LID WITH LOWER SANITARY EXTENSIONS

Abstract

To make it easier and more hygienic to handle a lid when it is removed from a beverage container and needs to be set aside temporarily on a supporting surface, bottom lid extensions are provided that lift the lid to eliminate or significantly reduce the contact between the supporting surface and the wetted underside surfaces of the lid that may come in contact with the beverage.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/090,214, filed Oct. 10, 2020, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to drink containers and, more specifically but not exclusively, the present disclosure relates to a lid assembly for a drink container (e.g., a container for a beverage, a liquid, flowable food, cups, mugs, and the like).

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Many times, when people fill their travel cups, they need to set the lid aside on a service area like a countertop surface to free their hands for other activities like reaching for their wallet or adding cream or sugar. When the lid is placed face up on the service area, portions of the underside of the lid that may normally come in contact with the beverage may touch the service area, thereby becoming contaminated. Also, a used lid can smudge a countertop area with beverage residue.

There are other situations that require handling the lid separately, such as when cleaning the lid and the cup after usage. Here, the lid also needs to be set aside when only the cup is cleaned and, again, the lid might become contaminated when contacting the cleaning area or the lid can smudge a clean countertop.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to a lid assembly for a drink container (e.g., a container for beverage/liquid/flowable food, cup, mug, or the like). In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the lid is generally configured to engage a top periphery of a drink container and substantially cover an open top surface of the container to prevent splashes and possibly spills. The lid includes a sip hole and has a wetted underside that can come in contact with the content of the drink container when the content is consumed, or the container is transported. The lid may also include a nose recess that extends down in the drink container.

Provisions in the form of raiser extensions are incorporated in the lid that lift the underside of the lid off a flat, mostly horizontal surface on which the lid is placed face up. As used herein, the “face up” direction of the lid refers to the orientation of the lid when placed on top of a container, such that the side of the lid that faces the contents of the container is on the bottom. An underside of the raiser extension is defined as the area that comes in contact with the service area when the lid is placed on it face up.

Depending on the construction of the lid, the extensions can be placed on the part of the lid that is outside of the drinking container. These extensions do not come in contact with the beverage and therefore no contamination occurs. Raiser extensions are preferred to having the entire circumference extending down because they save materials, make the lid easier to clean, and make the lid less bulky and easier to handle. The raiser extensions are to be placed in such a way as to envelope the center of gravity of the lid so that the lid is in equilibrium, meaning it does not lean on a side when let free.

If placing the raiser extensions outside of the drinking container is not desirable or possible, the extensions can be placed on a part of the lid that resides inside the beverage container. If the raiser extensions are placed inside the drinking container, the total wetted area is formed by the area of the underside of the circular body and the underside of the raised extensions. The underside of the raised extensions can come in contact with the service area when the lid is placed on it face up. Minimizing the contact area can be achieved by using a pointed shape for the raiser extensions. Since the extension underside area that touches the service area is significantly reduced compared to the area the underside of the lid would have touched the service area if the raiser extensions were not there, the contamination and smudging are significantly reduced. The contact area is usually reduced to three point type areas to keep the lid from tipping.

It is possible to have a combination of outside extensions and inside extensions. In this case the wetted area that can comes in contact with a service area can be reduced to just one point which further reduces the contact area of the inside extensions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing features of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following detailed description of the present disclosure, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an example a drinking container with lid assembly of the present disclosure

FIG. 2 illustrates a lid with a nose recess and outer skirt without raiser extensions

FIG. 3 illustrates a lid with a nose recess, outer skirt and outside raiser extensions

FIG. 4 illustrates a lid with outer skirt and outside raiser extensions tilted backward

FIG. 5 illustrates a lid with outer skirt and outside raiser extensions tilted forward

FIG. 6 illustrates the contact flat surfaces for a lid with reduced outside raiser extensions

FIG. 7 illustrates the position of the CG of the lid for two-sided raiser extensions

FIG. 8 illustrates a lid with a nose recess and outer skirt and four-lobe raiser extensions

FIG. 9 illustrates the position of the CG of the lid for four raiser extension configuration

FIG. 10 illustrates a lid with outside raiser extensions and no outer skirt

FIG. 11 illustrates the top view of a lid with outside raiser extensions and no outer skirt

FIG. 12 illustrates the side view of a press-in lid with inside three-leg raiser extension

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure relates to a lid for a drink container. The lid includes built-in raiser extensions that eliminate or minimize the wetted areas underside the lid that comes in contact with a flat surface when the lid is set face up on a service area.

Turning to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a drinking container assembly 100 containing a cup 110 and a two-sided raiser extension lid 120, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The lid 120 includes a sip hole 125, nose recess 128, and an outer skirt 134, which forms the outer rim portion of the lid 120, has a raiser extension 130. In the illustrated embodiment, an identical raiser extension (not shown) is placed on the other side symmetrically relative to the sip hole and the nose recess. In the illustrated embodiment, the entire lid 120, including the outer skirt 134 and raiser extensions 130, can be made by injection molding out of a plastic material, for example.

FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of a lid assembly 200 having outside skirt 220 and a nose recess 128 but no raiser extensions. The lid is placed on a flat surface 230. It can be seen that the underside of the lid that comes in contact with the beverage touches the flat surface which can be a contaminated service area or countertop.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a lid assembly 300 with outside skirt 310, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The raiser extension 130 envelopes the nose recess 128 and rests on the flat surface 230, thereby supporting the lid assembly 300 above the surface 230 such that the nose recess 128 does not touch the surface 230. In the illustrated embodiment, both raiser extensions 130 have a flat bottom portion 132 that contacts the flat surface 130 and provides a stable foundation for the lid assembly 300.

Different positions of the lid assembly 300 relative to the flat surface 230 are shown. FIG. 4 shows a side view of a backward tipped lid assembly 300 in which only the back area of the outside skirt 310 and the back area of raiser extension 130 touch the surface 230. Even with the lid assembly 300 tipped in this backward direction, the nose recess 128 and any other wetted areas under the lid do not touch the flat surface 230.

FIG. 5 shows a forward tipped lid assembly 300 in which the forward area of the outside skirt 310 and the forward area of raiser extension 130 touch the surface 230. Even with the lid assembly 300 tipped in this forward direction, the nose recess 128 or any other wetted areas under the lid do not touch the flat surface 230.

FIG. 6 illustrates a lid assembly 400 with narrower raiser extensions 430 extending from the outer skirt 410, in accordance with other embodiments of the present invention. Even though the raiser extension 430 does not cover the entire length of the nose recess 128, the nose recess 128 still does not touch the flat surface 230, even if the lid assembly 400 is backward or forward tilted.

FIG. 7 illustrates the position of the center of gravity (CG) 360 of the raiser extension for lid 300 of FIG. 3 relative to the base of support 370. The base of support is defined as the area enveloping the areas of contact of the raiser extensions with a flat surface on which the lid is placed. In the case of the lid assembly of FIG. 7, the areas of contact of the raiser extensions with a flat surface on which the lid is placed are illustrated by areas 365A-365B. When the CG 360 is positioned within the cross-hatched region of the base of support 370, the lid is in equilibrium, or stable, and would not tip over in use. The outer diameter of the lid D, and the minimum distance s from the CG 360 to the periphery of the base of support area 370 are illustrated. A discussion of the relation between measurements D and s, and the lid equilibrium will follow.

In another embodiment, FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a cup 110 and a lid assembly 520 having a sip hole 125, an outer skirt 534, and a nose recess 128. The lid assembly 520 has four narrower raiser extensions, two on each side of the sip hole 125 (raiser extension 530 and raiser extension 535 visible in FIG. 8), that provide four points of support capable of securely supporting the lid assembly 520 without wobbling or tilting.

FIG. 9 shows the position of the center of gravity CG 560 of the lid 500 of FIG. 8 relative to the base of support 770 defined as the area enveloping the areas of contact of the four raiser extensions 565A-565D with the surface on which the lid 500 is placed. The arrangement of the four raiser extensions 565A-565D is such that CG 560 is positioned at a distance s inside of the enveloping region of the base of support 770. This results in lid 500 being in equilibrium, meaning the four raiser extensions 565A-565D support the lid 500 without wobbling or tilting. It is understood that different configurations can be designed having only three contact points or more than four. Also, a contact point can be provided by the outer skirt that is not an apparent raiser extension as long as it satisfies its function, and the lid is in equilibrium.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a press-in lid assembly 600 including a cup 610 and a lid 620 with a nose recess 128, a sip hole 625 and a outer rim portion 635 that does not have an outside skirt, in accordance with embodiments of the present invention. The lid assembly 600 has an outsider raiser extension 630 on each side. The top view of the same lid is presented in FIG.

11.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a press-in lid assembly 700 including a lid 720, a cylindrical portion 725 and a gasket 723 that enter the drinking container, an optional nose recess 128, and three raiser extensions 730, in accordance with other embodiments. The raiser extensions 730 lift the lid 720 so that the bottom circumference of the cylindrical portion 725 or the bottom of the nose recess 128 do not touch surface 230 of the service area. Even though the underside of the raiser extensions 730 can come in contact with the beverage once the lid is installed on the drinking container, the wetted area that comes in contact with the surface 230 of the service area is reduced to only three points, or three small areas, at the tip of the pointed raiser extensions 730, significantly reducing contamination or smudges a lid with beverage residue can leave on a clean countertop. For the lid with inside raiser extensions, the total wetted area is composed of the area of the underside of the raiser extensions that comes in contact with the flat surface of the service area and the rest of wetted portion of the underside of the lid which we call the underside of the circular body.

Lid Stability

In some embodiments, the lid underside wetted area may come in contact with the flat surface when the lid is tipped. In such cases it is important that the lid is stable and does not tip easily. The stability of a lid is defined by its equilibrium which, for the practical purposes of this disclosure, can be stable, marginally stable, or unstable. An unstable equilibrium is when the center of gravity CG is outside the base of support of the lid. A marginally stable equilibrium is when the center of gravity is inside the base of support but very close to or on the periphery of the base of support. A stable equilibrium is when the center of gravity is inside the base of support and at a distance from the periphery of the base of support.

A stable equilibrium means that the user can set the lid down easily without trying too hard to find an equilibrium position. It also means that the lid will stay in that position even if a small perturbance occurs such as somebody inadvertently touching the lid. For example, a lid having only two curved raiser extensions may result in an unstable or marginally stable equilibrium, because the base of support provided by the curved raiser extension would narrow to a point or very small region where the bottom of the curved edge of the raiser extension contacts the surface on which the lid is placed. As a result, the lid would have a tendency to wobble around the curved edge of the raiser extension. Embodiments described herein which incorporate raiser extensions having flat bottom portions, or incorporate three or more raiser extensions, can provide a larger base of support, thereby improving stability.

For the purposes of this disclosure, the type of equilibrium is defined relative to a representative dimension for the size of the lid. In the case of the lids in FIGS. 7 and 9, this representative dimension is the outer diameter D. A stable equilibrium is defined as the equilibrium of a configuration where the center of gravity is at a distance s from the periphery of the base of support of the lid of at least 1/12 of the representative dimension (in the case of FIGS. 7 and 9, the diameter D). A marginally stable equilibrium is defined as the equilibrium of a configuration where the distance s between the center of gravity and the periphery of the base of support of the lid is between zero and less than 1/12 of the representative dimension.

It is understood that the lid does not necessarily have to have a nose recess to benefit from the raiser extensions. For example, some lids have a spill-proof stopper mechanism that can extend deeper into the cup similar to the nose recess. These lids can also be fitted with outside or inside raiser extensions to keep the bottom wetted area of the lid from contacting a possibly contaminated service area.

In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, a lid may include at least two raiser extensions, each having a flat bottom portion that contacts the flat surface on which the lid is placed. In some embodiments, the lid includes exactly two such raiser extensions with flat bottom portions. In accordance with other embodiments, a lid may include exactly three extensions, thereby providing stable support for the lid, regardless of the shape of the extensions. In other embodiments, more than three extensions may be provided.

Different combination can be considered, for example two support points or one continuous edge for the outside raiser extension and one pointed raiser extension on the inside. Or, one can have one support point on the outside and two support points on the inside.

The description of embodiments of the disclosure is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. While specific embodiments and examples for the disclosure are described herein for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the disclosure, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Such modifications may include, but are not limited to, changes in the dimensions and shapes of the disclosed embodiments.

Claims

1. A lid assembly for drink containers, comprising:

a circular body configured to engage a top of a beverage container having a top surface and an underside, the underside potentially coming in contact with the beverage;

an orifice defined in a front portion of a top surface of the circular body; and

one or more raiser extensions, each raiser extension having an underside that touches a surface on which the lid assembly is placed face up such that the lid assembly is in stable equilibrium and the underside of the circular body does not touch the surface.

2. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the one or more raiser extensions are positioned on an outer circumference of the lid assembly, such that when the lid assembly is coupled to a drink container, the one or more raiser extensions are positioned exterior to the beverage container.

3. The lid assembly according to claim 1, wherein the one or more raiser extensions are positioned on an inner circumference of the lid assembly, such that when the lid assembly is coupled to a drink container, the one or more raiser extensions are positioned inside of the beverage container.

4. A drink container assembly, comprising:

a lid assembly, comprising: a circular body portion having an upper side and an opposing lower side, the circular body portion defining an orifice extending through the circular body portion from the upper side to the lower side; an outer rim portion extending around a circumference of the circular body portion; at least one raiser extension extending from the outer rim portion such that when the lid assembly is positioned on a flat surface, the at least one raiser extensions support the lower side of the circular body portion above the flat surface without contacting the flat surface.

5. The drink container assembly of claim 4, wherein:

the circular body portion further comprises a nose recess portion; and

when the lid assembly is positioned on the flat surface, the at least one raiser extensions support the nose recess portion above the flat surface without contacting the flat surface.

6. The drink container assembly of claim 4, further comprising:

a container portion having an interior and an exterior, the container portion being coupled to the lid assembly such that the at least one raiser extensions are positioned on the exterior of the container portion.

7. The drink container assembly of claim 4, wherein:

the at least one raiser extension comprises two raiser extensions, the raiser extensions positioned such that a center of gravity of the lid assembly is positioned within a region between the two raiser extensions.

8. The drink container assembly of claim 4, wherein:

each of the at least one raiser extensions comprises a flat bottom portion.

9. A drink container assembly, comprising:

a lid assembly, comprising: a circular body portion having an upper side and an opposing lower side, the circular body portion defining an orifice extending through the circular body portion from the upper side to the lower side; and at least one raiser extension extending from the lower side of the circular body portion such that when the lid assembly is positioned on a flat surface, the at least one raiser extensions support the circular body portion above the flat surface.

10. The drink container assembly of claim 9, wherein:

the circular body portion further comprises a nose recess portion; and

when the lid assembly is positioned on the flat surface, the at least one raiser extensions support the nose recess portion above the flat surface without contacting the flat surface.

11. The drink container assembly of claim 9, further comprising:

a container portion having an interior and an exterior, the container portion being coupled to the lid assembly such that the at least one raiser extensions are positioned on the interior of the container portion.

12. The drink container assembly of claim 9, wherein:

the at least one raiser extension comprises three raiser extensions, the raiser extensions positioned such that a center of gravity of the lid assembly is positioned within a region between the three raiser extensions.

13. The drink container assembly of claim 12, wherein:

at least one raiser extension comprises a curved bottom portion.