BEVERAGE PLUG WITH INTEGRAL CANDLE HOLDER

Abstract

A beverage plug for insertion into a drinking opening of a container lid includes an elongated stick having a first end and an opposite second end with an integral plug portion being formed between the first end and the second end and being configured for plugging the drinking opening. A candle holder is integrally formed at the first end and comprises a cup-shaped structure for receiving and holding a candle.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a beverage plug for insertion into a drinking opening of a container lid, and more particularly, relates to a beverage plug that include an integral candle holder.

BACKGROUND

Celebratory food and traditions have been around for thousands of years and the Greeks would make round cakes to honor Artemis, the goddess of the moon. It is generally believed that the tradition of placing a candle on a celebratory cake started in Germany. More particularly, in 18th century Germany, the history of candles on cakes can be traced back to Kinderfest, a birthday celebration for children. This tradition also makes use of candles and cakes. The candle was supposedly placed on the cake to represent “the light of life”. Today, most western cultures celebrate birthdays with cake, lit candles and a birthday song.

However, many people do not like to eat cake; however, they enjoy the candle celebration and act of making a birthday wish and blowing out the candle and therefore, there is a need for an alternative to the long-standing tradition of placing one or more candles on a cake. The present disclosure provides a solution.

SUMMARY

In accordance with one embodiment, a beverage plug for insertion into a drinking opening of a container lid includes an elongated stick having a first end and an opposite second end with an integral plug portion being formed between the first end and the second end and being configured for plugging the drinking opening, wherein a candle holder is integrally formed at the first end and comprises a cup-shaped structure for receiving and holding a candle.

In another aspect, a celebratory kit is provided and includes a lid for a container. The lid includes a drinking opening. The kit further includes a candle; and a beverage plug for insertion into the drinking opening of the container lid. The beverage plug includes an elongated stick having a first end and an opposite second end with an integral plug portion being formed between the first end and the second end and being configured for plugging the drinking opening. A candle holder is integrally formed at the first end and comprises a cup-shaped structure for receiving and holding the candle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of a container lid with a plug stick that plugs a drinking opening formed in the lid;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the plug stick; and

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the container lid with the plug stick exploded therefrom.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a container lid 100 and more particularly, illustrate a beverage lid 100 that is configured for placement on a top of a container (cup). One of the more common types of container lids 100 is a coffee cup lid that is placed on a disposable coffee cup. The intent of any lid, including lid 100, is to reduce or prevent spills.

The lid 100 includes a top wall 120 for covering the container 10 and a rim 130 (circular sealing flange) for securing the lid 100 to the cup and providing a seal around a lip of the cup 10. The rim 130 includes a continuous perimeter which, when pressed over the lip of the cup 10 seals the cup 10 against spillage of liquid therefrom.

Many types of lids, including the illustrated lid 100, are constructed such that the top wall 120 is elevated or recessed (as shown) relative to the rim 130. A spout or drinking opening 150 can be provided in the lid to enable drinking without removal of the lid 100. As shown in FIG. 1, the drinking opening 150 can be raised above the top wall 120 of the lid 100. In FIG. 1, the drinking opening 150 is formed along the outer flange defining the rim 130.

As is known, some lids for beverage containers include a pull-back part (flap) (movable or hinged plug) that is designed to temporarily plug the drinking opening 150 formed in the lid.

Alternatively, a plug stick 200 can be used to temporarily plug the drinking opening 150. The plug stick 200 is an elongated structure that includes three main parts, namely, an elongated stick part 210, a plug portion 220 and a candle holder 300. The stick part 210 also can serve as a stirrer that is used to stir the liquid. The plug portion 220 is shaped and sized to plug the drinking opening 150. Since many drinking openings 150 have oblong shapes, the plug portion 220 can also have an oblong shape to form a friction fit with the drinking opening 150.

The candle holder 300 is formed above and integral to the plug portion 220. The candle holder 300 is configured to receive and hold a candle 400. The candle holder 300 can thus be a cup shaped structure that has a hollow interior 305 into which the candle 400 is received and held.

All of the parts of the plug stick 200 can be formed as a single integral structure and can be in the form of a single molded piece of plastic.

The plug stick 200 thus provides a means for displaying a candle for a celebratory event, such as a birthday, in an alternative manner to placing the candle on the cake.

Since the plug stick 200 plugs the drinking opening 150, the lit candle 400 is only displayed when the drinking opening 150 is plugged.

As mentioned, the plug stick 200 can be used as a stirrer.

The plug stick 200 thus offers an alternative way to celebrate with a lit candle as opposed to the traditional cake and candle combination.

It will also be understood and appreciated that the present disclosure is not limited to candles (electric or natural (wax, soy, etc.) format) but also other decorative and festive elements can be displayed with the integral holder described herein but not limited to a candle holder. For example, a sparkler or the like or any vertical festive or decorative extension can be placed and held within the holder to mark the celebration. In addition, as mentioned previously, while one candle is illustrated in the figures, it will be appreciated that more than one candle, sparkler, vertical extension, etc., can be held using multiple holders.

One skilled in the art will appreciate further features and advantages of the invention based on the above-described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited by what has been particularly shown and described, except as indicated by the appended claims. All publications and references cited herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

Claims

1. A beverage plug for insertion into a drinking opening of a container lid comprising:

an elongated stick having a first end and an opposite second end with an integral plug portion being formed between the first end and the second end and being configured for plugging the drinking opening, wherein a candle holder is integrally formed at the first end and comprises a cup-shaped structure for receiving and holding a candle.

2. The beverage plug of claim 1, wherein the cup-shaped structure has a cylindrical shape.

3. The beverage plug of claim 1, wherein the candle holder is formed immediately above the plug portion.

4. The beverage plug of claim 1, wherein the plug portion has an oblong shape that protrudes radially outwardly from the candle holder.

5. The beverage plug of claim 1, wherein the plug portion has a width that is greater than a diameter of the candle holder.

6. The beverage plug of claim 1, wherein the elongated stick has a circular cross-section below the plug portion.

7. The beverage plug of claim 1, wherein the beverage plug is formed as a single molded piece of plastic.

8. A celebratory kit comprising:

a lid for a container, the lid including a drinking opening;

a candle; and

a beverage plug for insertion into the drinking opening of the container lid, the beverage plug comprising an elongated stick having a first end and an opposite second end with an integral plug portion being formed between the first end and the second end and being configured for plugging the drinking opening, wherein a candle holder is integrally formed at the first end and comprises a cup-shaped structure for receiving and holding the candle.

9. The celebratory kit of claim 8, wherein the cup-shaped structure has a cylindrical shape.

10. The celebratory kit of claim 8, wherein the candle holder is formed immediately above the plug portion.

11. The celebratory kit of claim 8, wherein the plug portion has an oblong shape that protrudes radially outwardly from the candle holder.

12. The celebratory kit of claim 8, wherein the plug portion has a width that is greater than a diameter of the candle holder.

13. The celebratory kit of claim 8, wherein the elongated stick has a circular cross-section below the plug portion.

14. The celebratory kit of claim 8, wherein the beverage plug is formed as a single molded piece of plastic.