A lid for a drinking cup includes an annular mounting portion for engaging the lip of the cup, an annular side wall extending upwardly from the mounting portion, and a top wall having a drinking opening formed in it. In the preferred embodiment, the top wall of the lid has a recess formed in it adjacent the drinking opening to accommodate the upper lid of the user. The present invention relates generally to a lid for use in combination with a drinking cup and more particularly to a lid enabling drinking from the cup without removal of the lid.
MORE
MORE
The lid 10 provides a cover for the cup 12 which inhibits spillage and reduces heat transfer between the beverage and the surrounding atmosphere, and is secured in place on the cup 12 by an annular mounting portion 18 which engages the rim or lip 14 of the cup. In the preferred embodiment, a preformed opening 20 is provided to enable drinking from the cup 12 without removal of the lid 10. In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention (not illustrated), the lid 10 might have score lines formed in it defining a removable portion to enable a drinking opening to be formed by the user.
design
Many of the lids commonly in use for this purpose must be removed prior to drinking of the beverage to provide access to the beverage. Removal of the lid may be inconvenient, particularly if the user is attempting to hold the cup and remove the lid with one hand. Also, if the user desires to drink the beverage while walking or traveling in a vehicle, removal of the lid may enable the beverage to splash out of the cup should the cup be jarred, or pour out of the cup should the cup be tilted.
Some lids have had score lines or the like formed in them to define a removable portion which may be punched out or folded to provide access to the beverage. One disadvantage of this type of lid is that it may be inconvenient for the user to perform the requisite penetration or folding of the lid, particularly if the user is walking or riding in a vehicle, or has only one hand free.
Some lids have included preformed openings for drinking. However, in some such lids which have been proposed in the past, the position of the opening has been such that drinking through the opening is difficult or uncomfortable due to the way in which the user's mouth engages the lid.
It is well known to apply disposable lids to disposable drinking cups for carry-out sale of beverages such as coffee. Many of the lids commonly in use for this purpose must be removed prior to drinking of the beverage to provide access to the beverage. Removal of the lid may be inconvenient, particularly if the user is attempting to hold the cup and remove the lid with one hand. Also, if the user desires to drink the beverage while walking or traveling in a vehicle, removal of the lid may enable the beverage to splash out of the cup should the cup be jarred, or pour out of the cup should the cup be tilted.
“It is well known to apply disposable lids to disposable drinking cups
In accordance with the present invention, a lid is provided which is configured to facilitate drinking from the cup through an opening in the lid without spillage and without causing discomfort to the user. The preferred lid includes a mounting portion for gripping the upper rim of the cup, a side wall extending upwardly from the mounting portion, and a top wall having an opening formed therethrough. When drinking from the cup, the mouth of the user may seal against the lid adjacent the opening to prevent spillage. A recess is preferably provided adjacent the opening to accommodate the upper lip of the user. The side wall provides a relatively smooth surface for the lower lip of the user to engage, and enables drinking without the lower lip of the user contacting the lower edge of the lid. A vent opening may be formed in the top wall to enable air flow into the cup to facilitate the flow of liquid through the drinking opening. A drain opening may be formed at the bottom of the recess to enable liquid to drain from the recess into the cup. Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a lid for a drinking cup which enables a user to drink from the cup through an opening in the lid comfortably and without spillage. A more specific object of the present invention is to provide a lid having an opening formed therethrough to enable drinking, and having a recess formed in the lid adjacent the opening to accommodate the upper lip of one drinking from the cup.
As noted above, as an alternative to the drinking opening 20, the lid 10 might have score lines formed in it defining a movable portion which a user could penetrate or fold to gain access to the interior of the cup 12. The preformed opening is preferred, however, because it enables one to drink from the cup 12 without having to penetrate or fold any portion of the lid. The recess 30 to accommodate the upper lip 28 of the user is formed adjacent the drinking opening 20 and radially inwardly thereof. In addition to accommodating the upper lip 28 of one drinking from the cup, the recess 30 may also inhibit splashing of the liquid up through the drinking opening 20.
In the illustrated embodiment, the recess 30 is defined by a curved wall 44 which extends generally downward and slightly radially inward from the rim 40, and a pair of contiguous, generally planar inclined surfaces 46 and 48 intersecting the curved wall 44. A drain opening 50 is formed at the bottom of the recess 30 so that any liquid which runs into the recess 30 from the drinking opening 10 or the vent opening 38 may drain back into the cup 12. The recess 30 preferably has a depth slightly less than the height of the side wall 24. This enables the lid 10 to be placed on a full cup 12 without the lowermost portion of the top wall 26 extending into the liquid in the cup 12.
