RAPID-FLOW AND SMOOTH-SPOUTED LID

Abstract

A lid (110) is provided for attaching to the rim (118) of the open end (116) of a container (112). The lid includes a large content discharge opening (124) in a smooth spout (122) around which the lips of a user can form a seal. The lid further includes a small vent opening (128) between the lid and the container. The large opening in the smooth spout and the small vent opening between the lid and the container allow for unobstructed and rapid dispensing of the contents of the container, such as a liquid beverage, in a controlled and spill-free manner during consumption.

Description

This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 12/830,283, filed Jul. 2, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to container lids, and more particularly relates to lids that allow for unobstructed and rapid dispensing of the contents of the container in a controlled manner. The invention is particularly suitable for individuals desiring to drink a beverage rapidly without spilling the liquid, such as runners who need to hydrate quickly while in motion. The invention is also suitable for any individual whose situation or circumstance makes the controlled and rapid dispensing of the contents of the container challenging or difficult.

2. Discussion of Related Art

There are many variations of lids for containers. Many container lids include one or more holes for the purpose of pouring or drinking of the contents of the container. Many lids have a primary purpose of preventing spillage of the contents when the user is not drinking from the container through the lid, but these lids generally contain small flow-inhibiting openings or other features, such as valves, doors, levers, and the like, that prevent unobstructed and rapid dispensing of the contents of the container. There are many situations or circumstances where an individual would desire to dispense the contents of a container rapidly and in a controlled manner in order to prevent spillage of the contents, especially when drinking.

One such circumstance is especially present for runners of long-distance races. During strenuous physical activities, especially those involving distance races of 10 kilometers or more, a runner's body can become dehydrated, unless the lost fluid is replaced. To maintain the body's physical capabilities, it is essential that fluids and nutrients be provided in a timely and appropriate manner. In marathon races, there may be as many as twenty aid or fluid stations spaced at convenient intervals throughout the race course where volunteers typically hand out to the runners plastic or paper containers filled with water or other suitable fluids. Some runners reluctantly feel compelled to come to a complete stop to drink the fluids in an effort to prevent spillage and choking as the fluid is consumed from these open containers, thus sacrificing precious time in the race. Other runners attempt to maintain their pace as they pass these aid or fluid stations. As the runner takes the container and attempts to drink, much of the fluid is splashed and spilled. The fluid often is splashed or spilled up their nose, into their eyes, across their face, down their neck, onto their clothing, etc. If the liquid contains fruit sugars and electrolytes, the runner's skin and clothing become encrusted with sticky and crystalline residue which causes discomfort and irritation, and reduces concentration and efficiency. Many of these runners also frequently choke when attempting to drink from a conventional cup container. Sometimes the fluid is provided in a closed plastic bottle. In this situation, the runner may be able to prevent spillage by sealing their mouth around the top of the bottle, but upon drinking, a vacuum is created and the fluid flow is restricted until air is allowed back into the bottle through the drinking opening.

Another situation where the ability to drink rapidly and controllably is valued is when one is riding in a moving vehicle, such as in a car, train, airplane, etc. In these situations, the environment of the moving vehicle can make drinking fluids rapidly without spillage a challenge. Attempting to drink rapidly from an open container can be very difficult during turns, on rough roads, during rapid accelerations or decelerations, during turbulence, etc.

Young children, the elderly, and those with physical impairments that limit their ability to control muscles involved in holding and positioning containers at one's mouth for drinking may also have difficulty drinking rapidly and in a controlled manner without spilling when drinking. Sometimes straws are used with or without lids on the containers to aid individuals like these. However, straws require suction and inherently limit the flow rate of the liquid. Straws usually are not attached to the container and typically move around freely, further complicating the task of drinking.

There are many other situations and circumstances, such as at fast-food restaurants, parties, public events, or other locations, where individuals are likely to be jostled or bumped by other people. The jostling and bumping can cause the liquid to spill out of the container and over the hands and clothing of the person using the container or over the clothing of persons in the vicinity of the user. The task of drinking without spilling is further complicated in these situations, and as such, there is value in providing a better solution for these drinking and container dispensing needs.

Hayes Jr., U.S. Pat. No. 4,795,052, describes a spill-proof lid that includes a liquid chamber and a vent chamber formed within the lid itself whether manufactured as two separate pieces or in one single piece. The liquid chamber begins with a small mouthpiece on the top side of the lid, follows a curvilinear path, and ends on the bottom side of the lid in close proximity to the mouthpiece. The liquid chamber resembles a curved straw integral to the lid and requires suction to produce liquid through the chamber. In order to provide the spill-proof characteristics of this invention, the cross-sectional area of the liquid chamber must remain small, thus preventing rapid and unobstructed dispensing of the contents of the container.

Heath et al., U.S. Pat. No. 7,134,570 B1, describe a disposable lid that grips the inner and outer walls of the lip of a cup. Two surfaces of the disposable lid converge together to form a sharp edge. A small liquid discharge port is provided adjacent to the apex of the sharp edge. A slit in the shape of a cross in the lid is provided for insertion of a straw and as a vent opening to prevent creation of a vacuum in the cup during use with the lid. Liquid is unobstructed as it travels from the cup to the liquid discharge port. The sharp edge on the lid makes sealing of the lips around the liquid discharge port difficult. The small size of the described liquid discharge port prevents rapid flow of the liquid through the port without significant suction. The slit provided for the insertion of a straw requires enough suction through the liquid discharge port to bend the lid adjacent the slit to create a vent opening, thus impeding the free flow and rapid flow of the contents of the cup.

Dark, U.S. Pat. No. 7,168,589 B2, describes a spill-resistant container including a cup and a cap. The cap has a spout extending upward and a vent opening, wherein the opening of the spout and the vent opening correspond to two of several recesses in the ledge of the cup. The cap can be rotated relative to the cup to selectively open and close the spout and the vent. Because the spill-resistant container is designed to be closed, the opening of the spout is limited in size. Although the user can seal around the spout with their lips, the small size of the opening of the spout prevents rapid and unobstructed dispensing of the contents of the container.

Edelstein et al., U.S. Pub. No. 2008/0061069 A1, describe a drink cup lid for mounting over the open mouth of a beverage container. The lid includes an annular rim, a concentric and smaller annular channel, and a central hub. A small drink aperture is provided along the side wall of the annular channel. Because the small drink aperture is positioned in the annular channel, the user is not able to form a seal around the small drink aperture with their lips when drinking. The design of this drink cup lid does not prevent spillage while drinking and does not allow for unobstructed and rapid dispensing of the contents of the cup.

Durdon, U.S. Pat. No. 7,175,042 B2, describes a disposable cup lid for placement onto the rim of a drinking cup. The cup lid includes a small drinking access port and a large condiment opening that can be closed with a sealing cap attached to the cup lid. The small drinking access port prevents unobstructed and rapid dispensing of the contents of the cup. In other embodiments, a fold-back tab and a tear tab are described which provide for rapid dispensing of the contents of the cup. Although the condiment opening, the fold-back tab, or the tear tab might provide for unobstructed and rapid dispensing of the contents of the cup, the cup lid does not allow the user to form a seal around the condiment opening, the fold-back tab, or the tear tab with their lips when drinking, and thereby could not provide for rapid flow without spillage.

Cai, U.S. Pub. No. 2008/0054005 A1, describes a hot cup lid providing alternating modes of access to the contents of a cup through a small sipping opening or an enlarged drinking opening selectively closed by a tear flap. In order to provide rapid dispensing of the contents of the cup, the tear flap must be opened and used to drink the contents. However, the cup lid described does not allow the user to form a seal around the enlarged drinking opening with their lips when drinking, and thereby does not provide for rapid flow without spillage.

The aforementioned inventions do not adequately meet the needs of those users described earlier. More specifically, cup lids like the lids in the aforementioned inventions are not being used with success by runners in long-distance races, nor are they being used with success to meet the needs of the other users described earlier. Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a container lid with a small vent opening formed between the lid and the container and a large content discharge opening in a smooth spout around which the lips of a user can form a seal, thereby allowing for unobstructed and rapid dispensing of the contents of the container, such as a liquid beverage, in a controlled manner so that spillage is prevented during consumption.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, a container lid is provided for attaching to the rim of the open end of a container. The lid includes a large content discharge opening in a smooth spout around which the lips of a user can form a seal. The lid further includes a small vent opening between the lid and the container. The large opening in the smooth spout and the small vent between the lid and the container allow for unobstructed and rapid dispensing of the contents of the container, such as a liquid beverage, in a controlled manner.

These and other advantages of one or more aspects will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and accompanying drawings. It is expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and are not intended as a definition of the limits of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the present invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container lid in keeping with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of a container lid in keeping with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 and 2 are perspective views of a container cap, closure, cover, or lid 110 and a cup, can, or container 112 having a bottom 114 and an open end 116. The lid 110 is shown attached to the container 112 at a lip or rim 118 (shown in FIG. 3) of the open end 116 of the container 112 by means of an annular clamp or mounting skirt 120. The illustrated mounting skirt 120 is of the type typically incorporated into durable or disposable drink-through or pour-through lids, and is adapted to be press-fit onto the open end of a cup, can, or container and held in place by means of friction or snapped onto the open end of a cup, can, or container and held in place by means of a mechanical interlock. The structure of the mounting skirt may take any form without departing from the scope of the present invention, provided that it is suitable for securing the lid 110 to a durable or disposable container. The lid 110 itself may also be either durable or disposable.

The lid 110 comprises a mouthpiece or smooth spout 122 with an orifice, aperture, access port, or content discharge opening 124 located at a proximal end 126 and a vent chamber, vent path, or vent opening 128 located at a distal end 130. The distal end 130 of the lid 110 refers to the portion farthest away from the user when drinking through the lid 110, whereas the proximal end 126 refers to the portion of the lid 110 facing the user when drinking, generally adjacent to the smooth spout 122. Although the vent opening 128 is shown located at the distal end 130, the vent opening could also be positioned in the mounting skirt 120 at other locations around the periphery of the lid 110.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 provides more detailed illustrations of the mounting skirt 120 and the vent opening 128 of the lid 110. A clasping feature, hooking feature, detent, or retention feature 136 of the mounting skirt 120 ensures that the lid 110 remains attached to the container 112 during use. The vent opening 128 comprises a channel 138 formed between the lid 110 and the wall at the open end 116 of the container 112, an inlet 140 located at an end of the channel 138 outside of the container 112, and an outlet 142 located at another end of the channel 138 inside of the container 112. When liquid stored in the container 112 is dispensed via the content discharge opening 124 of the smooth spout 122 of the lid 110, air may flow into the container 112 by entering at the inlet 140, passing through the channel 138, and exiting at the outlet 142 of the vent opening 128. The vent opening 128 prevents a flow-inhibiting vacuum condition within the container 112.

When using the lid 110 for drinking, the user grips and orients the container 112 so that the proximal end 126 and the smooth spout 122 point toward the user, places and seals their lips around the smooth spout 122, and tilts the container 112. When the container 112 is tilted towards the user, the contents stored in the container 112 flow into the smooth spout 122, through the content discharge opening 124, and into the user's mouth without spillage. The content discharge opening 124 is large enough to allow rapid flow of the contents of the container 112, and the smooth spout 122 is small enough to fit comfortably in the mouth of a user. As the contents of the container 112 flow into the user's mouth, air may flow into the container 112 via the vent opening 128 at the distal end 130 of the lid 110 to replace the volume of the contents that dispense into the user's mouth. The flow of air through the vent opening 128 prevents a flow-inhibiting vacuum condition within the container 112 and allows unrestricted drinking of the contents. The user then tilts the container 112 and lid 110 back to an upright position to cease the flow of the contents, such as a liquid beverage, and to return the remaining contents, if any, to the container 112.

When using the lid 110 for pouring, the user grips and orients the container 112 so that the proximal end 126 and the smooth spout 122 are at the lowest point as the container 112 is tilted. When the container 112 is tilted, the contents stored in the container 112 flow into the smooth spout 122 and out of the lid 110 through the content discharge opening 124. The large content discharge opening 124 allows for unobstructed and rapid dispensing of the contents of the container 112 in a controlled manner. As liquid contents of the container 112 flow through the content discharge opening 124 in the smooth spout 122, air may flow into the container 112 via the vent opening 128 at the distal end 130 of the lid 110 to replace the volume of liquid dispensed. The flow of air through the vent opening 128 allows for laminar flow of the liquid and prevents a flow-inhibiting vacuum condition within the container 112. The user then tilts the container 112 and lid 110 back to an upright position to cease the flow of the contents and to return the remaining contents, if any, to the container 112.

The contents can initially be placed in the container 112 before or after the lid 110 is attached to the container 112. When the lid 110 is already attached to the container 112, the contents can be poured into the container 112 through the large content discharge opening 124 in the smooth spout 122 of the lid 110. The large content discharge opening 124 also allows for additions of condiments, or other additives, to the existing contents of the container 112.

The container 112 to which the lid 110 may be attached may be of a variety of shapes, sizes, and materials, so long as it comprises a bottom 114, an open end 116, and a rim 118. Common materials for containers include paper, plastic, metal, and glass. A common shape for the rim of a container is circular, but may alternatively be substantially square, oval, or of another shape. Lid 110 is thermoformed, or vacuum-formed, from extruded plastic sheet material, and then punched or stamped to create essential features. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize, however, that alternative materials and methods of manufacture could also be used, such as plastics that are injection molded, sheet metals that are punched and extruded, or papers that are formed to a mold and trimmed. The description of the current preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention to any one particular material or method of manufacture. Rather, the scope of the invention should be considered only in reference to the claims, and should include alternative structures, materials, and elements that would be known to those of ordinary skill in the art.

Furthermore, the container lid allows individuals, such as runners, to easily and comfortably intake liquid refreshment in a controlled manner while in motion without spillage of the contents. The container lid permits individuals to selectively intake measured quantities of fluids during any one swallow, thereby not requiring any gulping, which tends to increase the amount of air carried into the stomach cavity causing discomfort to the individual. Because the vent opening is formed between the lid and the container, any liquid that is splashed towards the vent opening would only be able to exit the container below the mounting skirt, which prevents the liquid from splashing onto the user's face or into the user's eyes. Vent openings that are formed through the lid do not provide this potential benefit. The container lid allows individuals of varying age, ability, and circumstance to enjoy an unobstructed, non-turbulent, and rapid or free flow of the contents of the container through the smooth-spouted lid. The container lid also provides an effective way to drink liquids containing pieces of ice, as the spout of the container lid and the tongue of the user work in conjunction to hold back the ice while the liquid is channeled in a controlled manner into the user's mouth without spillage.

While the above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope, but rather as an exemplification of several embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, the container and the lid can be permanently bonded to one another. The lid can be formed in alternative shapes to match the shape of the accompanying container, including shapes that are substantially square, oval, rectangular, etc. The lid can be scaled to different sizes and the essential elements of the lid can be adjusted to fit the required size. The lid can be provided in a variety of colors or patterns, or in various degrees of transparency or opacity.

Accordingly, the scope should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.

Claims

1. A lid for placement onto the rim of a container at its open end, comprising:

a. a mounting skirt having a retention feature suitable for securing said lid to said container,

b. a smooth spout having a content discharge opening large enough to allow rapid flow of the contents of said container and small enough to fit comfortably into the mouth of a user, allowing said user to form a seal with their lips around said smooth spout, and

c. a vent opening formed between said lid and said container that allows air to enter into said container as contents are dispensed through said content discharge opening,

whereby said lid allows for unobstructed and rapid dispensing of the contents of said container in a controlled manner.

2. The lid of claim 1, wherein said smooth spout is located at a proximal end of said lid.

3. The lid of claim 1, wherein said vent opening is located at a distal end of said lid.

4. The lid of claim 1, wherein said vent opening includes a channel formed between said lid and the wall of said container at its open end, an inlet located at an end of said channel outside of said container, and an outlet located at another end of said channel inside of said container.

5. A lid for placement onto the rim of a cup at its open end, comprising:

a. a mounting skirt having a retention feature suitable for securing said lid to said cup,

b. a smooth spout having a content discharge opening large enough to allow rapid flow of liquid of said cup and small enough to fit comfortably into the mouth of a user, allowing said user to form a seal with their lips around said smooth spout, and

c. a vent opening formed between said lid and said cup that allows air to enter into said cup as liquid is dispensed through said content discharge opening,

whereby said lid allows for unobstructed and rapid dispensing of the liquid of said cup in a controlled manner so that spillage is prevented during consumption.

6. The lid of claim 5, wherein said smooth spout is located at a proximal end of said lid.

7. The lid of claim 5, wherein said vent opening is located at a distal end of said lid.

8. The lid of claim 5, wherein said vent opening includes a channel formed between said lid and the wall of said cup at its open end, an inlet located at an end of said channel outside of said cup, and an outlet located at another end of said channel inside of said cup.

9. A lid for placement onto the rim of a container at its open end, comprising:

a. retention means for securing said lid to said container,

b. dispensing means for allowing rapid flow of the contents of said container through said lid,

c. sealing means for allowing a user to seal the lips of their mouth to said lid to prevent spillage of the contents of said container through said dispensing means when drinking, and

d. venting means formed between said lid and said container for allowing air to enter into said container as contents are dispensed through said dispensing means to prevent a flow-inhibiting vacuum condition within said container,

whereby said lid allows for unobstructed and rapid dispensing of the contents of said container in a controlled manner.

10. The lid of claim 9, wherein said retention means includes a retention feature, and wherein said retention feature forms a mechanical interlock between said lid and said container.

11. The lid of claim 9, wherein said dispensing means and said sealing means include a content discharge opening large enough to allow rapid flow of the contents of said container and a smooth spout small enough to fit comfortably into the mouth of said user of said lid.

12. The lid of claim 9, wherein said venting means includes a channel formed between said lid and the wall of said cup at its open end, an inlet located at an end of said channel outside of said cup, and an outlet located at another end of said channel inside of said cup.