Disposable Lid with Integrated Straw-type Mouthpiece, Finger Indentations and Pressure Equalization Valve to Fit Standard Sized Disposable Drinking Cups

Abstract

A lid for a drinking cup that combines a straw and a lid (hereafter referred to as a straw-lid) and which comprises an integrated straw-type mouthpiece portion as a primary feature for the purpose of eliminating the traditional drinking straw. The lid also comprises finger indentations to promote stability while tipping the cup forward to drink from the integrated straw-type mouthpiece, and a pressure equalization valve to encourage ease of flow and prevent a vacuum. The lid is fitted to the top of a variety of standard sized disposable or reusable cups and is constructed of disposable or reusable materials, particularly polymeric by method of thermoforming or injection molding.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lid that comprises a straw portion integrated into and rising up from the surface of the lid platform with no descending portion. The intention of the present invention is to combine a straw and lid (hereafter may be referred to as a straw-lid) to eliminate the need for a separate straw for drinking beverages from cups. The straw-lid is attached securely to a cup opening with the leak-proof feature comprising a contour crease and band seal below the rolled edge of the lid rim. The straw-lid is further secured for use by way of finger indentations located on the top side of the lid platform which encourage the user to hold the straw-lid in place while tipping the cup containing the beverage toward the mouth to drink with confidence. A pressure equalization valve integrated into the top of the straw-lid promotes air flow and continuous drinking while the opening in the straw tip of the mouthpiece is covered. The straw-lid is manufactured by method of thermoforming or injection molding in a manner which allows the height of the straw portion of the lid to be secure and stable.

Description of Related Art

Hollow tubes, known as straws, have been used for drinking beverages since ancient times, originally made from reeds or hollow grasses. As recent as 1888 when Marvin Stone patented an 8½″ long paper straw, straws have become a staple in consuming beverages. Since WWII, with the expanded use of petroleum products, plastic straws have gained in popularity and currently make up the bulk of straw usage. It is estimated that hundreds of millions of straws, mostly plastic, are used and discarded daily in the United States alone. Unfortunately, most straws are not recyclable and end up in waterways and landfills where they are mistaken for food by marine and wildlife. This tragedy has led to concerns from environmental groups and resulted in current legislation to eliminate straws altogether or to find creative alternatives to plastic straws.

While alternatives to plastic straws include returning to the original patented paper versions, other materials are being chosen for their compostable or biodegradable properties. Reusable versions are presented as well, such as metal or silicon, which are subject to harboring bacteria from inadequate cleaning. Still, regardless of the material, the straw shape basically remains the same and it still resembles a food source to marine and wildlife when discarded in their environments.

The straw is a long, hollow tube that generally extends to the bottom of a drinking cup and protrudes a length above the top of the cup. This placement results in resistance from the bottom of the cup while an individual is sipping from the upper opening, which may under certain conditions, such as driving a vehicle, walking, or any other movement, cause injury or discomfort should the top opening be pushed into the roof of the mouth, the lips or other areas of the face or neck. Thousands of straw-related injuries present in hospital emergency departments each year. Drinking straws are potential hazards particularly for young children or those who are unsteady.

Typical drinking straws cause the user to draw from the bottom of a drinking cup, which may result in having to reposition the straw throughout the course of drinking the beverage, may be prone to ice particle jams which make drinking through the straw nearly impossible, and in the case of thicker beverages, such as ice cream shakes, cause the user to exert unnecessary pressure through suction to draw the thick substance up the length of the straw from the bottom of the drinking cup or to wait until the beverage warms and becomes less solid, decreasing the desirability of the beverage.

Drinking cups that are disposable often come with accompanying lids, some with cut slits to accommodate a drinking straw, and others designed as drink-through lids typically used for hot drinks, such as coffee. Drink-through lids have been a source of interest and convenience since the 1930s, with the consumer often having to tear back a portion of the attached lid to drink the liquid within and discard the removed piece of lid. Later versions included a manual punch mechanism to push the loosened tab down into the cup or drink container, similar to the tabbed punched in drink-through portion on an aluminum can for soda.

More recently, drink-through lids that accompany disposable drinking cups have holes in the rims through which to drink the beverage without a straw, particularly a hot beverage. These holes usually are very small and not large enough to either hold a straw or act like a straw and often are flush with the surface of the lid rim, causing the user to press his or her nose into the central portion of the cup lid and to tip the head backward to encourage the beverage to flow through the hole. This is not only uncomfortable but can be a hazard by blocking the visual field of the user. Still others offer a larger opening in the lid for which to drink cold beverages, which are formed into a sloping rim and are prone to sloshing or spilling the contained beverage while drinking or moving about, and the risk of spillage is imminent.

In drink-through lids for hot drinks, a tiny hole is often added to allow steam to escape which can also help with the flow of the beverage. However, such drink-through lids for cold beverages presently do not contain additional holes for steam or pressure as the need for such steam release is not necessary and pressure equalization is not required in lids with straw slits, which allow air to flow around the straw itself.

Still other types of drinking cups with lids and straws are reusable, such as cups for small children or commemorative items. Some of the lids that accompany the cups have mouth pieces that are angular and raised, which makes for an uncomfortable fit. These mouthpieces do not have the shape of an actual drinking straw, are not cylindrical or conical, but rather angular or obtuse in most cases, which makes suction while drinking difficult. Often, as in the case with children's cup and lid designs, the mouthpiece opening is made in such a way that should the cup be tipped over, the beverage will not come out, which also makes drinking from the cup difficult.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention comprises a lid, fitted to the top of a cup, either disposable or reusable, with an integrated straw mouthpiece which rises significantly above the surface of the lid platform and has no descending portion. The significant height is ideally and approximately 1″, which provides the appearance and experience of a straw, without the straw. In a disposable version, the preferred method of manufacture is thermoforming using polymeric material which also may be of recycled content and recyclable. Polyethylene, polyester, polystyrene and polypropylene are among types of polymers often used in thermoforming and may be used to manufacture the present invention. Made as a reusable version, the lid may be manufactured by injection molding using similar polymers, acrylic or other material.

The act of using the present invention is to manually tip the cup, and sip or suck from the straw mouthpiece of the lid. This method eliminates the need to tip the head backward to suck the beverage from a cup rim, as in modern day coffee cup or “strawless” lids. The height of the straw mouthpiece of the present invention accommodates the facial features that may hinder the tip and sip method of other drink-through lids. The distance between the tip of the straw mouthpiece where it enters the mouth and the lid platform itself is great enough to allow the user a normal visual field, while driving, walking or in a room of people.

The present invention, the straw-lid, is fittingly attached to a cup of equal circumference to the lid rim. The rim of the straw-lid comprises a rolled or rounded edge to accommodate a variety of cup styles and materials. Paper and plastic disposable cups ordinarily have a rolled top rim while Styrofoam disposable cups have a thicker rounded upper edge. Reusable glass cups have rounded open edges which are usually not defined otherwise from the rest of the cup design. The rolled rim of the straw-lid is generously shaped to accommodate the openings of a variety of cup styles and materials and is secured by a contour crease beneath the rolled rim. The crease devolves into a continuous band that is formed inward to secure itself to the upper edge of the cup on the outside, while the recessed lid platform secures the lid from the inside, forming a leak-proof seal. The bottom edge, or skirt, of the straw-lid is formed outward to accommodate removal for purposes of refilling or freshening a beverage or to discard or recycle after use.

Since the unique method of drinking from a cup with a straw-lid may bring about doubtful or insecure usage, at least until the user is confident in its effectiveness, users are encouraged to press a finger onto the top of the lid and are directed to do so by making use of the contoured finger indentations integrated in the lid design. When drinking thicker beverages, or even when the user may feel the lid may be insecure or loose, users may crook a finger up over the top of the lid to secure it in place, so the beverage doesn't seep out or spill through a loosened lid, or a loose lid won't pop off when the beverage or ice falls forward and hits the back of the lid from inside the cup, forcing the beverage out and onto the user. The unique addition of the finger indentations encourages the user to implement this method, although proper fit should be sufficient for use without manually holding the lid in place. As users grow comfortable with the security of the new concept of a straw-lid, this feature may not be necessary, but will serve a purpose through suggestion if it is needed or if the lid does not fit the cup exactly.

While drinking a beverage through an opening in a cup lid or container, a vacuum is formed within the cup or container while the opening is fully covered by the mouth and suction is applied. Such a vacuum will cause the liquid not to flow easily or adequately and the cup or container will slowly implode due to the pressure caused by the suction. At some point, to cause the liquid or beverage to flow once again, the user must remove the mouth from the opening to allow the air to enter and fill the cup or container, and the user repeats the process to drink the beverage. For this reason, the present invention also comprises a pressure equalization valve, which is a small opening usually positioned opposite the straw mouthpiece which allows air to circulate into the cup or container while the user is drinking from the straw mouthpiece and while the mouthpiece hole is completely covered. This feature ensures proper flow of the beverage while the user is drinking and does not require the user to remove the mouth from the straw mouthpiece to finish drinking the beverage. The pressure equalization valve of the present invention is raised on a surrounding platform to encourage air flow to go into the cup or container by means of an inward hole formation. Small holes, called pinholes, that are frequently punched in the lids of hot beverages are meant to release the heat from the drink within, rather than to equalize the pressure while consuming. This is determined by the fact that said holes do not appear in the tops of other common drink lids, such as standard slit top lids that accommodate straws, water bottle or soda drink caps, or in the lids that are currently called “strawless.”

The present invention not only will eliminate the need for a separate straw, but by doing so, will reduce the amount of plastic needed to produce a straw and lid separately by half. The stackable design will reduce the amount of shelf, counter or storage space needed to maintain a straw inventory and can easily replace present lids by fitting into current dispensers and receptacles for use. The present invention ideally would be made of recycled or recyclable material, therefore would be 100% recyclable, preventing adding unnecessary plastic to the waste stream.

Combining a straw and a lid in theory is a great concept, but in actuality is a difficult and unique process unknown to the industry for making drinking cup lids. Cup lids used as disposables in the food industry are either made by thermoforming or by injection molding. Thermoforming is the most cost-effective method of producing disposable lids. The plastics manufacturing industry describes the art of forming objects in terms of “male” which indicates the forming material being placed over the object to be formed, with emphasis on the inner molding, and “female” which involves the forming material being placed within the object to be formed, with emphasis on the outer molding. Thermoformed drink lids are typically formed with a “female” mold, meaning the mold is shaped to press inward. Any cuts or slits must be made against the hard machine surface during the formation process.

The significant height of the present invention, indicated by the approximately 1″ tall straw mouthpiece, poses a problem to the lid manufacturing industry particularly with thermoforming. The shape of the straw mouthpiece, being conical or cylindrical is designed to emulate an actual straw, which has a typical ¼″ hole opening at the end of a hollow tube. This tubular mouthpiece and hole size may vary to some degree, but the hollow length of the straw mouthpiece of the present invention made in the manner of thermoforming, in particular, leaves the mouthpiece vulnerable and weak if not manufactured in a particular way. Because of the shape of the present invention, the molds must be made “male” which actually involves using a “female” tool. In thermoforming, the first formed position is the strongest, which means the last formed is the weakest. Since thermoformed drink lids are traditionally and typically made “female” that would make the pinnacle of the straw mouthpiece the weakest point, even if it were possible with present day machinery. The holes are then cut, rather than tabbed as in common production, using a multi-level double punch from a “female” mold perspective, uncommon for use with thermoformed drink lids. The cut hole pieces are removed by vacuum assist.

The present invention with the preferred embodiments and unique method of manufacture has the potential to change the way the world drinks from a cup, one sip at a time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a straw-lid secured to the top opening of a beverage cup, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a magnified view of the pressure equalization valve integrated into the straw-lid, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the straw-lid, indicating the protruding straw mouthpiece and featuring the finger indentations in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a magnified view of the rolled rim of the straw-lid, which features the leak-proof rim consisting of a contour crease and band seal below the rolled edge of the lid rim, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a comprehensive perspective view featuring the preferred embodiments of the present invention in an alternate lid design.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following figure references will characterize the advantages of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The narrative of the drawings is as follows:

FIG. 1 depicts a beverage cup 1 with an attached lid 11 which comprises a straw mouthpiece 12 a pressure equalization valve 15, stabilization finger indentations 18 and a leak-proof rim 16. Whereas, the beverage cup 1 is constructed of paper, plastic, Styrofoam or glass, disposable or reusable, as to hold beverages typically provided by food vendors, the attached lid 11 comprises a straw mouthpiece 12 which extends significantly above the surface of the lid 11, the significance of the height being determined by the length between the base 13 of the straw mouthpiece 12 to the hole cut opening 14 at the pinnacle of the straw mouthpiece 12. To achieve the straw effect and functionality, the height of the straw mouthpiece 12 must be of significance. The average length of a typical drinking straw is 8% inches. Considering it must reach to the bottom of a drinking cup, only the portion protruding above the top of the drinking cup, or if a lid is utilized, above the lid through an opening in the lid, may be accessed for drinking purposes. Depending on the size of the drinking cup, this height may vary. It is imperative that to achieve a straw experience, the protruding portion of the present invention, the straw mouthpiece 12 must be tall enough to provide adequate room for a mouth to form a seal around the hollow tip containing the hole cut opening 14 while accommodating facial features, such as a nose or forehead during the drinking process. The method of drinking from a cup with a straw mouthpiece 12 is to cover the end of the straw mouthpiece with the mouth, tip the cup toward the mouth, allowing the beverage to drain from the cup and into the straw mouthpiece 12 while sucking the beverage through the hole cut opening 14 at the pinnacle of the straw mouthpiece, allowing gravity and liquid to follow physics and the course of nature. An ideal height for the straw mouthpiece 12 is approximately 1″. A shorter mouthpiece would not allow adequate suction while drinking, would create an uncomfortable experience from the lid being tilted toward the face and touching the nose or forehead and would potentially block the view of the user while drinking. A longer straw mouthpiece would pose a problem with a potential for accidents occurring should the mouthpiece be pushed into the mouth too far, misjudging the distance from the tip of the mouthpiece to the mouth, for drinking from the mouthpiece while in motion, as well as pose problems with younger children or those who are physically unsteady.

To accommodate the ease of flow when drinking from the straw mouthpiece 12 whereas the hole cut opening 14 will be sealed off by the mouth being placed over the entire opening, FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 depict a pressure equalization valve 15. This valve is contourly formed into the surface of the lid 11 and contains a small hole 19 to allow air to circulate into and out of the sealed cup to promote the flow of beverage from the cup 1 through the hole cut opening 14 of the straw mouthpiece 12 while it is covered by the mouth and in use by method of suction. The pressure equalization valve 15 prevents the creation of a vacuum forming within the container or cup itself, which can cause implosion and prevent the flow of liquid.

FIG. 3 depicts a cross-sectional view of the lid 11 indicating the protruding straw mouthpiece 12 and featuring finger indentations 18 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The finger indentations 18 are to encourage the user to secure the lid 11 by crooking a finger, ordinarily an index finger on either hand up and over the rim of the lid and into the finger indentations 18 on either side to give added support or comfort while drinking the beverage while tilting the cup bottom upward and toward the mouth. The concept of using a straw mouthpiece 12 in a drinking cup lid may take time to get used to and will provide an extra concept of security for those who may be less sure about the procedure, especially when drinking thick, hot or iced beverages.

A securely fitting lid 11 is a key factor in the method of drinking from a straw mouthpiece 12. Drinking cups come in all sizes, shapes and designs, but the openings of the drinking cups are customarily circular. FIG. 4 shows a magnified view of the rolled rim 16 which features the leak-proof contour 17 and 20 located beneath the rolled upper edge of the lid rim 16. The importance of this dramatic contour crease 20 is to ensure the unbroken contact of the lid 11 to the cup lip or wall around the cup's top edge opening 24. Depending on the material of the cup itself, the upper open edge of the cup may be curved or rolled 21 as with paper or some plastics or may be straight with a slightly thickened edge 22 as with Styrofoam or glass. To versatilely accommodate a variety of cup rims, the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a rolled top portion of the rim 16 which creasingly tucks under the rolled top or thickened edged straight portion of various cup designs. The contour crease 20 cinches inward to the side of the cup rim and extends downward to form a band to adequately ensure the leak-proof seal 17 which extends in an unbroken manner around the circumference of the top edge of the cup. The bottom edge 23 of the lid 11 extends outward to form a ledge or skirt with which to leverage the removal of the secured lid from the cup for the purpose of refilling or freshening a beverage or for purposes of discarding or recycling the lid 11.

FIG. 5 depicts the embodiments of the present invention described here as they would appear in a disposable drink cup lid used to indicate drink flavors, such as in the fast-food industry. The features of the preferred embodiments may appear in a variety of lid shapes and sizes and for a variety of beverages, and may be used together or independently on particular lids for particular purposes and are not limited in size, scope and material content.

Claims

1. A drinking cup lid as a single piece combination drinking straw and cup lid (hereafter referred to as a straw-lid) comprising

an integrated straw mouthpiece consisting of a tall hollow tubular portion rising from the surface of the lid platform with a top opening at the pinnacle of the tube and bottom opening from the under side of the lid

an integrated straw mouthpiece with no descending portion beneath the lid

a straw-lid with the purpose of drinking a beverage from a cup by method of tipping and sipping

a straw-lid made in the method of thermoforming or injection molding with polymer for disposable or reusable purposes

a straw-lid comprised of polymeric material, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyester, acrylic and the like

a straw-lid that is made to be stackable, saving shelf or counter space while eliminating the need and extra space for straws

a straw-lid that is fashioned to accommodate a variety of drinks and beverages of various temperatures, consistencies, thicknesses and additives, such as candy pieces

a straw-lid that is safe and easily used by individuals of all ages and abilities

a straw-lid that reduces the amount of plastic needed for separate straw and lid by eliminating the need for a straw

2. A straw-lid comprising a set of finger indentations formed into the top of the lid platform for the purpose of lid security

the finger indentations presenting a suggestive mean for a method of drinking from the straw-lid

the suggestive mean of the finger indentations to encourage the user to crook a finger up over the outer edge of the straw lid to hold it in place while tipping the cup bottom upward to perform the tip and sip function of the straw-lid

3. A straw-lid of claim 1 comprising an inward formed pressure equalization valve to prevent a vacuum forming while drinking from the straw portion

4. A straw-lid of claim 3 comprising a pressure equalization valve formed as an inward hole punch on a slightly raised surrounding platform on the surface of the lid platform to funnel air in and out of the cup while drinking

5. A straw-lid of claim 1 with a rolled upper rim to accommodate a variety of drinking cup openings such as the rolled edges of paper or plastic or thickened straight edges of Styrofoam or glass fitted to a cup rim with a leak-proof feature comprising a contour crease and band seal located below the rolled edge of the straw-lid rim

a rolled upper rim that curves around the upper cup rim and tightly cinches in with a contour crease beneath the upper cup rim

a band seal descends downward from the contour crease to create a continuous leak proof seal around the circumference of the outer top edge of the cup

a bottom edge of the straw-lid extends outward to form a ledge or a skirt with which to leverage the removal of the lid for refilling or freshening purposes or to discard or recycle after use

6. A straw-lid of claim 1 may include helpful design options such as flavor indicator bubbles, logos, labels or warnings

7. The method of thermoforming of comprising a process wherein the mold made in the image of the straw-lid is positioned for thermoforming as “male”

8. The method of claim 7 wherein the holes formed at the pinnacle opening of the straw mouthpiece and the pressure equalization valve are cut using a multi-level double full hole punch from a “female” mold perspective

9. The method of claim 7 wherein the punched holes are removed by full vacuum assist