with the hook steeper  22 . The tab  46  is initially flush with the surface  42  as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 . Depression detaches the tab  46  along the series of score lines. Thereafter, the tab  46  extends into the interior chamber  30 . Like the hook steeper  22 , the tab  46  also remains attached to the surface  42  via the hinge  44 . It is also within the purview of the present invention that the hook steeper  22  or the tab  46  may be detachable along the hinge  44 . The hinge  44  or the second hinge  45  may be detachable to allow a user to remove the teabag  40  and string  38  (if present) from within the interior chamber  30 . Such an embodiment is particularly conducive when the user wants to stop the steeping process. 
         [0035]    The lid  20  of the present invention is particularly preferred for use with the teabag  40  as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 12  and alternatively in  FIG. 6 . Although it is contemplated in the present invention that the lid  20  could be used with any beverage that requires immersion of a substance to facilitate a steeping or seeping process therein. The lid  20  is also particularly useful as it overcomes several deficiencies in the prior art. Travel savvy individuals that otherwise do not have time to monitor or manually place the teabag within the interior chamber  30  of the cup  28  are able to simply attach the string  38  (or teabag  40 ) to either the hook steeper  22  or the tab  46  for immersion within the corresponding liquid. The lid  20  of the present invention, as used with the hook steeper  22  or the tab  46 , facilitates the steeping process therein. Accordingly, travelers are able to hold the cup  28  with one hand. Conventionally, tea drinkers need to use two hands to facilitate the steeping process. One hand grasps the cup  28  while the other hand retains the teabag within the interior chamber  30 . 
         [0036]    Another advantage of the present invention is that the lid  20  is easily stackable to facilitate mass production for disposable applications. For example, the lid  20  is particularly useful in the fast food industry because the lid  20  is compact and inexpensive to manufacture. The lid  20  is preferably made from a plastic or other inexpensive material, but may also be made from any one of a number of different materials, including paper or Styrofoam. 
         [0037]      FIGS. 13-16  illustrate another alternative embodiment of the hook steeper  22  in accordance with the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the hook steeper  22  further incorporates a slot  48  formed therein. The slot  48  is similarly formed from the surface  42  of the lid  20  via the score lines shown in phantom in  FIGS. 13 and 14 . The slot  48  is preferably formed at an angle, as shown, relative to the outer portions of the hook steeper  22 . An angled slot  48  provides superior retention of the string  38  ( FIG. 16 ) therein relative to a straight slot (not shown). Moreover, the slot  48  may be formed from a variety of different designs, patterns, or zig zags. The slot  48  is also depressed inwardly from the surface  42  about the hinge  44 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . The hook steeper  22  and the slot  48  are similarly able to pivot about the hinge  44  without disengaging from the surface  42  of the lid  20 . 
         [0038]      FIG. 16  further illustrates an alternative embodiment of the lid  20  affixed to the top surface of the cup  28  by the rib  26 . In this embodiment, the hook steeper  22  and the corresponding slot  48  are depressed into the interior chamber  30  of the cup  28 . The hook steeper  22  is detached from the surface  42  along the score lines and pivoted about the hinge  44 . Preferably, the hook steeper  22  is pivoted to a position that is substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the surface  42 . The hook steeper  22  retains the string  38  by friction or by otherwise gripping the string  38  within the slot  48 . In this embodiment, the string  38  need not form a loop as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 12 . Accordingly, the teabag  40  is suspended within the interior chamber  30  by the string  38  as retained by the slot  48 . The teabag  40  remains within the liquid in the interior chamber  30  for the duration of the steeping process. Moreover, the teabag  40  may also incorporate a similar slot  50  for retaining an opposite end of the string  38 . 
         [0039]    Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made to each without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims.