Abstract:
A disposable leak-resistant lid and accompanying method for a place of sales for offering such a lid is described. The helically threaded lid is intended as an alternative to the traditional helically-threaded closure that accompanies most beverage containers are originally packaged with. The invention described is intended for children and would allow any container that utilizes the common screw-on caps to be modified into a sippy-cup.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates generally to a disposable leak-resistant device. More specifically, this application relates to a leak resistant disposable drinking lid for use by young children. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Leak-resistant lids are commonly known in the present art and are frequently associated with cups commonly referred to as “sippy cups”. These cups are most commonly used for young children who are prone to spill, or for the consumption of very hot fluid in which the intake of such a fluid should be regulated to avoid scalding. 
         [0003]    Sippy cup spouts often have small holes or slots that allow fluid to pass at a minimal rate when held upside down. Some spouts have larger holes than others to increase the ease of cleaning or for the passage of small drink particles, such us pulp or bits of fruit. Instead of constantly open holes or slots, some sippy cups utilize valves that completely restrict the flow of fluid until suction is applied. This design is preferred by one who wishes to reduce the rate of leakage when the cup is not in use, while sacrificing flow rate while the cup is in use. 
         [0004]    Disposable embodiments of the above inventions described above focus on leak-resistant cups used primarily in the home. Generally, an adult pours a child&#39;s beverage from a container into a sippy cup, thereby minimizing the risk of spilling. This method is inefficient, however, especially for the parent on the go. The hassle becomes more apparent when one considers the method taking place in a car. Beverages served in containers without straws, such as MILK CHUG, are commonly served at fast food restaurants, such as MCDONALDS™, and while these beverages offer a healthy alternative to soda, children are prone to spill the contents of the container the beverage is served in due to a lack of a leak-resistant lid. There remains a need for a disposable leak-resistant lid adapted to fit this type of container. More specifically, it would be desirable for a place of sales to offer various-sized disposable leak-resistant lids that are able to threadedly secure to a reciprocating, externally threaded fluid-holding container. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention addresses the above discussed need by providing a disposable leak-resistant lid that attaches threadedly to a reciprocating externally threaded fluid-holding container, wherein the container is not originally intended or packaged with such a lid. Rather, a consumer has the choice to modify the container by attaching the disposable leak-resistant lid disclosed herein. 
         [0006]    It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a disposable leak-resistant lid comprising: a crown, wherein the crown further comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface provides a spout, having a spout opening disposed to communicate the top surface with the bottom surface, and wherein only a minimal amount of liquid may pass through said spout opening unless sufficient suction is applied; and a lid skirt, wherein the lid skirt is associated circumferentially with said crown, and downwardly extends from said crown, and disposed to helically thread onto the externally threaded opening of a container for sealing such a container in a fluid-tight manner. 
         [0007]    It is another object of the invention to provide a disposable leak-resistant device comprising: a disposable container, wherein the container is defined by an interior cavity and top opening, wherein said top opening is associated with said interior cavity, wherein a stored liquid may freely pass from the container&#39;s interior cavity through said opening, and wherein said opening is externally, helically threaded, and able to receive a reciprocating helically threaded closure so that the newly formed seal is fluid-tight; and a disposable lid, comprising a crown and lid skirt, wherein the crown further comprises a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface provides a spout, having a spout opening disposed to communicate the top surface with the bottom surface, and wherein only a minimal amount of liquid may pass through said spout opening unless sufficient suction is applied, and wherein said lid skirt is associated circumferentially with said crown, and downwardly extends from said crown, and disposed to helically thread onto the reciprocating, externally threaded opening of said container for sealing said container in a fluid-tight manner. 
         [0008]    It is yet another object of the invention to provide a method of selling a disposable leak-resistant lid, comprising the steps of selling a beverage, wherein said beverage is packaged in a container, utilizing a traditional, helically-threaded closure, wherein said traditional closure restricts any fluid stored within said container to be able to pass through the opening of said container, unless said closure is unthreaded and removed; and offering the consumer the option of utilizing the disposable leak-resistant lid to attach to said container as an alternative to said closure. 
         [0009]    These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0010]    Various objects, features, and attendant advantages of the present invention will become more fully appreciated as the same becomes better understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the topside of the invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the underside of the invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the opening of a container. 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the invention. 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a cross sectional view of an embodiment of the invention. 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a block diagram of steps of practicing the inventive method, and is read starting from the upper left. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    In general terms, the invention concerns a device and method for adapting beverage containers, closed by means of traditional no-leak, lids, into leak-resistant containers for use by children. More particularly, the invention seeks to offer the ability to utilize a disposable leak-resistant lid as an alternative to the lid that a container is originally manufactured with. 
         [0018]    While the present invention and method is described herein with reference to one illustrative embodiment, it should be clear that the present invention should not be limited to the one embodiment. 
         [0019]    Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a disposable leak-resistant lid  100  is shown. The disposable leak-resistant lid  100  may consist of a crown  110 , wherein the crown is further comprised of a top surface  112  and a bottom surface  114 . The top surface  112  provides a spout  116  that is able to communicate the top surface  112  with the bottom surface  114  by means of a spout opening  118 . 
         [0020]    The spout opening  118  is designed to make the disposable leak-resistant lid  100 , restrictive to a large amount of fluid that may be evacuated from the spout opening at any single time. Spout opening  118  achieves this restrictive quality by allowing a substantial amount of liquid to pass only once sufficient suction is applied to the spout  116 . The spout opening  118  may consist of a plurality of holes (as shown), a single hole, slit(s), or slot(s). The size of the above mentioned openings would determine the amount of liquid and ease of which an amount of liquid is able to pass through said opening. 
         [0021]    The material the disposable leak-resistant lid  100 , and more particularly the spout  116 , is constructed of, may influence the restrictive quality of the lid. The disposable leak resistant-resistant lid  100  may be constructed of a self-healing membrane, in which the spout opening&#39;s  118  perimeter would slightly increase in size once suction is applied and slightly decrease in size once suction is stopped. 
         [0022]    Turning now to  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 , the underside of the disposable leak-resistant lid  100  is shown. A lid skirt  120  is associated circumferentially with the crown  110 . The exterior of the lid skirt  120  may be gripped by a user, and consist of a texture to make the leak-resistant lid more easily gripped and turned. The interior of the lid skirt  120  contains helical thread-tracks  122  intended to threadedly attach to the receiving thread-tracks  134 , exposed externally on the opening  132  of the container  130  ( FIG. 3 ). 
         [0023]    It should be appreciated that the disposable leak-resistant lid  100  is specifically manufactured to the specific dimensions necessary to attach to the container  130 . However, the invention is intended to be manufactured in various sizes, with various thread track types, in order to attach to various-sized openings of various containers. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4  shows an alternative embodiment  200  of the leak resistant lid. Here, a generally cone shaped lid is shown with a spout  216  located on the peak of the cone  252 , thereby creating a plateau on the top surface  212  of the leak resistant lid  200 . 
         [0025]    Turning now to  FIG. 5 , another alternative spout  316  of the disposable leak-resistant lid  300  is shown. Here, the spout is shown to include a valve assembly  350  that completely restricts fluid communication from the disposable leak-resistant lid&#39;s e 00  bottom surface e 14  to top surface e 12  until suction is applied. It should be appreciated that numerous valve assemblies are known in the field, and that any of which may work in conjunction with the invention described herein. 
         [0026]    With the foregoing background in mind, and referring now to the flowchart of  FIG. 6 , which summarizes elements of the method  500 , the novel method  500  may comprise the following steps. 
         [0027]    A step  502  is that of a place of sales providing a beverage to a consumer, wherein the beverage is packaged in a container utilizing a traditional helically threaded closure, wherein said traditional closure restricts any fluid stored within said container to be able to pass through the opening of said container, unless said closure is unthreaded and removed. 
         [0028]    Lastly, a step  504  is that of the place of sales offering the consumer the option of utilizing the disposable leak-resistant lid  100  to attach to said container as an alternative to said traditional closure. 
         [0029]    While the present invention has been described in connection with what is considered the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the present invention is not to be limited to the disclosed arrangements, but is intended to cover various arrangements which are included within the spirit and scope of the broadest possible interpretation of the appended claims so as to encompass all modifications and equivalent arrangements which are possible.