Abstract: A method of providing access to the contents of a disposable drink cup having a plastic drink-through lid of the type having a deck, a peripheral skirt, and a partially separable, preformed tab in the deck to form a drink-through hold which does not extend through the peripheral skirt. The tab has an upstanding thumb catch preformed thereon. The fold back hinge is formed in the deck immediately adjacent the tab and spaced less than about one-half of the lid radius from the periphery. This creates a very short throw which allows a user to open the tab and lock it back with one finger of the same hand that is holding the cup.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a raised container lid bag retention structure that is openable or open such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.

Abstract: The invention concern the field of storage, transport, recovery and recycling of bottles or packs (2) made of plastic or other material. It provides the possibility of using the content of bottles or packs (2) at will, using the pouring spout (6) and the cap (3) mounted on the tops (1) which are screwed on, clipped on or fixed by other means, and on the standard seals (5) in any material, fixed on the top of bottles or packs before the tops or seals are definitively removed for stacking the bottles or packs (2). The inventive design aims at facilitating the stacking of bottles or packs to reduce storage space and for transport for refill in a reduced space, and, ultimately to facilitate collection for recycling or transformation into raw material. The inventive concept uses for transport supports (10) designed to receive the bases of the bottles or packs (2), the top of the stack receiving plates with the impression of the caps (3) to protect them during transportation of the filled bottles or packs (2).

Abstract: A plastic drink-through lid of the type having a deck, a peripheral skirt, and a partially separable, preformed tab in the deck to form a drink-through hold which does not extend through the peripheral skirt. The tab has an upstanding thumb catch preformed thereon. The fold back hinge is formed in the deck immediately adjacent the tab and spaced less than about one-half of the lid radius from the periphery. This creates a very short throw which allows a user to open the tab and lock it back with the thumb of the same hand that is holding the cup.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the individual controlled preparation of a beverage from one or more beverage bags within a variety of containers and the quick and sanitary storage of the bag or bags once the beverage preparation has been completed. Preferably, the beverage preparation and bag storage apparatus is sized and shaped to be seated on the lip of a container to cover the mouth of the container. The apparatus includes a raised container lid bag retention structure that is openable or open such that at least a portion of the beverage bag may be drawn within and thereby retained in a position elevated above the beverage so that the beverage can be sampled and consumed even with the apparatus in place on the container and the bag or bags retained within the apparatus.

Abstract: A molded plastic cup comprising a generally cylindrical body portion, a rim and a handle, and a method of forming the cup. The body portion has an open upper end, and the rim extends radially outwardly from the perimeter of the open end of the body portion. The handle is formed as an integral part of the cup. The handle extends outwardly from substantially diametrically opposed portions of the rim and then along the rim on one side of the cup between the diametrically opposed portions. The end portions of the handle extend from the rim, and are sufficiently flexible to allow the handle to be bent upwardly from the rim so that the handle arches diametrically across the upper end of the cup. The entire cup is thermoformed from a single sheet of plastic.

Abstract: A spill resistant lid to be secured over the open top of a container to resist spilling of the container contents from the open top of the container includes a central lid portion extending over the open top of the container. A raised portion, such as a drinking mouthpiece, extends above the central lid portion and a deformable section, such as a cylindrical section, extends downwardly from the raised portion toward the central lid portion. The deformable section is at least partially separable from the central lid portion so it can be deformed in an over center manner or other manner such that deformation of the deformable section toward the raised portion results in the deformable section assuming a stable open position exposing an opening or hole through the lid into the container and deformation of the deformable section from open position results in the deformable section assuming a stable closed position over the opening or hole.

Abstract: A lid for covering an associated beverage container. The lid attaches to the top of the associated container and includes a central opening with an optional well portion. Heated water, or other liquid, is poured through the opening into the associated container and then circulates between the inside and outside of the well portion to permit infusion of flavors from the flavoring materials to the liquid. A removable paper inner cover is also provided that seats within the central opening. The paper inner cover snaps into the central opening either alone or over and covering the well portion. The removable paper inner cover may be printed with high quality graphics and text.

Abstract: The invention relates to a closure for a can of drink which is made in one piece and can be opened with one hand. Owing to the design of the closure, no supplementary parts are needed in the closure to open the closure.

Abstract: A device for positioning a plurality of objects on a cup is provided comprising a lid having a top surface wherein the lid is adapted to be removably attached to the cup and a region integrally molded with the top surface so as to removably confine the objects to the lid.

Abstract: Container lid with a cooling reservoir for releasably covering a disposable cup containing a hot beverage. The cooling reservoir includes a side wall with a small opening to allow a small volume of the hot beverage to pass into the cooling reservoir in which the beverage sufficiently cools down to enable the consumer to sip the beverage.

Abstract: A molded plastic beverage cup comprising a generally cylindrical body portion, a rim and a handle, and a method of forming the cup. The body portion has an open upper end, and the rim extends radially outwardly from the perimeter of the open end of the body portion. The handle is formed as an integral part of the cup. The handle extends outwardly from substantially diametrically opposed portions of the rim and then along the rim on one side of the cup between the diametrically opposed portions. The end portions of the handle extend from the rim, and are sufficiently flexible to allow the handle to be bent upwardly from the rim so that the handle arches diametrically across the upper end of the cup. The entire cup is thermoformed from a single sheet of plastic.

Abstract: A gravity cup for drinking fluids, comprising a container defined by sides connected to a base on one end and forming an opening at the other end through which fluid is placed and contained therein, the container having an outlet located at the base such that gravity forces the fluid through the outlet; a valve being ball-shaped and having a passage therethrough in rotationally attached to the container such that rotating the valve regulates the flow of fluid out of the container through the outlet; the valve being operable from fully opened, through partially opened, through fully closed; position an adjustable tube straw connected at its proximal end to the valve such that fluid flowing through the valve flows through the adjustable tube straw to a user for drinking at its distal end, and such that manipulating the adjustable tube straw rotates the ball thereby operating the valve and regulating the rate of flow of fluid from the container through the passage and the adjustable tube straw to the user.

Abstract: A disposable cup lid is substantially circular, and has a downwardly facing cup rim engaging recess extending from 300.degree. to 360.degree. around the periphery. The recess is defined at its outer side by a downwardly depending apron, at its inner side by a downwardly directed recess sidewall, and at its top by a top wall between the apron and the recess sidewall. The apron extends 360.degree. around the periphery. An arcuate portion of the top surface extends radially outwardly to the apron, and has a radially directed axis of symmetry. A depressed "U"-shaped hinge is formed in the arcuate portion, and is oriented so as to be perpendicular to the axis of symmetry. A fault line is stamped into the the arcuate portion, in a location opposed to the "U"-shaped hinge, and is spaced radially inwardly from the apron by a distance which is at least equal to the width of the top wall of the cup rim engaging recess.

Abstract: A drink-thru lid for a drinking cup including an annular mounting portion for sealingly engaging the drinking cup, wherein the annular mounting portion includes a downwardly extending annular skirt. The lid further includes a tear-back section extending from the annular skirt to a hinge portion located in a medial portion of the lid. The tear-back section includes a raised protrusion extending outwardly from an upper surface of the lid. A recess is further formed in a medial portion of the lid on the opposite side of the hinge portion from the raised protrusion, wherein the tear-back section may be torn away from the lid on its sides and pivoted about the hinge portion until the raised protrusion is received within the recess for holding said pivotal flap open. The raised protrusion and the recess are shaped such that the raised protrusion is frictionally engaged by the end walls of the recess.

Abstract: A plastic dome lid for a drinking cup is disclosed which has the capability of functioning as a complete closure lid for the cup and as a drink through lid employing a recloseable flip-open lid segment for this purpose. The dome lid is provided with a lower section that has a downwardly facing annular channel for receiving and engaging the rim of the cup and an upper section which includes a raised C-shaped dome. An intermediate section is provided between the upper and lower sections forming a central area located within and depressed relative to the C-shaped dome. A transverse wall extends from one leg to the other leg within the bite of the C-shaped dome and upwardly from the lower section to a location above the central area and below the upper sections so as to define a raised rib across the bite. A recloseable flip-open segment forms part of the lower section and extends inwardly from a location on the annular channel to a hinge line on the bottom section.

Abstract: A disposable dome lid is provided for use with a drinking cup such beverage cups used for the sale of hot and cold beverages. The top surface of a dome lid is elevated above the top surface of the beverage cup rim, when in place. The dome lid is configured so as to make a plug fit onto the beverage cup by the beverage cup rim extending into a downwardly facing recess formed for that purpose. A side surface depends downwardly from a substantially planar top surface of the lid, and is inset from the cup rim engaging recess. A portion of the side surface is displaced outwardly towards the outer periphery of the dome lid, and thus provides a surface for engaging the lower lip of the mouth of the user. A tear-back flap is defined by fault lines stamped into the top surface and a "U"-shaped hinge formed in the top surface.

Abstract: A container lid has a depending insert having a thickness sufficient to have a groove formed in its peripheral edge, and a beverage container has an annular, radially inwardly extending protrusion formed in it that snaps into the groove when the insert is inserted into the container. The connection is so strong that the lid will not separate from the container even when the cup is filled with a beverage or food and inverted. The lid includes a peripherally positioned handle that enables facile removal of the lid, and the interconnection between the lid and the container includes a double seal that inhibits the risk of spillage.

Abstract: A thin, plastic lid for disposable drinking cups has a drinking opening formed in a raised portion of the lid. The drinking opening is covered by a hinged closure member that is locked in place by trapping an outer marginal edge of the closure member between the cup rim and the periphery of the lid. The lid may be formed by conventional vacuum forming and die cutting operations.

Abstract: A container cover having chamber for retaining a porous filter bag, such as a tea bag. The cover has an upwardly extending protrusion forming the retaining chamber. The protrusion has an aperture enabling passage of the drawstring of the tea bag. An opening closed by a removable lift tab is formed in the container cover for access to liquid contents of the container. The protrusion and opening are located opposite one another on the container cover. The user withdraws the tea bag from the liquid contents of the container into the retaining chamber by pulling the drawstring of the tea bag through the aperture. The aperture resiliently grasps the drawstring. The container cover and porous filter bag are used and discarded without causing direct handling of the porous filter bag.

Abstract: A pull-tab for a liquid container according to the present invention is designed in form of a sheet, and by providing a cutting line in form of a ring, leaving a connecting sector on the periphery, it comprises a handle sector, being the portion outside said cutting line, and a main sector, being the portion inside the cutting line. By providing another cutting line in convex arc in the direction away from the connecting sector on the main sector, a fastening sector is formed. In this pull-tab, the main sector covers the pouring mouth when the connecting sector is positioned near outer periphery of the pouring mouth of the liquid container. A sector between an end of the main sector opposite to the connecting sector and a fastening sector is bonded to the surface of the liquid container. When the handle sector is lifted up and the main sector is pulled up with edges of the bonded sector as a supporting axis, the fastening sector is turned, and its forward end is stopped on the surface of the liquid container.

Abstract: A container lid has a depending insert having a thickness sufficient to have a groove formed in its peripheral edge, and a beverage container has an annular, radially inwardly extending protrusion formed in it that snaps into the groove when the insert is inserted into the container. The connection is so strong that the lid will not separate from the container even when the cup is filled with a beverage or food and inverted. The lid includes a peripherally positioned handle that enables facile removal of the lid, and the interconnection between the lid and the container includes a double seal that inhibits the risk of spillage.

Abstract: A disposable cup lid is provided for covering the open end of a beverage cup, especially a hot drinks cup for beverages such as coffee. The cup lid is a foldback lid, whereby an opening is formed in the lid by lifting and tearing the material of the cup lid at a designated portion of the rim thereof, then peeling back the drink-through portion of the lid, with the edges of the drink-through portion of the lid being defined by an orientation grain in the lid caused by extrusion of the sheet material from which it is formed. Two additional tab portions are formed into the rim of the lid, one at either side of the position where the grasp tab is located, so as to present forwardly extending tabs which are gently rounded at each edge of the drink-through portion of the lid after it has been formed, and thereby so as to preclude sharp edges at each edge of the drink-through portion being presented to the lips and tongue of the user.

Abstract: A container and closure are described. The container has a circular sidewall with a bottom and an open end defining a volume for containing a liquid, the sidewall having (i) a reinforced rim at the open end, (ii) a lid seat integrally formed in the sidewall and offset from the open end, (iii) a comfort zone extending along the sidewall from the bottom to the open end and (iv) a rim tab located on the inside of the container sidewall at the comfort zone adjacent the open end. The rim tab extends beyond the open end of the container. The closure is a circular substrate having (a) a diameter to seat in the lid seat of the container, (b) a plurality of peripheral tabs extending beyond the diameter of the substrate and (c) a pull tab located near an outer edge of the substrate which when pulled provides an opening through which liquid can pass when the closure is seated in the lid seat of the container.

Abstract: A lid for a disposable hot beverage container that is specifically designed to hold a pastry over the hot beverage. This enables the steam from the beverage to heat, flavor and moisten the pastry. The lid includes an engagement mechanism that enables the lid to be selectively joined to the rim of the hot beverage container. The lid has a plurality of apertures formed through its base structure that enable steam from the beverage to rise through the lid. A plurality of supports extend upwardly from the base structure. The supports all terminate in a common plane a predetermined height above the base structure. The supports hold the pastry a predetermined distance above the base structure of the lid. As a result, if liquid were to spill onto the lid, or if steam were to condense onto the lid, the pastry would be supported above the liquid and would be saved from becoming soggy.

Abstract: A container lid adapted for removable reception over a rim portion of a associated container having a center panel portion and a peripheral skirt portion depending therefrom and having a small pin latch opening extending through the center panel portion and also including an access flap formed by portions of the center panel and the peripheral skirt adapted to provide access to the interior of the container.

Abstract: A thin, plastic lid for disposable drinking cups has a drinking opening formed in a raised portion of the lid. The drinking opening is covered by a hinged closure member that is locked in place by trapping an outer marginal edge of the closure member between the cup rim and the periphery of the lid. The lid may be formed by conventional vacuum forming and die cutting operations.

Abstract: The present invention is directed at a lid for a cup. The lid comprising a disc having a periphery, a first face and a second face. The disc is corrugated to form a series of concentric, receiving channels having an opening and walls. The receiving channels are spaced apart so that both the first face and the second face can receive a cup wall of varying cup diameter. Additionally, the receiving channels have perforations to facilitate the removal of unused portions of the lid which extend radially outward from the cup wall. The lid has a tab which extends radially inward from the periphery of the disc and is formed by tab perforations on the disc. The tab hinges to the disc at a medial portion of the disc, and the tab can be opened by pivoting around the hinge and laying against the disc. Furthermore, the tab provides a starting point to tear along the perforations.

Abstract: A cup lid for use with a beverage cup comprising a peripheral flange to fit over a cup rim and a central portion containing a reclosable access closure flap selectively movable between an open and closed position having a pull tab formed on one end portion thereof and a hinge formed on the opposite end portion thereof and a first retainer element such that when the reclosable access closure flap is moved from the closed position to the open position the reclosable access closure flap engages the first retainer element to releasably retain the reclosable access closure flap in the open position.

Abstract: A drink through container lid of the type formed from thin thermoplastic material and which is used as a closure cap on open mouthed beverage cups is disclosed. Conventional lids of the foregoing description include one or more lines of weakness in the main body portion of the lid and which in part define the drink through segment of the lid. Normal breakage of this segment is initiated by hand at a location on the bottom of the skirt, which may or may not also include a lift tab projecting outwardly from the bottom of the skirt. In accordance with this invention, the lift tab is positioned above the bottom of the remainder of the skirt, and proximate to that portion of the outer wall of the groove of the lid which is in frictional engagement with the beverage cup to which it is attached.

Abstract: A carton construction for paperboard cartons such as those adapted to certain fruit juices or other potable liquids which require a barrier to protect the liquid. Present paperboard cartons for such liquids often include polymeric barrier layer materials and foils laminated to the paperboard or other stiff, foldable and resilient sheet material. Such barrier layer/foil materials increase the difficulty of recycling the paperboard after container use. Further, during the carton forming/sealing process, the polymeric surfaces of the container are heated to activate a heat sealable bond. This heating tends to crystallize the polymer and generate polymeric odors that are transmitted to the liquid product. These difficulties are overcome in the present invention by a bag and spout construction wherein the bag and spout are removed from the carton after use, thus permitting recycling of both the paperboard carton and the bag.

Abstract: A thin plastic disposable lid for use with a cup, typically a disposable plastic styrofoam or paper container, is disclosed. The lid includes a small foldback portion that is partially removed from the remainder of the lid by tearing it along tear lines that are coincident with the oriented fibers of the plastic material, thus creating an opening in the lid. No pre-formed score lines, slits or notches are required to facilitate proper tearing of the lid. Further, the foldback portion is hinged and retained in intimate engagement by the lid when it is fully open. A specific feature of the lid is that the foldback portion is easy to fold back and to engage. The foldback portion is also resealable over the opening in the lid.

Abstract: A safe opening container lid having a bead side plate portion and a removable plate portion. The bead side plate portion has a first loop portion formed at the outer side of a tear line defining a removable plate portion, the loop portion being bent upwardly from the portion where the tear line is formed, the return position of the loop portion that returns toward the tear line being spaced apart from the tear line forming portion, and the return portion being further bent outwardly at a position inward of the tear line. The removable plate portion has a second loop portion formed at the inner side of the tear line, the second loop portion being bent downwardly from the portion where the tear line is formed, the return portion of the second loop portion that returns toward the tear line being spaced apart from the tear line forming portion, and the return portion being further bent inwardly at a position outward of the tear line.

Abstract: Disclosed is a disposable container lid for releasably mounting to a disposable container. The lid includes a central portion having a rim engaging means about the circumference of the central portion. An access strip is provided by a pair of tear impressions extending from the rim engaging means to a hinge means located in the central portion. By breaking the tear impressions, the access strip can be pivoted back from the hinge means to create an access opening through the lid. The central portion of the lid has a primary slit therein which is preferably arcuate. At each end of the primary slit there is a tab forming slit, each forming an inwardly directed retaining flap. A deflection flap is formed by the combination of the primary slit and the tab forming slits. To lock the access strip in a non-interfering position, it is folded back and pushed against the central portion of the lid thereby causing the deflection flap to deflect down toward the contents of the container.