SPILL RESISTANT CONTAINER LID

Abstract

A container lid for placement on the mouth of a container is designed to prevent the unwanted removal of fluids from the container. The container lid includes a beverage dispensing chamber having an open first chamber end, a closed second chamber end and at least one chamber sidewall extending from the first chamber end to the second chamber end. The beverage dispensing chamber includes a spout chamber which includes an open end and a closed end connected by a wall. The wall includes a valve slit which forms a valve flap having a memory closure mechanism to render the valve slit effectively impermeable to fluid absent force upon the valve slit.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application entitled “Spill Proof Coffee Cup Lid,” Ser. No. 61/754,071, filed Jan. 18, 2013, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to container lids and specifically to beverage container lids designed to releasably engage to a beverage container and prevent spillage.

BACKGROUND

In the take away coffee industry, a lid is usually always placed on a disposable paper or plastic coffee or drink to-go cup. These lids, while having a design to slightly prevent some flow of fluid to reach the drinking hole in the top of the lid, do not prevent the exit of fluid from the cup. Thus when the cup is moved in any motion but the slightest, smoothest motion, a wave of fluid rises up and splashes or spills out of the container through the open drinking hole in the lid. Current lids, which are typically one piece in nature, either require a plug to prevent spills or have a hinged apparatus that requires the user to manually lift the flap between sips to open and close the flap. Some of these flaps are fashioned in a manner to allow one to fasten the flap in an open position. To close the flap, one has to manually move the flap cover to prevent spills or splashes.

Another type of one-piece container lid is described in U.S. Patent Publication 2010/0133272 to Whitaker et al., which is directed to a lid which attempts to prevent splashing by blocking the straight-line path of the fluid through the opening in the lid. This is accomplished by using a small gap, a series of horizontal ledges, a series slanted ledges, angled walls, and a concave bubble-like configuration, which includes a slit, which the user must press to depress a portion of the bubble creating an opening in the split for drinking the hot fluid.

U.S. Patent Publication 2010/0264143 to Chrisman describes a splash resistant container lid which employs a valve flap positioned at the floor of a valve chamber. The valve flap is of an ovoid or some rectangular shape with approximately 70-75% of valve chamber floor representing a cutaway valve flap and 25-30% representing a memory hinge. While the design of the valve flap is intended to prevent the unwanted flow of fluid from a container when the lid is attached, it is not believed that the memory hinge could withstand the pressure of the fluid against the valve flap if the container tipped on its side. In addition, the valve flap includes an open drain which will necessarily allow at least some egress of the fluid.

Other Lids which can prevent spills or splashes are two or three piece designs which require a flip open aperture or flap which then can be used to plug the hole, or a rotating assembly with a manually operated open and closed hole in the lid. These two and three piece lids require manual interaction between sips or drinks. Since they include multiple pieces, they require more materials to construct. These lids also require some form of extra hand assembly labor to be initially assembled, all which impacts costs to the retailer and to the consumer.

There is therefore a need in the art for a one piece beverage container lid which can effectively prevent spills or splashes. There is further a need for a beverage container lid that reduces or eliminates manual interaction to open and close a cup flap between sips. This need is especially important for users who operate motor vehicles, where cup jostles occurs constantly.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a container lid for placement on the mouth of a container such as a disposable coffee or drink cup. The container lid is designed to prevent the unwanted removal of fluids from the container such as spills and splashes when the container is shaken, jostled, squeezed, tipped or moved in any way that could cause the fluid from splashing out of the drink opening in the lid.

The present invention is directed to a container lid 12 for placement on a container 10, comprising a beverage dispensing chamber 50 having an open first chamber end 52, a closed second chamber end 62 and at least one chamber sidewall 64 extending from the first chamber end 52 to the second chamber end 62. The beverage dispensing chamber 50 includes a spout chamber 68, comprising a spout edge portion 56 and an interior edge portion 58 adjacent to the open first chamber end 54 of the beverage dispensing chamber 50, and a valve slit 66 positioned on the chamber sidewall 64, the valve slit 66 forming a valve flap 70, wherein the valve flap 70 comprises a memory closure mechanism to render the valve slit 66 effectively impermeable to fluid absent force upon the valve slit 66.

More particularly and with reference to the numbers on the figures, the present invention is directed to a container lid 12 for placement on a container 10, comprising a first snap-fit channel 32 to removably attach and sealingly engage the container lid 12 to the container 10, a second upper end or top wall 22 including a spout edge 56, an exterior side wall 24 extending from the first snap-fit internal channel 32 to the top wall 22, and a beverage dispensing chamber 50. The beverage dispensing chamber 50 includes an open first end 54 forming an opening 52, a closed second end 62 and an interior sidewall 64 forming a well 60. The area between the interior side wall 25 and the interior sidewall 64 forms a spout chamber 68 within the internal chamber 26, wherein the interior sidewall 64 includes a valve slit 66 adjacent the spout chamber 68, wherein the valve slit 66 comprises a memory closure to effectively prevent fluid from permeating the interior side wall 25 absent vacuum force upon it, such as a sucking action from the user's mouth. Thus, the lid 12 of the present invention is an integration of a valve flap 70 or valve slit 66 in the beverage dispensing chamber 50, which prevents the fluid permeating into the well 60 unless the valve slit 66 has a slight suction applied to it

The container lid 12 of the present invention allows the user to carry a drink container 10 or place fluid in a drink container 10 without worrying about splashes or spills if an abrupt motion or movement occurs that would normally cause a drink to splash or spill.

Advantageously, the container lid 12 is a one-piece solution to a spill problem where the only solutions thus far to date have been expensive multi-piece lids which require varying degrees of user interaction to open and close apertures in the lid.

The objects and advantages of the invention will appear more fully from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention made in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective exploded view of a container 10 illustrating the container lid 12 of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a cut away side view of the container lid 12 of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the container lid 12 of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial cutaway view of the container lid 12 of the present invention.

FIGS. 5A-J are end-plan views of the container lid 12 of the present invention illustrating different forms of the flap valve 70 of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cut away side view of the container lid 12 of the present invention illustrating fluid flow lines.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the container 10 of the present invention illustrating fluid flow lines.

FIGS. 8A-D are partial cutaway side views of the container lid 12 of the present invention illustrating varying angles of the beverage dispensing chamber 50 of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The illustrations presented in the figures are not intended to define a specific configuration of a particular lid or container except where noted. Rather, they are generally directed to standard representations of lids and containers in order to describe the various embodiments of the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings and specifically to FIG. 1, there is disclosed a container 10 upon which is seated a container lid 12. The container 10 is a typical container cup made of plastic, paper, cardboard, Styrofoam or other material known to the art. Such containers are well known to the art and can be illustrated and described in various conventions, such as a reusable or disposable container of a variety of shapes and sizes. Without wishing to be limited to any specific design or example, the container 10 can be a conventional nondisposable or disposable coffee cup or a soft drink cup. It can be insulated or non-insulated. Typical of such containers are those used in coffee shops and fast food or take out restaurants. The container 10 includes a base 14 at one end, typically a cylindrical wall 16 and an opening or mouth 18, surrounded by an outward ledge or lip 20.

The container lid 12 is designed to be removably attached to the container 10 typically by snap fitting the lid 12 to the lip 20 of the mouth 18 of the container 10 over the lip 20 to form a seal around the mouth 18 of the container 10, thereby containing any fluid in the container 10. The lid 12 may be formed from conventional materials known to the art. By way of example and not limitation, the lid 12 may comprise a plastic material, i.e., a polymer, formed by conventional techniques, such as one or more of thermoforming, vacuum forming, injection molding and other forming processes. An advantage of the present invention is that the lid 12 is a single structure with no moving or separate parts, which makes it easier to construct. The lid 12 includes a first lower end 21, a second upper end 22 and a sidewall 24, which defines an internal chamber 26, illustrated in FIG. 2. The first lower end 21 includes a peripheral skirt 30 and an internal channel 32, illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, designed to form a snap-fit removable closure over the outward lip 20 of the container 10.

The sidewall 24 rises at preferably an inward slope at an angle of about between 1° and 15° from vertical, such that the diameter of the first lower end 21 is greater than the diameter of the second upper end 22.

The second upper end 22 is defined by a perimeter ring 34 extending from the sidewall 24 to an inner sidewall 36. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the second upper end 22 of the container lid 12 is defined by a slanted interior surface 38 which can include a ventilation opening 40, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, to aid in the removal of fluid from the container 10.

Located at one end of the container lid 12 is a beverage dispensing chamber 50, generally located at the end opposing the ventilation opening 40. The beverage dispensing chamber 50 is positioned at a point close to or overlapping the perimeter ring 34. The beverage dispensing chamber 50 is defined by an opening 52 at the first end 54 of the beverage dispensing chamber 50. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, this opening 52 can have an oval or round appearance. However, it is within the scope of the present invention to provide openings of different shapes, such as square, rectangular, hexagonal, etc. The positioning of the opening 52 with respect to the perimeter ring 34 of the container lid 12 defines a spout edge 56 close to the exterior sidewall 24. The beverage dispensing chamber 50 further includes a well 60, illustrated in FIG. 2, passing from the first end 54 to a closed second end 62. The well 60 is defined by an interior sidewall 64 which typically tapers from the first end 54 to the second end 62 to form a sloped shape.

The interior sidewall 64 is further defined by a valve slit 66 positioned on the interior sidewall 64 at a location between the first open end 54 and the second closed end 62. The valve slit 66 is preferably located at the spout edge 56. The valve slit 66 is preferably a machined die cut passageway in the interior sidewall 64 of the well 60 of the dispensing chamber 50 to the internal chamber 26 at the location of the spout chamber 68 to form the valve slit 66. The shape of the valve slit 66 is preferably curved in a variety of shapes to form a valve flap 70, as best illustrated in FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIGS. 5A-5J, the shape of the valve flap can be changed as desired to create different flow patterns of fluid passing from the container 10 when the flap 70 is altered with respect to the shape of the interior sidewall 64. Different die cut shapes of the valve 70 have different flow properties. The different shapes allow different quantities of fluid to flow when suction forces are applied. The die cut shapes of the flaps 70 can be a single cut, as illustrated by flaps 601, 603, 604, 605, 606 and 610 in FIGS. 5A, 5C, 5D, 5E, 5F, or 5J, or a multiple die cut, as illustrated by flaps 602, 607, 608, or 609 in FIGS. 5B, 5G, 5H and 51. The die cut can be a simple squared shape die cut, as illustrated by flaps 604 or 605 in FIGS. 5D or 5E, or a rounded arc shaped die cut as illustrated by flaps 601, 603 or 606 in FIGS. 5A, 5C and 5F, to a butterfly shaped die cut, as illustrated by flaps 602, 607, 608 or 609 in FIGS. 5B, 5G, 5H or 51, to a triangular shaped die cut, as illustrated by flap 610 in FIG. 5J. Other shapes as desired can also be used to create the desired flow volume and splash resistance. The die cut can also incorporate a series of small openings or a circular die cut as desired.

As illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8D, the angle of the interior sidewall 64 of the beverage dispensing chamber 50 which contains the valve flap 70 can be varied. The surface angle can range from an almost vertical angle, as illustrated by interior sidewalls 801 and 802 in FIGS. 8A and 8B, with just enough angle to allow multiple container lids 12 to be stacked for packaging to an angle that can up to and including a horizontal angle, as illustrated by interior sidewalls 803 and 804 in FIGS. 8C and 8D. The varying angles of the valve flap 70 surface varies the direction required for a splashing force of fluid to flow against the valve flap 70 in order to overcome the strength of the valve flap 70. The variance of the surface angle also allows the thickness of the surface to be varied as the lid 12 is thermoformed in a vacuum forming device. A vertical surface closer to the side 24 of the container lid 12 will be a thinner surface due to the stretching of the material as it is vacuum formed into the mold. As the surface angle changes to a more horizontal angle, the thickness of the material will become thicker from the vacuum forming process as the material does not need to stretch over larger surface areas. This varying of the angle and varying of the material thickness further allows for strengthening or reducing in strength of the valve flap 70.

The well 60 can also have a variety of shapes. However, the preferred shape is oval or round. The shape allows the valve flap 70 to open and close from the vacuum force created by the sucking action of the user drinking the fluid contained in the container 10. The rounded wall surface adds strength to the valve flap 70 that the flat surface may not have on its own. The degree of curvature of the oval surface can be changed by changing the shape of the well 60. A narrow oval flap 70 having a slight curvature may in fact be weaker than a wide, more curved oval flap 70. The various degrees of curvature allow the container lid 12 to have different levels of strength to overcome the force of the fluid against the valve flap 70. This curvature also regulates the flow of fluid when vacuum or sucking force is applied. The higher the degree of curvature creates a stronger valve flap 70 which then requires a higher level of suction to overcome the strength of the valve flap 70 in order to drink the fluid.

Referring again to the container 10, the area immediately surrounding the upper end 52 of the beverage dispensing chamber 50 is known as the mouthpiece 80. The mouthpiece 80 includes the spout edge 56 and an interior edge portion 58.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the container lid 12 of the present invention is designed to snap fit in a removable fashion upon the container 10. In another embodiment of the invention, the container lid 12 can be sealed onto the container 10 by shrink wrap or other means. This type of sealing connection is more expeditious when the container 10 might be in the shape of a bottle, such as a large mouth juice bottle.

The elements that are embodied in the present invention which allow the restriction of fluid or spill prevention and regulation of fluid flow are as follows:

1) The thickness of the materials used to make the container lid 12, such as polystyrene plastic or polypropylene plastic. Thinner materials may cause a weaker valve flap 70, therefore requiring a valve flap shape more conducive to the thinner materials, while thick materials result in a stronger valve flap 70;

2) The shape of the valve flap 70 or the aperture created during the suction process, as depicted in FIGS. 5A-5J;

3) The size of the well 60 which blocks the splashing fluid;

4) The curvature or flatness of the inner sidewall 64 in which the valve slit 66 is cut; and

5) The angle of the sidewall 64, as illustrated in FIGS. 8A-8D. The steeper angle creates less fluid flow against the valve flap 70.

With reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, the beverage dispensing chamber 50 of the lid 12 is configured to prevent the flow of fluid, illustrated by lines 701-708, from the container 10 and the internal chamber 26 of the lid 12 unless the lid 12 is positioned such that the user's mouth covers the mouthpiece 80, which encompasses the opening 52 of the beverage dispensing chamber 50. The user then applies suction to the opening 52 to create vacuum pressure within the well 60 of the beverage dispensing chamber 50. The vacuum pressure created by the suction of the user's mouth on the interior side wall 64 of the well 60 at the location of the valve slit 66 causes the fluid to flow from the internal chamber 26, via the fluid line patterns illustrated by reference numbers 701 and 702 in FIG. 6 and reference numbers 705 and 706 in FIG. 7 into the spout chamber 68 portion of the internal chamber 26. The continued suction action of the user causes the valve flap 70 to penetrate into the well 60 against the memory action created by curvature of the interior side wall 64 of the dispensing chamber 50 thereby creating an opening at the valve slit 66 to allow fluid to penetrate into the well 60 via fluid line patterns illustrated by reference numbers 703, 704 and 708 in FIG. 6 and reference number 707 in FIG. 7. Tilting the beverage dispensing chamber 50 toward the user's mouth results in the measured flow of fluid to the user.

Once the vacuum, created by the user's mouth, is released, the memory action of the interior side wall 64 causes the valve flap 70 to return to its aligned position on the interior sidewall 64 of the beverage dispensing chamber 50 thereby effectively sealing the valve slit 66 shut. When the valve slit 66 is shut, the remaining fluid in the container 10 is contained and not susceptible to splashing out of the container 10 and the lid 12.

Any version of any component or method step of the invention may be used with any other component or method step of the invention. The elements described herein can be used in any combination whether explicitly described or not.

All combinations of method steps as used herein can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified or clearly implied to the contrary by the context in which the referenced combination is made.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

Numerical ranges as used herein are intended to include every number and subset of numbers contained within that range, whether specifically disclosed or not. Further, these numerical ranges should be construed as providing support for a claim directed to any number or subset of numbers in that range. For example, a disclosure of from 1 to 10 should be construed as supporting a range of from 2 to 8, from 3 to 7, from 5 to 6, from 1 to 9, from 3.6 to 4.6, from 3.5 to 9.9, and so forth.

All patents, patent publications, and peer-reviewed publications (i.e., “references”) cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference in their entirety to the same extent as if each individual reference were specifically and individually indicated as being incorporated by reference. In case of conflict between the present disclosure and the incorporated references, the present disclosure controls.

The devices, methods, compounds and compositions of the present invention can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the essential elements and limitations described herein, as well as any additional or optional steps, ingredients, components, or limitations described herein or otherwise useful in the art.

While this invention may be embodied in many forms, what is described in detail herein is a specific preferred embodiment of the invention. The present disclosure is an exemplification of the principles of the invention is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiments illustrated. It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to the particular examples, process steps, and materials disclosed herein as such process steps and materials may vary somewhat. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting since the scope of the present invention will be limited to only the appended claims and equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A container lid for placement on a container, comprising:

a. a beverage dispensing chamber having an open first chamber end, a closed second chamber end and at least one chamber sidewall extending from the first chamber end to the second chamber end, wherein the beverage dispensing chamber includes: i. a spout chamber, comprising a spout edge portion and an interior edge portion adjacent the open first chamber end of the beverage dispensing chamber; and ii. a valve slit positioned on the chamber sidewall, the valve slit forming a valve flap, wherein the valve flap comprises a memory closure mechanism to render the valve slit effectively impermeable to fluid absent force upon the valve slit.

2. The container lid of claim 1 further comprising:

a. a first lid end comprising a channel to removably attach and sealingly engage the container lid to the container;

b. a second lid end comprising a spout edge;

c. an exterior side wall extending from the first lid end to the second lid end;

d. an interior planar surface; and

e. an interior side wall extending from the interior planar surface to the second lid end.

3. The container lid of claim 2 comprising a mouthpiece including the spout edge.

4. The container lid of claim 2 comprising a circular container lid wherein the diameter of the first lid end is greater than the diameter of the second lid end.

5. The container lid of claim 1 further comprising a ventilation opening positioned on the second lid end.

6. The container lid of claim 1 wherein the force upon the valve slit is vacuum force.

7. The container lid of claim 1 wherein the container lid is a one-piece container lid.

8. The container lid of claim 1 wherein the valve flap is formed from a single cut valve slit.

9. The container lid of claim 1 wherein the valve flap is formed from a multiple cut valve slit.

10. A container lid for placement on a container, comprising:

a. A first lid end comprising a channel to removably attach and sealingly engage the container lid to the container;

b. a second lid end comprising a spout edge;

c. an exterior side wall extending from the first lid end to the second lid end;

d. an interior planar surface;

e. an interior side wall extending from the interior planar surface to the second lid end; and

f. a beverage dispensing chamber positioned on the second lid end, the beverage dispensing chamber having an open first chamber end, a closed second chamber end and at least one chamber sidewall extending from the first chamber end to the second chamber end, wherein the beverage dispensing chamber includes: i. a spout edge portion positioned on the first lid end adjacent the spout edge and an interior edge portion, wherein the spout edge and the interior edge portion form a spout chamber, and ii. a valve slit positioned on the chamber sidewall, the valve slit forming a valve flap, wherein the valve flap comprises a memory closure mechanism to render the valve slit effectively impermeable to fluid absent force upon the valve slit.

11. The container lid of claim 10 comprising a mouthpiece including the spout edge.

12. The container lid of claim 10 comprising a circular container lid wherein the diameter of the first lid end is greater than the diameter of the second lid end.

13. The container lid of claim 10 further comprising a ventilation opening positioned on the second lid end.

14. The container lid of claim 10 wherein the force upon the valve slit is vacuum force.

15. The container lid of claim 10 wherein the container lid is a one-piece container lid.

16. The container lid of claim 10 wherein the valve flap is formed from a single cut valve slit.

17. The container lid of claim 10 wherein the valve flap is formed from a multiple cut valve slit.