One-piece splash and spill resistant lid

Abstract

A one-piece disposable cup lid enables drinking while inhibiting splashing and spilling by blocking straight-line paths through the lid and dispensing beverage through a well. A drinking spout can include a well having a sidewall, a bottom and a penetration into the cup, or a sloping lid section can intersect a raised rim to create a well therebetween, with a penetration in the sloping section or the rim configured to block straight-line paths, for example by upwardly hinging of a flap or depressing half of a split, convex bubble. Embodiments include baffles that force a beverage to flow through a convoluted path and/or through chambers before being consumed. Baffles can be formed in place, or by hinged movement of flaps after forming. Textures and/or protruding structures can intercept, direct, and/or influence surface tension as beverage flows across surfaces. Vent hole sizes and locations can further limit flow and spilling.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a Continuation-In-Part of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 972,309, filed on Jan. 10, 2008, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11 / 972,309 claims priority based on U.S. Provisional Application No. 60 / 879,935, filed Jan. 12, 2007, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes. This application also claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61 / 122,964, filed Dec. 16, 2008, which is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The invention relates to lids for use with drinking vessels, and more particularly to splash and spill resistant disposable lids for drinking vessels.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Disposable lids are frequently used in combination with drinking cups, coffee cups, and other types of drinking vessels and containers from which a beverage ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0014]A one-piece disposable lid is claimed that includes structural features which enable drinking from a drinking cup while also inherently inhibiting splashing and spilling of the beverage from the drinking cup without requiring deployment of manual plugs or blocking devices. Spilling and splashing are inhibited by blocking strai

Problems solved by technology

Of course, while providing a drink-through opening in a disposable lid facilitates consumption of the beverage therethrough without separating the lid from the drinking vessel, it also creates a risk that beverage could be inadvertently splashed or spilled out through the opening if the cup is inadvertently tipped or jostled, or is subjected to sudden acceleration or deceleration.

Inadvertent spilling and splashing can create dangerous situations when a user is driving or moving.

With today's busy lifestyle, consumption of beverages on-the-go and has become commonplace, and inadvertent spilling and splashing of beverage can be particularly irksome and embarrassing for a user when en route to work or to a professional and/or social engagement.

However, straws are typically not practical, or at least are not preferred, when consuming a hot beverage such as tea, coffee, or hot chocolate.

However, turbulence or “sloshing” of a beverage when the cup is nearly full can easily lead to spilling of some liquid out from the hole, and jostling of the cup can cause liquid to splash

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