BEVERAGE CONTAINER LID HAVING AN ELONGATED OPENING, INCLUDING A FLEXIBLE PORTION, FOR LIQUIDS
The present invention relates to lids for beverage containers, and more particularly to a lid including an elongated spout with an opening for dispensing the liquid. An elongated spout has an opening located at a distance from the lid, such that when drinking a liquid from the beverage container, the opening is located beyond the user's teeth such that contact by the liquid with the teeth, such as the front of the user's teeth, is reduced or eliminated. The elongated spout may be flexible, to allow a user to move and position it at different angles or depths within the mouth. The elongated spout may also be manufactured separate and distinct and then attached to a conventional lid, either through the top or the bottom, such that the elongated spout permits the liquid to flow from the beverage container through the opening in the lid and the elongated spout.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/727,201, filed on Sep. 5, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.
FIELDThe present invention relates to lids for beverage containers, and more particularly to a beverage container lid including an elongated spout with opening for dispensing liquid.
BACKGROUNDBeverage containers are ubiquitous in modern life. Many people use them for coffee, tea, juice and soda. Restaurants, coffee shops and vendors provide beverage container lids so that customers may enjoy their beverage on-the-go. Beverage lids are commonly used to reduce or prevent spillage.
Traditional lids suffer from various drawbacks. For hot beverages, such as coffee and tea, conventional lids have opening that puts beverage at the front of the mouth. This results in the liquid coming into direct contact with the teeth, and particularly the front of the teeth that can easily be seen by others. Coffee and tea contain tannins (acidic polyphenols) that lead to staining and discoloration of the teeth enamel. Acidic and sugary beverages, such as soda pop, juice and the like, can damage teeth and increase tooth decay. To avoid staining teeth, dentists have long recommended using a straw to keep stain-causing dyes away from the teeth. But straws are made of plastic which can burn a user's mouth due their thin texture. Although drinking through a straw could protect teeth from stains or the enamel-eating effects of acidic beverages, this may result in plastic molecules being absorbed into the body and there is concern that some of these molecules and chemicals should not be ingested, such as for interfering with the body's endocrine (hormonal) functions. Moreover, straws pose environmental issues that many want to avoid or prevent.
Others have recommended using re-usable silicone straws. However, this requires a user to remember to bring their own re-usable silicone straw. A user who forgets such a straw will be forced to use a conventional lid. Dentists have written that the only way to protect your teeth using a straw method would be to place the tip of the straw at the back of the mouth behind the teeth and tongue so the liquid goes straight from cup to back of the throat without touching the teeth. (https://askthedentist.com/drinking-sugary-drinks-through-straws/). However, straws come in one long size in general, and one would have to cut the straw depending on the size of the coffee cup.
For cold beverages, conventional lids often do not have pour spouts. Rather, these lids require a straw and thus suffer from the drawbacks of the straw method described previously. Moreover, straws provide additional waste and recent studies have indicated are particularly harmful for the environment.
Therefore, it is desirable to create a lid for beverages that reduces the use of straws while also allowing a user to drink the liquid so that the liquid enters the mouth beyond the user's teeth, thereby reducing or eliminating staining and damaging of the teeth.
SUMMARYAn embodiment of the present invention provides a lid for use with a beverage container use that provides for the liquid to enter the user's mouth beyond the user's teeth.
An embodiment of the present invention further provides a beverage container lid that creates a great drinking experience for coffee and tea lovers who drink one of more cups of this liquid daily, while preventing the damage to the tooth enamel and avoiding or minimizing the dark liquid from staining the teeth over time.
An embodiment of the present invention further provides a beverage container lid that allows a liquid to enter the mouth of the user behind the user's teeth, thereby reducing or eliminating the amount of liquid that comes into contact with the teeth. This may reduce or eliminate staining of the teeth, as well as damage due to contact with acidic or sugary beverages.
One aspect of the invention relates to a lid for a beverage container comprising a collar that allows the lid to be detachably affixed to the beverage container, a cover having a plane, an elongated spout having a base end and a distal end, the base end attached to the cover at the plane and the elongated spout being hollow to allow liquid to pass through it, and an opening at the distal of the elongated spout located at a distance from the plane of the cover, wherein the cover and the elongated spout are configured to direct liquid through the elongated spout and to the opening such that when a user takes a drink, the opening is placed in the mouth beyond the teeth of the of the user.
Another aspect of the invention relates to an insert for a lid for a beverage container comprising a hollow elongated spout having a base end and a distal end, wherein the elongated spout is hollow to allow liquid to pass through it, an insert located at the base end of the elongated spout, the insert having at least one wing that engages with a cover of the lid when the elongated spout is inserted into an opening in the lid and an opening at the distal of the elongated spout located at a distance from a plane of the cover, wherein the lid and the elongated spout are configured to direct liquid through the elongated spout and to the opening such that when a user takes a drink, the opening is placed in the mouth beyond the teeth of the of the user.
Further objectives, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the following drawings.
While the present disclosure will now be described in detail, and it is done so in connection with the illustrative embodiments, it is not limited by the particular embodiments illustrated in the figures and the appended claims.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION INVENTIONReference will be made in detail to certain aspects and exemplary embodiments of the application, illustrating examples in the accompanying structures and figures. The aspects of the application will be described in conjunction with the exemplary embodiments, including methods, materials and examples, such description is non-limiting and the scope of the application is intended to encompass all equivalents, alternatives, and modifications, either generally known, or incorporated here. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application belongs. One of skill in the art will recognize many techniques and materials similar or equivalent to those described here, which could be used in the practice of the aspects and embodiments of the present application. The described aspects and embodiments of the application are not limited to the methods and materials described.
As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.
Ranges may be expressed herein as from “about” one particular value, and/or to “about” another particular value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value. Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of the antecedent “about,” it will be understood that the particular value forms another embodiment. It will be further understood that the endpoints of each of the ranges are significant both in relation to the other endpoint, and independently of the other endpoint. It is also understood that there are a number of values disclosed herein, and that each value is also herein disclosed as “about” that particular value in addition to the value itself. For example, if the value “10” is disclosed, then “about 10” is also disclosed. It is also understood that when a value is disclosed that “less than or equal to “the value,” greater than or equal to the value” and possible ranges between values are also disclosed, as appropriately understood by the skilled artisan. For example, if the value “10” is disclosed the “less than or equal to 10” as well as “greater than or equal to 10” is also disclosed.
As used throughout this application, the term “may” is of permitted meaning (i.e., possibly) but not compulsory meaning (i.e., essentially). Similarly, the terms “comprising”, “including” and “consisting” mean “comprising but not limited to”,
As shown in
The lid 110 further includes a tapered portion 116 between the cover 112 and the elongated spout 113. In this embodiment of the invention, the tapered portion 116 provides for a smooth junction between the cover 112 and the spout 113 so that the user may place their lips and mouth on the lid 110 at the tapered portion 116. This may reduce any discomfort and provide an improved drinking experience.
As shown in
In contrast to the embodiment of
As shown in
In this embodiment, the bellows portion 418 is sufficiently flexible to enable the elongated spout 413 to extend, collapse and otherwise be moved by a user. According to an embodiment of the invention, bellows portion 418 may be made in a manner similar to that of a flexible straw, so as to allow the mouth portion 419 to be extended a distance away from the cover 412. The bellows portion 418 may be extended partially or fully, thereby allow a user to determine the length of the elongated spout 413 when in use.
The bellows portion 418 may also be moveable in other directions, such as to create a curved shape similar to that illustrated in
The lid 710 has a lid bottom 715, with a well 717. The insert 740 is inserted from the lid bottom 715 such that the bellows portion 718 inserts into and through the opening of the lid (not shown) toward the top portion of the lid 710. The wings 744 are wedged into the well 717 to secure the insert 740 such that bellows portion 718 stays above the lid 710 and through the opening of the lid 710, thereby allowing the user to drink the liquid through the insert 740. The insert 740 may be secured mechanically to lid 710, such as by friction. In another embodiment of the invention, the insert 740 may be secured to lid 710 through an adhesive, heat welding or other manners of securing.
The insert 840 further includes wing portions 849 attached to the end of the base portion 848 at the opening 842. According to an embodiment of the invention, wing portions 849 are pivotally connected to base portion 848 such that the wing portions 849 may move between a position substantially parallel to the walls of base portion 848 and a position substantially perpendicular to the walls of base portion 848. According to an embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in
A lid of the present invention may provide an opening to allow liquid to pour to the middle of the mouth, behind the teeth and to the middle of the tongue, therefore bypassing the front enamels of the teeth. According to an embodiment of the invention, the lids may be stackable or collapsible (like a flexible straw) to reduce the space taken up while on a merchant's shelf.
According to an embodiment of the present invention, an extendable spout with the opening through which the liquid, such as coffee, slips inside the mouth may work the same as a flexible straw that can be bent and moved around the mouth for the most comfortable drinking experience. The opening may be small enough that it will not allow the liquid to suddenly pour down in the mouth. This may be desirable for hot liquids, such as coffee or tea, to avoid burning the roof of the mouth or the tongue.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the elongated spout may be designed to be used with the current existing cups in the market such as Solo, Ecotainer (International Paper) and Dixie. In one embodiment, an elongated spout may be manufactured as an integrated part of such a lid. In another embodiment of the invention, an elongated spout may be manufactured separately, and then affixed to a conventional lid, such as mechanically, through an adhesive, through heat bonding, or similar manner.
Lids of the present invention may be made for any size beverage container. By way of example, lids of the present invention may be made for 8, 12, 16 and 20 oz. coffee cups or any other conventional size cup. Depending on what coffee cup is used, the size of the rim may stay the same. According to an embodiment of the invention, the coffee cups may have the exact same lid size regardless of the height and size of the cup. By way of example, the dimensions for Starbucks cups are currently: 8 oz.—90*80*53 mm (top*bottom*height); 12 oz.—103*85*75 mm (top*bottom*height); and 16 oz.—105*85*75 mm (top*bottom*height). Thus, lids of the present invention could be manufactured to fit these cups. Lids of the present invention may be manufactured to other sizes, so as to fit other size cups.
Lids of the present invention may be made of a variety of material. In one example, lids may be made from the same types of plastic that conventional lids are made of, such as plastic #6 (polystyrene) or the like,
Lids of the present invention may also be made from biodegradable products. By way of example, corn and sugarcane based disposables may be used in place of traditional petroleum based products. Other materials, such as paper-based products may also be used. Alternatively, multiple materials may be used together to create lids according to embodiments of the invention.
While various embodiments have been described above, it should be understood that such disclosures have been presented by way of example only and are not limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the subject compositions and methods should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims and their equivalents,
The above description is for the purpose of teaching the person of ordinary skill in the art how to practice the present invention, and it is not intended to detail all those obvious modifications and variations of it which will become apparent to the skilled worker upon reading the description. It is intended, however, that all such obvious modifications and variations be included within the scope of the present invention, which is defined by the following claims. The claims are intended to cover the components and steps in any sequence which is effective to meet the objectives there intended, unless the context specifically indicates the contrary.
It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are for clarity described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention, which are for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately and/or in any suitable sub-combination.
Claims
1. A lid for a beverage container comprising:
- a collar that allows the lid to be detachably affixed to the beverage container;
- a cover having a plane;
- an elongated spout having a base end and a distal end, the base end attached to the cover at the plane and the elongated spout being hollow to allow liquid to pass through it; and
- an opening at the distal of the elongated spout located at a distance from the plane of the cover;
- wherein the cover and the elongated spout are configured to direct liquid through the elongated spout and to the opening such that when a user takes a drink, the opening is placed in the mouth beyond the teeth of the of the user.
2. The lid for a beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the elongated spout included a bellows portion that is capable of being extended and retracted.
3. The lid for a beverage container according to claim 2, wherein the bellows portion is bendable.
4. The lid for a beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the elongated spout is substantially cylindrical.
5. The lid for a beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the lid is made of a biodegradable material,
6. The lid for a beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the elongated spout is located at a non-right angle to the plane of the cover.
7. The lid for a beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the elongated spout is curved.
8. The lid for a beverage container according to claim 1, wherein the elongated spout is tapered.
9. A insert for a lid for a beverage container comprising:
- a hollow elongated spout having a base end and a distal end, wherein the elongated spout is hollow to allow liquid to pass through it;
- an insert located at the base end of the elongated spout, the insert having at least one wing that engages with a cover of the lid when the elongated spout is inserted into an opening in the lid; and
- an opening at the distal of the elongated spout located at a distance from a plane of the cover;
- wherein the lid and the elongated spout are configured to direct liquid through the elongated spout and to the opening such that when a user takes a drink, the opening is placed in the mouth beyond the teeth of the of the user.
10. The insert for a lid for a beverage container according to claim 9, wherein the wing engages with a bottom portion of the cover to prevent liquid from leaving the container except through the opening in the elongated spout.
11. The insert for a lid for a beverage container according to claim 9, wherein the at least one wing is flexible.
12. The insert for a lid for a beverage container according to claim 10, wherein the at least one wing permits insertion of the insert through the opening in the lid from the top of the cover.
13. The insert for a lid for a beverage container according to claim 9, wherein the elongated spout included a bellows portion that is capable of being extended and retracted.
14. The insert for a lid for a beverage container according to claim 9, wherein the bellows portion is bendable.
15. The insert for a lid for a beverage container according to claim 9, wherein the elongated spout is substantially cylindrical.
16. The insert for a lid for a beverage container according to claim 9, wherein the lid is made of a biodegradable material.
17. The insert for a lid for a beverage container according to claim 9, wherein the elongated spout is arranged at anon-right angle to the plane of the cover.
18. The insert for a lid for a beverage container according to claim 9, wherein the elongated spout is curved.
19. The insert for a lid for a beverage container according to claim 9, wherein the elongated spout is tapered.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 5, 2019
Publication Date: Mar 5, 2020
Inventors: Afsaneh Siahpoush (Potomac, MD), Kamran Hashemzadeh (Potomac, MD), Darian Hashemzadeh (Potomac, MD)
Application Number: 16/561,822