Abstract:
A cup lid for attachment to a disposable drinking cup having a center portion with an opening therein, a peripheral edge surrounding the center portion for engaging the drinking cup, a plug disposed outside the peripheral edge of the cup lid and connected to the peripheral edge of the cup by two flexible support arms for allowing the plug to be repositioned at the opening.

Description:
INDEX TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/562,781, filed Nov. 22, 2006 and also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. U.S. 60/739,525 entitled NON-SPILLABLE CUP LID FOR CONTAINER, filed Nov. 23, 2005 and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/824,520 entitled BEVERAGE LID HAVING AN INSERTABLE PLUG ATTACHED TO SAID LID filed Sep. 5, 2006 the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of Invention 
     The present invention relates to a removable lid for a cup. The lid being especially suited for disposable cups, to fit tightly over the top opening of a cup, which typically contains coffee or other beverages. The lid of the present invention is intended to limit and prevent unwanted spillage of the contents of the cup while allowing the user to drink the contents while the lid remains on the cup. 
     The present lid being simple and inexpensive to manufacture, competitive with cup lids without splash-proof capabilities. 
     2. Art Related to the Invention 
     Splash-proof lids for drinking cups to prevent unwanted loss or spillage of the contents of the cup that occurs when the cup is unintentionally moved are well known. Splash-proof cup lids with baffles are disclosed in prior patents including U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,488,173 and 6,305,571. However, these disclosed lids require multiple steps of assembly, are not unitary lids and thus are expensive, complicated to assemble and manufacture, and do not solve the problems addressed by the present invention. 
     Another example of a splash-proof lid is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,811,049, which discloses a one-step molding process for forming a lid, whereby a chamber is created by rotating a bottom lid section against the underside of the lid. However, to form the chamber, an edge of the bottom lid section must mate with the circumferential snap-fitting portion of the lid. Not only is the chamber not sealed, but the integrity of the snap-fitting relationship between the cup and underside of the lids is interrupted, allowing for leaks. A preferred embodiment requires the bottom lid section must snap to the underside of the lid. The lid does not mate as a unitary layer with the cup along the entire snap-fitting portion and therefore compromises the integrity of the seal between the lid and the cup. 
     U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US 2006/0005369, discloses a cup lid with two snap together pieces to form a removable plug. This apparatus is expansive to assemble and manufacture, and, likewise, does not solve the problems addressed by the present invention. 
     A well-known method of manufacturing cup lids of the type used for coffee to-go cups and soft drinks is by vacuum forming, a plastic thermoforming process that involves forming thermoplastic sheets into three-dimensional shapes through the application of heat and pressure. This vacuum forming allows cup lids to be manufactured very inexpensively, provided the lid can fit within a clamshell type molding system. In general terms, vacuum forming refers to sheet forming methods, including drape forming, which is one of the most popular. Basically during vacuum forming processes, plastic material is heated until it becomes pliable, and then it is placed over a mold and drawn in by a vacuum until it takes on the desired shape. Vacuum thermoforming is used for producing plastic parts that have sharp details, close mold tolerances and fit to specific products. 
     As well know in the art, during the vacuum forming process, a sheet of heated plastic material is placed over a male or female mold. The mold then moves towards the sheet and presses against it to create a seal. Next, the application of a vacuum draws out the air between the mold and the sheet so that the plastic conforms to the mold exactly. When the curing temperature is reached and the piece is formed, air blows back into the mold and separates the new part from the mold. This process resembles the two potions of a clamshell that close upon one another. Articles suitable for this process must be formed of a single piece so that only one close and open sequence is required to completely form the article. 
     An advantage of the vacuum forming process is that plastic parts can be made with close mold tolerances and details for friction-fit assembly. Sharp, precise detail is available for many products, which makes vacuum formed plastics an attractive alternative to other molding processes. 
     There is a need for a simplified splash-proof lid, which can function with a conventional disposable cup, which is easy and inexpensive to manufacture, stack, ship, easy to use, and aesthetically pleasing to a user. 
     Therefore, it is an object of the present invention that a unitary lid be manufactured by vacuum form process or similar process that is inexpensive to make. 
     It is another object of the present invention that a splash-proof lid have a chamber in fluid communication with a drinking hole and the interior of the cup. It is another object of the present invention that the peripheral edge of the lid be in continuous contact with the cup edge. 
     It is an object of the present invention that the lid be a single or unitary piece that does not require assembly. 
     It is another object of the present invention that the lid may be made by any of the manufacturing processes known in the art. 
     It is another object of the present invention that the lid be manufacturable with a clamshell mold system. 
     It is another object of the present invention that the lid be disposable. 
     It is another object of the present invention that the lid be re-closeable. 
     It is another object of the present invention that the lid be non-disposable. 
     It is another object of the present invention that the lid be airtight. 
     It is another object of the present invention that the closing means be removable after placement in the well. 
     It is another object of the present invention that the lid seal on the cup and be drip free. 
     It is another object of the present invention that the lid seal on peripheral edges of the top of the cup. 
     It is another object of the present invention that a plug be detachable for insertion in a well to form a chamber. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is an improvement in manufactured lids, which includes a sealing plug with or without an opening, sized to preferable be pressed into a drink opening or recess where the sealing plug is connected to the cup lid by a hinge that does not require assembly of the sealing plug to the cup lid. 
     In one embodiment of the present invention provides for A unitary lid for a drinking cup comprising:
         (a) a circular disc having a single layer snap-fitting periphery for engagement with a cup rim;   (b) a drinking hole positioned in said disc adjacent said snap-fitting periphery of said disc;   (c) a closing means or closure attachment forming a part of said unitary lid; and   (d) a chamber formed within said unitary disc, said chamber having a bottom chamber portion and an upper portion formed by the vertical sides of said chamber and lower portion which extends below the horizontal plane of said disc, said chamber having at least one inlet formed in the bottom chamber portion. When said plug also comprises an exit hole, the hole in the chamber is not in vertical alignment with the drinking hole on the plug.       

     As described in the present invention, a unitary lid refers to a configuration by which the manufactured article comprises a single contiguous piece. 
     The lid of the present invention comprises a plug positioned on the peripheral edge of a cup lid for rotatable engagement on the upper side of the lid within a well to form a chamber. The inner circumference of the wall acts as a receiver for the plug, and the plug and well engage with a snap-fit relationship. 
     In one embodiment, the lid of the present invention provides for a closing means that is rotatably attached to said disc along said snap periphery of said disc. In a preferred embodiment, the closing means or closure attachment is attached to support arms that rotate into position to engage the closing means or closure attachment with the engagement means on the lid. Optionally, these support arms may further include indentations along either the upper, lower, or both horizontal surfaces that serves as a pinch point. The pinch point in the present invention provides a point at which the support arms form an angular vertex allowing for closure of the plug into the engaging means. The pinch point is not required to practice all embodiments of the present invention, most preferred, the closing means or closure attachment engages the engaging means on the upper surface of the lid. To engage the closing means, the user rotates the closing means or closure attachment and positions the closing means or closure attachment such that it engages the receiving means in a snap-fit relationship. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the closing means or closure attachment comprises a plug that rotates with support arms that are a unitary part of said unitary lid to engage with said closing means or closure attachment on the upper surface of said lid. 
     In one embodiment, the lid of the present invention interacts with the edge of a cup to form a friction seal. The friction seal of the present invention provides a better seal than other attempts because the entire circumference is sealed with a single layer of material on the underside of the lid in direct and contiguous contact with the upper edge of the cup. 
     In one embodiment, a plug may further include a drinking hole incorporated onto the surface of the plug that will be the upper surface when the plug is engaged with the closing means. 
     In an alternative embodiment, the plug is a unitary part of the cup lid that is attached to the lid in a manner that it may be readily detached and placed in position to interact with the engagement means to effectuate closure of a drinking hole. 
     In a further embodiment, a chamber comprises a top chamber portion that is formed in said disc and has an upper portion that is coplanar with the horizontal upper planer surface on the upper portion of the lid. The chamber has an inlet that is in either the sidewall or bottom wall of the chamber portion. 
     Further, there may be two or more inlets formed in said chamber portion. The size of the chamber may also be varied (e.g. made larger or smaller depending on preference). 
     The bottom chamber portion may be peaked at its center and slanted downward towards said end walls and further may be shaped as an arcuate tube, concentric with said arcuate side of said bottom lid section. 
     Further contemplated in the present invention is the ability for numerous lids to interconnect so they nest in one another in a stacking arrangement and are easily packed and shipped in bulk. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of the cup lid of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a sectional view of the cup lid of the present invention mounted on a cup, along section lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , with the closure means in an open position. 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the cup lid of the present invention mounted on a cup, along section lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 , but shown with the closure means in a closed position forming a chamber. 
         FIG. 4 , an alternate embodiment, is a sectional view of the cup lid similar to  FIG. 2 , with the closure means in the open position. 
         FIG. 5  the alternate embodiment of  FIG. 4 , is shown in a sectional view of the cup lid, with the closure means in the closed position. 
         FIG. 6  is a top view of another alternate embodiment whereby the fluid openings are circular, the well has two openings in a different location and arms shown with pinch points. 
         FIG. 7  a top view of another alternate embodiment with the closure means in a closed position and no opening in the closure means. 
         FIG. 8A  a side view of the support arm shown in  FIG. 6 . from lines  8 A,B,C- 8 A,B,C showing a pinch point congruent on both surfaces. 
         FIG. 8B  a side view of the support arm shown in  FIG. 6 . from lines  8 A,B,C- 8 A,B,C showing an alternative pinch point on one surface. 
         FIG. 8C  a side view of the support arm in  FIG. 6 . from lines  8 A,B,C- 8 A,B,C showing another alternative pinch point that is convex on both surfaces. 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged schematic drawing of chamber  36  generally taken from  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 10A  is a top view showing another alternate embodiment whereby the closure means is detachable from the cup lid for placement directly within the well. 
         FIG. 10B  is a side view taken from  FIG. 10A  along section lines  10 B- 10 B. 
         FIG. 11A  is a top view of an alternative embodiement of the cup lid whereby plug  16 ′″ has been detached from the cup lid and is placed within well  15 . 
         FIG. 11B  is a sectional view along lines  11 B- 11 B of  FIG. 11A  whereby plug  16 ′″ has been detached from the cup lid and is placed within well  15 . 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded schematic drawing view from  FIG. 2  of the relationship of the peripheral edge  13  and cup  23 . 
         FIG. 13  is an enlarged schematic drawing view from  FIG. 2  of the relationship of the peripheral edge  13  and cup  23 . 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged schematic drawing of chamber  36  showing plug  16 ″ from the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , sectioned at line  14 - 14  of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The unitary splash-proof beverage lid  10  of the present invention is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Cup lid  10  comprises a disc  11 , having a center portion  12 , a peripheral edge area  13 , a first fluid opening  14 , and a well  15 . A plug  16  is formed as a unitary part of cup lid  10  and is connected to disc  11  by a pair of support arms  17  and  18 , at the peripheral edge  13  of disc  11 . First arm  17  is connected to edge  13  at pivot  19  and second arm  18  is connected to edge  13  at pivot  20 . Arms  17  and  18  are flexible, concentric, and spaced apart, from peripheral edge  13 . Plug  16  is rotateable at pivots  19  and  20  relative to disc  11 . Plug  16  has a second fluid opening  21  and is connected to said arms  17  and  18  at neck  22 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 3  cup lid  10  is mounted on a cup  23  (shown in  FIG. 2  as a partial cup). Disc  11  fits on cup  23  in a snap-fitting peripheral arrangement, such that lid  10  is in constant uninterrupted contact with the top circumferential edge  24  of cup  23 . Cup  23  may be at least partially filled with liquid  25 . Lid  10  has an air vent opening  26 . 
     The underside of peripheral edge  13  is constructed and arranged to releasably attach to the upper circumferential edge  24  of cup  23 .  FIGS. 12 and 13  are sectional views of the arrangement of lid  10  and cup  23 . Lid  10  is releasably attached to cup  23  with a snap-fit, or friction-fit, type of mechanical engagement. Lid  10  has underside outer vertical wall  27 , underside interior vertical wall  28 , and underside interior horizontal wall  29  that interact as a single contiguous contact surface with top circumferential portion of cup  23 . Said walls  27 ,  28 , and  29  interact with the outside top wall  27 ′, inside top wall  28 ′ and top edge  29 ′ respectively of cup  23 , to make the snap-fit/friction fit. 
     As seen in  FIG. 9 , well  15  has an interior vertical circumferential wall  30  and a floor wall surface  31 . Said floor  31  has an opening previously identified as first fluid opening  14  to allow flow of liquid  25  through lid  10  when cup  10  is tilted for drinking purposes. Plug  16  has circumferential sidewall  32 , a floor wall surface  33 , and a circumferential lip  34 . 
     The height of interior circumferential wall  30  extends from floor  31  to a circumferential drinking edge  35  of lid  10 . The height of circumferential sidewall  32  of plug  16  extends from floor  31  to circumferential lip  34 . 
     Plug  16  is constructed and arranged to fit within well  15  with a friction-fit or a snap-fit type of mechanical engagement. Preferably plug  16  will be releasable from well  15  though it may also be desirable to have plug  16  permanently fit or permanently snap within well  15 . 
     It is preferable that circumferential lip  34  contact circumferential drinking ledge  35  to form a smooth upper drinking surface  41  which would include drinking ledge  35  and lip  34 . 
     Circumferential wall  30  of well  15  is constructed and arranged to be of greater height than the height of circumferential sidewall  32  of plug  16 , such that a chamber  36  is formed when plug  16  is inserted into well  15 . 
     Chamber  36  is formed by the lower portion of circumferential wall  30  (below plug  16 ), the top of floor wall  31 , and the bottom of floor wall  33 . As can be seen in  FIGS. 3 and 9 , there is fluid communication between the interior of cup  23  through first drinking hole  14 , through chamber  36 , and through second drinking hole  21 . Chamber  36 , may include an air vent to atmosphere (not shown) in floor wall  31  or fall wall  33 , or to the interior of cup  23  in sidewall  30 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , when plug  16  is placed within well  15 , a second well, drinking well  37  is formed. The depth of drinking well  37  equal to the height of circumferential wall  32 . Preferably the depth of well  37  will be as shallow as possible and chamber  36  will be correspondingly larger. The variable for altering the chamber  36  size during the manufacturing process will be to increase the height of wall  30  and decrease the height of wall  32 . 
     Well  15 , plug  16  and chamber  36  interact. The chamber  16  thus can be of any size shape—subject to the interrelationships and other outside forces, as long as the circumferential wall  32  of plug  16  can sufficiently engage the circumferential wall  30  of well  15  in a frictional-fit/snap-fit relationship. 
     An alternate embodiment is shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . In this embodiment the well  15 ′ and plug  16 ′ have been inverted. They still interact to form a chamber  36 ′. 
     Other alternate embodiments are shown in  FIG. 6 , with two first fluid openings  14  in a different shape, round, and in alternate locations closer to the peripheral edge  13  of lid  10 . Also, second fluid opening  21  is of a round shape. Said fluid openings  14  and  21  can be of a variety of shapes and sizes and can be in various locations to provide fluid communication from within cup  23  through openings  14  and  21  of chamber  36 . Additionally, arms  17  and  18  may have pinch points  38  and  39 . 
     As seen in  FIGS. 3 ,  5 , and  7 , when plug  16  is rotated to engage well  15 , arms  17  and  18  flex accordingly in a bow fashion. Referring to  FIG. 6 , pinch point  38  on arm  17  and pinch point  39  on arm  18  will result in less flexing of arms  17  and  18 , in the rotated position. With the pinch points  38  and  39 , arms  17  and  18  will fold in a flatter position, such that said arms  17  and  18  in the folded position will be closer to lid  10 . Pinch points  38  and  39  are made during the manufacturing process, and it is well known in the art, to weaken a point such that said weakened point will form an angular vertex upon application of force to create a fold in said arms  17  and  18 . 
       FIG. 8  is a side view of three possible embodiments of the pinch point  38  on support arm  17 . There may be a single indentation on only one horizontal surface, complementary, congruent indentations on each of the upper and lower horizontal surface of support arm  17 , or convex indentations opposite each other on both the upper and lower horizontal surfaces of support arm  17 . 
     In another alternate embodiment, it is often desirable to releasably seal the drink opening. As shown in  FIGS. 7 and 14 , plug  16 ″ does not have a fluid opening. Well  15  in this embodiment as in the other embodiments has a first fluid opening  14  to provide fluid communication to cup  23 . Plug  16 ″ in this embodiment being removable, is inserted into well  15  in the friction-fit/snap-fit relationship as previously described. Thus providing a leak-proof sealing arrangement for lid  10 , when it is desired to have a cup lid  10  with such characteristics. In this embodiment, a user can insert plug  16 ″ when it is desired to seal fluid opening  14 , for example, to prevent any leaks or spills, or, to keep a beverage hot or cold, to close or cover the drinking hole opening  14 . Then when the user desires to drink the fluid the plug  16 ″ can be removed, while at the same time plug  16 ″ remains connected to cup  10  by arms  17  and  18  in close proximity to lid  10 , for insertion again into well  15  when desired. 
     In yet another embodiment, as shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , plug  16 ′″ can be releasably attached to lid  10 , such that it can be removed from lid  10  and placed into well  15  in a snap-fit, friction-fit relationship as previously described, but without arms  17  and  18 . In this embodiment, plug  16 ′″ is detachably connected to cup lid  10  by a breakable tab  40 . When plug  16 ′″ is removed from lid  10  it is placed and held in well  15  with a friction-fit as previously described. This allows drinking from the splash proof lid  10 , as previously described where there is fluid communication from inside cup  23  through opening  14 , chamber  36  and opening  21 . 
     In addition, though wall  15  and plug  16  have been shown and depicted as round, it is also within the scope of this invention that the well and plug can be different shapes and sizes including oval, square, rectangular, kidney, etc. 
     While the invention has been described in its preferred form or embodiment with some degree of particularity, it is understood that this description has been given only by way of example and that numerous changes in the details of construction, fabrication, and use, including the combination and arrangement of parts, may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.