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.
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
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] 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.
[0020] 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.
[0021] 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.
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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
[0024] The following figure references will characterize the advantages of the preferred embodiments of the present invention. The narrative of the drawings is as follows:
[0025] 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.
[0026] 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.
[0027] 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.
[0028] 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.
[0029] 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.
