SPLASH-RESISTANT DRINKING DEVICE
A splash-resistant drinking device for use with a lid of a cup. The device includes a stem that insertably engages an outlet opening of the lid. The stem has upper and lower opposed ends, a top opening adjacent the upper end, a bottom opening adjacent the lower end, and a cavity extending between the top and bottom openings. The stem is sized and shaped so as to be insertable into the outlet opening of the lid such that the lower end, and hence the bottom opening, are immersed in liquid contained in the cup. A column of the liquid is contained within the cavity, thereby inhibiting the splashing of the liquid through the outlet opening.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/111,872, filed Nov. 6, 2008, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety herein.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to splash-resistant drinking devices and, more particularly, to splash-resistant drinking devices for use in conjunction with liquid dispensing cup lids.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONUnwanted splashes of liquids that spill out of open tops of drinking cups have long plagued users of such containers. Various lids are available that have a lid opening usually positioned at the edge of the lid (i.e., next to the wall of the cup). The lid opening facilitates the process of drinking liquids contained in the cup without the need to remove the lid from the cup. Such lids are available for disposable hot cups in the form of disposable dome-shape or flat lids, or reusable travel-mug lids. However, lids with lid openings enable liquids to splash out of the opening when the cup is jostled by sudden inadvertent jerking movements. Such movements produce sloshing wave motion on the top surface of the liquid which is more pronounced adjacent to the wall of the container (i.e., adjacent to the drinking hole).
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention overcomes the above-identified problem by providing an easily manufacturable, disposable, splash-resistant, easily attachable device for use with a lid that has an opening. The device facilitates the process of drinking liquids contained in a cup through the opening of the lid while inhibiting liquid splashes from exiting through the opening when the user is not drinking through the opening.
In one embodiment of the invention, the device has a tapered stem which is inserted into a lid opening of a domed-shaped lid. The length of the stem, for example, is approximately two inches long when it is utilized with normal size hot cups. A flanged-shaped lip located at the top of the stem works in coordination with securing means to secure the device in the lid opening. The stem has a hollow column or cavity which is provided with a top opening for drinking liquid therethrough and lateral and bottom openings. Deflecting surfaces located in the cavity are sized and shaped to redirect liquid splashes away from exiting through the top opening of the cavity. A column of liquid, when present in the cavity of the stem, also inhibits splashes from exiting thought the top opening of the cavity.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
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The exterior surface of the stem 30 adjacent the upper end 32 of the device 10 can be made to have substantially the same configuration and shape as the edge 26 of the lid opening 24, but to have a size (e.g., a diameter) slightly larger than that of the lid opening 24. As a result, when the stem 30 is fully inserted in the lid opening 24, the device 10 can remain securely in place in the lid opening 24 by virtue of compressive forces exerted by the stem 30 against the edge 26 of the lid opening 24 and vice versa. Due to the frictional engagement between the stem 30 and the edge 26 of the lid opening 24, liquid in the container 18 is inhibited from seeping out through the gap 58 that may be formed between the lower surface 40 of the lip 38 and the top surface 22 of the lid 12. The size and shape of the stem 30 may vary depending on the size and shape of the lid opening 24 and/or the lid 12.
The device 10 can be further secured in the lid opening 24 by optionally providing securing mechanisms, such as one or more stopper-cleats 60 or a protruding ring (not shown) positioned on the exterior surface of the stem 30 adjacent the upper end 32. By adjusting the relative size of the cleats 60, a desired force required to remove the device 10 from the lid opening 24 can be established so that the device 10 can be easily removed from the lid opening 24 for possible reuse.
The size and the shape of the lip 38 may vary according to the shape and size of the lid opening 24 and/or the strength of the lid material. For instance, the lid opening 24 may be provided with a funnel-shaped rim (not shown) surrounding and extending below edge 26. In such circumstances, the device 10 may be fabricated without the lip 38 because the stem 30 may be secured and sealed in the lid opening 24 by the compressive forces that are exerted against the rim of the lid opening 24 by the stem 30. The device 10 and lid 12 may be fabricated from plastic (or any other suitable material) and formed by injection molding or other conventional processes that are suitable for forming the structural characteristics described herein.
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In use, the device 10 may be inserted in the lid 12 by first inserting the lower end 34 of the stem 30 into the lid opening 24. The lip 38 is then depressed until the lower surface 40 of the lip 38 is flush with the top surface 22 of the lid 12 and the cleats 60 of the stem 30 “click” securely around the edge 26 of the lid opening 24. The user then place his/her lips on the top surface 22 of the lid 12 and consumes (i.e., drinks) liquid through the top opening 42 of the device 10. The device 10 may be removed (e.g., for reuse at a later time) from the lid 12 in a manner that is the reverse of that described for its insertion.
When the container 18 shown in
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In use, the processes for the insertion and removal of the device 300 are the same as those for the device 10 described hereinabove. However, in using the device 300, the user places his/her lips around the spout 364 for drinking liquid therethrough.
It should be noted that the present invention can have numerous modifications and variations. For instance, the device may be integrated with the lid and fabricated as one unit.
While a number of embodiments of the present invention have been described, it is understood that these embodiments are illustrative only, and not restrictive, and that many modifications and/or alternative embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and embodiments that come within the spirit and scope of the present invention.
Claims
1. A splash-resistant device for a lid of a cup containing liquid therein, comprising a stem having upper and lower opposed ends, a top opening adjacent said upper end, a bottom opening adjacent said lower end, and a cavity extending between said top and bottom openings, said stem being sized and shaped so as to be insertable into an outlet opening of the lid of the cup such that when the cup is tilted, the liquid can flow through said cavity of said stem and through the outlet opening to flow outside of the cup, said stem having a length such that when said stem is positioned through the outlet opening of the lid, said lower end and hence said bottom opening are immersed in the liquid, and such that a column of the liquid is contained within said cavity of said stem, whereby the column of the liquid within said cavity inhibits the splashing of the liquid through the outlet opening.
2. The splash-resistant device of claim 1, wherein said stem includes at least one lateral opening positioned at a location intermediate said upper and lower opposed ends.
3. The splash-resistant device of claim 2, wherein said at least one lateral opening is positioned proximate said top opening.
4. The splash-resistant device of claim 2, further comprising at least one deflector proximate said at least one lateral opening, said at least one deflector protruding at least partially into said cavity, and said at least one deflector being sized and shaped so as to redirect the liquid flowing into said cavity to flow in a direction away from said top opening.
5. The splash-resistant device of claim 4, wherein said at least one deflector surrounds said at least one lateral opening.
6. The splash-resistant device of claim 4, wherein said at least one lateral opening includes an upper lateral opening positioned proximate said top opening, and said bottom opening is positioned directly below said upper lateral opening so as to form a lower lateral opening in said stem.
7. The splash-resistant device of claim 4, wherein said bottom opening is offset, and said bottom opening is positioned directly below said lateral opening.
8. The splash-resistant device of claim 1, further comprising a spout which engages said upper end of said stem, said spout including an orifice and a channel which extends between said orifice and said top opening of said stem.
9. The splash-resistant device of claim 1, wherein said stem is tapered such that said upper end has a first circumference and said lower end has a second circumference that is less than said first circumference.
10. The splash-resistant device of claim 1, wherein said stem includes a flange-shaped lip extending radially outward from said upper end of said stem, said lip having a lower surface that engages a top surface of the lid of the cup.
11. In combination, a cup for containing liquid therein, said cup having a lid with an outlet opening formed therein, and
- a splash-resistant device including a stem, said stem having upper and lower opposed ends, a top opening adjacent said upper end, a bottom opening adjacent said lower end, and a cavity extending between said top and bottom openings, said stem being sized and shaped so as to be insertable into said outlet opening of said lid of said cup such that when said cup is tilted, the liquid can flow through said cavity of said stem and through said outlet opening to flow outside of said cup, said stem having a length such that when said stem is positioned through said outlet opening of said lid, said lower end and hence said bottom opening are immersed in the liquid, and such that a column of the liquid is contained within said cavity of said stem, whereby the column of the liquid within said cavity inhibits the splashing of the liquid through said outlet opening.
Type: Application
Filed: Oct 28, 2009
Publication Date: May 6, 2010
Inventors: Seungsoo Lee (Geumjeong-gu), Chansoo Lee (Berkeley, CA)
Application Number: 12/607,414
International Classification: A47G 19/22 (20060101);