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 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 vacuum-formed lid for a large drinks container is disclosed made from extruded sheet plastic. The lid has provision for the user to remove a tear-out portion to leave a hole through which liquid may be poured out of the container. The lid includes a ridge which is gripped between finger and thumb. A slit is located just under the thumb, so that squeezing the ridge is effective to open the slit. The slit runs across the "grain" of the extruded plastic. The effect is that tearing the lid can be easily accomplished, yet the tear may be directed and controlled easily.

Abstract: The vacuum-formed plastic lid for a large disposable container of liquids includes a pouring spout formed into the rim of the lid. A portion of the lid can be torn out, and the liquid poured through the hole. A well in the lid constitutes a receptacle for storing and carrying a number of empty, smaller, drinking cups. The lid includes a ridge, and two cuts, one either side of the ridge. When a person squeezes the ridge, the cuts spread over the ridge, until they meet. The ridge constitutes also a handle, by which the person can manipulate and remove the tear-out portion.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for making sheet-plastic articles, such as lids for disposable drinking cups, by vacuum forming. The invention provides spacers that fit into the holes in the stripper plate of the apparatus for the purpose of matching the size of the hole closely to that of the die impression. The spacers are flanged and in three segments, the segments being so arranged that two of the segments can be first placed in the hole, their flanges being entered into a groove in the hole, then the third is located in the hole and maneuvered radially outwards until its flange too is located in the groove. The segments are retained in place with a spring ring. The segmented spacers can easily be inserted at arm's length and by feel alone. The spacers are themselves radially thin so that the holes in the stripper plate can be packed tightly together.

Abstract: A lid for containers, usually beverage cups which may be for hot beverages or cold beverages, is provided, having a cavity adapted for seating against the bead of the container. A skirt extends downwardly from the cavity, having a number of outwardly extending projections formed in it, each of the projections having a substantially rectangular appearance with a vertical face and vertical side walls. The portions of the skirt between the outwardly extending projections extend inwardly to form a discontinued waist having an undercut which defines the cavity in the waist portion; the cavity being defined by a higher and less inwardly extending undercut over the top portion of each of the outwardly extending projections. Beneath the projections and the waist portions between them there extends outwardly and downwardly a lower band portion; below which may be a vertically extending wall, and which may have an outwardly turned lip at its bottom.