BEVERAGE CUP LID

Abstract

The invention relates to a beverage cup lid including an elongated channel that extends from the drinking port to a terminus below the lid's lower edge. The elongated channel may thus extend into a beverage contained in a beverage cup.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of beverage cups, and lids useful with the same; particularly those that include an elongated channel that reaches below the rim of a cup when mated to it.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disposable beverage cups are known in the art, as are a variety of lids configured to be used in connection with them. Some common elements of these lids are that they mate to the rim of a beverage cup by a pressure or similar fitting (i.e., snapping over the rim), and have at least one port configured in them through which a user can drink the beverage contained in the cup. Sometimes, a second, smaller port is included in the lid to allow air to enter the cup as a user drinks through the main port. The lid generally aids in preventing the contents of the cup from spilling, and helps to retain the temperature of those contents.

Conventional lid and cup configurations suffer from a number of disadvantages.

First, when hot beverages contained in a cup-lid assembly are imbibed by a user, the user drinks the beverage from the top down; that is, the first volume of the beverage to reach the user's mouth is the volume at or near the top of the cup, and the last volume of beverage to reach the user's mouth is at or near the bottom. It is a matter of simple physics that heat rises, and that, therefore, the volume of liquid at the top of a beverage cup is hotter than the volume of liquid at the bottom. Thus, in drinking a hot beverage from a conventional cup-lid assembly, a user first drinks the hottest portion, and last drinks the coolest portion. This is not optimal.

Second, to cool a hot beverage contained in a beverage cup, a user typically blows air across the top surface of the beverage. This is difficult to do through a conventional lid, and often results in hot liquid splashing up through the port and/or insufficient cooling of the beverage. This, too, is not optimal.

Third, conventional cup-lid assemblies provide no mechanism with which a user can stir the contents of the beverage cup. One might insert a coffee stirrer through the main port in the lid, but the stirrer often falls through into the cup or such a utensil is simply unavailable and inconvenient. In some cases, one might need to remove the lid and then use a spoon, stirrer or other apparatus that is not disposable and/or that is shared with other users, which is both inconvenient and unsanitary. This also presents problems.

A beverage cup lid that substantially overcomes these and other shortcomings of the prior art would be desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Exemplary embodiments are illustrated in referenced figures, where like numerals represent similar items. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative rather than restrictive.

FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a beverage cup lid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a beverage cup lid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of a beverage cup lid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of a beverage cup lid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a left side of a beverage cup lid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a top view of a beverage cup lid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom view of a beverage cup lid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a beverage cup lid mated to a beverage cup, which is depicted in broken lines, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIGS. 9(a), 9(b) and 9(c) depict, in series, the flow of a beverage from a beverage cup through a beverage cup lid in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

All publications herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

One skilled in the art will recognize many methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein, which could be used in the practice of the present invention. Indeed, the present invention is in no way limited to the methods and materials described.

The invention relates to beverage cup lids and methods of using the same. In various embodiments, the inventive beverage cup lids include an elongated channel that extends from the drinking port to a terminus below the lower edge of the lids. The lower edge mates with the rim of a beverage cup, and thus, the elongated channel may extend into the beverage itself when the beverage cup is filled with a beverage. The elongated channel may be in any of a variety of configurations, each having certain advantages and uses. Other features and advantages of the invention will become clear in the ensuing discussion and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As illustratively depicted in FIGS. 1-8, in one embodiment the invention relates to a beverage cup lid 100 with a lower edge 101. References herein to “lid” and “beverage cup lid” refer to the same element of the instant invention. The lids of the invention may be configured to mate with a variety of beverage cups, of a variety of shapes and sizes, as will be readily appreciated by those of skill in the art and implemented with only routine engineering effort. The lower edge 101 of the lid 100 may be configured to mate with a beverage cup 102 by any suitable and/or desirable mechanism, including, but in no way limited to, a pressure or similar fitting (i.e., snapping the lower edge of the lid over the rim of the beverage cup), a screw threading (i.e., internal threading on the lower edge of the lid interacts with external threading on or near the rim of the beverage cup, or external threading on the lower edge of the lid interacts with internal threading on or near the rim of the beverage cup), a tongue-and-groove assembly (i.e., a partial turn of the lid with reference to the beverage cup mates the two together), a hinge assembly (i.e., the lid is configured to swing open and closed relative to the beverage cup), combinations thereof and the like. In some embodiments (not shown), rather than being configured to mate with a beverage cup in a removable fashion, the lid is integrated into or upon the beverage cup, and is thus not removable therefrom. In the figures included herewith, the lower edge 101 of the lid 100 is illustratively configured to mate with a beverage cup 102 by a pressure fitting.

The lid 100 includes an elongated channel 103 that extends from a drinking port 104 to a terminus 107 below the lower edge 101 of the lid 100. The lid 100 may also include a secondary port 106. In operation, when the beverage cup 102 contains a beverage 105 and the lid 100 is mated to the beverage cup 102, a user may drink the beverage 105 from the beverage cup 102 through the elongated channel 103 and the drinking port 104, and, in those embodiments where it is included, air may simultaneously travel into the beverage cup 102 through the secondary port 106.

In various embodiments, the elongated channel 103 can be configured in a variety of manners. In one embodiment, the elongated channel 103 is configured to be in mechanical contact with the inside surface of a beverage cup in which it resides.

First, the elongated channel 103 may range in length. In its shortest configuration, it extends from the drinking port 104 to a location just below the lower edge 101 of the lid 100. In its longest configuration, it extends from the drinking port 104 to a location just above the bottom of the beverage cup 102 with which the lid 100 is configured to mate. In alternate embodiments of the invention, the elongated channel 103 may extend from the drinking port 104 to a location from just below the lower edge of the lid 100 to a location just above the bottom of the beverage cup 102. As used herein, the phrases “just above” and “just below” describe distances of from about one-tenth of an inch to about one inch relative to a particular point of reference.

Second, the elongated channel 103 may range in cross-sectional configuration. It may be substantially round along its length (i.e., cylindrical), or it may be “D-shaped” such that a rounded part reflects the inner curvature of a beverage cup, or it may be of any other desirable shape in cross-section (e.g., round, ovular, square, triangular, rectangular, octagonal, hexagonal, etc.). In some embodiments, the elongated channel 103 is substantially consistent in cross-sectional shape along its length. In other embodiments, the elongated channel 103 is not consistent in cross-sectional shape along its length—it changes in shape, dimension, thickness, etc. In some embodiments, the elongated channel 103 is substantially linear, while in other embodiments it includes a curvature. In still further embodiments, the elongated channel 103 may be enclosed along the portion 103a of it proximal to the drinking port 104 (such that it operates similarly to a straw), but may be open along one side along the portion 103b of it distal to the drinking port 104. In one embodiment, the portion 103b distal to the drinking port 104 may be substantially flat (i.e., including no more than a modest curvature); thereby enabling its use as a stirring apparatus for, by way of example, mixing condiments into a beverage 105 contained in the beverage cup 102. Those of skill in the art will readily recognize a wide array of alternate configurations along the lines of that which is described above, each of which is contemplated as being within the scope of the present invention.

The beverage cup lid may be constructed from any number of materials, as will be readily appreciated by those of skill in the art. Simply by way of example, the lids may be manufactured from plastic (much like conventional, disposable beverage cup lids), or from glass, stainless steel, PTFE, ceramic or any other material that may be desirable and/or useful. The beverage cup lids of the present invention may be configured as disposable or one-time-use products or as products that are reused. A material may be selected accordingly.

The beverage cup lids are configured for use in connection with hot beverages, cold beverages, or any other food material that one may consume through such an assembly (e.g., soup, hot cereal, chili, etc.). References throughout to hot beverages and the like should not in any way suggest that the lid of the present invention is limited in any manner to use for or with such products. For instance, beverages in which ice is contained may be consumed through the lid of the present invention.

The invention described herein has a number of advantages over the prior art. In addition to those advantages described thus far, and simply by way of example, when the inventive beverage cup lid is used with a beverage cup containing a hot beverage, a user may drink from the cooler part of the beverage first (i.e., the volume of beverage nearest to the bottom of the beverage cup), and the hottest part last (i.e., the volume of the beverage nearest to the top of the beverage cup). This allows a user to begin comfortably and safely drinking the hot beverage sooner, with less chance of being burned. A hot beverage may also thus retain its heat longer, because it is generally the coolest part of the beverage that is being imbibed at any point in time. Additionally, in various embodiments, the elongated channel may be used as a stirring mechanism both for cooling a hot beverage and for mixing condiments into it. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 9, when tilted to drink, the elongated channel provides an increased surface area, relative to that which is available with conventional lids, across which a user may blow air to more easily cool a hot beverage. Still further, the elongated channel enables a loosened lid to freely sit in and securely rest against the rim of a beverage cup while a user adds condiments (as opposed to having to set the lid over on a counter or other surface that may be contaminated). This keeps the lid clean and enables the user to utilize only one hand—while cupping the lid in one hand, a rocking back and forth of the wrist allows the elongated channel to stir condiments into a beverage. Finally, the inventive lid also reduces the chance for a beverage to slosh out of a drinking port.

Various embodiments of the invention are described above in the Detailed Description. While these descriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s).

The foregoing description of various embodiments of the invention known to the applicant at this time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. The present description is not intended to be exhaustive nor limit the invention to the precise form disclosed and many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings. The embodiments described serve to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed for carrying out the invention.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that, based upon the teachings herein, changes and modifications may be made without departing from this invention and its broader aspects and, therefore, the appended claims are to encompass within their scope all such changes and modifications as are within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particular claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations).

Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A beverage cup lid, comprising:

a drinking port;

an elongated channel in fluid communication with the drinking port and further comprising a terminus; and

a lower edge,

wherein the terminus is located below the lower edge.

2. The beverage cup lid of claim 1, wherein the terminus is located at a distance of from about one-tenth of an inch to about one inch below the lower edge.

3. The beverage cup lid of claim 1, wherein the terminus is located at a distance of from about one-tenth of an inch to about one inch above the bottom of a beverage cup to which the beverage cup lid is adapted to mate.

4. The beverage cup lid of claim 1, wherein the terminus is located at a distance between about one inch below the lower edge and about one inch above the bottom of a beverage cup to which the beverage cup lid is adapted to mate.

5. The beverage cup lid of claim 1, further comprising means to mate the beverage cup lid with a beverage cup.

6. The beverage cup lid of claim 1, further comprising a secondary port adapted to allow air to pass through the beverage cup lid.

7. The beverage cup lid of claim 1, wherein the elongated channel comprises a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of D-shaped, round, ovular, square, triangular, rectangular, octagonal, hexagonal and combinations thereof.

8. The beverage cup lid of claim 1, wherein the elongated channel is either substantially linear along its length or comprises a curvature along its length.

9. The beverage cup lid of claim 1, wherein the elongated channel comprises:

a portion proximal to the drinking port that is enclosed, and

a portion distal to the drinking port that is open along one side.

10. The beverage cup lid of claim 1, wherein the elongated channel comprises a portion distal to the drinking port comprising a substantially flat element.

11. In combination, a beverage cup and a beverage cup lid, the beverage cup lid comprising:

a drinking port,

an elongated channel in fluid communication with the drinking port and further comprising a terminus, and

a lower edge,

wherein the terminus is located below the lower edge and the beverage cup is mated to the beverage cup lid.

12. The combination of claim 11, wherein the terminus is located at a distance of from about one-tenth of an inch to about one inch below the lower edge.

13. The combination of claim 11, wherein the terminus is located at a distance of from about one-tenth of an inch to about one inch above the bottom of the beverage cup.

14. The combination of claim 11, wherein the terminus is located at a distance between about one inch below the lower edge and about one inch above the bottom of the beverage cup.

15. The combination of claim 11, wherein the beverage cup lid is mated to the beverage cup with a mechanism selected from the group consisting of a pressure fitting, a screw threading, a tongue-and-groove assembly, a hinge assembly and combinations thereof.

16. The combination of claim 11, wherein the beverage cup lid further comprises a secondary port adapted to allow air to pass through the beverage cup lid.

17. The combination of claim 11, wherein the elongated channel comprises a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of D-shaped, round, ovular, square, triangular, rectangular, octagonal, hexagonal and combinations thereof.

18. The combination of claim 11, wherein the elongated channel is either substantially linear along its length or comprises a curvature along its length.

19. The combination of claim 11, wherein the elongated channel comprises:

a portion proximal to the drinking port that is enclosed, and

a portion distal to the drinking port that is open along one side.

20. The combination of claim 11, wherein the elongated channel comprises a portion distal to the drinking port comprising a substantially flat element.