Patent Description:
Disposable containers are widely used in this modern society, especially for beverages of daily needs, such as water, coffee, and tea. Disposable containers (e.g., cups) per se are often made of materials like papers, cardboards, plastics, laminated materials and etc., but the lids for mounting on the containers are mostly made from plastics. Having the container and the lid made from different materials results in leaking or dripping due to the problem of imperfect sealing between the cup and the lid.

To address this issue, securing components are constructed on the lid to ensure the cup and the lid are tightly sealed. For example, <CIT>) described a packaging system (e.g., a disposable cup) comprising a container and a flexible overcap attached thereto, the flexible overcap includes a gasket having two surfaces respectively for sealing the container and adhering to the overcap, so that an air-tight seal between the container and the overcap may be achieved.

However, once a tight seal is formed between the cup and the lid, it creates another issue. In the case when the cup is filled with hot beverages, the pressure inside the cup immediately rise due to the rising temperature, which inevitably leads to sudden spouting of the hot liquid when the lid is opened (e.g., when a user opens the lid to drink).

To address this problem, small apertures (e.g., air holes) are created on the lid for discharging steams inside the closed space of the cup to balance the pressure inside and outside the cup. However, the inclusion of additional air holes increases the likelihood of liquid spillage and leakage, especially during transportation or delivery of drinks An example of a lid overcoming this issue is shown in <CIT>, which comprises the features of the preamble of claim <NUM>.

In view of the foregoing, there exists in the related art a need for an improved structure of lid, in which the lid and the cup remain air-tight seal while minimizing the likelihood of liquid being over-spilled and/or leaked from the container.

As described herein, the present invention aims to provide a lid for mounting on a cup, according to claim <NUM>. According to the invention, the lid has an improved structure feature that may minimize the likelihood of liquid being over-spilled and/or leaked from the cup, while maintaining the tight seal between the lid and the cup when the lid is fitted over the brim of the cup.

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention is directed to a lid for mounting on a cup opening defined by a brim of a cup body. The lid comprises a cover having a substantially planar portion and a recessed opening disposed on the cover; a side wall disposed around the periphery of the cover; a flange extended from the bottom edge of the side wall and forms a trench space for accommodating the brim of the cup body when the lid is mounted on the cup opening; and a breathable film disposed below the substantially planar portion and covered the recessed opening of the cover. The cover and the breathable film of the present lid are integrally formed into a single piece.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the side wall is characterized in having a part of the side wall forming a stepped portion above and around a part of the cover, wherein the stepped portion is disposed opposite the recessed opening.

In some embodiments of the present disclosure, the stepped portion has a drinking aperture disposed thereon.

According to a preferred embodiment, the lid further comprises a plug configured to fit into the drinking aperture.

According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the flange has at least one notch disposed on the bottom edge thereof; and at least one retainer protruded toward the trench space.

In some preferred embodiments, the lid further comprises a securing member, which comprises a circular frame and at least one tab, in which the circular frame is disposed within the trench space; and the tab extends downwardly from the circular frame along the outer surface of the flange and covers the notch.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the cover, the breathable film, and the securing member are independently made of the same or different material selected from the group consisting of acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS), cellulose ethers, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, poly(ether-block-amide)(PEBA), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), polyether ester (PEE), polyethylene (PE, including ultra-low density polyethylene (ULDPE) and very low density polyethylene (VLDPE)), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyhydroxyl ethers, polyolefins (PO), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polystyrene-acrylonitrile (PSAN), polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl cyclohexane, silicone, stryrene-maleicanhydride (SMA), styrenic thermoplastic elastomer (TPS), thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE), and a combination thereof. In some examples, the cover and the breathable film are independently made of polypropylene (PP); and the securing member is made of polyurethane (PU).

According to preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, the breathable film is characterized in having a plurality of micropores that are permeable to steam and gas but impervious to liquid droplets.

According to some preferred embodiments, the breathable film and the recessed opening are taken together to form a concave cavity.

By virtue of the above configuration, the thus-produced lid provides an improved structure feature - i.e., the breathable film covering the recessed opening on the cover of the lid, for balancing the gas pressure inside and outside the cup via allowing stem to dissipate therefrom, thus minimizing the likelihood of liquid being over-spilled from the container.

Many of the attendant features and advantages of the present disclosure will becomes better understood with reference to the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The present description will be better understood from the following detailed description read in light of the accompanying drawings, where:.

In accordance with common practice, the various described features/elements are not drawn to scale but instead are drawn to best illustrate specific features/elements relevant to the present invention. Also, like reference numerals and designations in the various drawings are used to indicate like elements/parts.

The detailed description provided below in connection with the appended drawings is intended as a description of the present examples and is not intended to represent the only forms in which the present example may be constructed or utilized. The description sets forth the functions of the example and the sequence of steps for constructing and operating the example. However, the same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by different examples, within the scope of the appended claims.

For convenience, certain terms employed in the specification, examples and appended claims are collected here. Unless otherwise defined herein, scientific and technical terminologies employed in the present disclosure shall have the meanings that are commonly understood and used by one of ordinary skill in the art. Also, unless otherwise required by context, it will be understood that singular terms shall include plural forms of the same and plural terms shall include the singular. Specifically, as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms "a" and "an" include the plural reference unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Also, as used herein and in the claims, the terms "at least one" and "one or more" have the same meaning and include one, two, three, or more.

Throughout the present disclosure, the term "container" is intended to include any article, receptacle, or vessel utilized for storing, dispensing, packaging, or portioning items. Examples of the container include, but are not limited to, a cup, jar, bottle, bowl, plate, carton, case, crate, dish, or other types of holders. The term "disposable container" as used in this specification refers to a container that has the characteristics typically associated with disposable materials. However, the use of the term "disposable" does not mean that the container must necessarily only be a single-use container and that it be discarded after only one use. According to certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the container is used to hold beverages, especially hot drinks.

Throughout the present disclosure, the "lid" is made by injection molding techniques well-known in the art. The term "injection molding" refers broadly to any technique for injecting one or more materials (i.e., injectant) into a mold to produce an article with the desired shape or configuration. Non-limiting examples of the material suitable to be used as the injectant include thermoplastic polymer, thermosetting polymer, elastomer, light-curing polymer, metal, glass, and ceramic.

The present disclosure aims to provide an improved lid for use with a disposable container, in which the lid has a unique design that allows steam or hot air to leave the container thereby minimizes the likelihood of subsequent sudden spouting of the liquid from the container.

Accordingly, the objective of the present disclosure is directed to a lid characterizing in having a breathable film integrally formed therein for discharging air when the lid is fitted over the brim of the container.

As could be appreciated, the present container may be a cup, which has a cup opening defined by a brim of a cup body for containing beverages, and the lid is mounted on the brim to cover the cup opening.

According to various embodiments of the present disclosure, the present lid is intended to be fitted over the brim of the cup to cover the opening of the cup, and prevent the content held in the cup from coming out of the cup easily, and accordingly, the flange of the lid should substantially match the brim of the cup so as to tightly held the cup in place.

Reference is now made to <FIG>, which illustrates a lid <NUM> according to one aspect of the present disclosure. The lid <NUM> comprises in its structure, a cover <NUM> having a substantially planar portion <NUM> and a recessed opening <NUM>, a side wall <NUM> disposed around the periphery of the cover <NUM>, a flange <NUM> extended from the bottom edge of the side wall <NUM> and forms a trench space S, and a breathable film <NUM> covering the recessed opening <NUM>.

As depicted, the recessed opening <NUM> is disposed near the edge of the cover <NUM>, and is recessed below the surface of the substantially planar portion <NUM>. However, it should be noted that the recessed opening <NUM> may be disposed at any location on the cover <NUM>. The breathable film <NUM> is disposed below the substantially planar portion <NUM> and covered the recessed opening <NUM>. Preferably, the breathable film <NUM> is integrally formed with the cover <NUM> into a single piece. Alternatively or optionally, the breathable film <NUM> and the cover <NUM> may be independently formed and then bind together (e.g., by use of an adhesive).

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, the lid <NUM> is made by injection molding. Injection molding is a manufacturing process, in which an injectant, mostly a polymer, is heated until it becomes pliable, and then injected into the cavity of a mold, where it cools and hardens into the configuration of the cavity. Examples of injectant suitable for manufacturing the lid <NUM> of the present disclosure include, but are not limited to, acrylonitrile-butadiene styrene (ABS), cellulose ethers, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, poly(ether-block-amide)(PEBA), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), polyether ester (PEE), polyethylene (PE, including ultra-low density polyethylene (ULDPE) and very low density polyethylene (VLDPE)), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyhydroxyl ethers, polyolefins (PO), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polystyrene-acrylonitrile (PSAN), polyurethane (PU), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinyl cyclohexane, silicone, stryrene-maleicanhydride (SMA), styrenic thermoplastic elastomer (TPS), thermoplastic polyester elastomer (TPEE), and a combination thereof.

According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, at least one injectant is used to form the present lid <NUM> by injection molding, in which the cover <NUM>, the side wall <NUM>, the flange <NUM>, and the breathable film <NUM> are integrally formed into one piece. Further, the cover <NUM> and the breathable film <NUM> may be independently formed from the same or different injectants. In the case when two injectants are used in injection molding, both injectants may be injected simultaneously or sequentially according to well-known processes. In some embodiments, the cover is formed by a first injectant such as PP; while the breathable film is formed by a second injectant such as PE. In embodiments where two injectants are used, at least one of them is a food grade material. Alternatively or optionally, at least one of the injectants is a biodegradable material. In other embodiments, only one injectant (e.g., PP or PE) is used to form the present lid <NUM>. In some examples, PP is used to form both the cover <NUM> and the breathable film <NUM> into the lid <NUM>. In other examples, PE is used to form both the cover <NUM> and the breathable film <NUM> into the lid <NUM>.

Preferably, the breathable film <NUM> is formed by latitude and longitude threads of an injectant (e.g., wefts and warps of PP, or wefts and warps of PE) woven together, thereby forming a film having micropores that are permeable to steams and gases, but impervious to droplets of a liquid. In other words, the steam of a hot beverage, but not beverage in the form of liquid droplets, may escape from the micropores of the breathable film. By this manner, the pressure inside and outside the cup comes to an equilibrium, thereby reducing the likelihood of sudden spouting of the beverage from the cup when drinking or during transporting.

References are now made to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG>, which are directed to a lid <NUM> in accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure. Similar to the lid <NUM> described above, the lid <NUM> in this embodiment also comprises in its structure, a cover <NUM>, a side wall <NUM>, a flange <NUM> and a breathable film <NUM>; and the cover <NUM> also has a substantially planar portion <NUM> and a recessed opening <NUM>, in which the bottom of the recessed opening <NUM> is covered by the breathable film <NUM>. Preferably, the cover <NUM> and the breathable film <NUM> are integrally formed into a single piece (see <FIG> and <FIG>). As better illustrated in the cross-sectional view in <FIG>, the edge of the recessed opening <NUM> transits into the breathable film <NUM> smoothly, without any gap or crevice therebetween; allowing the recessed opening <NUM> and the breathable film <NUM> to be taken together and form a concave cavity (denoted as "C"), in which stem (but not liquid droplets) of a hot beverage may be dissipated from the film <NUM> and accumulated in the concave cavity C in the form of water drops upon contacting the relatively cooler air outside the cup.

Further, as depicted in <FIG>, the side wall <NUM> of the lid <NUM> has a stepped portion <NUM> that is formed above and around a part of the cover <NUM>. Preferably, the stepped portion <NUM> is disposed opposite the recessed opening <NUM> (i.e., away from the recessed opening <NUM>); and a drinking aperture <NUM> is constructed and disposed on the step portion <NUM>, allowing the user to sip or drink therefrom. In addition, having the drinking aperture <NUM> disposed at a position away from the recessed opening <NUM> may also reduce the likelihood of any liquid blocking or plugging the breathable film <NUM> when the cup is tilted (i.e., when the user drinks). Additionally or optionally, an additional plug <NUM> may be inserted into the drinking aperture <NUM> to prevent liquid from spilling out of the cup from the drinking aperture <NUM>. The plug <NUM> suitable for use in the present disclosure is not limited to certain sizes and/or shapes, as long as it conforms with the configuration of the drinking aperture <NUM> and forms a tight sealing when inserted therein.

References are now made to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, particularly to the trench space S, which is defined by two side walls of the flange <NUM> forming a U-shaped space, where the brim of the cup (not shown) can be tightly held in that space when the lid <NUM> is mounted to the brim of the cup. To ensure a tight seal may be formed between the cup and the lid <NUM>, the flange <NUM> is designed to comprises at least one notch <NUM> at its bottom edge (see <FIG>), and a retainer <NUM> protruded inwardly towards the trench space S (see <FIG> and <FIG>). Both the notch <NUM> and the protruded retainer <NUM> serve the purpose for holding the brim of the cup in place, when the lid <NUM> is fitted over the brim of the cup.

In addition, the flange <NUM> further comprise a securing member <NUM> to help securing the lid <NUM> with the cup. As depicted in the enlarged view of <FIG>, the securing member <NUM> comprises a circular frame <NUM> and at least one tab <NUM>. The circular frame <NUM> is substantially a ring shape and disposed within the trench space S, or on the inner surface of the lid <NUM> that faces the cup opening. When the lid <NUM> is mounted onto the cup opening, the circular frame <NUM> would be attached to the brim and at least a portion of the cup body; at the same time, the tab <NUM> would extend downwardly from the circular frame <NUM> along the outer surface of the flange <NUM> to cover the notch <NUM> of the flange <NUM>. The tab <NUM> also serves the purpose of preventing the lid <NUM> being slit from the notch <NUM>, thereby improving the structural integrity of the lid <NUM>. Accordingly, the tab <NUM> is preferably no shorter than the width of the bottom opening of the notch <NUM>, such that the lower edge of the tab <NUM> is disposed across the bottom of the notch <NUM>. The tab <NUM> can be formed as a flat piece or a frame, and has a shape that matches that of the notch <NUM>. Alternatively or additionally, the tab <NUM> may also serves the purpose of holding the circular frame <NUM> onto the lid <NUM> thereby attains a secure engagement between the lid <NUM> and the cup, thus, each tab <NUM> extends from the circular frame <NUM> and downwardly into the flange <NUM> along its outer surface (i.e., the surface facing outside) and completely covers the notch <NUM>, such that the securing member <NUM> is fastened with the flange <NUM> and the lid <NUM>. Preferably, the number of the notch <NUM> is equal to the number of the tab <NUM>, for example, the number can be <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM>, but not limited thereto. In one preferred embodiment, there are respectively three tabs <NUM> and three notches <NUM> (see <FIG>).

In some embodiments, the securing member <NUM> is made of a material that is same or different from the injectant material forming the cover <NUM>. Further, the securing member <NUM> can also be manufactured by the same injection molding process described above. Additionally or alternatively, the securing member <NUM> and the cover <NUM> can be integrally formed into a single piece or separately formed as two independent pieces. In some embodiment, the securing member <NUM> is made of PU, while the cover <NUM> is made of PP or PE.

In view of the foregoing, the lid of the present disclosure is advantageous in having the structure feature of a breathable film disposed below the substantially planar portion of the cover for dissipating steam while preventing liquid droplets from over-spilling from the cup. Further, the breathable film and the cover of the lid are integrally formed into a single piece by injection molding. In conclusion, the present disclosure provides a lid that is inexpensive to produce, and yet could reduce the likelihood of over-spilled liquid while enhancing sealing between the lid and the cup.

Claim 1:
A lid (<NUM>) for mounting on a cup opening defined by a brim of a cup body, comprising,
a cover (<NUM>) having a substantially planar portion (<NUM>) and a recessed opening (<NUM>) disposed on the cover (<NUM>);
a side wall (<NUM>) disposed around the periphery of the cover (<NUM>);
a flange (<NUM>) extended from the bottom edge of the side wall (<NUM>) and forms a trench space for accommodating the brim of the cup body when the lid (<NUM>) is mounted on the cup opening; and
a breathable film (<NUM>) disposed below the substantially planar portion (<NUM>) and covered the recessed opening (<NUM>) of the cover (<NUM>);
characterized in that
the cover (<NUM>) and the breathable film (<NUM>) are integrally formed into a single piece.