Disposable beverage cup lid with lip-operated valve

Abstract

Disposable beverage cup lid having a lower section adapted to be mounted on a beverage cup in peripheral sealing engagement with the rim of the cup, an upper section which overlies and is sealed peripherally to the lower section, an opening in the upper section through which a person can drink a beverage from the cup, a valve member mounted on the lower section for movement between open and closed positions relative to the opening in the upper section, and means operable by the lip of a person drinking from the cup for moving the valve member between the open and closed positions.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of Invention

[0002] This invention pertains generally to beverage cups and lids and, more particularly, to a disposable lid having a valve operated by the lip of a user for controlling the flow of liquid through an opening in the lid.

[0003] 2. Related Art

[0004] Beverages such as coffee and soft drinks are often served in and drunk from disposable cups made of styrofoam, paper and/or other plastic materials. To prevent spillage, such cups are commonly provided with lids which fit tightly over the rims of the cups in sealing engagement. Some of lids have openings through which the beverage can be drunk without removing the lid from the cup, and some have closures for sealing the openings. In some instances, lids have been provided with closures which can be moved to open positions by the lips of users, and examples of such devices are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,015,411, 3,208,629, 3,338,467 and 3,905,512.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] It is, in general, an object of the invention to provide a new and improved disposable beverage cup lid having a valve operated by the lip of the user for controlling the flow of liquid through an opening in the lid.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a disposable beverage cup lid of the above character which overcomes the limitations and disadvantages of the lids heretofore provided.

[0007] These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the invention by providing a disposable beverage cup lid having a lower section adapted to be mounted on a beverage cup in peripheral sealing engagement with the rim of the cup, an upper section which overlies and is sealed peripherally to the lower section, an opening in the upper section through which a person can drink a beverage from the cup, a valve member mounted on the lower section for movement between open and closed positions relative to the opening in the upper section, and means operable by the lip of a person drinking from the cup for moving the valve member between the open and closed positions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of one embodiment of a disposable beverage cup lid according to the invention in an open position.

[0009] FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 mounted on a beverage cup in an unfolded or open position.

[0010] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 mounted on a beverage cup in a closed position.

[0011] FIG. 4 is an isometric view similar to FIG. 3, showing the lid in an open position.

[0012] FIGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged fragmentary views of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the valve mechanism in different operating positions.

[0013] FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the embodiment of FIG. 1, with the valve in its closed position.

[0014] FIG. 8 is a fragmentary isometric view, partly broken away, of the embodiment of FIG. 1, showing the manner in which the lid interfits with a cup.

[0015] FIG. 9 is a top plan view of another embodiment of a disposable beverage cup lid according to the invention in an unfolded or open position.

[0016] FIG. 10 is a side elevational view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 mounted on a beverage cup.

[0017] FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the embodiment of FIG. 9 on the cup.

[0018] FIG. 12 is a fragmentary isometric view similar to FIG. 11, showing the lid in an open position.

[0019] FIGS. 13 and 14 are side elevational views, partly broken away, of the embodiment of FIG. 9 mounted on a cup in different operating positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] As illustrated in FIGS. 1-8, the lid 21 has a lower section 22 and an upper section 23 which are connected together by a hinge 24. The lid is fabricated as a unitary structure of a material such as polystyrene. The lid is disposable in the sense that it is intended to be used once and then recycled or discarded.

[0021] The lower section has a generally planar body 26, with a peripheral rim 27 for securing the lid in sealing engagement with the lip of a disposable beverage cup 28. The upper section has a planar top wall 29 with an outer rim 31 which secures the upper section to the lower section and forms a peripheral seal with the lower section when the lid is mounted on a cup with the upper section overlying the lower section. As best seen in FIG. 8, the lower section also has a depending skirt 31 which extends into the upper portion of the cup to minimize spillage.

[0022] An outlet opening 32 and a vent opening 33 are formed on opposite sides of the lower section, and an outlet opening 34 is formed in a recessed area 36 in the upper section. With the lid in its closed position, the outlet opening in the upper section is directly above the outlet opening in the lower section, and a beverage can be drunk from the cup through the two openings.

[0023] Means operable by the upper lip of a person drinking from the cup is provided for sealing outlet opening 34 to minimize spillage when the beverage is not being drunk. That means includes an L-shaped lever 37 which is pivotally mounted to the body 26 of the lower section at the inner edge of opening 32. The lever has a generally vertical arm 38 which passes through a second opening 39 in the recessed area of the upper section and a generally horizontal arm 41 which extends into opening 32. A valve member 42 is mounted on the horizontal arm for sealing the outlet opening 34 in the upper section.

[0024] A link 43 is hingedly connected to the outer end of lever arm 41 and to the peripheral portion of the lower section on the outer side of opening 32 to form a toggle having two stable positions for latching the valve member in open and closed positions relative to outlet opening 34.

[0025] The opening for lever arm 38 is spaced inwardly from outlet opening 34, and lever arm 38 is thus positioned for engagement by the upper lip of a person drinking through opening 34. In the embodiment illustrated, lever arm 38 has a generally rectangular cross section, and as best seen in FIG. 7, opening 39 is formed by cutting top wall 29 along only three sides of the opening, leaving a flap 44 along the remaining side for sealing engagement with the outer side of lever arm 38.

[0026] In use, the lid is mounted on the cup, with upper section 23 folded over and secured to lower section 22. To open the valve to drink the beverage from the cup, a person engages lever arm 38 with his upper lip and pulls it in an outward direction toward the edge of the lid, thereby pivoting the lever in a counter-clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 5. As the lever pivots in that direction, it draws valve member 42 in a downward direction toward an open position relative to outlet opening 34, thereby permitting the person to drink the beverage through the opening.

[0027] Initially, the lever arm and the link 43 at its outer end are inclined toward each other in an upward direction. As the outer end of lever arm 41 travels in a downward direction, it draws the inner end of link 43 with it, building up an endwise or axial force in the two. As the lever arm and link pass through an aligned position, the force which has built up in them toggles them to a downwardly inclined position, thereby latching the valve member carried by the lever arm in an open position. If the lever is released by the lip before the toggle point is reached, the resiliency of the material will return the valve member to the closed position.

[0028] Once the valve member has been latched in the open position, it can be returned to its closed position by pushing lever arm 38 in an inward direction away from the edge of the cup, thereby pivoting the lever in a clockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 6. The lever arm can be moved in that direction either with the upper lip or by hand. This draws the hinged ends of the lever arm and link in a upward direction, and the toggle force thereby developed urges the two toward the upper section and latches the valve member in its closed position. With the toggle force urging the valve member in an upward direction, the outlet opening is tightly sealed, thereby minimizing the chances of spillage or leakage through it.

[0029] The embodiment of FIGS. 9-14 also has an upper section 46 and a lower section 47 which are fabricated as a unitary structure of a material such as polystyrene and joined together by a hinge 48. As in the previous embodiment, the lower section has an outer rim 49 which secures lid to the rim or lip of a beverage cup 51, and the upper section has an outer rim 52 which secures the two sections together, with peripheral seals between the sections and between the lid and the cup. This lid is also disposable in the sense that it is intended to be used once and then recycled or discarded.

[0030] An outlet opening 53 and a vent opening 54 are formed on opposite sides of the lower section, and an outlet opening 56 is formed in the upper section, as in the previous embodiment. However, in this embodiment, the upper section has a raised portion 57 toward one side, and the outlet opening is formed in a recessed area 58 in the raised portion.

[0031] Flow through outlet opening 56 is controlled by a valve member 59 mounted on an arm 61 for movement between open and closed positions relative to the opening. The outer end of arm 61 is connected to the upper end of a lever 62 which is pivotally connected to the rim portion of the lower section near the outer side of opening 53. The inner end of arm 61 is connected to a post 63 which extends in an upward direction from the body 64 of the lower section at the inner edge of opening 53.

[0032] Lever 62, post 63 and arm 61 extend into the raised portion 57 of upper section 46, with the outer surface of the lever in close proximity to the side wall 66 of the raised section. As best seen in FIGS. 11 and 12, the portion of the arm on which valve member 59 is mounted is inclined in an inward and upward direction, and an inward force applied to the lever by a person's lower lip through the flexible side wall moves the valve member to an open position away from outlet opening 56. When the force is release, the resiliency of the arm return the valve member to its closed position and holds it there.

[0033] The invention has a number of important features and advantages. It provides a non-spill lid for disposable beverage cups with a flow control valve which is readily controlled by the lip of a person drinking from the cup. The lid can be manufactured inexpensively and is disposable in that it can be used once then recycled or discarded.

[0034] It is apparent from the foregoing that a new and improved beverage cup lid has been provided. While only certain presently preferred embodiments have been described in detail, as will be apparent to those familiar with the art, certain changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A disposable beverage cup lid, comprising: a lower section adapted to be mounted on a beverage cup in peripheral sealing engagement with the rim of the cup, an upper section which overlies and is sealed peripherally to the lower section, an opening in the upper section through which a person can drink a beverage from the cup, a valve member mounted on the lower section for movement between open and closed positions relative to the opening in the upper section, and means operable by the lip of a person drinking from the cup for moving the valve member between the open and closed positions.

2. The lid of claim 1 wherein the upper and lower sections are formed as a unitary structure.

3. The lid of claim 1 wherein the upper and lower sections are connected together by a hinge.

4. The lid of claim 1 wherein the upper and lower sections are fabricated of a polystyrene material.

5. The lid of claim 1 wherein the means for moving the valve member includes an operating lever which is pivotally connected to the lower section and extends in a generally vertical direction through a second opening in the upper section in position for engagement by the upper lip of a person drinking from the cup.

6. The cup of claim 5 wherein the upper section includes a flap which extends along one side of the second opening in sealing engagement with the lever.

7. The lid of claim 1 wherein the means for moving the valve member includes an operating lever which is pivotally connected to the lower section near its periphery and is connected to the valve member for moving the valve member toward the open position in response to an inwardly directed applied to the lever by the lower lip of a person drinking from the cup.

8. The lid of claim 1 wherein the upper section includes a recessed area in which the first named opening is located.

9. A disposable beverage cup lid, comprising: a lower section adapted to be mounted on a beverage cup in peripheral sealing engagement with the rim of the cup, an upper section which overlies and is sealed peripherally to the lower section, openings in the upper and lower sections toward one side of the lid, an L-shaped lever pivotally mounted on the lower section with a first arm of the lever extending through a second opening in the upper section for engagement by the upper lip of a person drinking from the cup and a second arm extending in an outward direction into the opening in the lower section, and a valve member mounted on the second arm for movement between open and closed positions relative to the first named opening in the upper section.

10. The lid of claim 9 including a link hingedly connected to the outer end of the second lever arm and to the peripheral portion of the lower section to form a toggle having two stable positions for latching the valve member in the open and closed positions.

11. The lid of claim 10 wherein the lever and the link are formed as a unitary structure and fabricated of a polystyrene material.

12. The cup of claim 9 wherein the upper section includes a flap which extends along one side of the second opening in sealing engagement with the first arm of the lever.

13. The lid of claim 9 including a second opening in the lower section spaced diagonally opposite the first named openings.

14. The lid of claim 9 wherein the upper section includes a recessed area in which the first named opening is located.

15. A disposable beverage cup lid, comprising: a lower section adapted to be mounted on a beverage cup in peripheral sealing engagement with the rim of the cup, an upper section which overlies and is sealed peripherally to the lower section, openings in the upper and lower sections toward one side of the lid, an upstanding lever pivotally mounted on the lower section between the openings and the side of the lid, an upstanding post mounted on the lower section opposite the lever, a flexible arm extending between the upper ends of the lever and the post, and a valve member carried by the flexible arm for movement out of sealing engagement with the opening in the upper section in response to an inwardly directed force applied to the lever by the lower lip of a person drinking from the cup.

16. The lid of claim 15 wherein the lid is fabricated as a unitary structure of a polystyrene material.

17. The lid of claim 15 including a second opening in the lower section spaced diagonally opposite the first named openings.

18. The lid of claim 15 wherein the upper section includes a recessed area in which the opening is located.

19. A disposable beverage cup lid formed as a unitary structure of a polystyrene material, comprising: a lower section adapted to be mounted on a beverage cup in peripheral sealing engagement with the rim of the cup, an upper section which overlies and is sealed peripherally to the lower section, openings in the upper and lower sections toward one side of the lid, an L-shaped lever pivotally mounted on the lower section with a first arm of the lever extending through a second opening in the upper section for engagement by the upper lip of a person drinking from the cup and a second arm extending in an outward direction into the opening in the lower section, a valve member mounted on the second arm for movement between open and closed positions relative to the first named opening in the upper section, and a link hingedly connected to the outer end of the second lever arm and to the outer portion of the lower section to form a toggle having two stable positions for latching the valve member in the open and closed positions.

20. The cup of claim 19 wherein the upper section includes a flap which extends along one side of the second opening in sealing engagement with the first arm of the lever.

21. The lid of claim 19 including a second opening in the lower section spaced diagonally opposite the first named openings.

22. The lid of claim 19 wherein the upper section includes a recessed area in which the first named opening is located.