Patents by Inventor Douglas H. Fleming

Douglas H. Fleming has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20230257170
    Abstract: A drink-through type lid for a cup. The lid is configured for sealing a cup containing liquid such as coffee, and includes a rim, a cover, and a flexible closure structure. The flexible closure structure includes multiple panels which are hinged from stationary portions of the lid. In an embodiment a stiff frame structure is provided. The hinges are on a common inclined plane P sloping downward toward a drink outlet. A lever is used to manipulate the flexible structure between a drink outlet open position and a drink outlet closed position. The lever folds downward to avoid interference with a user's nose, and the cover includes a sump portion which also provides additional clearance for a user's nose. The flexible structure may be provided with snap action which enables multiple openings and closings of the drink opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2023
    Publication date: August 17, 2023
    Applicant: VIORALID, LLC
    Inventor: Douglas H. FLEMING
  • Patent number: 11111059
    Abstract: A drink-through lid for a beverage container. The lid provides a drink outlet that allows liquid to fill a drink well base, from which a consumer may sip a beverage similar to using an open top cup or mug. The lid is provided with a flexible structure which may be reversibly positionable between a drink outlet closed position and a drink outlet open position. In an embodiment, an outer or distal end of the flexible structure may be moved to a spill resistant position, wherein the outer end of the flexible structure substantially prevents splash of liquid outward from the beverage container thought the drink outlet, even when the flexible structure is in the open position. The flexible structure may include multiple panels and hinges which allow downward and upward movement by manual manipulation, to enable a user to open and close the drink outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Inventor: Douglas H Fleming
  • Patent number: 10729262
    Abstract: A beverage container lid. The lid provides a drink outlet that allows liquid to fill a drink well base, from which a consumer may sip a beverage similar to using a cup or mug. The lid provides a natural drinking experience. The base is sized and shaped to sealingly engage the opening of the beverage container. A hollow raised lip portion is provided, with an exterior portion extending upwardly. An outer lip portion is provided having an interior portion sloping downwardly and inwardly. The drink well base may slope upwardly from a peripheral side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: VAPORPATH, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas H Fleming
  • Publication number: 20190023459
    Abstract: A drink-through lid for a beverage container. The lid provides a drink outlet that allows liquid to fill a drink well base, from which a consumer may sip a beverage similar to using an open top cup or mug. The lid is provided with a flexible structure which may be reversibly positionable between a drink outlet closed position and a drink outlet open position. In an embodiment, an outer or distal end of the flexible structure may be moved to a spill resistant position, wherein the outer end of the flexible structure substantially prevents splash of liquid outward from the beverage container thought the drink outlet, even when the flexible structure is in the open position. The flexible structure may include multiple panels and hinges which allow downward and upward movement by manual manipulation, to enable a user to open and close the drink outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: January 24, 2019
    Applicant: VAPORPATH, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas H. FLEMING
  • Publication number: 20180127168
    Abstract: A drink-through lid with spill resistant tab for use on a beverage container. The lid provides a drink outlet that allows liquid to fill a drink well base, from which a consumer may sip a beverage similar to using a cup. The lid is provided with a spill resistant tab. The tab may include a blade portion which fits through a slit in the drink-through lid. The blade extends outward to a distal blade edge adjacent an interior wall of the beverage container. The blade has a width W2 as wide or wider than the effective outlet width W1 of the drink outlet. The lid may be provided with a generally V-shaped groove having a slit at the bottom thereof for passage of the blade therethrough. In an embodiment, the tab may include a Z-shaped connector portion sized and shaped for interlocking mating engagement with the V-shaped grove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2017
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: VAPORPATH, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas H. FLEMING
  • Publication number: 20170303713
    Abstract: A beverage container lid. The lid provides a drink outlet that allows liquid to fill a drink well base, from which a consumer may sip a beverage similar to using a cup or mug. The lid provides a natural drinking experience. The base is sized and shaped to sealingly engage the opening of the beverage container. A hollow raised lip portion is provided, with an exterior portion extending upwardly. An outer lip portion is provided having an interior portion sloping downwardly and inwardly. The drink well base may slope upwardly from a peripheral side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2017
    Publication date: October 26, 2017
    Applicant: VAPORPATH, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas H. FLEMING
  • Patent number: 9751665
    Abstract: A drink-through lid with spill resistant tab for use on a beverage container. The lid provides a drink outlet that allows liquid to fill a drink well base, from which a consumer may sip a beverage similar to using a cup. The lid is provided with a spill resistant tab. The tab may include a blade portion which fits through a slit in the drink-through lid. The blade extends outward to a distal blade edge adjacent an interior wall of the beverage container. The blade has a width W2 as wide or wider than the effective outlet width W1 of the drink outlet. The lid may be provided with a generally V-shaped groove having a slit at the bottom thereof for passage of the blade therethrough. In an embodiment, the tab may include a Z-shaped connector portion sized and shaped for interlocking mating engagement with the V-shaped grove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas H. Fleming
  • Patent number: 9642483
    Abstract: A beverage container lid. The lid provides a drink outlet that allows liquid to fill a drink well base, from which a consumer may sip a beverage similar to using a cup or mug. The lid provides a natural drinking experience. The base is sized and shaped to sealingly engage the opening of the beverage container. A hollow raised lip portion is provided, with an exterior portion extending upwardly. An outer lip portion is provided having an interior portion sloping downwardly and inwardly. The drink well base may slope upwardly from a peripheral side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2017
    Inventor: Douglas H. Fleming
  • Publication number: 20150223625
    Abstract: A drink-through lid with spill resistant tab for use on a beverage container. The lid provides a drink outlet that allows liquid to fill a drink well base, from which a consumer may sip a beverage similar to using a cup. The lid is provided with a spill resistant tab. The tab may include a blade portion which fits through a slit in the drink-through lid. The blade extends outward to a distal blade edge adjacent an interior wall of the beverage container. The blade has a width W2 as wide or wider than the effective outlet width W1 of the drink outlet. The lid may be provided with a generally V-shaped grove having a slit at the bottom thereof for passage of the blade therethrough. In an embodiment, the tab may include a Z-shaped connector portion sized and shaped for interlocking mating engagement with the V-shaped grove.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventor: DOUGLAS H. FLEMING
  • Publication number: 20150182049
    Abstract: A beverage container lid. The lid provides a drink outlet that allows liquid to fill a drink well base, from which a consumer may sip a beverage similar to using a cup or mug. The lid provides a natural drinking experience. The base is sized and shaped to sealingly engage the opening of the beverage container. A hollow raised lip portion is provided, with an exterior portion extending upwardly. An outer lip portion is provided having an interior portion sloping downwardly and inwardly. The drink well base may slope upwardly from a peripheral side.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2015
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: VAPORPATH, INC.
    Inventor: DOUGLAS H. FLEMING
  • Patent number: 8950623
    Abstract: A drink-through lid for a beverage container. The lid provides a drink outlet that allows liquid to fill a drink well base, from which a consumer may sip a beverage similar to using a cup or mug. The base is sized and shaped to sealingly engage the opening of the beverage container. A hollow raised lip portion is provided, and it has an exterior portion extending upwardly from the base. An outer lip portion is provided, with interior portion sloping downwardly and inwardly. A drink well base may have a sloped floor extending upwardly from a peripheral side along the lower end portions. At least one drink outlet is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Vaporpath, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas H. Fleming
  • Patent number: D704054
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas H. Fleming
  • Patent number: D704055
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas H. Fleming
  • Patent number: D708515
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas H. Fleming
  • Patent number: D709366
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas H. Fleming
  • Patent number: D709367
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas H. Fleming
  • Patent number: D711226
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Douglas H. Fleming
  • Patent number: D722498
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Vaporpath, Inc.
    Inventor: Douglas H. Fleming
  • Patent number: D751396
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Inventor: Douglas H. Fleming
  • Patent number: D807746
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: VAPORPATH, INC.
    Inventor: Douglas H. Fleming