CONTAINER LID AND ASSOCIATED METHOD FOR USING THE SAME

Abstract

A lid for use in association with a beverage container including: a side wall, a top wall, wherein the top wall extends radially inward from the side wall; a rib, wherein the rib is generally annular and emanates from the side wall, and wherein the rib is releasably connectable to the beverage container; a skirt, wherein the skirt is generally annular and emanates from the rib; and a reservoir associated with the top wall, wherein the reservoir is adapted to contain one or more condiments.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to container lids and, more particularly, to disposable container lids that include a condiment reservoir. The container lids of the present invention are preferably releasably associated with, for example, beverage cups/containers provided by drive-thru restaurants and/or other establishments.

The container lids of the present invention are ultra-convenient, and allow users the essentially hands-free option of dipping, for example, fries and/or nuggets, while on the go. The container lids of the present invention also allow condiments to be mixed in the reservoir. In addition, the container lids of the present invention help to keep children and automobiles cleaner than when traditional container lids, without reservoirs, are used. Furthermore, the container lids of the present invention, when secured to a container having a cool and/or iced beverage, enable condiments to stay cooler for a substantially longer period of time.

2. Background Art

Lids for containers have been known in the art for years, and are the subject of a plurality of patents including, for example: U.S. Pat. No. 7,850,037 entitled “Reclosable Lid Having a Slidable Closure Panel,” U.S. Pat. No. 7,789,260 entitled “Disposable Cup Lid,” U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,130 entitled “Drinking Cup Lids with Promotional Game Piece,” U.S. Pat. No. 7,131,551 entitled “Container Lid with Closure Member,” U.S. Pat. No. 7,017,775 entitled “Container Lid Including Venting and Denesting Features, and Container Having Such a Lid,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,649 entitled “Lid,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,726 entitled “Container Lid with a Plurality of Aroma Vent Holes in a Center Portion of a Container Lid Cover,” U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,542 entitled “Lid for Beverage Container,” U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,255 entitled “Snap-On Lid,” and U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,379 entitled “Cover for a Beverage Can”—all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety including all references cited therein.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,850,037 appears to disclose a reclosable cup lid thermoformed from a polymeric material. The lid includes a closure panel and a lid member having a sidewall and a top wall. The top wall has an upper and lower side and a drinking aperture at a periphery of the top wall. The top wall defines a pair of engagement tracks disposed on the lower side of the top wall. The engagement tracks include a scalloped configuration and an undercut depth. The closure panel is insertable into the scalloped engagement tracks by application of a bending force to the lid member suitable to widen the distance between the tracks.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,789,260 appears to disclose a disposable cup lid that includes a body and a mounting portion extending around the periphery of the body. The body defines a suitably shaped clearance area to accommodate a person's nose when drinking the contents of a cup having the lid positioned thereon. The body also defines an enhanced drinking area which is suitably configured to provide a person with a drinking experience more similar to the drinking experience of drinking from an uncovered cup or glass. In one embodiment, the body includes a raised portion which defines a lip engaging front wall and an enhanced drinking area. The enhanced drinking area includes a closure member having an upwardly extending gripping member and a drink-through opening initially covered by the closure member, wherein the drink-through opening is positioned substantially adjacent to the lip engaging front wall. The closure member is movable about a hinge from an initial closed position to an open position. The closure member of the top wall is also movable into a locking position wherein the gripping member frictionally engages the walls of a locking recess.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,195,130 appears to disclose a drinking cup lid that is adapted and configured to afford some measure of protection to the game piece from beverage seepage through a straw opening. Preferably, the cup lid is configured so that a game piece is spaced above the straw opening co-located within a recessed well of the lid thereby allowing beverage seepage to remain physically separated from the game piece. Access to the beverage within the cup is facilitated by providing a cross-cut straw aperture in the game piece which is in substantial alignment to the straw opening formed in the lid. A beveled segment of a raised plateau on which the game piece is affixed allows a tab associated with the game piece to be more easily grasped and removed by a customer to reveal the printed text/indicia of the game piece.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,131,551 appears to disclose a lid for a container holding a flowable substance, wherein the lid has a body with a top wall, a side wall, and a mounting portion for connecting the lid on the container. The body has a drink opening and at least one retaining member positioned in the top wall in various positions with respect to the drink opening. The lid further has a closure member that is movable between a first position, wherein a portion of the closure member is received in the opening, and a second position wherein a portion of the closure member is received in the retaining member. The opening and the closure member are cooperatively dimensioned such that the closure member is removably inserted in the opening. The retaining member and the closure member are cooperatively dimensioned such that the closure member is removably inserted in the retaining member.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,017,775 appears to disclose a selectively detachable container lid that includes a center panel and a peripheral sealing lip surrounding the panel. The peripheral sealing lip has a generally inverted U-shaped cross section so as to define a channel into which a bowl rim fits. The lid also includes at least one ridge formed between the panel and the peripheral sealing lip. The ridge is interrupted by at least one gap. The ridge and the peripheral sealing lip partially overlap when viewed in a direction substantially normal to the panel. The ridge also abuts the bowl when the lid is placed loosely on the bowl.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,874,649 appears to disclose a lid for a beverage cup. The lid has a generally annular side wall, a rib depending from the side wall, and a top wall extending radially inward from the side wall. The lid further includes a central region positioned radially inward of the top wall. The central region has a well with a notched portion. The lid also includes a projection extending from a portion of the side wall. A living hinge formed by a line of weakness at the base of the projection permits the projection to be pivoted between an open position and a closed position. The central region has a shoulder portion that engages the tip of the projection to secure the projection in the open position.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,578,726 appears to disclose a one piece and/or two-piece container lid designed for allowing a beverage aroma to escape from a drink container for the enjoyment of the user of the container. The two-piece container lid broadly comprises an upper lid cover and a lower lid cover. The upper lid cover includes an annular upper lid top portion with a downwardly extending skirt disposed around the outer circumference of the top portion. An upper lid drink opening is disposed on one side of the top portion. Next to the upper lid drink opening is an upper recess area formed in part of the top portion. The upper recess area includes a plurality of aroma vent holes therein. The lower lid cover includes an annular lower lid top portion with a raised rim therearound. The rim includes a lower lid drink opening in one side thereon. A downwardly extending exterior flange is disposed around the outer circumference of the rim. The flange includes first and second lip grooves for receiving different diameter containers. A lower recess area is formed in the lower lid top portion. The lower recess area also includes outwardly extending stops and a plurality of aroma vent holes therein. An inner circumference of the upper lid skirt is received around an upper portion of the flange of the lower lid cover in a snap/press fit.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,202,542 appears to disclose an infuser unit for making beverages in an associated container. The infuser unit attaches to the top of the associated container and includes a well portion for receiving and holding a charge of flavoring material. Heated water, or other liquid, is poured through the well portion into the associated container and then circulates between the inside and outside of the well portion to permit infusion of flavors from the flavoring materials to the liquid. A cover for the infuser unit is also provided that seats within the top of the well and forms a trough on its reverse side to collect excess liquid from the well after the infuser unit is removed from the associated container.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,385,255 appears to disclose a disposable biodegradable snap-on lid for a recappable annular walled paper container having an annular rim around its upper open end. The lid has a top wall and a depending annular skirt formed by the downward extension of the top wall. The lower portion of the skirt is turned inwardly and upwardly and defines an annular locking ring within the skirt spaced upwardly from the lower end of the downwardly open skirt. The locking ring is sized for snap-over engagement with the rim on the container to releasably secure the lid in capping relation to the container. The annular opening at the lower end of the skirt is sized to receive therein and complement the upper end portion of another lid of like kind to facilitate stacking for dispensing and packaging concepts.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,938,379 appears to disclose a protective one-piece circular dish shaped synthetic plastic beverage can top cover having an upstanding integral loop-shaped radially outer rim for nested engagement with a raised circular can edge of a beverage can. The loop-shaped outer cover rim defines an axially inwardly opening annular groove for receiving a raised circular edge of the beverage can when the cover is mounted upon an upper open end of a beverage can. The cover has a dish shaped depressed area that has a meshed area alignable with the can opening in an upper end of the beverage can to allow beverage fluids to flow from the beverage can through the meshed area of the cover. The cover and the meshed area are cooperable with the loop-shaped outer cover rim when mounted upon the beverage can to prevent bees and the like from entering the can opening in the top of the beverage can.

While the above-identified patents do appear to disclose various container lids, their configurations remain non-desirous and/or problematic inasmuch as, among other things, none of the above-identified container lids appear to be ultra-convenient, and allow users the essentially hands-free option of dipping, for example, fries and/or nuggets, while on the go. Moreover, none of the above-identified container lids appear to provide a condiment reservoir that is controllably cooled by the beverage of an associated cup and/or container.

These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent in light of the present specification, claims, and drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a lid for use in association with a beverage container, comprising: (a) a side wall, wherein the side wall is generally annular; (b) a top wall, wherein the top wall extends radially inward from the side wall; (c) a rib, wherein the rib is generally annular and emanates from the side wall; (d) a skirt, wherein the skirt is generally annular and emanates from the rib; and (e) a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is adapted to contain one or more condiments.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the top wall further comprises an aperture for receiving a straw therethrough.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the side wall and the top wall form a generally frusto-conical region.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the rib is releasably connectable and/or securable to the beverage container.

In one aspect of the present invention, the skirt is adapted to regulate vertical displacement of the lid when stacked with one or more other lid(s).

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir is associated with the top wall of the lid. In this embodiment, the reservoir preferably comprises four side walls in a spaced-apart relationship.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reservoir is positioned proximate to at least one of ice and a flowable liquid to controllably regulate the temperature of a condiment positioned in the reservoir.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lid comprises a paper product, a wax coated paper product, a plastic, and/or a thermoplastic.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lid comprises at least one of the group consisting of an aliphatic polyamide, a semi-aromatic polyamide, and combinations thereof.

In another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lid comprises at least one of the group consisting of nylon PA 6, nylon PA 66, nylon PA 6/66, nylon PA 66/610, and combinations thereof.

In yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the lid comprises at least one of the group consisting of a polycarbonate, an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a nylon, a copolyester, a polystyrene, a high impact polystyrene, a polyphenylene oxide, and combinations thereof.

The present invention is also directed to a lid for use in association with a beverage container, consisting of: (a) a side wall, wherein the side wall is generally annular; (b) a top wall, wherein the top wall extends radially inward from the side wall, and wherein the top wall includes an aperture for receiving a straw therethrough; (c) a rib, wherein the rib is generally annular and emanates from the side wall; (d) a skirt, wherein the skirt is generally annular and emanates from the rib; and (e) a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is associated with the top wall and adapted to contain one or more condiments.

The present invention is further directed to a process for using a lid in combination with a container, comprising the steps of: (a) providing a lid, comprising: (1) a side wall, wherein the side wall is generally annular; (2) a top wall, wherein the top wall extends radially inward from the side wall; (3) a rib, wherein the rib is generally annular and emanates from the side wall; (4) a skirt, wherein the skirt is generally annular and emanates from the rib; and (5) a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is adapted to contain one or more condiments; (b) providing a container; (c) associating at least one of ice and a liquid with the container; (d) securing the lid to the container; (e) associating a condiment with the reservoir region of the lid; and (f) controlling the temperature of the condiment with the at least one of ice and liquid in the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Certain embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the accompanying figures. It will be understood that the figures are not necessarily to scale and that details not necessary for an understanding of the invention or that render other details difficult to perceive may be omitted.

It will be further understood that the invention is not necessarily limited to the particular embodiments illustrated herein.

The invention will now be described with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 of the drawings is a perspective view of a lid associated with a beverage cup/container in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 of the drawings is a side view of the lid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 of the drawings is a top view of the lid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of the lid taken along line IV of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 of the drawings is a cross-sectional view of a lid of the present invention associated with a beverage cup/container;

FIG. 6 of the drawings is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a lid associated with a beverage cup/container in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 7 of the drawings is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a lid associated with a beverage cup/container in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and described herein in detail several specific embodiments with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

It will be understood that like or analogous elements and/or components, referred to herein, may be identified throughout the drawings by like reference characters. In addition, it will be understood that the drawings are merely schematic representations of one or more embodiments of the invention, and some of the components may have been distorted from their actual scale for purposes of pictorial clarity.

Referring now to the drawings, and to FIGS. 1-5 in particular, lid 10 is shown releasably secured to beverage container 12, and generally comprises side wall 14, top wall 16, rib 18, skirt 20, and reservoir 22. In accordance with the present invention, lid 10 is ultra-convenient, and allows a user the essentially hands-free option of dipping, for example, fries and/or nuggets, while on the go. Lid 10 also allows condiments to be mixed in reservoir 22. In one embodiment, lid 10 allows individual condiment containers and/or packets to be placed/releasably secured in reservoir 22 (see FIGS. 1, 6, and 7). In addition, lid 10 of the present invention helps to keep children and automobiles cleaner than when a traditional container lid, without a reservoir, is used. As is shown in FIG. 5, lid 10 of the present invention, when secured to container 12 having ice 24 and/or a liquid 26 (e.g., a beverage), enables condiment(s) 28 to stay cooler for a substantially longer period of time compared to a standard condiment packet.

Side wall 14 is preferably generally annular and includes an upper portion and a lower portion. Side wall 14 preferably includes an outer peripheral geometry that is smaller proximate the upper portion compared to the lower portion.

Top wall 16 extends radially inward from the upper portion of side wall 14. Top wall 16 preferably includes aperture 30 for receiving a straw therethrough. Top wall 16 is also associated with condiment reservoir 22.

In one embodiment of the present invention, top wall 16 and side wall 14 form a generally frusto-conical region.

Rib 18 is preferably generally annular and is positioned between side wall 14 and skirt 20. Rib 18 is, during normal use, releasably secured to the top of container 12. (see FIG. 5).

Skirt 20 is preferably generally annular and emanates from rib 18. Preferably, skirt 20 is adapted to regulate vertical displacement of lid 10 when stacked with one or more other lid(s).

Reservoir 22 is preferably is adapted to contain one or more condiments (see FIG. 5). In one embodiment, reservoir 22 comprises four side walls in a spaced-apart relationship. Additional embodiments of reservoir 22 are shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Reservoir 22 is preferably positioned proximate to at least one of ice 24 and flowable liquid 26 to controllably regulate the temperature of condiment 28 positioned in the reservoir.

In one embodiment of the present invention, lid 10 is fabricated from a paper product, a plastic, and/or a thermoplastic—just to name a few.

In another embodiment, lid 10 is fabricated from at least one of the group consisting of an aliphatic polyamide, a semi-aromatic polyamide, and combinations thereof.

In yet another embodiment, lid 10 is fabricated from at least one of the group consisting of nylon PA 6, nylon PA 66, nylon PA 6/66, nylon PA 66/610, and combinations thereof.

Furthermore, lid 10 may be fabricated from at least one of the group consisting of a polycarbonate, an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a nylon, a copolyester, a polystyrene, a high impact polystyrene, a polyphenylene oxide, and combinations thereof.

In operation, the present invention is directed to, a process for using lid 10 in combination with container 12, comprising the steps of: (a) providing lid 10, comprising: (1) side wall 14, wherein side wall 14 is generally annular; (2) top wall 16, wherein top wall 16 extends radially inward from side wall 14; (3) rib 18, wherein rib 18 is generally annular and emanates from side wall 14; (4) skirt 20, wherein skirt 20 is generally annular and emanates from rib 18; and (5) reservoir 22, wherein reservoir 22 is adapted to contain one or more condiments 28; (b) providing container 12; (c) associating at least one of ice 24 and liquid 26 with container 12; (d) securing lid 10 to container 12; associating condiment 28 with reservoir 22 of lid 10; and controlling the temperature of condiment 28 with the at least one of ice 24 and liquid 26 in container 12.

The foregoing description merely explains and illustrates the invention and the invention is not limited thereto except insofar as the appended claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications without departing from the scope of the invention.

While certain embodiments have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that changes and modifications can be made therein in accordance with ordinary skill in the art without departing from the technology in its broader aspects as defined in the following claims.

The embodiments, illustratively described herein may suitably be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations, not specifically disclosed herein. Thus, for example, the terms “comprising,” “including,” “containing,” etcetera shall be read expansively and without limitation. Additionally, the terms and expressions employed herein have been used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claimed technology. Additionally, the phrase “consisting essentially of” will be understood to include those elements specifically recited and those additional elements that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claimed technology. The phrase “consisting of” excludes any element not specified.

The present disclosure is not to be limited in terms of the particular embodiments described in this application. Many modifications and variations can be made without departing from its spirit and scope, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Functionally equivalent methods and compositions within the scope of the disclosure, in addition to those enumerated herein, will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing descriptions. Such modifications and variations are intended to fall within the scope of the appended claims. The present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to particular methods, reagents, compounds compositions or biological systems, which can of course vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting.

In addition, where features or aspects of the disclosure are described in terms of Markush groups, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure is also thereby described in terms of any individual member or subgroup of members of the Markush group.

As will be understood by one skilled in the art, for any and all purposes, particularly in terms of providing a written description, all ranges disclosed herein also encompass any and all possible subranges and combinations of subranges thereof. Any listed range can be easily recognized as sufficiently describing and enabling the same range being broken down into at least equal halves, thirds, quarters, fifths, tenths, etcetera. As a non-limiting example, each range discussed herein can be readily broken down into a lower third, middle third and upper third, etcetera. As will also be understood by one skilled in the art all language such as “up to,” “at least,” “greater than,” “less than,” and the like, include the number recited and refer to ranges which can be subsequently broken down into subranges as discussed above. Finally, as will be understood by one skilled in the art, a range includes each individual member.

All publications, patent applications, issued patents, and other documents referred to in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent application, issued patent, or other document was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference in its entirety. Definitions that are contained in text incorporated by reference are excluded to the extent that they contradict definitions in this disclosure.

Other embodiments are set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A lid for use in association with a beverage container, comprising:

a side wall, wherein the side wall is generally annular;

a top wall, wherein the top wall extends radially inward from the side wall;

a rib, wherein the rib is generally annular and emanates from the side wall;

a skirt, wherein the skirt is generally annular and emanates from the rib; and

a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is adapted to contain one or more condiments.

2. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the top wall further comprises an aperture for receiving a straw therethrough.

3. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the side wall and the top wall form a generally frusto-conical region.

4. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the rib is releasably connectable to the beverage container.

5. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the skirt is adapted to regulate vertical displacement of the lid when stacked with one or more other lid(s).

6. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir is associated with the top wall.

7. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir comprises four side walls in a spaced-apart relationship.

8. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the reservoir is positioned proximate to at least one of ice and a flowable liquid to controllably regulate the temperature of a condiment positioned in the reservoir.

9. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a paper product.

10. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a plastic.

11. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a thermoplastic.

12. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the lid comprises at least one of the group consisting of an aliphatic polyamide, a semi-aromatic polyamide, and combinations thereof.

13. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the lid comprises at least one of the group consisting of nylon PA 6, nylon PA 66, nylon PA 6/66, nylon PA 66/610, and combinations thereof.

14. The lid according to claim 1, wherein the lid comprises at least one of the group consisting of a polycarbonate, an acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, a nylon, a copolyester, a polystyrene, a high impact polystyrene, a polyphenylene oxide, and combinations thereof.

15. A lid for use in association with a beverage container, consisting of:

a side wall, wherein the side wall is generally annular;

a top wall, wherein the top wall extends radially inward from the side wall, and wherein the top wall includes an aperture for receiving a straw therethrough;

a rib, wherein the rib is generally annular and emanates from the side wall;

a skirt, wherein the skirt is generally annular and emanates from the rib; and

a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is associated with the top wall and adapted to contain one or more condiments.

16. A process for using a lid in combination with a container, comprising the steps of:

providing a lid, comprising: a side wall, wherein the side wall is generally annular; a top wall, wherein the top wall extends radially inward from the side wall; a rib, wherein the rib is generally annular and emanates from the side wall; a skirt, wherein the skirt is generally annular and emanates from the rib; and a reservoir, wherein the reservoir is adapted to contain one or more condiments;

providing a container;

associating at least one of ice and a liquid with the container;

securing the lid to the container;

associating a condiment with the reservoir region of the lid; and

controlling the temperature of the condiment with the at least one of ice and liquid in the container.