Coffee plug
An inexpensive to manufacture plug for drinking holes in containers or container lids that consists of a plug, a means for retaining such plug, and a handle for inserting and removing the plug. The plug may be made of edible material and the handle may be of such size and shape to allow for advertisement or sponsorship. In the preferred embodiment, the plug has a flange for retaining the plug that allows for easy, repeated removal and insertion while still retaining a proper seal against spillage.
In accordance with 37 C.F.R. 1.78(a)(4) this application claims priority based upon the provisional application No. 60/490,815 with the assigned filing date of Jul. 29, 2003.
The present invention is novel in its simplicity. It is well known that in today's hectic times, food and beverages are consumed not in the home, but in the car, subway, bus, train, office, or literally, on the run. The problem is this: containers that hold beverages tend to spill; either through acceleration, deceleration, cornering, or just plain carelessness. Many of these beverages are hot and can cause serious injury to humans or damage to nearby furniture or equipment if spilled. Many attempts have been conceived to prevent this spillage through the use of container lids that limit the drinking hole size or by placing a small plastic type material over the hole. These methods, while in most cases, prevent large spills, still allow for some sort of leakage. Another method previously use to prevent spillage has been through the use of elaborate, non-disposable, and expansive value type apparatuses. The present invention overcomes these limitations; it is disposable, and in one embodiment edible, inexpensive, can be easily removed and replaced, prevents all leakage, and in another embodiment it can provide for sponsorship or advertising for promotional purposes to help defer the any cost this invention provides to the consumer.
SUMMARYThe present invention is directed to a device that satisfies the need of preventing the spilling of the contents of a container. The plug having features of the present invention comprises at least one handle, at least one plug, and at least one means for retaining the plug in the container or container lid. The invention is also novel in that it allows for repeated insertion and removal, may be edible, and in one embodiment, the handle is shaped for the use of advertisement or sponsorship.
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with regard to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The present invention is extremely simple and eloquent in its design and implementation.
While the preferred embodiment has been described above and is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, there is no intent to limit she scope of the invention to this or any other particular embodiment.
Claims
1. A plug for lids which comprises:
- (a) at least one handle means;
- (b) at least one means for retaining said plug, whereby such plug can be removed and reinserted.
2. The plug as recited in claim 1, in which the handle means comprises:
- (a) at lease one handle in the form of various shapes that can be used for advertising means.
3. The plug as recited in claim 2 where said plug is composed of:
- (a) an edible composition.
4. The plug as recited in claim 3 whereby:
- (a) said plug fits in a hole approximately 11 mm in length and 5 mm in width.
5. A plug for beverage container lids which comprises:
- (a) at least one handle means;
- (b) at least one means for retaining said plug, whereby such plug can be removed and reinserted.
6. The plug as recited in claim 4, in which the handle means comprises:
- (a) at lease one handle in the form of various shapes that can be used for advertising means.
7. The plug as recited in claim 4 where said plug is composed of:
- (a) an edible composition.
8. The plug as recited in claim 6 whereby:
- (a) said plug fits in a hole approximately 11 mm in length and 5 mm in width.
9. A plug for containers that prevents spillage which comprises:
- (a) at least one handle means;
- (b) at least one means for retaining said plug, whereby such plug can be removed and reinserted.
10. The plug as recited in claim 8, in which the handle means comprises:
- (a) at least one handle in the form of various shapes that can be used for advertising means.
11. The plug as recited in claim 9 where said plug is composed of:
- (a) an edible composition.
12. The plug as recited in claim 10 whereby:
- (a) said plug fits in a hole approximately 11 mm in length and 5 mm in width.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 21, 2004
Publication Date: Jan 26, 2006
Inventor: Shereen Noon (West Hollywood, CA)
Application Number: 10/897,161
International Classification: A47G 19/22 (20060101); B65D 39/00 (20060101);