Disposable lid for beverage cups or containers

Abstract

A disposable lid for covering and closing the open end of a beverage cup or other container that may contain a hot or cold beverage or other foodstuff is disclosed. The disposable lid includes a top surface having at least one depressed area formed therein. The at least one depressed area has a depth sufficient for receiving and containing foodstuff such as condiments.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention generally relates to a lid for a beverage cup or other container, and more particularly to a disposable lid having defined depressed areas for containing foodstuff. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Finger foods, such as french fries, chicken nuggets, and onion rings, are often ordered “to go” and consumed while driving in an automobile or while walking. Many of the above foods are frequently eaten with condiments such as ketchup, mustard, and barbeque sauce. Since these foods are often eaten with one's fingers, a person typically holds a food item in his fingers and dips it into a condiment. When eating in a sit-down restaurant, the condiment may be dispensed directly next to or on top of the food product, or a tub of the condiment can be placed on a table next to the consumer. When consuming such products in an automobile or while walking, however, the option of using a tub of condiment becomes more complex and represents some danger to...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0004] The present invention is directed to a disposable lid for closing and covering the open end of a beverage cup or other container. One exemplary embodiment of the disposable lid of the present invention includes a top surface for covering the open end of a beverage cup or other container, a side surface extending downwardly from the top surface, and a lip engaging portion defined by a top and outer wall. The lip-engaging portion securely attaches the disposable lid to the beverage cup or other container. The top surface of the disposable lid preferably includes at least one depressed area formed therein, and preferably a plurality of depressed areas. The depressed areas are configured to have a depth sufficient for holding condiments and other small foodstuff.

Problems solved by technology

When consuming such products in an automobile or while walking, however, the option of using a tub of condiment becomes more complex and represents some danger to safety because it is difficult to manage multiple separate containers in those situations.

Thus, the process of consuming such foods while on the go represents an inconvenience and a potential safety hazard.

However, these devices fail to provide an adequate solution to the inconvenience because they require a restaurant or vendor to provide additional attachments and containers beyond what is typically given to a consumer when a meal is ordered “to go.”

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